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JA'S.- vt i£L J Jc-v.t h ^ 




VERMONT 



j§Usitimf»l (Tmfttm 



ALL THE TOWNS IN THE STATE, 

fflivil, (gduciitimnO., ^iaflotphual, ^tligiott? ami StUilitimi. 



VOL. V*. 

THE TOWNS OF WINDHAM COUNTY, 



WITH HJSTOHIES OF 

SUTTON IN CALEDONIA COUNTY, AND BENNINGTON IN 
BENNINGTON COUNTY. 



ABBY MARIA HEMENWAY. 



MRS. CARRIE E. H. PAGE, 

BRANDON, VT. 

1891. 

Property Of 
Rutland 

Historical Society 



A LOCAL HISTORY OF 




COLLATED BY 



PUBLISHED BY 




Copyright secured to Mrs. Carrie E. H, Page, 
for Yols. V, and VI. 



DEDICATED 

To the historian of Cumberland County, and to the writers of each 
town history, donors of portraits, and to all who have in 
any way aided in the completion of this volume, 
and to all Vermonters who are true 
to the interests of their State. 



PREFACE. 



The death of Miss Hemenway has somewhat delayed the appearance* 
of another volume of the Vermont Historical Gazetteer; but it is 
chiefly her work, and has been edited, and is published according to the 
original plan. It was due both to the author, and to the subscribers, 
that this should be done; and it is hoped that the work has not suffered 
either in accuracy or interest by the change. 

In compiling and arranging the great mass of materials furnished 
by writers the editor has been compelled to omit some things the inser- 
tion of which would have swelled the volume to an unwieldy size; but the 
aim has been to retain that which was of permanent value, and essential 
to correct presentation of the facts of history. The publisher desires 
to acknowledge the favors and valuable assistance received, which has 
greatly lightened the labor of its preparation; and without which hearty 
co-operation it could not have been made so complete. It is impossible 
to mention all, but the following persons should not be omitted, 
whose aid renders it fitting that their names should be associated with 
the work : 

Ex-Gov, J. Gregory Smith. Ex-Lieut. -Gov. Levi K. Fuller, Col. J. 
J. Estey, Kittredge Haskins, Estj., Hon. Gilbert A. Davis, Judge James 
Phelps, W. S. Smart, D. D., Prof. Hiram A. Cutting, Geo. L. Clark, 
Prof. J. S. Lee, Mark and Myron Ward, Dr. J. Draper, F. D. Proctor, 
F. 0. Smith, Hon. K. Roberts, L. D. Wilcox, W. E. I. Robinson, J. 
H. Merri field, D. L. Mansfield, S. D. Winslow, L. A. Jackson, N. W. 
Cook, F. C. Gully, 0. A. Marshall, C. A. Cleghorn, A. H. Washburn, 
H. H. Warner, Mrs. E. D. Greenwood, Sylvia and Isabella Whithed, 
Eva J. Stickney, Miss Jane Hunt, Mrs. W. S. Balcli. 

To these, and to all others, who have given valuable aid in ways too 
numerous to be mentioned, our thanks are due. This volume is offered 
to the public as another contribution to the history of Vermont, and is 
a memorial of its editor, who gave to the preservation of its history the 
indefatigable labors of a life-time. 

Brandon, December, 1891. 



ABBY MARIA HEMENWAY 



vm horn in Ludlow, VL, October 1S28* She was educated at the 
Black: River Academy at Ludlow, Her classmates and fellow students 
still remember her as an active, earnest scholar, and was eager to make 
practical use of knowledge when acquired* She was a great admirer of 
Margaret Fuller Ossoli, Mrs, Browning, Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, 
and those enthusiastic workers of forty years ago. She taught for three 
years in Michigan, and soon after returning to Vermont, she began what 
proved to be her literary career and the work of her life. 

She knew of many who had written Poems worth preserving, and 
the result of her efforts to collect these treasures was “The Poets and 
Poetry of Vermont," published in 1859. The collecting of materials for 
that book introduced her to the prominent men and women of that time, 
interested her in almost every portion of the State and made her many 
life-long friends. The keepers of local anecdotes and traditions of the 
early settlements were rapidly passing away; each year death decreased 
their numbers. 

Miss H emeu way had shown such fitness for the particularly difficult 
task of finding interesting material for literary work where none was ex- 
pected, that at the earnest request of many eminent men, she began her 
Vermont Gazetteer, thinking to complete it in a few numbers, published 
in a magazine form. 

The work grew on her hands, and has proved to be the labor of a life- 
time, and so valuable to the State and every lover of Vermont, and in- 
deed to every historical student, that we might feel that she earned for 
herself a fitting monument, if that were all the record she had left of 
her residence on earth. 

At intervals, while waiting for publisher or copy, she has written 
several volumes of poetry and some books of prose, which prove her an 
enthusiastic Christian woman, and attest her warm love for the friends 
she found wherever she resided. Her work as Vermont historian led her 
to various Localities of the State, in order that she might personally super- 
in tend the collecting of material for her Gazetteer, 

About six years ago, thinking by the report of friends that there was 
a better opportunity in Chicago for finishing Vok V., she went there, 
where she resided until her death, A fire destroyed a large part of what 
was done on that volume, 

A lees determined nature than hers would have sunk under the dis- 
couragement. But she rose to the emergency and went bravely to work, 
recovered the lost manuscript and had nearly completed it, when death 
came swift and silent. 



From whichever standpoint we view her life, she was a remarkable 
woman. In this age, when woman has taken a position in all professions, 
not one deserves a stronger meed of praise from tlie present generation, or 
has bestowed a greater obligation on those that shall come after, than 
Abbv Maria Hemenway. 

Miss He men way's published works are as follower 
Poets and Poetry of Vermont in 1858, 

Re vised edition in I 860 , 

Rosa Mystica in 1865. 

Vermont Historical Gazetteer, VoL I, in 1867. 

Rosa Immaculata in 1868* 

Vermont Historical Gazetteer, VoL II, in 1871. 

House of Gold in 1878. 

Vermont Historical Gazetteer, VoL III, in 1877* 

Vermont Historical Gazetteer, Vol. IV, in 1882* 

Vermont Historical Gazetteer, VoL V, nearly complete, 1890* 

Vo L VI w as no ar 1 y p r e p are d f o r press, one to w n p ri n tec 1 . 

Abby Maria Hemenway died Peb. 24 , 1890, aged 61. She earnestly 
worked for Vermont up to the last day of her life, and died suddenly with 
nppoplexy ; she was brought to Ludlow, her old home, for burial. 

MRS* E. CL ROBBINS. 



HISTORY 

OF THE COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND. 



By H on, C, A, DAVIS of Windsor, Vt. 



CHAPTER 1 . 

Th e controversy between New Hamp- 
shire and New York, in regard to the 
tl N H Grants.” Establishment of the 
c minty, 

A brief account of the controversy be- 
tween the Provincial governors of New 
Hampshire and New York, concerning 
their respective right to tire jurisdiction 
over the 4 4 N. H. Grants, 5 ’ as the terri- 
tory now comprised within the State of 
Vermont, was formerly called, may not 
be uninteresting or out of place. That. 
Controversy for a long time seriously af- 
fected the settlement and prosperity of 
the disputed territory. Zealous partisans 
were arrayed on either side, the contest 
w as bold and vigorous, and gave an op- 
portunity for the development of the 
daring qualities of the n Green Mountain 
Bovs. 

Charles II granted to the Duke of 
York, his brother, in 1664 and 1674 a tract 
of land, which embraced among other 
parts £ - all the lands from the west side 
of Connecticut river to the east side of 
Delaware Bay.” The Province of New 7 
York became the occupant of tin's gi ant. 
In 1741, Benning Wentworth was com- 
missioned governor of the Province of 
New Hampshire. The territory over 
which he was to act as governor was de- 
scribed in his commission as being 

bounded on the south side by a similar 
curve line pursuing the course of Mer- 
rimae river, at three miles distance, on the 
north side thereof, beginning at the 
Atlantic ocean, and ending at a pointdue 
north of a place called Pau tucket Falls, 
and by a straight line drawn from thence 
due west across the said id ver till it meets 
with our other governments” Whether 
New York or New Hampshire had juris- 
diction over the territory immediately 
west of the Connecticut river depended 
u p on th e con s tru c fcion g i v en to th e 1 as t 
clause in the commission. Gov, Went- 
worth contended that New Hampshire 
extended as far west as Massac husetts or 



Connecticut, i. e. within 20 miles of the 
Hudson river, where he contended was 
the eastern boundary of the Province of 
New York. 

A correspondence was commenced in 
1749 between the governors of the re- 
spective Provinces in which was urged 
their respective claims to the jurisdiction 
over the disputed territory west of the 
Connecticut, In the first letter of Gov. 
Wentworth he expressed doubts as to the 
true boundary between the Provinces; 
yet he proceeded to have the territory 
surveyed and chartered west of the Con- 
necticut river. 

After some correspondence the two 
governors mutually agreed to refer the 
matter in dispute to his majesty, the king 
of England, This arrangement was 
entered into in 1750, No action appears 
to have been taken upon the matter until 
1754. In the meantime George II bad 
died, and George III acceded to the 
British throne; a monarch whose whole 
police towards his American Colonies re- 
sulted in the most disastrous manner to 
his possessions and authority in that 
part of his dominions. His attempt to 
arrange this controversy between his 
governors, was so bunglingly executed 
that it increased rather tliau allayed the 
difficulty md ill-feeling. 

During the pendency of the contro- 
versy before the king, Governor Went- 
worth was by no means idle. 

In December 1763, 122 grants had been 
made. Gov, Golden, without waiting for 
the king’s decision m view of this un- 
wan'&nled assumption of power and the 
consequences that must result therefrom. 
41 to prevent therefore the incautious 
from becoming purchasers of the lands 
s o gran te d 1 iasu e d a p rod a m ati on Dot’ . 
28, 1763, warning all persons that the 
eastern boundary of the Province of New 
York was the Connecticut river, com- 
manding ofht^rs both judicial and ex* 
eentive to exercise jurisdiction to that 
river, *and also commanding the hi^rh 
sheriff to return the names of all p- 



2 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



who held lauds under New Hampshire 
Grants westward of Connecticut river, 

" that they may be proceeded against ac : 
cording to law.” When this reached the l 
public eye, there was no little commotion 
among those whose interests were af- 
fected thereby. Gov. Wentworth, to in- , 
spire confidence in the validity of the I 
New Hampshire Grants, aud encourage 
settlements under them, issued a counter 
proclamation March 13, 17(54. The claim 
of New Hampshire was urged and that of 
New York deprecated. The late proc- 
lamation of Gov. Colden was termed 1 
one “of a very extraordinary nature.” 
The settlers were urged not to be “in- 
timidated, or in any way hind red of ob- 
structed in the improvement of the 
lands’* granted them, as their title under i 
New Hampshire charters was perfectly 
reliable. 

But few giants were made after the 
putting forth of this proclamation, In 
the meantime the claims of New York 
had been brought before the King, sup- 
ported by petitions purporting to lie 
signed by a great number of the settlers 
on the New Hampshire Grants, repre- 
senting that it would be for the advan- 
tage of the petitioners to be annexed to 
the colony of New York, and praying 
that the Connecticut river might lie de- 
clared the western boundary of the prov- 
ince of New Hampshire. Accordingly 
the King and council July, 1761, issued 
an order declaring “ the western banks 
of the River Connecticut to be the 
boundary line between the said two 

f provinces.” This proclamation wasjiub- 
ished by the governor of New York, 
April 10, 1765. This order in council 
which was intended to settle the whole 
difficulty only added fuel to the Maine. 
It was as ambiguous and uncertain as 
the answers of the Delphic oracle. 

“ To be'' the boundary line. Did this 
clause only affect the question of juris- 
diction? In the future! Were the titles 
under New Hampshire grants thereby 
declared null and void and the people to 
be obliged to rc-purchase from New 
York? Such and similar questions were 
asked by the settlers. Different answers 
were given to these questions, influenced 
by the situation of the party. Many of 
the settlers claimed there was no neces- 
sity of re-purchasing, while the governor 
of New York took the opposite ground. 
Still, Gov. Colden had no desire to op- 
press the actual settlers. By the pay 
ment of a small fee their lands were to 
be re-chartered to them. Almost the 
first act of the governor couucil after 
publishing in April the order of the 
King, considering the condition of those 
who were actual settlers under - New 
Hampshire Grants, and that the dispos- 
sessing of sucli persons might be ruinous 



to themselves and families, was to make 
an order that the surveyor-general should 
not upon any warrant of survey that 
should come into his bauds, make any 
return of lands so actually possessed, un- 
less for the persons in actual possession 
thereof. 

And March 4, 1771, that officer re- 
turned that he had observed the order 
in his surveys east of the Green mount- 
ains. So far, the conduct of New York 
towards the “Grants” had not been op- 
pressive or unjust. At this critical 
period in the history of the towns situ- 
ated within the “New Hampshire 
Grants’* much depended upon the meas- 
ures each adopted. Some obstinately re- 
fused to purchase charters from New 
York aud trouble ensued; others ob- 
tained their charters aud remained for a 
time comparatively quiet. 

The people of the “Grants” by this 
decision were included within the “ un- 
limited” county of Albany, whither they 
1 were compelled to go to transact all legal 
business. As the roads at that time were 
difficult of passage, if even surveyed, the 
inconveniences were numerous. 

In 1765, attempts were made by Thos. 
Chandler and Isaac Mann, of New Flam- 
stead, in connection with Daniel Jones 
and Robert Harper, to induce the Pro- 
vincial Legislature of New Y T oi k to form 
a county east of the Green mountains, 
with New Flamstead, (Chester,) as the 
shire town, and Messrs. Chandler and 
Mann even proceeded to New Y T ork city 
to advocate the measure, but without 
success. New Flamstead was theu in- 
cluded within the limits of Albany coun- 
ty, and the only results of their efforts 
appears to have been the appointment of 
21 additional justices of the peace for 
that county. At a meeting of the justices 
at Rockingham, April 27, 1766, Nathan 
Earle was chosen constable for New 
Flamstead. Of the proceedings of these 
men, “ In a little brief authority dressed 
, up,” no records are known to exist. 

Early in the year 1766, Thomas Chand- 
ler, at the request of Sir Henry Moore, 
governor of New York, ascertained the 
numberof men between the GreenMount- 
ains and the Connecticut river, who 
were capable of bearing arms. Accord- 
ing to his report in the southern portion 
of that district there were 600. Military 
companies were formed in the different 
towns, and commissions issued, bearing 
date Jan. 20, 1766. Thomas Chandler 
was commissioned Colonel. The records 
of these military organizations are not to 
be found. Thus New Flamstead was 
furnished with a full complement of offi- 
cers, judicial, executive and military, 
and some good results were seen, yet 
; their efficiency was very much impaired 
by the want of a jail for the confinement 



CUMBER D AND COUNTY. 



3 



of evil doers, the jail at Albany, which 
was 150 miles distant, and not easy of 
access on account of the condition of the 
roads and the face of the country, being 
Hie nearest. The attempts to secure the 
formation of a county were again re- 
newed by Chandler and others, on the 
iflth of June, 1706. Governor Moore sec- 
onded their efforts, and on the 3cl of July 
a portion of the “ Grants'* situated be- 
tween the Connecticut river and the sum- 
mit of the Green Mountains, comprising 
the same territory now included within 
the li mite of Wind am and Windsor coun- 
ties, was erected into a county by the 
name of Cumberland. Tt probably re- 
ceived its name from Prince William, the 
duke of Cumberland, who in 1746 had 
met with distinguished success in oppos- 
ing the rebels in Scotland. 

Provisions were made for the erection 
of a court house and jail. New Fla in- 
stead being the most convenient among 
the townships, and “ Nearest the centre 
of the county,” was selected as the lo- 
cation of these buildings. On the 1 4th of 
July, 1766, a new charter was obtained 
for New FI a instead, by Thomas Chandler 
and 36 others, in which tire town took 
the name of Chester, It confirmed the 
settlers in the quiet possession of their 
farms, and saved Chester from becoming 
the theatre of contests between the peo- 
ple and civil authority of New York. 
July 15, 1766 another act was passed re- 
lating to courts in Cumberland county. 
By it the “Judges and jn slices duly au- 
thorised in that be half ” were directed to 
hold “ Yearly and every year,” in the 
township of Chester, a court of common 
pleas, to hear, and according to the laws 
of England, and the Province of New 
York, Li To try and determine all suits, 
q narrate , con tro versi es an d d i ff ere u c es , ? ’ 
which might arise t in the technical lan- 
guage of the ordinance) between “Any 
of the loving subjects of the county, 
above the value of forty shillings." A 
court of general sessions of the peace was 
also established ; two terms of these 
courts were annually to beheld, respect- 
ively upon the hi st Tuesdays of June and 
November, Four days was the length of 
time they were authorized to sit at any 
term, and both courts were to be held at 
the same time, that the business before 
them might be “Constantly proceeded 
in, and all unnecessary attendance avoid- 
ed, )T Officers both judicial and executive 
were appointed, and the foundation laid 
of a place “ Wherein justice is judicially 
administered." In the distribution of 
appointments tire Chandlers were not 
overlooked. Thomas Chandler, sen., re- 
ceived the appointment of chief judge of 
the court of common pleas, surrogate and 
justice of the peace ; John Chandler, 
clerk of the court, and justice of the 



peace and quorum ; and Thus, Chandler, 
jr. , justice of the peace and quorum ; Na- 
than Stone, another citizen of Cl 1 ester, 
was appointed high sheriff ; and Timothy 
G l colt of Chester, coroner. These com- 
missions bear date July 16, 1766. 

The act establishing Cumberland coun- 
ty was transmitted agreeably to the laws 
and statutes of England, “To his majes- 
ty, for his royal approbation, or disal- 
lowance.” The king, June 26, 1767, de- 
clared the act “ You! and of none effect.” 
On the reception of the intelligence of 
this act of his majesty, the governor of 
, New York published the same to the 
province. Great was the consternation 
and surprise in Chester, at this unex- 
pected frown of fortune upon their flat- 
tering prospects, and numerous petitions 
were signed there and forwarded to Gov, 

| Tyron. representing the “Distress and 
great inconvenience under which the in- 
habitants of that part of the county were 
laboring through the want of due admin- 
istration of justice." The Provincial 
Council of New York took the matter in 
hand, and in face of the 'veto’ of the 
king, on the 19th of March, 1768, the 
“ Great Seal >T of the Province was affixed 
to an act which had been passed the I8tli , 
re-establishing the county of Cumber- 
land, and re-selecting Chester as the shire, 
since being nearest the center of the 
county, it was the most “Convenient 
for that purpose." Courts were e^ta b- 
lished and the proper officers appointed, 
and commissions issued on the 7th of 
April following. Many of the citizens of 
the county defied the authority of this 
court presided over by Judge Chandler, 
insulted him in open court, and finally 
compelled him, through fear, to leave the 
court house. A full account of their 
troubles will be given hereafter, together 
with a description of the jail and court 
house, which were erected at Chester, 

Prior to 177n, little is known of the 
records of courts of Cumberland county, 
w h ic h u u dou bted ty Lave b een destroyed . 
That such records existed there is no 
doubt. There is a deed still extant from 
Thos. Chandler to Ebenezer Holton , on 
which is the following official endorse- 
ment and certificate : 

“Received for Record, January ye 8th, 
1770, and recorded in the Records of 
Deeds for the County of Cumberland. 
Lib, A, Folio, 79, and examined, John 
Chandler. Clerk," 

CHAPTER 11. 

1770. The establishment of the court 
at Chester and the men appointed to 
office did not give universal satisfaction 
to the citizens of Cumberland county. 
Charges of corruption and bribery were 
brought, and resistance to the precepts 



4 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



made on these grounds. The more par- 
ticular charges were, that the establish- 
ment of the county was a sham and not 
a reality ; that the patent or ordinance 
erecting the county was a libel, as it 
suggested that its being erected into a 
county was petitioned for, which was 
false ; that there was no justice to be ob- 
tained by reason of the corruption of the 
judges who were ruled entirely by John 
Grout, an attorney then resident at 
Chester, 

Col, Nathan Stone, of Windsor, acted 
a prominent part in this resistance and 
headed a mob who rescued from the 
custody of the high sheriff, one Joseph 
Wait, the particulars of which rescue 
are ^iven hereafter. Some of the citizens 
of the county, and especially those of 
Windsor and vicinity had deliberately 
determined “that no writs or precepts 
that issued out of the inferior court or 
courts of the general sessions of the 
peace, for the said county, should be 
served- 1 ' Perhaps, however, hostility to 
the government of New York, thus at- 
tempted to be extended over the territory 
immediately west of the Connecticut, 
may have been the real motive to resist- 
ance, John Grout, an attorney at law, 
settled in Chester a short time previous 
to February, 1770. He formed one of 
th e posse of some 15 or 16 of the settlers 
summoned by Daniel Whipple, then 
high s her riff of Cumberland county, to 
assist in re-a nesting one Joseph Wait 
and others, who had been rescued from 
the custody of the sheriff “by a number 
of armed mem” Wait declined to be 
arrested* and being surrounded and aid- 
ed by his friends who “were armed with 
gnus, swords, pistols and clubs,” resisted 
the she ri ff . Trie sh e r iff m a d e prod a m a- 
tion, but it was disregarded- Wait's 
party charged upon the sheriff and his 
posse. Wait, himself, aimed two blows 
at Grout with a club which, to use his 
own language, he avoided “by suddenly 
retreating,” but the sheriff and his posse 
were made prisoners and kept seven 
hours as prisoners at Windsor and then 
permitted to depart. This was certainly 
a high handed outrage upon the civil 
authority of the county. Tuesday, June 
5, 1770, was the day appointed by law 
for holding the regular term of the “In- 
ferior court of common pleas and 
the court of the general sessions 
of the peace” for the county of 
Cumberland* at Chester* On the 
Sunday preceding the term, a letter 
written at Windsor was shown to Judge 
Wells of Brattleboro which gave him 
reason to “suspect” that an attempt 
would be made to prevent the sitting of 
the court. Judge Wells immediately 
stal led for Chester and on his route call- 
ed upon Judge Lord, and together they 



proceeded. Arriving at Chester on Mon- 
day evening, the contents of the letter 
was communicated to Chief Judge 
Chandler and some justices of the peace, 
the letter was, however* couched in such 
ambiguous and doubtful terms that the 
extempore council were unable to deter- 
mine upon any definite measures ntces- 
sary to be pursued, and seperated to 
await the events and developments nf 
the succeeding day* Tuesday morning 
came and with it Nathan Stone, Joseph 
Wait and about 30 confederates, includ- 
ing many who had lately successfully 
resisted the sheriff and hispofffte. Flush- 
ed with their late success, these rioters 
appeared at the court house in a noisy 
and tumultuous manner. Stone being 
armed with a sword, Wait with a dagger 
and hanger, and the remainder of the 
motley crew “with large staves and 
clubs.” Judge Chandler mildly demand- 
ed of Stone, who appeared to be the lead- 
er, for what reason they bad assembled 
at the court house thus armed, and desir- 
ed han not to carry his sword into court. 
The reply of Stone was so low, contempt- 
uously and sullenly so, that It was not 
heard" by the judge. The rioters remain- 
ed outside and matured their plants, 
while the judges and officers of the 
court entered the court house, and the 
judges soon after took their seats upon 
the bench* The court was opened in the 
usual manner by reading the letters pat- 
ent or ordinance establishing the county, 
and the commissions of the pleas* In 
regular order* the rioters then entered 
the court house, bearing their weapons 
and with their hats on, formed in a reg- 
ular body, facing the court. Col. Stone, 
with drawn sword, and Joseph Wait, 
with drawn dagger and hanger, advanced 
to the table in front of the judges 1 seat. 
Such a display was well calculated to 
terrify these functionaries, as the sheriff 
was powerless before such a resolute and 
war-like company. Colonel Stone, ad- 
dressing the judges, demanded “in be- 
half of the public,” what business they 
had to sit there as a court, and this de- 
mand was clamorously seconded by his 
followers. They were mildly informed 
by one of the judges that their authority 
had been read at the opening of the 
court, and all who wanted satisfaction 
should have attended to the reading of 
them. 

“ By many arguments” Cob Stone de- 
nied the authority of the government of 
New York to erect the county, and es- 
tablish the court,— an objection the 
judges die! not attempt to answer or re- 
fute, deeming it prudent to bear m si- 
lence with the insolent bearing of the 
martial array before them ; hut the riot- 
ers were informed that the business of 
the term would be proceeded with. 



CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 



5 



Failing thus to drive the judges from 
their seats, without a resort to physical 
force, and being unwilling to attempt 
that at this stage of proceedings they 
tried another expedient, Joseph Wait 
and some others had been indicted for a 
riot— the attempt to arrest him has be- 
fore been detailed— and in this manner 
u surrendered ” themselves in open court 
and demanded an immediate trial. The 
martial display before them convinced 
the judges that a trial would be but a 
mockery of the name of justice, as a 
jury would not, as they apprehended 
dare to convict the rioters for fear of the 
consequences at the hands of their 
friends; neither did they dare to refuse 
a trial and order them to enter recog- 
nizances for their appearance for trial at 
another term ; therefore they were in- 
formed they might depart without en- 
tering into any recognizance whatever* 
Thus far the court had been complete- 
ly cowed. The un whipped rogues nexL 
demanded that John Grout should be 
disabled from practising before that 
court, “representing him as a bad man/' 
The court were not disposed to yield to 
this demand and expressed a contrary 
opi u i on of th e charact er of Grou t . Ho vv - 
ever, they were informed that the grand 
jury was the proper tribunal before 
whom to make their charges and the 
clerk of the court would assist in draw- 
ing any necessary bill; that Mr* Grout 
had a right to a’ trial, when accused of 
any offense; and that the court had no 
lawful authority to forejudge Mr. Grout 
upon a mere suggestion that he was a 
had man, unsupported by evidence, nor 
even the particulars of the bad conduct 
pointed out. In this certainly the judges 
were correct* Stone and Wait declared 
they were “not about accusing him in 
such a way as to give him a trial, neither 
were they obliged to do it ” adding noth- 
ing would satisfy the people and himself 
but Grout's bein^ immediately expelled 
from the court in such a manner as 
never to have the privilege of practising 
as an attorney. If it is not done (ad- 
dressing Judge Chandler) 11 we shall do 
something which I shall be sorry to be 
obliged to do which will make your 
Honor repent not complying with our 
request,’ 1 The court had the firmness 
and daring to promptly refuse to comply 
with their demands. In a riotous and 
tumultuous manner, upon the announce- 
ment of the resolution of the court, the 
crowd closed upon the court with their 
clubs with the evident intention of car- 
rying their point by force. The gr eatest 
excitement was manifest and the " noi^e 
and confusion M rendered the transaction 
of any business impossible, and placed 
the lives of the court in peril* At this 
juncture, to prevent any act of violence 



in open court, the court was immediately 
adjourned to the following day, and the 
judges escaped without suffering any 
personal violence* 

The rioters then proceeded to the house 
of the clerk, John Chandler, Esq,, and 
seized the attorney whom they had in 
vain attempted to have disbarred by the 
court. 

Grout was seized by John Thurston 
and David Getchel, and started on the 
road to Charlestown, N. H. A large mob, 
armed with sticks, and numbering thirty 
or more, joined the two former, and as 
they surrounded and urged forward the 
frightened attorney* took particular 
pleasure in pulling, shaking, twitching 
and otherwise tormenting him. 

His position was not very desirable, 
and the senseless mob, it is not to be pre- 
sumed, tempered their severity with 
much moderation. Grout, not being ac- 
customed to such laborious and hurried 
business, was exhausted and fatigued by 
Ins twelve-mile excursion. Then his 
treatment at their bauds was uncivil and 
cruel, for many were the shakes and 
twitches he was obliged, ttoZeus volens^ 
to endure* He was detained a prisoner 
by the rioters at Charlestown about 13 
hours, when they conducted him to 
Windsor. His arrival there was not cal- 
culated to arouse in his mind very pleas- 
ant reminiscences* But a short time 
since had he escaped the club by a dex- 
terious movement and been detained a 
prisoner. Still earlier had the town au- 
thority taken measures to warn him out 
of town for fear of his becoming a pau- 
per* His unwilling pilgrimage at this 
time was not calculated to heighten the 
pleasures of memory. Fear, forced 
marches, and the rough usage he had 
suffered, had, in his own words made 
him feel “himself much mdisposed* lH> 
Grout’s guardians and captors kept him 
under strict surveillance and allowed no 
communications to be senior read, the 
contents of which they did not know* — 
He complained he was not allowed to 
write his wife to quiet her mind as to the 
dreadful apprehensions which she must 
have entertained as to what had befallen 
him. 

On Sunday the 10th of June, he effect- 
ed his escape* 

The rioters at Charles town exulted over 
their success and said li we have now 
broken up the court,' 1 if we thought we 
had not effected it we would go back and 
bring away one of the judges. 11 

The foregoing account is taken from 
the affidavit of John Grout, sworn to be- 
' fore Daniel Horsmander at the city of 
New York, Aug. 7. 1770. 

Grout proceeded to New York and 
swore out process against the. rioters in- 
I eluding tiie Stones, David Getchel, IS in 



6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



all. We have no knowledge that these 
were ever served and probably the mat- 
tes stopped there, and Mr. Grout re- 
turned to Chester and engaged in the 
legitimate practice of his profession. 

A petition headed by Thos. Chandler, 
and signed by 467 others, including 
numerous citizens of Chester “ in behalf 
of themselves and other inhabitants of 
the counties of Cumberland and Glou- 
cester,” dated Nov. 1, 1770, was ad- 
dressed to the kiug’s most excellent 
majesty. The grievances under which 
they lived were briefly recited. The late 
attempt to obstruct the court at Chester 
was alluded to, and the facilities of es- 
cape afforded criminals by the unfriend- 
ly conduct of New Hampshire— and 
praying for some measures by which the 
title to their lands might be placed be- 
yond dispute, and they enjoy the bene- 
fits of a settled and efficient government. 
The late riotous proceedings n ad aroused 
the whole community, and they lelt that 
no longer could such things be endured. 
The courts of Chester were not, again 
molested. 



CHAPTER III. 

JAIL AND COURT HOUSE AT CHESTER. — 
ATTEMPTS TO REMOVE TIIE 
COUNTY SEAT. 

One strong reason for the selection of 
Chester as the county seat — and a reason 
that had silenced the opposition of many 
— was the assurance of Judge Chandler 
that he would “ At his own expense, 
build a good and sufficient court house or 
jail,” at that place. Judge Chandler was 
a large land owner in Chester, and the 
pecuniary benefits which he expected to 
derive from the increase in value of his 
real estate, induced this offer. Prior to 
the summer of 1770, the place used as a 
jail in Chester is thus described : It 
“Was a place made in the corner of a 
dwelling-house or hut, the walls of which 
house were made of small hackmatack 
poles, locked together at the corners by 
cutting notches into the poles, and lay- 
ing them notch into notch, so as to bring 
the poles as near together as convenient- 
ly might be. The cracks or vacancies , 
between pole and pole, were filled with 
tow, moss or clay. The chamber floor 
( was) laid with loose single boards. Such 
was the house, a corner of which then I 
had the name of a jail, which corner | 
may be justly described as followeth, viz: 
small palisades or poles of the diameter ! 
of about six inches each, ( were) set up, 
one end of them on the lower floor, and 
the other end reaching one of the joists 
on which rested the upper floor. These 
poles resting against the joist, hindered 
them from falling inward to the jail 



part, and on the other pole at some inches 
aistant, ( was ) pegged up with wood 
pegs, which pole was fixed about parallel 
with the joist, and prevented the pali- 
sades from falling outwards from the 
jail apartment, and as many of the pali- 
sades were not fastened at the top or 
bottom, nor the chamber floor nailed, it 
was always in the power of any man who 
might be put into the jail apartment to 
pusli away the loose upper floor boards, 
and move away the palisades, and be at 
liberty.” 

In this apology for a jail, however, one 
prisoner had been confined. In the year 
1770, an order was issued for the impris- 
onment of Atherton Chaffee, aud Chaffee 
was confined in this jail for four months, 
under the direction of Daniel Whipple, 
then sheriff of Cumberland county. The 
disposition of the prisoner had more to 
do with the imprisonment than the 
strength of the jail, for it is related that 
Chaffee remarked to John Grout, Esq., 
“That he knew it was out of Whipple’s 
power to confine him against his will, 
but that Whipple had always used him 
with great tenderness, and that he should 
not be hurt: for, says Chaffee, I will 
tarry in the jail be it never so slender, 
rather than Whipple should be hurt.” 

In the summer of the same year, the 
inhabitants of Chester commenced the 
erection of another jail. A subscription 
was raised to aid the enterprise, of which 
the following is a copy from the orig- 
inal : 

“Junel6fch, 1770.— To encourage the 
finishing of the Goal now began in Ches- 
ter, we the subscribers, will pay to such 
person or persons as Thomas Chandler, 
Thomas Chandler, Jr., Esqs., and Mr. 
John Grout, shall employ to labour or 
provide materials, the sums against our 
names written, witness our hands. 

Joseph Wood, one bushel of corn. 

Willard Dean, two bushels of wheat 
delivered at Rockingham at the last day 
of August.” 

Judge Chandler asserted in 1771, that 
not one farthing of this subscription had 
ever been paid. This second jail was 
built of hemlock logs 20 inches in 
diameter. But nails were necessary for 
the completion of the roof. As before 
stated the inhabitants of Chester in town 
meeting assembled, had resolved to abide 
by the non-importation agreement, rec- 
ommended by the Provincial Congress 
at its session" at Philadelphia, and this 
agreement was very generally adhered to 
throughout the colonies. Nails were not 
manufactured in the colonies, and their 
agreement prevented the importation of 
any. Accordingly the new jail was left 
unfinished. In the meantime the old jail 
had been accepted by the court and 
sheriff “As a sufficient” building and 



CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 



7 



had “ Held prisoners for more than four 
months at a time who never left jail until 
delivered by due course of law.’ r At least 
such was the claim of Judge Chandler. 
After the failure to obtain nails for the 
completion of the new jail, Judge Chand- 
ler caused the old jail to be repaired On 
the sides it was strengthened, and at 
right angles with the logs which formed 
the main body of the house, other logs 
were placed and pinned. Tradition lo 
cates this jail as well as the court house 
which was subsequently erected, near 
the present residence of Mr. Albert Bald- 
win. 

At this time no court house had been 
erected at Chester, and at whose house 
the courts were holden is not known. 
Early in the year 1771 many of the in- 
habitants of Cumberland county, and es- 
pecially those residing in the towns bor- 
dering upon the Connecticut river, en- 
deavored to effect the removal of the 
county seat from Chester. A petition 
for that purpose was presented to Gov- 
ernor Dunmore, March 11, 1771, and 
among other arguments used was the 
fact that no county buildings had been 
erected at Chester, as Chandler had 
promised, and that there was not “ Any 
real probability that any would be built/’ 
and besides this it was extremely incon- 
venient for people residing in the river 
towns to attend court at Chester, for the 
roads leading thither were bad, the in- 
habitants residing there few in uumbev 
and the accommodations poor. By order 
of the governor and council a copy of 
this petition was served upon Thomas 
Chandler, and the hearing of the matter 
fixed for the first Tuesday of May, fol- 
lowing, Service was made on Chandler 
April 7, and on the 10th his reply was 
transmitted to New York, addressed to 
Gov. Dunmore. His reply gave an ex- 
plicit denial to the charge that no county 
buildings had been erected, and then pro- 
ceeded to describe a jail that had been 
constructed, and one that had been com- 
menced. The jails above described are 
those referred to. He proceeded to com- 
pare the roads leading into Chester with 
those leading into Brattleboro, and 
claimed the former as “ vastly better,” 
and thus endeavored to show the supe- 
riority of Chester over Brattleboro. As 
to the accommodations for people at- 
tending court, he asserted they were as 
good as those afforded by any town in 
the county, that the provisions* furnished 
were as good as elsewhere, and as many 
spare beds in his opinion could be ob- 
tained there, as at any other place in the 
county. It appears that there were hut 
four or five families residing near the 
county buildings, but others resided 
within one mile of them. Yet Judge C. 
represented that many preferred to camp 



near the county buildings rather than 
travel a mile for good accommodations. 
In regard to the roads to Chester, he 
asserted that a route, within a year, had 
been traveled from Chester to Albany, 
and this was the only one either north 
| or south of Chester, for over 100 miles, 
with the exception of one in Massachu- 
setts which crossed the Hoosic moun- 
tains. Persons coming from Albany to 
attend court would be compelled if the 
shire town was changed, to first come 
to C, and then follow the road leading 
from there to the newly selected place, 
j With the route over the Hoosic moun- 
tains, Judge C. seems not to have been 
pleased, and gave it a shape like this, 
‘‘It is difficult and dangerous both for 
man and horse,” ancl then gave a passing 
remark to his associate on the bench- 
judge Wells of Brattleboro, who was a 
corpulant man, and who favored the re- 
moval of the shire town from Chester, 
“ A corpulent person can hardly get up 
with the hold of his horse’s tail to draw 
him up by, and if the horse should miss 
his step, as many horses have often done, 
he would fall, roll or slip many rods be- 
fore he would recover.” 

For some reason the hearing in May 
was suffered to pass unattended to, and 
nothing more appears upon the records 
of the New York Legislature, until Jan. 
15, 1772. In the meantime, offers of 
money toward the erection of the county 
buildings were made by several towns, 
in case such town might be declared the 
county seat. Rockingham offered £70. 
During this summer Judge Chandler was 
not idie, but seeing the necessity of 
making further efforts in order to retain 
the county seat at Chester, proceeded at 
his own expense to erect a court house. 
It was “ thirty feet long, sixteen feet 
wide and eleven feet post,” but with 
what material it was covered, and the 
manner in which he obtained nails 
therefor, does not appeal*. Besides the 
court room, there was a “ sufficient lob- 
by, or room fit for a jury, with a fire 
place in it." This building was leased to 
the County for 10 years and for as much 
longer as the County might wish to oc- 
cupy it. In this court house it is prob- 
able that but two terms of the “Court of 
Common Pleas and General Sessions of 
the Peace for the County of Cumber- 
land,” were held, that of the first Tuesday 
of November, 1771. and the brief session 
of the first Tuesday of June, 1772, when 
according to the provisions the act of 
the Provincial Council of Mar. 24, 1772. 
the judges met and opened the court in 
due form, and adjourned the same with 
, “ all presentments, indictments, suits, 
causes, plaints, writs, processes and pro- 
ceedings. whether criminal or civil, and 
all parties charged, prosecuting or defend- 



8 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



lag; therein/' to the term then next en- j 
suing to be holden at Westminster. 

Jan, 12. 1772 T the condition of Cumber- j 
land County was again under cousidera- 1 
tioD in the Provincial Council, The 
House went into committee of the whole 
and spent considerable time in discussing 
the subject, when the speaker resumed 
the chair, and the chairman of the com- 
mittee reported that legislation in rela- | 
tioit to Cumberland County was neces- 1 
sary, and proposed, among others, that 
a bill be brought in to enable the free- 
holders and inhabitants of that County 
to provide suitable county buildings, and | 
elect the necessary County officers. Ac- 
cordingiy on the IGth, a bill was present- 
ed and passed to a second reading, which 
named Chester as the Gouuty seat. This 
was probably effected by the influence 
and arguments of Judge Chandler. The 
bill on the 29th was read a second time 
and referred to a committee of the whole 
House. Judge Chandler was in New 
York City at this time, and on the 2dtb 
addressed a petition to Gov. Wm. Tyron, 
who had succeeded Dunmore as the chief 
execu t i ve o f the Pro vince, aud re i terated 
the same arguments and statements 
which he had addressed to Dun more in 
his first petition or replication. The 
petition is dated at Ft, George in the 
City of New York, and in this he did not 
neglect to describe the court house which 
during the preceding Summer he had 
built at Chester, and leased to the 
County. Tii© advantages possessed by 
Chester in respect to location and acces- 
sibility were enlarged upon, and also 
th© effect upon the settlement of that 
part of the County remote from the 
river, which the continuance of the 
shire at Chester would naturally have. 
And finally undertook, in case the tax 
which lie asked for completing the court 
house and jail was not granted, that he 
would at his own expense complete those 
buildings, rather than tire same should 
be removed M to the damage of the pub- 
lic/’ Chandler seems to have employed 
all his arts and arguments to influence i 
the mind of Gov. Tyron, and his conduct 
at this aud other times indicates a man 
of c onsi der a b l © tact an d sh re w dn ess , 
and one well calculated for occupying 
the leading position which he held for 
many years among the early settlers of 
Easter n V ermou t< 

When the news of the riot at Putney, 
which occurred Jau, 27, reached him, 
accompanied with the reported threat 
of the rioters to u go to Chester pull 
down ye jail” and release the prisoners, 
he seized upon this circumstance as af- 1 
fording an argument in favor of the ob- 
ject of his journey to and sojourn at 
New York, After giving the Governor 
a history of the disturbance he adds: , 



11 If the jail had been in any one of 
the river towns as prayed for by some, 
the jail had, by said mad rioters, been 
pulled down. Your Excellency will 
therefore see that it will on this account 
be best to continue the jail and courts in 
ye centre of the county, if no other 
reasons were given Iml to prevent such 
sudden mischiefs being perpetrated as 
may be done in a sudden heat of pas- 
sion,” 

But the opposite party bad by no 
means been regardless of their interests 
during this time. On the 22d, a petition 
signed by the inhabitants of Cumberland 
I County, had been presented and was 
read before the House, in which the 
arguments of Chandler were attempted 
to be refuted. This was referred to the 
I committee of the whole House. And 
not satisfied to let the matter rest thus. 
Samuel Wells and four others addressed 
1 Gov. Tyron in behalf of themselves aud 
| of those who were opposed to the location 
of the shire town at Chester. Their 
former assertions were repeated. They 
represented the court house aud jail 
erected by Chandler as unworthy the 
, name ; that the road to Chester wdsonly 
partly opened, little traveled, poorly 
constructed and in some places, almost 
impassible, and the houses in town as 
mean, slight and uncomfortable, and 
urged the selection of Westminster as 
the future County seat. This address or 
| statement was read in the House, Jan. 
27, and referred to the same committee 
, as the others. 

The bill with some alterations and 
amendments was passed March 24th. 
After the first Tuesday in June the next 
| following instead of two, four terms of 
court were to be holden each year, but 
each session should not continue longer 
than four days. The matter of the loca- 
tion of the shire town was referred by 
the bill to a meeting of the supervisors 
chosen by each town, who were required 
to assemble at the court house in Chester 
on the last Tuesday in May the next en- 
suing, and by a plurality of votes ascer- 
tain the place where the court house and 
jail were to be erected. The 19tli of May 
was the day appointed for the election of 
the supervisors. On the 2§th of May 
this representative body assembled as 
provided in the bill, The names of its 
members, and of its presiding officers, 
are unknown. This meeting was one of 
great interest to the people of Chester, 
as the continuance of the sessions of the 
cou r ts at tl ui t place wo u 1 d grea t ly 
promote the settlement of the town, aud 
add to its character and business. What- 
ever might have been Chandlers influ- 
ence among the members of the Provin- 
cial Legislature, he seems to have met 
with defeat among the representatives of 



CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 



9 



the people of his own county. West- 
minster was selected as the shire town, 
and a spot therein designated for the 
location of the court house and jail, and 
the meeting adjourned. 

In an old volume of records now in the 
office of the clerk of Windham County 
Court, I have found the following rec- 
ords relating to the transfer of the court 
from Chester to Westminster and the 
business of the court after its removal to 
the latter places 

At a Court of Common Pleas and a 
Conr^of General Sessions of the peace for 
the County of Cumberland at the Court 
House in Chester in the same County on 
Tuesday l the second day of June, 1772, 
in the Twelfth Year of the Reign of our 
Sovereign Lord, George the Thu d by the 
Grace of God, of G rea t Br i tai n , Fra n ce 
and Ireland, King Defender of the Faith 
and so forth. 

Present: 



Thomas Chandler, Esquire, f T A 
Noah Sabin, Esquire, f ^ 

Wm. Willard, Berij. Butterfield, Esqrs. , 
Assist a. □ t J us ti ces . 



GOUftT opened. 

Court adjourned to the Meeting House 
in the Township of Westminster until 
the second Tuesday in June, instant, 
with all presentments, indictments, 
suits, complaints, writs, processes and 
proceedings, whether criminal or civil 
and all privities, charges, prosecuting or 
defending thereon pursuant to the direc- 
tions of an Act of the Legislature of the 
province of New York in that code made 
and provided. 

Court assembled in Westminster at the 
meeting house, June 9, 1775. 
Commissions of 

Thomas Chandler, Joseph Lord, Sam- 
uel Wells and Noah Sabin. Esquires— 
jointly and severally to be judges of the 
Inferior Court of Common Pleas for the 
County of Cumberland, and James Rog- 
ers, Nathan Stone. William Willard, 
Stephen Green Leaf, Thos, Chandler, 
Juni\, and Benj. Butterfield, Esqs.,— to 
be the assistant Justices of the said In- 
ferior Court of Common Pleas, was pub- 
lished. 

Was read. 

Bearing date April 14, 1772. 

Crean Brush, clerk, bearing date Feb, 
15, 1772. 

Daniel Whipple, Sheriff. 

Grand Jurors imparmeled and sworn. 

Licenses were granted to sundry per- 
sons as tavern keepers and retailers. 

June 10, 1773, 

John Grout was admitted to practice 
as an atty, in this Court. 



Upon motion made this day by Crean 
Brush, Esq., representing that no en- 
try whatsoever appears to have been 
made of any rules, orders, or proceed- 
ings in any action whatsoever which 
hath been commenced or proceeded upon 
in the sakl courts since the establish- 
ment of the said court until this term 
and praying the order and direction of 
the court herein. It is ordered that all 
actions which have been commenced 
i and proceeded upon and with which 
were returnable at or before the Term of 
November last do cease and that the 
I actions be commenced de novo unless in 
such cases only where the defendants 
have entered a plea and when the cause 
respectively are at issue. Provided the 
i parties prosecuting and defending do 
previously agree Eo^ release all errors in 
such actions and enter into a proper 
, agreement signifying the same. 

The first trial by jury was 
John Church v. Samuel Taylor, 

— an action on the case- — 

John Grout for PUT . 

Strong by count of the court for Dft, 
Verdict for Dft, 

Tuesday , Sept. 8, 1772. 

Sa m uel K ui ght of B ra t tl eboro, ad m it- 
ted and sworn as an atty. of the court. 
Solomon Phelps, do 

Sept. 17, 1773, 
at Westminster. 

James Jackson ) 

v. j- On trial in ejectment. 

Benjamin Wait, ) 

Brush for Plf . 

Mr, Grout for Dft. 
confesses lease, 
entry and ouster. 

The jury without going from the Bar, 
find for the Plf. his costs of suit * * * 
with all that Lot or Parcel of Land situ- 
ate in Windsor— one House Lot in the 
1st Division of house lots containing 50 
acres and in No. 42-' A Iso, one meadow 
lot contiguous and adjoining to the said 
home lot, containing 7 acres and a half 
known as lot No, 15 or the same lotts 
have lately been in the tenancy and oc- 
cupancy of Zepheniah Spicer. 

The records end abruptly, 

Dec. 14, 1773, 



CHAPTER IV. 

In 1773 the court house was completed 
at Westminster, It was situated on an 
elevation at the northern extremity of the 
| southern plain, called court house hill. 
In shape it was nearly square, the sides 
being about 40 feet. It was built of hewn 
logs and clap-boarded. On the lower floor 



10 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



in the southeast comer was a kitchen 
occupied by the jailor, and in the south- 
west corner a bar room. Each of thase 
rooms was furnished with a large fire- 
place, The jai) was on the north side, on 
the first floor, having two apartments* 
A Sight of stairs near the east entrance 
led to the court room in the second story. 
The sessions of the courts at Westmins- 
ter from the time of the massacre in 
April, 1775, were interrupted until 1779, 
and the civil government in the mean- 
time was in the hands of a committee of 
safety. The courts were then held in 
Westminster until 1781, when Cumber- 
land county was abolished. 

Cumberland county contained on the 
16th of January, 1771, 4,009 white inhab- 
itants and Jo blacks. There were 747 
heads of families. 

The people of the county were desirous 
of representation in the Provincial Leg- 
islature of New York, and to the number 
of 153 signed a petition dated 7 Decem- 
ber, 1772, addressed to Governor Tyron, 
praying for this privilege, and on the 33d 
of the same month the council ordered a 
writ to issue for the election of two rep- 
resentatives in that county. This was 
brought about largely through the influ- 
ence of Judge Chandler. 

Samuel Wells of Bra tfcleboro and Creon 
Brush of Westminster, were elected the 
first representatives, and in the following 
February took their seats in the Legisla- 
ture then in session in New York city. 
Brush was a native of Dublin, Ireland, 
and removed to Cumberland county in 
1771, and settled in Westminster, He 
was a large owner of and speculator in 
lands. He was a lory* and his property 
was confiscated. He was an influential 
debater in the Legislature, 

Samuel Wells* the other represents 
tive, was a farmer and a man of wealth. 
He was a Lory during the revolution, and 
at its close removed to Canada and set- 
tled upon a 1 ,2U0 acre tract of land that 
had been granted him by the king for 
losses which lie had suffered by bis loy- 
alty. 

Isaac Law, a citizen of New York, took 
an active part in the affairs preceding 
the revolution. An effort was made in 
the city of New York to learn the senti- 
ments of the people in reference to the 
mother country, Mr. Law as chairman 
of the committee, wrote to the supervis- 
ors of Cumberland county, May 21, 1774, 
for information. The matter was per- 
mitted to slumber until the ensuing fall, 
when the different towns in the county 
were invited to send delegates to a con- 
vention to be holden on the 19th of Octo- 
ber at 'Westminster* 

The different towns in the county very 
generally responded to the call by send- 
ing delegates to the convention, which 



assembled at Westminster in the court 
house, on the 19th of October* 1774, and 
continued in session during the follow- 
ing day ; 18 delegates were present, CoL 
John Hazel tine of Townshend was chair- 
man. 

The letter of Isaac Low, the act of the 
British Parliament in laying a duty or 
tax on tea, for the purpose of raising a 
revenue in America, the Boston Port 
bill, and several arbitrary declarations of 
the British government were read to the 
convention, and a committee to report 
resolutions expressing the sense of the 
convention on these then all absorbing 
topics, was chosen. John Grout of Ches- 
ter, Joshua Wells of Westminster, Paul 
Spooner of Hartford, Edward Harris of 
Halifax, and Major William Williams of 
Marlboro ugh , con sti tu te d th e com m i ttee. 

The report of the committee was pre- 
sented on the 20th, and with the resolu- 
tions reported was unanimously adopted. 

I quote from the resolutions : 

“ Resolved : That as true and loyal 
subjects of our gracious sovereign, King 
George the third, of Great Britain, etc,, 
we will spend our lives and foil tines in 
his service, that as we will defend our 
king while he reigns over us his subjects, 
and wish his reign may be long and glo- 
rious, so we will defend our just rights, 
as British subjects, while breath is in our 
nostrils, and blood in our veins ; that 
considering the late Acts of the British 
Parliament, for blocking up the port of 
Boston, etc., which w T e view as arbitrary 
and unjust, inasmuch tm the Parliament 
have sentenced them unheard T and dis- 
pensed with all the modes of law and jus- 
tice which we think necessary to distin- 
guish between law fully obtaining right 
for property injured, and arbitrarily en- 
forcing to comply with their will, be it 
light or wrong, we resolve to assist the 
people of Boston in defense of their lib- 
erties to the utmost of our abilities.” 

In the next resolution they announced 
in the most explicit terms the rules by 
which their own conduct should be gov- 
erned in circumstances in which they 
might be nearly concerned : 

'"Sensible,'’ said they, “That the 
strength of our opposition to the late sets 
consist in uniform, manly, steady, and 
deter mined mode of proced u re , w e w 1 1 1 
bear testimony against, and discourage 
all riotous, tumultuous and unnecessary 
mobs which tend to injure the persons or 
properties of harmless individuals, but 
endeavor to treat those persons whose 
abominable principles and actions show* 
them to be enemies to American liberty, 

. as loathsome animals not fit to be touched 
I or to have any society or connection 

with/ 1 

, A committee of correspondence whs 
| chosen to communicate with other com- 



CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 



11 



mittees of corrrespondence. The chair- 
man was directed to forward the resolu- 
tions of the convention to Isaac Low, and 
the convention adjourned. 

On the 13th of November, 1774, another 
county convention was called to assem- 
ble at Westminster, November 30tli. This 
convention duly assembled and “ All the 
resolves of the Continental Congress 
which had been passed a few weeks pre- 
vious were adopted, and a promise was 
made by which the delegates bound 
themselves as representatives of their 
constituents, religiously to adhere to the 
non-importation, non-consumption and 
uou-exportation association. 

A third convention was lioklen at 
Westminster, February 7, 1775, twelve 
towns were represented. Colonel Hazel- 
tine was chosen chairman, and Dr. Paul 
Spooner, clerk. Its session continued 
through three days. A standing commit- 
tee of correspondence was selected to 
keep the inhabitants of the county in- 
formed as to the doings of the friends of 
independence in the different Colonies. 
Its members were Joshua Webb, Nathan- 
iel Robertson, and Abijah Lovejoy of 
Westminster, Captain Minard of Putney, 
Solomon Harvey of Fulham, (now Duni- 
merston.) Nathaniel French of Brattle- 
boro, William BuLlocJk and Hezekiah 
Stowell of Guilford, Lieutenant Patter- 
sou of. Hinsdale, Edward Harris of Hali- 
fax, Charles Phelps and Captain Whit- 
more of Marlboro, Eljah Olvord of Dra- 
per, Samuel Robertson of Newfane, John 
Ilazeltine and Samuel Fletcher of Town- 
send, Janies Rogers of Kent, now Lon- 
donderry, Moses Guild of Chester, Moses 
Wright and Jona Burt of Rockingham, 
Simon Stevens of Springfield, Hilkiah 
Grout and Oliver Kidder of Weathers- 
fiold. Benjamin Wait of Windsor, Paul 
Spooner of Hertford, now Ilartland, Esq. 
Burch of Hartford, Jacob Haselton of 
Woodstock, John W. Dana of Pom fret. 

Dr. Spooner, Joshua Webb, Abijah 
f icvejoy, Solomon Harvey, and Capt. 
Whitmore were chosen ‘ to serve as 
monitor to the committee of correspond- 
ence, to transfer all letters, and all other 
matters that are of consequence or intel- 
ligence to the chairman, Col. Hazelton.’' 
It was voted not to choose field officers, 
and the proposition to allow an appeal 
from a justice court was decided in the 
negative. Provisions were made for the 
calling together of the convention in 
case of necessity, and Chas. Phelps and 
Dr. Harvey were instructed to prepare 
for publication an account of the doings 
of the convention, and the convention 
adjourned without day. 

The Continental Congress assembled 
at Philadelphia, Sept. 5, 1774, to consult 
upon measures for the common safety. 
This meetiug was followed by the sus- 



pension of British authority in nearly all 
the American Colonies except New York, 
which refused to assent to the measures 
recommended by that body, and the 
courts of justice were either shut up, or 
adjourned without transacting any busi- 
ness. The first interruption of the courts 
of New York occurred at Westminster in 
Cumberland County, Mar. 14, 1775, and 
is known as the “Westminster mas- 
sacre.” Though the province of New 
York had rejected these measures pro- 
posed by the Continental Congress, the 
people of the County of Cumberland had 
heartily accepted them. 

The events at Westminster on the 13th 
of March, aroused the people of the 
county, and caused a general disposition 
to resist the administration of the govern- 
ment of New York, and at a meeting of 
committees appointed by a large body of 
inhabitants of Cumberland County, 
holden at Westminster, April .11,1775, 
resolutions were adopted, declaring it to 
be the “duty of the inhabitants to wholly 
renounce and resist the administration of 
the government of New York, till such 
times as the lives and property of these 
inhabitants may be secured by it, or till 
such time as they can have opportunity 
to lay then* grievances before his most 
Gracious Majesty in Council, with an 
humble petition to be taken out of so op- 
pressive a jurisdiction, and either an- 
nexed to some other government, ov 
erected and incorporated into a new 
. owe.” 

Mai. Abijah Lovejoy was moderator, 
and Dr. Reuben Jones, clerk of this con- 
vention, and Col. Haseltine, Chas, Phelps 
and Col. Ethan Allen were chosen a 
committee to prepare a remonstrance and 
petition to King George. 

These proceedings indicate loyalty to 
the British government, but hatred of 
New York, and had not the events of 
April 19, at Lexington. Mass., &o soon 
followed, fully arousing and uniting the 
Colonies, this controversy would have 
been settled perhaps by the king. No 
‘ humble petition’ was presented by 
Ethan Allen or any other member of 
this committee to King George, as 
| contemplated by the resolutions— but we 
soon find Ethan Allen at Ticonderoga 
demanding its surrender in the name of 
Almighty God and the Continental Con- 
gress. New York wheeled into line for 
the common defense and left for a time 
the Grants in open rebellion to her 
authority. 

A provincial convention was organized 
in New York, May 22d. but Cumberland 
County was not represented; however, 
on the 6th of June, a convention, or 
“ County Congress” was holden at West- 
minster, and Col. John Hazeltine of 
Townsend, Dr. Paul Spooner of Hart- 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



12 



land, and May. Wdl Williams of West- 
minster were chose n delegates to repre- 
sent the county in the New York Provin- 
cial Congress, and on the 21st day of 
June, these gentlemen took their seats, 
— and this Congress adjourned July 9th. 
Col. Hazel tine remained but three days 
in the convention — but the -other delegates 
continued to the close of the session. 
These three gentlemen were re-elected 
as delegates at a convention hoi den at 
Westminster, July 26, but only Wm, 
Williams took his seat in the convention 
having been empowered to act singly 
“ in as ample and full a manner” as if all 
were present. 

At a County Convention holder at the 
Court House in Westminster, Messrs. 
Spooner and Williams were again re- 
turned as delegates from Cumberland 
County and in February, ITT 6, Cob 
Joseph March of Hartford, and Wm. 
W i 1 1 i am s were r etu rn e d as de 1 (gates. 

The County Committee of Safety as- 
sembled at Westminster Court House 
and continued in session from Juue 11 to 
21st, 17T6, Twenty towns were repre- 
sented by 64 delegates. The affairs of 
the county were discussed, and civil and 
criminal justice administered. Joseph 
Marsh, John Sessions and Simon 
Stevens were chosen to represent the 
county in the New York Provincial Con- 
gress from the second Monday in July 
following, and the following instructions 
for the guidance of these delegates were 
prepared and adopted. The sentiments 
of these instructions are so highly 
patriotic, and embody so many principles 
that are now engrafted into our system 
of State laws, that it is deemed proper to 
insert here the following extracts: 

" First— we instruct you to use your 
influence to establish a government, in 
this Colony agreeable to the maxim, viz: 
that all civil power (under God) is origin- 
ally in the people, and that you in no in- 
stance, in your public capacity, will do 
anything to abridge the people of this 
fundamental right. * * * * 

“Second — that you use your best in- 
fluence in Congress to adopt such a code 
of laws, whereby the liberty, property 
and everything dear to the inhabitants 
of this colony and America in general, 
shall be founded on a permanent basis, a 
few of which laws we humbly beg leave 
to suggest, might be made or enacted, 
viz: laws for establishing religion and 
literature, so that ministers of the Gospel 
may be supported and schools set up, 
which must have a tendency to promote 
virtue and good manners. 

“Third, we think it would much con- 
duce to the happiness of this county to 
have a court of justice, so soon as may 
he properly organized, to take cognizance 
of nil criminal actions. At the same 



time we desire that men of character, 
integrity, knowledge and virtue, who 
belong to our own county, may sustain 
the offices in such an important depart- 
ment. Tlie ancient trial by jury, we 
have a great veneration for. In order 
that our future courts may be supplied 
with grand jurors, we humbly request 
that the Honor able Congress would 
adopt the following method for this 
county, viz,: That, each town through 

the county, at their annual meetings 
shall elect their proportion of men, who 
shall serve as grand jurors, the ensuing 
year, and that their names shall be prop- 
erly returned in the clerk's office in order 
that the jury, when so chosen, may in- 
form the advocates, who shall prosecute 
criminal actions of all misdemeanors in 
the county, passing within their knowl- 
edge. The petit jurors, in like manner, 
we would be glad, might be chosen an- 
nually, and that their names, being en- 
rolled, may be returned in the clerk's 
office, and where so returned, may be 
dravvn by lot for the service of the en- 
suing year; * * * * that all deeds 
may he recorded by the town clerk in 
each town. * * A 

“Lastly — * * * we desire that 

each town in this county may nominate 
their own justices, and that they may 
not be appointed without such nomina- 
tion. That justice, religion and virtue 
may prevail in this colony and that 
peace and tranquility may be restored 
through America is the sincere desire of 
the Committee of Safety for Cumberland 
county.” 

The right of the "Grants” to secede 
from New York was among the subjects 
of discussion ; some of the members fav- 
ored a union with Massachusetts. A let- 
ter was prepared, addressed to the mem- 
bers of the Provincial Congress, in which 
was expressly reserved the right of the 
people of Cumberland county, in the 
event that the Provincial Congress 
should fail in establishing a government 
independent of the Crown, to be govern- 
ed by the principles embraced in "the in- 
struct ion s to fch ei r d el ega tes , to d i sa v o w 
"every clause, article and paragraph of 
such an institution,” and the further 
right of pursuing "their former petition 
in behalf of the people, prepared sonic 
years ago, and referred tot lie great and 
General Assembly of the ancient, everre- 
s] >ectab 1 e a n d m os fc pa tri o t i c govern men t 
of the Massachusetts Bay Province, that 
the whole district described in said peti- 
tion may be hereafter re-united to that 
province. 

Another meeting of the committee was 
commenced July 23d > and ended 26tb. 
and eighteen towns were represented. A 
quantity of powder, 1,800 pounds, which 
had been received from the New York 



CUMBERLAND COUNTY, 



13 



authorities, was deposited in one oi the 
jail rooms of the court house, and a ser- 
geant and four privates were detailed to 
guard it by night, and a sergeant and two 
privates by day. '‘Necessary vittling 
and a half pint of rum to each man, once 
in 24 hours” were supplied, and meas- 
ures adopted for the detection of spies 
and informers. 

At the July session of the New York 
Provincial Congress, Cumberland county 
was represented by Messrs. Marsh, Stev- 
ens and Sessions. The commissary was 
directed to furnish 4,500 pounds of lead 
for the use of the county, and Mr. Ses- 
sions was deputed to forward the lead to 
the general committee of the county, and 
the committee were required “ To attend 
carefully to the disposition” oi' this sup- 
ply among the militia. For the protec- 
tion of the frontier from raids by Indians 
the convention resolved to raise ranging 
parties, and 252 men were ordered to be 
raise by Cumberland and Gloucester 
counties, and the force to be divided into 
four companies. The command of this 
battalion was entrusted to a major, 
chosen by the convention, Joab Hois- 
ington of Windsor, was unanimously 
elected “Major of the rangers.” On the 
6th day of August the committees of 
safety for Cumberland and Gloucester 
counties met at Windsor and made nom- 
niations for officers of the four compa- 
nies of the rangers. Commissions were 
granted to the following, October 10, 
1776, under authority of the New York 
convention: 

CAPTAINS. 

Benjamin Wait. 

John Strong. 

Joseph Hatch. 

Abner Seeley, 

FIBST LIEUTENANTS. 

Elisha Hawley. 

Eklad Benton. 

Simon Stevens. 

Benjamin Whitney. 

SECOND LIEUTENANTS. 

Zebu Ion Lyon. 

John Bai nes. 

Amos Chamberlain. 

JeJiiel Robbins. 

The militia of Cumberland and Glou- 
cester counties were formed into one 
brigade and Jacob Bagley of Newbury 
was appointed brigadier- general and 
Simon Stevens of Springfield, brigade 
major. Two paper regiments were 
formed and officered under the authority 
of New York. 

To the rangers a bounty of S25 was al- 
lowed to each non-commissioned officer 
and private upon his passing muster, 
and in lieu of rations, a certain sum was 



promised weekly in the following ratio: 
To each captain, 16s.; each lieutenant, 
14s.; and to each non-commissioned of- 
ficer and private, 10s.; and each was to 
equip himself “with a good musket or 
fire lock, powder horn, bullet-pouch and 
tomahawk, blanket and knapsack.” 
Major Iloisington took his position at 
Newbury that he might be able to watch 
the movements of the Indians and Tories, 
and guard the frontier from their in- 
cursions, and was able to send to Gens. 
Gates and Schuyler much valuable in- 
formation concerning the plans and 
movements of the enemy, obtained from 
spies and Tories, but the active services 
of the rangers were not called for during 
this year, though the movements of the 
enemy on the Canadian border and Lake 
Champlain caused much uneasiness 
throughout Cumberland county. 

A session of the County Committee of 
Safety assembled at Westminster, No- 
vember 5th and the friends of the forma- 
tion of a new State made the session ex- 
citing and stormy. Sixteen towns were 
represented. Charles Phelps of Town- 
send had written a letter under date of 
June 21st, to the New York convention, 
expressive of the sentiments of the com- 
mittee, as above detailed. The friends 
of New York wished to withdraw this 
letter, while the friends of a new State 
were not disposed to recall it. The mo- 
tion to withdraw prevailed ; but the 
minority strongly resented this action, 
and entered their protests against any 
further action of the Committee as then 
constituted. A compromise was how- 
ever effected— by adopting a report with- 
drawing the letter — but asserting the 
right of petition, and that “if upon 
proper deliberation it may be thought 
roper a separation should be most con- 
ucive to the peace and happiness of this 
county, we do not preclude ourselves 
from the privilege of presenting our pe- 
tition to the Honorable Continental Con- 
gress.” These sentiments were embodied 
in the form of a letter and sent to the 
New York convention, and the Commit- 
tee of Safety adjourned to meet on the 
firs t Tuesday of June, 1777, “and not 
sooner except on emergent call.” A ses- 
sion was held at Brattleboro, December 
2d, but no business was accomplished. 



CHAPTER V. 

A convention of delegates from the 
several towns in the Grants was holden 
at Dorset, January 16, 1776. This con- 
vention adopted a petition and address 
to the Continental Congress, in which 
their unfaltering attachment to the cause 
of liberty and independence was avowed, 
but at the same time they had determined 



14 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



not to submit to the odious anti gulling 
jurisdiction of New York. But Congress 
did not reach any decision upon this pe- 
tition. 

The Declaration of American Independ- 
ence having been published, it was 
deemed proper to call another conven- 
tion to ascertain the state of public feel- 
ing on this subject, and accordingly a 
convention was holden at Dorset, July | 
24* 1770, at which delegates from 25 
towns were present. The convention by 
adjournment re-assembled at Dorset, 
September 25th, and at Westminster 
January 15, 1777. Public feeling had 
been aroused, and it was ascertained that 
more than three-fourths of the people of 
Cumberland county were favorable to an 
independent State government At this 
Westminster convention a declaration 
expressive of their sentiments was adopt- 
ed, declaring “That the district of terri- 
tory comprehending and usually known 
by the name and description of the New 
Hampshire Grants, of right ought to be, 
and is hereby declared forever, hereafter, 
to be considered as a free and Independ- 
ent jurisdiction or fttate, by the name, 
and forever hereafter, to be called, known 
and distinguished, by the name of New 
Connecticut, alias Vermont/' 

Jrtdge Thomas Chandler was chairman 
of the committee who drew up the above 
declaration. 

The convention after sitting until the 
22d, adjourned to meet at Windsor on 
the first Wednesday in June, following ; 
but first adopted an address to the Con- 
tinental Congress, setting forth the con- 
troversy with New York, and claiming 
recognition as one of Ni The Tree and in- 
dependent American States/* and that 
delegates therefrom be admitted to seats 
in the grand Continental Congress. 

Tl le co nvent ion asse m bled at Win dsor 
in pursuance of adjournment, on the first 
Wednesday of June, and a committee ap- 
pointed to make a draft of a constitution, 
and each town was recommended to elect 
a delegate to meet in convention at 
Windsor, on the 2d day of July follow- 
ing. 

July 2d the convention met at Wind- 
sor h in the hall of a hotel, which has 
since been kutrwn as the Constitution 
House. Until the fall of 1861) the build- 
ing occupied its place on the main street. 

The draft of a constitution was pre- 
sented and read, and the convention pro- 
ceeded to consider its provisions with de- 
liberation, and while having the subject 
under consideration, the news of the evac- 
uation of Ticonderoga arrived, and the 
Convention was on the point- of adjourn- 
ing without completing their labors, 
when a violent storm accompanied with 
thunder and lightning broke upon them; 
they remained in session , the constitution 



was read and adopted, but was never 
submitted to the people of the State for 
their approval or disapproval. 

The first Legislature of the State of Ver- 
mont assembled at Windsor, March 12, 
1778, and on the 17th of that month all 
the land lying between the Green Moun- 
tains and Connecticut river was erected 
into a county, to be called Unity, but this 
name was changed to Cumberland on the 
21st, and on the 24th this large county 
was divided into two shires, the old di- 
viding line between Gloucester and Cum- 
berland counties being adopted as the 
line of separation between the two shires. 
Newbury was the name assigned to the 
northern shire, and Westminster to the 
southern shire* 

A Court of Confiscation was established 
by the Council on the 26th, to have juris- 
diction over, and power to confiscate and 
sell lands in the county adjudged forfeit- 
ed. Col. Joseph Marsh, Gen Jacob Bag- 
ley t Maj. Thomas Murdock, Benjamin 
Emmons, Esc),, Dr. Paul Spooner, and 
Cob Benjamin Carpenter, were the mem- 
bers of this court. 

On the 24th the Assembly made choice 
of judges for the shire of Newbury. Jacob 
Bai i ey , J arc b Bar ton , Will ui m 1 1 o a Ion, 
Reuben Foster and John Flench ; for the 
Westminster shire, John Sheperdson of 
Guilford, Stephen Til den of Hartford* 
Hubbel Wells of Halifax, Hezekiah 
Thomson of Windsor, and Nathaniel 
Robinson of Westminster. 

At a session of the General Assembly 
holden at Bennington, in June, 1778, a 
special court was established for West- 
minster shire, and John fthepaidson, 
Stephen Tilden. Ilezekiah Thomson of 
Windsor* Samuel Fletcher of Townsend, 
and Joshua Webb of Rockingham, ap- 
pointed the judges. And also a special 
court for Newbury shire, and Deacon 
Smalley, Deacon John Barnett, William 
Heaton, Benjamin Baldwin, and Reuben 
Foster appointed judges. 

Very many of the inhabitants of Ver- 
mont were tones during the revolution* 
Some of them were large land owners, 
and early measures were taken to confis- 
cate their lands and thus replenish the 
tr easury and aid in the common defence. 

! In addition to the Court of Confiscation, 
on the 30th of April, 1779* commissioners 
for the sale of these confiscated estates 
were appointed* Major Thomas Chand- 
ler had jurisdiction in the towns of Rock- 
ingham, Chester, and Westminster ; Cap- 
tain Ebenezer Curtis in the towns of 
Windsor, Hertford, (now HartJand,) 
W oodstoc k a n d Read mg. 

Meantime the Court of Confiscation 
was established on a different basis* and 
the powers which had formerly belonged 
to it were, on the 2d of June, 1779, vested 



CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 



15 



in the governor and any two of his coun- 
cil. 

At the session of the Legislature in Oc- 
tober justices of the peace were appoint- 
ed in IS towns, aud two of the Probate 
Districts were supplied with judges. 

The friends of New York were not idle 
spectators of these proceedings. They 
denied the jurisdiction of the State of -* 
Vermont, aud though they were not suf- 
ficiently numerous to establish and hold 
a superior court, yet justices of the peace 
were appointed, and other civil and mili- 
tary officers for the county, and many 
towns were thus provided with two sets 
of officials, the one deriving their author- 
ity from the State of Vermont, the other 
from New York. 

In August, 1778, an attempt was made 
to ascertain the views of a majority of 
the citizens of the southern part of the 
county, on this question of the jurisdic- 
tion, It appears that in the towns of 
Hinsdale, Guilford, Halifax, Brattleboro. 
Marlboro, Draper, Fulham, Newfane, i 
Putney, Westminster, Springfield and 
Weathersfield, there were at this time 
480 voters who supported New York, 32G 
who super ted Vermont, and 185 who 
were neutral in opinion. 

The Superior Court was appointed to 
be holder) at Westminster on the 2d i 
Thursday of March, 1770, and at New- | 
bury on the 2d Thursday of September, 
1779. At the first session of the Superior 
Court at Westminster, the first case tried i 
was that of Pompey Brakkee of Chester, 
a negro, plf . , against Elijah Lovell of 
Rockingham, deft. The exact nature of 
the complaint does uot appear, but Brak- 
kee won damages to the amount of £400 
and costs. At an adjourned term of the 
court holden May 20, Stephen K. Brad- 
ley of Westminster* was appointed clerk 
of the court, and at the same term Brad- 
ley and Noah Smith were admitted and 
sworn as attorneys of the, court, and at 
the same term Nathan Stone, a citizen of 



ster, and James Clay of Putney, were 
commissioned judges of the Inferior 
Court of Common Pleas. Eleazer Pat- 
terson. Hilbiah Grout and Stephen 
Greenl eaf, assistant justices of the Infe- 
rior Court of Common Picas. Micah 
Townsend, county clerk ; Simeon Ed- 
wards, sheriff ; James Clay, surrogate. 

These judicial officers never were per- 
mitted to exercise the functions of their 
respective offices in Cumberland county. 
There were some conflicts between the 
Vermont officials and the adherents of 
New York, but it is not my purpose to 
give a detailed account of them. Such 
accounts more appropriately being given 
in the local histories of the towns in 
which the conflicts happened. Judges, 
justices of the peace and sheriff were ap- 
pointed by the New York authorities, as 
late as June 5, 1782. 



CHAPTER VI, 

The New York Convention of represen- 
tatives in session at Kingston, Apr. 35, 
1777, directed all county and sub- 
corn mitees to use their utmost endeavors 
to apprehend, secure and otherwise in 
their discretion to dispose of all such 
persons as were inimical or dangerous to 
the State until further orders from the 
N e w Y ork Legi si atu re* Th e r i g h t of ap - 
peal from any sub-committee" to the 
general committee was not to be abridged: 
and again on the 5th of May the com- 
mittee of Cum he rl and county were es- 
pecially requested and empowered to 
take the most effectual measures to pre- 
vent, surprise and quell all insurrections, 
revolts and disaffection^; and were em- 
powered to call out the militia and cause 
“all such traitorous inhabitants of this 
State as shall he found in arms against 
the authority of the same, to be destroy- 
ed or otherwise effectually secured 

It was well known in the convention 



Windsor, but an adherent of New York, that a strong spirit of disaffection exist- 
was arraigned, having been charged i ed in Cumberland county, that a majority 
with using ‘ 1 Reproachful and scandalous of the towns refused allegiance to the 
words on the the I5ih of March, concern- authority of the State of New York; 
iug the authority of the State of Ver- and therefore the convention proceeded 
montJ 5 The offence consisted in having on the 1 0th day of May to resolve ‘dhat 
said to John Benjamin, Esq. f the sheriff such of the members of the committee as 
of the county of Cumberland, “G— d — should meet on due and regular notice, 
you and your governor and council,” should be authorized to proceed to busi- 
Stone pleaded guilty and was fined £20 ness. 

lawful money, and costs, and wasobliged May 19th a warrant was issued to the 
to give bonds in £1000 as a guaranty for sheriff of Cumberland county directing 
his future good conduct, him to order an election for State officers 

On the 18th of August, 1778, the an- under the constitution of New York, 
th on ties of New York, still claiming ju- The sheriff of Cumberland county was 
ristliction over the county, had by virtue Paul Spooner, appointed May 5, 1777, but 
of the Constitution of the State of New be declined the office and no election 
York, appointed a full complement of waa h olden under the above warrant, 
officials for the county. Pel a ti ah Fitch James Clay, however, acting as chair- 
of Halifax, John Sessions of Wes tinin- j man of the county committee, sent let- 



16 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



tors to the several towns in the county 
ordering the election of members of the 
County Committee of Safety, The inhab- 
itants of Windsor met May the 20th and 
voted by a great majority not to proceed 
to act according to the orders of the 
State of New York, The inhabitants of 
Townsend asembied June 2nd and in- 
structed Joseph Tyler } the member of 
the County Committee from that town, 
not to act with the County Committee 
agreeably to the new constitution of the 
State of New York, ( * Because in our 
opinion we do not belong to the jurisdic- 
tion of that State/ 1 

June 4, 1777, the Yorker Committee of 
Safely met at the court house in West- 
minster. Westminster, Putney, Brattle- 
boro, Hinsdale, Hartford, Springfield, 
Kent, and Pom fret, were represented. 
James Clay was chosen chairman and 
Simon Stevens clerk. The convention 
adjourned until afternoon, hoping for a 
more full attendance, and again to the 
5th, when they voted, * J Not to go upon 
the public business of the county until a I 
fuller number of the committee were 
present," and adjourned until the 17th 
inst. 

On the 17th this committee again as- 
sem b led at We st m i n ste t\ Pu tney .West- 
minster, Brattleboro, Springfield and 
Weathersfield being represented— they 
adjourned until the following day — 
when a further adjournment was had 
until the 26th. at the house of John Sar- 
geant in Brattleboro. And on the 26th ; 
the committee reassembled at Brattle- 
boro, u being terrified by threats from 
the people who are setting up a new 
State here they thought it imprudent to 
proceed to any business at Westmin- 
ster T ” and concluded to go to a more con- 
genial atmosphere at Brattleboro. 

The members present at Brattleboro I 
were: James Clay and Lucius Wilson 
of Putney, Michel Gilson of Westmin- 
ster, Obediah Wells and John Sargent of , 
Brattleboro, Luke Know 3 ton of New-; 
fane, Hilkiah Grout of WeathersficJcL 
and El Gazer Patterson and Amos Tute of 
Hinsdale— the forlorn hope of the York- 
ers. 

HBkiah Grout was chosen clerk. The 
convention voted to make a true repre- 
sentation of the broken state of the in- 
habitants of the county of Cumberland, 
and assign some reason why the county 
committee did not proceed agreeable to j 
the resolves of the convention of the 
State of New York in respect “ of their I 
choosing Governors and Delegates to 
send to convention.” 

James Clay, El earn 1 Patterson and 
Hilkiah Grout were chosen a committee I 
to draft a representation and lay before 
the convention. The committee re- 
ported, and their report was accepted, I 



and Messrs. Patterson and Grout ap- 
pointed a committee to carry the repre- 
sentation to the convention of the State 
of New York. 

Th esc gen clem en vv ere f u rn ish ed w i t h 
proper credentials stating that the ex- 
pense of the journey is borne by private 
subscription hi as the divided State of the 
county renders it impossible to raise 
any money in any public way, there- 
fore the committee prays the assembly 
or convention give their assistance in 
this affair.” 

The committee then adjourned to meet 
on the first Tuesday of September, at 
the court house in Westminster. 

The report of the committee set forth 
that the convention held at Windsor on 
the fourth day of June instant, for the 
purpose of establishing the new State oi 
Vermont, have taken into their posses- 
sion the prison of the county and have 
strictly forbid all committees acting un- 
der the authority of the State of New 
York— so that it is become impracticable 
to proceed to any public business in the 
county— tit at li the public peace is so in- 
terrupted by the proceedings of the con- 
vention at Windsor, that it hath al- 
ready hindered the raising of men for 
the common defence; that the friends of 
the new State were pursuing their own 
private int er es ts rather tha i \ the pu bl ic 
weal, adding what was no doubt fully 
true , u We rea 1 1 y bel i e v e th at wi th ou t 
the interp^Mo 11 of the Hon or able Con- 
tinental Congress they will never submit 
to the authority of the State of New 
York until obliged to do so by the 
sword.” 

E leaser Patterson and Hilkiah Grout 
were deputed to present said report to 
the New York convention, and this ser- 
vice was performed by Col. Patterson, 
but the records of the convention do not 
show any action to have been taken in 
regard to it. 

Sept. 2, 1777. the New York Commit- 
tee of Safety met at Westminster, at the 
court house, pursuant to adjournment 
from Brattleboro. 

Mr. Rust of Hartford, Mr. Gilson of 
Westminster, Mr. Simons of Rocking- 
ham, Messrs. Simon, Stevens and Pow- 
ers of Springfield, Mr. Sargent of Ches- 
ter and Hilkiah Grout of Weatbeit.fi eld, 
were the only persons present. An ad- 
journment was had until the next day, 
with no addition to their numbers, when 
a motion was made ' ‘ to send some suit- 
able person to the convention or Legisla- 
ture of the State of New York to inform 
them of the conduct of the Pretended 
Council and Pretended Committee of the 
State of Vermont, and hike their advice 
and directions thereon," but the motion 
was rejected by a vote of four to three, 



CUMBERLAND COUNTY, 



17 



and the committee adjourned to the sec- 
ond Tuesday of November. 

The new State of Vermont was sue - 1 
cessfully formed and met with the hearty ] 
approval of a large majority of the peo- 
ple, but still the adherents of New York, 
though few in numbers, were not dis- 
posed to yield the contest, and held sev- 
eral meetings at Brattle boro, where I 
seems to have been their headquarters, I 
to take measures to carry out their 1 
vie ws. At a meeting held at that place, 
April 15, 17715, representatives from i 
Guilford. Bra tile boro, Putney, New fane, 
Hinsdale and Rockingham, were present, i 
and adopted a protest in the form of an 
address, ** To the gentlemen convened at 
Windsor, under the style of the General 
Assembly of the State of Vermont, 5 ' 
against the formation of the new State. ' 
The towns of Weathersheld and West, 
minster concurred in the sentiments of 
the address. The protestors state : 

M Therefore, on behalf of ourselves and 
those who delegated us for that purpose, 
we publicly declare that as we have not 
in any way assisted in, or consented to 
the forming of a separate and independ- 
ent government, we shall not consider 
ourselves hound by any acts of the Leg- 
islature thereof, T and declare their al- 
legiance due to the State of New York. 

The opposition thus declared did not 
confine itself to words, but as subse- 
quent events show, developed itself by 
resisting the precepts of the courts and 
the new State officials. 

An enumeration of the friends of Now 
York was made and it appeared that in 
the towns of Hinsdale, Guilford, Hali- 
fax, Brat tie boro, Marlboro, Draper, Ful- 
ham, Newfane, Putney, Westminster, 
Springfield and Weathersfield, 430 voters 
supported New York, 330 the jurisdic- 
tion of Vermont and 185 were neutral in 
opinion, 

A convention of the disaffected was 
hoi den at Bi attleboro, May 4, 1779, and 
addressed a Jong petition to Gov. Clin- 
ton of New York, setting forth the acts 
of authority of “ the partisans for a now 
State,” in confiscating property, in at- 
tempting to exercise judicial and mili- 
tary authority ll over those who continue 
loyal to ( he State of New York," assess- 
ing and collecting taxes, etc., and urging 
the governor to take effectual and imme- 
diate measures for protecting the loyal 
subjects of New York and to convince | 
Congress of the impropriety of delaying 
to interfere in regard to the jurisdiction 
of New York over the " Grants." 

Satnuel Minot was chairman of this 
con vent ion , and committees were present 
from the towns of Hinsdale, Guilford, 
Brattleboro, Fulham, Putney. Westmin- 



ster, Hocking barn, Springfield and Wea- 
therstield. About this time a in Hilary 
association appears to have been formed 
in this county* to resist the authority of 
the State of Vermont. Ethan Allen was 
directed by the governor to raise the mi- 
litia for the purpose of suppressing it. 
Upon receiving intelligence of this, Col. 
Patterson, who held a commission in this 
county under the authority of New York, 
addressed Gov, Clinton, under the date 
of May 5, requesting directions how to 
proceed, and suggesting the necessity of 
sending the militia of Albany county to 
his assistance. 

Governor Clinton answered this com- 
munication and the petition of May 4 T 
with assurances of protection, and rec- 
ommending that the authority of Ver- 
mont should in no instance be acknowl- 
edged, except in the alternative of sub- 
mission or inevitable-ruin. 

On the lStli of May, Gov* Clinton wrote 
to the President ox Congress, urging the 
immediate interposition of Congress, 
ifc That he daily expected he should be 
obliged to order out a force for the de- 
fence of those who adhered to New York* 
That the wisdom of Congress would sug- 
gest to them what would be the con- 
sequence of submitting the controversy, 
especially at fchal juncture, to the decision 
of the sword." 

June 1, 1770. this letter from Governor 
Clinton, the petition of the committee of 
Cumberland county, the Letter of Colonel 
Patterson, and Governor Clinton's reply, 
were laid before Congress, and a com- 
mittee of five, Messrs. Ellsworth, Ed- 
wards, Witherspoon . Atlee, and Root, 
were chosen “To repair to the inhabi- 
tants of the Grants, and enquire into the 
reason why they refuse to continue citi- 
zens of the respective States which here- 
tofore exercised jurisdiction over the said 
District* * * * And that they take every 
prudent measure to promote an amicable 
settlement of all differences, and prevent 
divisions and animosities so prejudicial 
I to the United States." 

While the subject was engaging the 
attention of Congress, Allen marched 
with an unarmed force and made prison- 
ers of the colonel and militia officers who 
were acting under the authority of the 
State of New York, and this was prac- 
tically the end of the New York author- 
I ity within this county. 

Without pursuing the subject further 
in detail, the corporate existence of Cum- 
berland county was terminated by an act 
of the Legislature, passed February, 1781 , 
“ For the division of counties within the 
State,” Cumberland county was subdi- 
vided into the counties of Windham, 
Windsor, and Orange. 




THE BROOKS FREE LIBRARY. 

BRATTLEBORO. 





BRATTLEBORO. 



BY HENRY BURNHAM. 



The population of this town, now about 
0,000, is principally in two villages called 
East and West village. The West village 
is nearest the geographical centre of the 
town. It was formerly the larger and only 
village, where were the church privileges, 
town meetings, June trainings, etc. In con- 
sequence of the navigation of the Connecti- 
cut. river— which forms the eastern Ixmudary 
of the East village, and of the town for 
about six miles — and the enterprising char- 
acter and efforts of Wm. Fessenden. John 
Holbrook, Francis Goodhue, and others, 
the East village received an impulse, early 
in the present century, which caused it to 
far surpass the West village in business and 
population. 

The town derives its name from William 
Brattle, from Massachusetts — one of the 
grantees of the town — and his name is the 
first one upon the list. Being loyal to King 
George, lie tied to Nova Scotia at the com- 
muncemeiit of the Revolutionary War. It 
is said lie died there before the close of 
the war, and, after the ‘’Jay treaty/' his 
heirs made efforts to recover his Confiscated 
property in this country. How much land 
he owned in tins town, we are not informed; 
but hi$ claim covered some of the best laud 
Id the town of Putney, which is ten miles 
north of Brattlehoro. It has long been quite 
universally believed that the first civilized 
establishment in Vermont wnsai Fort Dum- 
nier, which was erected in the southeast 
corner of the town of Brattlebpro in 1724. 
Hon. David Reed, in his nccount of Col- 
chester. ably maintains and claims this 
honor for Isle LaMotte. in the county of 
Grand Isle. [See. Isle LaMotte, this work, 
Vol. IL — Ed.] Though it is evident that 
the several histories of the State have been 
led into the error of claiming too much for 
this town, it is equally evident, we believe, 
that the first English or Anglo-Saxon settle- 
ment, in this State, was made on what is 
A 



now soil of Llrartleboro, by the erection 
of * HU Majesty’s Fort Dummer,” as stated 
in the charter. Twenty-nine years after this 
settlement, Brattlcboro was chartered under 
George II., and Josiali Willard, Esq., 
chosen or appointed Moderator of the first 
town meeting. 

Chahtsk of Brattlehoko: uy King 

George the Second. 1753. 

P HO vince of New Hampshire. 

L. S. George the Second, by the Grace 
of God, of Great Britain, France and Ire- 
( land King, Defender of the Faith, Ac. 

To all persons to whom these presence 
shall come, greeting: 

Know ye that we of our special grace and 
certain knowledge and mere motion, for 
i the due Encouragement of settling a new 
plantation within our said Province, By 
and with the advice of our trusty and well- 
! beloved Benuing Wentworth, Esq . our 
Governor and Commniidcr-m-Ollief of our 
said Province of New Hampshire in 
America, and of our Council of the sd 
| Province, have upon the conditions and 
1 reservations hereafter made. Given A 
Granted and by these Presents for us our 
Heirs A successors Do Give and Grant in 
equal Shares unlp our Loveing Subjects 
Inhabitants of our said Province of New 
Hampshire and his Majesty's other Govern- 
ments and to their ltcii> and assigns forever 
whose Names arc Entered ou this Gram to 
be divided In and amongst them into fifty- 
six shares. Two of which shares to be laid 
out in one Tract of the contents of Eight 
Hundred acres for his Excellency Benning 
Wentworth. Esq. and is in full for his two 
j shares, which Tract is bounded follows, 
viz 

Beginning at the rocks at the upper end 
1 of the Fort meadow so called. Tlmuce up 
Connecticut River Two hundred and forty 
rods, A to carry that breadth back West ten 
1 degrees North so far as to contain Eight 
Hundred acres. All that Tract or parcel of 
Land situate, lying A being within our 
Province of New Hampshire containing b} r 
admeasurement Nineteen Thousand Three 
Hundred and sixty acres, which Tract is to 
contain five miles and one half mile square 
A no move, out of which an allowance is to 
be made for high ways A unimprovable 
I lands by rocks, mountains. Ponds A Rivers, 



iy 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



i.me thousand and forty acres free according j 
to £i plau thereof made & presented by our 
said Governors orders & hereunto annexed, 
Bulled & bounded as follows, \h: Begin- 
uiug at die mouth of Venters Brook so , 
culled where it empties itself in to Con- 



die term o}' five years for every fifty acres 
contained in his or their share or Propor- 
tion of Land in said Township, and con- 
tinue to improve and settle the same by 
additional enlti various on Penalty of the 
forfeiture of his Gram or share in said 



necm-iii River. A runs from thence six miles , Township, & its reverting to his Majesty 
or thereabout to die South East corner of his heirs A successors ro be by him or them 

MaNehi tmgh (hence five miles* North ten 1 1 * 1 *-■-■ ■* * " 

degree East Ijy Marlelnmigh aforesaid to a 
stake A mo nes in said Line, Thence Easi 
Ul degree* south vo Corniced cut River afore- 
said, then down said River to the bounds 
first mentioned ai Venters Brook, Except a 
Tract of land lying in the said East comer 
of said Township ton tabling about. Two 
Hundred acres us Lhe same is uow fenced 
in ami improved, which is hereby granted 
A aligned to Oliver Willard and" to bis 
heirs A assigns om of the within Grantees. 

He Inmug heretofore cleared and improved 



regranted to such of his subjects as shall 
effectual ly settle & cult iVatc the same. Thai 
all White or ocher Pine Trees within the 
said Township lit for Ala sting our Royal 
Navy be carefully Preserved for that uW. 
and none to be cm or foiled without hh> 
Majeatys Especial Lycenee for so doing first 
had and obtained upon the penalty of for- 
feiture of the right of such Grantee his 
hell's & assigns to os our heirs & successors 
as well as Vicing subject to the Penalty of 
any actor acts of Parliament that now arc 
or hereafter shall he enacted. Also Ids 



the Mi:d Tract and is to i e In full tor his 1 fort Dummer&a Tract of laud of fifty rods 



slmiv A proportion of the situ I Township, 
said Two hundred acres are hounded 
follows viz: Beginning at Venters Brook 

ami runs West teu° North sixty rods to a 
Hill A then runs under the Hill round its 



square round it, viz: fifty rods WcM. twen- 
ty five rods South A twenty-five- rods North 
of said Fort. That before any Division of 
the land be made to and 'amongst (.he 
Grantees, a Tract of Land ay near the 



1 lie Hill runs to Lhe rocks ai. the upper cud , center of the Township as the land will 
of die Meadow called fort meadow, thence admit, of shall be reserved and marked out 



down the rivet to Venter Brook and that 
the same be and is incorporated into u i 
Township by :he name of B ml tic bo rough, 
and that the liihabitcmts that do or shall 
hereafter Inhabit said Township are hereby 
Declared to be Enfranchised with and en- 
titled to all A every die privi ledges A Im- 
munities that other Towns within our said 



for Town Lots, one of which shall he al- 
io Red to each Grantee of the contents of 
one acre yielding and paying therefor to us 
our heirs A successors for the space of ten 
years to be computed from the date hereof 
l-lic rent of one fair of Indian corn only on 
the first day of January annually if Law- 
fully Demanded, the first p&yment to be 



Province by law exercise and enjoy, ami made on tile first day of January after the 
flirt her that lhe said town as soon as there first of January next ensuing Lhe dale 
shall be fifty Fnmiiys resi dent and settled hereof, and every Proprietor* Settler or In- 
Uierein shall have the liberty of holding , habitant shall yield and pay to us our heirs 
Two Fairs, one of which shall lie held on and successors yearly A every year forever 
the rirat Thursday in October annually, and from and after the" ex pi rat ion of the ten 
the other on rlie first Thursday in February years, from the date hereof. Namely on 



annually, which Fairs are not to continue 
A he held longer than the respective Satur- 
day following the sd respective Thursday, 
and as soon as stud town shall consist of 
fifty family s a market shall be opened and 
kepi one or more days in each week as may 
be tho't most advantageous to the Inhabi- 
tants. Also that ihe first meeting for rhe 
choice of Town Officers agreeable to the 
laws of mu said Province shall be held on 
Lite fifteen Day of .JauTy next which meet- 
ing sdm 11 be uotifyed by Josiah Willard Esq 
who L ph- re 1 >y a I so a p] >o i n tei 1 Moderat or of 
the stud fi rat meeting which he is to notify 
and govern agreeable to the laws and ous- 
of our said Province, and that the 



the first day of January which will be in 
the year of Our Lord Obrisr one thousand 
Seven Hundred & Sixty -four, one shilling 
Proclamation money for every hundred 
acres lie so owns, settles or possesses, and 
so in proportion for a Greater or Lesser 
Tract of the said Land, which money shall 
be paid by the respective persons" above 
said their heirs or assigns, in our Council 
Chamber in Portsmout h or to such officer 
or officers a.s shall be appointed to receive 
the same, and this io Iju in lieu of all other 
rents and services whatsoever in Testimony 
hereof we have caused the sen! of our said 
Province to be hereunto affixed. Witness 
Ecnuing Wentworth, Esq., our Governor 



toms 

annual m eoti ng f oreve r lie run f ter f o r t he , & Con i ma i ider in Ch i ef of bu r satd Province 
choice of such officers of said Town shall 
lie on the first Wednesday in March annu- 
ally, To have and to hold the said Tract 
of Land us above expressed together with | 

* «■ *»*-*• — . -.«■ «.'*» 
forever, upon the following conditions Viz: °f Council. 

That every Giuntee his heirs or assigns shall j Theooohe Atkinson, 

PI a n i o r cu 1 bi v a be fi ve acres o f la nd wi th i n \ Sec ty . 



the Twenty-sixth day of December in the 
year of our Lord Christ 1753 and in the 
Twenty-seventh year of our Reign. 

R, Westwohtu. 



BRATTLEBORO. 



19 



Entered and Recorded according to the 
original under the Province Seal, this 2?th 
dav of December 17511. 

Pr Theodore Atkinson, 

Secty. 

Names of the Grantees of Brattleborough, 
viz: 

William Brattle. Jacob YVeudell, James 
Read, Isaac Brodisli. Owen Warlaud, Wil- 
liam Lee, Ebenezer Smith, William Gum* 
mage. John Hicks, Ebenezer Bmdish, James 
Whitemore. William Manning, Thomas 
Sherreu, Thomas Hastings, Jonathan 
Sprague, John War land, Benjamin Lynde, 
Andrew Oliver Junr.. William Bowls, Cor- 
nelius Woodbury. William Willard. Oliver 
Willard. Samuel Allen, Moses Wright, 
Sampson French, Joseph French, William 
Fessenden, Stephen Palmer, Stephen Pal- 
mer Junr., William Barrett, Daniel Prin- 
tice, Caleb Prentice, Ebenezer Sled man, 
Edward Marrett, Junr.. Abner Hasey, Ben- 
jamin French, Thomas Blanchard, Thomas 
Blanchard, Junr., Jacob Fletcher, Samuel 
Searle, Samuel French, Sampson Willard, 
Oliver Coleburne, Jeremiah Coleburne, 
Peter Powers, Stephen Powers, Daniel 
Emerton, William Laurence, Abel Lau- 
rence, Mather Livermore. 

Theodore Atkinson, his Excellency Beu- 
ninir Wentworth a Tract of Land to contain 
Eight Hundred acres which is to be ac- 
counted Two of the within mentioned 
shares and Laid out and bounded as within 
mentioned, one whole shave for the Incor- 
porated Society for the Propagation of the 
Gospel in foreign parts, one whole share 
for the first settled Minister of the Gospel 
in said Town, one whole share for a Glebe 
for the Ministry of the Church of England 
as by law Established. Also his Majesty® 
Fort Dummer, and a Tract of Land fifty 
rods round it, viz: 50 rods West, twenty* 
five rods South ife twenty-five North of said 
Fort. 

Recorded from the Back of the Charter 
for Brattleborough the 27th day of Decem- 
ber 1753. 

Pr THEODORE ATKINSON, 
Sccty. 



merston. E. by Connecticut River, which 
separates it from Chesterfield, N, H., S. by 
Vernon and Guilford, and W. by Marlboro. 
Among the first settlers were John and 
Thomas Sargent, John Alexander, John 
Arms, aud Fairbank Moore and son. With 
the exception of John and Thomas Sargent 
— who were born at Fort Dummer — they 
were from Massachusetts. The father and 
brother of John Sargent, Jr., were am- 
bushed by the Indians; the father killed 
aud scalped and the brother carried into cap- 
tivity, where he adopted the Indian habits 
and manners, but afterwards returned to 
his friends. Fairbank Moore and son were 
killed by Indians at the West River mead* 
j ows— now owned by the Vermont Asylum 
— two miles north of Fort Dummer, and 
the wife and daughter of the younger Moore 
were captured. 

John Alexander died in Marlboro, July 
8, 1828, supposed to be near 90 years of age. 
At the time Bridgeman's Fort was burned 
by the Indians — the site of which is now in 
Vernon, and a short distauce from Fort 
Dummer — where Mrs. Howe and others 
were made captive by said Indians, John 
Alexander was a lad 10 years old, and then 
in the woods after the cows belonging to 
the fort; being thus in the woods he escaped 
captivity. The following year lie gave 
t proof of a daring spirit for a boy of only 
eleven years. He discovered a bear and 
two culis a short distance from his residence. 
Ilis father being absent., lie, fearless of con- 
sequences, repaired to the house, took down 
I a loaded gun. and with a well directed shot 
' killed the old bear on the spot. He then, 
with a lad of similar age. caught and 
secured both of the cubs. 



State of New’ Hampshire, ) 
Secretary of State’s Office, 
Concord, Sept. 26, 1869. ) 

I hereby certify that the foregoing is a 
true copy ‘of the Record of the C harter of 
Brattleborough as recorded in “Charter 
Records.” Vol. 1, pages 181, 2, 3, 4. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 
my hand and affixed the Seal of said State 
l lie date above written. 

NATHAN W. GOVE, 
Deputy Secretary of State. 
The town contains about 34 square miles, 
in latitude 42 deg., 52 min., and longitude 
40 deg. . 25 min. It is bounded N. by Dmn- 



In the old French War, so called, at the. 
age of 17. he served under Gen. Amherst, 
and was at the raking of Ticonderoga, and 
in the American Revolution was at the 
taking of Burgoyne. He resided in Bral- 
tleboro more than half a century and reared 
a large family. Few men have lived to his 
age and enjoyed so great a measure of 
health; and very few men of his stature, 
which was below the middle size, have been 
more active, robust and herculean than Mr. 
Alexander. He, atoue time, carried on his 
shoulders, upon snow-shoes, a five-pail iron 
kettle, two sap-buckets, an axe and trap- 
pings, a knapsack, four day’s provisions, a 
I gun and ammunition, more thau three miles 



<10 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



through Die woods, over hills. valleys, and 
i n a d cep sno w r H c w as tl 1 e scco nd w ID r e 
person born, and. at Dip rime of his . decease . 
the oldest living of the flrsi native seriler*- 
on the New Hampshire grunts, alia* Ver- 
mont. 

Al the time Colonel Samuel Wells ^pre- 
sented this place, tliL side of the uimu ; .In 
was cu 1 1 ed C u m her] iin d C o u uty lit afn - 

xeuied ibis paid of the Slate, at N V A 
until Ethan Allen came down lu r. hi- 
win tli, to repair the pol it irs id Br.c ' : 
and Guilford. 

The man who said. il Rather ilu-t su- 
nlit to the authority of Grt*»r I iri - r 
even tlie State of -New York. 1 w',1 u : .i ■ 
with the Green Mountain ' - y- hit" *n t 
mountains and wives of the - ^ i . 
war with human nature Jd lit rip " — i i 

" Unless the iulmbiiain^ hr : - 1 : 
Guilford peaceably suLuAt i-j tli-_ u Kn 
of Vermont, their territ*jry >!i i' ..••■ 
desolate as Sodom and C m, ; 

This proclamation. w irh ; ie. ■ - T .rj-- 
ments to which king- reaut/' cured tlie 
York state proclivities in this ; i rr ■ [ Du- 
State, And no w wder Dmt Xvii V :k 
power mid influence was* Y f^ridl <hi ■ v*-r 
dicl in defence of her |w r 
advocates and officers in Uti> \uv nf the 
State, was to use brave words and m t ik*j 
promises that were never performed. 

Allen knew brave word? or law was vain 
without force, therefore he brought all 
these with him when he rested at the hotel 
kept by John Arms, a few rods north of 
and on premises now owned by the Ver- 
mont Asylum, 

Among the men of this town most dh 
lingirislied in the annals of the Stale, and 
who have been men of inliueucc here, may 
be mentioned John Anns, Samuel Wells, 
Samuel Knight, Samuel Gale, Henry Wells, 
Saudi Stearns, Micah To wash end, Stephen 
Green leaf* William Wells, John Stewart. 
Roy a 11 Tyler, John Noyes, Lemuel Whit- 
ney, John W\ Blake, Francis Goodhue, 
Oliver Chapin, William Fessenden, Joseph i 
Clark, John Holbrook, Sarnuql Clark. Sam 5 1 
Elliott, James Elliott, Jonathan Hunt, Jr,, I 
Thomas G. Fessenden, Joseph Fessenden, 
Jonathan B, Bradley* Edward A. Kirkland, 
C. Townsley, L. G. Mead, Paul Chase. 

Most of the foregoing names can be seen, 
in marble, at the cemeteries in this town, 
it is impossible to obtain biographical 



sketches of all these persons* but we have 
succeeded in gelling some information 
vesper li jig i he lives or career of twelve of 
the ] afore named, three of whom 
ha vi fiL-t-n members of the United Stales 
Hints ! Representatives* via: John Nove-, 
Jame- Elliott. Jonathan Hum. Jr. 

SAMUEL UKIOMT 

l- :i man of high culture and one of the 
bdenied men of his time. He was, 
h r *-ii ja. ( hief J ustice of ilie courts in rbL 
- * otjTy, -UH1 one of our early towu icpre- 
.senijj rt’sx-i 

JOHX W. BLAKE 

wv :k of the foremost lawyers of Wind- 
a in, ountv He came to tins place. From 
!iovsFall>. about 1790: wa* one of llie 
arliest postmasters in tbK place; i'epre- 
vtiT»*d iho town in the Legislature. wa> a 
"a gi- owner of real estate in I, ho East rib 
mp . which he sold lo Frauds Goodhue in 
hsu. He died October 37, ISIS, aged o 9 

Vtari, 

JQXATLUX HL-XT. JH,, 

Wws7ir*t president of l he first bank ostab- 
: ■ 1 in B ra 1 1 1 chore. He built the 1 a rge 
f i H ■ k house now owned a ltd occupied by 
Gi-« _ Howe, Esq. He died, while a 
Mum r or Congress. at Washington, May 
]■ j , 1 S#2 . : i g ed Jo ye a rs, 

LAEKIX CL MEAD 

fame fr- m Chcsierlield, N. H., about 1838, 
was preside lit of the Biattleboro Typo- 
graphic Co,, was in ilie practice of law; 
very active in promoting i be cause of com- 
mon school education: the firs l to move in 
establishing the savings bank in this place, 
and for over twenty years was treasurer of 
that institution. lie raised a talented 
family, and one of his sons, L* G. Mead, 
Jr,, grandson of John Noyes, lias a world- 
wide reputation as a sculptor. 

Further descriptions of the character and 
doings of other* upon the foregoing list of 
names can be found in our biographical de- 
part men h and quite extended notices of 
Mi call Townsheud, Samuel Wells, Samuel 
Knight, Royal 1 Tyler and Samuel Gale can 
be found iu Hall’s History of Eastern Ver- 
mont. 

AX ACADEMY 

Wns incorporated in 1801. and the building 
f or the same e re t ted at the W est vll Inge . 
The hall in this building w as used for iowu 



BRATTLEBORO. 



21 



meetings until 1 855 1 when the town con- 
structed. at the East village, oh Main street, 
d large brick, two-story building for this 
purpose. The upper room is over 100 feet 
long, over 00 feet with?., and 20 feet in 
height. 

VV EST BRATTLE OO HO A C'A DE MV AtvD FEU A LE 
5-EMtNAllY. 

Will Earn R, Hayes, a mi Live of West vil- 
lage, left an appropriation, by will, for 
building m\ academy at said village. The 
conditions of the will having been complied 
with, the building was erected in 1853. 

Rev. Hiram Orcntt, in 1830. erected a 
1 a rge \ ! t refc-s » oiy b u ilding and e< l abl isl i ed a 
female seminary near the old academy, and 
the later one built- in part by the Hayes 
appropriation, and, by consent of parties, 
occupied the three buildings for the semi- 
nary school- 

At the East village a high school building 
was erected by a joint stock company in 
1831. Deacon John Holbrook. John L. 
Dio her man and others were first officers, 
either trustees or committee for building 
this school house. The site was pleasant, 
and all conditions scorned fa vorable, but the 
School never was prosperous for any great 
length of time. In 1841. the house was 
purchased by the district to be used in 
teaching the advanced scholars from the 
primary schools. In 1888, a wing upon 
each side was added. 

The soil of this township is similar to that 
generally found along the Connecticut 
River* intervals of sand* loam and gravel, 
with the timber adapted to them. 

The principal streams are West River 
and Whetstone Brook. The former runs 
but a short distance in town, entering it 
from Dummerston, near the northeast 
corner. 

Whetstone Brook rises in Marlboro and 
runs through tills town near the centre, 
affording excellent water privileges, occu- 
pied by a variety of mills and other 
machinery* 

The Connecticut River Is crossed at the 
south pari of the East village by a bridge, 
connecting Lius town with Hinsdale, N, II. 
The fim bridge was built in 1804. Oliver 
Chapin wits a pioneer in this enterprise and 
owned a large share of stock in the same. 
A few rods above this bridge was the gen- 
eral landing-place for merchandise, which 



was formerly brought by fiat-boats from 
H i\ rt f n rd , C t. A ft e r M r. John H o 1 brook — 
the pioneer of this method of freighting 
goods to Brattle boro — had abandoned im- 
porting West India goods to this place, the 
boating business was carried on many years 
by G. C. Hall, F, Goodhue <te Son. John R. 
Blake *fc Co. , (fee. From 1838 to 1831 t hese 
gentlemen, with other enterprising men in 
towns on the ri vey made commendable 
efforts— worthy of a greater success than 
they achieved— to navigate the river by 
steam. But some of those enterprising 
men have lived to sec a greater success, by 
using the river bank on which lo employ 
steam, than the most sanguine of them ever 
dared to hope from using the river. The 
st ea n i cars fi rsl e n tc ret I B n \ ! tic bo m i u Feb- 
ruary, 1848, bringing such a multitude of 
visitors that the hotels could not accomo- 
date them. 

MINE HA liCJST AND GEOLOGY 

Not enough of any kind of metals have 
been found here for any practical purpose, 
A small amount of lead and gold Ims been 
found near Whetstone Brook. * ir Actiuolite 
is found in steatite. It is in very perfect 
capillary crystals* which are grouped 
together hi different-forms, mid sometimes 
radicated mica is found of rose-red color 
with schorl in quartz, and abundance of 
schorl in beautiful crystals; also the red 
oxide of titanium/* Argillaceous slate is 
very abundant* and Is quarried to consid- 
erable extent. Some large granite boulders 
have been found of sufficient size to split 
into blocks for steps and other In t tiding 
purposes* and no lack of sufficient clay for 
brick making. Fine rooting slate U found 
within three miles of the East vilU.e, and 
though it is in the town of Guilford, it is 
just as welt tor the interest of builders here 
as though found in town, 

II is the belief of geologists tha t there has 
been n time when the Connecticut River 
mu where is now the Bast, village, and that 
it has now worn for itself a rocky bed 
against the base of Wanta&Lkjuel Mountain 
which, from present appearances, will 
effectually check Its further progress In that 
direction. 

A few rods above where West River 
era pt i es into 1 1 1 e Con n et ti c u t . cn ii Ijc see n 
the residence of Capt, Amos Thomas. The 

* From Tkompwt*'* GozeUt*?. 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 







*2 

defendants of Captain Thomas, we notice, | 
have n boat which they now keep at the j 
jsame place where he rowed the heroic- j 
Stark across the Connecticut Rivet when 
ou lus way to use forcible, and. as events 
showed, fully demonstrated arguments at j 
Bennington, to prove tint l the English 
troops had “got too far from Canada/' 

ikdxak uelics. 

Indian relics have been found near Fori 
Dili timer, and we have in our possession an 
Indian pipe-bowl, Hint nr row heads, and n 
s to ne pest! e f oj- pot meli i ig corn. Tl i c y were i 
found by Mr. Holland Pel Lis. some SO years 
since, when ploughing in “The Cove" 
near West River. His plough point threw 
up a human skull. It was clearly npprt rent, 
upon examination, that the individual (3a> 
liemt to be an Indian chief) was turned in 
a sitt ing posture, and the arrow-heads, pipe i 
and pestle were buried with him. that he 
might not enter upon another life with j 
the same destitution of the means of pro- 
tee lion and defence as he entered upon 
tills life. Articles of a more perishable 
nature, long since decayed, were probably j 
buried with him, A sou of Mr. Pettis— 
W* IL Penis— who gave us the foregoing 
information and the relics afore named, 
gave vent to his emotions as follows: 

■‘It was here Mv old chief tain once sailed his canoe. 1 
With UU band uf red warriors , so vntmutlj t-me. 
Upon the dark bosom of the alow-heaving wave. 

Till lie passed from his wars to the shadowy gvaveT 

In consequence of this and other evi- 
dences of the prochvi Lives or abilities of 
W, H. Pettis in this department of human 
expression, we have for many years called 
him the “Bard of West River." 

Indian hieroglyphics can now be seen 
upon rocks in West River Cove, and, from 
location and circumstances, it is believed 
that this place was one of Lbe favorite re- I 
sorts of the wild red man of the forest. 

About sixteen years ago Mr. Newman 
Allen, whose farm is on West River 
meadows, found two partially decayed 
human y kel et on s. Inn tic of the skulls wa s 
found an old-fashioned lead musket ball, , 
and there was a hole in Hie cranium whom 
the ha i 1 entered . It is possible, and it seems 
unite probable, that these won the remains 
of Fairbauk Moure and son, of Fort Dum 
uier, who were killed on these meadows Ijy^ 
the Indians. 



VUWV CHCltCK m URATTXEBOUQ. 



Fo r the foil u w i n g a n C te n t papers, re I a r i ng 
to the earliest religious history uf this town, 
we are indebted to N. B, WillUton, Esq., 
long and favorably known in this commu- 
nity, Uui more extensively as president of 
the First National Bank in Ibis place: 



[Copy]. , 

11 Rhattwebcthg April 18 17(111 " 



"At a meeting of the subscribers of ihe 
agreement, relating to the settling of a 
Minister, on Tuesday Urn 13th day of April, 
1701), regularly warned at one o'clock in the. 
afternoon, after choosing *Jolin Arms, 
Esiyr Moderator the following Votes were 
pass'd 1st Voted that those subscriber who 
shall move out of Town shall be released 
from paying any moneys In consequence of 
their Becoming subscriber to the above 
mentioned agreement, except such monies 
as shall be assessed prior to their Removal 
M Voted to chose Mess Stiml Wells Esqr 
John Anns and Hoary Wells, that they be 
a com mi i tee to confer with Guilford com- 
mittee as lo what proportion Each Town 
must Far towards set tleing a Minister, A 
towards Ids sailary A for wliat time to Join 
Together <fc make repori of their Doings to 
the adjourned Meetings that the subscribers 
may approve or Disapprove thereof, 3d 
Voted that this meeting be adjourned to 
Friday the 21 *r Instant, at 2 o'clock. 

At 'the adjourned meeting of the sub- 
scribers on Friday I he 21 st of April ai Two 
O'clock in the afternoon, after choking 
Ben'll Butterfield Moderator In the Barn of 
JoJi a Arms who was so much Indisposed 
In 1 could not attend, the following Votes 
were passed . 

Isl Voted that a Minister he procured 
to preach for tin* Term three Mouths upon 
probation for settling him A The Tow n of 
Guilford to pay for one Month & and have 
preaching one third of the Time. 2nd 
Voted that the Sum of Sixteen Pounds. 



York Currency, be raised, for the Purpose 
aforesaid, the cue Half to be levied on the 
Polls db die Other Half upon the real & 
penaamtl Estates. 3dly Voted that Snm 
Wed Is Esqr, John Arms & Henry Wells be 
assessors. 4thly Voted that Henry Weils 
be Col lector, 4th ly Voted H enry W ells 1 >e 
tie Person to sue for A Receive the money 
that Shall be assessed, Oth ly Voted that 
Capt Benjamin Bimcrlield, Sam Wells 
Esqr & J oik u Anns be a Com mil lee to pro- 
cure a Minister upon probation as Afore- 
safd T ‘ 

+ J At the A d j o n r n c tl Meet i ng o n T u e sd ay 
Dec'r 5 th 17Gfi ai 2. oOlock r. M Upon 
reconsidering the Vote Pas'd Nov'r 14th 
17G0 it Was Voted not to Soule Mr 



Church." 



- John Aims was grand father to the late 
Docl Willard Anns, of thL town, who died j 
years ago, aged 82 years. 



ERATTLEBOHO. 



BRATTLfEBOItOUGH Fd>} r UHll 1770 
■'We the Subscribers Desire the Town 
Clerk to Wavu a Meeting of the Subscribers 
to the Agreement relating to the Settling 
of a Alin tester to be held at Major Anns on 
the first Tuesday of ‘March next at' one 
oClock iu the afternoon To act & Vote 
upon the Following articles Viz 1st to i 
e h esse a Mod emt o r 2d ly To Signify their 
Minds Willi respect to 'hiring a Minisster 
upon Probation for Settling, or otherwise, 
as they Cbuse 3dly if they Oh use to hire, 
to Chuse a Committee to procure a Miuiss- 
ter *' 

Signed Dan l Whipple Malacbi Church 
Israfl Field Jasper Pairidgc Sylvester 
Wright John Arms Sami Wells William 
Nichols Nathan Church Jonathan Church 
Israel Field, 

B RATTLE EOTtOUt-H July 5lll 1770 
'After Choosing Capt Butterfield Mod- 
erator the following Votes were Pass'd of 
the Notification Voted to Hire Mr Reeve 
to preach for Two Sabbaths upon Pioba- 
t i o n for Sett ling, one at Guilford on e 

here. 

Art 4, Voted that Sami Wells Esqr 
Henry Wells & Nathan Church be a Com- 
mittee to Agree with Mr Reeve. 

7 1 li A it Vo ted to Join Wi tb Gu 1 1 f o rd fo r 
three years in Settling Mr Reeve. Lastly 
Voted to adjourn this Meeting to July 1870, 
after choosing Capt Butterfield, Oliver 1 
Harris it Oliver Cooke assessors' 1 

Article t)tb Voted that Timothy Church 1 
be the Person to sue those Who Neglect or 
refuse paying their proportion of any 
a saessm e n t s, V o ted th at w e w i 1 1 J oi n w ith 
Guilford for three years, they to Pay half 
the Salary & one sixth Part of the Settle- 
ment it Mr Reeve preach half the Time for 
them, they Loseiug the Time when bad 
weat he r p reve n t-s b is p ren ch i ug Th ere 
Art 3 Voted to Settle Mr Reeve. 1 " 

" A Copy of the Agreement of the Com- 
mittee with Mr Reeve" 

“ We the Subscribers being Duly Chosen 
a C o tn in i t tee to A gree with "th e Rave re n d 
Aimer Reeve with Respect to his Settle- 
ment J: Sail ary, by the Subscribers, - relat- 
ing to the settling a Minisster in the Town 
of" Brattlebu rough, do hereby Agree in 
behalf of Said Subscribers, iu Manner & 
Form Following, Thai if Mr Reeve Shall 
return to preach for us & Bring a Recom- 
mendation from under the Hand of Ten of 
the Members of the Church of Blooming 
Grove — that he has presided over, or from 
one of the neighboring Mitrissters Signify* 
mg that he has been in Good Standing us 
a Minisster of the Gospel & summed a 
Good diameter while he has resided there, 
We Engage to pay the said Mr Reeve the 
Sum of fifty Pounds New York Currency 
towards bis settlement, one bird parr in cash 
y early n □ t i l Paid . A Iso th e Sum of T J \ ir ty 
Pounds said Currency for the first years 
Sa 1 1 a it & the $ u in o f T h i rty T wo Pouu d s 
of said Currency for the set-bud Years Sub 



23 



I a ry, also the sum of Thirty Four Pounds 
said Currency for the Third Years Sailary , 
Provided Mr Reeve Continues to Supply 
the Pulpit in Bmttleborougli half the Time 
for ifc During the said Three years, Sick- 
ness only Excepted. T he Above said 

yearly Payments to be made one Third 
Cash— The Other Two Thirds in Merchant* 
able Produce at the Market Price to be 
Delivered at such Place as Mr Reeve shall 
appoint in mid Bruttlebo rough. W here- 
unto we have set our Hands this Day July 
8d 1770 at Bvnttlcbo rough tl 

Sign ed ' 1 S a h l W el l& 

Nathl Cift'nt n 
Hesht Wells" 

M We the Subscribers desire the Town 
Clerk to warn a Meeting of the Subscribers 
to the Agreement relating to Settling a 
minister To be held at Esqr Wells‘s on 
Monday the Iwelvth Day of November 
Next one oClock in the afternoon to 
Vote and act upon the following Articles 
Viz 1st To cl) use a Moderator, Sclly to 
reconsidered the Vote passed at the Last 
Meeting iu order to raise money for Mr 
Reeves Settlement and Sal I my. ’Silly To 
pass a vote to pay the Collector for his 
Trouble of Collecting. 4th ly to Raise 
money to pay the Charge of bringing Mr 
Reeves Family & Goods from Hadley, 
Sthly To raise money to make Up De- 
ficiency of Last Years rate." 

Bruttlebo rough Oct 25th 1770 

Signed Saul Wells 

E EX J A M 1 X Buttes F E EL D 
Da xl Whipple 
John Sauoekt 
Nathan Church Junk 
Elijah Pkouty 

We learn from the last document, m the 
foregoing, that the first settled minister in 
this town came from Hadley. We have 
many more ancient papers, similar in kind, 
buL they are of no farther use than to find 
names of the early settlers which are signed 
to them. We give the names below, not 
giveu heretofore-, as follows, 1769 to 1786: 

Jacob Spa! din, Abner SeovelL Oliver 
Harris* Josiah Wheeler, Thos, Cumplou, 
Wm. M’Cune, Wm* Brail. Richard Frouty, 
Doet. Dickcrnuui, John Houghton, Elisha 
Pierce, EbenVHowze, Wm. Ellas. Beuj’rn 
Gotten . Joseph Whipple, David Church, 
Lemuel Kendrick. Seth Smith, Joshua 
Wilder, Ebenezer Hadley* Jonathan Her- 
rick, Silns Houghton, Joseph Burt, EbenV 
Fisher, O, Cook, John Griffin. Sam 1 W ar- 
il ner, Daniel Johnson. 

The following was called forth in reply 
to a resolution or vote of the town, Sept, 
■23, 1774, as follows: 

“ At town meeting assembled voted* that 



24 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the Rev. Abner Reeve be the settled min- 
ister of this town upon his accept a nee . 
hereof and relinquishing from this date the. 
covenant, made by him with many of the j 
inhabitants of this town for his support, I 
for so long a time— and no longer— as he 
is able to supply the pulpit with preaching, 
on this condition, however, that the said , 
Mr. Reeve by virtue hereof be not entitled 
to any laud in this town given l»y public 
authority to the first settled minister." 

The next vote states the amount of salary | 
and how it shall be paid, in barter, Ac., all 
showing sharp practice, and a disposition, 
on rhe part; of the town, to obtain the gos- 
pel with the least possible expense, Mr. 
Reeve made in writ ing the following reply, 

“ Gentlemen : You luive sent me a con- 
ditional vote, with which I cordially com- 
ply, if your meaning and intention be not 
to weaken or destroy my claim to the 
Lauds in this town granted to the first 
settled minister of the Gospel, previous to 
passing said votc. ,r 

Upon receiving the communication of 
Mr. Reeve, the town acted upon the same 
in this wise: 

“Voted that this town do not intend by 
the preceding vote to weaken or destroy 
any claim which the Rev. Abner Reeve 
heretofore had to the right of lands in this 
towu, granted to the first settled minister, 
or to add any strenyth thereto." 

Brat deborough Sept 24 1774 

The foregoing are true copies of the. 
record. 

Attest, Saml KxrGHT, 

Town Clerk. 

It is an old saying, and became an adage, 
“ Corporations have no souls.” In dealing 
with another pastor in this towu, some 
years later, wc see another proof of the 
truthfulness of this old adage. With a 
package of bills paid to the pastor, by the 
proper olfieer of the society, were two 
counterfeit bills. The society refused (o 
make the matter right, because the pastor 
was paid with the veritable money obtained 
from subscribers for his support, and the 
collector could not tell from whom the bad 
bills came. Every individual in that 
society knew better than to make so mis- 
erable a pretext, forsucb an outrage against 
a man who dug his potatoes or cut his 
wood. All knew the poor minister would 



pocket the loss rather than appeal to the law. 
Though Mr. Reeve was the first settled 
minister in this town, there was, previous 
to Jiis advent here, occasional preaching 
at 11 Fort bummer," but we do not learn 
the uames of the preachers, the denomina- 
tion, or frequency of their ministrations. 

We learn Mr, Reeve was a graduate of 
Yale College, and father of Judge Tapping 
Reeve who founded the famous “ Law 
School” at Litchfield, CL, and was princi- 
pal of that institution as late as I8lb. Rev, 
Abner Reeve was of the order called N. 
E. Cnlvinistic; Congrcgationalist. Except- 
ing the foreign element, that denomination 
was the most numerous in this town up to 
1S45. if not at the present time, thus giving 
evidence that the influence of Mr. Reeve 
yet lives. lie was settled in 1770. and 
closed his labors about 1704. 

I UENUKC1ATION OF THE PULPIT, BY THE 
| FIRST PASTOR IN BRATTLEUORO, IN 1702. 

Among old papers presented us by Mon 
La Fayette Clark, we have found, from the 
| pen of Abner Reeve, his letter of rcsigna- 
i tiou in 1792. Though this document gives 
an idea of the situation of pastor and people 
eighty years ago, it needs but little, if any,* 
alteration to adapt it to modern uses, or 
a description of the situation of the suc- 
cessors since that time. 

COPY OF THE REV. ABNER REEVE'5 
RESIGNATION. 

“There being unhappily, to my great 
Grief of Mind, differences subsisting in the 
Town of Bmttlebom, with respect to my 
further preaching the Gospel to the Inhab- 
itants of said Town in virtue of a former 
vote thereof, p’or healing said Differences, 
A* for uniting the said Inhabitants in broth- 
erly Love in the service of our common 
Lord A Master. A in full hope that these 
very important purposes will be answered, 

I do hereby disclaim for myself, my Heirs. 
Ex’ors A Atlm'ors all pretence to any 
salmy, by virtue of any vote of tile Inhab- 
itants of said Town, in legal meeting 
assembled, to become due A payable after 
the date hereof. 

Provided always A this writing isou this 
express Condition that all arrearages of 
Salary lie settled, including the time to the 
| date hereof, or paid to me my heirs Ex'ors 
Adm'ors, the one half on or before 3d of 
, April next A the other half the 3d day of 



BRATTLEBORO. 



25 



October next, and that ] may have the 
priv Hedge of preaching in the meeting 
house as heretofore when no other preacher 
shall be. employed by the selectmen of said 
town, or by a Coude appointed for the pur- 
pose, upon such pay only as shall gratu- 
itously he given me by said Inhabitants or 
& part thereof. Given under my hand the 
3d Oct'r 1795. Aiiner ItjsEVB/* 

Mr. Reeve died in 1798, aged fJO years. 

We find the following inscription upon 
the headstone at his grave, near where 
stood the old meeting-house in which lie 
officiated: 

REV. ABNER REEVE, 

Died May the 16th, 1798, 

In the 91 year of his age. 

" Farewell door Friend, 

We part in pain, 

But Uopn to live 
And meet agiih). 1 ’ 

±J About the time Mr. Reeve was sinking 
under the infirmities of age, Rev, William 
Wells settled in town. He was a native of 
Biggleswade tn England, and had been for 
t \\\ n t y- i h re c y < xi rs a f l i ssen ting min Is ter a t 
Brownsgrove in Worcestershire, Eng, He 
was at once invited to take the spiritual 
charge of the church and society, and 
catered upon his work in March, 1791/' 
Cong, Manual. 

Mr. Wells did not officiate in the first 
mKlimphouse, which stood close to the 
old cemetery on the hill, for in 1785, a new 
and spacious house was huilt, for the 
accommodation of the whole town, near 
the site of the present one &\ the West vil- 
lage. Ld March, 1814, Mr, Wells gave up 
his charge, the cure of Urn whole town 
being loo much for his advanced years and 
infirm health. He was succeeded by Rev. 
Caleb Burge, who officiated from 1814 to 
1819. Rev. jtdcdmh L. Stark officiated 
from 1851 to 1$S9; Rev. Corbin Kidder 
from 1839 to 1845; Rev. Joseph Chandler 
from 1846 to 187U. Present pastor, 0879), 
Rev. C. U. Merrill, 

The large, spacious meeting-house, built 
at the West village in 1785, was destroyed 
by fire February 2, 1845, and the smaller 
one, now standing in the same place, was 



Wells, whose residence was near by. at the 
place now owned by Charles A. Miles, had 
been in Ihe habit of officiating two or three 
times a mouth at the East village, in the 
old school- house, then standing on the 
Village Common. The room was too 
small, and a proposition was made to build 
a house of worship at the East village, in 
which services should beheld a part of the 
time without dividing the parish. This 
plan not meeting with general favor in the 
town, k was determined to form a new 
society, erect u house and invito Mr, Wells 
to he their minister* 

Grmdall R. Ellis, Esq,, deeded to the 
society the land now known as the Village 
Common, on condition that the new edifice 
be located there. The new society acted 
in conformity with said conditions in IS 3 5, 
but m 1842, lost all claim to the land by 
removing the house and neglecting to fence 
the grounds. 

Rev. Mr. Wells accepted the invitation 
of the parish, and was the first minister 
who occupied the pulpit in the first meet- 
ing-house built in this vi llagc. He officiated 
he re less than three years, thus closing bis 
long ministry of sixty years, and died at 
his home in December, 1827, aged elghty- 
ibree years. His successors have been as 
follows : 

Rev. Jonathan McGee, from Jain 13, 
1819, to Sept. 10, 1834; Rev. Chas, Walker, 
Rom Jan 1, 1885, to Feb. 11, 1846; Rev. 
A. II. Clapp, from Oct. 14, 1840, to Nov. 
15, 1H53; Rev. George p. Tyler, from Nov. 
Ifi, 1853, to lfcSGfi; Rev. N. Mighill, Irani 
October. 1867, to 1875; Rev. George L, 
Walker to Jan. 1, 1878; Rev. George E. 
Martin, engaged for one year from July 1, 
1878, Since Inis received an invitation to 
become settled pastor by ordination in 
July* 1879. 

Rev. Mr. Webs was eminent in that 
department of ministerial duty in the 
olden time— visiting. The children were 
always glad to see the pleasant old English 
gentleman, in antique costume, and his 
iis exhaustible fund of anecdote and story, 
Ids fine attractive social qualities, with 
much of The kindly and sympathetic in his 
nature, endeared him to Uie homes of joy 



built in 1846. or sadness. 

Sometime previous to the resignation of His daughter, Miss Hannah Wih.lSj 
R ev. Mr. Wells, the East village had corn established the first Sabbath school in this 
in meed a rapid, thriving growth, Mr. I village, and employed much of her time 



26 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



in advancing the prosperity of tlmt insti- 
tution. Another daughter, Mrs. Freeme, 
the widow of a Liverpool merchant, came 
here from England some years after the 
death of her father. A few years after 
she had made alterations and relitted the 
old residence of her father, The house 
burned in the uight time, and she with her 
house, nice paintings, furniture, barn, 
horses, carriages, &c., were destroyed. 
At this lire, which occurred in 1849, we 
noticed in the air, high above the flames, 
a large collection of birds, drawn thither 
by llie light, from the surroundiug dark- 
ness. This circumstance was happily , 
alluded to by Rev. Mr. Mott, in a funeral 
sermon on this occasion, by suggesting | 
that those little winged messengers might 
have come to escort her spirit to mansions 
of the blessed. 

Most generally the finale to all sermons 
by Mr. Wells were iu these words: M Con- 
sider well w.iat has been said and may 
God give you understanding.* His laconic | 
commentary upon u the Sermon on the 
Mount,” reminds us of the brief defence 
by Patrick Henry of the dissenting minis- 
ters in Virginia. Mr. Wells, after reading 
the concluding words of the chapter, viz. : 
44 And the people were astonished at his 
doctrine,” <fec., gave a general glance over 
the congregation, as he closed the Bible, 
and simply but impressively said, ** and 
wdi they might be. " 

Among ofd papers left by Stephen 
Greenleaf, Esq., wc arc gratified to tiud 
the following letter from the pen of Mr. 
Wells. This letter was directed to Mr. 
Russell Hayes, hut, judging from its con- 
tents, it was for the students of the old 
academy: 

3K attleboho. March 20, 1808. 

“My Young Friends: — 1 am much 
pleased and comforted with your respect- 
ful address. Those lectures at the academy 
would have been begun many years ago, 
had not a series of bodily indisposition 
prevented. When it pleased God to favor 
me with returning health, l did not know 
any way in which 1 could be used more 
agreeably to myself, or with better pros- 
pect of success, than to have an occasional 
service in the winter season particularly 
suitable for young men and youth growing 
up into life. To lind, therefore, that those 



labors have beeu acceptable and useful, 
aud, as L hope, canuotfail of affording me 
great satisfaction. 

'* Being considerably advanced into the 
vale of years, the shadows of the eveniug 
are growing long and the night ol death 
fast approaching with respect to me. 
This, however. I do not in the least regret. 
But so long as I sustain my present rela- 
tion to Lhe society in this town, and health 
and capacity for usefulness remain, be 
assured 1 shall, with great pleasure, con- 
tinue the services above-mentioned, well 
knowing that the sober, virtuous and 
religious character of young men is of 
infinite importance 10 themselves, to their 
friends, and to the community at large. 
That you, my young friends, may continue 
to be useful in life, the supports aud orna- 
ments of religion when my head is laid 
low in the dust and my lips closed in per- 
petual silence, and that we may all at last 
have a happy meeting in the world above, 
never more to part, is the ardent prayer 
of your sincere friend aud affectionate 
pastor, Wm. Wells.” 

first church in east village of 
brattlkboro. 

Fourteen members withdrew from the 
church at West Brallleboro, and July 15, 
1816, the new church was organized, with 
Rev. Wm. Wells as pastor, and John Hol- 
brook set apart as deacon. During the 
short ministry of Mr. Wells, the church 
was increased by the addition of seventy- 
eight members. The new edifice was 
dedicated August 22, 1S1G, Rev. Samuel 
Willard, of Deerfield, offered the dedica- 
tory prayer, and Rev. Mr. Pratt, of West- 
moreland, the concluding prayer. 

The successor of Mr, Wells — Rev. Jona- 
than McGee — was a graduate of Williams 
College and of the Theological Seminary 
of Andover, Mass. At his ordination, 
January 1, 1819, the sermon was preached 
by Rev. Samuel Taggart, from II Cor. 
4th chap., 5th verse. This was the first 
ordination that Imd taken place in Brattle- 
boro, although there had been stated 
preaching in the town for more tban fifty 
years. 

During the ministry of Rev. Mr. McGee 
of nearly fifteen years, 281 members were 
added to the church. During the last four 
years :Ur. McGee remained iu his charge, 



BR A T TL BBC EO . 



large additions we re made to this church. 
From im to 1833, there was manifested 
mi usual interest on the subject of religion* 
In 1S31, special efforts were made, in 
various parts of New England, to revive | 
the churches by holding four-day meet- 
ings, aud concent rating the ministerial 
ability of several towns to assist at such j 
places as were deemed the most proper for 
such a purpose These measures proved 
so successful that many thought four days 
a loo limited time, and were loth to dis- 
continue these meetings so long as success 
seemed to at Lend them. Consequently 

they were extended and obi aiued the name 
of ' ■ protracted meetings," where was em- 
ployed, for weeks and mouths together, 
the most gifted eloquence and talented 
ministrations that could he obtained. The 
itinerant p reach el's demanded for these 
occasions were called Evangelists. ,f 

Great powers of originality were expected 
of him, and be must be able to bring for- 
ward old truths in a new, startling manner, 
so as to not only arouse tf those that were 
asleep in Zion, 11 hut those who had ever 
been careless and indifferent to their spirit- 
ual interests. 

Curiosity and the love of something new 
and exciting drew the attention of many 
to these meetings, who went home in sad- 
ness and despair. Old church members 
were made to feel 

But oil, cliii wretched heart of sin— 

It may deceive me still. 

And while I luok for joys above, 

May plunge me down to he1L sl 

Rev, Mr. Boyle commenced preaching 
at the Congregational church, on the Com- 
mon, iu the month of November, IS3&, 
and continued his labors almost every 
Sabbath and evening until late in Feb- 
ruary, 1833. In his addresses, he wa 
solemn, eloquent and impressive, and the 
still, noiseless, crowded bouse betokened 
iL no room for mirth or 1 rilling here if life 
so soon is past/ 1 A revival, long ecu- 
Linnet I and of great power, followed or 
accompanied these exercises. Sortie old | 
church members of to day look back to 
this light of other days with heartfelt joy : 
as then, old things with them then passed 
away and all tilings became new, and they 
felt confident that the smiles of heaven 
and an approving God rested upon these 1 
movements. Some good citizens ami pro- 



fessed Christians disapproved of so much 
excitement, though they rejoiced to see 
the attention given to religion by those 
hitherto averse to the subject. Others 
condemned the whole thing; with them it 
was "nil emotional religion, an animal 
excitement, that would soon pass away, 
leaving the churches iu worse condition 
than before/ 1 A theological or spiritual 
nutriment so highly stimulating, would 
render the former good gospel preaching 
distasteful or insipid, and the faithful old 
pastor, who had baptized us m our infancy 
and buried our fathers, would be graciously 
informed certain wise men in the parish 
beg leave to suggest* for his consideration, 
the propriety of a change in bis field of 
usefulness. 

This prophecy, to some extent, proved 
true, but we hope some good was accom- 
plished by diverting the attention of many, 
as it could be done in no other way, from 
Unis all -abso r b i ng theme, ' 1 W h at slia II wo 
eat, whai shall we drink, and wherewithal 
shall we be clothed? '* If man, with his 
wonderful, .mysterious combination of 
mind and matter, can have no higher aspi- 
rations without being stimulated thereto 
by unusual events, we feel resigned when 
they occur. 

Among the church and society that 
quietly sat under the ministrations of Rev. 
Dr. Wells were those who could not sus- 
tain or endure a state ol affairs so different 
from the past. Therefore, and but a short 
time previous to the events alluded to in 
the foregoing, the society divided and the 
church bell, presented to the society by 
Gov. Hunt, of Vernon, and Dea. J. Hoi- 
brook of this place* broke at the same 
time. 

A minority portion of thesocicly, called 
Unitarian, built on Main street the second 
church erected in this village, iu the sum- 
mer of 1831. 

Rev, Jonathan McGee was dismissed by 
a mutual council, Sept. 10, 1834, and Jan- 
uary, 1835. Rev Charles Walker was 
installed pastor elect. The sermon upon 
this occasion was preached by Rev, Wil- 
lard Child, of PitUford, Vt. 

In l he year 1S4&, the church and society 
finding their house of worship very much 
out of repair, and being situated too far 
north for the convenience of a large portion 



VERMONT RISTORCIAL MAGAZINE. 



28 

of the congregation, concluded to remove 
it into Main street* near the old Brattle- 
boro Bank. The meetinghouse was 
removed and enlarged in 1842, and the 
heirs of Francis Goodhue* Esq., gave the 
land to the society upon which the build- 
ing dow .stands. It was dedicated Jan 
11, 1848 The dedicatory sermon was 
preached by Rev. Z. $. Barstow, D, D., of 
Keene, N. H. ; dedicatory prayer by Rev, 
Amos Foster, of Putney. 

Rev. Charles Walker continued the 
pastor until Feb. 14, 1846, wlieu he was 
dismissed by mutual council called For this 
purpose. Mr. Walker w as a fearless* un- 
compromising advocate of the temperance 
cause. He possessed great moral power 
and a praiseworthy independence in advo- 
cating his views. His sermons upon 
special occasions showed great research 
and extensive information. The church, 
under his teaching, was built up and 
strengthened. The additions during his 
ministry were 62 by letter and 82 by pro- 
fession. 

After the dismission of Rev. Dr. Walker, 
the pulpit was supplied by different ones 
until -May 23, 18411. when the society 
extended a call to Mr. A. Huntington 
Clapp, of Boston, Mass., theu engaged as 
a professor in Middlebury College. He 
was a graduate of Yale College and Ando- 
ver Theological Seminary. After the 
usual examination by council he was 
ordained Oct. 14, 1846. Rev. Dr. Blagden, 
of the old South Church, Boston, preached 
the sermon. 

Rev. Mr. Clapp continued his labors 
with great satisfaction to the church and 
society until .Tan. 1, 1853, when, from a 
disease of the eyes, he was induced to ask 
leave of absence for at least four months, 
that he might be under treatment for the 
difficulty. After an absence of nearly 
eight months, and under daily treatment, 
yet without perceptible improvement, be 
sent in his resignation, to lake effect Oct. 
14. 1853, that being tli e close of the seventh 
year of his connection witJi this society. 
During the seven years Mr. Clapp was 
pastor. 60 were added by profession and 
42 by letter. 

Immediately after Rev. Mr. Clapp had 
sent in his resignation the church and 
society united iu extending a call to Rev. 



George P. Tyler, of Lowville, N. Y., a 
native of Brattle ho ro, and graduate of Yale 
I College and Union Theological Seminary. 
New York. He, having accepted the call, 
commenced his labors as pastor, Nov. 14, 
IS54, by a preparatory lecture for the com- 
munion, and on the following Sabbath 
preached his first sermon. Nov. 15, 1854, 

| the council met aud dismissed Rev. Mr. 
Clapp and examined Rev. Mr. Tyler. This 
examination proving satisfactory, he was 
the next day installed pastor of the church 
i and society. The sermon was preached 
I hy Rev. L. G. Buckingham, of Bpriugfield, 
Mass. . charge hy Rev. Charles Walker, of 
Pittoford, Vl. ; right hand of fellowship 
by Rev. Joseph Chandler , address to the 
people by Rev. A. H. Clapp; concluding 
prayer by Rev. Mr. Aiken. The fact that 
the two former pastors were present and 
took part iu the services, rendered it very 
solemn and interesting to t.he large con- 
| gregatiou who were assembled on the 
occasion. 

During the pastorate of Mr. Tyler there 
was received into the church 194 members, 
and during the latter part of his ministry 
here in 1864, extensive alterations were 
made in his house of worship. He was a 
man of much energy and originality, and 
zealous in defence of the government 
during the late rebellion. That he was a 
faithful and efficient pastor has, we believe, 

, never been questioned. In 1866, at his 
own request, he was dismissed from the 
charge of this church. He was succeeded 
by Rev. Nathaniel Migbill, who was in- 
stalled pastor in October, 1867. Rev. L. 
Buckingham preached the sermon, and 
Rev. A. H. Clapp addressed the church 
and society. 

From the time of its organization to 
March. 1869, this church had received 884 
members and six settled pastors. 

DR ATTLEBORO UNITARIAN CONGREGA- 
TIONAL SOCIETY. 

BY A FORMER PASTOR. 

After the death of Rev. William Wells, 
D. D. , which occurred in 1827, a large 
number pf the members of the Congrega- 
tional society, then under the charge of 
I Rev. Jonathan McGee, became dissatisfied 
with him as their pastor on account of cer- 
tain doctrines which lie preached, and 
| because he refused to exchange pulpit 



UNITARIAN CHURCH, 
BfT ATTLEBORO- 







BHATTLEBOKO. 



services with several clergymen with 
whom Rev. Mr. Wells had been accus- 
tomed to hold ministerial intercourse. 
They finally withdrew from that society 
and -ormetl anew society, known by fhe 
nam* of the 1S Brattlehoro Unitarian Con- 
gregational Society/' The organization 
of this society was effected in 1831, and a 
house of worship was erected on Main 
street during that year aiul finished 'early , 
the next year. It was dedicated Feb. 2%, 
IS 32, Rev. George W. Hosmer, of North ! 
held, Mass,, preaching the sermon. Chi 
the same day Rev Nathaniel Thayer, D, 
IX, of Lancaster, Mass,, and other clergy- 
men being present, the following persons, 
Eben Wells, Mary Wells, Samuel A. Allen, 
Maria Allen, Lemuel Whitney, Sophia 
Whitney, S. D. Chapin, Eliza Hyde, and 
Eunice Metcalf, united themselves into a 
Christian church, adopting and subscribe 
ing the same covenant which had been 
used under the ministry of Dr* Wells, and 
which was at that time still in use in the 
Congregational church under ihe charge 
of Mr, McGee, which is as follows: 

“ Admiring the infinite condescension 
and grace of God , in opening a door of 
life and salvation to perishing sinners 
through the death and mediation of Jesus | 
Christ: together with a sense of your own 
unwor f hiness, you do now make choice of 
the living God for your G-od. of God the 
Father for your Father; of his only begot 
ten 8nn, the Lord Jesus Christ* for your 
Lord and Saviour; of the Holy Ghost for 
your teacher, sanctifier and comforter; 
and of the Word of God for the rule of 
your faith and practice. And you do 
dedicate and give up yourselves to God, to 
be only his: to be guided by his spirit, to 
be ruled by his laws, to be disposed of by 
his providence* and to lie eternally saved 
in the gospel way. promising by the btdp 
of Chris!, (without which you can do 
nothing), that you will live soberly, right 
eously and godly all your days. And yon 
do likewise covenant and bind yourselves 
to walk with the church of Christ in this 
place, in all the ways of God + $ ordinances, 
submitting yourselves to the discipline and 
government of ibis church according to 
the rules of the gospel. Thus you give up 
tou rselves to God, and promise by bis 
kelp (o live for Him, and to walk in holy 
fellowship with this church . ** 






The church was enlarged from time to 
time by the addition of other members* 
and the above covenant was used foi v 
several years on the admission of new 
members to the church. For some years 
past, however, it has not been read or 
assented to when persons have united 
themselves with the church. 

On the Sunday succeeding the dedica- 
tion of the church, Mr. Addison Brown* 
who had been preaching several months at 
Troy, N. Y., where he had organized & 
society, on invitation of the prudential 
committee of the society, commenced sup- 
plying the pulpit as a candidate, and after 
preaching about three months lie received 
an invitation to settle as pastor of the 
church and accepted the same. 

Mr Brown was a native of New Ipswich* 
EL H., grad Hu ted at Harvard College hx 
the year, 1820, and at the Theological 
School at Cambridge in 1S31. Ilis ordina- 
tion took place June 14, 1832, introductory 
prayer by Rev t Mr, Rogers, of Bernards- 
ton. Mass. ; reading of the Scriptures by 
Rev, Josiah Moore, of Athol, Mass,; 
sermon by Rev. Mr Hill, of Worcester* 
Mass. ; ordaining prayer by Rev. James 
Kendall, D. IX. of Plymouth, Mass, j charge? 
bv Rev. Abiel Abbott, D. D., of Peierhoro* 
N. U. ; right hand of fellowship by Rev. 
Q. W, Hosmer, of Northfieltf, Mass,; 
address to the society by Rcv r Horsey B. 
Goodwin* of Concord, Mass, : concluding 
prayer by Rev. Alphcns Harding, of New 
Salem, Mass. 

Mr. Brown's engagement was at first for 
three years. At Ike expiration of that 
time he renewed his engagement lo supply 
the pulpit for five years* and after the 
expiration of that lime his engagement 
was made annually during the remainder 
of bis pastorate* which terminated near 
the close of 1345, he having preached for 
the society for nearly fourteen years in* 
succession, with the exception of a few 
months’ interruption on account of sick- 
ness. 

On accepting the resignation of Mr. 
Brown of bis pastoral relation lo she 
society* the following resolution was 
passed at a meeting of the society, Dec. 
1 * 1845 : 

Resdvedy That while acceding to the 
Rev. Addison Brown’s request to bo dis- 
charged from the further performance of 



30 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



ministerial duties, this society , collectively 
and in d i v i d u a! 1 y , e n terrain to vv ard s lr i n t 
the highest respect and strong personal 
regard, and that they shall ever cherish a 
lively recollection of his devotion to duty 
and his sincere efforts for their moral and 
spiritual good. 

Since the dose of Mr. Brown’s ministry 
to the society they have been supplied by 
a great number and variety of preachers, 
some for a brief period, others for a longer 
time. Those who have supplied the pulpit 
for the longest periods are Rev. G. CL Ingev 
sollj J>. IX, now deceased, who preached 
for the society at several different times; 
Rev. Farrington Mclntire, who was 
ordained as past or of the society. April 7 , 
1$47, find closed his ministry at t he end of 
that year; Rev. John L. Russell, who 
continued w ith the society several months; 
Rev, Mellish I. Motte, Rev, Solon W. 
Bush, and Rev. Francis G. Williams, each 
of whose ministry was three years or more ; 
Rev, F* FroUiingham, who was the socie- 
ty’s pastor for over two years, and Rev. 
H, N. Richardson, who supplied the desk 
for a little more than half a year. The 
society is at Lbe present time (August, 
1869) without a settled ministry. 

The stone church erected by this society 
in 1871-5, surpasses in durability and as a 
line specimen of church architecture, any- 
thing of the kind in this place. Rev, W. 
L. Jenkins lias officiated as pastor to the 
present time, January, 187!), 

BAPTIST CHURCH, 

The new church building erected by the 
■first and only Baptist society in this town 
is of brick, with Portland stone caps to 
the windows, buttresses, <&c. It stands 
upon the ground where once stood a nice 
brick dwelling-house, on Main street, built 
by G. C. Hall, Esq., in l82Gor 27. This, 
the most costly and elegant specimen of 
church architecture this side of Rutland, 
if not in the State, was built in 1867. E. 
Boyden, of Worcester, was architect, and 
J, M. Buzzed, master workman or super- 
intendent of construction. In the fall of 
1868 a bell, weighing 4,500 pounds, was 
placed in the tower. This bell is said to 
be the largest one in Vermont. This is 
the fourth house of religious worship 
erected on Main street, where is the busi- 
ness of the town, its stores and “temples 
of mammon/’ 



Avon erab 1 e deaco n o nee said , “ rel tgi o n 
should be separated from polities or busi- 
ness; it should be lifted high above all 
things of a worldly nature. 11 In accord- 
ance with this sentiment of early times, 
temples for religious worship were erected 
on s-ome elevated spot, or away from the 
hum of business and frequent haunts of 
men. 

" Where musing solitude might love to lift 
Her &otj! above this sphere of earthlinessT 

The people, when approaching this 
sacred place, were expected to leave 
behind their worldly cares and their every 
day garments, if not their shoes, as did 
Moses when he ascended the sacred moun- 
tain. From present indications, we are 
inclined to think it is well for the old 
deacon’s peace of mind that he has gone to 
his rest. If his aged form now moved 
about our busy streets, and bis attention 
was aroused by the heavy, solemn tones 
of that great bell, so near the temples of 
politics and mammon, how sadly he would 
shake bis head to witness this evidence of 
degeneracy' Vain would he our efforts to 
calm Ids troubled mind, by telling him the 
spirit of the age demanded that religion 
should be a more every-day, practical 
affair, and its temples and influences 
should be brought down to sanctify, bap- 
tize or purify all needful earthly transac- 
tions. 

This church and society have made rapid 
progress. From its infancy this church 
lias had within its fold individuals of 
superior business capacity, who have not 
been found wanting or backward in ad- 
vancing the material interests of the 
organization, and thereby has been erected 
a church building which is one of the 
greatest omameuLs to this village. This 
account would be incomplete unless we 
present the events of nearly 40 years ago, 
when this society was forming and deriv- 
ing its first nutrition under a Methodist 
roof, aided by professed Christians antag- 
onistic to the peculiar features of this 
church. 

In March, 1S40, Rev, r Mr. Andrews 
commenced a series of revival meetings in 
the Methodist chapel, then standing on 
Canal street. The text to his first sermon 
was, “Plough up the fallow ground.” 
In this sermon Mr. Andrews declared his 



31 



BR ATTLEBORO. 



indifference or independence in regard to 
sectarianism, but plainly slated his belief 
in the necessity of immediate repentance, 
regeneration or new birth. “ If,” said he, 
“you have evidence of sins forgiven, it 
matters not whether you are Methodist, 
Baptist. Orthodox, Congregational isi or 
Episcopalian.” The Methodist society 
was at this time in a feeble condition. 
The magnanimous declaration of Elder 
Andrews aroused the vitality that was yet 
remaining in that society, and caused it to 
welcome him with open arms. Deacon 
Wood and some other members of the 
Congregational church gathered at these 
meetings, and used their abilities and infiu 
once to sustain Elder Andrews and forward 
the work according to programme. 

The novel, startling titles Mr. Andrews 
gave out for sermons he was to preach the 
next evening, as, for instance, “ To mor- 
row evening I shall preach the looking- 
glass sermon.” or, “to-morrow night 1 
will preach the funeral sermon for the first 
oue of this congregation who will die,” j 
caused the house to be well filled about 
every evening for four of tive weeks. The 
result of these efforts were soou apparent 
in the professed conversion of several per- 
sons, who were persuaded to be baptized 
by immersion. Some communicauts of 
that faith, residing here, united wifh the 
new converts and, under the lead of Elder 
Andrews, organized the first Baptist | 
church, April 2 , 1840. The whole number 
was but 23 members at this time. 

This action on the part of the presiding 
genius of this movement so disturbed the 
harmonious feeling heretofore existing, it 
was considered desirable or necessary to 
find other quarters wherein to continue 
the meetings. As might have been ex- 
pected, some heretofore warm friends of 
Mr. Andrews became cold, and they could i 
not justify his action or make it appear 1 
consistent with his declarations at the 
commencement of these meetings. It j 
occurred Lo others that his course might, , 
perhaps, be justified b} f eminent precedent 
or sentiments of the great apostle, as ex- 
pressed in IT Cor., xii, 10. 

During six or seven weeks, from the 
beginning of these labors, Mr. Andrews 
occupied three places for this purpose, the 
last place being Dickenson’s Hall, where 



lie made the following remarks before his 
congregation : 

M Some people have said this was a 
peaceable community, a short time ago, 
but since Andrews came here we have all 
got by the ears. I don't doubt it my 
friends, for when the truth of God is 
thrust amongst a people they will boil like 
a pot.” 

Elder Andrews left his charge in a short 
time, after occupying the third place of 
worship, and Rev. Joseph Freeman was 
chosen as pastor, April 24, 1840. The 
public recognition was upon May G, 1840. 
the membership at this time being 1)4. Mr. 
Freeman resigned his pastoral charge after 
a service of about four months. 

Aug. 28, 1840, Rev. Moses Field accepted 
a call of the society to be their pastor. 
The church was admitted into the Wind- 
ham County Baptist Association at its 
annual meeting in the following autumn. 
The first church building was erected on 
Elliot street, aud completed in the autumn 
and winter of 1840 *41 and dedicated the 
following spring. 

Sept. 27, 1842. Rev. Mr. Field gave iu 
his resignation which was accepted. His 
successor, Rev. J. C. Foster, supplied the 
pulpit front Oct. 2, 1841, to Dec. 11 of the 
same year, and he was ordained pastor, 
Jan. 10, 1843. 

In 1852, the meeting-house was repaired 
and re-opened with the following dedica- 
tory exercises: Prayer by Rev. L. Sherwin, 
sermon by the pastor, dedicatory prayer 
by Rev. Samuel Fish, concluding prayer 
by Rev. A. H. Stevens. 

June8, 1850, Rev. Mr. Foster resigned 
his position, to lake effect July 1. June 
13, the church accepted his resignation. 
This is the longest pastorate in the history 
of the church. Mr. Foster administered 
to it for nearly 14 years. 

August 24, 1856, Rev. P. L. Adams was 
invited to the vacant pastorship, and com- 
menced his labors Nov. 2d of the same 
year. The last Sabbath in January, 1859, 
he closed his ministrations He was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. Mark CarpeDter upon the 
second Sabbath of February, 1859. He 
resigned Dec. 4, 1864 

Rev. A. Sherwin succeeded Mr. Carpen- 
ter, coming Jan. 4, 18G5; resigned April 
7, 1867. The seventh pastor of the church, 



32 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Rev. H. H, Peabody* came Sept. I, 18b7 s 
to supply the pulpit six months. 

The congregation worshipped for the 
last time in the old church building lu 
January, 1808. On the first Sabbath in 
February, of the same winter, the new 
church was occupied in the basement, as 
the principal room was not finished. Mr. 
Peabody, at the expiration of six months, 
was (mi iiiaed as pastor of the church. 
At tins Lime the Lotal number on the 
church record was 41 2. 

Theie is a large Sabbath School in eon- 
nec tin n with t h is msti t u l i on , The soc i c t y 
is in a prosperous condition, and the oft- 
souudhig of the hell, the frequent, well 
attended meetings, gives evidence of the 
sincerity of its members. 

Rev, Mr. Mat teson officiated about seven 
years. Present pastor, (1879)* Rev. Horace 
Bucrhard* 

methodist eirUBCH:. 

In giving an account of this institution, 
we have nothing upon which to rely but 
memory; therefore, do not pretend toper- 
feet accuracy in regard to dales, nor do 
we remember the names of but Tew of the 
pastors who have officiated for that church 
In this place. Regular services date from 
the advent of Cyrus Davis, who came to 
this village about 18B3, to superintend the 
printing depart ment of the publishing 
house of Messrs. Holbrook A Co. When 
we were first made aware of Methodist 
preaching id the East village was in 1834, 
and Mr. Davis, a firm advocate and class 
leader of the order, was quite prominent 
in commencing and sustaining these ser- 
vices, which were first held in a smalt 
district school house on Canal street. 

Between 1835 and '37 the society erected 
their first house of worship. This build- 
ing was p] aeed near Lhe school -house they 
at first occupied on Canal street. Rev* 
William Brewster was the pastor of this 
church in 1837, and by his excellent char- 
acter, eloquence and energy, considerable 
advance was made In building up the 
society. His worthy successor, *■ Elder 
Harding/' was also a talented and effective 
preacher; but the organization was not 
fortunate in members who were able or 
willing to clear oil The mortgage upon their 
meeting-house. Feeble in worldly matters, 
,k The halt drove on though maet flnd sail * r os tom,” 



But the advent of the BapList church, 
horn under its roof iu 1840, seemed to ex- 
haust the little vitality remaining in the 
society. The meeting house passed out of 
their possession into the hands of <f Mill el- 
ites/ ’ so called* in 1842. The Universal ist 
society next obtained possession of this 
house and occupied h for their denomina- 
tional purposes until their present house 
of worship was built* in L55u and nl. The 
old house was then sold to Mr W, Alex- 
ander* who made such alterations as fined 
it for a private residence. 

The Methodist society was, for a time, 
a thing of Hie past, but withm neven 
years after their trials wuh the Mill- 
elites, Ac,* it was made evident that, some 
of the “old leaven* hid in three measures 
of meal," yet remained Within the time 
above-named they built the neat brick 
meeting house, now (1809; owned and 
oceu pied by the societ y . Its ad voeates a nd 
supporters, in numbers* character and in- 
fluence* compare favorably with other 
denominations in this place. When we 
consider the trials, difficulties and disap- 
pointments the Methodists have encoun- 
tered in establishing their organization 
here, we must allow they are entitled to 
much credit for conscientiousness and 
p c rse vemn ce. M e 1 1 i od i st sc r v i ce s n re u o w 
(1879) held in the lower town hall. Rev. 
D. E. Miller* pastor. 

EFtSCOl'AL church; 

Regular services of this church, in this 
town, commenced at 4 Dickenson’s Halt ,p 
in 18815. A society was the 1 1 formed, with 
some hope of permanency* and Rev, Clias, 
Devens, a talented* promising young man. 
officiated as rector, Hon. John Phelps 
and family* prominent ad ova in commenc- 
ing this enterprise, during the short Lime 
said family resided here, moved to Mary 
land soon after tic organization, and this 
society, in its days of infancy* could ill 
afford to lose the influence, power and 
protection a Horded by this family* After 
about two years, services were only occa- 
sional, and then usually conducted at 
some place hired for lids purpose, by the 
rector of the church, three miles distant, 
at East Guilford. 

Public sentiment in this town seems 
never to have been favorable to Ibis order* 
and there has never been a compliance 



RR ATTLEBORO, 



m 



with the conditions of the charter of 1758, 
wherein we find a reservation of one share 
of land for this church, and also u one 
share for the propagation of the gospel in 
foreign parts/' Since 1852, accessions to 
this population have been of such a char- 
acter as to require this form of religious 
worship. 

In 1853, a society was organized and 
services at first conducted by Rev. G* C- 
Eastman in a lower room of the town hath 
Rev, JVt r. Eastman resigned his charge 
April la, L854. Rev. William Southgaie 
officiated from 1357 to April, 1S6U* Rev. 
A, P, Mprris was invited to accept the 
rectorship Oct. 10, i860* Rev, Edmund 
Rowland occupied the desk in the summer 
previous to the advent of Mr, Morris. 
Rev. A. P. Morris was from Hamilton, C. 
W*, and was rector of this church during 
most of the time of the late war of tile 
rebellion* October 14, 1364, Rev. G* W, 
Porter was invited to become rector of the 
parish. He accepted, and resigned after 
about two years’ service. Rev, Francis 
W. Smith accepted an invitation to till the 
vacancy, April 3, 1867, and resigned Dec, 
30, 1868. In 1867 the society procured a 
parsonage, situated upon Green street, at 
an expense of $2,500, March 19, 1860, 
Rev. Mr. Harris accepted an invitation of 
the parish to become rector and now sup- 
plies the desk. (1870). 

Since 1863, this institution has been 
known and recognized as fl St, Michael's 
Church/' and its progress in numbers, 
influence and all needful requirements to 
sustain it. venders the permanent estab- 
lishment of Episcopacy in this town, no 
longer, as at first considered, an experi- 
ment* 

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

Irregular preaching commenced by the 
Catholics from 1846 to *48, about the time 
the Vermont and Massachusetts railroad 
was being constructed in this vicinity* 
Meetings were held for several 3 r ears in a 
building on Elliot street, formerly used 
for mechanical purposes. In 1863-4 they 
constructed a good, substantial brick 
church on Walnut street. This under- 
taking was under the administration of 
Father O' He illy* Judging from the large 
number of persons going to and from this 
new- house, the church is in a nourishing 
condition, 

B 



[By Rt. Rev. Louis de Qoeshriand, Bishop 
of Burlington}. 

The number of Catholic families in this 
town must have been about fifty when the 
d locese of B u r 1 i ngt on was separat ed f ro m 
that of Boston. Rev, Z, Druon, (now of 
St, Albans), in 18*41, bought an old paint 
or carpenter simp and fitted it up for a 
church* Rev, Charles O’Reilly was given 
charge of the mission iu 1855, and after a 
few years came to live in the village. He 
succeeded In building the present neat and 
substantia? church edifice of St. Michael. 
In 1869* lie was succeeded by Rev, Charles 
Hal pin. Rev, N. 8t* Onge had charge of 
Braitleboro after Rev, Father Halpin. To 
Rev, Henry Lane, the present incumbent, 
is due the erection of the Catholic school 
house, the establishment of the house of 
the Sisters of St* Joseph, for tlm teaching 
of the children, the purchase of a parson- 
age, and ornamenting of t lie church edifice* 
There are 135 families in this congregation, 
and the number of pupils taught by the 
Sisters in 1377 was 125. 

Too much ‘Credit cannot be given this 
congregation, who have doue much, so 
well and so constantly, notwithstanding 
many and serious difficulties. 

Note, — Some of the details, respecting 
the religious societies of Brattleboro. have 
b^en taken from their own printed books. 

EAST VILLAGE OF BHATTLKUOKO. 

Within the limits of this village was 
made the first English settlement in Ver- 
mont. " Ilia Majesty's Port Dummei/' 
as stated in the charter of thetown in 1753, 
was here erected in 1724. In this charter 
is made four reservations of land, one for 
the first settled minister, one for the Eng- 
lish or Episcopal church, one for the 
propagation of the gospel In foreign parts, 
and one of 800 acres for Gov, Weat worth 
of New Hampshire. Willi one exception, 
we learn these reservations have never 
been appropriated for the purposes above 
named. Thai exception is the laud now 
covered by this village, which was owned 
by Governor Wentworth and sold at some 
period from the date of the charter lo 1771, 
for five oxen. Because first owned by 
Gov. Went worth, this territory wits for a 
long time known as "Governors Farm* 11 
In 1771, Oils farm was purchased by 
Stephen Green leaf, of Boston, Mass., and 



u 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



lie established a store where now stands 
Ed ion block on Main street. This store is 
saki to be the first one established in Ver- 
mont, From ancient letters we learn this 
merchant was an importer of goods from 
England. From Harrison, Barnard & 
Spragg* of London, we find a letter, dated 
VT6Q, addressed to Stephen Green leaf, con- 
taining a receipt for cash £10U on account, 
and information they had forwarded to his 
order and bis 11 risque'' goods to the 
amount of £401). This gentleman, Stephen 
Green leaf, was father of Stephen Green- 
leaf, Jr. , who was clerk of this town 45 
years. 

Among various means which have con- i 
tribe ted to the rise and growth of this 
place, not the least that can be mentioned 
is the early attention given to mechanics, ; 
The first water-power set in operation here 
was by Matthew Martin, who built a saw 
mill near the mouth of Whetstone Brook, 
at the south part- of Main street, Matthew 
Martin was born in 1737, and died in 1831, 
When 91 years of age, he informed us ihat 
at the time he built this saw -mil I all “Gov 
ernor’s Farm 11 could be bought for 25 
cents per acre. 

This water power, since first used by 
Mr, Martin, has opera Lett a great variety 
of machinery. Joseph Clark, from 
Auburn, Mass., who owned, at onetime, 
most of the land on the south side of 
Whetstone Brook to the Vernon and Guil- 
ford line, established here the first shop for 
wool-carding and doth dressing* This 
power has been used for printing, paper 
making, machine shops, grinding grain, 
manufacturing silk, cotton, wool, pearl, 
ivory and boxwood rules, paper machinery, 
&c. John Holbrook, in 1811, sold all this 
water privilege below the paper mill to 
Francis Goodhue, 

As Deacon John Holbrook was the main 
cause, and is so identified with the early 
prosperity of this village, it is difficult to 
separate his history from it; therefore, we 
give a brief sketch Of him in this connec- 
tion, 

JOHN HOLBROOK. 

Was born at Weymouth* Mass., in 1761, 
and died in this village in 1838, aged 77 
years. At the beginning of the Revolu- 
tionary war, hie father moved with his 
family to Dorchester, Mass. English offi- 



cers stationed on Dordi ester Heights were 
so well pleased with the conduct and per- 
sonal appearance of young Holbrook, they 
offered to instruct him in engineering, 
surveying, &c. T lie oiler was gratefully 
accepted f and he became so well qualified 
that he w T as in after years employed by the 
government. 

The opportunities for obtaining knowl 
edge of this character were limited in I his 
country at that time, and to this early 
event in his history may be attributed 
much of his success in after life; but men 
so lavishly gifted by nature with mind and 
i matter, with the most desirable requisites 
of true manhood, as was Mr. Holbrook, 
wait not for opportunities or occasions* 
they create them. Difficulties, dangers, 
obstacles, such as discourage or dishearten 
common men* act, if they act at all, on 
such men as Mr. Holbrook, merely as 
stimulants to their progress. 

His duties, while in the employ of the 
government, led him beyond his native 
S tat e to Ne w fan e, V c. , w h ere he m a riled 
Sarah Kuowlton, daughter of Luke Know!- 
ton, Esq., then known as “ Judge Knowl- 
tou/ 1 and presiding at the courts of 
Windham county. Late in the last cen- 
tury he established a store in the building 
which has since undergone alterations, 
fitting it for a hotel, now called the 
American House. He here became suc- 
cessful In importing goods from the West 
Indies, all the way to Braltleboro by water. 
Ilia goods came by shipping In Hartford, 
Ct, r and from there by flat-boats up the 
river to this place* and we learn he was 
the pioneer of this method of freighting 
to Brattleboro, which was long afterwards 
successfully carried on by G. G. Hall, 
Francis Goodhue, John R- Blake* and 
others. In 1811, Mr. Holbrook removed to 
Warehouse Point, Ct* His son-in-law, 
Win. Fessenden, was proprietor of The 
Re porter , ” a ad p u Irtish ed W e h sto r*s spell 
ing books ns early as 1807. Immediately 
after the death of William Fessenden, in 
! 815, Mr. Holbrook returned tu Brattle 
boro and bought of the heirs of William 
Fessenden all his stock* fixtures, &e. f and 
greatly enlarged the publishing business, 
For undertaking to publish a large family 
Bible* by subscription, in this obscure 
town, so far away from the great, centers 



BBATTLEBORO. 



35 



of trade, Mr. Holbrook was ridiculed by 
tlu: greatest publishers of the day in New 
York and Boston, and certain failure of 
the enterprise was by them confidently 
predicted. Little did the sons of luxury 
and affluence know of the character or 
capabilities of that man. His opening 
manhood was in the storm of ibe Revolu- I 
ti on ; h is ea li y 1 if e was s pen t i n gra p p ling' 
with all sorts of difficulties, wandering on , 
snow-shoes through trackless forests with 
compass and chain, and often did he retire j 
for the night, under hemlock boughs, with 
scanty uncooked food, in the dark., cold, 
wintry, unbroken forest. Some of the \ 
disadvantages in establishing his business • 
here may be learned by reading the follow- 
ing account, as given us not long ago by 
Mr, Hines, a few days before bis death, at 
the age of 80 years; 

'‘Many years ago I built a paper-mill in 
this village for Beacon Holbrook, It was j 
a hard job, for there was at that time no 
iron foundry in this region, no machine 1 
shop, no engine-bit he or tools such as 
would be considered indispensable now for 
doing such work. 1 went with a horse 
team to Rhode Island to get iron castings 
for this mill. After I returned and had 
been several days at work, the deacon 
called on me to see how the work i 
was progressing, 'Well/ said he, ' any | 
new troubles, any more lions in the road? 9 
'Yes; there is oue big one/ said I, pointing 
to a large iron casting on the door; 'we 
must make a bole (giving the size) dear 
through that iron in the thickest- place/ 
*How in the world will you do it? f asked 
the deacon, 1 replied, 4 1 don’t exactly 
know, but I must contrive some \vay to do 
it/ The deacon gave expression to his 
views upon the subject by saying. ‘I 
should like to see the generation that will 
be on earth when you finish that job." In 
the after part of that day it was a great 
pleasure to me to congratulate the deacon 
upon having had his wish, for the job was 
done.” 

Borne idea of Mr. Holbrook's peculiar 
style of expressing his emotions, can be 
seen by the following: Mr- H- sent his 
mati-of -all- work some distance from home 
to get some early potatoes for planting. 
The man returned with the potatoes and 
Informed him of the price charged, Mr. 



Holbrook said : ’ h Jacob, return the potatoes 
immediately, and say to Mr, W. I would 
as soon die by famine as by the sword,” 

In spite of prophecy and discouragement, 
Mr, Holbrook supplied all subscribers with 
the great family Bible, and made a com- 
plete financial success. For more than 25 
years the publishing business, first started 
by Wm, Fessenden, more than all other 
causes, in that day, put together, enlarged 
and built up th is vil 1 age, M r, H . ret i re d 
from being nu active participant in the 
business, though he became associated with 
Joseph Fessenden, and the business con- 
tinued under the name of *' Holbrook & 
Fessenden ’’ until Mr, Holbrook became 
president of the Bra tile boro Bank in 1833, 
Joseph Fessenden died in 1834. John C, 
Holbrook and others bought out the old 
concern and published "The Polyglot 
Bible/" " Comprehensive. Commentary/ 1 
1 * Oh u rc h H istorv . ” a nd " Eu cy do ped ia of 
Eel i g i on sKu o w ledge, " 

Unable to endure the financial crisis in 
1830. the company failed, but the business 
was continued by a joint stock concern 
called the " Typographic Co./’ which com- 
menced operation in 1836; but it died such 
a gradual, lingering death, we hardly know 
when it. ceased to breathe. 

Previous to the establishment of the 
publishing enterprise by Wm, Fessenden 
and his successor, Mr, Holbrook, the in- 
; habitants of this place attended public wor- 
ship, on the Sabbath, at the West village, 
over 2 miles distant. In locating the first 
church building iu this village, in 1814, the h 
inhabitants of that day gave evidence of 
possessing more taste for the beautiful Ilian 
any of their predecessors or successors. 
The meeting-house was placed at or near 
the centre of what is now the public park 
or common, Tn summer time tlie northern 
view, especially from the upper windows 
nud belfry, was the most beautiful in this 
■ country. People living all their lives 
among mountains and scenery of a similar 
character, have said much in praise of this 
prospect, and even travelers from far-famed 
lands of song and story, have declared it 
unsurpassed in its peculiar attractiveness, 
i arid reluctantly withdrew their gaze upon 
scenes on which the eye long loved to 
linger. 

At the time carpenters were framing the 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



m 



new meeting-house, Rev. Caleb Burge, 
then pastoral *he Wesi village, said lie bud 
a d reax n t b a t two men we re It i I led wb il e 
raising the new church frame. This story 



A LOTTERY OFFICE, 

Opposite Lheokl stage bouse, with n large 
mythological painting for a sign, occupied 
the attention of the people from I82(j to 29. 



got noised about, causing a large collection i Ceres, goddess of the harvest, smilingly 
■of people at the raising of the frame. Some i aiK i willingly, through summer's beat and 



difficulties and clangers attended the pro 
■fcesc*. which made great excitement among 
the people. Finally, after the business 
w m completed, without Injury to life or 
limb* the crowd gave three tremendous 
Cheers for “Rev, Caleb Burge. M 

When ibis village was very small, not 
more than one-fourth is present size, it was 
remarkable for its trade, life or business 
activity. Long before the introduction of 



winter’s cold, looked down upon the public 
while scattering from a cornucopia a large 
quantity of Mexican dollars. Tills lottery 
was chartered by the State for the benefit 
I of Horatio Knight, and Messrs, Chase and 
Smith, managers. The people, though 
charmed for a while and paying a sufficiem 
; tax on ignorance to learn this to l)e no im- 
provement oil the old ways of money-mak- 
ing, turned their backs on this temple of 



railroads, eight or leu daily stages drove up mammon, and beautiful Ceres smiled on us 
at some hour of the day or night to the old j no more. The most appropriate use ever 
" stage house, ‘ J where the passengers were made of the unsold tickets was by Messrs, 
sure to be greeted with excellent fare, and Hooper and Hughes, in the construe lion 
the kind, polite attentions of that prince of of rarefied air-balloons, which were started 
hotel-keepera, Con. Paul C hase. His , upon their important mission near the old 
bouse was constantly open both night and meeting-house on the village common. 

d *W- Durin " the winter mo,llbs > m ' es 1 Some notoriety abroad « S gt™, tins 
wm- constantly burning in his capacious, I plHC( , by lhe Vermont Asylum for the lu- 
oki.fashioned fire-places. Many who have , ^ estsb!ighad here iu 1836i but its popu . 
experienced life under his administration , Iarity M a cit y resort in summer time, dates 
and roof, have declared it caused no urn froal LSiSj wllet) D) , Wessellroeft, from 
pleasant memories. i Germany, established here Iris, atone time, 

the postoffice, famous hydropathic institution. Dr. Wes- 

by Asa Green, Esq,, from 1811 to selhoeft, after traveling extensively in New 



Held 

1841, was, as the old .stage house, constantly 
open both night and day, It was a distrib- 
uting office, and at one period of Mr. 
Green's administration was the postoffice 
for Guilford, Du miners Lon, Halifax, Ver- 
non, MTulingham, New fane, Bemartisiou, 
W ey bridge, Marlboro, Hinsdale, N. H, , 
GUI, Mass.* Leyden, Mass., and Chester- 
field, X H. Inhabitants arc yet living 
here who remember the pleasantries, pecu- 
liarities, virtues ami eccentricities of the 



Bn gland and testing water brought from 
various parts of the United States, decided 
upon locating in this village. The purity 
ol the water iu this place was an important 
consideration with him, but ho was not in- 
sensible to the purity of the air, the moun- 
tainous features, ever clothed in green, 
and tile varied surface of grounds in and 
about, ibis place. There was here, in Ills 
es t i m atiou „ a ra re and ha ppy combi na ti on 
of the desirable things which his system of 
veteran postmaster, His memory will be 1 treatment required. He found here excel- 



ever green, for one of the pleasantest streets 
in this village, ou hind lie once owned, 
now bears bis name. Since the establish- 
ment of U. S, govern meat post offices in 
this Slate, lie had two predecessors iu this 
office, vi ti. ■ John W. Blake, in 1790, when 
there were but H government offices in this 
State , itn d Sa muel El 1 i ot in 181 0, Fre v i oi i s 
to tire admission of Vermont into the Union, 
we learn that John Arms was the first post- 
master of this town under the authority of 
Verenon t. 



lent mechanics, markets, stores, schools, 

I churches, representing oil phases of Chris- 
I tianity, from Rome to Geneva or Boston, 

1 Mass. ; in short, a high civilization, from 
| which a walk of fifteen minutes would place 
one in primitive forests, among precipices, 

I glens, brooks, cascades, and scenes of the 
| most perfect wildness and attractiveness, 
Dt. Wesselhoeft did not bring to this 
work the vigor of early manhood or even 
, the noontide of his life. His whitened 
locks and other indications made it mam- 



BRATTLKBQRO* 



37 



fest his stay here must be short, and he was 
only making an evening cal! But his 
sagacity, as shown by his choice of location, 
lias been highly commended by ladies and 
gentlemen of much culture, experience and 
extensive travel in this and other count lies, 
His success in the treatment of chronic 
complaints, led us to hope his system would 
be continued here, and ids mantle fall upon 
some worthy successor; but after he passed 
away, everything of his excepting the 
buildings he erected, disappeared, and the 
build iogs were converted Lo other uses. 

During the Rebellion, when Venn out 
placed over 33,000 of her sons upon the 
altar of freedom, Gov, F. Holbrook, son of 
Dea, John Holbrook, made application to 
the general government for leave to establish 
a hospital here for sick and wounded sob 
cl levs. Leave bei ng gra □ ted . th e in sti tutio n 
went into operation. There was reported 
from this hospital so large a percentage of 
cures from ch ionic diarrhoea and other diffi- 
cult diseases to cure, as placed this hospital 
so far above any other in the United Slates, 

I 1 le an l b o r i ti es a 1 Wash i ngt on th o ugh 1 1 1 le i e 
was a mistake in the reports. Investiga- 
tion proved the re polls correct. Conse- 
quently the institution was enlarged and 
made a United States hospital, where have 
been congregated, from several States, over 
1500 invalid soldiers at once. 

The surgeon -general, who officiated to 
the last, declared he never before found it 
necessary to use so little medicine, for obsti- 
nate chronic cases, as considered when 
brought from other hospitals to this one, 
seemed to be cured as if by magic. 

Some years after the war closed, the doc- 
tor, while on a visit to this place, was com 
suited by a gentleman from New Haven, 
who was afflicted with chronic diarrhoea , 
After making the needful inquiries, exami- 
nations and prescriptions, the doctor said: 

■ ' Abo v e all th i ngs I reeom u i end , in you r 
case, a large dose of EraUleborm" 

The ground south of the village, where 
was Mi is military hospital, is now (1873) 
o w ii ed by a com pa ny n am ed ' ' T he W i n d- 
ham County Park Association/' and used 
by them for agricultural exhibitions and 
horse races. 

In the erection of buildings, there was 
but little of the elegant in architecture prior 
to 1833. Since that time utility alone has 



not always been consulted, but within the 
last twenty years art and taste have pre- 
sided in construction of really elegant and 
pleasant homes, which greatly help to give 
a desirable character to the place, ft has 
been said that, beautiful things have a bene- 
ficial effect upon the mind, causing a more 
agreeable expression upon its dial -pi ate.' 
Seeing these unmistakable evidences of 
surplus means is ever gratifying to solicitors 
of contributions for literary* chain table or 
rel tgto us ob j eel gl Th e gra n d 1 ist is there by 
made grander and more effective in satis- 
fying public needs by taxation. 

Desirable as is this place for a summer 
residence, in particular localities, we belie ve 
some houses on Main and High streets are 
disease- hi ceding institutions, from the tol- 
eration of overgrown shade trees near the 
dwellings, causing gloom, dampness, rheu- 
matism, &C., to many otherwise sunny, 
healthful, cheerful homes. 

Most of the roads and sidewalks arc too 
narrow. With an increasing population, 
requiring an expansion of the avenues for 
public travel, some of these roads, which 
have been open to the public from all time, 
have, within 25 years, been partly covered 
by the enlargement of buildings or enclosed 
front yard fences* This practice is not 
only a damage to the public hut lo the real 
estate owners who arc guilty of this action* 
It is also far from complimentary to the 
public authorities who suffer the public to 
be robbed, 

FJRE AND WATER DEPARTS EKT, 

However sensible individuals may be 
as to the public necessities, communities 
require some costly experience before they 
will sufficiently realize those needs, as to 
be willing a tax should be raised upon their 
property lo supply them. This village in 
pro v i d ing th e m can s for ex ti ugi i is! ling ti res 
has awaited tit is educational process. In 
the summer of 1834, a house near the north 
part of Main street, owned by Dr. John L. 
Dickeiman, was entirely consumed by fire. 
Only the out buildings were on fire when 
the engines arrived on the ground, and it 
was only the lack of water prevented the 
most valuable part of the house from being 
saved. The indignant owner said, as he 
gazed upon the crowd doing nothing, 
" there are women enough here to extin- 
guish that fire with their petticoats.” 



3 $ 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



It was easy to see bow perfectly useless 
were the best of fire engines without some 
way to supply them. Meetings of the in- 
habitants were called at various times, at 
which conn nitLecs were appointed to devise 
and report at a future meeting some feasible 
plan to meet the difficulty. Progress to 
this end was slow, but after years of con- 
sideration, large underground cement cis- 
terns, supplied by waste water from 
dwelling houses, were placed at such points 
as was most advantageous. In 1 8tU>. a great j 
advance was made in this department, 
rendering the supply of water in Main 
street inexhaustible. A power-engine or 1 
force-pump was placed in the machine- 
shop of F. Tyler, at the south part of Main 
street, and operated by a large water-wheel. 
Bv this means 200 gallons of water per 
minute, from Whetstone Brook, could be 
delivered at several hydrants, in such posi- 
tions as to be available at a fire in any part 
of Main street, and, with sufficient hose, 
can be of great service in protecting prop- 
erty in other streets. 

There are uow (1870) 3 engines and 1 
hook and ladder company. Enrolled in 
the fire engine companies are 300 citizens. 
Having 4,000 feet of hose, a large part of 
the village can be protected from fires by 
water from Whetstone Brook. One of the 
engines was built by C. Huunemau & Co., 
of Boston, Mass., at a cost of $4,000. The 
other two hand-engines cost $2,000 each. 
Messrs. Jacob Estey & Co. purchased, a few 
years since, a steam tire engine, which 
will be more effectual than four or tive 
hand-engines. 

There never has been so efficient a fire de- 
partment as within the last 4 years. For 
the late improvements, much credit is due 
the chief engineer. Col. S. M. Waite. 
Fires, under the present management, are 
almost invariably confined to buildings 
where they originate. The most remark- 
able exception to this rule occurred in No- 
vember. 1869. when the Brattleboro House 
and several stoves were consumed. The 
great freshet, which occurred in the month 
before this fire, rendered inefficient the 
power-engine upon which the village de- 
pended for the great supply of water from 
Whetstone Brook. 

All the buildings on Main street and a 
large share of the dwelling houses in the 



village are supplied with constantly run- 
ning water from springs of great purity. 
The water is brought by conduits to several 
distributing reservoirs in such localities as 
to best accommodate the consumers of the 
water. There are 7 or 8 companies or 
organizations for supplying all demands 
for run ning water. The Western Aqueduct 
Association is the longest and most impor- 
tant in the place* Their spring is divided 
into 180 shares. This* water was brought 
about ouc mile to High street in 1836, by 
Messrs. John Holbrook, Asa Green and 
Francis Goodhue. Shares have been sold 
for $8 each, but now are valued at not less 
than $100 each. The company deliver the 
water at a brick aqueduct house in High 
street, and share owners put down small 
pipes ‘leading to their dwellings at their 
own expense, and they are subject to taxa- 
tion. in proportion to the amount of water 
they own. to keep the main conduit in repair. 

To the Western aqueduct may be at- 
tributed the growth, in fact, the very ex- 
istence of two of the most important streets 
in this village. The three originators of 
this association conferred a beuefitof great 
importance to the public* They have long 
since passed away, but their memory lives 
in that appropriate emblem of purity and 
1 industry— pure running water. 

The men who act as if they M were or- 
( dained to do, not to enjoy,” unconsciously 
build their own monuments. However 
large may be our organ of reverence, we 
i involuntarily exercise it upon such a* these. 
It will be well for human interests when 
selfishness shall assume no worse form of 
manifestation than was apparent in the 
action of these gentlemen in this and other 
movements, in which they acted more for 
the benefit of others than for themselves. 

The village is well located for good 
drainage; therefore, the neglect to improve 
this advantage seems, at first thought, inex- 
cusable. It needs no argument to convince 
any thoughtful, reflective person how im- 
portant it is for the general welfare that 
impure water be not allowed to stand near 
dwellings, to be removed only by solar 
evaporation. Legal geutlcraen have in- 
formed us that the laws of this State are 
defective iu regard to this matter, -and 
i should be so amended as to give the same 
privileges in making sewers as is now given 
l in the construction of roads. 



BRATTLEBORO. 



3<> 



The proprietors of the large brick block, seized him by the collar at the right mo- 
ment to save him from the threatened 
calamity. SorroAv and disappointment 
were apparent as swift water now obtained 
the victory, floating the Barnet and Blanch- 
ard down the stream. But all was not 
lost, the unconquerable will and geuius, 
ever fertile in expedients, survived this 
cruel shock. The ue.xl trial to ascend 
i proved successful, by applying the old sta- 
I tionary windlass that had long been used 
for drawing flat-boats over these rapids. 

Now safely moored iu the desired haven, 
as the sun went down, the asthmatic breath- 
ing and noise of contending elements in the 
I bosom of the Baruet ceased, but the public 
mind was under a high pressure all that 
I night. For the best reasons in the world, 
some u wouldn't go home till morning.' 



now building on the west, side of Main 
street, have given a commendable example 
in making drains on private account. 

STEA.il N A V FUAT! ON . 

Three steamboats from below here have, 
at different times, visited this village, viz.: 
4 * Barnet,’* “ John Ledyard " and “ William 
Holmes.” The first-named boat was built 
by Thos. Blanchard, of Springfield, Mass., 
where he invented a lathe for turning 
eccentric shapes, and first set it in successful 
operation at the U. S. Armory in shaping 
gun-stocks. Mr. Blanchard was confident 
he could make steam navigation on the 
Connecticut River, from Hartford far up 
into Vermont, a success. In 1827, when 
the little Barnet went, for the first time, 
screaming and puffing up the liver, the iu 



Light from the moraine sun fell upon 
habitants of this place, always noted for brokcn win(lows> tab | e8> chairs, crockery, 
keeping up with the times in their notions i lnsa . ware Ac _ thu8 givine any but eom- 
if not their actions, needed but little to p1imentliry evidence as to the way Ibis high 
excite their hopes or stimulate their ideality i u| . e was venled . The participants in 
regarding the great advantages this village I lhjs ever afte ,. called, - famous high-go," 
was likely to receive front this powerful i , ... represente d the village. The sur- 

agency. Capt Blanchard, the hero of the vivors ()f , his ,„. nliant engagement for the 
hour, the presiding genius of the Barnet, evenin , r av0U8e(1 lhe following day by the 
already known to fame for his achieve- be „ and hissing 8team 0 f the Bar- 

meets in mechanics, proudly walked the 
deck of his steamer, inspiring increase 
confidence that greater tilings were at hand 
and a new era about to dawn upon this for 



tile valley. His advent here was greeted 
with bonfires, bell-ringing, illumination and 
intoxication. There was loud cheering 



, net, bravely stepped on the hot, quivering. 
. trembling deck of the monster, and away 
they went north, at the enormous speed of 
4 miles an hour. 

These heroic deeds were embalmed in 
verse by the poetical genius of the time and 



mvu.Mw«iuu. lucre lum, uicu.uj, c but most 0 f the rtC tors are now COV- 

from the well-lined river bank, and British | ^ U|e #ilenl turf 
cannon, taken from Burgoyne at Benuing- 

, e ... 7 PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

ton. roared out from their brazeo throats 

Early in the present century, when the 



the joyful news. But these demonstrations 
were made before our hero had got into 
port : he was struggling against the rapids, 
culled “the tunnel, ” below the bridge. 
When about half way up the rapids, the 



financial prosperity of this place depended 
upon the manufacture of spelling-books, 
Bibles, and rve whiskey, and the most con- 
spicuous, noticeable feature at town meet- 



boat carat* to a standstill. Notwithstanding mgs and other public gatherings, was the 
the fire was so great that the blaze poured I tall, majestic form of Judge Whitney. Mi. 
i the smokestack, and Capt. Blanchard, A. said to his neighbor, Mr. J 4 .. 1 



from 

with the energy of despair, was punching 
ami i list the bed of the river with a spiked 
pole, no further progress could be made. 
While making vain efforts to successfully 
reinforce steam with this ancient method 
of navigation. Capt, Blanchard fell from 
the boat into the rapids and came near 
being drawn under the boat, bul was for- 
tunately rescued by strong hands, which 



learn 

an attempt is to be made at the next school 
meeting to raise money on the scholar, in- 
stead of on l he grand list." Mr. F. replied, 
•• 1 don't doubt the truth of that report, for 
1 have heard conversation in various quar- 
ters of such a character as leads me to 
believe they will try it. and if we don’t 
work pretty smartly they will accomplish 
their plans. Esquire S. said he should pay 



40 



VERMONT HISTORIC AX MAGAZINE. 



no more money lo educate other peopled 
children, and Mr, C. mid Mr. P* were 
agreed in my mg il is as had as highway 
robbery lo compel them to pay money for 
such a purpose,* 1 

Mr, A,, the first person alluded to to this 
conversation, was a firm believer iu special 
providences. He was a poor man with a 
young, dependent family* and it was all he 
could do to keep the wolf from the door. 
After hearing the remarks of his friend F,, 
lie said. "If Judge Whitney is on our side, 
they wi]l find it up hill to carry out, their 
plan, hut 3 after all, my greatest confidence 
is in God ■ his attributes arc on our side- ” 

When this question came before the 
school meeting of the district, Judge Whit- 
ney expressed, in a decided manner, his 
opposition to it, and by a majority vote the 
cause of poor Mr+ A, was sustained. 

11 Well*' 1 said Mr. F. , "Whom are yon 
going to thank now, God or Judge Wlnb 
Gey?" 

There was at this time bul little sysLem 
in conducting public schools here. Chil- 
dren carried to their desks or benches my 
kind of books parents or guardians found 
the cheapest or most convenient, to furnish. 
Consequently there could not lie a prnjrcr 
classification of the school, or ucouomy of 
effort Hy the teacher, A large part, of the 
time was occupied by the schoolmaster in 
the manufacture of pens from goose quills 
and arousing the fiend, by almost incessant 
obedience to the "wise man's " instruc- 
tions. In the ilb ventilated school-room 
were long benches and seats, containing 
from 3 to 10 scholars each, crowded together 
in such a manner as to interfere as much 
as possible with Uieir comfort and conven- 
ience. When school was dismissed, noue 
but those who have been through such 
experiences can fully realize the joy occa- 
sioned by this temporary emancipation. 

lu a master, for the winter term, three 
tp m 1 i fiat t in n s were i n d i spe ns& 1 1 le He m \m 
understand how to make a good pen, and 
have an indomitable will, and sufficient 
physical power to maintain an absolute I 
monarchy over 44 cabined, cribbed, con- 
fined," juvenile republicans, who, outside i 
of school, were tolerated by (heir parents 
in all sorts of noisy, riotous demonstra- 
tions and ovations to the goddess of liberty. 
It was not wilhout some influence upon the 



rising generation, that the old veterans from 
Bunker Hill, Saratoga and Bennington 
were then among us* living, walking reali- 
ties and representatives of that desperate 
though successful contest under a banner 
on which was inscribed, in awful letters of 
I fire and blood, "Resistance to tyrants is 
i obedience to God.*" 

Almost daily, attended wiih cries of 
anguish, came physical conflicts between 
scholars and a master, who seemed ns de- 
ficient in a knowledge of human nature, or 
philosophy of the mind, as in ability to 
make a watch. 

Clearly comes before us recollections of 
that brute in human form, with stiff, black 
hair, standing like hog s bristles upon his 
head, slashing his rule indiscriminately 
upon innocent and guilty tremblers, 

'* Who laid learned Eo trace 

The day's disaster in his morning fsi&uA 

"Romeo Wilson, 1 5 "Tinsel Sargent.” 
"Toad Cushing," and others were made to 
plainly understand if they received a blow 
from this modern Solomon, a severer one 
a wfd te d t hen i at home. T1 1 e su fife ri u g vie - 
tims of tyrannical outrages from teachers 
and parents, as was enough, and did make 
some hale school and master forever, well 
knew an exposure of iheir wrongs would 
not lessen them, therefore, 

41 Th ul tale they did not then unfold. 1 * 

Time brought some improvements, and 
other or different qualifications for teachers 
lhau those mentioned were demanded. 
The first time a blackboard appeared in the 
school room was under the administration 
of Mr. C. 0. Frost, in the winter of 1$27. 

| This gentleman, who is now called "the 
learned shoemaker," we think had as much 
will as any of his predecessors, but lie did 
not spend so much of his time, as did most 
of them, in using the rod. While in the 
employ of the district, he was faithful to 
hU charge, and it was said Hie school had 
□ever been bo well kept before. He was 
obliged to labor under so ninny disadvan- 
tages* such us we have already alluded to. 
he could not be induced to continue in this 
work. He has ever since labored upon ibe 
b urn an u ad e rst an ding , though i □ a di fit re n t 
manner, lu Main street. 

As this place advanced in wealth, citizens 
from other States became residents here. 
Among those who have helped to bring 



BRA TTLEB G R (X 



41 



about d estimable changes in our school sys- 
tem, may lie honorably mentioned Rev. 
Addison Brown, a graduate of Harvard 
and first pastor of the second church es- 
tablished here. He gave early attention to 
this matter, was a frequent visitor of the 
schools and tried to influence others to do 
the same. As early as 1834, he made this 
matter a theme of a public discourse at bis 
chinch on Fast day. From personal ob- 
servation, we have reason to believe he im- 
proved every opportunity to move the peo- 
ple to establish the school system now in 
operation. With persistence and confi- 
dence, under some bitter persecution and 
but little, if any, encouragement, lie la. 
bored on until seven years saw the accom- 
plishment of his wishes. Then one of his 
most wealthy parishioners, who would have 
all the " poor buys boot -blacks/' abandoned 
his residence in this village to avoid, if was 
said, paying his school tux. 

In the autumn of 1841, sufficient interest 
was excited upon this subject, as to call 
several meetings, attended by both sexes, 
to hear a discussion of the new system, ns 
advocated by Mr. Brown. Messrs, J. Dorr 
Bradley, L. Lb Mead* J + Sieen, John R 
Blake* A, Brown and C. Davis, advocated 
the new movement and made the occasion 
highly interesting by their remarks. It 
was convincingly made evident to their 
audience, all real estate owners would be 
beuefiLted by having good schools, as a 
knowledge abroad of such a fact would be 
an I n d u c ern e n l to people l i v i n g i n l ess f a v- 
ored places, to settle here for the educa- 
tional advantages. Families coming here 
from this motive would make valuable 
acquisitions to this community. &c. 

No outspoken opposition was manifested 
at these meetings and such an array of the 
tale u t and wealth of the place carried the 
question almost by acclamation. 

Messrs. L. G, Mead, 0. Davis and Joseph 
Steen were elected prudential committee 
wit! i instructions to reorganize the schools 
upon the new plan, and Moses Woolsou was 
the first teacher of the central or most ad- | 
van cert school He proved fully couipe- | 
tent for his position and was quite form 
nate in material upon which to operate, 
thereby building up a good reputation for 
himself as well as for the school. 

Bract! eboro is the first town in ihe State 



where was adopted the Massachusetts sys- 
tem of graded schools. The expense of 
sustaining the public schools for one year* 
were at first less than $2000. Now, (1870), 
as we learn from the report of the town 
superintendent, John Cutting, JSscp f the 
expenses are over $6000 per year, for this 
village. 

In 1857* and we think at some other 
times, there has not been that progress and 
discipline as was pleasing to the Mends of 
com mon sch oo 1 e d u ca lion ; bu 1 1 f u r i n g u lost 
of the time since 1841 the schools have 
I made good progress and given general if 
noi universal satisfaction. During all this 
period of about 40 years. there has never 
I been manifested anything like a general de- 
sire of the people to abandon the present 
system and return to the old ways. Under 
able management during the last 10 years, 
the most advanced school has maintained 
ft high character and Is now (1875)). well 
worthy to be called a model school. Cer- 
tainly no public institution is doing more 
good, or reflects so high honor upon the 
East village of Bvattleboro. 

That accomplished and able instructor, 
Mr. B. F, Bingham, now (1879)* in charge of 
i the high school , hits served longer in this 
department than any one of bis predecessors 
and no one has* since the beginning of the 
| system, given better satisfaction, 

MECHANICS, 

Among Lht mechanics of the pash whose 
genius or inventive power has contributed 
to the welfare of the world* may bu hon- 
orably noted the name of San/1 G. Foster 
of this village. In the year 182S. Mr. Fos- 
ter made an important improvement in pa- 
per making, called the ' ( pulp dresser/* 
This invention, we learn, is now used In 
all paper mills and is considered indispen- 
sable. Though others have received great 
benefits from the use of this invention, Mr, 
Foster received no compensation for ibis 
benefit to the world, in cheapening the cost 
in paper manufacture. The first mill 
where this invention was used* caused the 
discharge of 12 hands and at the same time 
accomplished more work in the mill than 
before the discharge, Tins invention 
caused l be establishment in this place of a 
manufactory of paper machinery, a busi- 
ness that- has been successfully carried on 
here aboul 40 years. 



42 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



Mr. Foster died in Fitchburg. Mass, , in I 
1870, aged about 75 years. 

In 1832, and from ibat lime to 1845, 
John Gore mamifnctured in this place m\- . 
t! unary steam engines and boilers. He also 
made machinery used on steam boats for 
freight business on Connecticut river. Iu 
1887 he constructed a steam carriage, for 
use on common roads, which we have seen t 
ascend some of the hills In this village by 
the power of steam alone. 

The genius and successful efforts of our 
old mechanics is not sufficiently appreci- 
ated. We are reaping, almost uncon- 
sciously, the fruits of ibeir efforts with aa 
little thought of their origin as we bestow i 
upon I hose little silent coral workers be- 
neath the sea, while we partake of tropical 
fruits and admire the beauty of islands on 
which they grow, reared by their unceas- 
ing industry. 

Earn a id A. Warren, born in Marlboro. 
Vt,, in 1810, during some 10 years 
of life in East Bmttleboro, gave evi- 
dence of great excellence tn mechanical 
ability. Upon the urgent solicitation of 
the leading member of a large importing 
house in Hew York city, he left E rattle- 
boro in the employ of this company, in 
March, 1840, and lived in Brooklyn until 
his death in May, 1850. Six years before 
he left this village for New York, he re- 
ceived an accidental gun-shot wound jipcm 
one Side of his head, that came near prov- 
ing fa ltd and impaired his health for some 
months. As Ids greatest successes in the 
exercise of his skill or inventive power, 1 
came after this accident, it, is possible some 1 
new combinations or extra stimulus was 
given to his brain; as the health of some 
people has been improved by a shock of 
lightning. The aforesaid house in New , 
York employed him To devise and con. 
struct machinery for the manufacture of 
steel pens. Up Lo this time they had em- 
ployed during 3 or fi years, the best me- 
chanical talent they could find in this 
country for this purpose, but had been un- 
able to produce an article Thai would suc- 
cessfully compete with the imported pen. 
Mr. Warren so fully answered the demands 
of his employers, after laboring for them 
5 years, they tried to secure his services by 
written contract 8 years longer and at great- 
iy increased compensation* He left his 
employers, after o yen re service and com 



meneed the manufacture of gold pens. 
His labors in this new field and upon his 
own responsibility were attended with re- 
markable success. His career forms a 
noteworthy exception of the rule, viz: 

" Inventors sow for others lo reap." 

a .masonic no DOE 

Was in operation here several years before 
the M Morgan excitement." This excite- 
ment rendered the order unpopular tn this 
State and meetings of the order were dis- 
continued for many years. From a histor- 
ical f^ketek of this organisation by R, W, 
Clarke. Kscp, we copy the following - 
' The first Lodge of Free and Accepted 
Masons established in Bratrlebom, was 
called Columbian Lodge, No. 84, and re- 
, ceived its charter from the Most Worshipful 
I Grand Lodge of Vermont, at its mutual 
session held at Montpelier in October* A. 

; L. 5812, The original petition for a War- 
, rant of Dispensation to work, was dated 
. March 37, A. L, 5812, and addressed to live 
Hon. John Chlpman, at that time the Most. 
Worshipful Grand Master of the G. L. of 
Vermont, signed by the following named 
Brethren* none of whom are now living, 
viz: Lemuel Whitney, Abram Kingsbury, 
Abram Tinker, Elisha Chase, Etihu Field, 
Jr,, Samuel Elliot, Samuel Clark, John W 
Blake, Nahum Cutler, Rodney Burt, Quar- 
tos Smead, Nathaniel Bliss, Aaron Burney, 
Samuel Dicktuson, Richard Phillips, Por- 
ter Johnson, Joseph Brown and Am Green. 
Grand Master Chipman, having considered 
The petition, granted his Warrant of Dis- 
pensation under dale of May 5th, A* L* 
5812, which permitted the brethren ;o hold 
th e i r c om m u n ic at! a n s e i ther a t Bra t tie boro 
or Guilford, For many years after The 
Lodge was constituted, the meetings were 
held in Guilford, but subsequently iu Bral- 
tl chore. This Lodge suspended work 

about the year A. L. 5830, and soon after 
surrendered its Charter to the Grand Lodge 
of the State, under a mandate to that 
effect. The Hon. Lemuel Whitney was 
the first appointed Master of this Lodge 
I and held that office by election for many 
consecutive years from the dare of the 
charter. Many if not most of the leading 
and influential men of Bmttleboro and 
Guilford, during those times, were of its 
membership. Masters of (he old Colum- 
bian Lodge were Samuel Whitney, Elihu 



BRATTLEBORO. 



43 



Field, Artemas Bobbins, Aaron Barney, 
Emerson Burnham, Dana llvde, Jr., Arial 
Boot, .John Hudson. The present lodge 
received its charter January, A. L. 5850. 
under the name of Columbian Lodge. No. 
•30. The warrant of dispensation was 
issued to the following named brethren, 
petitioners, by the late Grand Master, P. C'. 
Tucker, under date of January 4. 5855, 
viz: Chas. Cummings, Louis Furst, E. J. 
■Carpenter, A. P. Wilder, W. C\ Brvant, J. 
H. Cnpen, H. R. Godfrey, H. Hastings, 
Ash bell Dickinson, Henry Smith, Samuel 
Knight and K. W. Clarke. Brother E. J. 
Carpenter was the first appointed Master of 
the Lodge, as also the first elected Master. 
The fallowing brethren have held the office 
of W. M. since the constitution of the 
lodge, viz: E. .T. Carpenter, R. W. Clarke, 
Win. E. Nichols, Geo. H. Newman, Wm. 
H. Vinton, N. S. Howe, L. H. Dearborn. 
0. A. Miles, E. H. Putnam and A. J. 
Simonds.” The present membership is 180. 

AS ODD FELLOWS LODGE 

Was instituted in this town in 1810. The 
ceremonies of organization were conducted 
by Grand Master Bev. Albert Case, from 
Massachusetts. The first Noble Grand was 
Rev. John Willis. The order is in a pros* 
perous condition, and has within its ranks 
ninny worthy citizens. 

At the time of the organization of this 
lodge there was no Grand Lodge of the 
State, therefore they applied to the Grand 
Lodge of -Massachusetts for a dispensation. 



follows: Epa. Seymour, Henry Smith, S. 
M. Clark, Horatio Noyes, Phillip Wells, 
Frank AVells. George S. Dowley. present 
cashier, 1870. Present capital $150,000. 

*THE WINDHAM PROVIDENT INSTITUTION 
FOR SAVINGS 

Was chartered in 1840 and it went into op- 
eration January 1847. Application was 
made for a charter in 1844 and in 1845. but 
without success, as but little was then 
known about savings banks in this State, 
and it was thought no more banks were 
needed in Vermont. In 1800, with liberty 
granted by the Legislature in 1807, the 
directors have erected a substantial brick 
building three stories in height, which in 
its general appearance, its finish and ar 
rangements, its thorough construction, 
both as to material and work is a credit to 
the institution and an ornament to the vil- 
lage. L, G. Mead, Esq., was its treasurer 
from the time of its commencement to 1869. 
Under the able and faithful management of 
Mr. Mead, assisted by a board of directors 
selected from time to time from the best 
business men of Bmttleboro and other 
towns in this county, the institution has 
at tained its present success and importance. 
P has now, 1869, invested $816,000. It 
has paid depositors 7Vfc per cent, for the 
last 5 years. N. B. WilMston,, Esq., was 
the first president and L. G. Mead, Esq., 
was the bust oue choson to fill tliat office 
in January, I860. 

THE WINDHAM COUNTY RANK, 



BANKS. 

The first monied institution in this place, 
called the Brattleboro Bank, was incorpor- 
ated in 1821. Hon. .Jonathon Hunt was the 
firsi president and Epa. Seymour first 
cashier. The instil ution always main- 
tained a high character, and the first pres- 
ident and cashier continued in office dur- 
ing life. Mr. Hunt died in 1832, and Mr. 
Seymour died in 1854. Dca. John Hol- 
brook succeeded Mr. Hunt in 1832. and 
upon I he death of Mr. Holbrook. Epa. 
Seymour was chosen president, it was 
during the administration of the next pres- 
ident. Capt. Sam’l Boot, that the institu- 
tion was changed to suit the times into 
what is now called “ Brattleboro National 
Bank," chartered July 13, 18G5. 

The cashiers from its first organization 
in 1821, to the last charter in 1865, are as 



N. B. WiUiston, president, and S. M. 
Waite, cashier, was first in operation in the 
year 1856. It is now called the First Na- 
tional Bank of Brattleboro, with a capital 
of $300,000. 

POSTMASTER. 

Charles H. Mansur. 
physicians. (1870). 

J. P. Warren. II. D. Holton, D. P. Dear- 
born. C. W. Horton, G. F. Gale, 1. 11. 
Stedman. 

PHYSICIANS. (1879). 

Martin Bruce, Henry Tucker. C. A. 
Gray, James Conland. G. II. Harvey, and 
Drs. Draper, Clark and Phelps at the Asv- 
i lum. 

ATTORNEYS AT LAW (1870). 

Clarke A Hankins. Nathan Hall, Daniel 



♦ From Ike Vermont fficwix. 



44 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Ke 1 1 ogg, La r k i n G, M e ad , Fie] d & T y 1 cr. 
Geo, Howe, Asa Keyes. 

EDUCATION AX# INSTITUTIONS. (18G9.) 

Elm Hall Seminary, (established 1855.) 
Mrs. L. IL Chase, principal; Burnside— A 
family boarding school for boys, (&st ab- 
ashed 18(10#) G A. Miles, principal; Gleu- 
wood Ladies Seminary, (established I860,) 
Hiram O rent l principal Miss Mary E. 
Cobb, vice principal West. Brattleboro; 
Home School for Boys under ten years of 
age, by Miss Amelia S, Tyler, (established 
1807) ; Lane side Family School for Girls, 
(established 1800*) by Miss Louise Barber. 
anti-slavkiiy in 1837. 

From 1832 to 1840, lectures against slav- 
ery met with an unwelcome reception in 
many towns lu New England. Public 
sentiment os manifested on this subject by 
the people of Rmllleboro, in l lie summer 
of 1837, was more suited to the atmosphere 
of Hartford# Cl ,* or Charleston, 8. C*. than 
to the free air of Vermont. Looking back 
40 years, in our history and realizing the 
comparatively isolated condition and quiet, 
avocations of the people, it is hard to ac- 
count for the diseased state of the public 
mind as then exhibited upon this subject. 
This disease by its malignancy or intensity 
soon worked its own cure. The conduct 
of the opponents to these lectures answered 
their oft repeated question, 'Why do you 
come here to lecture upon slavery* where we 
have no sieves?'' When ministers of the 
gospel refused to read notifications of anli- 
slavery meetings, when one justice of the 
peace in Brattieboro advocated the appli- 
cation of tar and feathers to the person of 
Rev, E. R. Tyler, because he gave lectures 
upon this subject at the Congregational 
chapel in Elliot street, and another justice 
of the peace said he would ” fiud powder 
for the mob if they would blow the damned 
abolitionist down the bank" — we involun- 
tarily became abolitionists. This crusade 
against free speech, this violation of the 
right of discussion, as manifested by firing 
can no as near the windows of the lecture 
room and loud disturbing, threatening I 
shouts of a mob, sustained in this rascality, 
as we knew, by officers of the law and our I 
nen res kendo u ot her su 1> j eels, u i ost ru ti omd 
neighbors — convinced thoughtful people 
That they had a work to do to emancipate 
themsel yes. 



Such exhibitions of Injustice or llliber- 
ality, in a com mu pity like this, are uof 
without their uses, in the instruction tliey 
convey to perpetrators as well as the vic- 
tims of it. Probably this place is now as 
free from public in tolerance as any coin- 1 
inunity in the world. Them is ample proof 
| that persecution, whether from combina- 
tions of men or individuals, is beneficial to 
the persecuted. In the autumn of 1842 a 
| stone was thrown against the door of die 
Method tat chapel, in Canal street, while n 
Second Advent preacher was on his knees 
al prayer, he exclaimed instantly, + , God 
| bless that stone. " 



MILITARY IN RRATTLEBORO 

FROM 1724, 

l 1 he circumstances in which our early 
settlers were placed, rendered necessary a 
constant appeal to force. Frequent attacks 
from Indians, French Canadians, growing 
out of old French War difficulties, claims 
nnd aggressions of New York, &c., so ex- 
ercised their organs of combative ness, 
there was probably but little time or dis- 
position to cultivate other departments of 
the brain. The military was, with them, 
the earliest and most important institu- 
tion. 

The first operations were commenced 
here 29 years before this town was char- 
tered by the royal governor of New 
Hampshire. To protect her northern fron- 
tier from attacks front Canada, Massa- 
chusetts built a fort on grounds within the 
present limits of Brcittleboro East village, 
on grounds now owned and occupied by 
Simon Brooks, Esq. In honor of Sir 
William Hummer, who was at that time 
Lieut, -Governor of Massachusetts, ibis, 
foil received llic name of ‘‘Fort Du tu- 
rner. " Sixteen years after the erection of 
this fort, the command devolved upon 
Col. Josiah Willard, and, we have been 
informed* his remains, with those of other 
early occupants of this fort* were placed 
in u cemetery upon the eastern bank of the 
Connecticut river, nearly opposite the 
site of the old fort# 

Some of the monuments in this ancient 
cemetery are covered with lichens* and 
the inscriptions so effaced U is not possible 
to rend them. The earliest date legible is* 



BR ATTLEBORO 



45 



1759, upon a stone erected to the memory 
of Moses Palmer, of Little Compton. 

Several hen dst ones have inscribed there- 
on the rmmc Willard, and they were 
probably erected to the memory of the 
connections of the old commander. 

Though front some of these headstones 
we cannot learn who was placed beneath 
Ahem, ycl the following inscription, copied 
from one of these monuments, furnishes 
good presumptive evidence that we have 
been correctly informed as lo i lie last 
resting-place of Col, Josiah Willard: 

'* Here lies the remains of 
MADAM HANNAH WILLARD, 

Relict of CgL Josiab Willard, of Port 
Du in mar. She was an affect iomtte, 

faithful wife, a Lender mother, a cor- 
dial Friend, and a sincere Christian, 
mid quitted mortality, May 13, 1772, 
in the 78th year of her age, leaving 
behind her a numerous progeny and a 
noble example/* 

Blessed are the dead who die in 
the Lord/ 1 

Of the lt numerous progeny/’ ibis moss- 
covered record of a hundred years informs 
ns, one was well-known lo several citizens 
now living m this village, and we well 
remember an aged gentleman, known as 
*■ Mr- Willard/* who lived with his son- 
in-law, Asa Green, Esq., near the entrance 
of High from Main street. There whs in 
the possession of Mr Willard, a musket 
with i\ barrel of unusual length This in- 
terest mg relic of the olden time had proved 
a very effective weapon in the hands of his 
father, CoL Willard, as several Indians, 
thereby assisted to their happy hunting- 
grounds, could testify- Mr. Wi Hard sev- 
eral limes visited the * 1 JDuimner Farm '* 
when it was owned by the father of the 
present proprietor 

Interesting accounts and descriptions of 
the fart, from personal recollections, were 
given by Willard lo Mr. Brooks. The 
size of the buildings and in closure were 
given, and the exact location designated 
by stakes. 

As here was the dawning light, the first 
toot- print of civilization in this town, if 
not the first in the State, all into resting 
details of facts respecting it must ever be 
precious to the inhabitants of Brnllleboro 



Lo all future time. For- this reason, we 

present some particulars from 

ff hall’s nisTcmv of eastf.hk vjekmottt / 1 

" Col* John Stoddard, of Northampton, 
was ordered to superintend ihe building 
of ihe bloek-liou.se. The immediate over- 
sight of the work was committed to Lieut, 
Timothy Dwigiu, who. with a competent 
force, consisting of four carpenters, twelve 
soldiers, with narrow axes, and two Learns, 
commenced operations on ihe 3d of Fel/y, 
1724, Before the summer had begun, tile 
fort was in such a condition as to be hab- 
itable. It was built of yellow pine, and 
was nearly 180 feet square. Within were 
four province houses, as they were called, 
two stones in height, comfortable, and, 
for those days, even convenient; besides 
which there were smaller houses, contain- 
ing u room each, which could be occupied 
when the garrison numbered more than its 
usual complement of men. 

Without, the fort was picketed. t 1 osis, 
25 feet in height, placed perpendicularly 
in the ground, side by side, and sharpened 
at the upper end, surrounded it on every 
side. Openings were left in the pickets 
through which to fire on the enemy, and 
aL apposite angles of the fort, 25 feet from 
the ground and five feet above the tops of 
the pickets, square boxes were placed in 
which sentinels kept guard. 

To the patereros, with which the gar. 
rison was originally furnished, several 
swivels were added in 1740, which enabled 
the inmates of ihe tort ho reom ve the enemy 
with an enfilading fire, rendering the place 
com par a t i ■ ve I y seen re. 

There was in the fort a great gun whose 
report could be heard for many miles. 
This gun was never fired except as a signal 
for assistance, or on the reception of some 
news. 

The force of Capt. Dwight, the first 
commander, numbered in all 55 effective 
men. of whom 12 were Indians of the 
Maquas tribe, October inh the fori was 
attacked by the enemy, and four or five of 
its occupants either killed or wounded. 

A trading or truck- house was built in 
1731, for receiving articles of traffic from 
the Indians, and they came hither in huge 
numbers to trade, bringing, to exchange 
for the products of the white man, deer, 
beaver and moose skins, and tallow. This 



46 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



traffic was carried ou many years under 
the charge of Joseph Kellogg, who was 
captain and truck-master. 

The Rev. Ebenezcr Hi usd ill was chap 
Jain 12 or 14 years from 1730. 

Capt. Josiah Willard assumed the com- 
mand iu 1740, and its former commander, 
Joseph Kellogg, was Indian interpreter 
until 1704. 

In 1746, some of the block-houses ou the 
river were burned, and during several 
months Fort Bummer was the most north- 
ern post provided with a garrison. 

In 1747, Brig. -Gen. Joseph Wright, by 
order of the governor, directed Lieut. 
Dudley Bradslreet to take command of 40 
men, and with them garrison Fort Dum- 
mer in place of the guard theu stationed 
there. April 5th, Col. Josiah Willard was 
superseded by Bradstreet, but after five 
months the foil was again placed in care 
of its former commander, Col. Josiah 
Willard. 

In the year 1748, the Rev. Andrew 
Gardner was appointed chaplain, and Col. 
Willard added two more swivels to the 
munitions. He also at this time made 
needed repairs to the fort, Dec. 8, 1750, 
Col. Josiah Willard died, and ten days 
thereafter was succeeded by his son, Maj. 
Josiah Willard, who formerly had charge 
of a garrison at Ashuelot. 

In 1751, there was much alarm for the 
safety of the fort, but in consequence of 
vigilant aciivity in measures of defense, no 
incursions were made during the summer. 
In February, 1752, the garrison was re- 
duced to five men. In this condition it 
remained, under the command of Major 
Josiah Willard, until January, 1754, when 
the General Court of Massachusetts voted. 
* that from and after February next, no 
further provision be made for the pay and 
subsistence of the five men now pasted at 
Fort Bummer, and that the Capiaiu-Oen- 
eral be desired to direct Major Josiah Wil- 
lard to take care that the artillery and 
other warlike stores be secured for the 
government.* 

In consequence of renewed hostilities on 
the part of the Indians, late in the summer 
of 1754, the garrison was increased and 
continued until 1757, under the command 
of Nathan Willard. 

Records at Concord, N. II., show peti- 
tions, about this time, from the grantees 



| of Brattleboro, asking, in consequence of 
trouble with Indians, for further time in 
which to comply with the terms of the 
charter of 1753. 

Gov. Shirley, of Massachusetts, repeat- 
edly requested New Hampshire to assist 
in the defense of Fort Du turner . Gov. 
Wentworth, of New Hampshire, was will- 
ing and anxious to render requisite aid to- 
Fort Dummer and other forts iu the west- 
ern part of the Slate, but the Assembly of 
New Hampshire doggedly and obstinately 
refused to grant any appropriation for this 
purpose, or in any manner to secoud the 
proper and reasonable request of the gov- 
ernor. 

Application was then made to the Massa- 
chusetts Legislature by Natliau Willard, 
and in a memorial by him, presented in 
August, it was staled that the euemy were 
continually lurking in the woods near the 
I fort, and that during the past summer. 19 
persous, within 2 miles of it, had been 
either * killed or captivated/’' 

Thus, in the dark wilderness, surrounded 
by dangers, the infant Brattleboro sent 
forth its imploring cry for help. Her 
mother heard it, but she heeded not; but 
Massachusetts, that magnanimous, ever- 
faithful old nurse, heeded that cry from 
among the tall pines, and in her powerful 
arms she folded and guarded the wailiug 
child. 

During five or six years, after the last 
petition of the grantees for farther time in 
which to fulfill the conditions of the char- 
ter, there must have been a rapid increase 
in the population of Brattleboro, for in 
1766, there was in this vicinity an organ- 
ized regiment under the command of Col. 
Thomas Chandler. 

Major John Arms, grandfather of the 
late Dr. Willard Arms, who died in 1863* 
aged, 83 years, received his commission as 
major of the afore- mentioned regiment in 
1706. At the time John Arms received 
this commission, he kept a tavern, which 
stood at the foot of the first descent in the 
road a few rods north of the Vermont 
Asylum for the Insane. He owned the 
extensive meadows now in the possession 
of the Asylum. The occupants of this 
house, since the death of John Arms, in 
1770, we name: Widow Susannah Arms, 
Josiah Arms, Peleg Kingsley, Joseph. 



BRATTLEBORO. 



47 



Goodhue, Nelson Crosby, Newman Hall. 
Mr. Allen sold the house and farm to the 
Vermont Asylum, and the venerable old 
house, which was standing at a recent 
date, was torn away by the present owners 
of the estate, and a new building erected 
upon the same ground. 

Col. Ethan Allen, it has been said, made 
this old tavern-house his headquarters 
when he came here with a detachment of 
" Green Mountain Boys/’ to enforce obe- 
dieuee to the authority of Vermont, and 
we can furnish evideuce that military com- 
panies in this town were warned to appear 
at this house “armed and equipped as the 
law directs/' 

The following is a copy of the commis- 
sion received by Major John Arms from 
Gov. Sir Henry Moore. It was written 
upon parchment, and we received it from 
Willard Arms, Esq., who is great grand- 
son of the old major: 

COPY OF THE COMMISSION OF MAJ. JOHN 
ARMES. 17(56. 

"By his Excellency, Sir Henry Moore, 
Baronet, Captain-General* and General in- 
C'hief in and over the Province of New 
York aud the Territories depending there- 
on in America, Chancellor and Vice Ad- 
miral of the same. 

To John Armes, Esquire, Greeting: 

Reposing special Trust and Confidence 
as well in the Care, Diligence and Circum- 
spection, as in the Loyalty, Courage and 
Braveness of you to do his Majesty good 
and faithful Service, I have nominated, 
constituted and appointed you, the said 
John Amies, to be Major of the Regiment 
Fool in the said Province, Whereof Thus. 
Chandler, Esquire, is Colonel. You are, 
therefore, to take the said Rcgiraeui into 
your Charge and Care as Major thereof, 
and duly to Exercise both the Officers and 
Soldiers of that Regiment in Arms. And 
as they are hereby conunauded to obey 
you as their Major, so are you likewise to , 
observe and follow such Orders and Diree- • 
tions from Time to Time as you shall 
receive from me or any other your Supe- 
rior Officer, according to the Rules and 
Discipline of War, in Pursuance of the 
Trust reposed in you, aud for so Doing 
this shall he your Commission. 

Given under my Hand and Seal at arms 



in New York, the Twentieth day of 
Janua'y in the Sixth year of his Majes- 
tys Reign, Annoque Domini One 
Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty 
Six/’ H. MOORE. 

By his Excelleucys Command. 

r John French. 

From this commission we learn it was 
well understood that the place now known 
as Brattleboro was, in 1766, a province of 
New York, and also so considered 14 years- 
later, when the town was first represented 
by Col. Samuel Wells to the New York 
Assembly. 

AN ANCIENT DOCUMENT. 

Mr. Zenas Frost, of this town, while 
looking over some old papers left by his- 
grandfather, came upon a warrant of which 
the following is a literal copy. 

“ To Corporal Jtm Frost 
[L. 8.] In his Majesty s Name you are 
hearby commanded to Warn all the Sold- 
iers heariu Named to appear on tuesday ye 
thurieenth day of November next at Nine 
of ye Clock Before Noon at the house of 
the widdow Susanna Anns, Com pleat with 
Arms and Aminition as ye Law Directs in 
Order for Yewiug hearof fail not at ye 
pearel of ye Law and make Due Return of 
your Doings to me. 

“ Given Under my hand and Seale at 
Arms in Brattleborough this Eighth Day 
of October 1770 in ye tenth year of his 
Majestys Reign. 

Benja. Butterfield, Capt. 

n Notify ye Bargains 

“John Ellis, NatlVc I french Jr, Benja. 
Butterfield Jur, Phillip Paddleford, Oliver 
Wells, Thomas Sergants, Josiah Armes, 
Jou't. Wells, Wm. Rile.” 

The foregoing rare gem of our military 
history was published in the Vermont 
Plumix in 1871. 

Six years before the War of American 
Independence commenced, Brattleboro 
troops, in short breeches and long stock- 
ings, were training under the command of 
Capt. Benjamin Butterfield, who was after- 
wards one of the first representatives of 
the town after the establishment of the 
authority of Vermont. 

From a headstone in the cemetery in. 
West River district, we learn that Beuja- 
min Butterfield died Dec. 7, 1804, aged 7ft 
years. According to this account, the. 



48 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



first military captain, whom we can learn j 
of in this place, after the town organiza I 
tion, was born 147 years ago. 



In more modern times, as from 1845 to 
1847, there was a company here, under the 
command of Capt. T. C. Lord, known as 
the “LaFayette Light Infantry.” This 
company had a brief existence, but it w T as 
well sustained until the failing health of 
its popular commander caused his resigna- 



tion. 

The first company organized here was 
the old “ Flood-wood Company.” This 
name was probably given them, after the 
formation of the “independent” or uni- 
formed companies, in derision for their 
plain dress and lack of military show. 
The name of the first captain known, has 
already been mentioned. Of later times 
the commanders have been: Capts. War- 
rmer, Jerry Frost, D. Mixer, Henry Clark, 
Benajah Dudley, Nathaniel Bliss, La 
Fayette Clark, Cbas. C. Frost, in 1825; 
John Leavitt in 1829; Frederick Holbrook, 
afterwards governor of this State, in 1862; 
Perrin Smith in 1837; George Salisbury 
in 1840. 

Not ouly was this company the first one 
in existence, but it existed the longest, and 
was, at one period, the largest in town. 
If they did not burn so much gunpowder 
at the annual June trainings as did other 
companies, and their general practice was 
more in accordance with the dictates of 



i 



prudence aud economy, there was un- 
doubtedly as good, serviceable fighting ( 
material in it as in the ranks of birds of I 
brighter plumage. They did, however, 
occasionally have a little brush with the j 
Light Infantry. 

In 1834, their lieutenant, B. A. Warreu, i 
was wounded and disabled in a contest ’ 
with a company, which had a short time 
before been orgauized by Captain George 
Wood, soon after the dissolution of the 
old “Brattleboro Light Infantry.” 



As com pan j r records have rarely been 
preserved, we are under the necessity of 
jumping over long intervals of time, en- 
livened, no doubt, by interesting military 
events which would, if recorded, render 
this department of our subject of far 
greater value. There has been in existence 
here three companies of foot soldiers, and . 
part of a cavalry company. The three | 



first companies were known under the fol- 
lowing names: “Brattleboro Light In- 
fantry,” “Bratlleboru Artillery,” and 
State Militia, without uniform, and often 
spoken of as ‘ The Old Flood-wood Com- 
pany. ** 

TUE Bit ATTLEBORO LIGHT Iff PASTA Y 

Was organized before the present century. 
The date of organization is not ascertained, 
but we have learned that the gentlemen 
whose names we give, have, at different 
periods, commanded the company : 

Capt. Benjamin Sinead, in 1797, when 
he was publishing “The Federal Galaxy,” 
which was the first newspaper published 
in this town; Capt. Ebenezer Wells, in 
1804. (Capt. Wells came from England 
with his father, Rev. Win, Wells, D. D.); 
Capt. Howard Wells, in 1810, who was 
also a soil of Rev. William Wells; Capt. 
Ebenezer Sabin, Capt. Daniel Bliss; Capt 
Samuel Whitney, 1816 to 21, son of Hou. 
Lemuel Whitney; Capt. Nathaniel Chan- 
dler, 1822: Capt. Eli Sargent, 1823 24, 
grandson of Col. John Sargeut, who was 
born at Fort Dummer; Adolphus Steb- 
bins, elected captain in 1824; Capt Wil- 
lard Frost, 1825 and ’26; Capt. Chester 
Sargent, 1827, ’29; William Brooks, cap- 
tain in 1830; Capt. John King, in 1831, ’32. 

From 1816 to 1830, this company main- 
tained full numbers, excellent discipline, 
and elegant uniforms; but their bright 
array, on a June morning, ofttimes be- 
came dim before night from dust, heat, 
and powder smoke. When making a 
bayonet charge upon the artillery, in 1820, 
a brass field-piece was discharged upon the 
advancing ranks of the infantry, by which 
two members of said company were Uriel 
prostrate on the ground, aud for a time 
rendered insensible. Their faces were 
blackened and disfigured, and one of them 
carried the marks of that day's work to 
his grave. 

The inevitable tubs and pails of whiskey- 
punch, immoderately used at these annual 
sham-fights, may have had something to 
do in making these exercises appear some- 
times like real fights. It was needful, as 
our elders iuformed us, that Geo. Sargent, 
Hoi lan Pettis and Martin Sartwell should 
keep up au unceasing din with their drum 
sticks, on these occasions, to drown the 
groans of the wounded soldiers. 



BRATTLE BORO. 



49 



Among the causes which contributed to 
give a consequence to our citizen -soldiery 
of 1820 anti 2d, w*is a sprinkling in their 
ranks of veterans, who had seen service in 
t he 1 asl wa r w i l h E r t ta 1 n , 

soeuiers of 1813, 

There was J* Wilson Landers and J. 
Freeman, who had stood on the deck with 
Com. Decatur when he captured the proud 
Macedonian, In the Braille boro infantry 
were John Burnham, from Connecticut, 
and John Fowler, both soldiers in the war 
of 1812, and also Ebenezer Howe, grand- 
son of Caleb Howe of Fort Bridgeman; 
in the artillery was Oapi. Lewis Henry, 
who, in the same war, had served in a 
company commanded by Capt. James 
Elliot, and there were probably others, in 
the several companies, deserving of hon- 
orable mention, hut their names have 
passed from our memory . But we can 
never forget the name, nor the dying 
words, of Col. Charles Cummings, who, 
during the late war, went out from among 
ns to his death in the wilderness. With 
a defiant wave of his sword, came forth 
his last words, '‘Boys, save the Ilagl' r 
By this Closing scene of his brief career, 
we are reminded of Scott's poetic heroes, 
of whom it has been said, u How grandly 
they die, when die they must/’ 

11 A light ou Mnrmiou’s visage spread. 

Anti fired his glazing eye; 

With dying hand above his head, 

He shook Lhct fragments of his blade. 

And about cd, yictoiryf T 11 

THE BflfATT MCBO RO ARTILLERY 
came into existence shortly after the 
organization of the Infantry* and their 
first commander was Capt* Jacob Stod- 
dard, Capt. Jonathan Hunt in 181 1. He 
vfas afterward appointed Brig* GenT and 
died while a member of Congress in 1833. 
Capt. Atherton, from 1812 to To, Capt. 
Samuel Root, afterward last president of 
the old Bmttleboro Bank, Capt. Simpson 
Goodenougb, Capt, Qsearl Stoddard, Capt. 
Lewis Henry, in 1827, Capt. Willard Cob- 
leiglq Capt. Roswell Goodenougb, Capt. 
Albert Ben nett, Capt. Argil las Streeter, 
Capt, Arnold J. Mines, afterward colonel 
of the regiment. Capt, Fmnklin Cnbletgb, 
Capt. Jonathan Davis, Ln 1830 and *37. 

Gen. Jonathan Hunt, when captain of 
this company in 18H, gavs several hun- 
dred dollars for the purchase of arms and 



I 

equipments. His promotion was followed 
I by the election of J, Atherton as captain* 

( During his command the National Capitol 
buildings were laid in ashes, and the uir 
was filled with startling rumors of the 
defeat of our arms by British troops. 
Capl. Atherton made the following ap- 
peal to his company: “ Every man who 

will do his duty and act as government 
may require him to net in this war, please 
to step forward three paces. ** The whole 
, company moved the required distance, 
and that was as far ns Lhcy ever did move 

• in this war; but how much may have 
been the moral effect of this manif Rota- 
tion upon the common enemy, or how 

I much credit is due the Brattle boro Artil- 
lery for taking those three brave steps 
toward the British lion, we may never 
! know. 

This much is certain: rumors of a 
directly opposite character followed this 
| event The joyful news from Platts burg, 
followed by a blaze of glory from New 
Orleans, made every Yankee believe he 
I could whip bis weight iu wildcats, and 
1 unitedly clean out the rest of creation. 
New uniforms were procured, regardless 
of expense, and “Yankee Doodle" and 
l Fourth of July 

‘TUi led Lliecump, the court, Ltae grove.' 1 

One of the captains on our list, now 
past 90 years of age, lately informed us 
I he paid $57 for his coat and $9 for 3 dozen 
| buttons, at the time oats would bring but 
17 cents per bushel, and all agricultural 
I products were proportionately low. 

During sonic months, or years, after 
their organization, the artillery company 
' used, in their military exercises, simply 
indifferent swords. This was too much 
like playing Hamlet* with the pari of 
Hamlet left out Alter they came in 
' possession of two field -pieces, one of them, 

| It has been said, was taken from Burgoyne 
at Bennington, there was a noisy demon - 
, strati on, accompanied by the breaking of 
window -glass in the East village, quite 
| extensively; much powder was burned, 
and a lively market created for old Wesl 
I Iu d i a ru ra and f r b laclo strap. * ' If the 

• actors in this scene were not drunk or 
| sick before the close of the exercises, 

some of them, at ieasL, appeared as if 
i very much discouraged* 



50 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



With other juveniles of that day, now ( 
past life’s meridian, we shared in the fear, 
awe and reverence inspired by the black 
artillery. Dressed in long, black, swallow 
tail coats — profusely covered with brass 
buttons of the size aud shape of a large 
musket-ball— tall, bell-shaped, black leath- 
er caps, mounted by long, waving, black i 
plumes, gave this company such a solemn, 
funeral air when on parade, they might 
be taken as undertakers of the regiment. 

Not even the lively rattle of Sartwell's 
drum, the piercing notes of Green leaf ’s 
fife, uor the cheering strains of Joy’s 
bugle, could divert our melaucholy, 
gloomy forebodings, when the Artillery 
company seized their drag-ropes to move 
their mighty, loud-souuding instruments 
of death to bear upon the gaily-dressed 
Light Infantry. 

At a sham fight in 1821, Lieut. Emerson 
Goodenough, of the Artillery, was so I 
severely wounded he was compelled to 
suffer the amputation of his arm at the 
shoulder. The accident was caused by J 
some neglect of the usual custom in man- 
aging the field-piece. This sad event 
occasioned a sudden stop to the exercises I 
of that day; but ou the next appointed 
time for the display of Brattleboro chiv- 
alry. all thoughts of danger seemed for- 
gotten, and the inspiring sounds from 
Greenlcaf, Sartwell, Joy, Pettes, <&c., 
aroused a martial spirit that could be 
satiated alone by the explosion of gun- 
powder in the faces of ideal enemies. 

In the excitement and hurry of action , 
there has been, we learn, a neglect to 
withdraw the ramrod from the gun before ( 
the charge was fired. This, with many 
other liabilities of accident, makes it sur- 
prising that there were so few casualties, | 
so few really sad occasions to record. 

The artillery has ever been considered 
an indispensable element in celebrations 
of the Fourth of July. With memories 
of our youth and joyful anticipations, 
there come, like remembered music, recol- 
lections of the heavy echoes of the guns 
of this company — mellowed and softened 
by distance — when fired in the early morn- 
ing of our national anniversary. These 
venerable brass pieces, when not in use, 



were stored under the old church, on the 
Common. Under the same building, 
waiting for sad, needful occasions, was 

‘‘The solemn hearse, nnd waving plume,** 
keeping company with these instruments 
of death, under the house of God. These 
objects separately had each a deep signifi- 
cance, but in their association they gave 
additional importance to each other, and 
brave was that boy who would venture 
alone into their awful presence. 

In 18*37, Capt. Jonathan Davis revived 
the expiring embers of military enthu- 
siasm in this company. A new uniform 
was procured, and the wood work of the 
guns was repaired and newly painted 
This proved to be the last revival, before 
tbc final dissolution, of the organization. 
The wheels and other wood work of the 
guns rotted away or disappeared, and for 
years nothing was seen to remind us of 
the old glory but. two heavy, lonesome 
old brass caDnou, lying under Capt. Lord’s 
ho:se-sbed. ITtivevereticed and unappre- 
ciated as they were, they could not die or 
decay, as had all else with whom the}' 
had been associated in the early days of 
their advent here. 

A demagogue or politiciau would some- 
times drag them from obscurity to an- 
nounce party success; but rarely were 
they called upon, as in days cone by, to 
proclaim Ihe glory of the nation, in the 
dim. misty light of early morning. The 
sensitive temperament* of one of this long- 
united couple could bear this indignity no 
longer, and has left us, we have reason to 
believe, forever. When last heard from, 
it was nearly 100 miles away, “marching 
to the sea. ” 

The military gatherings in this town, 
called musters, in which appeared com- 
panies from other towns, and sometimes 
attended by invited companies from out 
of the State, excited the universal atten- 
tion of the public, and crowds of both 
sexes attended these meetings or reviews. 
A resident of Augusta, Ga., but a native 
of Connecticut, gave us the following in- 
formation : — 

“From 1815 to '23, I lived in Brattle- 
boro, aud during this period I attended a 
military muster in that town. Col. Henry 
Jones Blake was in command, and he well 
understood his duty. When marching 



J3R ATTLEBOR Q. 



51 



through Main street* the military bauds 
of the several companies united, I know 
ool how many wind instruments were in 
operation, but I counted 50 drums, and 
ten of them were large bass drums. The 
noise made by this band exceeded any- 
thing of the kind 1 have ever heard since; 
but the most pleasing impression left upon 
my mind was the address, action and 
elegant appearance of GoJ. Blake/' [Son 
of J. W, Blake, Esq., first postmaster, 1760.] 

CoL Blake was, if we are rightly in- 
formed, in the war of 1812, and had & 
military education. 

Of other regimental commanders who 
have made this their place of residence, 
were : Geo, Mann; Gem Jonathan Hunt. 
Col, Paul Chase; Col. Joseph Goodhue; 
Gen, Jonathan Smith; CoL Lewis Henry; 
Gen. F. H. Fessenden; CoL Nathan Mil- 
ler; CoL Albert Bennett ; CoL Arnold J. 
Hines, and there were probably others 
whose names do not occur to us. They 
have mostly or all disappeared, and now 
ills more difficult to find the holiday soldier 
of the halcyon days of 1825, than it then 
was to find a living relic of the Revolu- 
tionary war. 

Before daylight, one muster-day morn- 
ing, in 1826, the "Guilford Light Infant- 
ry, ,f with loud music, awakened the 
slumbering ciLizens of this place. Capt, j 
Phillip Martin — the oldest captain in the 
regiment — then commanded lids company, 
and only about a dozen years had passed 
since he had marched through this place 
with 16 Guilford soldiers, on their way to 
Plattsburgh. These facts, with the com- 
mendable virtue of early rising, and 
being Lhe first company on duty, seemed 
to entitle this company to such considera- 
tion as to offer them position upon the 
right wing of the regiment. 

But the ' f Brattleboro Light Infantry"' 
had just got a "Royal Kent Bugle," now 
tents and new uniforms; therefore they 
made a fine show, "Clothes make the 
man," had long been an adage; why not 
clothes make the soldier? Carlyle said, 
the gown and wig had so much to do hi 
making an English judge, that, if he was 
deprived of them, and a wood-sawer’s 
garb substituted, no one would call him 
a judge, or respect his authority as such. 

The Brattleboro Infantry took The right 



wing, and old Guilford, once the indepen- 
dent republic and empire town, was 
ordered upon the left wing. 

Capt. Martin refused to obey The Colonel 
of the regiment, and did not appear with 
his company on the field, but marched 
Ins soldiers in by ways and all ways about 
the village, where they kept up n constant 
firing of muskets, and, by their indepen- 
dent action, attracted much observation. 
The Guilford troops unitedly sustained 
their Commander, it was said, on the fol- 
lowing ground: "By military law, or 
precedent, the company having the senior 
captain could claim position on the right/' 

After a conflict of arras came a conflict 
of opinions and some unpleasantness from 
the action of Capt. Martin in showing dis- 
respect to bis superior officer and giving 
so flagrant an example of insubordination. 
But the most serious affair of the day was 
the death, by accident, of an old soldier 
of the Revolution, known as Grand pa 
Thompson. 

GRANDPA LEMUEL THOMPSON 

Was a native of Connecticut and came to 
Brattleboro in 18Ui, and lived with his sou, 
Isaac Thompson, the remainder of 3ns 
d ay s. H e never 1 lei d m n k or posi tion T but 
was a private in the army of Washington, 
in 177?, He was truthful, honest, and far 
from being pretentions, vain or boastful of 
his service in the cause of liberty. 

Respecting his career in the army, he 
related to ns the following incident, which 
wc give as nearly as possible in his own 
language : 

"The commanding officer ordered us all 
into a ditch. Every man was told to keep 
there until further orders. We stayed 
there several days and got so dry and hun- 
gry life didn't seem worth having. One 
fellow vowed he wouldn't stand it any 
longer, anti jumped out of Lhe flitch, but 
he didn't more than get out when he fell 
down dead, his body completely riddled 
with bullets. 1 then thought it was best 
to stand it a little longer/' 

After Grandpa Thompson told this story 
he seated himself with us at our dinner 
table and partook of his lost dinner, and 
then with hands crossed behind him, lie 
slowly moved towards the muster ground * 



52 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



where is now Forest Square. On his re- 
turn, near the close of the day, the high- 
way crowded with people, many of them 
from other towns in a hurry to get home, 
there was a test of speed iu horses by the 
efforts of drivers to pass by teams ahead 
of them. During this rush of wheels, an- 
imals and men, poor old Grandpa Thomp- 
son was run over on High street. A vio- 
lent blow upon his head, from the foot of 
a horse, destroyed all consciousness im- 
mediately and forever. 

Not a long time elapsed after this event- 
ful day, when a tribunal assembled at the 
old Stage house, in Main street, before 
which Capt. Marlin appeared on a charge 
o f p I ay i ng ' ' G ron c h y. T 1 

** Not a drum was heard,” nor a drum 
stick seen, but the Up* tap, tap, of the 
toddy stick kept time to the movements 
of gay uniforms, as they passed in and 
out of the house. There was a thorough 
trial of the spirits in the house, however 
it may have been with the veteran captain. 
Military laws and precedents were expati- 
ated or commented upon, by opposing ad- 
vocates, and it was finally decided that 
Dipt. Martin had done nothing worthy of 
death or any other punishment. 

The regiment at this time was under Lhe 
command of Col. Nathan Miller, of Dunn 
m&rstotij in this county. His command- 
ing appearance when on duly, good taste 
and decided military proclivities, made 
his appointment to this office seem to us 
eminently proper. 

With generous, noble impulses, he had 
great veneration for the old soldiers of the 
Revolution. 

Whenever he served as a marshal, or on 
a committee of arrangements for any cel- 
ebration, or public gathering, his first and 
greatest solid! ude was for the honor and 
comfort of Lhese old men. There was to 
him a peculiar charm in the number 7G. 
He lived to that age, passing the last 40 
years of his life in Brail leboro. When he 
could find no more living veterans of *7G, 
his work on earth was ended and be fob 



\ A volunteer muster came off iu a short 

I time thereafter* attended by invited com- 
panies from New Hampshire, The Ash- 
uelot Guards, from Hinsdale, and the 
| Chesterfield Rifles, from Chesterfield, 
helped greatly to improve the military as- 
pect. The Vernon troops gave a poetical 
touch to the occasion as they moved past 
' our dwellings before daylight in Lhe morn- 
ing, keeping step to that grand old tune 
or march* "The Banks of Ayr." Making 
some complimentary remarks respecting 
| this company, to a venerable ciLtaen of 
Vernon: "By eoundV replied unde Bob, 
i 4ld I marched after that tune 40 years ago." 

This military gathering was Called 
, Chapin's muster* as that gen Lie man was 
| the highest officer on parade. How much 
he had to do in bringing about this event, 
we are not informed, but he was very ac- 
tive in the movement, and much interested 
I in this military revival, as was evident from 
i ike address he delivered near the close of 
1 the clay* to the assembled troops. He was 
sorry to see a decline in the military spirit 
of our people, as was manifested by late 
events, for the following reasons: li The 
rapid increase of our population front peo- 
1 pie unfitted for the duties of freemen. 

1 Our institutions and privileges for self- 
government have been obtained by the 
bayonet and by the bayonet they must be 
maintained. 

The law is force. The last argument to 
which kings resort* is the only effectual 
one we can use, when tyranny or ignorance 
shall obstinately try to impede or defeat 
our progress. The time la not far off 
when there will be needful occasion to use 
this argument.*’ 

In 24 years the events of 1881, proved 
that the volunteer general was not a false 
prophet. 

The good order, harmonious action* very 
appropriate speech and a fine day, made 
this a pleasant affair: but in permanent 
benefits to this institution, this military re- 
1 viva.1 did but little. 



lowed on after them. 

THE LAST MUSTER 

In this place, by legal authority, we think 
occurred iu 183?, and was considered by 
all a feeble affair . It was on grounds now 
known as Forest Square, on Western 
Avenue. 



In the summer of 1840, an attempt was 
made to enforce the military laws. Some 
40 or 50 delinquents were summoned to 
appear before a court martial in the hall of 
the old Vermont house* tv hi eh was burned 
down in February, 1852. 



BRA T TLEBORO 



S8 



Col. Taft in bright military attire pre- 
sided at this court. Other regimental of- 
ficers in official costume appeared upon 
the scene, and dignified, learned mouth 
pieces of the law came to expound pon- 
derous russet colored volumes of statutes. 
Shivering culprits stood before this impos- j 
mg array of Mars and Minerva awaiting 
im pending doom. 

After the day was nearly spent in hear- 
ing cases and imposing fines, it was ascer- 
tained by J. Dorr Bradley, Esq., that all 
the citations had been served upon the de- 
fendants before the 13 days grace had ex- 
pired, which wats by law granted the sold 
ier, in which to make his excuse fov non- 
appearance on military duty. In conse- 
quence of this revelation not a fine was \ 
collected, but there were loud cheers for 
J, D. Bradley. 

The result was quite unsatisfactory to 
some military officials who, it was said, 
had declared it their intention to devote a 
portion of the cash obtained from defend- 



ants. to some festive purpose. 

In some towns where the Col. held bis 
court, he met with unpleasant receptions 
and suffered some personal indignities, 
while in the discharge of his duty. His 
clotiiing was, in some towns, spattered 
with objectionable matter, and other things 
were done to show disrespect to military 
law. 

Though the mission of Col. Taft was 
unwelcome to the delinquents in this place, 
he suffered no violence or illegal interrup- 
tion in the discharge of his duty. 

People respected military law about the 
same as they do temperance la ws, and very 
little training, from fear of the law, was 
done here after this trial in 1840. 

The veterans of the old flint lock and 
Jog cabin days, had departed, and with 
them went the inspiration of grand 
marches, martial music and powder ex- 
plosions against imaginary enemies. 



During 30 years after l lie war of 1813, | 
the universal cry was, M In pence prepare 
for war. " The cost of uniforms, equip- 
ments, gunpowder, rum punch and time 
spent in these preparations, made an ex- j 
pense or tax upon the people great enough 
to carry on quite extensive hostilities. I 
There was, however, this difference, blank 
charges exploded from their guns, and the ' 



deadly charges came from their canteens. 
Finally it was generally believed we were 
[ preparing for what would never come 
again, and the work of heroism, at least 
on the battle field, was considered done 
forever. 

I The people of this community* as over 
all sections of the North, were "gazing on 
the armour suits of buried giants as if no 
brave acts could now be done/' until 
aroused to action by the guns of the rebel- 
lion. in 1801. 

ANCIENT ROLL 01? HONOR. 

Soldiers of 1776, who have lived in 
Bratlleboro : 

0 1 i ver C h api n , Re u hen Chu rc h , O bad i a h 
Gill, Wm. Harris, James Dennis, Dan l 
Harris, Isaac Pratt, Oliver Jones, Ichnbod 
King, Dan' l Steams, David Wells, Thomas 
Akiily, Sami Ben net, Joel Bolster, AY in. 
Butterfield, John Bern is, Jabez Clark, 
Benjamin Chamberlain, Benajah Dudley! 
Warren Ester brooks, Salat hid Harris, 
Eli hue Hotchkiss, Income Jones, Brotner 
Jenks, Joseph Joy, Elias Jones, Israel 
Jones, Thaddeus Miller, John Kelsey, 
He gekUh Sal i sb u ry , Lev l S h u ni w ay , By l- 
vanus Sartweil, Reuben Stearns, Thomas 
Simpson, Nathaniel Sampson, Sami Wil- 
li ngton, Lemuel Thompson, Wm. King, 
Cushing King, Roy all Tyler, John Alex- 
ander. 

National gratitude to the old soldiers of 
the Revolution very much iocr eased about 
1836, or soon after the last visit of Lafay- 
ette to this cou n try. Previous to tha i time* 
pensions were paid only to the poor de- 
pendent soldiers; but after 1833, no dis- 
crimination was made us to pecuniary cir- 
cumstances, and the widow of a soldier 
received the same pension as was paid her 
husband. 

Our list of their names Is probably far 
from complete* as some of the soldiers 
never received a pension, therefore their 
names nre not on the list. 

All of the adventures or personal remi- 
niscences of those who have died in tins 
town, would, if recorded, he without 
doubt, entertaining and instructive. 

We can give but few events of l his 
character, 

iJ .For sen led Is now Hhh lips that could drive toM/ 1 

During ihe life of these old heroes 
among us, the most popular gatherings of 



■54 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the people were of a military character, 
and the most joyful day of the year, the 
4th of July* 

From 18lG to 1845, there was rarely, if 
any newspapers issued not containing obit- 
uary notices of soldiers of the Revolution 
Since 1S5U, or very near that time, the oc- 
casion for such notices ceased, and the 
military spirit of the people almost entirely 
passed away , or slumbered, until awak- 
ened by the guns of Sumpter. 

At the beginning of the Revolutionary 
war, Mr. Ring and his twin sons, William 
and Cushing King, were living oo what has 
long been known asilie Rufus Clark place. 
On the 19th of June, two days after tlie 
battle of Bunker Dill, they learned of that 
event as they were hoeing corn, They 
immediately stopped work and prepared 
for war, first placing their hoes against a 
stamp in the woods* Mr, Chandler, then 



with New Hampshire, Application for 
the charter was made in 1801, and the 
bridge and Hinsdale turnpike was com- 
pleted in 1805, As he died in 1811* at the 
age of 51 years* lie must have been active 
and energetic to accomplish so much iu so 
short a time His venerable widow died 
In 1849* at the age of 84 years, universally 
respected. 

bOLDIERfej 1851, 55. 

BY K. HASKINS, ESQ,, 

The town of iiraUleboro furnished of 
fleers and soldiers in the late civil war, as 
follows: 

OFFICERS. 

Brig. Gerfl Jno. W, Phelps, U. £k Vols. 
Col* John S. Tyler* 3d Vt. Vols* 

Col- Wm. C, Holbrook, 7th Vt, Vols. 

Ll. Col. Addison Brown, jr* ? 5th Vt. Vols, 
1 Ll. Col. Chas* Cummings, 15th & 17th do. 



. . . . * Lt* Col. Geo. B. Kellogg* 1st Vt, Cavalry. 

a sloie kee Pf>; >" lhls "> w "> ^.■n.ahedibe Bt , LtiCoLW . C . &lwJ . er , Ad-|P.M ..U.S.Vol 
three men with guns and ammunition. The 
next morning, three days after the little, 
they were on their way to Boston, where 
they enlisted, They participated in the 
important actions of the war, they passed 
thelougdark night of liberty, with Wash* 

Ington at Valley Forge, and not until the 
morning came, when their services were 
no longer needed* did they return to their 



Maj. J. C, Tyler, 4th Vt, Vols. 

Maj* Rob’t Schofield, 1st Vt. Cavalry. 

Bt* Maj. Elijah Wales, 2d Vt. Vols, 

Bt, MuJ. R. W. Clarke* A. Q. M.* U* S. V. 
Burg. Goo. F. Gale, 8th Vt, Vols. 

Surg* Henry Spohn, 17Ui Vt. Vols. 

Chap. Frauds C, Williams* 8th Vt, Vols, 
Ad j t* Chas* F. Leonard, 5th Vt. Vols. 



, _ . . . Adjt. Geo. W. Gould* 9th Vt. Volss, 

'' 0me :. ? rat ‘ lt?b . 0r0 :. whe, ' e the ?'. f0 . und ' Lient. M. H. Wooster, K C.. 1st Vt. Cav. 



their hoes beside the stump, exactly where 
they placed them seven years before. In 
all this long service not one of them was 
wounded or received* as we were told, 
“one single scratch. 4 ' 

Oliver Chapin was a member of Wash- 
ington's body guard. The most interest- 
ing event to him during the service was 
when his bridle was rendered of no use in 
managing bis horse, by a musket ball from 
the enemy, He name f tom Orange* Mass, * 
to make his home in Bmttleboro, near the 
beginning of the presen L century. He be- 
came one of our county judges and held 
other offices with credit to himself and 
honor to his const itueuts* Eminently 
capable, enterprising and persevering, lie 
proved the right man for the time and 
place. 



Lieut* Samuel H, Price, R.Q.M,* oat of State 
Lieut. J* Warren Hyde* out of State. 
Capt. Charles F. Rockwell, U, S. A. 

Gapt. He my H. ProuLy, 2d Vt, Vols,. 
CupL. Edward A. Todd, 2d Vt, Vols. 

CapL* I Jennie W. Farr, 4th Vt* Vols, 

Capt. Edward W* Carter* 4th Vt, Vols, 
Capt. David W. Lewis* 9th Vt. Vols. 
Capt. A* E. Leavenworth, 9th Yt* Vols* 
Capt. Iiob't B* Arms, 10th Vt, Vols. 

Capt, Charles D. Merriam, Vi, B* Shooters. 
Capt, Clark F. Stone* 1st Vt. Cavalry* 
i Lieut* Jas. G* Howard, 2d Vt. Vols, 
Lieut. D. L. Franklin, 2d Vt, Vols. 

Lieut. F. A. Gleason, 2d Vt, Vols. 

Lieut. Rufus Emerson* 2d Vt* Vols* 

Lieut. Geo, E. Selleck* 8th Vt, Vols, 
Lieut* Henry H. Rice, 9th Vt, Vols. 

Lieut. John F. Vinton, I5lh V L* Vols, 



Not only did he erect several buildings Lieut, dm A. Norcross, Ifiih Vl, Vols, 
in Main street* destroyed by fire In 1859, Lieut, Chas. F. Bimouds, 15th Vt. Vols* 
but he was chiefly instrumental in build- ; Lieut* Fred Spaulding, Vt. B, Shooters* 
ing the first bridge connecting tins v ill luge Lieut. N, E. Haywood* 1st Vt, Cavalry* 



B R ATT LEEO RO . 



55 



SOLDI BUS FOR THE SLCOSP BEOT. VT, VOLS- 

Adams, Edgar E. Hoi naan, Fred'k R, 

Baldwin, Eri Q. Hopkins. B enry W. 
Barclay, Walter S. Enables, Elisha L. 
Barrett, John W. Kendall, Albert D. 
Bennett, Janies W Knight* Levi E 
Ben jam in, Russel I 11. Ladd, Frank V, 



Bradley, Robert 
Briggs, Charles R, 
Brown, Charles W. 
Butterfield, Geo. P. 
Butterfield, Joel P* 
Clark. William W, 
Cole. Nelson S. 

Colt, Geo. M. 

Cook, Madison 
Cooley. Henry L. 
Don avan. Timothy 
Emerson, Elbridge 
Foster, William 
Franklin, Daniel S, 
Franklin, Geo, A. 
Griffin* James 
Gilson, Edward P, 
Gore, William 
Gould, Charles S. 
Hescock, Rina I do N 
-Hill* George 
Holbrook, James E. 



Lamp here* John M, 
Lord, Robert P. 
Paddleford, F. G, 
Pierce, Geo, W. 
Prouty, Geo. B. 
Rand, Kirk L. 

Rice, Chas. B. 
Richardson, H, A, 
Ripley, John P. 
Ripley, James C, 
Russell, Waldo D. 
Simonds* Fred W. 
Simonds, L. W. 
Smith* Timothy J, 
Stearns, Edward A, 
Stock well, Clm J. 
Thomas* Wm. B, 
Tyler, Rufus G, 
Webber, Joshua C. 
Wheeler, Joseph R. 
Wood, William 



I Graves* Albert A. 
Graves, Henry I>, 
Graves Willard R. 
Haley , Charles O. 
Haley, John H. 
Hall* Charles E. 



Slam* Charles & 
Stearns, Geo. A. 
Turner, Theodore J, 
Weathcrbee, A. R, 
Wheeler* John 



FOR THE FIFTH REGT. VT. VOLS, 

Col Jins, Eli Huntley* Henry H. 

FOE THE SIXTH TtBGT, VT, VOLS, 

Elmer* Lorenzo Wilder, Solo man W. 
Simonds, Erasing 

FOR TOE seventh RKOT. VT. VOLS, 

Emerson, Frank H. Matto* Frank 
Jenkins, John 

Foil TOE EIGHTH KEGT, VT. VOLS. 
Akley, Clark B. Moynehein* Humph. 
Aldey, WiUnrd H. Prouty* Emerson F. 
Bartlett, C, A. Plummer, Geo. F. 
Bingham* Albert H. Richardson. O. W. 
Connelly, Michael Ward, Austin H. 
Davis, Benjamin F. Wheeler* Edward L, 
Haynes, JEclw. D, Wheeler, Allen M. 
Howard, Ariel Wood. Chester N. 
Howard, -Tames W. Wood, Lewis A. 
Howard, Wm. E. Woodman, John P, 
11 owe, John C. Fletcher. Joseph W. 

Martin, Daniel 

FOR THE JKXKTII REGT, VT, VOLS. 



FOB THE THtfO 

Alexander* Caleb H 
Barry. Geo. W, 
Britton. Geo. F. 
Brock way, John R. 
Carter. Wright C, 
Carpenter, Fred. A, 
Davis. Noyes J. 
Elmer, Edward S* 
Fairfield. Alvin D, 
Fe it iter* Luke 



REGT. vt. VOLS, 

Harney, John 
Manning, John 
Mason, Almond 
Newall. Lucie n D 
Qber. Henry 
Ober, Joseph R. 
Peabody, Ariel 
Putnam, William E. 
Smith. Charles 
Win, Lucian A* 



Baker, Chns. E. 
Burt* Geo. E, 
Butler, Chns, P, 
Butler, Win. P. 
Butterfield, Wm. I 
ifnrdie. Robt. G. 
Jones, Robt, G, 
Marcy, Tlios. E. 
Martin* Wm, H. 

FOB THE TEN" 

Morse. Thomas R. 



Powers* Martin K. 
Potter* John C, 
Randall, Jas. P, B. 
Sears, Michael 
.. Smith , George 
Stygles* Mina i d 
Wand ell. Nelson, 
Ward* Gilbert M. 
Wright, Edwin 8. 

n REGT. vt. VOLS. 



FOR THE FOUTVrn REGT VT. VOLS. 



Alden. James E, 
Allen,, Isaac K. 
Arms* Edwin II. 
Bradley, Samuel, jr, 
Blake, John 



Harris* Charles H, 
Uosley, Wnylaud N. 
Houghton* James S. 
Kendall. Luke W. 

K 1 1 uger* Ferd i n a ud 



BOH THE ELEVENTH BEET. VT, VOLS, 



Ca&sey* Daniel 
Carter, Albert A, 
Chamberliu, C- H. 
Cummings C W. 
Fisher, Roseoe 
Fisher* Ezra F. 
Gibbs. Elijah G. 
Gould, Cka*. L. 



Iveplinger* Edward 
Mahoney, Dennis 
Milk, Daniel B. 
Powers, Oscar N. 
Parker, Alvin .1. 
Rodgers. Geo. M. 
Russell Will. H* 
Ry tiler* D, Jewett 



Chamberlin , D. J. 
Colburn. Warren 
Crandall John J. 
Bek* Henry 
Ferry. Qhm, N, 



Holding, Frank EL 
Kelley. Michael 
Kellogg. Aaron 
Nichols* Geo. W, 
Fellett, John C, 



Herney, James M. 

FOB THE TWELFTH BEG T, VT, VOLS. 

Ladd, Edward JN, Reynolds, Henry A. 

FOB THE SIXTEENTH REGT. VT. VOLS. 

Allen. Alexander G, Newman. John h. 
Baker. Chandler A, Pratt. Barney F. 
Clark, Chris. A. Putnam* Edwin H. 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



56 



Clark, Eugene 
Cole. Harrison A. 
Covey, Clark S. 
Davis, John 
Edwards* Horace B, 
Elliot, Win II. 

Ellis, Win. T. 

Fi slier, Emv J0, 
Fisher, Oscar A. 
Fisher, Stanford M. 
Gray, James F. 

Gray, Jolm H. 

Gray, Fred & 
Hescock, Warren A, 
Howard, Albert M. 
Joy. Jolm M* 
Lawrence. Richard 
Miller, Henry H. 
Miller, Thomas J. 



Ranncy, Peter 
Remington, Gluts. H. 
Rice, Wm. K. 
Richardson, L. S. 
Rood, Nathan G. 
Root, Frederick E* 
Sargent, Rodney B. 
Stednmn, D. Hissed 
Stock well, Geo. S. 
Stock well. Fled. 
Stowe, Alonzo T. 
Thomas, Chester W. 
Walker, Geo. A. 

W ea 1 1 1 e rli ead , D ru ry 
Wheeler, Geo. B. 
White, Albert 8* 
White, Abner G. 
Yeaw. Pred J. 



FOR THE SEVENTEENTH REOT, VT, YOLS, 
Connell, Jerry Kelley, Jolm 

FOR THE VT. SHAfiF SHOOTERS. 



FOE OTHER STATIC ORGANISATIONS. 

Clark, John Moore, Patrick 

Estey, James R. Robinson, Daniel S. 

Long, Job Warner* Henry 

Man n i ug , M i e hue I 

* Substitutes furnished not named above, 55 
Citizens paying commutation $300, each. 22 

RECAPJTOE AVION OF MEN ACTUALLY FURN- 
ISHED* 



I Officers, 
Second V t. 
Third 
Fourth 
Fifth 

I Sixth 
Seventh 
j Eighth 
Ninth 
1 Tenth 
Eleventh 
Twelfth 



401 SixteeutUVLRegh 43 
Reg. 55 Seventeenth “ 2 

11 sojvt. S. Shooters, 8 

" 37 First Vt. Cavalry. 35 

2 U, S. Col rl Vote 3 

" 3 Twelfth U. S, 

3 Infantry, 2 

23; U. S. Navy, 10 



18 Ot her State Or- 
1 gauizafcioii&T 7 
1 1 S u bs tHul es t u m ' d * o 5 



2 

Total, 



870 



Cooper, Abraham C. Sprague, Watson N. 
Hammond, N. 13, Streeter, Fred. F. 
Knowlton, F. N. Walton, David S. 
Priest, Mi J o C. Wo rden , E! teha A. 

for the first eeot. vt cavalry, 



Aldrich, James D. 
BartLefE, TUos. E> 
Church, Benj. O. 
Crosby, Geo. R. 
Dinsmore. Cl ms, A. 
Ellis, James W. 
Farr* (Jims. R. 
Fisher. Wm H. 
Forbush, 01 ms. W, 
Forhush, Geo. H. 
Ge veils, Henry 
Gibbs* Almond B. 
Hildreth, Austin O, 



Howe. Nathan B. 
Keyes, Lorenzo D. 
Prouty, Forester A, 
Remington. F, E. 
Saunders, James 
Smith, Hervey 
Strong. Calvin D. 
Whipple, John E, 
Wallen, Harrison 
Wellman, Samuel F. 
Ci me, Dexter 
Gale, Ch&s. 



CASUALTIES. 

Col. John 8. Tyler, died May 23, 1884, 
from wounds received in battle of the 
Wilderness, Va,, May 5, 1804. 

Lt. Col. Addison Bro wn, jr. , died March 
8, 1865, from disease contracted in service* 

Lt. Co!. Charles Cummings, killed in 
battle before Petersburgk, Va. , Sept. 30, 
1864. 

Capt. Dennic W. Farr, killed in battle of 
the Wilderness, Va,, May 5, 1864. 

Lieut, Francis A. Gleason, died May 80, 
1803, from wounds received iu battle of 
Salem Heights, May 4, 1863, 

Lieut. Samuel H. Price, jr., died April 
8, 1863, from disease contracted in service. 

Lieut, J. Warren Hyde* died July 25, 
1863, from disease contracted in service. 

CapL Charles F. Rockwell, died Nov. 



FOR THE u. s. COLORED VOLS. 

Green. Daniel S* Matthews, H. 
Lousy, Benjamin 



for the twelfth 
Smith, Charles 

FOR THE 

Erineck, Chas. 
Buckley, Addison 
Connor, Harvey 
Duncan, Adam 
Flynn, Patrick 



REGT. TJ. 5 . INFANTRY. 

Stone Levi 
U. s. NAVY. 

McGrath, James 
Meyers, Jolm 
Richardson, William 
Simonds, Cliits. H, 
Sullivan, John 



18, 1868. 

Benjamin, Russell B, : kilted at Bull Run, 
July 21, 1861. 

Clark. Wm. W, , killed at Savage Sta 
ttou, June 20, 1862. 

Cook* Madison* killed at Bank's Ford. 
May 4, 1863. 

O ool ey , Hen ry L. , d ied i n scr v ice, f rom 
disease* Jan. 11, LS63. 

Gilson. Edward P, f died at Richmond. 
Va., Aug. 6, 1861. 

Keables, Elisha L. ( died at Richmond, 
Va*, Sept* 6, 1861. 



BRATTLEBOKO. 



57 



Lamphere, John M,, killed at Bank's 
Ford, May 4, 1863. 

Lord, Robert V>, killed at F red crick s- 
burg, May 3, 1863, 

Pack! lef old, Frank G., died -Tan. 1, 1857, 
of disease contracted in service. 

Kendall, Luke W., killed at Wilderness, 
Va .. May o, 1804, 

Ryther, D. Jewett, died — * of disease 
contracted in service. 

Slate, diaries 8,, died Nov. 5, 1852, of 
disease, while in service. 

Howard, James W., died Jtme24, 1808, 
of wounds received in battle. 

Wood, Lewis A, died Aug. 17, 1853, of 
disease, while in service. 

Colburn, Warren, died at Anderson ville, 
Qa. ( Oct, 4, ISO 4. 

Kelley, Michael, died March 20, 1883, of 
disease, while in service, 

Covey, Clark S, , died Oct. 8, 1864, of 
disease contracted in service. 

Cooper, Abraham C., killed at Gettys- 
b u rgh , P&», July 3, 1 853. 

BarLleff, Thomas E,, died of wounds 
received in battle, June 1, 1864, 

Forbush , Geo, H. h died at Richmond, 
Ym, Oct. 11. 1363. 

Manning, John, died Dec. 11, 1862, while 1 
in service. 

E&tey, Jas, R... died Jan. 1, 1863, at 
Xe vvbeni, N. C. 

Clark, John,, died Sept, 15, 1864, while 
iu service, 

Sullivan, John, died March 14, 1S50, 
while in service. 

Franklin, Geo. A,, died Dec. 2, 1352, 
while in service. 

BKATT'LEBOttO REPRESENTATIVES, 17S0 t-0 

1878. 

Samuel Wells, 1780; Samuel Knight and 
J oh n Sarge u t , * 1781; Benjamin B utlc r- 
fitld and Sam i Knight, 1782 83; Sami 
K n i gh L, 1 784 ’ 85 ; Isra e 1 S mi th , 1 7 86 T 8 7 j 
Sam i Knight, 1786; Gardner Chandler, 
1790 91; Josiah Arms, 1792 '94; Sami 
Warner, 1795; Josiah Anns. 1790 ; Sam 4 
Knight, 1797; John W Blake, 1798 ’99; 
Joseph Clark. I860 T Q1; John W, Blake, 
1802; Le mu el W h i tn ey , 1 303 p 07 ; J oh n 
Noyes, 1808; Jonas Mann, 1809; John 
Noyes, 1816 ’12; Sami Elliot, 1818 T5; 
Jomdhau Hunt. Jr,, 1816 T7; James Elliot, 
1813 19; Saudi Clark, 1820 ^ Sain] i 

v Fh^t Anglo-Saxon child bom in the State. ! 



| Elliot, 1823 '23; Jonathan Hunt, Jr., 1834; 
Sam’l Clark, 1825 '25; Lemuel Whitney,. 
1837; Sami Elliot, 1838 5 30; Lemuel 
Whitney. 1881 32; CbaS. Chapin, 1833; 
Lemuel Whitney, 1834; Asa Keyes, 1835; 
Le mu el W h i In e v , 1836 ; Cal v i n To w a hI ey, 
1837 "38; Ebenezer Wells. 1389 '40; Cyril 
M a v ti n , 1841; La fay e t tc Cl .a rk , 1 8 12 ' 43 ; 
John R. Blake, 1844; Gardner C. Hall, 
1845; Royal i Tyler, 1840; John R, Blake, 
1S47; George Newman, 1848 '49, Siun'l 
Earl, Jr,. 1850 '5!; Roswell Hunt; 1852 53; 
Edward Kirkland, 1854; Joseph Clark, 
1855; Jonathan D, Bmdlev. 1856 57: Geo. 
B. Kellogg. 1858 119; Darwin H. Ranuey, 
i860 61; David Goodell, 1862 68; Silas M, 
i Waite, 1804 '05: Seth N. Herrick, 1866 '67; 
Jacob Estey, 1 383 T9 ; Edward Crosby. 
1370; Kitt ridge Haskins, 1872; John S. 
Chitting, 1874; Julius J. Estey, 1876; Dr. 
Wm. H. Rockwell, 1878, 

Samuel Root was, we have heard, n rep- 
resentative from this town, hut we do not 
find the date or year he served the town in 
that, capacity. 

iu 1781 1 1782 and 1783. it will be seen in 
The above list, there were two Representa- 
tives chosen, one for the spring and the 
! oilier for the fall session. 

TOWN CLEHKS, 

Dr. Henry W cl Is, 1768 '73; Bit mud 
Knight. 1773 74; Elisha Pierce, 1774 78; 
Stephen Green leaf (the first merchant in 
Vermont), 1776 *83; Samuel Knight (first 
Justice of Windham county), 1783 ‘87; 
Simpson Ellas. 1787 99; Stephen Green- 
leaf, Jr., (sou of the first merchant) 
1799 to 1S44; Lafayette Clark, 1844 '62; H. 
A. Wilson, 1862*63; Wm, S. Newton, pres- 
ent clerk, 1363 79. 

Micah Townskcnd was, we have been 
informed, at oue time town clerk, but we 
find do positive evidence when. 

I’KOM RECORDS OF MA J. STEPHEN GHEEN- 
OEAP. 

Names of persons over 99 yeti’s of age 
residing in Brattle-boro, November ‘26. 1826; 

Dea, Joshua Wilder, aged 92 years ; 
Widow Amia Sargent, 93; Wm, Parks. 90; 
Mrs, Frost, 90; Widow Brooks, 94; Widow 
S art well, 90; Matthew Marlin, 90; Johnson 
Lynde, 90; .hones Carpenter, 00; Juo, 
Alexander, 90. 

Names of persons over 30 years of age, 
residing in Rrattl chore, November 26. 1326: 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



5S 



Widow Crosby, Mr. Stone, Mrs. Sarah 
Ellis, Mr. Platt and wife, Abel Wilder, I 
Mr. Capeu, Widow Warriner, Beuj, Baker, 
Oliver Carpenter and wife, Sam 3 Newton 
and wife, Win. Robertson and wife, 
Widow Peabody , Widow Atchmson, Wid- 
ow Cook, Jona. Herrick and wife, North 
Bennett and wife, Ebenezer Fisher and 
wife, John Pettis and wife. 

CULLEG1ATES FHOM BKATTLEBGItO, 
Alonzo Church* President Georgia Col- 
lege, Edmund Frost, missionary, Sam’ I 
Bennett, clergyman, Chas. Chapin, M. D., 
Wit. R. Hayes, attorney, Roy all Tyler, 
Jr , attorney, Edward Tyler, clergyman, 
Joseph Tyler, clergyman, Geo. P, Tyler, 
clergyman* Thos* P, Tyler, clergyman, 
Charles Tyler, attorney, Roswell Harris, 
Roswell Harris, Jr., William X Harris, 
Charles C. Harris, Lewis Grout, Adumm 
the Grout, Henry ML Grout, Stanford R- 
C lark , Sam ! 1H, Elliot, Hen ry El li o t* W: m . 
Elliot. Chas. Elliot, Hiram W> Farns- 
worth* Lyman Wilcox, Theodore Barber, 
Edward Frost, Thomas K. Fessenden, 
John N. Mead, Wm, R, Mead, Wm C. 
Bradley, Arthur Bradley, John C. Tyler, 
John 0. Holbrook, Lemuel Whitney, 
Wells Goodhue, Rodney Church, Philip 
Kingsley, Pliny Kingsley* Mica j ah Towns* j 
head, Dr. John L. Dick arm an, Simon 
Salisbury, Hancock. Welts, Henry Blake, 
Charles Slew art, Walter B lakes ley, Wm. 
Knight, Wm, Samson, Lewis Sikes, A 
Blodget, 0. Alexander, Henry Spaulding, 
Geo. A. Hines, E. Spaulding, John B. 
Blake, Warren Mai'sh, Ilcmy K, Field* ) 
Otis B. Atwater, IT 1L Bigelow, W. H. 
Bigelow, Smith* son of Gilbert Smith, W, M. 
Hunt, R. Hunt. L. Hunt, C. FI. Davenport-. 

LOKGEViTT, 

Those having monuments, who have 
died in Rratt Inborn, SO years old and' up- 
ward: 

Susannah Jones, died Mar, 3, 1840, age 
tl2; John Carpenter, Feb. 1* 1843, 88; 
Asubd Carpenter, Aug. 20, 1843, 80: Abner 
Adams* Aug* 10, 1856, 81; Salmon Stead- 
mn-ii. Mar. 31, 1861, S3? Mrs. Polly Bald- 
win, Dee. 23* 18(12, 84; Mrs. Thankfull 
Burt, Nov, 17, 1780,85; Mrs. Elizabeth 
Palmer, Jan. $* 1888,80; Mrs. Cap t. Amos 
Thomas, Dec- 11, 1847, 83; Mrs. Mary 
Thomas, June 10, 1847, 88; Mrs. Elihue 
Hotchkiss, Jan. 11, 1840, 84; Mrs, Sally 



Hotchkiss, Feb. 17, 1843, 83: Widow 
Elizabeth Hotchkiss, Feb. 21, 1810* So; 
Abigail Hale* July 14, 1813, 80: Benjamin 
Fessenden, May (3, 18(13, 88; Widow Eliz- 
abeth Fessenden, Mar. 27, 1834, 01; Cyn- 
thia Green leaf, Sep, 7, 1859, 91 ; Ruther- 
ford Hayes, Sep. 25, 1836, SO; Widow 
CbJoe Hayes, Feb., 1847* 84; Sam I Clark, 
Apr. 9, 1831* 84; Widow Susan Clark, Aug, 
13, 1803, 85; Der&stus Barrett* Mar, 10* 
1S59*8S; Luther Sargent, Oct. 23* 1850, 
83; Widow Elizabeth Sargent* Apr. 2G, 
1850, 85; Andrew Miner, May, 24* 1849, 
S3; Widow La vina Miner, Sep. 11* 1855, 
88; Wm, Harris, Mar, 12* 1845, 88: Widow 
A blab Harris, Mar. 6, 1847, S3; May 
James Esterbrook, Mar o, 1856, SI; Eunice 
Wood, Oct. 13* 1340, 84; Philip Wood, 
July 10* 1845, 89; Hon. L. Whitney, Apr, 
4* 1847, 83; Susannah Dickinson, Sept. 34* 
1843,81; Abigail Bern is, Oct. 7* 1782, — ; 
Widow Molly Sargent, Dec. 18. 1850* 94; 
Widow Anna Sargent, Dec. 4, 1827, 93- 
Mary* widow of Col. John 8. Sargent, 
June 10, 1822. 88; Widow Elizabeth Sar- 
gent* Mar. 17, 1837* 95; Jacob Spaulding* 
June, 1808* 81; Eunice Amsden, July 15, 
1818, 93; Mrs. Mary Salsbuiy, Aug. 28, 
1821* 82; Ciipt, Jonathan Salfsbuiy* Alar. 
27, 1717, 81; Jonathan Stoddard* Jan. 21, 
1S12, SO; James Carpenter, Nov. 4, 1829, 
92; Lydia Carpenter, Oct, 20, 1820* 94; 
Lydia Carpenter, May 13, 1830, 83; Den. 
Wm, Bigelow, Jan. 18, 1815, 88; Margaret 
Bigelow, Feb. 15, 1812, 90; Mrs, Esther 
Richardson, Nov* 28, 1851, 94; Warren 
Eslerbrooks, -Tune 29* 1838, 90; Mrs. Rhoda 
Eaton, Jan. 24, 1842, SO; Mrs. Elizabeth 
Orris. Oct., 1S0G. 89; Isaac MeOune* Nov. 
A 1833* 83; John Pullen, Feb. 1 3, 1861, 
90; Jabez Wood, Oct. 23, 1343, 94; Ben- 
, ftjah Dudley, June 20, 1850, 87; Elizabeth 
Dudley, Aug, 39, 1846, 80; Rebecca 
Crosby* Nov. 8* 1830* 03: Levi Good- 
enough, Sept. 9, 1848 *84; Watson Crosby 
Sept* 24, 1859, 83: Reuben Stearns, Jam 
39* 1845* 80; Martha Warriuer, Feb. 22, 
1855, 83; Dea. Daniel Warrmer, Apr, 21* 
1 806, 80; Chtoo Warriner, July 4, 1 SB— , 84; 
Mrs Lydia FnM, Nov. 7* 1825, 93; Income 
Jones* Jan* 19, 1845, 88; Ebenezer Fisher, 
Jam* 1831* 89; But nee Sprague, Aug, 15, 
1810. 80; Damans Sampson, Feb. 21* 1S3S* 
84; Solomon Dunklee, Jam 0* 1805* 83; 
Widow Mary Rice, OcL 7* 1850, 83: Jonas 
Rice, May 1* 1849, 84; Stephen Bennett* 



BR ATTLEBORO. 



5!) 



Dec, 18, 1845, S3; Mrs, Ruth Bennett, Feb. 

S, 1851, 88; John Gardner, June L5, 1854, 
S3; Dr. Lem'l Dickermab, Oct, 8, 1832, 
81: Elisha Frouty, Oct. 22, 1852, SO; Mrs, 
Martha Duuklee, Feb. 8 H 1800, 84; Benj. 
Hadley, liar. 24 : 1770, 02; Jonathan 1 
Wells, Jan. 7, — — , — ; Widow Rhoda 
Reeve, Aug. 23, 1847. S3; Dr. Willard 
Arms, Sep. 25, IStiS, 88; Widow Susan 
Arms, Feb. 20, 1 805, 8(i; Nathaniel Samp- , 
sou, Mar. 35, 1849, 90; Martha Sampson, I 
Jan. 7, IS 10. 92; Wm. Parks, Jan. 28, 
1830, 93; Rev. Jesse Bennett, Oct. (3, 1888, 
85; Widow Tryphena Bennett, Jan. 10 5 
1808, 83; Col, Timothy Church, Nov. 13, 
1833, 80; North Bennett, Nov. 20, 1833, 90; 
Wm Whipple, Oct 30, 1848, 85; Stephen 
Bennett, Dec. 18,1345,83; Dea. Nathaniel 
Horton, Mar, 10, 1806,81; Jonathan Her- 
rick, Sept, 38, 1828, 80; Lois Herrick, Aug, 
20, 1813. 90; Capl. Nathaniel Bliss, Mar., 
i860, 84; Lydia, widow of C&pt. Nathan- 
iel Bliss, Nov., 1800, 83; Joseph Rodgers, 
Sep. 24, 1838, 84; Sateithiel Hands, Oct 
29, 1840, 87; LieuL. Simon Stone. Apr. 
1. 1S27, SI; Arad Stock well, Feh 1, 1850, 
83; Mrs. Lydia S tock well. Apr. 29, 1804, 
85; Ezra Harris, Oct. 13, 1857. 88; Daniel 
Mixer, Apr, 30, 1847, 83; John Ellis, Apr, 
13, 1837, 82; Sarah Elite, Jan. 7, 1827, 82; j 
Solomon Harvey , Sep. 0. 1862, 81; Noah 
Fuller, Jan, 13, IS 16, 82: Olive Fuller, 
Apr. 11, 1850, 84; Widow Sarah Holbrook. 
Mar. 22, 1851, 84; Obadiab Gill, May 25, 



Additions to this land, upon the east 
and south, have been made by purchase, 
as required by an increasing population. 

In the care of cemeteries in small vil- 
lages, eighty years ago, neglect was the rule, 
yet even in early times some persons made 
the burial places of their families attrac- 
tive by neatly-arranged grounds, dowers 
and costly monuments. Sufficient labor 
was bestowed every year by individuals, 
upon their own family lots, as to render 
more noticeable the surrounding general 
neglect. Neatness and well arranged 
gro unds , i n P ros pec L H ill e cm e t cry , is no w 
the rule, rather than the exception, The 
solemn looking, rouml-top, black head- 
stone, with wings of' cherubim shielding 
rmmefUo viori, is a thing of the past. 
Mullen, rod sorrel, 

"Weds it f dark luxuriance, lures of waste," 

have disappeared, giving place to more 
choice and fitting decorations. Borne rare 
works of art, in memory of the dead, can 
now be seen in this cemetery. 

The monument of the late Col. James 
Fisk — designed by Larkin G. Mead— has 
a ttnic te d nm n y v i si to rs f m m a f ar an d □ e a r. 
The shaft is of Italian marble, with four 
nude female figures, made of the same 
material, in a sluing posture, with their 
hacks toward the shaft — two of them 
facing east and the other two facing west 
—representing the principal departments 



1838. 80; Widow Anna Gill, Mar. 23, 1801, 
93 ■ Elizabet h Bitmap, Mar* 23, 18(5?, 94; 
John Bomb, June 22, 1835, 83; Nathaniel 
French, Junc8, 1801,81; Marcy French, 
Jan, 20. 1847, 83; Eleanor Thomas, Oct. 
29, 1850. 89 ; Sam'l Frost, Nov. 18, 1806, 
82; Widow Lucy Pratt, SepL l ? 1803, 83: 
Widow Abigal Sargenl, Mar. 9, 1849, 80; 
Benjamin Gorton, Jan. 22, 1825. 88; Wm, 
Frost. 93, 

CEMETERIES. 



of human effort wherein Col. Fisk en- 
gaged during his brief career in XewYork. 
No language we can use will do this work 
justice in description, but we can say it is 
perfectly beautiful, and is as fit dug a 
memorial of the artist who designed it as 
of him who now lies beneath it* It is to 
ns a constant reminder of that young 
genius of our village, who, over 20 ym rs 
i ago, made for himself a national reputa- 
| tiou by his monument of snow A 



PROSPECT Hrim CEimTKRY TS 1872. 

N. E Willteton, President ; George New 
man, Secretary of the company; Timothy : 
Tin ton, Julius J. Estcy, B. 31 Waite, Dr. 
Win, Rockwell, Trustees, 

The land first used for this cemetery was 
given, for the use of the East Village of 
Brut Reborn in 1797, by Joseph Clark, 
Esq., a Lid his wife, the first occupaul. was 
buried there the same year. 



The memorials of Hall. Francis, A, H. 
Bull, Rockwell, and of several others we 
might name, are very elegant, chaste, and 
fitting the purpose designed. 

Located upon a high elevation, over- 
looking i\ large portion of the village— 
depot grouuds, Connecticut river, and tlie 
mountainous country on the north — lids 
place is h frequent resort of many persons 

*See sketch of L G. Mead, Esq. 



GO 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



in summer time, who seem to never tire in 
their admiration of the lovely prospect 
spread out before them. 

Although this place of the dead is Urn 
largest of the live cemeteries of Hie town 
— ami con rams the remains of all. or very 
nearly all, the business proprietors and 
real -est ate owner's of this place, fif 13 - years 
ago— yelp I is it 01 the most ancient place of 
the kind in this town. To find where 

“The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep, 1 * 
we must go to a much higher elevation, 
over two miles distant. 

By ascending a long liill, nearly norlli 
from Centerville, and about a mile distant, 
from that place, we find the Ancient burial 
place of the town, ll is hut a few rods 
north of the home of Micah Townshcud* 
which . in the year 1800. he sold to Horn 
Royal! Tyler. The place is now (1878 1 
owned and occupied by Gilbert Smith, Esq. 

For an interesting description of the same 
see letter of Hon. R. Tyler, in Tyler papers. 

In this cemetery is the grave of our final 
representative — Col Sami Wells — and also 
of the first minister settled in this town— 
Rev. Abner Reeve. May John Arms, one 
of the early settlers, and grandfather of 
the late Dr, Willard Anns, was buried 
here six years before the beginning of the 
war of the Revolution, Three genera- 
tions of this early family, and our early 
physician. Dr. Lem’l Dickcrman, lie buried 
here* 

Over West river— that charming place 
of our earliest recollections — is another 
ancient place of the dead, where can now 
be seen the head stone which marks the 
grave of Col. John Sargent, the first Eng- 
lish child born in the State of Vermont* In 
adili lion to The foregoing information, 
engraved upon the stone is the following: 

11 He gave yood counsel while he hud his breath, 

Advising them Co prepare for death. 

The first military captain we can learn ! 
of, outside of Fort Du miner, in this town, 
is Capt. Benjamin Butterfield, and in this 
burial ground is his memorial stone, ills 
daughter taught the district school 10 Brat- 
tleboro, East village, nearly 60 years ago, I 
and the writer of litis article received from 
her bis first lessons in the spelling hook, 
and also received from Iter a severe whip - 1 
plug because he forgot the small letter— a. | 



EAKLV PHYSICIANS OF BKATTLEBORO, FROM 
1786. 

! Drs. Henry Wells, Lemuel Dlckcrman, 
Geo. Holmes Halh Russell Fitch. Willard 
Anns, Artemas Robbins* Jonathan A* 
Alien, John L, Qickermnu, Phillip Hall. 
Daniel Gil ben Bruce, John Wilson, Dana 
Hyde, Reuben Spaulding. F. J. Ifiggiuron, 
Kitteredgc, Robert Wesselhceft. William 
, Gran, Loewemhal, Carley. Blackall. Mur- 
phy, Cross. Ayres, E. Chapin. Geo ?. 
Wesselhceft. Bowles, Morrill* From 183S 
to 1845. three Thompsonian, or boTimic. 
physicians were in practice here, viz,: 
Joseph and Oliver Wright and Page* 

Of the given list* 19 are cot living, arid 
none of them now live in this town, 

DR. LEMUEL PTC KERMAN. 

Bom Oct, 18. 1751, married iu Brattle- 
boro to Lucinda Anns* Mar. (7, 1 779, died 
Oct., 1732, It has been said that he was 
the first established physician in this town, 
but, according to later information, he was 
the second, and the longest in practice. 
With but one exception , no physician in 
Rmttleboro lias lived so many years, and 
few, if any, have had a more successful 
career. 

He was a good manager. He attended 
1 faithfully to n wide practice, and* at the 
same lime, successfully carried 011 a large 
i farm, situated about 3 miles northwest 
from Bratileboro, East village. 

The old bouse he occupied is yet (1869) 
standing* without change, save that effect- 
ed by time and neglect. One of the few 
relics left of the first village of the town, 
where is the greatest evidence of a former 
population, is the old cemetery wherein 
the Doctor sleeps. 

There is character expressed iu a well- 
preserved palming of him. in possession 
of his grandson* Blending with good 
humor and penetration, something tells of 
conscious power in reserve for occasion. 
The accuracy and quickness of perception, 
for which he was noted, as also a procliv- 
ity for the healing art, seems to have been 
hereditary in his posterity to the third 
generation. Hh son, Dr. John L* Dicker- 
man, was an established physician in this 
town about 40 years, and his two sons, 
William and Lemuel, are members of the 
profession, in Eastern Massachusetts, 



BRATTLE B O HO . 



03 



DU. WILLARD akjis. 

linva in Bmttteboro, Dec, 2, 1830, the i 
Bd gen edition from Maj. John Anns. (See , 
military history preceding) studied with 
Dr, Wm, 8. Williams. of Deerfield, Mass,, 
Feb. 8, 180T married Susma Arms, of 
Dmfiuld, went immediately to Stukely, 
Canada, 

After about a year, he was called buck 
to settle the estate of liK father, Josiah j 
Arm*, who died io possession of the ■ 
meadow farm (now of the Venn nnUsyl vim, 
which had belonged to the Major, his 
fat hen. 



one of 36 accounts, reported by this com- 
mittee, amounting in all to £606.12. 1.— 

Dr. Hall's store for the sale of drugs, 
medicines and New England goods, stood, 
in 1797, at the southeast corner of the 
front grounds of the brick bouse, to Main 
street, of Geo. Howe, Esq. 

in 1797, a clerk in (be employ of Dr. 
Hall, caused the complete destruction of 
his store and goods by contact of a lighted 
lamp, in hh> hand, with nn open cask of 
alcohol. The cask of spirits exploded 
and scattered the flames with such rapidity 
there was no Lime lo save anything. There 



Dr Arms remained in practice in hi* 
profusion In this place about 14 years. 
He built the house at the East village now 
owned and occupied by N\ B. Wil Aston, 
E>q. In ISIS, he ^old his house and prac- 
tice in Dr. A i re mas Robbins, comlnkmed 
that he should not practice m this town 
for 10 years, and followed 1 1 is profession, 
the most of Ibis time, in Northfield, Mass, 
in 1 SAB . he returned and settled in the 
West village, where be remained BO years, 
and died, Sep. 33* 1863, aged almost 83 
years. 



was no insurance. It was a blow to Dr. 
Hall, it has been said, from which he never 
recovered. He lived about 10 years after 
this, and died in 1807, Aged 44. 

In January, 1798. Rev. Dr. \ Veils, in re- 
marks from the pulpit upon the past year, 
said: '* I allude ro two very calamitous 
! events iu our midst during the year that 
i has just closed— the death by drowning of 
two promising young men, Taylor and 
Palmer, and the destruction by fire of the 
property of our friend and neighbor, Dr. 
Hall,” 



He practiced 69 years* 14 in this town, 
where, in many branches of his profession, 
hi* counsel was often sought. He was 
considered the leading authority in obstcb 1 
vie*, smallpox, (fee. 

'■When I am sick/" said he, 1E I don't 
want medicine ; but I live ou corn 'meal 
liasiy -pudding until the disease gets dis- 
gusted and leaves me.” 

His long life and good health was owing, 
in no small degree, undoubtedly, to excel 
Unit cave, good habits, and a large share of 
good common sense. 

DU. GEORGE HOMES HALL. 



Two sons of Dr. Hall, George W and 
Gardner C., became successful traders in 
this place. 

George married Sarah Holbrook* a 
daughter uf Dea, John Holbrook, in Sept., 
1818. hut his life came lo an early close. 
He died in 1835* leaving a widow and 
three children. 

Gardner C,, slender built and, to appear- 
ance, physically feeble* became* at one 
period, the most extensive merchant in 
this county. 

While doing a large wholesale and retail 
business in dry goods, hardware and West 
India products, he engaged in the inarm- 



First resident physician id the East 
village* commenced practice here about 
1790. He added to his professional labors 

the mercantile. 

From a report of expenses for building 
the first meeting-house at the West village, f 
presented us by Hon. Fayette Chirk, we 
quote. 

■’ Report of Aceompts. by Meeting- 
House committee." Dr. George H. Hall, 
£40, 10,^—$ loo. 36 HO0, for rum, sugar, 
glass, white lead, Ac." The foregoing Is I 



filature of linseed oil, cotton, iron, &G-, 
and not the least among the benefits he 
conferred upon this community was the 
encouragement he gave to home industry 
by finding a market for its products. 

Not the least into testing event iu our old 
times was the arrival of one of Hall's flat- 
bottom ships, laden with 20 or 25 tons of 
merchandise from the port of Hartford, 
Cl. The large white sails, swelling up the 
rapids on their important mission, along 
the shore of tail trees unci banks of sum* 
mer verdure, were assisted by hard -handed, 



62 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



swift watermen, who, on arrival at the ' 
lauding, were sure to gratify their weak- 
ness for the contents of the old back store 
of their patron. 

He was a prominent member of the 
Unitarian society. We believe, no one 
contributed more material aid in erect iug 
the second meeting-house in the East vil- 
lage. in 1881. 

To public improvements he gave his 1 
right hand and purse together. To all 
shams lie presented a quiet, uncompro- 
mising front. From the administration of 
Jackson to that of Pierce, he was opposed i 
to the Democratic party, and. as a devoted 
Whig, was chosen to represent his native 
town iu the State Legislature. 

I)R. JONATHAN A. ALUKN 

and his family lived on Main street, in the 
East village, as early as 1810. but how long 
before we are not able to state. 

The house lie owned and occupied was, 
in 1828, in the possession of Willard Pom- 
rov, who, by enlargements, converted it 
into a hotel, called the Vermont House, 
opeued to the public in 1829 or '30. In 
1849, it was removed, and a new brick 
hotel of three stories was erected in place by 
Copt. Thomas G. Lord. In Feb., 1851, 
this hotel was destroyed by fire, and the 
ground is now occupied by the Episcopal 
church and Town hall. 

Dr. Allen is spoken of iu high terms of 
commendation by the few aged citizens in 
our village who remember him. The rec- 
ollection of his proficiency in chemistry is 
yet fresh in the mind of the oldest native 
citizen of this village, who was one of a 
class, under instructions from Dr. Allen 
in this science, and listened to his lectures 
u])on this subject in 1820 ’21. He was an 
honor to the profession; gentlemanly, pru- 
dent and considerate in his intercourse and 



He had that dignity of person and general 
appearance requisite to meet our ideal, as 
to the externals, of a first-class doctor. A 
faithful painting of him would be recog- 
nized at once as that: of an M. D. 

The Dr, sleeps more than 20 miles from 
this place, but of the good lie did, during 
his short mission of 8 years iu this place, 
we every day experience. 

He was one of the nine originators and 
owners of the Northern Aqueduct com- 
pany, which first went into practical 
operation about 00 years ago. and now 
continues to supply several families with 
water. 

Elficient as lie generally was iu the dis- 
| charge of missions thrust upou him, there 
was a chronic difficulty in that huge old 
1 machinery, called the town clock, he 
failed to remedy. 

As the old thing was irregularly ticking, 
and jxnmdiug out uncertain sounds, up in 
that old church tower on the Poimnou, 
the troubled countenance aud anxious eye 
of Dr. Robbins could be seen moving 
about the village in pursuit of ability 
such as he could trust to make the 
ueedcc! repairs. The desire of his heart 
would be gratified if lie could only find 
that universal genius, Tom Stores, with 
Ins head level. The doctor knew that 
Tom could make nice tempered and beau- 
tiful surgical instruments, such as, iu 1821. 
severed the arm of Incut. Ooodenough at 
the shoulder. In short, there was scarcely 
anything that could be done with the 
fingers, Tom could not do when lie was 
( not on a bender, but when the rum came 
in his wits went out, and he would do 
nothing but pound a bass drum until the 
heads broke in. 

After the doctor moved from this place 
to Bellows Falls, iu 182(5, to the old clock 



dealings with his fellow-iueu. 

He left this place, at some period from 
1822 to *24, for a wider field, and satisfac- 
torily did he prove iiis capability for the 
same in the way lie long and faithfully 
fulfilled the duties he accepted, as profes- 
sor of chemistry in Middle bury college. 

T)R. ARTE.MAS ROBBINS 

bought the house aud practice of Dr. 
Willard Arms, in the East village. At 
first sight no one could mistake his calling. 



** There'came »n hour of peuceful rest." 

It became so accustomed to resting and 
rusting it would not do anything else. In 
1832. it was taken down, to make room 
I for a new successor. 

Dr. Robbins became a partner with Dr. 
Wells in establishing a drug store at 
Bellows Falls. Vt. In consequence of in- 
vesting nearly all his property in railroad 
stocks, that became comparatively worth- 
less, he came to the close of a long life, in 
1800, iu destitute circumstances. 



BRATTLEBORO. 



63 



1XR. DANIEL GILBERT 

came, and was in practice here, from 1$28 
or y 2& until 1841, when he removed to 
officiate in the Massachusetts General Hos- 
pital at Boston, where he died, some years 
since, Of Asiatic cholera. 

He studied surgery, under instructions 
from the no toil Dr Twicliell, of Keene, 
2T. H, t and was a good surgeon. If defic- 
ient in knowledge respecting subjects 
coming under his consideration, he had 
the courage to acknowledge it, or at least 
was not so careful to conceal it as he was 
diligent to seek the remedy. Said Hon. J. 
JCterr i&wilpjL' " J Ivkd D.v 

Gilbert from the moment 1 discovered this 
feature in his character/' 

There was a blunt ness in his manner not 
always pleasing to his patients. A stout- 
built;, vigorous young man was under his 
treatment for fever. The fever left Mm, 
as did also the doctor, but it became nec- 
essary to recall the doctor, for the patient 
had a relapse, from indulgence of appetite 
Loo soon. 

' 1 Sick aga i n V 1 said the doc ton ' ' Wei 1 r 
good constitution; you ctm stand this 
thing, 1 reckon, once or twice more, if 
you choose; therefore, m soon a.s yon get 
over this difficulty, eat too much again, 
before you are able to exercise enough to 
digest it/ 1 

Willing to accept truth from any source, 
yet not confined to rules of others, but 
original, progressive and courageous, he I 
was the man for emergencies. His pre- 1 
scriptious were often simple, while effec- 
tual Tn a case of obstinate, continued 
hiccough, which be traveled 7 or 8 miles to 
visit, the remedy he ordered was simply 
popped corn, which gave to the patient 
immediate relief. 

t>r. john Wilson, 

of Scot hind, educated m Edinburgh, came 
to tliis place in 1836. He had previously 
passed some years in Dummcrston and 
Kewfane, 

In some way he was connected with 
Thomas Arnold in building a steam saw- 
mill at the southeast part of the East 
village, on the site now occupied ivy the 
Vermont and Massachusetts R. R. Co. > for 
their depot and other buildings. The old- 
fashioned cylinder boilers required so much 



fuel, to create the needful power, the milt 
proved an unprofitable investment. Arnold 
disappeared, and the mill was for several 
years useless property on the hsnds of the 
Doctor* 

The Doctor married a daughter of Stdah 
Chamberlain. His wife returned to her 
father, after becoming the mother of one 
child, and he lived a solitary, secluded life 
until 1847, in a small house, standing near 
the silent mill. 

In a rather inferior carriage, accompa- 
nied by his Little hoy, he visited, in rural 
districts, those persons who required his 
professional services, which, in some in- 
stances, were highly appreciated. 

Though gifted with rare powers of con- 
versation, which gave evidence of exten- 
sive information, he rarely, if ever, sought 
the society of those who could best appre- 
ciate him, or the company we should sup- 
pose would have been most congenial to a 
man of his high cultivation. 

The visits necessity compelled him to 
make to tlie grocery and stores, wore im- 
proved by some people to draw forth ideas* 
or get opinions from this mysterious 
Oracle, and when well started in conversa- 
tion. we have noticed a charmed circle of 
attentive listen ers gather around him, and 
all seemed willing to adhere to the maxims 
of Zeno. 

Upon one occasion 1 heard him remark: 
"I have never witnessed such extravagan- 
ces in the use of language asl have noticed 
in New England. For instance, Mr H. 
said to me, * Doctor, [here is some grand, 
almighty, elegant, magnificent, splendid, 
nice, fresh fish/ My first impression was 
that Mr. H. had just returned from Sl 
P eter's at Home, or from the grand Cathe- 
dral at ’Milan, and had commenced to en- 
lighten me upon his discoveries; but judge 
of my surprise, after lie bad used up 
superlatives enough to do justice to the 
architecture of the middle ages, my atten- 
tion was directed to a few small, dead 
fishes/' 

After the death of Dr. Wilson, in 1847, 
a book was published presenting circum- 
stantial evidence to show we had been 
entertaining “ Thunderbolt" unawares, and 
our quiet, obscure* peaceable Dr. Wilson 
was the accomplice of the notorious 



u 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Lightfool, an English highwayman, who 1 
suffered the death penalty, many years 
ago, for his crimes. 

Many persons thought the evidence of 
sufficient weight to make the idea interest- 
ing. but how extensively it was believed 
we are not able to state. If the most the 
advocates of this theory claimed was true, , 
death had closed the door against all action 
and passed the case onward beyond all 
human jurisdiction. 

As if to more fully complete the work 
of forgetfulness, the Irishman’s shovel has 
been employed, until not less than J4 ieet 
in depth of solid earth now covers all that 
surface of ground once encumbered by the 
piles of lumber, steam mill and humble 
abode of the mysterious doctor. In less 
than a year after his death, every tangible 
object that could remind us of him van- 
ished. 

All this happened about #5 years ago, 
yet more than one person can say there is 
now impressed upon their memories the 
records of many moments less pleasantly 
and profitably spent than have been passed 
by them in the presence of Dr. John 
Wilson. 

The 11 closing years of bis life in this 
place has left with us an unsolved prob- 
lem more interesting from the dim, misty 
light of uncertainty in which it is envel- 
oped. From this cause Brattlebovo is 
richer in her past, and with the mind's eye 
we see a picture in her silent halls, left 
there by this event, we could not if we 
would remove. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

SAMUEL WELLS. 

Col. Sam’l Wells, the first representative 
from this town, then in Cumberland county, 
was bom at Deerfield, Mass., Sept. 9, 1730. 
He married Hannah Sheldon and in duly 
1762, settled in Brattleboro, on lands now 
owned by the Vermont Asylum, situated 
about a mile north of the East village. 

W e have found where his log cabin stood 
100 years ago, but the spot is now a wild, 
with no road or indications that there ever * 
was a road leading to the place. At the 
time he came to Brattleboro, many of the 
pioneers considered it a great success to se- 
cure a roof, however humble, and food to * 
sustain life. 



Here was born his family of thirteen 
children, two of whom died in infancy. 
His daughters were married to Samuel 
Gale, Ephraim Nash, Mi cab Townsheud, 
Jonathan Gorton, Nathaniel Church and 
Ephraim Stimpsou. 

Like most of the prominent men of the 
time, in this part of the State, Col. Wells 
sustained the claims of New York. 

Between the years 1798 and 1802. all the 
family of Col. Wells removed to Canada, 
where each of his childreu received from 
the crown 1200 acres of land as a compen- 
sation for the losses Col. Wells had suf- 
fered during the Revolution ou account of 
his adherence to the King. He died in 
this town and a marble bead-stone in the 
old burving-grouud gives the following in- 
formation: 

In Memory of 

COL. SAMUEL WELLS, 
of this town, a Judge of Cumber- 
land Gouut % y Court, and a Member 
of the Assembly of the Province of 
New York, who departed this life 
Aug. 6, 1786, iu his 5otli year. 

His friends, the stranger and the poor have lost 
A kind companion and n generous host: 

When he fell, the Statesman fell 
And left the world his worth to tell. 

[Extract from papers of F. Hawks, of Greenfield.] 
HENRY WELLS, M. D., 

Was the first town clerk of Brattleboro 
elected to office in 1768. He was boru in 
Essex Co., N. J., June 14, 1742. but from 
1746, for about 20 years, his home was in 
New York, when the population of that 
city was less than 10 thousand. When 
11 years old he began his college course at 
‘‘Nassau Hall” in Princeton. Here lie 
took his first degree at the age of 15. Im- 
mediately after his graduation he began 
the study of medicine at New Haven, with 
the celebrated Dr. Hull, under whose in- 
struction he remained four years. In 1760, 
Yale College conferred on him the degree 
of A. M., and in the following year he re- 
turned to New York, where he continued 
his studies until 1764. He studied divinity 
for a short time after this and added the 
business of an apothecary to his early 
medical practice in New York He was 
married in the old Dutch church on Nas- 
sau street, to Ilannah Stout, May 28, 1764. 
They lived together within a few months 
of half a century. 



BR ATTL EBORO. 



fio 



Dr. Wells was hardly more than 25 and 
his wife 20 and the mother of two young 
children, when they started for their new , 
home in the wilds of what is now Ver- 
mont- The town of Rrattleboro, of which 
he and bis wife were 2 of the patentees, 
had been partly settled from New VI amp- 
shire as early its 1752, They came by a 
small sloop to Hartford , Cu, and from 
thence followed the Connecticut river to 
BraUletjoro. Their new home was a farm 
of not far from 1000 acres, some 2 miles 
west of the present beautiful East village 
of Brattleboro. Here on the brow of a 
lofty hill Dr Wells erected it substantial 
frame house of considerable sir.e, which 
stood almost unaltered for a century, and 
was finally taken down (by Gilbert Smith,) 
in 1875* In 1801 it was purchased from 
Micah Townsbend (its second owner,) by 
Chief Justice Tyler, who occupied it about 
14 or 15 years. From 17G8 to the time of 
his removal in 1781, he constantly hold 
some public office. His name, for the last 
time, appears upon the records as moder- 
ator of the meeting of March, 1781. His 
name is attached to two memorials to the 
King in behalf of the legal government, 
the only civil government, in fact, under 
the Province of Hew York. Seven more 
children were born to Dr, Wells during 
his 18 years residence in Brat tic boro. In 
1781 he relinquished the magnificent estate, 
(in acres,) which cost him so much toil and 
suffering, and removed to Montague, Mass. 
He settled in the house which for 80 years 
continued to be the home of his children. 
This house is still standing though not in 
possession of the family. In the associa- 
tions of his new home and the better op- 
portunities for the practice of Ids profes- 
sion, Dr. Wells no doubt, found compen- 
sation for the visionary fortune, as landed 
proprietor, for which he and Ids father had 
left Hew York* lie soon acquired a rep- 
utation as a physician, especially in con- 
sultations, which made long jo u rneys from 
home often necessary. Such occasional 
calls for him extended from Boston to 
Albany, Hew Hampshire and Connecticut, 
as well as to and beyond his old home in 
Vermont. 

In 1785 he was elected a member of the 
Massac h u setts Me d icn I Hoc i et v with whi eh 
he was connected most of the time as 
r> 



counsellor until his death . Xu 1 802 a form - 
UlabJe epidemic made its appearance in 
Greenfield and its virinily. F Eminent 
physicians," says Willard in his history, 
i5 did what they could to stop the plague* 
That excellent physician and estimable 
man, Dr. John Stone of Greenfield, the late 
Dr Williams of Deer Held, aud that Noble- 
man of Mf litre > Dr. Henry Wed Is of .Mon- 
tague, were employed, the last and the first 
named, mostly. 

The sick seemed to have the impression, 
generally, that they certainly should re- 
cover if Dr, Wells attended upon them, 
so great was their reverence for that phi- 
lanthropist. J As a recognition of Ills 
services in this pestilence, Dartmouth 
College conferred on him the honorary de- 
gree of M* I). Professor Nathan Smith 
was accustomed to quote him in his lec- 
tures and to speak of him in terms of the 
highest respect, 

11 Dr, Wells/ 5 adds Dr. AUlen, r, iuhis 
profession attained the most distinguished 
rank. His natural powers were good, his 
medical reading extensive and judicious, 
his application methodical and patient. 

His eminent skill, however, in the man- 
agement of disease was derived chiefly 
from his own observation aud experience. 
Possessing a clear and discriminating mind 
and an accurate judgment, his practical 
deductions were remarkably just. In dif- 
ficult cases his advice was much sought 
and highly appreciated. Courteous in his 
manners, modest and unassuming in his 
i n t e rco u rse w i th h is p rof ess ional b re t h re ti , 
he was highly respected by the profession 
and the public. 15 

Dr. Williams remarks “ Dr. Wells had 
the confidence of all his professional 
brethren throughout the country, and 
many of his patients almost worshiped 
him/ 5 

Very IiLtle need be added in regard to 
Dr. Wells’ character and principles. His 
whole life, family, social and professional, 
was permeated with a deep sense of relig- 
ious duty. He died Aug. 24, 1814, aged 
72 t and was buried in Montague, His 
funeral was attended by a large concourse 
of people and a great number of physic- 
ians from the neighboring towns paid him 
the last token of respect* 



6(1 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Bit. SAMUEL 3TEAKKS, LL- JL , 

Was born in Bolton, Mass-, in 1747* and 
died in Brattle boro, Aug. 8, 181b, This 
gentleman, previous to becoming a resi- 
dent of this town, suffered greatly in 
mi M, body and estate, from the persistent j 
attacks of “The Sons of Liberty,’’ in 
Worcester, Mass. For liis supposed loy- ( 
alty to King George III, lie was confined , 
in a filthy prison nearly 8 years, ui Wor- 
cester. Mass. In that prison he suffered 
for the want of the common necessaries of 
■life. A large share of this imprisonment i 
was after the close of the Revolutionary , 
war with Great Britian. By the condi- 
tions of the Jay treaty, he was legally en- 
titled to his freedom; but his enemies by 
legal technicalities, various pretexts and 
false swearing, continued his confinement 
and declared he should rot in jail. 

Though he was a man of fine presence 
and great personal beauty, as we learn 
from a well preserved painting of him, 
and of rare mental cultivation for the 
times in which he lived , misfortune was 
so constantly bis attendant he bad but lit- 
tle from this world, for which to be thank- 
ful, 

“Life had no more to bring to him 
Than mockery of the past alone. 1 ' 

From his monument at the East village 
cemetery, we copy the following words: 
“Nature was his preceptor, philosophy 
His mistress, and astronomy his prompter, I 
Disappointment ever succeeded his best ' 
Endeavors; lie deserved better— 
Ingratitude was the reward of 
His labors, 

Peace to his ashes.” 

Dr. Samuel Stearns, while in the prac- 
tice of medicine in New York, calculated 
and published the first “Nautical Alma- 
nac” published in America. He was 
the author of “The American Herbal, or 
Materia Medina/’ published in 1801. The 
work was printed at Walpole, N. H, ( for 
Thomas & Thomas and the author* 



dollars. He died before completing the 
enterprise. Upon the list of subscribers 
for this work we find the names of Dr, 
Benjamin Rush, of Philadelphia, Gen, 
George Washington, and other names of 
the most noted men of the age in this 
country, 

ATAJ. STEF If EN G HE ESS LEAF 

Who held the office of town clerk from 
1799 to 1844 was by trade a carpenter, 
We who have only seen him laic in the 
afternoon of life* a tottering, feeble old 
man, find It hard to realize how athletic 
and fearless he was in the prime of life. 
We have been told by an eye witness of 
the feat* Mr, Greenleaf, after raising a 
large building, stood upon his head on the 
ridgepole of the building. 

V haiever he attempted was w r ell per- 
formed and as a workman and a citizen no 
fairer name is on the list of Bratlloboro 
mechanics, If is penmanship in the old 
town books, for its uniformity and perfec- 
tion* is the admiration of everyone who 
has examined it. Each letter and word is 
made in full, giving so perfect exactness 
no one can mistake it. 

The example he has left us is a mouu- 
mcntal rebuke— 45 years in building— to 
men of learning, to legal gentlemen who 
use their pens, as Tal levy and said some men 
did their longues, “ to conceal rather than 
to express their meaning," In 1834 he 
w ro tc sever all o tig , hi gbl y i n tore s ti n g le t- 
tei's to his friends, that were published iu 
the PJumti', not long since* respecting the 
past and present of Brattle boro* and he 
also furnished that b rie f tho ugh able 
sketch of this town iu <f Thompson's Histor- 
ical Gazetteer of Vermont/ 1 published in 
1S4G, 

Mr. Green leaf enjoyed the study of 
mathematics and ofteu assisted others in 
that department of knowledge. 

Only 13 years of age when he came here 
with his father in 1771, with no educational 



Upon the list of subscribers are 47 names, 
comprising the most prominent citizens of 
that time in Brattle boro. He obtained 
many subsc l ibers for a “ Medical Dispen- 
satory.” upon which he labored 2S years. 
To obtain information for this work, of 
two volumes contain mg GOO pages each, he 
traveled U years in Europe and in this 
country, at an expense of several thousand 



advantages and few books worth mention- 
ing, what superior native resources must 
have been concealed under that modest, 
unassuming exterior, so faithfully shown 
in a painting of him, which, to the honor 
of Brattleboro, now hangs in the town 
ball. 

From Mrs* Ellis, now (i860) 80 years of 
age t and the only child of Maj, Green leaf 



BRATTLEBORO. 



67 



now living, we learn that her f at her edu- 
cat eel himself, long winter evenings, by 
light from the kitchen tire place, To get 
full advantage of the light, he extended 
him self horizontally upon the floor where 
he worked upon mathematical problems, 
practised penmanship, read the few hooks 
he could obtain, and thus laid the founda- 
tion of such a character for ability and 
virtue as won the well-deserved respect, 
love and confidence of three generations, 
then calmly and peacefully died in 1850, 
aged 93 years. 

From our earliest recollections, we have 
heard much said in commendation of Maj 
Green leaf, hut feel incompetent to do jus- 
tice to his memory, or And language to 
express our admiration of his long, faith- 
ful, beautiful life. One who knew him 
well, has said of him: “Surely, two such 
man in Sodom would have been sufficient 
Lo have saved that wicked city. 1 ' 

Among our undent worthies of the 
buried past, there were those of his cotem- 
poraries who surpassed him in menial 
attainments, brilliancy of the imagination, 
business faculties or abilities to grasp the 
prizes in Lhis intense never-ceasing life 
struggle going on about us, but as the 
Crea to r's m ast e rpiece, 1 ‘ an li o n est ma n , 1 1 
no one was his superior. 

HATES FAMILY, 

BY W, 11. BIGELOW, QF OUTCAOO. 

In February, 177$, there came to Brat- 
Llebovo. from New Haven, Cl, a young 
mau f just of age, a blacksmith by trade. 
The few settlers, wishing such a workman 
to locate among them, made a bee, shoveled 
away die deep snow, helped to build a 
shop, and in less than a month he was at 
work with his tools. Great results flowed 
from this hasty settlement of the young 
man — Rutherford Hayes* 

We trace his ancestors back to George 
Hayes, who came from Scotland and was 
living in Windsor, Gt., in 1683, and sub- 
sequently iu Granby, CL His grand father* 
Darnel Hayes, weis, in 1703, taken captive 
by the Indians, carried Lo Canada, and 
was kept a prisoner about o years. His 
mother was Rebecca Russel, great grand- 
daughter of Rev John Russell, who Jived 
in Hadley, Mass., where he concealed the 
Regicides for many years. 

Rutherford Hayes was horn in Brand - 



I ford, Cl, July 29. 1756, removed to New 
Haven with Ids falher, Ezekiel Hayes, in 
1773. In his new home, now the West 
village, he for many years worked at his 
trade, which he called a “ dirty, black 
1 business, but it brought lokite money." 

For some time he kept a L&veni, joining 
farming with it, and during his passing 
| old age be was a farmer in easy circum- 
stances, As lo his characteristics, he is 
described as a “round* corpulent, old gen- 
tleman, with an elastic, square step, 
medium height, with florid complexion, 
sandy hair, a cheerful temper, and friendly, 
courteous manners/ 1 Capt- Dudley, now 
living, in his 82d year, an intelligent old 
gentleman of many interesting memories, 
recalls his hale, hearty laugh, accompanied 
usually with a noted rubbing of his hands, 
in the enjoyment of jokes and stories. Of 
him, one who remembers him well, says: 
H1 He was an honest, kindly, religions man* 
and may well be regarded by his descend- 
ants as a model” After lie was se veiny he 
became a total abstinence man, “ fearing," 

, lie said, “ that his example would be quoted 
| against the cause of temperance.* 4 He 
I died Sept. 25, 183d. 

His wife, Ghloe Smith, born Nov. 10, 
1762, in Hadley, Mass., moved with her 
parents u> Brattle boro when young, and 

• was married < 1 780) in her seventeenth year. 

, She matured into a noble, Christian lady, 

* She was noted as a wonderful worker, and 
1 of great force of will. On a certain occa 

i sion she waited upon guests at a country 
ball, in their tavern, all night, and started 
in the morning on horseback for a visit to 
| Bai abridge* N. Y* She made the journey 
with her husband, 200 mtles or more, and 
I back in health and strength* She is re* 

I membered by her descendants with affeC- 
1 tiouate admiration. She died Feb. 17, 
1847. They had three sons and six 
daughters, whom they lived to see in posi- 
tions of honor and usefulness. 

DEA. KL'SSELL HAYES, 

The oldest of the sons, born Hay 81, 1784, 
passed a life of valuable usefulness on the 
old homestead in West Bmtflehoro. devot- 
ing his energies and his love to the academy 
and the church, .and smoothing tenderly 
the declining years of his aged parents. 
He was a Christian of equable temper, a 
man of excellent judgment, and a neighbor 
I highly esteemed. He died -July 38, 1856* 



. VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



6$ 



RUTHERFORD HAYES, JR., 

Born Jan. 4, 1787, early entered the mer- 
cantile business iind accumulated, for those 
times, a competent fortune. He was a 
nmn of honor and commanded universal 
respect. He was a Presbyterian, in 1817, 
he removed with his family to Delaware, 
O., a journey of 40 days, but only lived 
about 5 years, dying in 1822. After his 
death was born his son, 

RUTHERFORD B, HAYES, 

Who, uowin middle life, bears well-earned 
military and political honors. He grad- 
uated with the class of 1842, from Kenyon 
College, Ohio, studied law and practiced 
it successfully in Cincinnati, 0 M up to the 
opening of the War of the Rebellion, 
when, in 1801, he entered the army; was 
promoted repeatedly, and in 1804, was pro- 
moted from colonel to brigadier-general for 
“gallantry in the battles of Winchester, 
Pisher's Ilill and Cedar Creek,” and at the 
close of the war io that, of brevet major 
general. He was elected to Congress in 
1864, from Cincinnati, and re-elected in 
1866; was elected governor of Ohio in 
1867, and re-elected in 1869. He declined 
to receive a nomination for a third term, 
and retired to private life, returning to the 
practice of law. He received the degree 
of LL. D., in 1868, from Kenyon College. 

I Written in 1870, previous to his elec- 
tion to the presidency. — E d.] 

WILLIAM It. HAYES, 

The third son of Rutherford Hayes, Sen., 
was born Dec. 6, 1804, prepared for col- 
lege under the instruction of Rev. Mr. 
Hallock, and graduated at Yale in the year 
1825. He took a high stand in his class. 
Closing the three years of his legal pre- 
paratory studies at the law school in New 
Haven, under the care of Judge Dagget, 
he was admitted to the bar, and opened an 
office in East Bratlleboro, Vt. , in 1828; 
was married to Miss Trowbridge, of New 
Haven, in October, 1880. He is said to 
have had a fine voice, and to have been a 
successful pleader. In his will he left 
$1,000 for the academy at West Brattle- 
boro. 

Pic, with two other professional men, 
his daity associates, Mr. Elliot, of his own 
profession, and Dr. Dickeruian, were 
among the subjects of the revival of 1882. 
He became thereafter an earnest, active 



Christian, and was restrained from prepar- 
; ing himself for the gospel ministry by 
failing health. Skillful physicians advised 
him to seek a milder climate. In 1836, he 
I relinquished the practice of law. and 
' moved to Barba does in the West Indies. 
His health was gradually restored, and he 
then spent the rest of his life engaged in 
prosperous mercantile pursuits, and in dis- 
charging the duties of U. S. Consul for the 
Island of Barbadoes. He engaged himself 
heartily in the support of temperance and 
in the abolition of slavery. Pie orgauized 
societies in his new home, and wrote and 
labored successfully for the promotion of 
these reforms. 



i 






i 



Quoting from Dr. Bacon, of New Haven, 
“ He was known and honored there and 
at home as a business man of eminent 
skill, courtesy and probity, and a Christian 
gentleman, ready for every good word and 
work.” 

His life was suddenly terminated hv a 
malignant erysipelas July 13, 1852. 

Of the daughters of Rutherford Hayes, 
Sen,, the oldest one, Polly, married Mr. 
John Noyes, who became a man of note. 
He graduated at Yale College in the class 
of 1779, taught in Chesterfield Academy, 
N. IP., preached the gospel, became a 
merchant, and represented the southern 
district of Vermont in Congress. They 
were the grand parents of Larkin G. Mead, 
the sculptor. 

Belinda married the Hon, Samuel Elliot, 
of Brattleboro. Clarissa married Ayer 
Moody, a graduate of Dartmouth College, 
a man of influence. She is one of the 
only two members of the family now liv- 
ing, being in hev 80th year, ripening into 
a gentle and beautiful old age in Dela- 
ware, Ohio. 

Sarah, now (1870.) living in Chesterfield, 
Mass., married Dyer Bancroft, a graduate 
of Williams College. He practiced law 
many years in Chesterfield. Mass. 



1102*. LEMUEL WHITNEY, 

Oue of the leading men of his time, in this 
town, was by trade a silversmith. He 
was born in Petersham, Mass., in 1764, 
and came to Vermont in 1785. The first 
years of his residence in this State were 
passed at Newfane, where he held the 
office of sheriff. 

It was the duty of that officer to execute 



BR ATTLEBORO. 



G9 



the law which made it discretionary with 
the Judge of the County Court how many 
hashes should lie applied lo the naked skin 
of the eon vie ted transgressor of Vermont 
laws. Another barbarous act required of 
the sheriff, was to brand some culprits with 
a hot iron, sometimes the letier R upon 
the hand or forehead, lo signify rogue, i 
Once during his term of office* ns lie in I 
formed us* he was ordered by the conn lo 
whip a woman, at the public whipping- 
post, for passing counterfeit money. The 
shoulders and upper part of her person 
was completely stripped of clothing, that ; 
the naked skin might he exposed lo the 1 
lash. Under this severe trial of his gal- 
lantry the lashes, especially two o)rl of 
three, fell so lightly, she could be hardly 
conscious of receiving any, but the third 
lash, (hat being a gentle reminder that 
women were, by law, entitled to "their 
thirds. "* 

He removed from New fane Hill to Brat- 
tldboro East village in 1790, occupying, 
at lii-st p a low, nn finished house, which 
stood where now (18(>9) s Lands the Revere 
House on 3 fain street, The next year he 
bought about an acre of land in the north 1 
part of Main street, and built & small 
house containing but two rooms, where 
now stands the elegant mansion of Oil as, 
F. Thompson, Esq, Altera lions and ad- 
ditions upon Ins house were made at 
times, until his place was at one time con- 
sidered the most desirable one in this 
village . Here he lived nearly GO years, 
and died April 4, 1847* 

He was town representative 10 years; 
from 1801 to ’34, clerk of the supreme | 
court: 1SU1 to '30, clerk of the county; 
1817 to ‘38, judge of probate; 179 U to 
1847, justice of the peace. 

From personal observation, during the 
last 18 years of his life, we noticed as a 
utilitarian or economist he was a worthy 
disciple of Benjamin Franklin; retentive 
in memory, frank, free and fearless in the 
expression of his sentiments, of prompt 
ness and fidelity to his engagements, 
pa trio lie, hut decidedly opposed to 
wasting powder in tiring guns on Ihe 
Fourth of July. In theology a Unita- 
rian; in politics, a whig to the back bone, | 
jmd a warm admirer of Henry Clay. 

He was, as compared with most men, . 



of gigantic stature, and his dignified 
presence, with a good understanding of 
parliamentary rules, well qualified him to 
preside at public meetings. 

It is with pleasure we recall that sunny 
day of his Eong life among us, in the 
summer of 1840, when the oak grove in 
the rear of Col. Joseph Goodhue's resi- 
dence was honored by the presence of 
Daniel Webster, who there gave a short 
address to the people of this place. The 
long cavalcade of citizens for escort 
duty, the expression upon each face, the 
elastic step of youth and age, with other 
Indications, told us Brattle boro was proud 
that day. 

Hope for a season bade the wJiigs fare- 
well, for, since Ihe election of John Q. 
Adams, in 1834, they had, up to this Lime, 
been unsuccessful in every presidential 
contest. 

The great political revival of this year 
was of such a character as heralded suc- 
cess. The political prospect not only 
gave great pleasure to our venerable 
friend, but also to a large majority of the 
people in this town* All Seemed to ap- 
preciate Hie privilege of seeing ibis oracle 
of the party, whose fame had gone around 
I be globe, —that great Daniel, who, on 
the floor of Congress, had shut the lion's 
mouth fiSil was about to close upon the 
blood ’bought constitution of 1787, 

Of all the men that we saw standing 
there to gruel ihe nation's orator, none 
did so impress us as the venerable judge 
with silvered hair. The companions of 
his early life, with two generations, he 
had seen pass on to the silent land, leaving 
him to experience 

“The worst of woes that wait on age. 

To view rath 1ovr<I one Wotted from life's page. ' 

But youth or early manhood could show 
no greater interest in the events of the 
day. 

When Mr. Webster was seated upon 
the platform erected in the grove. Judge 
Whitney instantly threw off his hat, and 
renewed vigor came to that time-worn 
frame and face, as, with clear, un trembling 
voice, he loudly exclaimed: “Ladies and 
Gentte/nen : The Defender of ihe Constitu- 
tion, '* 

It was enough. Surely nothing could 
be said more Siting the occasion. As 



TO 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



died away tbe cheers of the multitude, 
the sound of cannon and strains uf music, 
we felt, though all these demonstrations 
might he proper from our citizens iu 
deference to tins distinguished visitor* 
Judge Whitney, in the use of those last 
five words, had paid Mr* WebsLer the 
highest compliment of them ail. 

REV. ALONZO CHURCH, D. D. , 

was born in the town oJt West Brattle boro* 
April D, 1708. fie was sou of one and 
grandson of another* who, in the war of 
the Revolution, had done the Stale service. 
His boyhood and youth were spent upon a 
small farm, which his father had settled 
at the close of the wav, and where he 
learned those lessons of self denial and 
acquired that stern integrity which served 
in after life to render him eminently use- 
ful. His active mind could not long 
brook the monotony of a fanner’s life; 
at an early age lie entered Middle bury 
college, supporting himself during his 
college course by teaching in the winter. 

He graduated in the class of and soon 

after receiving his degree his health fail- 
ing, he emigrated to Georgia, 

A stranger in a distant state, the singular 
purity of his life and his earnest devotion 
to his chosen profession, soon gained for 
him the esteem and affection of those 
among whom he had cast, his lot. 

Tbe classical school which, as early as 
1818, he established in Putnam* soon be- 
came famous, and pupils were attached to 
it from all the adjoining counties of the 
State, His fame as a teacher was estab- 
lished on a firm basis before be had 
reached mature manhood. In a country 
which at the time was the outpost of civ- | 
ilimtion, unaided and alone, he built up 
and maintained *a school of which older 
states might have been proud; began that 
labor iu the cause of education, which 
ended only with his long life. 

Married at an early age to a fair pupil— 
both sexes were under Ids tuition— he I 
identified himself at once with the people | 
of his adopted State, 

Sincerely pious from his boyhood, he 
allied himself with the Presbyterian 
church, and soon after In's arrival iu 
Georgia was ordained a minister of that 
denomination. Deriving from Ids profes- 
sion an income sufficient for Ids modest I 



wants, he devoted himself to the ministry 
without salary, supplying the pulpit of 
those poor churches whose members were 
tumble to provide themselves with a pastor. 
His labors as a preacher were not less 
earnest than as a teacher, and his success 
was best attested by the devotion shown 
I him by his humble congregation. 

He did not, however, remain long in a 
subordinate position. His talents and zeal 
and the skill and prudence he manifested 
in teaching and in the control and man* 
ugenienl of youth, soon made him widely- 
known, and in the year 181 fi, he was 
elected professor of mathematics and 
astronomy in Franklin college, an insd bu- 
tton which had been endowed by the State 
of Georgia as early os 178b. This necessi- 
tated a change of residence — the Iasi he 
ever made, For more than forty years he 
lived in the town of Athens, among the 
foothills of the Allcglianies, and there be- 
side the Oconee sleeps bis last sleep. 

For ten years the young professor filled 
his post so acceptably that at the expira- 
tion of that time, upon the resignation of 
Dr. Waddell, the president of the college, 
lie was unanimously chosen his successor, 
which position he filled for thirty years, 
and finally, when broken by the long labor 
of life, he resigned to other hands Uis 
post of honor and of toil. 

The regret and affection of all went 
with the faithful teacher to the modest 
| home which he lmd prepared for his old 
age, near the town which Imd so long 
known him as its alt I est , pu rest a n d most 
influential citizen, and his best eulogy is 
to be found in the devotion which wen 
now his former pupils show for the mem- 
ory of their teacher. 

Among those who received at his hands 
instruction are many of Georgia’s most 
‘ distinguished sons. Two of lus pupils 
are now United States Senators, A. H. 
Stevens was among his scholars* and dur- 
ing his collegiate career was an inmate of 
his family. Numbers of Georgia's best 
and oldest men have acknowledged their 
indebtedness to the wise and good mail 
w ho directed their education. He tva? the 
friend and associate of Crawford and 
Bowen, of Calhoun and Preston and Me 
Duffle, and, although his pursuits were 
different, he was a peer among them. 

The fitness of the man for an instructor 



B R ATT LEE 0 RO . 



1 



of the young was acknowledged by all 
who knew him. While courteous and 
kind to such a degree ns justly to entitle 
him to the a p pel lut I mi given him, 41 the 
Chesterfield of Georgia/* upon occasion lie 
could be firm and decided. 

His sense of justice was so strong that 
he was never accused of partial or preju- 
diced action. 

In his intercourse with others he was 
ever kind, while his charity covered the 
follies of youth with its mantle; and, best 
of all, be was Imbued with the spirit of a 
pure, e&rac&l and consistent Christian. 
With an intuitive knowledge of his pecu- 
liar fitness for the work, he adopted teach- 
ing as his profession, and for more than 
forty years he devoted his life and 
energies to that pursuit. 

He loved with the attachments and 
strength of his manhood the home and 
state of Ins adoption, but never ceased to 
remember the land of his nativity. In 
the sunny clime which he chose for his 
life-long home, his heart turned often to 
the green hills among which his boyhood 
was spent, and the friends of bis youth 
were never forgotten. 

His Alma Muter conferred upon him the 
degree of Doctor of Divinity, and, though 
there may on its alumni be names more 
widely known lo fame, there is not one 
whose life has reflected more honor upon 
her teaching. 

To him Georgia owes a debt of grati- 
tude, To him more than to any other Is 
due the Intellectual developemenr of her 
citizens and the silent influence of his 
teaching. 

Dr. Church died May 18, 1802, aged G9. 

Vermont may proudly claim him as one 
of her purest and noblest sons. 

{FttniUheti b*j a Dticmdw Jj „ Wm< H&wy WdJh, of 

THE REV. WILhIAM WELLS, D* 

The Rev. Win, Wells, D. D., first min- 
ister of the church of the East Village of 
Brattleboro, was burn t n Biggleswade in 
Bedfordshire, England, In 1744. He was 
the only son of Hie hal'd Wells, who was 
also the only son of Richard Wells. His 
father and mother both dying in his child- 
hood, he was brought up by his uncle, 
Ebenezer Oasberson, as his own son. 

His thoughts were early turned to the 
ministry, for which he was prepared in the 



Dissenting college at Da vent ry, and he 
was encouraged and assisted in bis p im- 
pose by John Howard, the celebrated phi- 
lanthropist, an intimate acquaintance of 
his uncle Ebenezer, after whom he named 
one of Ids sous, long a resident of this 
town. Another sou was named after 
Howard. 

In the year 1770, he was invited to preach 
at Bromsgrove, where he was afterward 
settled as a minister of a Dissenting con- 
gregation, n ministry in which he contin- 
ued to officiate during his residence in 
England, 

In January, 1771, he married Jane Han 
cox, daughter of the Rev. James Hancox of 
the neigh bo ring town of Dudley, who pos- 
sessed what was considered at that time a 
handsome fortune. Mr. Hancox had been 
destined to be a clergyman of the Estab- 
lished church, and to hold the living of 
K i dtler min stei\ wki eh was in tl ic gi f t of h i s 
grandfather. Even as a boy, however* he 
had formed opinions in favor of non-con- 
formity, and finally declined to accept the 
living (of £800 a year), although his grand- 
fat her declared his intention of disinherit- 
ing him iu such a case, of his claims as 
eldest sou, a threat which he carried out 
for a time, but relented in his last illness, 
Mr. Hancox was admired for his power of 
i pathos in the pulpit, but was in the habit 
of saying lie should do injustice to his 
people if, while he attempted to move 
their passions, he neglected to inform their 
minds. He appeals to have been, as one 
might expect, a champion of freedom, 
whom anything like the appearance of 
oppression roused to a noble wrath, 

A letter is extant from a friend of the 
lady, a clergyman, from which we take an 
example of letter writing a century ago: 

1 1 1 acknowledge i was not quite ignor- 
ant of Mr, Wells's attachment before I 
received your favor, and I am confident it 
Is as strong as it Is reasonable. Ido not 
wonder that a man of bis taste should 
soon be convinced that the half had not 
been told him. Kindred minds soon at- 
tract each other, and we who know both 
have often thought and said that if any 
two minds were east in the same mold 
they were yours and his. And really, my 
I dear Miss Jane* as to Mr. Wells, mere 
justice obliges me to say that I never 
I knew a man better formed by nature and 



72 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



grace for being happy and making others 
so who are most nearly connected with 
him. ERs natural temper is excellent, 
sedate and even, always easy and cheerful* 
inclined to think well of and he pleased 
with everybody and everything that is 
tolerable, obliging, tender and affectionate, 
yet active, manly and prudent, remark- 
ably free from caprice and affectation and 
every turbulent passion. 

And to these human attributes, valuable 
as they are, divine grace has added, what 
you still more highly prise, a rational and 
wa rm piety. This, you will tin nk, h i 
Saying a great deal; but really, Miss Jane, 

I cannot in conscience say less. This is 
the light in which his character appears to 
me. This is the character his tutor and j 
Ins most intimate friends universally give 
hmi,' T * * * 

In the summer or fad of 1782, as we 
learn from a memoir written by ids son . 
llnacox, a companion of his voyage, Mr. 1 
Wells determined to remove with his 
family to the United States; before leaving 
England, he made up Ins mind that he 
would not take his family to a slave state, 
and would not establish himself in the 
wilderness. For many years lie had taken 
a warm interest in rhe country, and dur- 
ing the Revolutionary war he was decided- 
ly on the side of the colonies. The state 
of the political world in I7f>2 was gloomy. 
The French Revolution caused fear and 
great excitement in England. The Bir- 
mingham riots took place in the summer 
of 1701. Several dissenting meeting- 
houses and a number of houses belonging 
to opulent dissenters were destroyed and 
openly plundered by a brutal mob, and all 
this was done with the almost open ap- 
proval of the High Church party. The 
watch- word of the mob was "Church and 
King/' and the dissenters felt that they 
were frowned on by the government, and 
not protected as they ought to have been 
by the civil authorities, against a mob 
who were too ready to suppose that their 
excesses were, to a certain extent, at least, 
agreeable to their superiors. 

Birmingham was only thirteen miles 
from my father's house at Bowcuhuaih, 
his meeting-house was at Bromsgrove, two 
miles off. The destruction of the meeting- 
house was openly threatened. He feared 
at one lime that his house was in danger, 



and he removed some of his most valuable 
goods. All sorts of absurd reports were 
circulated respecting the dissenters. Men 
of the most blameless and benevolent 
characters were suspected of forming 
secretly the most wicked and despicable 
conspiracies. These were some of (he 
circumstances that determined my father 
to quit his native country and remove to 
the United States. 

In addition to wliat is said above of Dr. 
Wells’s attitude during the Revolutionary 
war hihI his life as an English dissenting 
minister, we quote from a sketch of his 
life written by his son, William Wells, 
Esq-. for Dr, Sprague's Annals of the 
American Pulpit, VoL viii* p. 257. 

"At tlie commencement of the move- 
ments which preceded the American Rev- 
olution, he took a strong interest in favor 
of the colonies. He exerted himself, with 
Dr. Price, Dr. Wren of Portsmouth, &c., 
in collecting subscriptions for the relief of 
the American prisoners. When Mr, Lau- 
rens, upon Ms liberation from the Tower, 
passed through Bromsgrove, on his way 
to Bristol, lie inquired for Mr. Wells, 
stating that he wished to return his own 
and his country's thanks to him for this 
service. 

My fathers health bad been affected by 
Ids residence ill the town, and lie removed 
to a hamlet distant about two miles, where 
he cultivated a small farm. This was an 
occupation which he well understood, and 
in which he much delighted. He hud In 
his house several boys from respectable 
dissenting families, some of whom be- 
came attacked friends. 

Notwithstanding these laborious avoca- 
tions, no one thought his people or study 
neglected. He commonly rose ni 4 o'clock, 
and la the tardy mornings of mi English 
i winter his candle might be seen three 
hours before daylight. At the academy 
and Id early life, be was ft hard student, 
and, though he never claimed the repuhi- 
I, tion of a learned man, he had read much 
and carefully. I cannot be mistaken when 
1 state that at that time the education of 
dissenting ministers, under Dr. Doddridge 
and others, his contemporaries and suc- 
cessors, was far superior to that common- 
ly acquired ill the universities. 

My father was always a student. He 
' had io England a very good library* and 



BE ATTLEBORO, 



73 



to the latest period 1 * of his life his study 
was his resort when leisure allowed* 

His memory was tenacious. He was 
well acquainted with ecclesiastical history, 
that of the Reformation, and especially of 
the Puritans and Dissenters. He had In 
his library many of rhofocst writers belong* 
log to the established church, Burnet, 
Tillotsou and Clarke were his favorites. 
N o man was less of a bigot, but the idea 
of submission to articles of faith lie never 
could endure,'' 

During die ravages of the small- pox. 
contrary to the prevailing popular preju- 
dice, he inoculated his children. The 
operation succeeding he was beset with 
requests to inoculate others, which he 
complied with as respects some of his 
poor neighbors, who could not afford to 
pay doctors 1 bills. He carried through the 
disease 1300 persons, a work which occu- 
pied much of his lime during two years. 
An eminent physician at Worcester, with 
whom he was intimate, used to call him 
in jest 11 Brother Doctor,’ 1 

At the time of the Birmingham riots, 
and the destruction of Dr, Priestley’s 
church and residence, Mr. Wells’s house 
and church were also threatened, and this 
persecution decided him to emigrate to 
America* 

In January, 171)3, he wrote to his son: 

** We design to land at or near Boston, 
and whore we shall pitch our tout It is hard 
to say. 3 * * X have, a& may foe supposed, 

a good opinion of America, foul ye l my 
expectations sire not raised unreasonably 
high, t know* like every other land in 
this world, it must be subject to affliction, 
disappointment, pain and death. But lei 
it be remembered, also, Unit there is ihe 
same kind Providence to attend us there 
as here, and as to government, liberty and 
the prospect of getting a comfortable live- 
lihood. I think the advantage lies on the 
other side of the Atlantic.” 

Dr, Wells set sail from Bristol May 8. 
170*,— the ship in which he sailed being 
towed down the Avon by several boats to 
gei h through at high water* — and after a 
passage of 32 days cast anchor in Boston 
harbor. 

Eight children came over with their 
parents, William and Jane Wells, among 
whom may be mentioned William, his 
eldest sou, who spent two years al Har- 



vard college, where he was afterward 
tutor* and subsequently the head of the 
publishing house of Wells & Lilly, lu Bos- 
ton.— among the publications of which 
house may be mentioned Griesbach’s New 
Testament in Greek, at the time an extra- 
ordinary enterprise for America, and which 
was revised and carried through the press 
by Mr. Wells's own supervision; James 
Hancox, long a successful merchant 
in Hartford i and Efoeueitcr Castereon, 
who married Mary Chester of Weth- 
ersfield, continued to reside in Bra tile boro 
from bis coming over with l lie family in 
171)3. al the age of sixteen, until his death 

7 #50, J A cfrirt-vrsmVy vsCeeiJieu! as 

a man of modest* straight -for ward and 
generous character, and was \ w tee the rep- 
resentative of i foe town in the State Legis- 
lature. 

It is remarkable that Ihese eight children 
were all living in 1884, 41 years after the 
voyage (the first death was that of his 
youngest son, John Howard, in 1844. aged 
GO), null met to welcome their oldest sister, 
Mrs, Martha Fie me, when, after marriage 
and widowhood in England, she returned, 
shortly after the death of her father, to 
settle in Brit ttl chore. The remarkable 
character of ibis lady, the generous hospi- 
tably which her means enabled her to 
exercise, and her tragic end, when the 
mansion house in which she lived, and 
which had been her father's he fore her, 
was destroyed by fire in May* 1849* are 
still well remembered in the town. 

Dr. Wells had for a long time taken 
great interest in the hlstoiy of Now En- 
gland* and had corresponded on that sub- 
ject with the Kev. Dr, Morse of Charles- 
town, historian mid geographer, and father 
of the inventor of the telegraph. After 
visiting Dr. Morse for a few days, 1m went 
to n home which the former had taken for 
him in Medford, With Ids eldest son, 
William, lie made a carriage lour through 
Connecticut to the Hudson and Mohawk 
valleys. u> inspect his adopted country, 
and went as far as the Whitestown coun- 
try, now called Clinton* where he made a 
stay with Rev. Samuel Kirkland, mission- 
ary to the Indians, and father of John 
Thornton Kirkland, afterward President 
of Harvard college* 

The next year he purchased a farm of 
100 acres in Brattlefooro* to which he re- 



74 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



moved Ms family by sleighing. He wished 
to settle where he could occupy a farm 
and he useful in preach ing. In Brattle- 
boro he found both. 

For some time the family felt severely 
the difficulties and discouragements of 
th ci r sit uati on . He w as i u vi ted t o become 
the pastor of the society, but declined, 
feeling that he would be more indepen- 
dent as a preacher than if he were formal- 
ly settled, IIe f however, acted as minister, 
and accepter! the remuneration voted him 
by the town, by which he was annually 
chosen for about 20 years. 

At that time the character of the popu- 
lation was extremely mixed, and the tone 
of manners rough (notwithstanding the 
presence of some educated and elegant 
families), and the moral and religious 
character of the people as a whole much 
below that which he had left in England. 

When he first, preached, the young men 
of the village were accustomed to pass the 
hour of service in amusing themselves 
under the trees, while the young women 
would wander from pew to pew during 
the exercises. Dr. Wells made no com- 
ment whatever cm these liberties, but went 
on hi his duties with the courtesy that was 
characteristic of him. In three years time 
the congregation had become remarkable 
for order and attention. The misrepresen- 
tation and prejudice which he encountered 
be overcame by quiet wisdom and by the 
influence of a pure life. Hi a salary, which 
was never reg n la r ly p ai d , was £ 80 (a b on t 
$260) of continental currency. 

After this time, he sent in his resigna- 
tion, and the East village people, who had 
always been his host parishioner, built for 
him the first meeting-house in that village, 
where he preached for some years. He 
went to England on a visit in 1818. and 
while abroad received very unexpectedly 
the degree of Doctor of Divinity from 
Harvard university. 

Dr. Wells, although the Least controver- 
sial of men, was affected by the Unitarian 
controversy, which began with an article 
in the " Pa nop list” in 1815,— a popular 
periodical of the Calvin istic sect which 
article was answered by Dr. Charming, 

Suspicions of his theological soundness 
were entertained by the neighboring 
clergy. He thought- proper to deliver an 



address to his people, on the Sabbath of 
the first communion, in the new meeting- 
house at the East village, in which be do- 
dared his sent [meats and opinions in 
regard to doctrines. His address was 
highly satisfactory to his people. 

During his absence in England, how- 
over, in consequence of intrigues arising 
from these doctrinal dispute*, Dr, Wells 
having left Ids parish free to choose anoth- 
er minister, a young man was settled in 
h is stead by the agency of some managing 
persons. Dr. Wells, by the exercise of 
great, prudence and Christian charity, 
checked those who were disposed to be 
indignant on his account, and filled the 
pulpit without remuneration during the 
illness of bis successor, continuing to the 
end of bis life in peace and friendship 
with his people. His own religious opin- 
ions were what are called Arlan, but he 
considered all doctrinal differences of 
trifling consequence in comparison with 
purity of life. 

An admirable anecdote is told of this 
indifference to theological speculations in 
' f S pi agu e s A im al s" : 

“In t ! iosc days . w hen e ve ry n muster 1 s 
bouse wns regarded as an inn or- refectory 
by every other minister, whether known 
or unknown, who wanted rest or refresh- 
ment, a young man called upon him and, 
soon after the introduction, a dialogue 
ensued much like Lhc following: 

Stranger — -"Are there any heresies among 
you ?" 

Dr W. — < H 1 know not whether I under- 
stand the drift of your question, 1 ' 

Stranger— “I wish to inquire, Sir, wheth- 
er there be any Armenians, Sociuinus. or 
Uaivem lists among you?” 

Dr. W.— ,J Oh, Sir, there arc worse here- 
tics than any of these.” 

Stranger— ' r My dear Sir. what can he 
worse?" 

Dr. W.— ,£ Why, there arc some who 
1 get drunk, and some who quarrel with 
their families, or their neighbors, and 
some who will not pay their debts when 
they might do it, and some who are very 
pro fat ic. Such men 1 think far worse 
heretics than those for whom you in- 
quire.” 

Dr. Wells is described by all who have 
scon him as of a very noble person, unit- 



BRATTLEBORO. 



75 



tug dignity and sweetness in a remarkable 
degree. He was 0 feet in height, well 
made auct very erect. He is the subject of 
one of Stewards finest. portraits, — present- 
ing a countenance of such benevolent 
radiance as not to he easily forgotten. He 
commonly wore a black velvet cap over 
his flowing white locks, which gave him a 
priestly and patriarchal appearance. 

While lie was visiting England, ii w m 
currently reported among Lbe populace, 
anxious in respect to Catholic aggressions, 
that the JPope of Rome was making a 
journey through Great Britain. Children 
who saw him for live first time, even 
babies, would manifest a desire to sit on 
his knee, and the elder ones would sit to 
look at and listen to him. This regard of 
children he valued highly. 

Even at the age of SO years he would 
read for two hours in the evening, holding 
his lump. His temper, though ardent by 
nature, wa& chastened by gravity and 
seriousness; and he is described as abound- 
ing m the thoughts which might serve to 
mitigate trouble, and as having an especial 
faculty in prayer. He died m peace of 



of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ. 

The daily beauty and moral elevation of 
3 1 i s ch a ra cter we re o f no u rse mo re pec u 1 i a r- 
ly obvious to his family, his intimate 
friends, ami the circle of his neighborhood. 
But he had a name and a praise in many 
i of the congregations on both sides of the 
Atlantic, To the church he was a shining 
1 light, and to the world a bright example. 

I It is known that many able and candid 
, men of different denominations regarded 
him as combining, with a degree very un- 
usual in this Jate age of the world, the 
primitive simplicity of Lbe patriarchal, 
with the paternal simplicity of the apos- 
tolic character. ” 

DEDICATION. 

TO JOSEPH STEEN, ESQ. . 

THE ELDEST WAT! YE CITIES (1878) OF THE 
MOST IMPORTANT AND POPULOUS LOCAL- 
ITY LX THE TOWN OF Eli ATTLEBORO— 
the East Village — where, 154 tears 
AGO, WAS MADE THE FIRST FOOT- PRINT 

of Anglo Baton civilikateon' in the 
State of V eruont. 



mind, Dec. fl, 1827. 

[ From the ObUiu.inj Notice, written by Eon. James 
EUioh in the Brattteb&ro Memm/er, Dec. 14, im ] 
li Although Ins mind was stored with 
those rich treasures of theological informa- 
tion which are the products of a long mid 
studious life, he had none of the pride or 
pomp of education: and, although he was 
blessed with ample powers of argument, 
he did not feel ir his duty to expatiate iu 
the thorny tracts of controversy, believing 
that he could better serve the great cause 
of truth and piety by preaching Christ 
and Him crucified, by plain and practical 
illustrations of the pure morality and per- 
fect purity of the Christian system. Su* 
tabling through life the reputation of 
liberal principles and comprehensive views, 
he was not understood to adopt, in all their 
amplitude, the peculiar doctrines of any 
of the contending sects that occupy the 
extreme points of the vast field of relig- 
ious contemplation, While bis capacious 
mind embraced in its benevolent wishes, 
and in its fervent aspirations. I he whole 
family of man, he acknowledged no human 
master of the human mind, and still Icks 
did he presume to mark out the limits of 
either the power, the justice, or the mercy 



Not only are m grateful for Ms long, 
useful life in this rUMye^remhiny beyond 
the beginning of its business enterprise, 
and nearly core-ring the whole period of 
its growth to (he present lime — but for the 
aid of Ms 'retentive memory, whereby we hare 
been able to ret ire, restore and preserve stone 
rapidly vanishing pidum of the pad, for 
the present generation and the fntvve his- 
torian 

JOSEPH STEEN. ESQ., 

though a native of Bnttilehoro, is of En- 
glish parentage. His great-greapgraml- 
fa tiier emigrated from Holland to the 
North of England, where he settled about 
the year 1700, 

James Steen, father of Joseph, was born 
i u Mai pas. , C lies h i re con n ty . si x mi i es f rom 
the city of Chester, Bug,, May Pb 1 *61. 
He was a landholder, and by trade a house- 
builder* In Dec., 1785, lie married Eliza- 
beth Wood, who wns a native of the city 
of Chester, and came to this country in 
1705, for the following reasons : In 17113. 
political troubles caused Hie taxes to be so 
much upon real estate, rents were not 
enough to pay them: the "pres* gang" 
also went about the country, enlisting men 



70 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



peacefully if they could, but otherwise 
forcibly, for the army and navy, 

James Steen sold hb property, receiving 
therefor hut little more than enough to 
pay the expenses of his removal to this 
country. On recoin uiendatioii from a Mr. 
Nelson, of Loudon, to Kirk Booth, Esq., 
of Boston,— xv h o m h & 1 ue k i Ly f o u n d a 1 m rrt 
of the ship Galen on the passage— he ob- 
tained from Mr. Booth — who was ever 
after his friend — a letter of introduction 
to Rev. Wui. Wells, D. D., then but a 
short time settled in Bratrleboro, Vl, m 
their only pastor. 

James Steeu settled in this village in 
1703, living at first in the old Dickerman 
house, xv he re noxv t$ the house erected by 
Gbas, Crosby, and now (1878) belonging; to 
the estate of F. Hands. 

James Sleeo built the house now owned 
and occupied by his son Joseph, who was 
horn in this village, March 2, 17ff7. Joseph 
worked at house-building xvith his- father 
until 1814, when lie commenced work at 
the printers' trade, under Wm. Fessenden . 
After years' employment at this trade as 
journeyman, he worked on contract for 
Messrs, Holbrook A Fessenden until 1828. 
This year he bought of Messrs. Thomas Jfc 
Woodcock the right to their pulp dresser 
for the State of New York, and engaged 
txvo years in the sale of them and putting 
them in operation in the paper-mills of 
that State. 

The familiar form of tills gentleman, 
and his present quiet operations in the 
book and stationery business,— continued 
since 1880— gix^cs no idea to the present 
generation— -aside from the business afore- 
said — wlnu he lias been, or what he has 
done in die long period of 82 years since 
his birth in this place* The generation 
now passing off the stage of life have ever 
considered him an important acquisition— 
a tower of strength— to any cause his 
honest convictions led him to advocate, 
anti it is fortunate for this community that 
his power and influence has been so gem 
era 11 y, if not invariably, in the right 
direction. He has really been a strong 
man, physically and mentally, often gen- 
erously exercising these at tributes! iu times 
of adversity, advantageously to the con- 
dition of those less fortunate than him- 
self. From ills aid and counsel the latter 



have received courage and inspiration to 
face the ills of life. 

In the month of June, 1880, he bought 
of George 1 1 Peck one half of the book- 
store and bindery business, but the next 
year dissolved partnership w i i It Peck * and 
took simply the book-store and stationary 
business imo his hands* This business he 
has ever since continued up to the present 
time. 

Though 82 years of age, Mr. Steen has 
no partner in his business, but he stands 
daily behind Ids counter, selling goods as 
he has for nearly half a century, If there 
is another instance of this kind we know 
not where to look for It ■ the annals of this 
place cannot furnish a parallel case. 

During his mercantile operations, he 
published 11,000 Royal octavo Bibles, L5Q0 
pages each, 11,000 Enc. s of Religious 
Knowledge, 1,300 pages each, 2,000 school 
Bibles and J t ODO pocket Testaments, In 
the young or early days of Mr, Steen, the 
publications iu this place were of a very 
different character. His employer pub- 
lished Webbers spelling-book and several 
of the old novels, now seldom seen. 
Among them were the works of Jane 
Porter, " Raaselas/ 1 Ivy Johnson, (foe. 

Printing was hard work in those days, 
being done by hand power stimulated by 
alcohol, iu the form of whiskey black- 
strap, rum, or rye gin. For being a soli- 
tary exception iu a total abstinence from 
all intoxicating liquors, Mr* Steen xvas 
ridiculed by his follow-workmen; hut he 
has lived to see nearly all of them In a 
drunkard's grave. Near the printing 
office was a whiskey distillery, constantly 
sending into the atmosphere a delightful 
aroma, while the old presses were as con- 
stantly sending forth into the same atmos- 
phere, °The Mysteries of Udolpho," 
“ Scottish Chiefs," ,f Alonzo and Melissa/' 
' 1 D e mocracy t T n ve i l ed, ' + " Pa u l an d V i r- 
gmU,” “ Romance of the Forest/* &c. 

Though fastened wjrb ribs of oak and hands of 
Iron, 

Vain were the efforts of Osgood md Bill 
To confine the spirits hi tbkt old sdll. 

Out they would come at all times aud 
seasons to haunt our houses aud mingle 
with other spirits the ghosts of old war- 
riors, hobgoblins aud youthful dreams of 
ethereal beauty, as they fell like snow- 
flakes from live press* 



brattlebqko 



77 



Thereby* was an air of rum am) romance 
through which our old-time friend passed 
from youth 10 manhood, when we. heard 
him, in a public lyeeum, declaim against 
novel reading: and in 1830, lie was fore- 
most in organizing a tern porn OCR society in 
this village. The self-reliant, independent 
character of the man is apparent from the 
foregoing, and it is also so in eveiy period 
of Ins life where decisive action was re- 
quired, 

Mr, Steen has evidently made some ap- 
preach to obeying the scriptural command: 
“Prove all things, hold fast to that which 
is good. 11 

He read Paine's “Age of Reason, " hut 
could not become an infidel. Over tiO 
years ago he joined the Congregational 
church and Sunday-school. He yet re- J 
mains the eldest member of those institu- 
tions, attending regularly upon the exer- 
cises of the same to this time (1878), 

In 1838, he fried democracy, under Van 1 
Boren's administration, and for a short 
time was editor aucl proprietor of “ The 
Windham County Democrat/' years after- 
ward conducted by Geo. W. Nichols. 
This experiment worked upon him as 
harmlessly as did '’Paints Age of Reason/' 
Tn 1840, he was editor of “The Flail/' a 
whig campaign paper, which had n circu- 
lation of 5000 copies per week. This 
paper was published by Win. R Rv the r, 
now of Bernard stun. Mass. 

Mr. Steen has seen and had personal 
aeq ua i nt an re w i Hi tl * v ed i tors an d | >ro p rie - 
tors of all the old newspapers published 
here, commencing with the first one. The 
Federal Galaxy, by Benjamin Smead* 
first published 1707; BraUieboro Reporter, 
by Win. and Thomas G, Fessenden, 1806; 
Brattle-boro Messenger, by Alexander G. 
Putnaui, succeeded by Gen. W, Nichols; 
The Yeoman, Simon Me; Independent 
Inquirer. Wm, E, Ryther, 1833; Vermont- 
Statesman, O. H, Plutt: Windham County 
Democrat, Geo. W. Nichols. 

Mr. Steen was the last agent appointed 
here for paying pensions to soldiers of the 
Revolution of 1776, having con tinned that 
duty until the last one died. 

He was appointed assignee in bank- 
ruptcy tor Windham county m 1844; jus- 
tice of the pence in 1848, and now holds 
the office; selectman, 185+ *So; school 
committee, first chosen to put in operation 



the graded school system in 1841. He was 
prominent in advocating the school reform 
by effective remarks to ihe assembled 
voters of tlie district He was severely 
censured by a wealthy man in this place 
for his action respecting the schools: but 
neither wealth or position could ever shut 
his mouth, He hits always been ready lo 
sell books, but never his principles. 

f I is early struggles with 'poverty, his 
prudence, economy and self culture under 
difficulties — never having attended school 
over 12 months — and being by trade a 
printer, reminds us, in these respects, of 
, Benjamin Franklin. “ Seest thou a man 

diligent m business, he shall stand before 
kings/' 

In 1840, Mr. Steen advocated the elec- 
tion of Harrison to the presidency, and 
remained true to the whig party to the 
last. Wbeu the old flag was assailed by 
foes without and foes within, he threw his 
vote and influence fur the party which de- 
fended it. and is unwilling to trust that 
flag- in the hands of those who sought Lo 
destroy it. With him— our eldest, last 
Living relic of a stonily past— the fight 
is over. When he shall finally He down 
on the well fought field, to pleasant dreams, 
what drapery more fitting to wrap about 
him than that same old flag? 

In compliance with the request of Miss 
Keraenwny of Burlington, and for reasons 
given in the dedication of this work, we 
have made this brief sketch of our old 
friend of Over half a century, whose ex- 
ample we deem a fitting one for the 
mechanics of Brattleboro. 

[HEX It Y BTJftKHAM.] 

I ION, RICHARD WHITNEY. 

| Brother of Hou. Lem'J Whitney.] 

In the cemetery at Hinsdale, N, H, , 
where Rev. Bunker Gay was buried, we 
found u monument having thereon the 
following inscription: 

"Here lies the mortal remains of 
Richard Whitney, counsellor at 
law. of BraUieboro, Vermont. who 
departed this life Sept. D, 1815, 
aged 3S) years. Those who knew 
him not, may learn from this 
monumental stone that his vir- 
tues have rendered his memory 
precious to his bereaved friends. 

The sight of it will excite a ten- 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



78 

der recollection of Ilfs worth in 
the bosoms of those who knew 
him, and a tear of sincere regret 
at liis early and untimely depart- 
ure. Let us humbly hope he has 
gone where his virtues will be 
justly appreciated/' 

Horn Richard Whitney was born in i 
Petersham, Mass., in 1770, practiced law 
in Brattle boro in 1808, and was secretary 
of Slate in 1800. His character and attain - 1 
meiits made him well deserving of the 
favorable testimonials inscribed upon his 
monument at Hinsdale* 

Near the time of his death he became 
mentally deranged, and was committed to 
the care of Mr. Hooker, in Hinsdale, N. 
H, He was confined in the house— yet 
standing— built by Rev. Hunker Gay, and 
then occupied by his son-in-law, Mr. 
Hooker. 

At that time but little, if anything, was 
known in regard to the proper treat mem 
of insane persons* The faculty were 
vainly groping in the dark for a potent 
weapon with which they could meet this 
mysterious enemy of human happiness 
called insanity. Many, especially the de- 
voutly religious classes, attributed this 
malady to supernatural causes* There- 
fore they considered all remedial efforts 
vain, and nothing could be done but to 
confine the unfortunate victim and wait 
for death. 

A council of physicians— -Dr. Marsh of 
Hinsdale has been mentioned as one of | 
the said council — decided upon trying, 
for the recovery of Mr Whitney, a tem- 
porary suspension of his consciousness by ( 
keeping him completely immersed in water 
three or four minutes, or until lie became 
insensible, and then resuscitate or awaken I 
him to a new life. Passing through this r 
desperate ordeal* it was hoped* would : 
divert his mind, break the chain of mi- | 
happy associations, and thus remove the 
cau^e of his disease. Upon trial, this 
system of regeneration proved of no | 
avail, for, with the returning conscious- 
ness of the patient, eauie the knell of de- 
pa rted 1 j opes, as lie exc I ai i ne d , "You 
can't drown love/" 

According to a former version of the 
story* there was a second application of 
the drowning process that terminated the 



life of Mr* Whitney* But Mr* Hooker, 
grandson of Rev* Bunker Gay* lately in- 
formed us that Mr. Whitney did not pass 
through n second ordeal by water: the 
physicians, upon mature deliberation, 
concluded they were on the right track, 
but had not used the proper agent for the 
stupefaction of the life forces. The next 
and lust resort was opium, and Mr, Whit- 
ney died under the treatment* 

The result of the aforementioned exper- 
iments for the cure of insanity may have 
suggested to the widow of Dr. Marsh, 
the importance of an asylum for the treat- 
ment of that class of persons SO afflicted* 
and thereby her will of £10,000, whence 
originated the Vermont asylum at Bmnle- 
boro* 

HOK* JAMES ELLIOT 

was the first elected of the three members 
of Congress who were citizens of Brail la- 
boro at the time of their election* 

His name, with that of Judge Chapin 
and others, is recorded as one of the cor- 
porators of the first joint stuck company 
that originated in this place. This com- 
pany built the first bridge connecting the 
East village with Hew Hampshire in 1804, 
when it is evident Mr. Elliot was a resi- 
dent of Brattle boro. He was but about 
2G years of age at this time, and this, with 
other circumstances or events, with which 
he was connected, compels us to believe 
he was the most conspicuous in early life, 
and attended to the serious duties of man- 
hood while other young men of his age 
were ^sowing their wild oats/’ 

His intimate acquaintance with Gen. 
William H. Harrison, and high apprecia- 
tion of his character, caused Mr. Elliot to 
say, ,L L wish Gen. Harrison could occupy 
the highest olficts in this nation \ if every 
man in this country knew the General as 
I know him, he would go to the presiden- 
tial chair with an overwhelming vote." 
These remarks were made several years 
before Harrison was before the public, or 
thought of, as a candidate for president. 
To our surprise, not four months had 
elapsed, after the death of Mr. Elliot, 
when Harrison received the nomination, 
and following soon came the J 'overwhelm- 
ing vote/' which swept the venerable sage 
of North Bend from his quiet home to 
earthly greatness. 



BRATTLEBORO. 



70 



In politics, Mr. Elliot was a. Jeffersonian 
‘democrat and, to some extent, a party 
man; but lie estimated character and 
ability far above party lines. 

After remaining in this town over 25 
.years, he moved to New fane. In a Brat 
tluboro paper appeared the following 
obituary ; 

*• Died at Newfane, Vt., Nov. 10. 1839. 
Hon. James Elliot, aged 04. He was a 
native of Gloucester, Mass He came to 
reside in Guilford in early life, and 
enlisted under Gen. Wayne at 18 yeavs of 
age. and served in the Indian wars three 
years, quartered most of the time in the 
west part of Ohio, then a wilderness. He 
studied law and was admitted to the bar 
in Windham county, Vt. In the war of 
1812, he held a captains commission 
Before he was 30 years of ugc. he was 
elected one of the representatives to Con 
gress from this Slate, and ably discharged 
that trust for three successive elections. 

“ His after life was variegated with dif- 
ferent scenes and services. Besides his 
attention to the practice of law, he served 
several years as register of probate and 
clerk of the courts, and the past two 
years had the office of state’s attorney for 
the county of Windham. 

**!Ie sustained through life the char- 
acter of an honest man, with talents and 
intellectual acquirements of the first 
order.** 

His remains were brought here and de- 
posited in Prospect Hill cemetery, where, 
since 1797, we have placed oilier of our 
honorod dust and choicest treasures. His 
widow — a daughter of Gen. Dow — sur- 
vived him 30 years, and died in New York 
city. Her remains were brought here and 
placed beside those of her husband. 
Their daughter, Mrs. D Pomroy of New 
York, is now {1872) the only surviving 
member of the family. 

HON. SAMUEL Et.LtOT 

was born in Gloucester, Mass., Aug. 16, 
1777, and died at West Brattleboro, Dec. 
10, 1845. 

With the exception of Hon. John W. 
Blake, we believe he and his brother, 
James Elliot, were the first ones estab- 
lished in law practice in this town, and 
he speul the largest share of the last 40 



years of his life in Brattleboro, East vil 
lage. 

Elliot street is so named because he 
formerly owned the land and erected the 
first house thereon, a brick building of 
two stories, now standing, near the south 
end of Crosby’s block. His one-story, 
wood law office stood, as late as 1830. on 
tlte site of the Revere house. In or near 
1835, he sold the site to Ashbcll Dickeu- 
son. A large share of, if not all, the land 
upon the south side of Green street was 
once in his possession. 

He was the successor of Hon. John W. 
Blake as postmaster, but. becoming a 
federalist, and prominently advocating 
the principles of that party during the 
presidency of Jefferson, he was succeeded 
in 1810 by Asa Green, Esq., who uninter- 
ruptedly held the office until after the in- 
auguration of Harrison in 1841. 

He was judge of probate for this dis- 
trict, and repeatedly represented the town 
in the State Legislature, was candidate 
for Congress, and also associate judge of 
this county, where he was widely known 
as a man of marked ability, unquestioned 
integrity, and not surpassed in his devo- 
tion to charity aud mercy 

In the summer of 1826, his miud was 
greatly exercised by the destitution and 
sufferings of the inhabitants of Greece, 
caused by the barbarism of the Turks, 
with whom they were at war at that time. 
A ship was at this time in Boston harbor 
waiting for contributions of clothing and 
other necessities from New England, to 
carry to lliat suffering, unhappy people. 
At a public meeting, Mr. Elliot described 
the pressing necessities of the cose with 
such eloquence few could listen to his 
appeal unmoved. Oue of the wealthiest 
citizens in this place became so interested 
it was said he offered to give as many 
dollars as his wealthy neighbor would 
give cents for this object. 

The Grecian costume, loose fitting, and 
so simple one garment would suit persons 
' of various sizes, garments were so easily 
made, quite a large quantity was soon 
furnished by the organized ladies of this 
village, and sent to the ship aforemcn- 
I tioned. 

“Ought the reading of fiction to be en* 
i co u raged ?” was the question before our 



80 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



village lyeeum a long time ago* A speaker 
said, ■'[ know from experience novel * 
reading ss an unhealthy exercise. My 
lamp has been burning and my tears fall- 
ing, long after the midnight hour, over 
accounts of human suffering t hat existed 
simply m the mind of ill e author of the 
book/* 

Mr. Elliot replied; *■ Mr. Chairman — I 
would not advise the reading of Action 
indiscriminately ; but no work of this 
character coming under my observation 
has, in descriptions of human suffering, 
ever exceeded the reality. Sentiment 
must ever precede action, therefore we 
have reason to hope that the gentleman 
who lias just made so commendable an 
expose of his emotions will, when occa- 
sion shall require action, prove by praise- 
worthy deeds how valuable are the sources 
from whence came his inspirations. As 1 
see how needful is the exercise of ideality 
upon occasions like this, and realize that 
the most sublime and beautiful sentiments 
and sentences can be found in works of 
fiction, I regret that so little of my time 
has been devoted to this matter, and am 
therefore unable to give so good an ac- 
count of my experiences as my friend G. 
has given of his. I am glad to learn that 
my neighbor is a man of fine sensibilities, 
tender emotions, and has a heart that can 
be moved by the woes and sufferings of 
bis fellow- men/* 

Mr. Elliot was not destitute -of humor, 
though there was at times a thoughtful, 
serious expression upon bis countenance* 

Born at that dark period in our history, 
soon after the commencement of that 
almost hopeless struggle against the great- 
est power, at that Lime, in Europe, he 
was old enough to remember that contest 
and the return from the war of Iris poor, 



at that Lime the only pastor of this place, 
death had come to one of his parish loners, 
and not a minister could be found in town 
l to attend the funeral Application was 
made lo Rev. Mr. Beck ley, then of Dtim- 
\ meratoa, sickness preventing his aUeud- 
1 ance; and Mr. Elliot was called upon lu 
J address the funeral assembly, which he 
did in a manner highly creditable to bis 
mind and heart. 

He well knew how to sympathize with 
his sorrowing neighbors* The beloved 
partner of his early years went in her 
blooming beauty to the grave, leaving a 
child too young to realize the magnitude 
of his loss: but in after years he wrote 
the following lines, addressed to his 
mother:* 

[Copied from the Brattle Uorg Messe nger of THcem- 
ber. 18*1. | 

i “fii chi Ed hood 5 *) gay and sportive hours, 
l tech less play’d upon thy grave; 

Well pleased to pluck the Tweet wild flowers* 
Which o’er thy grassy bed did wave. 

| l loved to view thy marble stone, 

T o read ihe sculptur’d letters try ; 

But when my father wept thereon, 

I could not think what made him cry* 

Remembrance cannot bring to bghl 
Thy form, or make thy face appear ; 

I But fancy paints Lhee fair and bright 
As holy, beauteous angels are. 

And now 1 love to think of thee— 

Of all thy virtues, all thy worth — 

And hope my soul with rhee will be 
When l am pillow'd deep in earth.* 1 

Mr, Elliot married, second, a daughter of 
Rutherford Hayes, by whom he had .seven 
children. Three sons were coUegiates at 
Yale and Trinity colleges (Goun.). The 
i cldcs i j Sam 1 1 IL Elliot, became a Congre- 



sick father to a home of poverty, where 
be soon died from disease, contracted in 
the service of Iris country. 

Few men were belter fitted by pasL as 
social ions, patriotic fervor and oratorical 
power, to cause the generations growing 
up around him to properly appreciate 
their dear bought, priceless liberties* 
Therefore his services as orator at Fourth 
of July celebrations were exceedingly in- 
teresting, and eminently and universally 
acceptable* 

During the absence of Rev r Wrm Wells, 



1 gationalist minister and principal of an 
educational institution near New Haveu, 
Ct,, and wa* the author of some interest’ 
uig publications* J. M. Elliot finished 
, hU course in l 838 f at Trinity college, 
died in December, 1888, at Savannah, Ga* 

*My grandfather copied these verses from 
the Brattle boro Messenger, Dec. 24, 1824, and 
from hb> authority alone do we relate the cir- 
cumstances, authorship, H. B. 

file was at that time chosen to deliver Ihe 
valedictory; ilkheaUh prevented. 



Bit ATTLEBORO, 



81 



L i "‘-of 4 ftiiiii off great 

•t t rl Attainments. 

i t i* Wjllmm C\ Elliot, the 
? _ _ ~ ■ - fi >1 -if 1 '.t about two years 
r " _ ; * t-f in Hurl ford, Ct., anti be 
♦m* ^ ^ , , s October, 1831), As 

j ** truthfully said of the other 
-fr ■ : this family who have died, 

■ r msed sadness or affliction to 
: v.^ or friends but when he sick- 
iini. Nothing we £ould say of 
. j>i - hxlruate and intimate friend 
’ i/:/“ faithful a picture of him as 

^ L it -ribute from his sister, Miss 
I ETii-it. who, some years since, 
r - : >L“ McClellan and left her native 

Iii *- ■; -.ir youngest brother, fondly loved— 

friend, and cherished counsellor, 
-uwrtly in h i i n did blend 
* ^ simple spirit, with a mind 
vt . refined, with knowledge and with 
grAce, 

T •'< he consecrated all he had: 
n His altar freely laid himself. 

His w-irth 1 cannot speak, for even now 
The wound Meeds freshly that his loss has 
mads ; 

And time, that Antidote for grief like tins, 
Ha* not yet sealed Lhe fountain of my tears. 
Oh, in our hearts, as long as being la^ts, 
Well treasure up the memory of his deeds, 
And love him still.’ 5 



The arrival to our shores of Gem La 
Fayette, Aug. 15, 1824, gave Mr. Elliot so 
much pleasure he wrote some papers upon 
this subject 

In 111 esc papers we find an account of 
the progress of LaFayette t Is rough the 
country, and of* his departure. We also 
learn Ids views respecting agriculture, the 
education of the masses . and on lethal and 
moral questions. His writings give evi- 
dence of strong patriotism and love of the 
right. The last time we took. Lite hand of 
this venerable man, he gave us the produc- 
tions to which we have alluded in the 
foregoing, 

Reluctantly have we released our grasp 
upon even the rudest links connecting us 
with the early Limes— the morning hours 
of freedom; but painfully as well as re- 
iucnintly have we lei go forever of a link 
iikf ihls, Contact with such opens to our 

Tisfc*i a pathway through the past, and as 
E 



by an electric wire, passing through the 
long dead years, there comes to us the 
pulsations of brave hearts, beating time 
to the march of liberty, well nigh one 
hundred years ago. 

The eloquence of words rarely fall upon 
the ear in public places* 11 In America/’ 
it is said, “the orator is dying; in England 
lie is dead." Whatever may be predom- 
inating influences, never, wc trust, will 
the fashion oT the day, or the influences of 
others, lessen our veneration and admira- 
tion for this old orator of Bnittleboro. 

SALMON BEN NET, 

Salmon Ben net, son of Noah Ben net, 
was bom in BralUcboro, Vt., Jan. (5, 1790, 
He studied theology with Rev. Ephraim 
H. Newton, of Marlboro, and was or- 
dained pastor of the Congregational 
church in Winchester, 1ST. XL, Sept. 10, 
1817. Rev. Caleb Burge of Bra tile boro 
(West) preached the sermon. He was dis- 
missed Dec. 25. 1823, preached a year in 
Roxbury, and was installed in Marlboro 
SepL 27, 1825, Rev. Isaac Robinson of 
A Is lead preached the sermon, He was 
dismissed April 5, 188 1, and was installed 
in East Boscawen as colleague with Rev. 
Samuel Wood, D. IT, Dec, 5, 1832, Rev, 
J. S, Barsiovr, D, D,, of Keene, preached 
the sermon. He was dismissed Oct. 25, 
1836, and then preached a year at Irvings- 
ville, 3tass. He was installed at Wendell 
May % 1 83S. Rev. Francis Dan forth of 
Winchester, 3 T , H,, preached Lhe sermon. 
He was dismissed iSept, 26, 1844, He then 
preached a short time in Heath, first to 
the Congregational, and then to the Bap- 
tist church; and alter wards lived in Hali- 
fax, Yu, preaching to one or the other of 
the Congregational churches there for 
! about three years, ending in 1852, when 
he removed to Chntauyue county; N. Y, 

TV j-i, \\\ 

HON, -rOHN TC, BLAKE. 

Another of the early residents of Brat- 
tle boro, the lion. John R, Blake, died in 
Boston, Mass,, June 6, 1873, aged 79 years 
; and 4 months. Funeral services were held 
in the church of the Rev, Rufus Ellis, June 
Sell; and on the day following the body 
was brought to Bmttleboro by the only 
son of the deceased, Dr, John Ellis Blake 
of New York, and deposited in our village 
cemetery, where prayers were said by rlie 
1 Rev, Mr, Jenkins. 



H2 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



The deceased was born in Brattle boro, 
Feb. 171KJ. H© w tti* a SOD of «T. W. 
Blake, a lawyer of distinction and a gen- 
tleman of wealth, education and polished 
manners, who moved to this part of Ver- 
mont at an early period of its settlement, 
from Worcester, Mass. He at one time 
resided in Guilford; was the owner of a 
large trad of land in and near this village, 
which then consisted of a few straggling 
houses, and he Look an active part in the 
political affairs of the State, being one of 
its earliest representatives, Ilis name oc- 
curs in the early records of southern Ver- 
mont, as one of its most prominent citi- 
zens. But at the closing period of liis life, 
becoming reduced in circumstances, his 
son, John R. Blake, was taken from school 
and compelled to go into business, and 
commence the battle with the world as a 
poor boy at a very early age. His first 
experience as a trader was with the Indi- 
ans at Onondaga, N. V., now Syracuse, 
which was then considered far West, be- 
ing taken from school at Deerfield, Mass., 
and sent there to begin life. 

Returning to Vermont, he soon entered 
upon an extensive business as merchant. 
In company with Francis Goodhue, and 
also with Grindal R. Ellis, whose daughter 
be married. FIc carried on an extensive 
trade with Hanford, Ct., shipping horses, 
cattle and other produce by the river, and 
receiving back W cst India and other goods. 
Among his traits of character was a great 
fondness for fine stock, for horses and cat- 
tle. A picture of one of his favorite horses, 
done by Fisher, the distinguished New 
England painter, is still in possession of 
his family. In the days of staging he took 
an interest in stage lines, and especially in 
seeing them supplied with fine horses ; and 
he exercised a leading influence in pro- 
moting the construction of the Vt. and 
Mass. R. R.. which connected the village 
with Boston by steam communication. 
He also todk an active interest in estab- 
lishing the old Brattleboro bank, of which 
he was for a long lime one of the direc- 
tors. His financial abilities were solid and 
comprehensive. 

During the times when the militia was I 
maintained ou a respectable footing, he 
served as aid-de-cainp to Gen. Mann; and 
in subsequent years he sat for several 



j terms in the legislature, both as represen- 
tative of his town and as senator, nis 
career as legislator was marked for his 
usual business-like practical ability, and 
| may be said to have been distinguished by 
his frank and decided opposition to the 
Maine liquor .law. so-called, which he be- 
lieved impolitic, and for an eulogy pro- 
nounced on the death of Daniel Webster. 

j. w r p. 

The following letter, received by the 
pastor of the Unitarian Society in this 
place from the pastor of the First Church 
in Boston, with which Air. Blake was as- 
sociated, will be read with interest by per- 
sonal friends of the deceased: 

100 MAKLBonoucm St,, ) 
June 14, 1873. f 

Dear Mr. J'snktm I performed the fun- 
era) service in my church on Sunday morn- 
ing last over the remaius of a most worthy 
i gentleman, the Hon, John R. Blake; and 
I as the burial was to be in Brattleboro, 
there may have been a burial service there 
also. I hope that there was, for Mr. Blake 
was born in the town, and long and hon- 
orably identified with it; and it was ex- 
ceedingly pleasant to think last Honda)' 
of the beautiful graveyard under the clear 
afternoon sky, and that they were making 
his grave in that hill country which was 
so familiar and so dear to him from boy- 
hood. I have seen much of Mr. Blake, 
and especially of late, during a long and 
painful illness. lie was a very true aud a 
very thoughtful man. with far more in his 
heart than ever found expression in word ; 
a Christian of a broad and practical type, 
with a good leaven of the old Puritanism, 
to which this country owes so much; a 
man downright, upright, and forthright, 
not untouched by the questionings of the 
day, and yet holding fast the essentials of 
faith and all “ the weightier matters of the 
law.” He was much respected in Boston 
as a man of his word; but the larger part 
of his life was passed in Brattleboro, and 
so I am moved to send to you these few 
words concerning one whom we greatly 
miss, although we ought to be thankful 
that days which had become labor and 
sorrow are no more. I love to think of 
him as gathered to his fathers in your 
beautiful town, where, if auy where, the 
body may rest in peace, whilst the spirit 




B BAT T L EBO EG , 



is refreshed with the light of the Divine 
Face. Fni th fully y o U rs * 

Rufus Ellis* 

£Q*n\ JOHN NOYKS. 

{By G$o> IF. yoyen. of 1 CM 

Prominent among the citizens of Wind- 
ham county in the early part of the pres- 
ent century, was Hop. John Noyes of I 
Brattlebom Born at Atkinson, N. 11., 
April 3, 1764, he was fifth in the line of 
descent from 'Nicholas Noyes, one of Lhe 
early settlers of Massachusetts, and inher- 
ited the aptitude for learning which be 
longed to his ancestry After graduating 
at Dartmouth, became a tutor in the col- 
lege, was instructor of the class of Daniel 
Webster-* his attention turned to theolog- 
ical study, prepared himself for the minis- ( 
try; finding it un suited to hid health, re- 
turned to teaching; had charge for some 
years of Chesterfield (N. H.) Academy; 
in 1800* removed to Bratflcboro, and en 
gaged in mercantile business with Ofch 
Mann. 

Their store was in West Brattl chore. 
In those days the country merchant made 
two trips a year to Boston, by stage, or on 
horseback, spending three or four days on 
the road, and carrying a change of clothes, 
money for his purchases, and perhaps a 
pistol lor his defence* in a pair of ample 
saddlebags, As rhe business of the firm 
increased it drew in other partners, and 
extended its operations to other towns, — 
branch establishments, under the name of 
"Noyes & Mann/ 1 or "Noyes, Mann & 
Hayes/’f were commenced in Wilmington 
and Wbitingham. A principal article of 
produce in these new towns was potash, 
exchanged for goods at the store— tea, 
coffee, tobacco, calico, and plain stuffs, 

41 Mr v Webster, b> the time of hi> fame, vis- 
i te d Da rt m on t h Co 1 lege, a m ! held a ( k rece p- 
tion.^ Among the students presented lo him 
was John II. Noyes, who was introduced as a I 
Son of his former tutor, ,c I wish/ 1 said Mr. 1 
Webster, taking the stud ends hand, 'Mhat I 
could do you as much good as your father did 
to me. ,J 

fGcneral Mann afterwards removed to Syr- 
acuse, N. Y. His daughter married Gen, R. 
E. Marcy, U. S. A*, and his granddaughter is 
the wife of Gen. Geo, B, McClellan, lute can- 
didate for die presidency. Hon, Austin Bir- 
chard of Fayetteville, Vt*, and Mr, A din Thay- 
er of Uoosick* N* Y., commenced business as 
clerks in this concern. 



S3 

together with the “mug of flip," the com- 
mon attendant of every bargain, Nearly 
all clauses then drank liquor, from the 
mini ste r^ and m a gw t rotes d o w n . 

At forty years of age, Mr. Noyes mar- 
ried Miss Polly Hayes, by whom he had 
nine child re 1 1 . After ser v i ag t w ct o r U « ree 
terms iu the Stale legislature* he was, in 
J815, elected to Congress from the south- 
ern district of Vermont, and entered ihe 
House of Representatives as fellow- mem- 
ber with Clay, Randolph. and other celeb- 
rities. of whom he was fond of telling an- 
ecdotes in after life. 

In 1817, Mr, Noyes removed to Dum 
m erst on, where he continued to reside till 
1831, when, having acquired what he 
deemed a competency, retired from ac- 
tive. business to a farm in Putney, and 
occupied himself mainly thereafter in su- 
perintending the education of his children. 
His eldest daughter, Mrs. L. G, Mead, still 
lives in Br Attleboro. (1869.) The eldest 
son, John H. Noyes, is the founder of the 
Oneida Community. Mr. Noyes, Lhe eld- 
er, died Oct. 36, 1841. 

VALEDICTORY ADDRESS. 

Chief Justice Koyail Tyler, the author, 
delivered at an exhibition at the close of 
Miss Rebecca Feck’s select school, in the 
East village of BratUeboro, in 1833. A 
son of the author — Rev Thomas P. Tyler, 
D. D,, then a lad of about 8 years,— was 
the orator on ibis happy occasion This 
poetical effusion, so characteristic of the 
fin q literary taste of Lhe Judge, after 
years of search and inquiry we received a 
copy taken from a scrap-book in the city 
of Washington, by Miss Amelia Tyler, a 
gr anddaugh tc r of the a u thor. According 
to the best information within our own 
observation, the Judge gave compliments 
well deserved, for the little Misses of that 
school were generally remarkable for their 
personal beauty and good conduct. The 
delivery of the address took the school, as 
well as the audience, by surprise, and fur- 
nished a theme of pleasant allusion and 
reference for a long time in this village. 
The young orator was quite personal in 
the application of his theme, causing Lhe 
whitest of roses to become blushing ones 
when he pointed his little magic finger 
toward them. Some of these roses, very 
well preserved, yet remain in this place, 



84 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



now known as grandmothers; but oth- 
ers, and doubtless much the largest por- 
tion of this constellation of the beautiful, 
are — 

"Where .ire now the birds that sang a hundred 
years ago/* 

The orator became a distinguished clergy- 
man of the Episcopal church, and officiat- 
ed many years in Western New York; but 
now, advanced to over three- score years, 
and suffering from intirmitics, he is back 
to his native place, retired from service, to 
the scene of his first oratorical efforts 55 
years ago. 

“I dare to say you all do wonder 
How our good ma'am, who is so wise, 
With taste so pure and judgment nice, 
Shall thus commit so sad a blunder, 

As 'gainst all reason, rhyme and rule, 

To make me mouthpiece of the school. 
Perhaps the thought that I might show 
How well her very worst might do; 

At any rate, shine or not shine, 

The praise, or blame, be hers, not mine. 
As for myself, in some snug corner, 

I'd rather sit, like brave Jack Horner, 

And with my thumb, like Jack so sly, 
Pluck out the plums from Christmas pie; 
For in my mouth plums are much sweeter 
Than Quest words of prose or meter; — 
But ma’am commands, and I obey, 

For she holds here a sovereign sway. 

Shall I a little rebel prove, 

When govern’d by her law of love? 

Now, if your patience will prevail, 
Indulge me, and I’ll tell a tale. 

‘Oh, dear mamma, pray let me see 
What have you in your hands for me— 
Some almonds, raisins, nuts, or figs, 

Or peppermints, or sugar pigs?’ 

Thus William to his mother said. 

As she her opening palm displayed, 

And show’d to his disgusted eyes, 
SomeshriYel'd things of dwarfish size, 
Dark as the sweepings of some room. 
Which long had mourned the absent broom. 
• T don’t want them,' said pouting Will, 
‘They're neither fit for food nor play; 
They look as bad as doctor’s pills, 

Do throw the dingy things away.’ 

‘Poor simple child mamma replied, 
‘Know you despise the garden’s pride? 
For from these shrivel’d dwarfish things, 
The glory of the garden springs; 

True, east them in the highway, 

And the}' no glory will display: 



But plant them in the garden fair, 
Beneath the gardener’s fostering care, 
Nurtur’d and cultur’d each will bloom. 
And shed its richest, best perfume; 

Not he, so fam’d in Scripture story, 
Great Solomon, in all his glory, 

Was e’er so deck’d the eye to please. 

Or e’er array'd like one of these, 

And education is defined 
The horticulture of the mind; 

The mental buds, by its kind care. 
Unfold their petals to the air, 

Prepar'd by bland instruction given, 

To shine on Earth or bloom in Heaven.’ 
Thus ends my tale, and now L pray 
Let me apply it my own way: 

Kind patrons, who here condescend 
Our exhibition to attend. 

Think not these benches now sustain 
Of girls and boys a simple train: 

But that within our classic bowers, 

You see a rich parterre of flowers, 

Of buds and blossoms, tendrils, shoots, 
Springing from intellectual roots; 

Your fancies, sure, you need not strain 
To change to flowers our female train : 
See Ellen, there, her bloom disclose; 
Say, is she not a blushing rose? 

In sweet Sophia, you may ken, 

A sister rose of the same stem ; 

While in Miss Fanny’s form we trace 
The aspiring tulip’s airy grace; 

Her little namesake, sure, will tally 
With the sweet lily of the valley. 

The china aster’s varied dye 
Bright Sarah’s mental powers imply; 
And in Elizabeth we view 
The snowy lily’s virgin hue. 

The golden pansy, may I fancy, 
Portray our modest, pensive Nancy. 

In fair Calista’s beauteous face 
You may the bright carnation trace; 

In graceful Helen’s air you see. 

The very pink of courtesy. 

Do you the rose of Sharon prize, 

On our Lucretia east your eyes. 

Would you the pale syringaseek, 

Mark gentle Anna’s snowy cheek; 

The amain nthus well may be 
Sweet little Gertrude, named for thee 
And sure the gay, sweet-scented pea, 
May typify fair Emily. 

Our Marys too. as bright a knot 
As ever deck’d a maiden’s bower; 
One is a jonquil, a snowdrop one, 

And one a lovely, sweet wild flower. 



BRATTLEEORO 



85 



Elizabeth* her sister June, 

Are buds that ooe day will expand; 

Soon as their spring is on the wane, 

They'll bloom the glory of l lie laud, 

Sweet Lucy is n bright moss pink 
As ever flush'd Its tints before ye; 

And Henrietta is, I think, 

VouTl all allow, a morning-glory. 

Our bright Eliza, I'll no l name, 

B u L r(i 1 1 1 e r w is 1 1 y o u 71 \ ax y o u r pow evs , 
Provided you with care select 
Her emblem from the fairest bowers. 

In our cold, bleak and Northern air, 

We have few flow evs that may compare 
With sweet Belinda's speaking face, 

Or Harriet’s form, or Julia's grace* 

There is a doe, attractive flower, 

By botanists called mignOnneUe, 

Which I pronounce, by fancy's- power, 
Shall give the name to Marietta, 

Come, Main, from thy sylvan bowers, 
Queen of gay tints and frolic fancies, 
Come, bring thy best bouquet of dowers, 
The tineal type for brilliant Frances.* 

Yet there's one favorite, pretty Miss, 
Whose given name I've most forgot ; 

But you may find her out by this: 

Her Linumu name— forget me- not* 

Perhaps, within our flowery set, 

You'll ask, if we have not some Nett — 
No, no, not nettles; that's not right, 

We have no plants so impolite. 

Perchance we have, if you require, 

Some pretty sprigs of sweet sweet briar 

But what arc then your boys, you’ll cry, 
Have you no flowers to name them 3>y? 
Why, boys, as boys, are well enough. 

Am] you may call us garden stuff ; 

For if with ouv associates fair* 

You should for once us hoys compare, 
Beside the jonquil, pink and rose, 

We dwindle to pot&tm bhm ! 

Now, if within out garden fail 4 , 

You find aught, lovely* good or rare, 

To our instructress give the praise: 

Our dear instructress crown with bays, 
For to her kind, judicious care 
W e gral cf u 1 ty o w e al I vv e are . 

golden age of female beauty in Brat* 
Ueborc demand ed a tribute— the oiutoi* the 
singer, comes with the occasion. 



Nor would we now' forget what's clue 
Most honored patroness to yon ;* 

To nurse these bn da to opening dowel’s, 
Needs genial su ns a ud f os te ri ng s ho w p e rs , 
All these your favor has supplied. 

To you we owe our garden's pride. 

You lmve the seeds of science sow n. 

And when in life our buds arc blown, 
Then— then we ll own the generous deeds. 
And bless Hie hand which sew'd the seeds* 
And now, kind friends, I pray excuse 
My fuke.riugs and my stammers— 
Respectfully, 1 take my leave. 

And so I make my manners. 

Names of the little misses to whom the 
orator pointed when giving the flora) 
name : 

Helen Ellis* daughter G. R, Ellis, Esq,; 

married John R. Blake, 

Janette Elds, daughter G. R, Ellis, Esq., 
married Geo. Clark, of Hartford. 
Elizabeth Bikes, daughter Enel Bikes, 
married Oh as. Ctme. 

Ellen Fessenden, daughter Wm, Fessen- 
den, Esq.; married J. Bln ke of Boston. 
Fan n y Go u gh T with M rs , J oseph Go odl me, 
and neioe of the same. 

Fanny Elliot, daughter Hon. Bam J Elliot. 
Sophia Fessenden, daughter Wm Fessen- 
den, editor of ' ‘The Reporter/ 1 
Elizabeth Smith, daughter Henry Smith. 
Nancy Wood, daughter David Wood, 
Caljsta Ainsworth, from Bethel, Yl. , and 
neiceof Joseph Fessenden, became Mrs. 
Pearce. 

Lucretta Leonard* adopted daughter Dr. 
Artemas Robbins, removed to Bellows 
Falls, Vt. 

Emily Houghton, daughter Abel Hough- 
ton, removed to St* Albans, became 
Mrs, Stubbs, 

Mary Fessenden, daughter Joseph Fessen- 
den. 

Sarah Fessenden, daughter Wm* Fessen- 
den ; married Elisha Allen, who was 
member of Congress from Maine. 

Mary Nichols, daughter George Nichols; 
married Herrick. 

* Honored Patroness— Hoott, an opu- 
lent English lady, who at that time owned the 
grounds of the “Vermont Asylum/* and whose 
house was removed when the buildings of the 
Asylum were erected upon the west side of 
the main road lending to “New Fane/’ She 
proved a. devoted friend of Miss ReEiecca Peck, 
the instructress* and m various ways assisted 
in support of her school* 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



80 



Mary Elliot, daughter James Elliot; mar- 
ried Pomroy, N. V, 

Elizabeth Fessenden, daughter Joseph 
Fessenden; died at 19. 

Jane Fessenden, daughter Joseph Fessen- 
den ; married Dr. Clark. 

Mary Fessenden, daughter Joseph Fcsseu- 
den. 



Luey Chase, daughter Paul Chase; aw- 
ried Demi n g + 

He uviette fhnith, daughter Henry Smith; 
married Genl F, It Fessenden . 

Ann Smith, daughter Henry Smith, mar- 
ried Dr. H, Craig, of Kentucky, 

Anna Amsdeu, daughter Lewis Amsden. I 

Gertrude Blake, daughter OoL Henry 
Jones Blake, 

Belinda Elliot, daughter Sami Elliot; mar- 
ried McClellan. 

Julia Nichols, daughter George Nichols. 

Frances Ellis, daughter G. R. Ellis; mar- 



ried Russell. 

Harriet Goodhue, daughter Col. Joseph 
Goodhue; married Gov. F, Holbrook. 
Eliza Nichols, daughter George Nichols. 

F an ny Frost t d augh it r J am es F ros L ; m a r - 
ried A. E. Dwinell 

Mary Ann Goodhue, daughter Joseph 
Goodhue; married Wm. P. Cnne. 

Lion. Royall Tyler— elected Chief Jus 
t ice of Vermont in 1807, and Professor of 
Jurisprudence of the U, VL, in IS 11, at 
Burlington, was widely known and had 
au extensive correspondence with the most 
noted men of his time in the forming pe- 
riod of our institutions, and the most ex- 
citing times in our history, from the Rev- 
olution of 177 G to the last war with Eng- 
land, commencing in 1812, Therefore his 
unpublished memoirs possess a national 
interest which would, we believe, demand 
their publication if the public were con 
sciousof their worth. As one of the fathers 
of American literature, as the date and 
character of his writings for the drama and 
periodicals of the time sufficiently prove, 
we cannot afford to lot the waves of obliv- 
ion close over the records of his mental 
efforts as the turf now covers his mortal 
remains in the cemetery of the East village 
of BraiUeboro. The tragedy, poetry, 
anti romance of his life and family have 
the charm of fiction. When, with his 
college friend, on the staff of Gen. Sulli- 
van, their force of 5000 men became scat- 
tered by the enemy, Tyler and his friend, 









Daggett, lodged over Slight in a barn, where 
they discussed the question of where, if 
they must be hit with a bullet, would be 
the place of choice. The next day duly 
called them to the post of danger, and 
poor Daggett was shot through the lungs. 
"Ah, Rial/' said he, "you see I did not 
have my choice,” 

Tyler, when a gay gallant of 20, in scar- 
lei coat and short clothes, entered Ihe 
house of his friend, Mrs, Joseph Pearce 
Palmer, of Boston, and Look from her 
arms her infant child (Mary Palmer) and 
Said: ‘ This child will become my wife.” 
Time verified his prophecy a and her chil- 
dren, now venerable in years, and those 
who have gone, with honorable record, to 
their final sleep, have blessed her memory, 
lu the varied — in the elevated departments 
of human effort — in the pulpit, at the bar, 
mercantile and teachers' desk* her children 
have proved the character of their in a Lorn- 
al par e n t age . T hat mot h er w h o w as little 
Mary Palmer, when seated in her mother's 
arms at the dining table of Gen. Joseph 
Warren, when he partook of his last din- 
ner, and received the parting hand from 
his most intimate friends for Lhe last time, 
before marching to ins death on Bunker 
Hill. This interesting event we learu, 
not for the first time, from the memoirs. 
We heard, near 1880, the aged Mrs. Palm- 
er relate the story, She said; "My hus- 
band was an early associate and intimate 
friend of Joseph Warren, therefore we v 
with other of his friends, were invited to 
dine with him* as he said, "for the last; 
time/' Beautiful in her old age, seeming- 
ly, as "Madame Rectum or/' with swim- 
ming eyes and trembling lips, she conti li- 
ned: "Joseph Warren was an ardent pa- 
triot, an accomplished scholar, elegant in 
manners, universally beloved, and was the 
idol of Boston. After dinner, we all and 
each begged and prayed that he would not 
go to the ImtLte-field ; but vainly did w f e 
try to move him; he firmly believed the 
cause demanded the sacrifice of his life, 
and he must obey that demand. Amidst 
the flames, constant roar of artillery, and 
panic-stricken inhabitants, I ded from the 
city with my little Mary crying and cling- 
ing to my bosom / J 

When a girl of fourteen, Mary Palmer 
accompanied the family of El bridge Gerry 



BRATTLEBORO. 



87 



to New York, where she witnessed the in- 
auguration of Washington, April .10, 1789 

The memoirs of Judge Tyler, to which 
we have alluded, is a work of over 800 
pages, legal cap, commenced by his son, 
Rev. Thomas Rickman Tyler, D D., but 
not yet completed. As this was Judge 
Tyler’s last place of abode, and where he 
lived one-fourth of a century, we extract 
sufficient matter from said memoirs, as 
will give an account of his origin, when 
and why he came to Vermont, college 
days, etc. . 

•* Hon. Royall Tyler was born in Bos- 
ton, Mass., July 18, 1757. His family was 
wealthy aud influential, giving him favor 
able opportunities for intellectual culture. 
His father, Royall Tyler, Sen. , was a man 
of marked ability, and a graduate of Har- 
vard College at 19 years, and soon after 
engaged in mercantile business in company 
with his brother-in-law, Samuel Phillips 
Savage. He was a member of the King’s 
council from 1705 until his death in 1771. 
As such the name of Royall Tyler, Sen., 
appears upon the most important commit- 
tees, during the long contest between the 
General Court and Governors Bernard and 
Hutchinson, occasioned by the stamp act, 
the quartering of the troops in Boston, and 
the removal of the General Court sessions 
to Cam bridge. As tbe spokesman of the 
committee, he demanded of the Governor 
the removal of the troops from Boston. 
"The people/* said he, to the Governor, 
r, lmve formed their plan for removing the 
troops from the town, and it is impossible 
that they remain in it. The people w»ll 
come in from the neighboring towns; there 
will be ten thousand men to effect the re- 
moval of the troops, let the consequences 
be what they may.” 

Amid the excitement, agitation and tu- 
mults of this period, his son Royall was 
growing to boyhood. The fireworks, pro- 
cessions, pealing of bells, and salvos of 
artillery, which marked the brief intoxi- 
cation of loyalty, on the repeal of the 
stamp act, was to him a childish, though 
vivid memory, and he was a lad already 
fitting for college at the grammar school, 
when the same bells sounded the tocsin of 
alarm on the fearful night of the "Boston 
massacre." Notwithstanding the political 
agitation of the times, and heavy taxation, 



amounting often to more than one-third of 
their income, the family enjoyed twelve 
years of prosperity and domestic quiet. 
Tlie next year, Mary, the eldest daughter, 
died, aged 18, and in May. 1771. the father, 
Royall Tyler, Ben., closed his honorable 
career at 48 years. He was buried in the 
tomb built by his father in the churchyard 
of King’s chapel. It is situated on the 
westerly side of the ground adjoining the 
sidewalk of Treuiont street, and is covered 
with a slab, sculptured with the coat of 
arms of the family. 

At commencement July 15, 1772, Royall 
Tyler entered the freshman class of Har- 
vard College, being then within three days 
of his loth year. Of Mr. Tyler’s college 
days little can be known, after the ceulury 
since elapsed. His class seems to have 
been an able one, numbering among oth 
ers, who afterwards distinguished them- 
selves, Chief Justices Bewail and Thatcher, 
and Christopher Gore, Governor and IT, 8, 
Senator of Massachusetts. The latter was 
his room-mate, and many years after, 
Judge Tyler, while driving with his son 
down into Maine, pointed out a hous.e 
where he and Gore spent some weeks, hav- 
ing been rusticated by the faculty for an 
unlucky contretemps in which they had 
involved themselves. Their room was 
over the front door of one of the college 
halls, and from the window they had 
thrown down a line with a hook properly 
baited, endeavoring thereon to catch one of 
a litter of pigs in the yard below. Intently 
watching the issue of this experiment, they 
failed to notice the approach of the Rev- 
erend and austere President Langdon, un- 
til he had ascended the steps, removed his 
cocked-hat. and wos wiping his forehead. 
The line was pulled up with a sudden 
jerk, in hopes that be might not see from 
whose window it came; but alas, swinging 
across the doorway in its quick ascent, the 
hook caught the wig of the venerable doc- 
tor, and brought it up with a run Aside 
from the unlucky result of his fishing for 
pigs., the only punishment recorded during 
his whole course was a tine of sixpence for 
abusing a library book. 

Royall Tyler graduated in July, 1770, 
completing his collegiate 00111*86 and his 
19th year, while the country was in a de 
lirium of hope and fear of its first month 
of independent existence. No record is 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



known to exist of his comparative siaad- 
log in his class. Ills reputation, however, 
for wit, genius and elegant se ho lai'aliip had 
already extended beyond Lire walls of Har- 
vard. He was recognized in the cultivated 
circles of Boston as the brilliant scion of 
a prominent family; and Yale, us a com- 
pliment, perhaps unprecedented, this same 
year, almost simultaneously with his alma 
mater, bestowed on him the degree of 
Bachelor of Arte, He commenced at once 
the study of law with l he Hon. Francis 
Dana of Cambridge, For the three years 
succeeding he pursued hh professional 
studies, mingled with more congenial lite- 
rary occupations and the pleasures of social 
intercourse. A remarkably brilliant set of 
young men, colemporaries and intimates 
in college, formed a club, which met stat- 
edly at the rooms of Col, John Trumbull, 
the young soldier and painter. Among 
those of this coterie who became distin- 
guished in after life, beside Christopher 
Gora and himself, were Rufus King, sub - 1 
scquently delegate to the American Con- 
gress, U. S. Senator, and Ambassador to 
England; William Eustis, Governor of 
Massachusetts member of Congress and 
Secretary of War; Aaron Dexter, Profes- 
sor of Chemistry and Materia Medina at 
Harvard, and Thomas Dawes, Justice of 
the Supreme Court of Mass, Such a 
youthful company must have been an effi- 
cient mutual stimulus to intellectual exer- 
tion , and we do not wonder that Colonel 
Trumbull recalls, with pleasure, the even- 
ings when in his studio, they "regaled 
themselves with a cup of tea, instead of 
wine, and discussed subjects of literature, 
politics and war A (Reminiscences, p. o0.) 
He also mentions (page (>3) his having paint- 
ed, at this time, a portrait S-3d length, of 
Roy a 1 1 Ty 1 er. r r h is p i c t u re , w j 1 i ch w o u Id 
now be so invaluable, both for the sake of 
the artist and the subject, was unfortu- 
nately kisL some thirty years afterwards, 
destroyed by ft re. Particulars, Memoirs, 

page 17. Particulars of Tyler in active 
service in the Revolution, Memoirs, p. 18. 

Mr, Tyler was admitted to the bar in 
1770, at the most gloomy period of the 
war of Independence. The business of 
Boston had been nearly mined by the _J ri - 
lish occupation and the siege; while the 
presence of hostile fleets on the coast still 



prevented its revival. Such commerce as 
was possible had been driven to the more 
distant parts of Maine, where the building 
of vessels for ilie privateering service also 
contributed to the activities of trade. 
This seems to have induced him, in the 
ft rat instance., to establish himself at Fal- 
mouth (now Portland) a town which hav- 
ing been burned by the enemy three years 
be f o re, w as va | >i d ly v 1 si ng f ro m i ts as lies. 
His residence there was brief, and would 
not have been known the writer, but tor a 
notice of him in Willis’s 1 History of the 
Law, the Courts, and the Lawyers of 
Maine/" which stales that IH Royal] Tyler 
came to Falmouth in 17711. He was & line 
scholar and an accomplished man. He 
continued but about two years in our 
Stated' The author gives a short sketch 
of his life, and adds the following anec- 
dote: 

"An incident occurred during his prac- 
tice iu Cumberland, which was not a little 
annoying Lo him. He commenced an ac- 
tion against an officer of a privateer, then 
lying in the harbor, utid went aboard with 
the sheriff to have the writ served. But 
the privateeris-maii, not liking the process, 
took up his anchor, and sailed out of the 
precinct, carrying the attorney and his 
officer with him,, whom he landed cm Booth 
Bay, and kept on his cruise,— acting upon 
the c lass \ cal dictum: 1 1 Inter arm a n £ 

leffffl. ri 

The improving prospect of peace, and 
the revival of business, soon made it ex- 
pedient for Mr. Tyler to return to the vi- 
cinity of Boston, (Intimacy with the fam- 
ilies of John Adams, Palmers, Quincy, and 
Richard C ranch, In Memoirs, page 20). 

Mi . Tyler removed to Quincy, then called 
Braintree, with the intention of identify- 
ing himself permanently with the interests 
of the place. He purchased landed prop- 
erty there, and is mentioned by its local 
historian us one of the first who endeav- 
ored to supply the pressing want of water- 
power by erecting a windmill on an origi- 
nal plan of Ins own. Popular as a lawyer, 
and admired as a wit, his neighbors seem 
nevertheless to have lacked confidence in 
his skill as a millw rig] j L T hey made Ills 
undertaking a butt of their ridicule. Meet- 
ing one day the minister of the village, 
from whom he hoped torn more favorable 



BR ATTLEBORO. 



90 



judgment, he asked what he thought of 
his mill. "Very ingenious,** replied the 
parsou, "aud in theory undoubtedly cor- 
rect. When 1 wuS young, I built one just 
like it, and the only fault it had, was that 
it would not go.'* Such proved to be the 
case with Mr. Tyler's also, 

(Letters from John Adams and also from 
Mrs. Adams, and other interesting mutters 
On pages 2o, 30, 27, 29, of Memoirs* 1786, 
courts silenced by armed mobs in the days 
of the “Shay Rebellion,’* so called, in Me- 
moirs, page 32. Sad disappointments com- 
mencing, Memoirs, page 29). 

The measures taken to suppress the Shay 
rebellion, engaged Mr. Tyler once more in 
military service. Jan. 19, 1787, Maj. Gen. 
Benjamin Lincoln took command of the 
forces of the State of Massachusetts. He 
appointed Ro3 F all Tyler bis aid-de-camp, 
with the title of Major, and in the heart 
of one of the coldest of New England 
winters took the held, pressing on with 
all speed, to save the arsenal at Spring- 
field, and to defeat the insurgents. The 
result is a matter of history. The fort- 
night following the defeat of the rebels 
was spent in vigorous pursuit of them 
through the blustering storms of winter 
over the hills of Berkshire, covered with 
two feet of snow, into New York and 
"the territory called Venuout.” Major 
Tyler, with a troop of cavalry, was active- 
ly employed in this service. He used to 
relate how on one occasion, he entrapped 
a company of the fugitives iu a meeting- 
house, on Sunday. Thinking themselves 
far out of the reach of pursuit, they had 
stacked their arms outside, leaving but a 
single sentinel, who was soon enticed into 
the shelter of the porch from the biting 
wind that swept, over the common. Then- 
leader, like a Yankee Cromwell, was hold- 
ing forth from the pulpit to the descen- 
dants of his Ironsides, on the oppression 
and tyranny of the government and its 
bloodthirsty resolution to hunt down and 
bring to the gallows every patriot who had 
taken up arms in defence of the people’s 
rights. Meanwhile Major — as lie whs usu- 
ally called, when in command of detached 
parties, Colonel— Tyler, by a rapid march 
through cross-roads, had intercepted their 
route, quietly surrounded the house, seized 
their muskets and frightened their sentinel 
into silence. Waiting until the orator had 



! concluded, he Iheu walked up into the 
I pufpH and informed them that they were 
his prisoners. He then went on with a 
long and earnest speech in refutation of 
1 the misrepresentations ami calumnies 
against the government, by which the 
rank and file bad been led astray ; showed 
them that the evils under which the gov- 
ernment suffered were the inevitable re- 
i suits of the exhaustion of the war; that 
| tile Legislature had done, and were ready 
to do every thing possible to relieve the 
popular distress; and that instead of pros- 
ecuting offenders mercilessly, as alleged, 
only required of the non-commissioned 
officers and private soldiers among them 
to surrender their arms, and a renewal of 
their oath of allegiance. The result was 
the instant conversion of the whole band 
into good citizens, their leaders only being 
committed to trial for treason. By tbe 
middle of February the rebellion was sup- 
pressed iu Massachusetts; hut the most 
prominent of the rebels had escaped into 
the neighboring States, and still deluded 
their followers that they would soon re- 
turn with such assistance as would make 
them successfully take the field. These 
promises received some support from the 
fact that the political party views of Gov. 
Bowdoin, and his administration, were op- 
posed, as aristocratic aud tyranuical, to 
those in power in the rest of Now Eng- 
land. To arrest these ringleaders was very 
important; and to do this within the juris- 
diction of other sovereign {States, obtain- 
ing the consent, and assistance of the local 
authorities, was »i service of peculiar dell- 
| eacy and difficulty, especially as it was 
i kiiown that the people very generally sym- 
1 pathized with the insurgents. By the act 
of the Legislature, the Governor of Mass*- 
l ehusetta was requested to issue a procla- 
mation offering a reward for apprehending 
| such of the ringleaders, or principals, in 
; ihe present rebellion, as he shall judge 
proper, not exceeding JJioU, for auy one 
of them. 

The Governor issued a proclamation, 
offering rewards for the arrest of Daniel 
Shay, Elijah Day and John Wiley, as be- 
ing "principals, aiders and abettors of this 
horrid and wicked rebellion.” When Gen *1 
Lincoln received this, nl Pittsfield, he had 
information that these persons were in 
Benniuglon county, Vermont, makiug 



90 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



their way through New York to Canada, 
Whoever should he sent in pursuit of them 
would be obliged to apply to the Execu- 
tives of New York and Vermont for au- 
thority and aid, — a duty exceedingly deli- 
cate, for New Y T ork claimed Vermont as a 
province of her own, while the latter had 
proclaimed itself an independent State, 
had elected Thomas Chittenden its Gover- 
nor, and had chosen a Legislative Council 
and House of Representatives, then in 
session at Bennington. It had applied for 
admission to the confederacy; but Con- 
gress had not yet acknowledged its inde- 
pendence by receiving it as a State. He 
determined to send Major Tyler on this 
service, furnishing him with this letter of 
credence ; 

< < Pittsfield, Feh. 14, 1787. 

Sir : — I have received from the Gover- 
nor a proclamation for apprehending cer- 
tain characters therein named, which proc- 
lamation you will receive herewith, as also 
the doings of the General Court, on which 
it has been founded ; and a warrant against 
a number of persons, all of whom have 
been active in the present rebellion, and 
have taken shelter in the neighboring 
States. I have, therefore, to solicit, Sir, 
that you would pursue and apprehend 
these delinquents, and all such powers as 
you may need in executing this commis- 
sion, you will please to apply to the Gov- 
ernors of the neighboring States for them, 
to whose countenance you are particular- 
ly recommended as a gentleman to whom 
the most perfect respect and confidence is 
due. 

I have the honor of being, sir, 
with great esteem. 

Your obedient servant, 

B. Lincoln, 

Royall Tyler, Esq’r. 

Major Tyler started on his mission early 
in the morning of Feb. 15, 1787. On his 
way lie overtook Col Fay, commander of 
the frontier post at Williamstown, in the 
northwestern comer of Massachusetts. The 
forces at this place, and those at Adams, 
five or six miles distant, were placed at his 
disposal, as far as he might need them, for 
the arrest of the fugitives. They were, in 
the aggregate, about 500 men. He deliv- 
ered Genl Lincoln’s orders to Col. Fay, 
and dispatched the following by express : 



To the CommcmMng Officer of the Govern- 
mental Forces at Adams : 

Sin; — I send you the enclosed order from 
Gen’l Lincoln. You will please to quarter 
your troops in Adams, as compact as is 
consistent with the nature of your instruc- 
tions from the commander of the forces. 

I could wish that you would, for a few 
days to come, issue your provisions in such 
a manner that the troops under your com- 
mand may have two days’ cooked provis- 
ions; and that you would engage as many 
sleighs as will be needed to transport all 
your troops at a minute’s warning. Mr. 
Jones, a respectable character, will assist 
you in this, and give you advice in other 
matters, as may be convenient. If you 
should be absent, at any time, from your 
quarters, please to leave a copy of this 
with the commanding officer on the spot, 
that no delay maybe occasioned if I should, 
call for any number of your troops. 

Sir, I am your humble servant, 

R. Tyler, Y. A. D. C. 

Williamstown, Feb. 14, 1787. 

That wdiieh prompted these stringent or- 
ders — to be in constant readiness for instant 
start and rapid conveyance, was informa- 
tion that was hourly reaching him from 
scouts, of the whereabouts of the rebels: 
making it probable that by a sudden dash 
into the territory of the neighboring States, 
he might surprise and capture their most 
prominent leaders, as well as many of the 
rank and file. To this end, an early move 
was essential, but accurate and reliable in- 
formation was equally so. He therefore 
resolved, with a small guard of picked 
horsemen , to push on to Bennington, where 
he expected to receive further reports from 
his emissaries, and hoped to receive aid 
from the Governor and Legislature there 
in session. From a lengthy and interest- 
ing report of bis proceedings, to Gen. Lin- 
coln, we- give the following; 

{ "Upon my arrival at Bennington, I was 
introduced to Mr. Tiehenor — the Governor 
not being in town, or expected until the 
next day— to the principal characters in 
the administration of the government of 
Yermont; to the Judges of the Supreme 
Judicial Court; the Secretary, the Speaker 
of the House of Representatives, &c. We 
were in private at Col. Brush’s house, I 
there communicated such part of my pa- 
pers as I judged necessary. They entered 




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91 



fully into our design , but seemed to feel 
mortified that his Excellency, our Gover- 
nor, had not wrote to Gov. Chittenden. 1 
mentioned the act of our Legislature re- 
questing the Governor to write to the au- 
thority of adjoining governments, and we 
amicably resolved that his Excellency’s dis- 
patches must have been intercepted by the 
rebels. They said that the "Shays” and 
‘'"Days”' — the two latter only being in com- 
pany, had passed through the town a few 
days since — Shays under a feigned name, 
the two Bays publicly with their side-arms. 
The people here will not, except a few 
very trusty exceptions, ever serve a war- 
rant, unless the Legislature shall pass an 
act directing it. I have had a perplexing 
instance of this: Luke Day was, yesterday, 
half an hour in this town, and I could not, 
with the assistance of the first characters 
here, prevail upon the sheriff or constable 
to apprehend him, I offered to take a 
deputation myself, but was no inhabitant. 
Whilst we disputed he moved off. I know 
where he lodges, and shall apprehend him 
this evening, 

Gen’] Ethan Allen, in my presence, said 
that those who held the reins of govern- 
ment in Massachusetts were a ‘pack of 
damned rascals:’ and that ‘there w r as no 
virtue among them, and he did not think 
it worth while to try to prevent them that 
had fled into this State for shelter, from 
cutting down our maple trees, 5 and the 
common people flocked around him as 
though he had a sight to show. The com- 
mon sentiment was, that they will shelter 
anybody that applies to any of their houses 
for shelter; and that our quarrel will be 
£10,000 advantage to this State.” 

The opposition of the Governor to any 
action of the Legislature, and the almost 
universal popular sentiment against the 
arrest of the fugitives, effectually defeated 
the object of Major Tyler’s mission. He 
reports to Lincoln his having arrested 
Abram Wheeler, but he was soon rescued 
by forty-odd subjects of New York, who 
carried him in triumph to a large mob of 
rebels. ' T have many things to communi- 
cate not fit to be trusted on paper. I only 
say, that, there is a certain embryo govern- 
ment, who are as weak as water; and that, 
in a short time, unless they act decidedly, 
will be like water spilt upon the ground— 
not to be gathered.” 



Neither Shays, nor any other of the more 
noted of the fugitives were ever captured. 
Still, Major Tyler’s mission can by no 
means be regarded as a failure. He had 
made so deep an impression on the author- 
ities of Vermont, in favor of the cause of 
order and the government of Massachu- 
setts, that although, as we have seen, they 
hesitated for the time, yet in a few days 
after he left Bennington, all the requests 
he had made were granted, the proclama- 
tion against harboring, aiding or abetting 
the rebels was issued, and effort made to 
arrest or disperse them, putting an efficient 
stop to their predatory incursions into 
Massachusetts. The last of these, indeed, 
the last effort of the rebellion — the attack 
upon the village of Stoekbridge took place 
on the 37th of February, the day after 
Major Tyler left Bennington to report him- 
self to Gen. Lincoln at Pittsfield. Imme- 
diately on his arrival there, he was sent to 
Stoekbridge to obtain full particulars of 
occurrences there ; and from thence to Bos- 
ton, to report to the Governor the state of 
affairs on the western frontier, and the in- 
sult of his mission to Vermont. He reached 
the capital the 5th of March. His first act 
was to send the following note to Judge 
Theodore Sedge wick. 

"Boston, Monday Morning. 

Dear Sir:— I have the pleasure to en- 
close you several letters from vour friends 
in Berkshire. They contain, doubtlessly, 
an account of the daring attack and inhu- 
man conduct of the rebels at Stoekbridge, 
and the happy and complete success of the 
troops of the government. 1 may have 
some little particulars, which your friends 
have omitted to communicate. If your 
curiosity is excited, pray come and see me 
at Mr. Palmers, head of the rope walk.. 
The fatigues of last night — as I passed the 
whole of it in an open sleigh — and a varie- 
ty of avocations, will excuse my waiting 
upon yon. 

Sir, I am yours, Ac. 

R. Tyler, 

He also despatched the following note to 
the Governor: 

Boston, March o, 1787. 

Sir: — I arrived here about half -past 4 
this morning. Mr. Palmer will hand you 
the despatches from the Gens. Lincoln and 
Shepherd, Maj.-Gen. Lincoln’s letter re- 
fers your Excellency to me for a statement 




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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



of facte. 'Whenever you shall please to 
direct my Attendance, l will wait upon you 
with punctuality. The nature of my com- 
munications are such, that I could wish to 
■converse with you previous to your meet- 
ing your council. 

I urn, with thfe greatest respect. 

Tour Excellency^ most oivi, 

R. Tyleu, 

Governor s reply : 

The Governor's compliments to Major 
Tyler. He would be glad to see him, on 
the subject of his billet, half an hour pre- 
vious to the dining hour, which is 2 oxl'k, 
or when it shall he convenient to Mr. Ty- 
ler. If his brother, the Colonel, is in 
town, the Governor would be glad to have 
his company at dinner to-day . 

Tuesday morning, 6th March 

Tlie result of his interview with the 
Governor and Council, was the resolution 
on their part to send him on a mission to 
the authorities of the State of New York, 
He accordingly started next morning on 
the long and tedious stage- journey to New 1 
York- He addressed a letter to Gov, Bow- 
doi n . Ex tm cts a s Col 1 o ws : 

M A report prevails I lore that Shays with 
several of his officers have been arrested in 
Canada. I have reason to doubt this, T 
sha 1 1 meet w ith Alaj or Beck wilh, aide -d e- 
pftmp to Lord Dorchester, at New York, 
and will endeavor, if it can be done with 
delicacy, to sound him as to the disposition 
of the British government, as it relates to 
h ar boii ng ou r re be) s. T 1 

Mttjor Tyler spent some time iu New 
York, accomplishing die object of his 
mission. The en urge lie co-operation of 
the authorities of the bordering States en- 
tirely paralyzed the action of The fugitives. 
T k ey m eek t y ac k n o w 1 ed ged th e i r erno r a n d 
sued for pardon of their crimes. Special 
terms of court were, field for trial of those 
in custody. Fourteen were condemned lo 
dentil for high treason , and many more to 
imprisonment, fines, whipping and the pil- 
lory. The submission of the rebels was, 
however, so complete that the government 
felt itself strong enough to be merciful. 
None of the sentences were executed, and 
before the summer was over, an act of uni- 
versal amnesty was passed, Even Shays 
himself was permitted to return home un- 
molested. He soon removed to Sparta, N 
Y. , whore he died in t$35. 



After This stirring episode in his life, Mr 
Tyler returned to Ids law office in Boston. 
He evidently kept up his acquaintance and 
co rrespoi) de nee w i tli t hose ge at! emc n w k o m 
lie met at Benmtigkm. The following let- 
ter, from one of the most dtetittguifshed 
mm of Vermont, we Copy: 

23 Aug. t 1737. 

Sm You find, by this lime, l dare sav, 
that the government of this State has been 
j very friendly to yours. Such persons as 
have been criminals, and have acted against 
law fuid society in general, and have come 
horn your State to this, we send back to 
! you; and others, who have only took part 
with Shays, we govern by our laws, so that 
they do not and dare not make any inroads 
or devastations in Massachusetts. As to 
the appendix to the Oracles of Reason, 
should you procure £18 or £20 by subscrip- 
tion, in ready money, il shall be published 
next spring. 

I am, sir, with respect. 

Your humble servant. 

To Ma.t. Tyush. Ethan Allen. 

“During the year 1783, our father re- 
mained in Boston, engaged in the practice 
of law, and no doubt in literary pursuits, 
although no productions of this dale can 
be found. The care of the family proper- 
ty had been left, to him, and must have oc- 
j cupied much of his time. An incident 
connected with this is among the few that 
can be recalled. Tyler lane or alley had, iu 
| a former generation, been opened from 
Ann street, through the family estate ro 
the tow n clock, to he held and used by the 
piddle for that purpose only. The town 
audio rides, having determined to close the 
lane, proceeded, against Mr. Tyler* pro- 
test, to move a small wooden build lug upon 
the ground. Nearly 40 years afterwards, 
his sou, Geidl John S, Tyler, brought a 
successful suit for the recovery of this 
land. An old mao was found who remem- 
bered distinctly, that when a long line of 
men and hoys were moving the building, 
by a rope attached to ii ? Roy all Tyler stood 
on the boundary of this land, forbidding 
them moving it across the I mu: that he had 
an axe in his hmul, and, as they did not 
s top j with one blow he cut the rope, let- 
ting those who were pulling at it go head- 
long, with shouts and laughter, lo the 
ground 

At this period, the wonderful acting of 



BKATTLEBOItO. 



03 



Garrick uud Siddous, and the success of 
Dr. Goldsmith and others ns writers of 
comedy, had revived in England a taste 
for the drama. In our larger cities the 
stage was well supported; even Boston 
having so far overcome the prejudices of 
Puritanism as to fill the old Federal street 
Theatre, with its wit and fashion. Mr. 
Tyler was intimate with the managers 
and principal actors of this establishment, 
and became much interested in dramatic 
literature and art. 

No American play had yet been produced 
on the regular stage, and urged by these 
friends, he resolved to attempt a comedy 
which should have the elements of success 
us an acting drama, and also he strictly 
national in plot and characters. The field 
was in good measure clear before him. 
The typical Yankee, especially now so 
familiar, had not yet appeared on the stage 
or in print. 

The general plan which lie adopted and 
which led to distinguished success, was to 
contrast the homely, honest plainness of [ 
our native character and breeding with 
the polished, tinselled hypocrisy and vil- 
lanv of foreign fashionable society. His 
dramatis person a3 .naturally disposed them- 
selves in pairs; the two gentlemen and 
their two men-servants, the two mistresses 
and their two maids, etc., and each pair 
beiugin marked contrast one with the other 
suggested “The Contrast,” as an apt title 1 
to the play. 

in the preface it is said to have been un- 
dertaken and finished in three weeks, j 
This must have been during the winter of 
1788-0. The next spring, at the Park 
Theatre, New York, it was brought out. 

Ir took at once, with the public, and had 
an unprecedented run of several weeks. 

That spring of 'SO was a stirring one in 
our country's history, and New York the 
centre point of its greatest action. 

The Contrast; a comedy iii five acts, 
written by a citizen of the United States, 
performed with applause at the theatres in 
New York, Philadelphia and Maryland, 
and published, (under an assignment of 
copyright,) by Thos. Wtguell. Primal ego 
in Patriam, an mo (Maxi ter tire masas. ” 

Such is the title page as printed the fol- 
lowing year at Philadelphia. The copy 
before the writer is the only one he knows 



to he extant. It belonged to one of the 
original subscribers, manager of the Bos- 
ton Theatre, by him given to Joseph T. 
Buckingham, the editor, and by him given 
to Geu. John S. Tyler, the present owner* 

Wignell, to whom the author gave the 
copyright, was a comic actor of some 
celebrity. He sustained the character of 
Jonathan, both in New York and Mary- 
land. 

It lias, as was then customary, a list of 
the subscribers. This is headed by the hou- 
ored unmc of George Washington, Presi- 
dent of the United States, followed by the 
names of most of the marked men of that 
epoch: Aaron Burr, H. Knox, Carroll, of 
Carrollton, Mifflin, President of the State 
of Pennsylvania, Chief Justice McKean* 
Att’y Edmund .Randolph, Baron Steuben 
and others. 

The prologue, said to be written by u 
young gentleman of New York, opens: 

“ Exult each patriot heart! this night i« shown 
A piece which we may fairly call our own ! 
Where the proud titles of “My Lord,” “Your 

Grace,” 

To humble “ Mr ” and plain " Sir,”givc place. 
Our author pictures not from foreign climes, 
The fashions, or the follies of the times ; 

But has confined the subject of his work 
To the gay scenes, the circles of New York. 

*• w * * * * 

Should rigid critics reprobate our play, 

At least the patriot heart will say: 

Glorious onr fall, since in rtoioble cause, 

The bold attempt alone deserves applause.’' 

[Following the prologue is a full report 
of the play from page 70 of memoir.] 

Mr Tyler also wrote a farce under the 
title of “ May Day iu Towu,” which was 
brought out, at the same time, as an after- 
piece with unusual success. He was pet- 
ted. caressed, feasted aud toasted, and no 
doubt lived too freely. After his return 
he rusticated with his mother again, a wid- 
ow living at. Jamaica Plain, and after a few 
visits of condolence, we learn no more of 
him for four or five years. Why it was 
we could uot discover, but his spirits 
seemed greatly depressed- In the spring 
of 1700, Mr. Palmer removed from Boston 
onto a farm in Framingham. Mass., and 
during the summer Mr. Tyler called upou 
them there, being on a horseback journey 
to Vermont, where, as he informed Miss 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Mary, he had determined to start, anew in 
life, leaving his mother in the care of his 
brother, John, and relinquishing the Bos- 
ton property for her use aud support. 

It seems to us now lather difficult to con- 
ceive what sufficient motive could have in- 
duced Royull Tyler to leave Boston, where 
he liad family and business connection and 
a wide reputation, both professional and 
literary, for the wilds of Vermont. There 
may have been matters of personal feeling, 
of which, in the entire absence of miy let- 
ter, or other document of that date, we 
cannot judge, but the "new State 1 ’ cer- 
tainly presented peculiar attractions at this 
time. During the war of independence 
it had maintained a double contest, against 
Great Britain and New York. It Imd paid 
its soldiers mostly ‘ in kind ' aud had not. 
like other States, contracted heavy debts. 

Taxes promised to be light, land was 
cheap and much of it good. The difficul- 
ties which hud beset the territory for nearly 
half a century, were all removed by the act 
of Congress, "thal on the 4th day of March, 
1791. the said State of Vermont shall be re- 
ceived in this union as a new and entire 
member of the United States of America. ” 

It had been manifest for several years 
(hat this must he the result, and there had 
been a large immigration, especially from 
Massachusetts and Connecticut. 

Nor did this consist wholly of hard 
working farmers. Throughout, the State 
were scattered many men of wealth, enter- 
prise and culture, with whom Mr. Tyler 
was already acquainted. Wherever lie at- 
tended sessions of the courts, he was wel- 
comed, uot only by able lawyers, but by a 
circle of wits and scholars, with whom his 
rare gifts of genius rendered him a univer- 
sal favorite. 

In the summer of 1700, Mr. Tyler visited 
Vermont, probably for the first time since 
the Shay’s affair. This time he ascended 
the valley of the Connecticut to Windsor, 
where the Supreme Court was in session. 
In January following, he established him- 
self in the middle of the town of Guilford, 
Windham County. 

This township had had a singular history. 
Chartered in 1754, by New Hampshire, it 
afterwards threw off allegiance to that col- 
ony, and refusiug submission to Vermont, 
became in effect au independent republic. 



The liberty its citizens enjoyed proved so 
attractive to scltlers, that it soon became 
the most populous (own in the State, So 
it wu$ when Mr. Tyler selected it as his res- 
idence. ‘'Yet,” says Thompson, in his 
Gazetteer of Vermont, '‘there was uot a 
single village in the township, or rather the 
whole township was a village, all the hills 
and valleys wore smoking with huts.” At 
the centre, however, in 1791, a small ham- 
let with meeting-house, tavern, store aud 
shops had spruug up. Rev. Mr. Woo) luge 
was the Congregational minister, Edward 
and James Houghton the merchants, with 
cultivated families, and here Rovall Tyler 
established himself as the lawyer of the 
place. 

In a small account book, lie kept during 
this year, the first entry is Jan. 15th ; from 
the charges it appears his practice rapidly 
extended through the county. He attend- 
ed the courts uot only of Windham, bul 
the adjoining counties. In Benningtou. 
during the summer, 1792, he renewed many 
of his former acquaintances, aud after the 
adjournment of court, drove down info 
Berkshire County, Mass., to visit at Stock- 
bridge his friend Judge Sedge, wick. 

Another attraction doubtless led him in 
this direction, and induced him to continue 
his journey to New Lebanon, N. Y. Hi.s 
steadfast friend and devoted admirer, Mary 
Palmer, whom, not improbably, he already 
hoped to make his wife, was spending the 
year there with a brother of her mother. 
She was now seventeen, and unquestion- 
ably was a very lovely and beautiful girl. 
It required much explanation of bygone 
relationships to convince the uncle and 
aunt of the propriety of Miss Mary’s warm 
greeting of a fashionable gallant. 

Uncle Huut had heard of Roy a 11 Tyler, 
as a gay young man and author of the 
" Contrast,” a play in which he greatly de- 
lighted, and after the visit he seldom sat 
down at home without bringing oht a print- 
ed copy and reading from it, till his wife de- 
clared she almost knew it by heart. 

Mr. Tyler returned to Guilford and at- 
tended the fall sessions of the courts. 
The next, winter he made his promised 
visit to his fric-uds, the Palmers, in Fram- 
ingham, with a fine pair of black horses, 
which, with his accustomed facetiousness, 
he had named "Crock and Smut.” He 



BRATTLEBORO. 



95 



now acknowledged to Miss Mary, who had 
returned home, that since he saw her at 
her uncle’s he had determined in his own 
mind that it was quite indispensable to his 
happiness that she should become his wife. 
He; did not ask for any set time; he must 
prepare a cage before he took his bird, and 
he had a prospect of obtaining a house in 
the spring, but some time must elapse be- 
fore it could be finished and furnished. 

No stage lines were as yet established, 
and all travel was by horscdiack in summer 
and sleighing in winter. 

Mr. Tyler left his affianced bride and re- 
turned to his clients in Vermont. It ap- 
pears from his docket at the June term of 
1793. he had G2 cases, 32 new entries. 
November term, 48 entries, 22 new ones. 
An extensive and growing practice, with a 
reputation for literary ability already es- 
tablished: gifted with remarkable powers 
as an oratov. overflowing with wit and 
humor, genial and social, his acquaintance 
soon extended throughout the State. It is 
the universal testimony of his cotempo- 
raries, that no one ever acquired more 
rapidly the love and confidence of the peo- 
ple generally, or of the members of the 
bar. 

The intercourse between the towns ou 
the opposite sides of the Connecticut was 
constant and intimate, and Mr, Tyler's 
practice extended into New Hampshire. 
It chanced on one occasion about Christ- 
mas time, he was attending court at 
Charlestown, the Episcopal parish there 
was vacant, and some of the lawyers, hav- 
ing heard that he had written sermons for 
the Guilford people on oue occasion of the ; 
minister’s absence, he was strongly urged 
by bench and bar to conduct church ser- 
vice on the ensuing Sunday, and also on 
Christmas day. Both his reading of the 
service and the sermons were greatly ad- 
mired. In narrating this incident he was 
wont to say, “ After this I was strongly 
urged to turn my thoughts to the Church 
and prepare to take orders, being assured 
that 1 had mistaken my vocation, that it 
was my bounden duty to turn my talents 
that way, etc., -and it would have been rest 
to my soul, at that time, had I dared, but 
a consciousness of having lived too gay a 
life in my youth, made me tremble lest 1 
should in some way bring disgrace upon 
the sacred cause/' 



It was at Charlestown that he formed 
the acquaintance of Joseph Dennie, [spicy 
letters in correspondence between Tyler 
and Dennie, on 90 to 92 pages of Memoir,] 
who became his most intimate friend. 
Thomas and Carlisle had established a 
magazine at Walpole, which had now 
taken the name of “The Farmer's Weekly 
Museum, or llie New Hampshire and Ver- 
mont Journal/’ on which Dennie was em- 
ployed, first as contributor and afterwards 
as editor. The success of this periodical 
was unprecedented. “ Dennie/’ says Jos- 
eph T. Buckingham in his reminiscences, 
" was aided in his task as editor, by Royall 
Tyler, then a lawyer in Guilford, Vt.,\vho 
furnished all those agreeable and humor- 
ous articles, purporting to come from the 
shop of Messrs. Colon and Spondee. For 
three years succeeding this arrangement 
the Museum had no rival. Its circulation 
i extended from Maine to Georgia, ^id it 
i was more richly supplied with Original 
communications of a literary character 
than any other paper that had then, or has 
since, been published in the United Stales/' 
These contributions to the Museum were 
to Mr. Tyler a mere amusement of leisure 
moments, the outcome and overflow of 
an exuberance of wit and humor. lie 
had however planned and was engaged 
upon works of a more serious import. 

He had secured and furnished a house 
in Guilford. Twice during the summer he 
visited his wife and boy. (Royall Tyler 
and Miss Palmer were married in Framing- 
ham.) The young husband at Guilford 
waited anxiously for the sleighing, then 
indispensable for the transportation of 
ladies, children and baggage. 

The winter proved mild, nor was it till 
February that Master Hampden, (Mrs, 
Tyler's brother, H. Palmer, a law student 
with Tyler,) drove “Crock and Smut” 
once more into the farm-yard at Framing- 
ham. All was now hurry and bustle to 
start for home, in horrible dread of a thaw, 
which might, postpone Vermont house- 
keeping for yet another year. All went 
well, with bright, cool weather and capital 
roads, they drove the first day 30 miles, 
the third brought them home in the eve- 
ning. They crossed the Connecticut on 
the ice near the site of old Fort Duramer, 
aud stopped for supper at Squire Howe’s, 
at Vernon. This man was a baby at the 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



on 



time of tile massacre by the Indians, dur- 
ing the French war. His father was lulled 
and the whole family canned captives to 
Canada. They were subsequently ran- 
somed. [See history of Vernon, Lo follow, i 
Bo.] The mother, known in story as “the j 
fair captive/' who married Amos Tute, 
was now once more a widow, and residing 
wirh her son, tlie squire. She was, of 
course one of tlie celebrities of the country, 
anti the travelers enjoyed not only a good 
tire and a substantial supper, but an ac- 
count from the heroine's own lips of the 
terrible sufferings of that march through 
the w oods to Quebec, As they made their 
way over the Guilford hills, Mr. Tyler de- 
scribed to his wife the society to which he 
was about to introduce her. fi Open* hos- 
pitable and friendly, they have no distinc- 
tion among them/ 1 Em said. “ If they have 
a social pa rty the whole neighborhood are 
invited. We have two merchants, the 
Messrs. Houghtons, two physicians, Dr. 
Stevens and I)r. Hyde, one lawyer, your 
humble servant, all men of education, and 
their wives and families well-bred country 
people. There are several well-to do me- 
chanic?? who aim to treat company equally 
well. In fact, my dear, you will find It a 
truly primitive state of society and if you 
have any adequate idea of the heartless* 
ness of the world in general, you will re- 
joice in the friendly simplicity of these 
people, among whom T have spent three or 
four of the happiest years of my life, and 
I rely upon you to continue imd even to 
add lo the high opinion they have formed 
of me. JP 

Mrs. Tyler was received with open- 
hearted kindness by the neighbors around 
her first Vermont home, forming devoted 
friendships which continued unbroken, 
till one by one they have all passed away. 

It will be noticed that ill his comic 
grammar, [we refer for explanation to the 
correspondence w ith Joseph Nuncvecd, iu 
Memoir, 1 Mr. Tyler anticipated by more 
than half a century, the comic histories 
and comic Blaidtstoncs, with which we 
have been Surfeited (hiring the last twenty 
years, 

“You are a thorough grammarian, but 
did you ever see an amusing, sportive, en- 
tertaining grammar? Dirt you ever laugh 
over a conjunction copulative, weep over 



a gerund, and have till your best passions 
called forth by an interjection? 1 must tell 
yon about this business, 

In the beau pursuits of early life, it was 
necessary lliat I should teach grammar to 
a young lady. Rut the pretty Miss had 
coni me L ed u n a v c rsi o n to e v cry tl n ug 1 hat 
savored of study and science. She did 
not lack Intellect, and to amuse her into 
reading was the great object, I accord- 
ingly wrote a grammar in i/mtm padht\ and 
being forwarded in twelve letters, folded 
| as billet doux. she condescended to read. 

| To give you some idea of the work— the 
1 fundamental rules were illustrated by ex- 
amples from the most approved and enter- 
i al n in g B n gl is b *iu t h o rs , and so m et 3 me* b y 
| stories of my own* A lover at the feet of 
his mistress, gave a passionate example of 
interjection; a lady crowned her favored 
lover's virtuous wishes in the passive 
voice, and dismissed an unsuccessful ad- 
mirer in the imperative mood. Thus every 
rule of syntax was associated with some 
pleasing anecdote, brilliant quotation, or 
quaint observation, which familiarized Lhc 
stubborn rule to a mind open only to [he 
amusing and pleasing; or ? in the style of 
Fontaine, “thus the thorn of science was 
decorated with the roses of fancy." 

Doubtless this work would need much 
emendation, but T believe it practicable to 
edit a grammar which shall he read, 1 ’ 

The first draught, retained by Mr, Tyler* 
from which this copy is made, thus sud- 
denly ends, and with it this entertaining 
if not important correspondence. With 
equal suddenness, Nan c rede, either by 
death, or failure, (as tradition states) dis 
appears from our view'. (Nancrcde was a. 
i publisher of books in BosIoil As the long 
I correspondence of Tyler with him throws 
! considerable light upon the doings of ill 
Tyler, we regret that we cannot give it 
! entire.) After repeated volleys of wit and 
argument, some more of loss satisfactory 
adjustment of the old quarrel of author 
and priu ter would probably have been 
reached, between the courteous knights of 
the pen and of the press. 

When Mi\ Tyler’s location hi Guilford 
was made, it was the most populous town 
in the State; hut already Brnttleboro be- 
gan Lo give some faint promise of becom- 
ing the business place of i lie county The 
following letter describes the now home. 



BRATTLE BORO. 



97 



' 'Bn ATTLEBORO, MiiL'Cll 18, 1801. 

# # & # # ^ 

Here we are in quiet and com- 
plete possession of our new farm,* after a 
most fatiguing fortnight of moving, and 
to add to our fatigue, the baby and little 
Mary have both ton very sick. The lat- 
ter was so indisposed, when we removed, 
that it was thought to be accompanied 
by some risque, even by her physician : 
but the earnest wish of all the family, and 
the dread of the snow leaving us* over- 
came all apprehensions, and on the 3d 
inst, we came here bag and baggage. The 
children are now so far recovered as to al- 
low us, for the first time, to hunt up our 
writing materials and address a line lo 
you, who, next to ourselves, we apprehend 
will enter most fully into our enjoyments. 
If I had Sophia’s tongue* or Mary's enthu- 
siasm, I might give yon a description of 
this farm in some measure equal to their 
ideas of it; but as the purchasing of a 
farm is entirely Mary’s, and I have some 
fears of out success in yeomanry, I can- 
not write with the spirit, the subject, they 
suppose, merits: so you w ill look for the 
raptures and the beauties from them, while 
I detail you a little homespun fact. The 
farm we. have purchased is in a retired 
spot, upon, the brow of a large hUl, about 
one mile, as the road goes, from the [West] 
Brattleboro meeting-house; though we 
have a shorter cut through our own 
grounds, which reduces the distance half 
The farm consists of about 150 acres, the 
greatest part of which— indeed* upward 
of an hundred acres is well fenced and 
under good improvement. We have wheat 
and rye now in the ground* springing up 
as the snow leaves it, and promising a suf- 
ficiency of those grains for our bread and 
pies. We have two large orchards, and 
two smaller ones coming on, and expect 
to make some 50 or 60 barrels of cider; 
and, in a few years— as the orchards are 
young and thrift y— -we may reasonably 
expect to make *100 barrels per year. We 
have plenty of good pasturing and expect 
to cut hay enough to winter 30 head of 
cattle. Our neighbor, Mr. Peck, takes 
the farm, at presen I* at halves* and* with 

*The place now owned (1S78) and occu- 
pied by Gilbert Smith, Esq., on the hill where 
was buih the first meeting-house in this town. 

F 



his family, has removed to our farm-house* 
about a quarter of a mile from us. 

Mrs. Peck is an excellent dairy-woman, 
and he is a regular former. He has a. hired 
man with him, and I have hired a young 
man, active and stout, who in busy sea- 
sons will assist Mr, Peck, so that without 
reckoning boys and extra help* we shall 
always have three stout men for farming 
work. With the far In, we purchased farm- 
ing tools, young cattle, hogs, poultry and 
S3 sheep, who have now increased the 
dock by 8 lambs; and it would amuse you 
to see Sophia and the children surrounded 
with sheep* lambs, geese, turkeys and hens, 
feeding them from their hands. 

The house is entirely secluded from a 
view of any neighbors; though on the 
| crown of i\ hill it is yet in a hollow, but 
the necessary buildings around it give it 
the air of being a little neighborhood a 
large barn and shed, corn-barn, chaise- 
house* smoke-house, ash -house* etc 

The bouse is somewhat similar to Judge 
Jones, in Hinsdale* which I think you ob- 
served, an upright part with a handsome 
portico* two handsome front rooms, well 
finished, papered and painted; and two 
handsome chambers over them; back, Is a 
sitting room and by the side of it a room 
for my office, which has a door into the 
sitting-room md another out of doors, so 
that ingress may be had independent of the 
house; back of the sitting-room a good 
kitchen, from whence you go into two bed- 
rooms* one for the boys* and the other for 
the maids, and overhead u meal granary ; 
and over the sitting-room an apartment for 
our hired man and boy; back of the kitch- 
en Is a long wood -house* about 26 feet of 
which makes a summer wash-room , and 
here stands the water-trough, constantly 
supplied with plenty of excellent water, 
lu front of the house is a fruit garden, 
peaches* plums, etc,* but the former will 
not bear until next year. 

On 00 c side of the house is a kitchen 
garden, with n good asparagus bed sod 
plenty of currants, red* white and black, 
and large English gooseberries, on the 
other side is a bower garden. 

ISext the house runs a small brook* on 
the other side of which is a grass plot set 
0 u t w i th you n g f ru i t trees* ch 1 efly plum s. 
We have on the place a plenty of common 
cherry trees and lour fine blackheart cher- 



US 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



ry trees near ihe f ron t w i nd ows. We have 
also, pear trees and peach trees which 
hear, j i ml < j u i n c e b u sb es. On the p! ace we 
1 1 1 ay ga I h er ca i b tl outis of cli estn u ts , no w a 1 - 
mite, fan I a sufficiency of butternuts In a 
word, if one can love a retired farmer's 
life, here you may have it to perfection. 

For all wo live down, or ml her tip a 
bine, you wilt scarcely see three persons 
pass in as many days. We cannot see a 
single house, even from our chamber win 
duty*. not even our farm bouse, but dial is 
pret i tly si 1 1 m ted ( t he re you may sue perhaps 
80 boosts, and if we climb our orchard we 
can see the country 80 miles around, 

I \ hi nk this place may be made com- 
fortable and even pleasmg* but the house 
lUm never be made lo look Jmudsome, that 
Is, on the outside, within* to he suftr, if we. 
sluu the windows, or look into the garden, 
ii docs tolerably, hut the bouse is in a hoi 
Jow.iinda house til a hole cannot look well 
from abroad , I ml then if is a in mu* 0 ml ims 
n thousand pleasant Iking*, fruitful field > 
anti delicious jfvnils about, 1 brown together 
higgledy, piggledy/' 

By this removal bis ten years residence 
in Guilford ended They had now lour 
children, Royal l about six years old, John 
S, , four, Mary two, and Edward, an in- 
fant. 

Mrs, Tylers brother, John Hamden Pal- 
mer, bad been, until now, a member of the 
family * but was about ibis time admitted 
to the bar and jellied n\ Woodstock. Her 
youngest sister, Sophia, aged 14, had been 
virtually adopted us a daughter. For a 
year or more. John Tyler, lib nephew, bad 
been a a to dent in his office, hot had aban- 
doned i he law for what proved a very suc- 
cessful business in Boston . He had also, 
although secretly, as a student, the Rev 
M r. Wo 1 1 age , w h 0 sc tern per h e h ad f orn ic r - 
ly ruffled by invading bis pulpit. This 
gentleman was admitted to practice, and 
afterward a oscillated once or twice between 
thti two professions, sacred and profane. 

Three new judges were appointed for 
the Supreme Court, October 1301. but they 
were not selected on account of Their polit- 
ical opinions, but on account of their sup- 
posed qualifications for the office. Those 
thus elected by an adverse Legislature were 
Jonathan Robinson. Royal! Tyler and 
Stephen Jacob— Robinson being Urn Chief 
Justice. 



As District Attorney for Windham* 
County. Mr, Tyler bad been obliged to at- 
tend the Legislature, and had thus extend' 
ed his acquaintance through the State. 
His practice also bad taken him to the 
courts of nearly every county. His legal 
reputation and the peculiar charm of his 
manners no doubt led to this result, 

The same judges were re-elected In the 
fall of 1803. The constant intercourse of 
a year had already induced between them 
it remarkable degree of intimacy and per- 
sonal regard There seems To be some- 
thing in The brotherhood of the bench 
singularly conducive to such sentiments, 
and in their case there was much previous 
antagonism and preconceived distrust lobe 
overcome, Jacob, indeed, had long been 
a friend of Judge Tyler, having often en - 
Lev turned him as a guest when attending 
courts at Windsor, With the Chief Jus- 
tice, on the contrary, be had bad, before 
ihey met upon the bench, but 11 slight ac- 
f|Umjiti!nee, and they were for different 
rt- 1 -on*, more or less unfavorably prepos- 
sessed In regard to each other, Mr. Tyler, 
probably, shared the prejudices of his 
friend. Gov, Tiehenor, They had, more- 
over. belonged to the opposing political 
parties At a time when party spirit ran so 
high as to he n serious bar to social inter- 
course imd to a just mutual appreciation. 
Rubiusou had long khown of him as the 
writer in “The Farmer’s Museum,” of sat. 
ideal poems, pointed epigrams and polit- 
ical squibs against the Republicans; but 
more Than ad this, being himself a strict 
religionist of the CoJvanistic and Hopkhi- 
sian school, he had been Jed to regard Mr, 
Tyler as a man of the world, unregeneva re, 
and in short, little better than one of the 
wicked/’ When brought together, how- 
ever, in their present close relations, they 
found each other as good men often do iu 
such cases, so far from antipathetic, that 
they coalesced at once, forming a friend- 
ship for life. The Chief Justice retained 
Ins office until, in 1807, he was elected h> 
rhe Be mate of the United States, While he 
was in Washington they corresponded con- 
stantly, and in one of bis letters the Sena- 
tor refers to their early prejudices against 
each other, how soon they passed away, 
and related an incident of the religious 
discussions into which they fell during 
their early intimacy. One of the poiuLs of 



BRATTLE BOKO 



llopkinsianism l.lmi tixid been mu Hi de- 
bated between them, was the alleged neces- 
sity, us evidence of regeneration, that one 
should be willing to be lost eternally if U 
were for the glory of God. 

Judge Tyler, detained from court on one , 
occasion, wrote to Judge Jacob and re- 
quested him to inform the Chief Justice 
that he really begun in hope thru he hud 
made some little spiritual progress;* for. 
although he could not nonest.ly say that he 
was will tug \o be damned liinrasIT, even if ( 
\\ were needful for the glory of the Al- 
mighty, yet he believed that by great cf- , 
fort he Usd nearly or quite an uined to a 
sincere wMLingnesa find in such un exigency 
Bro Rohfeon should bo damned, M 
Some two or Hirer years after l/hief Jus- 
lice Robinson \v?i? Hooted t'nited Stale* 
ScimtOV from Vermont, chief , 

Tyler voecived from him the following 
letter 

W \ m 7*011 >x , Feb , 4* 1H 1 0. 
Dear $cr : — V mi l apeak well id Bra Fay T 
as u j U dge T hrttl u eve r ri 1 \ y doubt c s tli( + r of * 
bis honesty, cleurae** of pBUaqition, legal 
knowledge or patience, so esavutUd for n 
judge, bn i feared he might he too legal, in 
other words, might give too great weight 
to technical precision , although useful, yet 
not wholly essential in administering im- 
partial justice to ignorant but honest suit 
ors. But I knew you imdBro. Herrington 
would stand m n check T was always 
pleased with you more than I ever ex- 
pressed on that account, because ti h a 
bright, geiu in the character of a court law* 
yer, not to lay too much stress on the man- 
ner of action or of pleading. When we 
come to be judged for our judgments, my 
friend, the question will not be whether | 
we pursued legal forms or technical nice. 1 
tics, Imt have you heard the cry of the 
poor and relieved them from their oppres- 
sors. But I hope that the philanthmphy 
of Bvo. Pay and yourself will prevent all 
unpleasant results 1 >ecause be does not carry 
the Hopk'msmn doctrine to that lofty pin- 
nacle of revelation and philosophy io 
which you so justly and rationally aspire, 
Tn one thing, I fear, he will never be able 
to arrive to equal resignation, which you 
once expressed, even willingness to see Bro, 
Robin son damned. However, good men 
of all faiths, will, [ hope, be accepted if 
their hearts are but right. * * * * 



Y ou n eed ne vy r say a ay l h i u g ahou l uc v ve 
in congressmen, for they have none. Thai 
spirit of cupidity, the natural offspring of 
commerce, (he cowardice so prevalent in 
weak minds, and the malice of Federal- 
ism, like the three headed monster Cerbe- 
rus, arc too power fu] for the pure in heart 
U) overcome. 

Of war, lei no man speak, for wc shall 
have none, unless Britain invade us, and 
then I shall have my doubts, since the City 
of New York has played ,h God Save the 
King." ni the approach of the Copenhagen 
Jackson, 

Good God, can human nature possess 
such depravity 1 

Ask Bra Fay if this is not evidener of 
one of the five, poiuts— the total depravity 
of the human head ? 

Recoiled rim to all my friends, and as 
you will now he on the ground., carry my 
besl wspvcls to Mrs, Robinson, and do her 
the honor nf drinking tea with heron my 
aeeminb and enM cm laanc* for a pipe of 

tobacco, 

Your affectionate friend, 

Joxa- Robinson / 1 

Hon. RoYjUxTvj.ish. 

When there was a lie vote in the Senate 
upon the war measures, in 1812, Senator 
Robin sou again wrote to Tyler a teller 
from which we give ext mots - 

11 WiVgHJNGTftff, June 15, 1812, 

Dear Bro. Tyler :— Yours of the 5th June 
is received, and it breathes the same spirit 
which my heart echoes, but. alas, I fear I he 
l crown has fallen from nur heads. In Den- 
mark, in some lute proceedings, I have been 
informed, they stood on a very important 
vote 16 lo 16, All things were palsied. 
The responsibility was great. Men trem- 
bled, il- was believed some person would, 
on the next vote, join with the Executive, 
and victory would be obtained, but Tetters 
arrived from one of the northern hive, that a 
certain great Scripture Jester would arrive 
on the 15th and untie the knot, of course all 
was delay and the fears of the administra- 
tion party increased, l drop the metaphor 
and tell you Gen. Brad ley f is, expected Hus 
evening, and our fate will soon be known. 

We must sing the sailor's song, God in 
1 — — 

*Isaac Tichenor. elected Gov. in 1808 . 

+ Hmi Stephen Rowe Bradley, Senate from 



100 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Heaven have mercy on us/ r none but Him 
can save us now, 

I can say no more. I hope in two days to 
Lei l you the fate of the nation." 

Again he writes: 

" Bradley did not arrive on tlie 15th or 
16th, and on the 17th the opposition were 
still talking against time, but had exhaust- 
ed every pretext for delay. 

The Senators have been looking to the 
windows as the stages conic in, to see if 
Bradley was come. All is anxiety. It is 
four o'clock and the Senate liaa not yet 
taken the question. I want a pipe, and I 
want my dinner, but I cannot start, tack 
or sheet, until T see, as Bro. Herrington 
says, " the last dog hung/' 

Recollect me to Mrs, Tyler, the boys and 
girls and to Miss Sophia. Keep this letter 
to yourself. I cannot continue while Gor- 
man is murdering language in an endless 
speech, which sounds mote discordant to 
my cars than the thundering cannon did 
37 years ago this day, when I heard more 
than 300 of them in my cornfield in Ben 

nington. 

I have done. 

Your friend. 

Jon a. Robinson / 1 

To Judge Tyceic 

At another time came from Robinson, 
the following: 

" No man in Congress has a doubt of my 
unreserved determination to foster ener- 
getic measures, and sometimes when I find 
of what timber we are made, lam sick of 
the whole species of man. But why 
should I wonder? T have always believed 
them totally depraved as well as very pur- 
hi i n d i u their menial per c ep t io n . Tb e las t . 
however, is no further a crime than as it 
arises from depraved minds which are un- 
f av o rab 1 e to rat io rm l e nq u i ry . 

The question, are you in earnest, lias 
been bandied about so much of late, that 
we are all sore on the subject. It was be- 
gun by the Federalists, the grumbling Dem- 
ocrats ask the same thing. Is the Execu- 
tive in earnest? And now the question 
echoes back again, are the Senate in earn- 
est; if so, why delay for ten days the ap- 
pointment of Gen. Dearborn as command wr 
when the President wants his aid to ar- 
range the army? But Mr. Bradley does 
not like Dearborn, nor Giles, nor several 
others, and the whole Federal phalanx are 



against him. This is to paralyze meas- 
ures and theu throw the fault on the Exec- 
utive. 

Such is tiie sourness of some, and Ike 
meanness of others, that it requires more 
philosophy Lban I possess to bear it, etc/ 1 

On the outside of this letter, the worthy 
Senator has described his idea of the scene 
of Us reception by their Honors, the 
Judges of the Supreme Court of Vermont, 
in these words: 

"Bro. Tyler filled his pipe and said, 
4 Come, Brethren, let us see w hat Bro. 
Robinson has to say/ Reads. Bro. Fay 
spits and says, 1 Bro. Robinson is as cross 
as the devil/ 1 Well/ says Bro. Herring- 
ton, f I feel easy about it, it is a pack for 
the i r bnc ks, no l m i no. s B ro . T yler am i 1 ed , 
and filled his second pipe.” 

In Hall's history of Eastern Vermont, 
we find the following narration: 

"He/' (R Tyler,) "presided as side judge 
of the Supreme Court of Vermont, from 
1801 to 1806, when he was chosen chief 
judge, This position he retained until the 
y ea r 1 812 , Party at r. if e an d i I I 1 ieal U i com - 
blued were the causes which prevented him 
from being chosen to fill this office for a 
1 o uge r pei’io d . Fro m the yea iT 915 to 1 821 , 
he was register of probate for Windham 
County, and this, It is believed, was the 
last public station he was called to occupy/’ 

An idea of the originality of his style 
and manner In arguing a case under cir- 
cumstances calculated to produce embar- 
rassment, may be gained from the follow- 
ing anecdote: 

"At a court held in Newfane, he under- 
took. his first case after be left the bench, 
He had not practiced for a long time and 
many of the lawyers at the bar had never 
heard him address a jury. 

At the period referred to, the disease of 
which he died, a cancer ou the left side of 
the no&e, near the eye, caused him to wear 
a patch of black silk on Iris face, which did 
oot tend to improve Ids appearance. The 
case was one of importance, involving the 
properly of his client, a certain Mr. Rich 
ardsom 

The opposing counsel in presenting their 
pleas, made frequent reflections upon the 
ex-Clvief Justice, declaring that his fac- 
ulties were failing, that he had a disease 
about him and that he had been turned 
from the bench for incapacity. 



BR ATTLEBORO. 



101 



During t]ie delivery of these sentiments 
Judge Tyler sat within the bar, taking no 
notes and apparently oblivious to what was 
passing around him. TVRien the lime came 
for him to address the jury, he rose m his 
place, and turning his back upon the twelve 
men whose minds lie was desirous of influ- 
encing, called out to his client, ' Richard 
sou! come here 1 ' Richardson started up in 
great astonishment, and made his way 
through the crowded court room to the 
railing within which the lawyers sat. 

( Richardson ! * said Judge Tyler, turning 
to that individual, who was exceedingly 
surprised at tlie oddity of the proceedings, 
go home’ there is no use of your staying 
here! 1 thought you had a case, a good 
easel 1 He then w T ent on, with his back to 
the jury and judge, to tell Ins client ail 
the strong points of his ease, making it 
very plain, or, at least* making it appear 
that Richardson had been basely abused 
by the lawyers on the other side. 

f But/ said he, in conclusion, 'I was 
mistaken in supposing you had any rights 
that could be maintained, Tt appears you 
have no case because my faculties are fail- 
ing, and what is worse, you have no case 
at all, because I have this patch on my 
nose. Go home! go home! T can't be ex- 
pected to say h word to the jury under 
such circumstances, 1 With these words 
Judge Tyler sat down. 

The opposing counsel were dumbfounded 
at this mode of attack, but the jury were 
only out long enough to make up for Rich- 
ardson a most satisfactory verdict. J ' 

J udge Dan 1 ! K el 1 ogg wa s a you 1 1 g I aw - 
student, at Newfane, with his brother-in- 
law, Gen. Martin Field, and was one of 
the audience in the court- room at the time 
of Ellis occurrence, as related in the fore- 
going, Ln relating the affair to us, a short 
B m e p rev io u s t o h is death * he said, ’'the 
counsel opposing Tyler, undertook to 
make it appear the case never would have 
been brought into the court by Sir, Tyler 
had it been presented to him before the 
decay of his faculties, but now, in his pit- 
iable dilapidated condition of body and 
mind, anything he might do was excusable, 
provided justice lo the parties was main- 
tained. Never/’ said Judge Kellogg, 
' * in all my long experience in court, did I 
witness so laughable an affair, and one so 



difficult To properly describe, or in other 
words, make one see It as I did/ 1 
About 52 years have elapsed since the 
death of Hole R- Tyler, he being at that 
time about (18 years of age, according to in 
scrip lion upon bis monument in Prospect 
Hill Cemetery, in Hie East, village of Brai- 
lle boro, 

ROT ALL TYLER 
Heip v Mont Our Sup Juvid 
Prim. 

M&rUnn Obiit 

DiJS xyl Auct, Anno Domini 
mdcccxxvi. 

Matte Sam 
LSfiVIlt. 

Urjor et liberi 

Hoc mmm ponemhem. 
Cttmv&runt, 

He had eleven children: 

Royal! Tyler, born in Framingham, 
M &sSy T 1794, died in college, young; Gen, 
John^B., born in Guilford, Vt, s Sept. 29, 
1790, from the age of 14 lived iu Boston, 
Mass,, and was in mercantile life; Mary 
Whit well, born iu Guilford, Vt, -June 23, 
1798; Rev, Edward R., born in Guilford, 
VL, Aug. 3, 1S00, of the Congregational 
Church and Editor of " New Englander," 
also author of works on future punishment; 
William Clark, born in Brattleboro, Aug, 
28, 1602, passed a mercantile life in Boston: 
Rev. Joseph Dermic, born in RmIUeboro, 
Sept. 4, 1804, of the Episcopal Church, and 
Principal of Asylum for Deaf Mutes, in 
Va, -, Amelia Sophia, born in Braitleboro, 
June 20,4807, Principal of Female Semi - 
nary in 1820; Rev, Geo, Palmer, D, D., 
born in Rrnttleboro, Dee. 10, 1800, of the 
Congregational Church; Judge Royall, 
2nd, born in R rat tie boro. April 19, 1812, 
Judge of Pj^baie and County Clerk; 
Rev. Thomas Rickman, D. D_, born in 
Brattle boro. Nov, 20 + 181 A of the Episco- 
pal Church ; Able! W in ship, born m Brattle - 
boro, Nov. 9, 1818, died, 1882, 

But four of the children are now (1878,) 
living, vik; Wm, C Tyler, Judge Roy all 
Tyler, Geo. P, Tyler. Thos. Pick man 
Tyler. 

In the foregoing ar§ made the last extracts 
from the memoirs, with regret that our 
limits forbid more extended quotations. 

Tt was not the mission of this old and 
distinguished family to set in motion the 



102 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



wheels of industry, or to, in any way di- 
rectly. to i\ny great ext cot, advance the 
material interests of this town. In that 
far oil time, in our history, when this fam- 
ily settled here, they must have ooftn pied 
a a exceptional a position in Bra Hie boro, as 
does the book of Job in the Old Testament. 

So largo a family of almost purely in- 
tellectual proclivities, furnishing six eol- 
legiates. four of them ministers of the 
Gospel, is t we believe, rarely, if ever, 
found in the past or present history of any 
town in New England. 

As there is no end to the good arising 
from the cultivation of the highest depart- 
meat of our nature, the beneficial in- 
fluence of such a family, upon a com- 
to u n it y a Into st wholly u f i ! i lari an . E t is 1 m - 
pussi hi e to fu 1 1 y es ti in a L c. Tli e f r fi rst con i - 
ing to That high hill overlooking the whole 
town, seems to ns as the morning dawn of 
ijutollccttml life In this region, or, the begin 
n ing of tux Elizabethan ago in Brat tie boro 

It was also the down of business lu this 
town. " It is indeed wonderful how imag- 
ination rules (be world. The poems of a 
blind old harper, a few crumbling mins, a 
few mutilated* haltered statues, a few 
c racked fading canvasses, a few strains of 
music, and the traditions of a few eloquent 
words of orators, have proved the most 
potent forces in the world's civilization,” 

Before the first year of their advent here 
had expired, our first educational institu- 
tion, the old academy, was chartered by 
act of the Legislature, in October 1 801. 

Soon thereafter followed in this town 
the publication of school books, Bibles, etc., 
which were here and there widely scattered 
Over the land like leaves of the forest, 
w r hich no man can number. 

"Terrible Trnctorntion/’ “Democracy 
Unveiled/' by Thomas G. Fessenden, and 
several of the old novels, now seldom seen, 
were also published here. To this business 
the East Village owes its origin, and dur- 
ing the whole period of Mr. Tyler’s life in 
Brauleboro it was the business of the 
place, and in one year publications 
amounted to §400,000. 

The publication of books did not cease 
until the art was carried to so great per- 
fection, cotton rags and sheep-skin in the 
morning became, before night, elegantly 
finished books. William Harris, Esq., who 



was the principal of the old academy over 
30 years, gave us the names of over 40 col- 
legiates— including the names of the sons 
of Judge Tyler — who fitted for college at 
the old academy, It is a matter of regret 
that we cannot give full historical sketches, 
of each one of the latter, who have finished 
their mission on fields more or less distant 
from Lheir native home, Though our 
knowledge of each individual career is far 
from complete, yet, we believe, that the 
histories of none of the sons of Bmttlehoro 
who have gone out from among us would 
reflect a fairer light on our pages titan 
w ou 1 d L h e h i sto ties of the so n s of J u dge , 
Tyler. 

GEE 1 !, JOftE S. TYfJER, 

The oldest son, may well. he called 
the advanced guard of the family. He 
left bis borne in Biattleboro InlSlG, at the 
age of 1 4 years, and passed the long period 
of over fiO years in Boston, Mass, , engaged 
in mercantile and marine affairs. The edy 
of his ancestry became the scene of his 
action until the time of his death in Wfb 
It was there he maintained eminence in 
tils avocations and social position. His 
magnanimity, as manifested in business 
relations, and noble generosity to his par- 
ents and other relatives, proves his mind 
was as well worthy of his splendid pro- 
portions and such external personal attrac- 
tions as is rarely, if ever surpassed,— ns 
the diamond is worthy of setting in the 
purest, gold. Forty years ago he was de- 
servedly popular and conspicuous as a 
commander of the military iu Boston, 

J ‘How long he has been a citizen of Bos- 
ton* we do not presume to know; what we 
do know is, that far back in the lapse of 
years, when he was General and we were 
schoolboys, wo thought him the g rentes I 
man the city contained. And there are, 
no doubt, hundreds who will read these 
lines who remember Gem Tyler, at the 
head of his brigade, as the finest mannered 
officer their imagination ever drew. His 
last service as an officer was t lml of com- 
mander of the Ancient and Honorable Ar- 
tillery Company, in 18fi0 / h — Boston Paper. 

He gave universal satisfaction in con- 
ducting mid in the general management of 
military and civic processions in the city 
on great occasions. For a long period of 
years lie was almost invariably selected as 
chief marshal on great occasions. The 



RRATTLERORO 



m 



facility with which he discharged the du- 
ties of that office, combined with Ids line 
personal presence and bearing, made him 
the observed of all observers. Many years 
ago, a convert in Charlestown was de- 
stroyed by a mob, and there was every in- 
dication of mob-violence in the destruction 
of buildings in Boston as a retaliatory 
measure. The authorities of the city re- 
quested Geu'l Tyler local] out the military 
under his command. He told the author 
ilies he never should order his soldiers to 
file blank cartridges at a mob. If they 
would consent that every otic of Ins sol- 
diers load his musket with ball cartridge, 
lie would lead them wherever they might 
direct The consent wits given, and intel- 
ligence of the fact was quickly received 
by every person in the city. All rioters 
knew that such orders meant business, and 
it was not a kind of business they felt dis- 
posed to encourage. Therefore the mob 
dispersed and peace was restored without 
bloodshed. 

In Boston papers, published at the time 
of his death, it was said- "'Early in the 
war of 1812, Mr. Tyler, though under the 
lawful age for military duty, joined the 
Boston Light Infantry, and went with the 
corps to throw up fortifications on Dor- 
chester heights, Governor's and Noddle's 
islands, and also participated in such other 
duties as were required of the militia, lie 
wan chosen captain of the Suffolk Light 
Infantry, Sept. 21, 1821, and was the first 
commander of the City Guards. He com- 
manded the military escort when LaFayette 
visited Boston. He was adjutant of the 
Ancient and Honorable Art illery Company 
in 1827, and was its commander 4 years— 
an honor not enjoyed by any other man. 
He was the senior member at the date of 
his death. He acted as chief marshal at 
the Railroad Jubilee, (1851.) attended by 
the President of the United States, Lord 
Elgin, and numerous other distinguished 
guests, The gentlemen who served with 
him as assistant marshals, on the latter oc- 
casion, presented him wkh a beautiful sil- 
ver vase and salver, inscribed with the 
names of many of the leading merchants 
and professional men of Boston, who were 
donors, and bearing an engraved likeness 
of the distinguished defender of the con- 
stitution. He has held many civil offices, 
was a member of the Constitutional Con- 



vention in 1853; member ol the Common 
Council in 1B59-00-G2; alderman, 1863-85- 
00; Trustee of the Public Library 2 years, 
and member of the Legislature 4 years. 
He was president of tile Granite Railway 
Company, engineer of the hre department 
of Boston* president of the Association of 
the Sous of Vermont, and of the Bums 
Chib; also, president of the Female Medi- 
cal College. He received the honorary 
degree of A, M. from both Middlebury 
College and the University of his native 
State at Burlington. 

We find several hit crest mg notices of 
him, in Boston papers, since his death, 
Jan, Z0, 1878: 

+ < Nq particular disease caused hi, 4 death, 
but he yielded to the natural dissolution 
of advanced years, Few men have been 
more prominently before the public, and 
none enjoyed the esteem of a wider circle 
of friends. The older class of our citizens 
he knew by long association, and the 
younger were attracted to him by his kind- 
liness of manner, Increasing age did not 
diminish his interest in passing events, and 
though advanced in years, he kept, os it 
were* the freshness of youth ,” — - Boston 
Journal, l£T$ 

In 1821), he engaged in the business of 
adjusting averages,*" which he continued 
l he remainder of his life. In this branch 
he had no superior. His industry was pro- 
verbial. He devoted much valuable lime 
to Che service of the public, and the mid- 
night hou r of le n f ou n d h ii n at w o rU H i s 
business mind enabled him to slate cases 
before committees, and as alderman and 
repvese n let i ve* w i th great c 1 ear n ess. 

At the time he was elected alderman of 
the 8th ward, we find the following in a 
Boston paper: 

■Tie will make an excellent alderman* 
for he is honest and incorruptible— merits 
which are not always carried into the city 
hall by those who enter it covered with 
official ecktt. The people have done well 
to elect him. He received the united sup- 
port of the Democrats and Republicans/ 1 

Genl Tyler was for many years identi- 

" H e brought tn Lhe discharge of this duly that 
clearness of perception* candor and fairness 
of judgment which made him much sought 
for in the large commercial cities of our coun- 
try.— Ex Gov, Holbrook. 



104 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ficd with the institution of masonry. He 
took his degrees in St. John’s Lodge, re- 
ceived the Chapter degrees in St. Paul's 
Chapter, and was an active member of 
the He Mo lay Commandery of Knights 
Templar In politics, the General was an 
old line Whig, but early in its history lie 
identified himself with the Republican 
party. 

Gen'l Tyler was t he possessor of a happy 
disposition, and he looked upon the bright 
side of the shield. He sought the happi- 
ness of his family and promoted the geni- 
ality of his favored circle. He grew old 
gradually, U was a pleasure to see how 
his calm philosophy enabled him to meet 
without friction the burdens of advancing 
age. 

The Boston Transcript of January, 167(3, 
says oi him ■ 

“tie was a true friend, an affectionate 
husband, a doting father, a loving grand- 
parent, and a true man in every sense. It 
is a comfort that in his last brief illness, 
he was spared the anguish of parting with 
his loved ones, and that, like an innocent 
child, his last sleep was peaceful and calm. 
At the funeral services of the late Major 
Gen'l John S. Tyler, there was a very large 
attendance of friends and acquaintances 
of the deceased, De Mo lay Coni maudery 
of Knights Templars, the Ancient and 
Honorable Artillery Company, the Boston 
Light Infantry Association and other or- 
ganizations with which he was connected, 
were represented. At the head of the 
casket, in ’which he was enclosed, was dis- 
played a bust of the General, recently ex- 
ecuted h y M i s s F ra za r o t Wa Le r to w n . T ii e 
services were under the management of 
Mr, F, Lyman Wiuship, and were con- 
ducted by Rev. Dr. Railol of the West 
church, and the choir of the same Church 
furnished the music. At the close the re- 
mains were conveyed to Mount Auburn*’ 1 
REV. EDWARD R, TYLER, 
when at college or seminary fitting for pro* 
less! Dual life, visited, in times of vacation, 
his native home at BraUleboro, His evening 
lectures, at such times, in the school-house 
then on the common, caused many of our 
best citizens pleasurable anticipations of 
his periodical visits. Though too young, 
at the time, lo be an appreciative listener 
lo his lectures, yet we well re me in her hear. 



mg highly favorable comments upon his 
youthful efforts, by Doth David Wood, 
Francis Goodhue, Esq., and other of our 
old citizens of that time, who have long 
since passed away, fr lias been a pleasure, 
in after years, 10 hear him in the pulpit 
and in the lecture-room, and we are com- 
pelled to add our testimony to that of oth- 
ers who have said be was very far above 
t he si v a rage o f o u r pulpit o m to rs, FI e 1 rad 

a loud, clear, commanding voice, and a 
very earnest, impressive manner. The 
ideas he advanced, or the position he look 
never suffered for lack of logic or author- 
ity in maintenance, of the same. 

There was manifested In this man’s char- 
acter a spirit of self-sacrifice for others. 
Eloquently did he plead the cause of the 
slave at Lliat early period,* when to do so 
was to render Lite advocate a pariah m his 
own church, "and a man’s foes they of Ills 
own household/' Even in his native place 
— we blush to say it— the leading citizens 
encouraged a mob lo disturb his lectures* 
and the Congregational pastor of that pe- 
riod (1837) refused to read, in his pulpit* 
a notice of these lectures, or even a nolifL 
cation of a “prayer meeting for the op- 
pressed/' Borne persons can now (1878) 
remember hearing the calm voice of Dea. 
David Wood, " there will be a meeting of 
prayer for the oppressed at Elliot street. 

1 chapel." iSre. It was well understood at 
the tio>e why the Deacon, instead of the 
minister, read the notification * The rev- 
erend gentleman also recommended the 
church discipline, or expulsion, of such 
members of his church who attended said 

I lectures. Our information is from such 
members now living (1678). The Deacon 
did not read the notification until after ihe 
pasLor had fi nished his benediction . The 

1 pastor, before long, became a good anti- 
slavery man. 

I From a New Haven paper of Septem- 
ber, 1843' 

| "Died, in this city, yesterday* Sept, 28* 
1843. very suddenly, Rev, Edward K. Ty- 

| lei', editor of the Ne-w Englandav, aged 48. 
Thus another true and able friend of God 
and man has gone to his vest and his re- 
wards Mr. Tyler was born in Brat tic boro, 
Vt., the son of Hon. Royal I Tyler, who 
was chief justice of the State of Vermont* 



^Summer of 1S37, 



BR ATTLEBORO. 



105 



He graduated at Yale College, with honor, 
iu Die class of 1825. He pursued theolog- 
ical study chiefly at Andover, and for 
many years, with ability and usefulness, 
tilled the office of Congregationalist pas- 
tor, first in Middletown and afterwards in 
Colebrook, Ct. He was, for a few years, 
editor of the Co nyreyat tonal Observer, a 
weekly religious journal published at Hart- 
ford, and since January. 1843, he has been 
editor and proprietor of the New England 
er, which, in conjunction with other gen- 
tlemen, he originated and established. Mr. 
Tyln* had a sound, clear and discriminat- 
ing mind, and excelled in the department 
of moral and theological science. He was 
remarkably liberal and catholic, though 
decidedly evangelical, in his views. He 
was a true friend of his race, and his mind, 
hand and heart were ever free aud open to 
the claims of every philanthropic principle 
and enterprise. And in his private rela- 
tions. he was, in a rare degree, modest, 
unselfish and amiable/’ &c. 

REV. JOSEPH D. TYLER 

was a clergyman of the Episcopal church, 
but never officiated in Lhat office to any 
great extent, for he early became interested 
in the instruction of the deaf and dumb, 
and was a teacher in the first institution 
for that purpose in this country; the build- 
ings erected in Hartford, Ct. After seve- 
ral years service in Hail ford, he was, in 
1840, chosen principal of the Virginia deaf 
and dumb asylum, in Staunton, Va.. where 
he died Jan. 28. 1852. Wide as is the 
manifest difference in the Tyler brothers 
as to tastes, avocations, religious views — 
as Episcopalians, Unitarians and Congre- 
gatioualists— there is, in the most desira- 
ble features of humanity, a beautiful har- 
mony in their characters. If Joseph D. 
Tyler deserved censure for anything, it 
was his excessive modesty, or lack of a 
proper appreciation of himself. The test) 
mony of those who have been associated 
with him during the last 12 years of his 
life, is of more value than anything we 
can say: 

From a Virginia paper of January, 1852: 

"When we referred yesterday to the 
Virginia Institute for the Deaf and Dumb 
and l be Blind, we little supposed that we 
should he called upon in to-day's paper to 
record the death of the accomplished prii\ 



cipal of the former department, the Rev. 
J. D. Tyler, through whose eminent qual- 
ifications, peculiar aptness for his post, and 
untiring energy, this benevolent institu- 
tion lias acquired its present efficiency and 
exalted position. The loss of Mr. Tyler 
to the sphere of benevolence which he so 
nobly filled, to the community in which 
he lived, it will be difficult, if uot impossi- 
ble, to supply. The writer knew him well, 
and a nobler specimen of a Christian gen- 
tleraau, he never has known. He was be- 
yond all question one of the rarest and 
ripest scholars of our country, and ouc of 
the most vigorous and polished writers of 
the present day. His essays in the leading 
Reviews of the United Stales (though his 
shrinking modesty prevented him from ac- 
companying them by his own name) have 
been pronounced among the most power- 
ful and beautiful contributions to Ameri- 
can literature. His official duties rarely 
permitted him to preach, except in the 
language of signs to his deaf mule congre- 
gation ; but such sermons as we have heard 
from him wore masterpieces, models, and 
unsurpassed in strength of thought, purity 
of style, and solid learning, by anything 
which we have heard or read out of the 
pages of old English divines. 

This man, with powers which would 
have graced the most conspicuous arena 
of cultivated intellect in our whole coun- 
try, was not only content, but joyful to 
pass his days in the comparatively obscure 
and humble position of teacher of the deaf 
and dumb, and devoted to that field of 
usefulness all the energies of an intellect, 
which, devoted to another sphere, would 
have achieved untold fame and wealth foi 
its possessor. Mr. Tyler was a person of 
real and substantial cxcelleuce of charac- 
ter. There was about him no humbug, 
no cant; none of that Pharisaical austerity 
of demeanor which atones for sins by 
frowning upon innocent pleasures. A 
traveling correspondent of the Charleston 
Liiei'wry Gazette, remarked, in a letter from 
Staunton, that he 'had never seen a face 
so strikingly stamped with the impress of 
benevolence.' The face was a faithful in 
dex of the heart and life, — the noble and 
unambitious heart which now sleeps so 
quietly — the life whose record is written 
in golden letters on high. When we pon- 
der on the character of such a man, we 



10(i 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 






cannot grieve l hat he ha a passed away, 
save for those he leaves behind— tor surely 
there must be in another world some pecu- 
liar reward for those great intellects which 
arc content to labor on, almost unknown 
and unappreciated here, so that, they can 
minister to the happiness and elevation of 
their fellow men.’ 1 

When the expiring breath of a sod of 
BmtlJeboro, from his dislant field of ac- 
tion, wafts to our ears reports like the 
foregoing, we cannot too highly estimate 
tiie privilege of giving his record here. 
To us, the very soil where was first left 
the impress of his infant feet, is more sa- 
cred, We see the same old trees, and hear 
the same voices of nature k and her silent 
teachings, ms greeted Ids earliest conscious- 
ness. yet 'the latch et of his shoes wc are 
unworthy to unloose.” To great heights 
of moral excel fence we may never hope to 
attain, but we can. at least Jove Hie virtues 
which we cannot claim The following 
beautiful ideal, as expressed in verse, by 
Rev, Jos, D, Tyler, will, wc believe, strike 
a chord in every bosom for “Who hath 
not lost a friend V' The more we read it, 
the move distinctly appears to us the fine, 
spiritual nature of the author— that spirit 
only staying in its outward or coarser 
garb from the necessity of circumstances; 

BY ,7, D. TYLER, 

“From the silence of the Scriptures re- 
specting the creation of these spiritual in- 
telligences. and from the remarkable lan- 
guage of the following passages, (Rev, 22, 
8, 21, 7,) some have inferred that the whole 
angelic order is, m fact, composed of the 
spirits of glorified men, — Bunk'# Notes on 
Generis. 

“My father! glides thy spirit near. 

From happier mansions come, 

To guard the home you lov'd while here, 

In airy angel form ! 

My brother! eldest, earliest dead, 

With pale ruid thoughtful brow, 

O’er which bright rays of genius playhJ, 
Still bends it near me now 1 

And thou the lov'd, the latest bom. 

My meek, my gemle brother, 

Comes thy glad form in fondness down, 

A ministering spirit thither ! 

Movers thy radiant spirit here, 

My Ixjy, my blessed son, 



In angel brightness lingering near 
Thy transient earthly home? 

Come ye to smoot h the couch of pain* 

To soothe the aching head, 

To cheer the hearts ye loved, again. 

Though numbered with die dead ? 

Conic ye to calm the troubled breast* 

To guide ihe erring feet. 

To lure along to that sweet rest, 

Where happy spirits meet ? 

We greet you here, each blessed one r 
Along our toilsome way. 

Till perils o'er and lahors done, 

We meet m endless day V* 

lXTEKESTrNO FACT, 

“The Rev, J. D. Tyler, Principal of the 
Deaf Mute Department of the Virginia 
Institute* states, In iris last interesting re- 
port, that our own country is the only one 
in which the question whether the children 
of deaf mutes are themselves apt to be 
deaf ,1ms approve lied sol u ti on. T wo Ji un- 
ci tod educated deaf mutes assembled in 
Hartford, CL. . Sept 25, 1850*. of these 103 
were married, some quite recently, and 72 
were parents,— the parents of 102 chil- 
dren* of whom 08 can hear and speak. 
Instances are given of parents, both deaf 
from birth, having children able to hear 
and speak. An instance, 1 ' says Mr. Ty- 
ler, “exists in our own institution, in the 
ease of an instructor aud his amiable wife, 
both deaf from birth, but their two bright 
little boys have all their senses in perfec- 
tion. So that the apprehension in question 
is not sufficient ground for denying to deaf 
mutes the chief earthly happiness, the 
school and exercise of virtue— the state 
which preserves nations, fills cities and 
churches, and heaven itself, 1 ' 

As we have proceeded, our inability be- 
comes more and more apparent to do any- 
thing like justice to the Tyler family, un- 
der present circumstances. Our Just in- 
tention was simply to give a few facts in? 
regard to the head of the family, sufficient, 
if possible, to create an interest in the me- 
moir, to which we have referred, as would 
cause its publication. Since our attention 
has been directed to the sons of Judge 
Tyler who have passed away, we have of- 
ten been reminded— as we have discovered 
so much respecting them worthy of high 
commendation — of a work by Disraeli 



BKATTLEEOIiO. 



i or 



upon "The Curiosities of Literature/' 
This work we have not seen since 1843* 
but we remember he gives a reason why 
the children of great or talented men are 
almost invariably inferior to their progen- 
itor The mental qualitiesaf the children 
depend upon their mother, and more eev 
tail! I y is this so with the sons. Great men 
rarely use their greatness, or better judg- 
ment, when selecting a wife, but are gov- 
erned by taste or fancy. Our memory of 
the long vanished years is rarely more 
happily exercised than when it brings be- 
fore us the beautiful* the talented, the 
highly cultured and faithful mother of 
this distinguished family, When we think 
of her virtues and sterling character, we 
wonder not that of so many of her chib 
dren she could say, as did the Roman ma- 
iron, ''These are my jewels," 

We quote the following from an obitu- 
ary notice of her death, in the fermnt 
Ph&nk : 

'“While aid i ng great ly, through the be- 
nign influence of high natural endow- 
ments, and all the graces of her sex, in 
sustaining and encouraging her husband 
in Ids progress to the Supreme Bench as 
Chief Justice of Vermont, she contributed 
much towards imparting a tone of eleva- 
tion and refinement, and an ambition for 
Hlerary pursuits, to the new arid unformed 
society around her, In those early times, 
she was a light and centre to society, giv- 
ing warmth and enjoyment to all who 
came within her sphere. She was beloved 
and respected, a bond of union, a centre 
of mingled love and authority to the early 
settlers* as she has ever been since, down 
to her latest day* to a large family of ador- 
ing children and descendants, amidst whose 
kindly administrations it was her happi- 
ness to expire. Devoted to everything that 
was calculated to elevate* refine and adorn 
humanity* she ever took a deep interest in 
the welfare of the country. Her infant 
eyes were opened* as we have already said, 
upon the dramatic scenes of the Revolu- 
tion; and, in the closing years of her life* 
she watched with the liveliest solicitude 
and concern every stage in the progress of 
the rebellion, until she saw the Iasi rebel 
force defeated and disarmed. Amidst all, 
she received home a corpse of a grandson, 
a young colonel, who fell in the battle of 
the Wilderness, and saw his remains sent 



to the grave." [See Military History of 
Brat tie boro, sketch of Lt. John S, Tyler.] 
Mrs. Tyler diet! in ISftG* aged fli years, 7 
months and 7 days. 

Mrs. Tyler was the author of The Ma- 
ternal Physician*" a work published by 
Riley of New York, in 1811. This work 
was recommended by the best physicians 
of the time. The author's name was re- 
fused by herself. The work contained 
many passages of marked literary merit. 

In the family of Judge Tyler there were 
two daughters, 

MART writTWELl, TVLEU AND AMUL/A 
SOPHIA TYLER, 

They both lived until past three score and 
ten years. Their sphere of action, ami in 
almost everything* they were widely dif- 
ferent* yet were they both highly esteemed 
and beloved, because They were each* in 
I their way* public benefactors. 

Miss Mary was* in her earlier years* a 
natural kindergartener. Over half a cen- 
tury ago, she had as much, if not more* 
l influence over a large portion of the chil- 
dren in this village than their own parents. 

I She was a member of the Episcopal church** 
but at This lime there wan no organization 
of her faith in this place, yet there was no 
part of this village she did not frequent to 
gather the children for the Sunday school 
and meeting, in the old church on the 
common. If new clothing for the desti- 
tute children was wanting, she contrived 
some way Lo gel it for them. If any poor 
family was in want, or destitution, or in 
suffering of any kind, she would interest 
some benevolent friend in their behalf* so 
that relief came. Her affection for th# 
little ones, rich or poof, was unbounded. 
Among our earliest* pleasantest recollec- 
tions of infantile and juvenile days, is the 
kindly* happy face of "Aunt Mary," when 
she was telling a dozen or more of us in- 
teresting stories. Bhc would always give 
an intelligent reply* lo the little eager ques- 
tioners* in language adapted to their com- 
prehension. Parents freely gave their chil- 
dren permission to go on expeditions* in 
large or small companies, to The woods or 
fields, no matter where* if they only knew 
! she was going with them. We all knew 
she was our friend. She was our oracle 
and sure defence against "hears and codg- 
ers/ 1 



108 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



In the summer of 1821, the inhabitants 
of the village were aroused to search after 
two little boj's, one of them nearly 6 and 
the other nearly 5 years old, who had been 
sent to school, but did not appear in the 
schoolroom. Vainly did people look 
through the woods, in every direction, for 
the missing ones. As twilight was giviug 
wav to darkness, "Aunt Mary” appeared 
leading the two little truants, one of them 
a IX D. in embryo, and tbc other a Yan- 
kee genius— of the jack knife order— in the 
bud. The seat of learning, at this period, 
was at the West village. The two little 
boys must have been remarkable for their 
precocity and high aspirations. They had 
heard of the far-famed academy flourish- 
ing somewhere in the region of the setting 
sun, and had concluded it was just the 
place for advanced young gentlemen, like 
themselves, who had outgrown the limited 
educational facilities afforded in the one 
school-house of the village. 

The little wanderers took the right di- 
rection to this goal of their ambition, un- 
til they arrived near the western limit of 
the grounds of Prof, Charlier, when down 
that steep bauk they went, stripped off 
their clothing, and jumped into the Whet- 
stone brook. They, for the first time, 
learned it was a more easy thing to take 
off their clothing than to put on the same. 
Also, did they find, that it is a much easier 
thing to go down such a steep pitch than 
to go up the same. “Aunt Mary" heard 
their cries of despair, in their vain efforts 
to replace their clothing. Think of the 
joy of the besieged in Lucknow, when 
they heard the distant slogan herald the 
approach of Havelock, and we can get an 
idea of the joy experienced by these little 
ones when they heard a voice which they 
loved so well. How many little wanderers 
she may have conducted, or given an im- 
petus. into the right path, which leads to 
home and happiuess, on this side of the 
river, we may not know. 

The present generation have only seen 
her in life’s decline, as with faded eye, 
shaking frame and feeble, tottering step, 
she slowly passed away, — 

“Her labor done, securely laid 
In this her last retreat.” 

MISS AMELIA 8. TYLER 
was the principal of a female seminary of 
a high order, sometime before 1830. Young 









i 

i 



ladies received instruction from her in the 
higher English studies, and languages. 
Music upon the piano forte was also taught 
by Prof. Hughes of Boston, and we be- 
lieve her school may be said to be the first 
one iu Bratileboro where such instruction 
was given. Her school received frequent 
accessions from outside the town, and also 
from outside the State. A lady from Con- 
necticut, who attended her school one 
summer, we heard remark as follows: 

“Miss Amelia S. Tyler is the most per- 
fect lady I ever met, and she made use of 
so choice and perfectly grammatical lan- 
guage in conversation, whether in the 
schoolroom or out of it, it was one great 
pleasure of my life to hear her voice.” 

In the later years of her life, she gave 
instruction principally to the sons of her 
brothers, and after they passed on to col- 
lege, or elsewhere, she gave her attention 
to teaching boys, up to the last week of 
her life. It is the universal testimony of 
all those who bad the opportunity of judg- 
ing, that she performed her duties in the 
most creditable, faithful manner. And 
they were duties of a character such as 
she was eminently fitted by nature and 
cultivation to perform. As a member of 
the Episcopal church, she was decided in 
her convictions, and she had no lack of 
reasons to give for her decision upon this 
or any other matter. She died Feb. 28, 
1878. aged 71. 

Extract from the Vermont Plumix : 

“A life so full as here has been of every 
patient and loving sacrifice is rare indeed, 
but when coupled with the high intellec- 
tual qualifies and Christian virtues which 
lent such a charm and dignity to Miss 
Tyler’s character, it becomes, after it is 
ended, a subject over which one liugers 
with tender admiration. And to the young 
what a lesson of unselfish devotion it fur- 
nishes. Many of our middle aged and 
older ladies remember, with grateful affec- 
tion, the careful instruction they received 
at her hands, whether school for young 
ladies was in existence, while in more re- 
cent years, and up to the time of her death, 
the old Tyler homestead has been a school 
for boys, in the management and instruc- 
tion of which Miss Tyler possessed rare 
skill and tact, combined with an unvary- 
ing motherly love.” 



BRATTLEBORO, 



109 



FESSENDEN BROTHERS IN BRATTLEBORO. 

William Fessenden, the pioneer business 
man of Br&uleboro, East village, was son 
Of Rev. Thomas K. Fessenden of Walpole, 
N> H. He was born at the residence of 
his father, in Walpole, in 1779, and came 
here soon after learning the trade of priii- 
ter, in his native town, where he served 
his time with Messrs. Thomas & Carlyle, 
He came to this village about 1803, He 
was married to Miss Fatty Holbrook, 
daughter of Dea. John Holbrook, Oct, 9, 
1807, who was left a widow in 1815, with 
four children ; and she seemed to have a 
charmed life. Time withered the faces of 
her cotemporaries and covered them up in 
darkness forever, while her face, at four 
score years, had the smoothness and bloom 
of youth. Though all her life one of the 
most attractive, substantial and beautiful 
women in Brattleboro, no earthly influ- 
ence, no second love, could swerve her de- 
votion from the memory of the early loved 
and lost. The character and magnitude 
of her loss, as welt as the loss to the com- 
munity of that day, the traditions and 
records of the past inform us. 

This was a village of scarce a dozen 
dwellings, when Mr. Fessenden commenc- 
ed publishing here a newspaper, called 
The Beport®', in 1804. Fresh from his 
apprenticeship, with no capital, but a mind 
fertile in resources, and active hands to 
execute his designs, he bravely labored 
under great disadvantages. Often did he 
make a journey on horseback, to some 
distant paper-mill, and return with just 
sufficient paper bound upon the back of 
the horse, to issue the Mepm'ter one week. 
While he was engaged in this enterprise, 
Anthony Harwell was trying to establish 
at Bennington the publication of Web- ( 
steris spelling book, Mr. Has well did 
not succeed, and his effects were sold, 
Mr. Fessenden, in some way, came into 
possession of the plates and fixtures for 
the spelling-book. Under his economical, , 
sagacious management the publication of ■ 
this work caused the land, once called j 
''Governor's Farm/' to assume a very dif- 
ferent appearance. Houses sprang up rap- 1 
idly, and the population very soon doub- 
led. Never before was it more fully dem- 
onstrated that success in any enterprise 
depends more upon the character of the 



man engaged in it, than upon the charac- 
ter of the business. 

Between (10 and 70 years have passed 
away since Mr. Fessenden, accompanied 
by his wife and infant, was returning to 
RraUlcboro from a visit to his friends at 
Hartford, Ct. While riding in a sleigh, 
some miics from any habitation, Mr. Fes- 
senden was suddenly seized with an apo- 
plectic attack, Mrs. Fessenden, with a 
child in her arms, and a dying husband at 
her side, drove to Mr. Poniroy’s ion at 
Southampton, Mass. It was here our early 
public benefactor soon breathed his lust. 
It was not only that he was a man of great 
business sagacity, and thereby benefiting 
himself and others, that he was highly es- 
teemed in this place, but it was his integ- 
rity, benevolence, moral excellence and 
social virtues that won all hearts. Only 
3G years of age at his death, and only about 
12 years a resident of this place, was cer- 
tainly a short time to obtain such a hold 
upon the affections of everybody. But a 
character like his, diffusing light, hope aud 
joy r is not of slow growth. It is when 
that light goes out— 

'‘When comes the sable smoke where vanishes 
the flame / 3 

a darkness comes so thick it. can be felt by 
all. Venerable men, who attended the 
funeral services of Mr. Fessenden, have 
told ns, that never before or since that 
time 1 has the death of any person caused 
so universal sorrow in this place. All busi- 
ness of the place was suspended, and when 
the head of the procession arrived at Pros- 
pect Hill Cemetery, the rear rested on 
Main street, opposite the entrance to El- 
liot street. 

The following extract is taken from the 
village paper of January, 1815: 

r 'Rarely does it occur that a person who 
had so much to do with mankind in the 
common concerns of life, so universally 
obtained their good will; no man was his 
enemy, no one spoke of him but in bis 
praise. He was at the head of a widely 
extended establishment, that he had him- 
self created, which gave employment and 
bread to a large number of families and 
individuals in this village* where his early 
deat li will be long felt and deep] y reg re t- 
red, Cut off in the prime life, and in the 
midst of bis usefulness, his decease has 
created a void which we almost despair of 



no 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 

A 



Seeing again occupied He was amiable 
in private and useful iti public life: & most 
affectionate husband, a fond parent, a du- 
tiful son, an affectionate brother and w 
sUmdy friend: open- hooted and generous, 
he had nothing selfish in his nature, and 
apparently lived mote for others than for 
himself T 

His eldest daughter, a lady of unenra- 
mmi brilliancy and personal attractions, 
married Hon Elisha Allen. At tile time 
of tins marriage, we think about 1828, 
Mr, Allen was a young lawyer in this vil- 
lage, just admitted to practice. He was 
afterwards a distinguished member of 
Congress from J [nine, and received some 
foreign appointment from the Harrison 
and Tyler administration. We learn he 
is now OSTDJand has been for many years, 
minister of I) nance for the Sandwich Isl- 
ands, 



emblems of the presiding genius that 
reigned wiLhin, It was a sympathy with 
humanity, manifested in action as well 
as in sen li merit, that was the most prom 
inent feature in the characters of Mr. 
and Mrs. Joseph Fessenden. Ripening for 
the better land with seeming unconscious- 
irnss, weeping with those who wept, and 
rejoicing with those who did rejoice, 

At a society meeting of the Congrega- 
tional church, of which Mr. F w?*s a prom- 
inent mom her, be was suddenly stricken 
with apoplexy, and died in Sept . 1834, 
aged fi 7 yea rs. H i s w i do w , possess! ng v <; ry 
nearly the sit me characteristics as her hus* 
honch survived this event but a few months, 
when she passed away Jan, 28, iti&l, and 
very soon after, her garden of beam if ul 
11 owei's then ppeared , Their ch ilcl ren were 
Franklin II.. Thomas K. . William, Jane, 
Elizabeth and Mary. 



.JrtkKlUC JOHN , AND THOMAS OREEN 
FESSENDEN, 

worthy brothers of the subject of the fore- 
going sketch, have also lived In this place. 

.TOSEHH, 

after the death of his brother 'William, 
became associated with Ins father-in-law, 
Bern John Hoi brook, in the publishing 
business and the manufacture of paper. 
He owned and occupied, at the Lime of ids 
decease, the estate afterwards purchased 
for the Vermont Asylum for the Insane, 
und is now covered by their extensive 
buildings. Before Mr. Fessenden bought 
Ibis place, it was owned and occupied by 
Mrs. Rood , who afterwards became Mrs. 
Lee, It was a noted place i n her time, and 
some persons, whose 1 'days are now in the 
yellow leaf," remember with pleasure their 
joyful festivities and youthful gatherings 
at the grand old home of Mrs, Booth 
Possession of this place by Mr. Joseph 
Fessenden was followed by additional at- 
tractions to the surroundings His wife 
was a great admirer of flowers, and she 
caused the introduction of plants trees 
and flowers never seen before in this town. 
Her flower garden was at one time the 
pride of ihe village, and very few residents 
here would omiq in summer time, to di- 
rect their visiiors or friends from abroad 
to this charming spot. All we could see 
of the smiles of nature or charms of ait 
were but outward representations or fitting 



or-:N'L Frank un h. fessenden, 

the eldest son, received his commission as 
Brig. -General in 1884 He was one rtf the 
partners in the publishing house at the 
time a re-organization was effected, in 
I&hb and the business assumed by the 
^BmtUeboro Typographic Company.'* He 
married Henrietta, eldest daughter of Maj. 
Henry Smith, Their eldest soh, Freder- 
ick H, Fessenden, was killed while light- 
ing for the Union in the late civil war. 

Geirl Fessenden was a valuable member 
of society, highly esteemed for his many 
noble qualities, and died in Brattleboro* 
much lamented, in 1862, aged ol years. 

THOMAS k„ , 

obtained a collegiate education and fitted 
for the ministry. For many years lie has 
been a faithful pastor of the Congrega- 
tional church in New Tork State and 
Connecticut. 

In the summer of 1826, William, son 
of Joseph, a promising lad of 6 years, 
was drowned in the Connecticut river, op- 
posite the village. His body, and that of 
another lad, Andrew Jackson ShMluck, 
drowned at the same time and place, was 
taken from the water by some members 
of a circus troupe, at that time near the 
river making preparations for their exhi- 
bition* 

In 1886, Elizabeth, noted for personal 
beauty, healthy appearance, and superior 



BRATTLE BORO. 



lit 



mental qualities, died with consumption, 
aged 18 years. 

THOMAS G It HEN FESSENDEK, 

author of M Democracy Unveiled, 11 and 
x 4 Ter rib le T rn c I oration 1 w as i lie el d est son 
of Uiis gifted family. He graduated at 
Dart mouth College in tTOG, anti soon 
after removed to Rutland, Vt, f where he 
studied law with Nathaniel Chip man. Esq, . 
and afterwards, it weave not misinformed, 
was connected in business with Mr, Chip- 
mam 

During Ibis period, as well as during 
his residence at college, Mr. Fessenden 
eon l r i bu led a rl i c 1 es f n uu h is pen f o r T h& 
Bagte, n newspaper of Dartmouth, and 
the Fanner's Wenklg Mvwn m , a well 
known classic paper of Walpole* N« H, 
His extreme diffidence produced almost a 
re 1 igi nu s scru pie agai n s t a 1 1 o w i ng bis name 
to be attached Ln any of bis productions. 
Therefore il has not been gene rally known 
to whom the public lias been indebted for 
severnl patriotic songs. Find other very hu 
morons pieces of lus composition, which 
have had general circulation and adrnim 
tion through the country. Like most per 
sons who have ever don? anything worthy 
of note, he passed through the rc lining 
furnace. 

To ISO!.* Mr. Fessenden embarked for 
London, whore ho engaged in the com 
si ruction of a mill, or some kind of ma- 
chinery, to be operated by the water of 
the Thames* Several men of rank and 
influence, among whom was the then Lord 
Mayor of London, being patrons of the 
undertaking, and other circumstances 
holding out a reasonable prospect of great 
success, Mr* Fessenden ventured on a pur- 
chase of one-fifth of the concern ; but, be- 
ing deserted by bis associates, before there 
was sufficient time lo give the mill a fair 
experiment, the whole burden fell upon 
) its slum I d e rs , To use his own ex pre ssi o n , 
in describing the character of his associ- 
ates, ‘ k t b ey w e re guilt y of every th i rig b n I, 
common sense and common honesty T 

Far from home, with limited means and 
among strangers, amidst vexatious cm bur 
r assm en L s an d d is true t i tig cares wi 1,1 1 w hi ch 
this engagement constantly Imrassed him, 
he undertook, and within the term of four 
weeks, a part of which was under the in 

*Ffom old papers* 



finance of severe sickness, which confined 
him lo his bed, executed the first edition 
of "Terrible TractorationA This work 
received high compliments from the Eng- 
lish press, and was favorably compel ed 
with "Bu tier’s HudlbriisT The first Amer- 
ican, from the second London edition, was 
published here in 1804, 

How long Mr* Fessenden made Brattle- 
hero his home, we are not able to state; 
hut he wns living bore hi Itflli, and was 
edit fir of 7'kt fUjHtrfrr for some time 
after l he death of bis brother William, 
After leaving this place, he became exten- 
sively known as editor of the Nim Bug- 
land Farmer, published, in Boston. Maas. 
For many yours we s:lw ' for sale "Thomas 
0 ret is Fessond im f s A I manats. ' Before ll ic 
almanac became a murtium for medical 
advertisements, this work by M r Fessen- 
den had an e leusive sale* Some $5 years 
have elapsed since hi s life closed in the 
same, appfu'cuily, painless and sudden 
manner as did tlm lives of his brothers. 

.ion x pessetcden 

Travelers often look buck upon Hie land- 
scape they have passed over iq discover 
bea u l i es rh ey eo u Id 1 1 c vc r real i ze n r a pp re- 
ciate when too near the vision. As we 
regretfully look back upon the misused 
hours, so thickly scattered ou that half- 
century road we have passed over, the 
memory of “Uncle John,” as all made 
free l,o call I lie kind-hearted bachelor, 
comes to us with Mie reviving influences 
of youth and a pleasant Sunday morning 
in that season of l he year when Bmttle- 
boro is the abode of fairies. As leader of 
Uie choir, we invariably saw him at Ins 
post in that old semi circular gallery of 
the church, then on the common. Clad 
in costume, a la Daniel Webster, blue 
coat, gilt buttons and huff vest, lie gave a 
dignity to that office we have never seen 
surpassed. 

No narrow bounds, no gloomy, dim re 
ligimis light encircled the form or soul of 
"Uncle John*” His generous heart ex- 
panded in the broad, clear, healthy sun- 
light of Heaven, coming in freely, as it 
did. unobstructed by the evil devices of 
modern fashion, into the most properly 
located church building the people of 
ibis village ever saw. With eyes oc- 
casionally gassing upward, seemingly, 



112 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



wafting to some distant sphere, wrapped 
in a sweet tenor voice, his sentiments, as- 
pirations, or devotions, he became & sort 
of standpoint to n$ H where has gathered 
around many and varied recollections. 

The form and features of the first 
minister ordained in the town comes be- 
fore us. We again hear* in his em- 
phatic tones, "There will he a meeting 
for prayer, at the school-house, near the 
residence oE^Mr. Jesse French, this even 
i ng, at half -past 6 o'clock. 11 That f 'perfect 
likeness” of his satanic majesty* on the first 
page of our catechism, looms up again. 
Navarino bo mints, nearly as large as an 
umbrella, pass through the broad aisle. 
The warm sun exhales the perfume of co- 
logne, Day <& Martin's sponge blacking, 
new 1 ‘Nankeens” and the roses of June, 
while we listen to the prayers of saints, 
the songs of birds, the lisps of children, 
and the loud whispered "hush 1 ' of mam 
ma, as the little plump- faced cherub is 
leaving the house in her weary arms. 

The four day© 1 meeting, in the summer 
of 1831, when 8 or 10 faithful “watchmen 
from the walls nf Zion,” residing in the 
neighboring towns, came to the help of our 
worthy pastor. There came to the parson- 
age, each' by private conveyance, Revs. 
Messrs. Beektey, Pitman, Newton, Field. 
Smith, Foster, Bars tow of Keene, and 
"Father Packard,” the "old man elo- 
quent,” from Shelburne. Mass. After 
il sermon of great power, from the last 
named pastor, lie suggested "there be. by 
all present, a session of silent prayer of 
five minutes duration, after which the choir 
will please sing the hymn commencing, 
‘Oh, there will be mourning at tlm judg- 
ment seat of Christ.” 

Silent indeed was that crowded house, 
while the [ace of that von era hie man was 
prostrate on the pulpit cushion. It was 
but a moment, when again appeared that 
benevolent face, with 1 ear-drops falling* 
and grandly solemn, sounder! from that 
old choir— 

‘■Parents and children there will pari* 

Will part to meet no more.* 1 

At his post, calm and serene, though 
Sympathetic his countenance, among thal 
weepi 1 1 g co n gregati on , S t ood ‘ 1 U ncle John*" 
On his right, at the head of the soprano, 
was Mrs. and like the sad moaning© of 
November, or, as we imagine— 



“The cold* odoriferous winds that will blow 
Over I he earth in the last days” — 
sounded ft German flute, while Mr. Sikes, 
then in manhood's prime, was in the rear, 
sweeping oil the heavy notes from his great 
bass-viol. Mr. and Mrs, S' -, after serv- 

ing in this department of worship thirty 
years* yet (1870) survive beside their great 
grandchildren* and they are said to be the 
most aged couple now living in this town. 
But ' Uncle John ' has long since done his 
work and departed. He served several 
years, as leader of that large choir, and 
acted as accountant for t'he publishing 
1 1 ouse a f o rem en tio n ed , If 1 te h art no t a o 
em inept abilities as bis gifted brothers, he 
may have improved his five talents as well 
as some others have ten. However this 
may be, the sod now covers all that re- 
mains of these four brothers, for whom 
we do not claim perfection; enough of 
frailty and imperfection can he said of the 
best men. 

The moral atmosphere of this lovely, se- 
cluded valley, was, at one period, far from 
healthy. The owls aud bats of human so- 
ciety, from distant, places, did here gather 
to carry on midnight gambling, with its 
kindred vices, until the reputation of Hi is 
village became such that pastors in towns 
30 miles distant, warned the young of their 
docks to avoid becoming residents of this 
place. To the in Hue nee and labors of the 
Fessenden family do we largely attribute a 
desirable change in conditions here. 
Though AY ill i am Fessenden was never the 
member of any church, he offered $400 to 
the society for establishing religious wor- 
ship and constructing the first meeting- 
house in the East village of Bmttleboro. 

CHAltLES €. FJtGST, A. Sl. t 

was born in Erattleboro, East village, No- 
vember 11, 1800, He is, by trade, ft shoe- 
maker, and such bus been bis regular busi- 
ness since the age of 14 to the present time 
(1 878) . During the years of h i s early man - 
hood, he was persuaded to leave Lhe shoe- 
bench, during the winter months, to act as 
teacher in the only school -house of tills 
district, then standing in the north pari of 
the village. Mr. Frost was in advance of 
previous a teachcrs in this school, in his 
methods of imparting instruction in math- 
ematics, reading exercises, and such branch- 
es of study as were then pursued. We re 



BRATTLEBORO. 



113 



member his use of various forms of blocks 
for illustration in solving geometrical or 
mathematical problems. The blackboard 
exercise was, wo believe, for the first time 
in this village, seen in his school* His 
government and good mamtgermmt of the 
pupils under his charge met with general 
approval* We believe his service in school 
leac h l n g d id n o l exceed two winters, tho ugh 
lie was urged again and again, to continue 
to take charge of the school ; hut for rea- j 
sons best known to himself, he preferred , 
not to do so. We have a right to suppose | 
there was not a sufficient compensation 
offered in those days for a man of* liis abil- 
ities. Other young men could be found 
who could make us good a qjjilbpcn and 
thrush as big a boy, as coo Id Mr* Frost , for 
less pay. A man must possess the hist 
mentioned qualifications, if be would com- 
mand $15 per month, as the principal in- 
structor in the district school in this vil- 
lage, at that time, 

Hear the time of his last service to the 
district, he married Roxana Sargent* grand- 
daughter of Johu Sargeut,* who was the 
first English child born in Vermont* By 
this marriage were three sons, via, i Charles 
S., Wells S. T and Henry B, S* Frost. Mr* 
Frost established himself in the shoe busi- 
ness In his present location on Main street, 
m 1831* Since that time, he has become 
widely anti favorably known to men of 
science and culture, and by savants is con- 
sidered Hie highest authority in some de- 
partments of science* Therefore it is he 
bos received the degree of A, M. conferred 
upon him by Dartmouth and Middlebury 
colleges ; also, that he has become a corre- 
sponding member of societies for the ad- 
vancement of learning in this country. 
Wise men, not only of the East, but 
from other directions, have come long dis- 
tances to his unostentatious presence and 
humble surroundings. For reasons in the 
foregoing, a biographical sketch of our na- 
tive townsman, for the history of Brattle- 
boro, is demanded from abroad, and the 
historian of the Slate, has especially re- 
quested it* 

Other men of the same avocation have, 
without doubt, produced as good me chan - 



*John Sargent was bom at Fort Du miner, 
and his monument can now be seen in West 
River Cemetery, in this town. 



ical work ns lias the subject of our sketch ; 
bin we know of no other mechanic who has 
been so in love with wisdom, that not a day 
could pass over his bead without searching 
for her as for hidden treasure* We learn 
it has been the daily practice of Mr* Frost, 
from his youth, to devote a portion of eve- 
ry day (Sabbath Si excepted) to attainments 
in the sciences and languages. Some years 
ugh he had made such proficiency as to 
pursue scientific studies in four languages. 
This practice has been no interruption to 
his mechanical or mercantile pursuits, for 
he has, in this manner, only occupied the 
intervals of business horn's — Lke fragments 
of time— many heedlessly let pass in a 
man ne r o fte n worse th an w astod . He doe s 
not appear to be ambitious, nr to make any 
display of his abilities* We have never 
known him to address an audience, or speak 
in public on any occasion , or manifest any 
desire for office or elevation above his legit- 
imate business. From bis youth he has 
ever been plainly dressed, very prudent, 
and as economical iu the use of money as 
of time, and never has suffered business 
embarrassments, or offered less than one 
hundred cents on the dollar of his indebt- 
edness. Oth er men of his acquirements 
usually Aspire to some profession, profes- 
so rsh i p or p o si ti on Lh ei r a ttai n m en ts qualF 
fy them to fill and maintain. He has been 
offered honorable positions, such as he is 
qualified to fill, and the compensation far 
greater than he ever received in bis busi- 
ness life, yet he has as decidedly refused 
the offers as in early life he refused the 
professor's chair in that old hipped- roof 
school-house at the north part of the vil- 
lage. 

The why of this unremitting, life-long 
devotion to study is, it seems to us, a satis- 
faction to the demands of Iris nature be 
can satisfy in no other way. His reward 
seems to be in the doing; but with most, 
people reward is a consequence of doing. 
At the time Mr. Frost was 49 years of age, 
the following was said of him in the 
Gauntry Journal : 

M He received his early instructions at a 
common school of bis native village, and 
has never enjoyed the advantages of the 
h ighe r sem inaries o fl ear u i ng, Being fond 
of mathematics, he early excelled in that 
department of study, and was a fair, though 



114 



BE ATTLEBORO. 



not remarkable scholar in other branches. 
When he left school, however, he did not 
lay aside his books. Some mathematical 
works falling' into his hands, when u youth, 
he studied them faithfully and became 
master of their contents. And, having 
studied mathematics foT several years, with 
little or no assistance except from books, 
be finally made himself familiar with the 
moat important works on algebra, geome- 
try, the calculus, Ac* He turned Ins at- 
tention also to astronomy, geology, miner- 
alogy. meteorology, and botany, in all of 
which branches of science be has made 
great proficiency, especially in botany, to 
which he has for the past few years more 
particularly devoted himself. His research- 
es into that department of botany relating 
to the cryptograms, ore especially worthy 
of no Lice, and arc surpassed only by those 
of ji few living bo tnuisis. He was, for a 
time, connected with the Smithsonian In- 
stitute* as a reporter on storms, and dis- 
charged kis^luiles most acceptably, in the 
meantime Jre hits kept himself * 'posted up - ' 
on the great moral and political questions 
and reforms of the age, with most of which 
he has strong* active sympathies. The 
Sunday Ue rigidly do voted to public wor- 
ship and the reading of works relating to 
morale, theology and religion. 

Mr. Frost lias made collections more or 
less extensive of minerals, insects, shells, 
grasses, mosses, ferns, lichens, fungi, and 
plants generally , and arranged them neatly 
and in a scientific manner. Most of these 
he has collected with his own hands, not a 
few of them in early morning, before the 
usual hours of business; some on excur- 
sions made for the purpose, and others 
whenever business called him abroad, nev. 
er omitting any opportunity to bring home 
any rare specimen which his quick, prac- 
tised eye might discover. 

A part of his earnings, which bad never 
been large, he has saved by a simple, fru- 
gal mode of living, ami appropriated to 
the purchase of books, so That his library 
numbers some fiOO* volumes of valuable 
works, mostly of a scientific character, se- 
lected not for ornament, hul fur use. Thus 
by appropriating at times those small sums 

*As one- fourth of a century has elapsed 
since this article we quote* was written, his 
library is much larger at the present time, 
(1S7SJ and no tv contain.* 1000 volumes. 



• of money { which might easily have been 
?pem in gratifying tbe appetite, or in pro- 
curing the means of temporary pleasure) 
in the purchase of books and other instru- 
ments of Improvement; he has a rich mine 
of intellectual wealth from which be can 
constantly draw supplies to enrich and en- 
noble his mind. Those hours and minutes 
which some men spend In Idleness and loi- 
tering about places of concourse, or in gos- 
sip, or in dissipation, he has wisely em- 
ployed in study, and thus acquired an 
amount of knowledge on a variety of sub- 
jects, mostly scientific, which but few can 
boost of, who have been favored with the 
best advantages that wealth could pur- 
chase, or a college or university furnish. 

His knowledge aLLraelsto him those fond 
of science; those who, like himself, desire 
to improve, and Urns he is brought Into 
communion with some of the besl minds 
in the community. Scientific men from 
abroad, when they visit that beautiful vil- 
lage where he resides, find him out and 
make his acquaintance. And now and then 
a kindred lover of nature and of science, 
like his distinguished friend, John L* Rus- 
sell, of Salem, so well known among men 
of science, visii him, and together they 
explore- the mountains mid valleys of Ver- 
mont, so rich In minerals and how era and 
plants of almost every description* This, 
to b iiUj is ft source of great pleasure and 
of no little profit. Tbe satisfaction of see- 
ing beauties and wonders m ah nos t every 
object in nature, and which are almost en- 
tirely hidden from ignorant or unscientific 
men, is worth an independent fortune,” 
Alter Mr. Frost had received a visit from 
Rev. Dr, C t F. Deemes, of New York* 
where’ lie was pastor of the “Church of 
Lite Strangers/' there appeared in "Bald- 
win's Monthly/ 5 from the pen of the above 
named clergyman, an article from which 
we extract the following: 

"There is nothing at all striking In his 
appearance, but he was the man in Brattle- 
boro Whom 1 particularly desired to see. 
t did not venture to present myself, nor 
did 1 adopt the roundabout method of en- 
deavoring to make nu acquaintance by 
means of a little trade, I simply asked an- 
other gentleman to present me to Mr C. 
0 . Frost. When we met, 1 said: TwUb 
to know the man who has more friends 



BKATTLEBORO, 



m 



among the educated people of Europe, 
than he has iu bis native village.' He 
smiled, dropped his eyes, and replied: 
'Well, I reckon 1 have more friends in Eu- 
rope than 1 have in Vermont.’ 1 said: H 
find that there are people iu Br&Uleboro 
who know no reason why l should desire 
to become acquainted with you, but I um 
sure there are a hundred scientific men in 
various parts of Europe who would he 
graft lied with this opportunity,* 

1 trust my readers will now wish to know 
about this Mr Frost, iu whom 1 was inter- 
ested. He is a man who knows move about 
plants, probably, than anyone else in New 
England, — perhaps than anyone In the 
United States. Hev reads scientific books 
equally well iu four different languages. 
He has, besides, a very great deal of scien- 
tific knowledge beyond botany, — in one 
department of which he is an authority for 
scientific men on two continents; perhaps 
the highest authority since the death of 
Rev r Or. Curtis of North Carolina, His 
knowledge is wide and accurate. I-Ie has 
habits of the closest observation and de- 
scription, He has been honored by being 
elected a member of different societies in 
America and Europe, He (lid not tell me 
these tilings — T knew them; but I desired 
to hear from his own lips l he history of 
his intellectual progress, Tt was substan- 
tially this: 

IT is father — James Frost* — was a shoe- 
maker, and was the first who opened a 
store for selling shoes in Br&ttleboro. At 
10 years of age, young Frost noticed that 
the older scholars brought their sums for 
him to do, and that in mathematics he was 
up to boys who were five to nine years old- 
er than himself. He did not know what 
that meant, but his friends afterwards told 
him that they hud discovered in him, from 
his first years, a considerable mathematical 
genius. When he was fifteen years of age, 
liis father became possessor of “ Hut ton's 
Mathematics, Jt which he had taken for debt 
from some West Point student. Young 
Frost looked at it with evident delight, and 
his father told him that tL should be his 
property if he could read it at twenty-one. 
At 19 he had mastered the whole course, 
He went into astronomical mathematics, 
took up chemistry, learned very much of 

* James Frost came to Bmfcdeboro from Pax- 
ton* in 1799. 



natural sciences in every department, and 
all the while attended to bis business as a 
shoemaker. From some neglect of his 
physical habits, he superinduced mucous 
dyspepsia. No medical skill in his neigh- 
borhood seemed able to relieve him. He 
went to New York to consult Dr. Willard 
Parker. While waiting in the ante- room, 
he admired intently a very handsome bou- 
quet of Hewers on the mantel, and was 
examining them when ihe doctor called 
him in. Dr. Parker 0 and idly told him lie 
could do nothing for him: *ButJ said Lbe 
skillful and honest physician, you can do 
very much for yourself. Are you fond of 
flowers? 1 'Very much so, indeed, 1 said Mr, 
Frost. ’Then make it a point to walk one 
hour iu the morning, and one in the even- 
ing, looking for flowers.' 

He did so. His health constantly and 
rapidly improved. At first he could hardly 
keep on his feet through the hour, but he 
soon learned to walk many miles at a 
stretch. His scientific mind naturally be- 
gan to study flowers in their scientific as- 
pects. He began to be a botanist. He or- 
dered Fries' book from London, and paid 
$12 for it. He did not know until he saw it 
that, iL was written iu Latin t of which 
tongue he was ignorant He bought a 
Latin grammar, devoted himself to the 
language, and In six months could read 
his new hook as well as if it w as written 
in English, hi the same manner he ac- 
quired German and French. He has con- 
tributed to our scientific periodicals. He 
still writes. He showed me an unpublished 
manuscript 00 the Boleti of Vermont. 

On my first visit, which occupied about 
an hour, we were interrupted six different 
times. He went to the counter to cut pegs 
out of Hie shoes of a factory girl, to sell a 
pair of slippers to a gentleman for bis wife, 
to ply Uis trade with one or two country - 
women, etc. He never asked to be excused, 
hut went to bis business and came back 
and resumed just where he left off. He 
made 00 pretences He did not play the 
part of a learned cobbler; he simply 
plunged into the things ho and I both 
wanted to talk about. I asked him how 
he could be content to spend his days in 
that little shoe-shop, with these capabilities 
and acquirements? 

r l Why,' said he, f it is the business of my 
life. Whatever t have acquired of science 



brattleeobo. 



IIS 



cftrnc in the search of health and mental " 
entertainments Science is not my profes- 
sion— slm making is. * ** 

dr. Ezra cm ark: 

succeeded Dr. George Holmes Hall, a phy- 
sician m regular practice, in the pale of 
drugs and medicines. The inhabitants of 
this place had, up to this time, purchased 
their drugs from a Medical practitioner, 
therefore they came to regard the occupa- 
tions of druggist nod physician as one and 
inseparable. It was on this account, we 
believe, the subject of our sketch tv as com- 
pelled to bear a title to which he had no 
claim, and was always known and spoken 
of here as “Dr Clark," He came here 
from Northampton, Mass. , in 1000, and 
during the time he resided here, some 10 
or 11 years, was the only druggist in Brat- 
tleborb. About 1820, he moved, with bis 
family, to Hartford. Ct, where, from that 
time until near the close of a long and suc- 
cessful life, lie was an extensive iron deal- 
er, N. B. Williston, his former clerk, be- 
came his successor in this place., and, In 
copartnership with E. Hunt, purchased, 
excepting the building, the entire stock and 
fixtures of Dr. Clark. The building re- 
mained in possession of Dr. Clark over 
years after his removal to Hartford, hut 
the drug business therein was successfully 
continued by Messrs. WillisEon t% Hunt, 
until the time of rival establishments. 

Borne years ago. we heard frequent men- 
tion of Dr. Clark in connection with the 
events of his time in this place; and at the 
present time some of the oldest inhabitants 
now living here find a welcome place for 
his memojyr in their reminiscences. With 
his well-known capability and integrity, 
such as caused responsible offices to seek 
his acceptance, hut wore almost invariably 
declined, he had some reputation as a 
wit, and in his conversations and social re- 
lations was manifested his ability as well 
as his approval of instructions found in 
Proverbs, chap, 25, verse 11. 

During the time of his life in this town, 
the malignity and bitterness of political 
parties subsided and became greatly molli- 
fied under the administration of Jarues 
Monroe. The way in which Dr. Clark 
mode use of the aforenamed circumsiances 
to give one of bis friends a pleasant hit, 
can best be told fa the words of Dr. John 



P, Warren j who was present on the occa- 
sion ; 

“On a 4th of July celebration of our 
national Independence, which took place 
at the East village in this town, in the year 
1817, and during the halcyon period of 
President Monroe's administration, a little 
Incident occurred, the history of which by 
an eye-witness of what he relates, may 
perhaps serve to amuse some of the read- 
ers of the history of the town. 

It was an occasion then, as now, fitted 
to call out a large concourse of all classes 
of citizens, of this and adjoining towns, to 
celebrate the day in a style appropriate to 
the occasion. The venerable John Hol- 
brook of this town was chosen president, 
and John Phelps, Esq., vice president of 
the day. A bountiful repast was provided 
at the American House, of which a large 
number of citizens partook. Patriotic 
toasts were read and drank al the table, 
after the repast was discussed. Among 
the distinguished guests at the dinner were 
Dr, Ezra Clark of ibis village, a vivacious, 
quick-witted man, and Jeremiah Greenleaf, 
Esq,, of Guilford, the reputed well- known 
author of 'Grammar Simplified, 

We will here interrupt Dr. Warren 1 ’s 
narrative a moment in regard to the gram- 
mar, Mr. Greenleaf claimed that this, to 
many, dry, uninteresting study, washy his 
new work relieved of the objectionable 
features, rendered not only more at tractive, 
but the science made comparatively easy 
of attainment. 

fJ Mi\ Greenleaf had but recently pub- 
lished bis hook, and transmitted to each of 
the ex -Presidents of the United Slates a 
copy of the same, and from whom he had 
received complimentary letters, which he 
had shown to the citizens of the village, 
for which he had manifested a just pride 
and no small share of vanity* After the 
regular toasts had been disposed of, volun- 
teer toasts were called for by the president. 
Dr. Ezra Clark was the first called. He 
promptly arose, when all eyes were fastened 
upon him, and said: "Mr. President, f give 
you for a toast, James Monroe and Jerry 
Greenleaf — one has mollified party spirit 
and the other grammar.' The shout and 
cheering which burst forth, at the an- 
nouncement, can be better imagined than 
described.” 

In what manner this complimentary toast 



BE A TTLEB 0 RO . 



t IT 



affected the pad He President of the United 
States, we cannot say, but all authorities 
we have consulted declare that our Guil- 
ford author was considerably irritated and 
quite unpleasantly affected. 

Several years after the family of Dr 
Clark removed to Hartford, his sons came 
hack to Brail leboro, and by their business 
enterprise assisted materially the .growth 
of the place. The eldest son was Lhc pro- 
prietor of a manufactory of ’mother-of 
pearl M us early as 1833, we think. Til is 
material was converted into articles of 
beauty and utility, such m pearl slides, 
buttons, etc. He married a daughter of 
G, R. Ellis, Estp v and returned to Han- 
ford, Cl. , 

$ M. Clark, who has for a series of years 
past r under ed important services to the 
United States, in the currency department, 
established in this place, in 183*4, the man- 
ufacture of boxwood and ivory rules. His 
personal attention was given to every de- 
partment of the works, which for beauty 
and efficiency were deservedly admired. 
The rooms In which moved the most ap- 
proved machinery, and mechanics of great 
excellence, were models for neatness and 
cleanliness, No efforts were spared on the 
part of the proprietor to obtain a high rep- 
utation for the articles coming from his 
manufactory. This business was contin- 
ued many years by E. A. Stearns. After 
the death of Mr Stearns, Charles Mead 
became bis successor in the business, but 
was compelled to cease operations soon 
after, by the great hie in 185?. Not only 
has This business been an important finan- 
cial benefit to this place in bygone years, 
but the accuracy and general good charac- 
ter of the work has been highly creditable 
to lvI 1 concerned. 

lion. Ezra Clark, Jr., was, in early life, 
employed as a clerk by Messrs. WiUisloti 
& Hunt, in this place. Several years after 
his return to Hartford, Ct., he was elected 
Representative to Congress from that 
City, 

ELIFHAT.ET .TOCTKSOtf. 

Born in Chesterfield, N. H, r about. 1781, 
he spent the bust 50 years of his life mostly 
in the east village of Brattlehoro. His 
prusentage was respectable, hut he was par- 
tially blind and so unfortunate in bis 
general organization, he had not the ability 



to properly take care of himself. The 
labor he engaged in was generally for those 
the least able lo reward him. He found 
lodgings in some barn or out-house, and 
during his last years depended mainly 
upon charity. If any boy insulted him, 
as they frequently did, Johnson always 
felt certain the father of that boy would 
in some way come to grief, by failure iu 
business or some family affliction. We 
heard him state: 11 Hon. James Elliot and 
his excellent wife always treated me well; 
they were the best friends 1 ever had in 
Braille boro, but i am sorry they are Uoi- 
vciHftlists. Why, if that doctrine is lrue t 
them is no hell for them Shaddocks." 

B at notwithstanding his menial occupa- 
tion. lack of culture, and unprepossessing 
externals, he often attracted attention by 
his quaint remarks and ingenious poetical 
com positions. Reluming disgusted from 
Nauvoo, whither he was enticed by a 
Mormon brother, he encountered a fearful 
storm on Lake Erie, and wrote: 

Ir As o J er Lake Erie's boisterous wave, 

J, fearfully was driven, 

1 thought each billow was my grave. 

And pray’d to be forgiven. 

“Then did 1 promise to my God, 

If safe again on shore, 

I’d be submissive to bis rod, 

And leave the land no more,’* 

Johnson wa$ not a sot, hut like many 
sons of genius ilmt have preceded him, had 
a fondness for liquid sources of inspira- 
tion and yellow snuff, that may have been 
indispensable to his peculiar mental exer- 
cises. The great orator of Kentucky 
never made a brilliant display of oratory 
until he bad inhaled the aroma from his 
gold snuff-box. But however much the 
artificial aids may have assisted our poet, + 
no voice came to his inspiration unlil he 
had for some moments intently gazed upon 
his wrinkled right hand. When urged, as 
he often was, to produce verses applicable 
to circumstances, be would sometimes 
pound his head with his fist, arid a suspen- 
sion of this exercise would be followed by 
bringing the inside of his expanded hand 
m contact w ith the end of his nose. After 
seemingly writing with his nose upon his 
hand, he, on one occasion, enlightened his 
audience upon the history of an individual 
who urgently requested a rhyme about 



118 



RRATTLEBORO. 



himself. From fear of offence, tlie poet 
refused to comply, but the individual 
boisterously insisting he would not and 
cool'd not be offended by anything he could 
say* and offering a reward, Johnson thus 
laid him out; 

H Daniel — * so they say, 

To State's Prison he has been; 

Anti if I could have my way, 

He would be there again,*' 

Slightly personal as was this production, 
the person poetized was with difficulty 
prevented from laying violent hands upon 
our author* and it was not long before it 
was made known there was more truth 
than poetry found upon the wrinkled right 
hand on this occasion, 

Johnson wished for independence * and 
once tried to improve his fortune by ped- 
dling. He made several efforts before he 
could find any one who would furnish him 
goods on commission. His success and 
failure can best he given in his own lan- 
guage: 

"John Leavitt let me have a basket of 
clothes pins, almanacs, and some other 
articles, that I was to sell or return. I 
went as far north as Putney, and had very 
good luck selling my stuff, but when 1 got 
back I hadn't got quite money enough to 
pay for the goods I bad sold. I couldn't 
always tell when X got the right money, 
and no doubt some folks cheated me. Mr. 
Leavitt was very kind to me and said, 
‘Johnson, don't give it up so; perhaps 
you will do bettor next time.’ He fitted 
me out w ith another stock of goods, but 1 
didn't do so well as 1 did the first Lime. If 
the devilish boys would lei me alone, I 
guess I could do something. One boy hit 
my side with a hard snowball, and you 
* have do idea how it hurt me- I fell down 
and bruised my bones to all intents. 

1 1 had four dozen clothes pins 
And but fifty cents in cash, 

When I fell upon my basket 
And broke it all to smash/ 
ic Parents are more to blame than their 
boys. When i do find out the name of a 
boy who has insulted me, it is no use to 
tell his father, for when I have done so 
the answer generally is, * Guess he didn't 
hurt you much; he only wanted a little 
fun; you'd better go on the town and get 
away from the boys/ ?T 



But his happiest efforts were reserved 
for New Year's or Fourth of July. He 
was ever seeking for some sin with which 
to charge the Democratic party. From 
the days uf Jackson, in 1829, to President 
Polk's administration, In 1847* we fre - 
quently heard his denunciations. Soon 
after Tan Bureu became president, John 
son gave him the following compliment: 
u Mania Van Ruren — designing man. 

With Andrew Jackson hud the plan 
To make retrenchment but a sham, 

And slain out country black as Ham/* 

Id 1S47 we were fighting Mexico. News 
came of tbe bombard men t of Vera Cruse. 
Invited, on July 4th, to give his toast, his 
ben bulged frame shook with emotion, tears 
Mowed down his withered face* and from 
q u i vc ri ng 1 I ps cam e feebly f oi tb hi s fi rsl 
four lines. Warming with the theme, 
firmer and firmer rose his voice as he pro- 
ceeded, and when he recited the last line 
his upraised right foot came down with 
a vengeance to the Moor: 

“This glorious day has come again. 

The proudest day for freedom's son, 

For then % (yrnnf/s galling chain 
Broke on the soil our father's won. 

*' Bui 3 io\v the cries of Mexan daughters, 

With mangled limbs at Vera Cruz ; 

They l el I how freemen's hands can slaughter, 
How Independence they abuse, 

tr Go, Democrat ! bow low your head, 

Heaven may forgive you this disgrace, 

But history*s page you've made so red, 

All hell and Polk cannot efface/' 

Xf all our Johnsonian works had been 
preserved they w ould probably be enough 
to fill a good sized volume. We give one 
specimen of his efforts on the first of Jan- 
uary, 1847; 

“Though little, now, this world can bring 
To cheer my pathway to the grave, 

Nor early love nor Cupid's Wing 

Can brace my heart life’s scenes to brave. 
" Yet I can say to rich and poor, 

To old and young, to grave and gay, 
Accept my hand, l have no more, 

A Happy New Year to you this day. 

“ Improve this time your alms to give — 
First day of eighteen forty-seven— ( 

For you this year may cease to live. 

And your reward be hell or heaven/' 



BRATTLEBORO. 



119 



Enwrapped in cast-off clothing, Johnson 
felt his way about these busy streets nearly 
half a century. From him came to us 
often the first intelligence of the advent of 
joys or sorrows to the homes of near or 
distant neighbors, and, ever on some er- 
rand for the sick or well, he considered 
himself indispensable to the welfare of 
others. He believed his mission to this 
suffering world of great importance, and 
the many gilded fiics of fashion, high iu 
the world’s regard — but nobody could tell 
why — had less apology for living. 

It was one satisfaction of his life to think 
an aching void wonld be occasioned and 
sadness, like a cloud, come down upon this 
people, wheu it could be said of poor, 
abused, unappreciated, neglected Johnson: 
4< For thy bent form we look in vain, 

No more we hear the echo of thy cane; 

On thee no more boys play mischievous tricks, 
For thou hast crossed the fabled river Styx.*’ 

IJis last song ceased, his feeble life went 
out, as liberty was buckling on her Armor 
for the Inst great deeds of ’fll-’OS, and peace- 
fully he sank to sleep in his native town. 

FRANCIS GOODnUE, ESC*. 

We first learn of this gentleman as an 
active young man living with his wife at 
Swnuzey, N. IT. He was bom Oct. 26, 
1768, married Polly Brown, daughter of 
Rev. Joseph Brown, in 1788. He moved 
from Swanzey, N. II., to Wethersfield, 
Vt, , where he came into possession of the 
famous “Bow Farm” of about 1,000 acres, 
being of the most fertile' and desirable 
meadow lands of the Connecticut river 
vailey. In 1810 he sold this valuable farm 
to Hou. William Jarvis, soon after he re- 
signed his office as United States Consul, 
and who was ever afterwards known as 
“ Consul Jarvis.” Soon after selling this 
farm, Mr. Goodhue settled in Brattleboro 
— iu 181 1 — aud this place was his home the 
remainder of his life, which closed in 1837. 
At the time of his death hut two of his five 
children were living, viz. : Col. Joseph 
Goodhue aud Wells Goodhue. Joseph 
Goodhue was horn in 1794, married Sarah 
Edwards, of Northampton, Mass., — a de- 
scendant of Rev. Jonathan Edwards, — in 
181.7. 

The then small settlement iu the part of 
this town, known as the east village, hav- 
ing extensive meadows north and south of 



it, attracted the attention of Mr. Goodhue, 
and he made purchases of said lands north 
and south, and also a large portion of the 
lands on Main and other streets of this vil- 
lage, containing, in some localities, build- 
ings thereon. 

Hou. John W. Bluke, who was living 
here before 1790, was a large owner of real 
estate in this village at that time, and he 
conveyed his title to the same to Mr. Good- 
huc in 1811. About the same time, Dea. 
.John Holbrook sold to Mr. Goodhue the 
water-power and buildings east of the 
south bridge on Main street, containing a 
saw aud grist mill aud some machinery for 
other purposes. 

Mr. Goodhue was not a dreamer or 
builder of air castles. No man in this 
place better heeded the scriptural lujunc 
tion, “work while the day lasts. ” With 
him every moment was improved in ad- 
vancing the growth and general prosperity 
of this little settlement on the western hank 
of the Connecticut river. Though diligent 
and attentive to the many small and need- 
ful details of life and business, he was ever 
awake to great occasions. About 14 years 
had passed, after his settlement here, when 
an enterprise of great importance aroused 
the public attention. The great Erie 
canal, so often called in deiision while iu 
progress of construction, •* Clinton’s 
Dilch.” was universally allowed to be a 
grand success. A canal was made from 
New Haven, Ct., to Northampton, Mass., 
and it was proposed to extend the same to 
the town of Brattleboro. G. C. Hall, Mr. 
Goodhue, and other of our business men 
became interested in the enterprise. Sur- 
veyors and civil engineers were put on the 
route, and while performing their duties 
in this vicinity they were accompanied by 
Mr. Goodhue, whom we well remember 
seeiug hold of one end of the chain, meas- 
uring through the forest. While the pub- 
lic mind was discussing and deliberating 
upon this matter, a little noisy steamboat 
came screaming up the Connecticut to tell 
the people, “you have a canal, a natural 
one, leading to the ocean, and all that is 
needed to make Brattleboro a seaport is to 
apply the heat and put on the steam.” The 
canal project was laid upou the table, and 
Mr. Goodhue, with others in this place, 
gave their attention and money to give the 



120 



BB ATTLEBORO. 



experiment of steam navigation a fair trial. 
Mr* Goodhue lived to see this enterprise a 
failure, and iks l until about tl years after 
his death was the grand success of trans- 
portation accomplished by rad road, mid 
his son, Col Joseph Goodhue, and his 
grandson, Francis Goodhue. Esq., have 
acted from the first on the hoard of direct- 
ors of the Vermont & Massachusetts Rail- 
road. 

This intensely practical man seemed to 
receive a now inspiration in this his last 
home, for he became everything this village 
needed nl that time. Re paid no regard 
to the old adage, * f Don't have loo many 
irons in the He threw in hammer 

and tongs* shovel and poker all at once. 
He carried on wool- carding, eloLhdressing, 
saw and grain mill, cotton spinning, dis- 
tilling, and a large store or such goods as 
were sold from country stores at that 
time. He was also erecting a building of 
some kind every year, and largely, at the 
same time, engaged in farming, yet his 
uote was never worth Jesa than 1U0 cents 
on the dollar. 

Like the most of our successful mem his 
first lessons came from the hard school of 
nc cess* ty , t here by acqu i r i ng a d I sci pi i a e an d 
valuable experience, with natural shrewd- 
ness and sagacity, which made him, as he 
walked these streets in the prime of man- 
hood, nearly 70 years ago, an important and 
valuable acquisition to this community. He 
was not one of those ha If- cent men, who 
dare not trust a dollar out of their sight, 
and get all their money concentrated 
where they can sit down upon it over 
night, but he confidingly spread out his 
capital to the winds of Heaven, or “ cast 
bis bread upon the waters to return to 
him after many days. ,J 

Wc know of no man of property who 
has settled here who manifested more real 
confidence in our future than did Mr. 
Goodhue, He completely identified him- 
self with our private and public interests, 
iiucl was ever ready to listen to and assist 
iu Ally project presenting a reasonable 
prospect of Lending to the public welfare* 
His hopefulness and cheerfulness was a 
constant inspiration to those with whom 
lie came iu contact, and the encouraging 
grasp he gave the hand of honest industry 
can be seen, iu its effects, at the present 
day. He was generally successful, and he 



was always gratified to learn that others 
were so; and was a young man unfortu- 
nate in business, instead of accelerating 
his misfortunes or downward course, ho 
had a hopeful word to say. and could gen- 
erally find some employment for liirn until 
he could do better. His public liberality 
was apparent in several instances. He 
gave valuable locations upon his lands on 
Main street for the old Brat tie boro Bank, 
Chartered in 1821, and the Unitarian aud 
Congregational church buildings. 

The old-time, open-handed hospitality 
was not lacking at the house and home of 
Mrs. Francis Goodhue. Old people who, 
in their youth, had rendered service to 
Mr, Goodhue and lived in his family, wc 
have heard speak in high praise of the 
kind treatment and good fare they inva 
ri&bly received at the hands of Mrs, Good- 
hue. The ladies of the village, who 
gathered on certain occasions around her 
dining- tabic, ever considered her a model 
ho Hackee per in the selection of refresh- 
ments, the manner in which they were 
served, general attractiveness and neatness 
of surroundings, and the cordial welcome 
with which all were received, 

George B. Blake, Esq., of Boston, In- 
dulged in pleasant reminiscences of his 
boyhood, when he, u particular favorite of 
Mrs. Goodhue, assisted her in her enter- 
tainments- To a BraUleboro friend lie 
said: “No ladies of the present day so 
command my reverence as did those of 
i the olden time who composed the Ladies* 
Benevolent Society of Brattleboro* In 
summer Lima each one of them wore a 
green silk calash, covering a lace cap, 
white as the new fallen snow. When they 
entered the house of Mrs. Goodhue, the 
calash was removed, but the cap remained, 
giving a uniformity and neatness to their 
appearance. There was a stateliness ami 
dignity in their manners not surpassed by 
the bench of the Supreme Court of the 
United States. Never have I felt a more 
weighty responsibility devolving upon me 
than when, under the direction of Mrs. 
Goodhue, I assisted her in the entertain- 
ment of the ladies of this society, and no 
food I have since partaken had such a 
relish or gave me so complete satisfaction 
as, in the long ago, came from the tabic of 
my dear old friend in Brattleboro." 



BRATTLEBORO. 



121 



The memory of Mrs. Francis Goodhue, 
whOj by tome years, survived her husband, 
has noL perished; it yet lives in the minds 
of many in this place, as of those long re- 
moved to other places. Her visits to the 
homes of the afflicted were not simply 
visits of condolence. She was over seek- 
ing a way whereby some real benefit, some 
tangible good might be effected* and if 
there was any apparent possibility of hu- 
man aid to the suffering she was capable 
of rendering, her efforts in this direction 
were never lacking. Her hired help were 
of Jen summoned to her assistance, with 
needed supplies, on her errands of mercy 
to the sick and destitute, and she has often 
passed the whole night hi her ministry 
Horn, performing the humblest offices in 
the abodes of poverty, by the bedside of 
the sick and dying. 

Her only daughter, Lucy, was remark- 
able for her external beauty, and univer- 
sally admired for her many virtues. She 
became the first wife of John R Blake* 
Esq,, who for many years, until ills death 
in 1873, was of the banking firm of Blake 
Brothers, of Boston, one of the most re- 
liable financial houses in New England. 
The members of this firm were the sons of 
John W* Blake, Esq., and were both 
natives of the East village of Brallleboro. 

Her sou, GoL Joseph Goodhue, soon 
after his marriage, came into possession of 
the large meadow farm, occupied iu early 
times, before the war of the Revolution, 
by John Arms, one of the earliest settlers. 
Col. Goodhue was a model of industry, 
and during a laige portion of bis life 
occupied various town offices* and was the 
chief iu command of the regiment in this 
vicinity* Being one of the most econom- 
ical, successful, cautious men in this town, 
yet he was one of the largest investors here 
in the first railroad enterprise — the Ver- 
mont & Massachusetts mil load — and w as 
one of the board of directors during the 
remainder of his life. 

At the time of his death* in 1801 , bis 
children were ail married, settled mostly 
in this place, and constitute, with their 
families, a very important and influential 
part of this community, 

Mary Aim was married to William P. 
Guns, now president of the old bank, 
chartered here iu 1821 and renewed in 



lBfi 3. Harriet was married hf 1S35 to Ex- 
Governor Holbrook, Lucy married Dr* 
Hall, of Northampton, Mass*, in 1836, 
Sarah married first, Albert H, Bull* Esq., 
of Hartford, Ct. P who, before I860, gave 
$2000 to the Brattlefooro Library Associ- 
ation. Her second husband, Dr. E, R. 
Chapin* was, for 15 years* superintendent 
physician of the Asylum for the Insane, at 
Fiatbush, near the city of New York* 
F ran cis,tbe on ly so n * m ar ri ed Mary B ro o ks* 
daughter of Gapt* William Brooks, 

WEJ,LS GOODHUE, 

the only brother of Joseph* was UI years 
of age when he came here with his father 
in 18X1, He fitted for college ^nd con- 
tinued his studies about a year after he 
entered college* and came back to Brattle- 
boro to engage iik trade with Ins father* 
He was married to Laura Barnard about 
1828, They had three children — Lucy, 
Charles and Julia* Lucy married Rev* 
George Draper; Julia, Thomas Walter, of 
New York; Charles B., a lady from 
Pomfret, Cl 

Mr. and Mrs. Wells Goodhue are not 
living* and the only survivors of the 
family, Charles and Lucy* are not (1879) 
residents of Bratfeleboro. 

Mr, Wells Goodhue passed the most, of 
his life iu Br&ttleboro. He was a careful* 
prudent man* and never manifested any 
desire for office, though he was a man of 
excellent administrative ability and ster- 
ling honesty. His quiet, sagacious com- 
ments and remarks to those with whom he 
was familiar, respecting public movements 
and passing events, gave evidence of much 
reflection and discrimination. Above all 
things lie dreaded contention* and rarely 
would discuss exciting questions* His 
wealth constantly accumulated by real 
estate transactions and judicious manage- 
ment of his capital* Late in life he was 
elected president of (be first bank here, 
chartered in 1831, and reconstructed in 
1963. Much to the regret of those most 
interested in the institution* he could be 
retained in said office but a short time. A 
few mouths after his resignation he died, 
in 1874, at the borne of his only daughter, 
Mrs. Draper, near the city of New York. 
efaphbo seymour* 

The subject of this sketch was the 
youngest sou of Major Moses Seymour, of 

H 



122 



BRATTLEBORO. 



Litchfield, Conn. ; born July 8, 1783. He 
received a good academical education at 
the Morris Academy, South Farms, Conn., 
and afterwards was thoroughly trained in 
the business and duties of a merchant's 
clerk in a mercantile establishment at 
Brooklyn* Conn. 

Horatio Seymour, the eldest brother, 
was educated for the legal profession, and 
settled in Middlebury, Vt. lie became a 
distinguished lawyer in western Vermont, 
and for twelve years represented the State 
in the United Slates Senate. Near the 
close of the last century, Henry Seymour, 
an older brother of Epaphro Seymour, 
came tc^ Guilford and was extensively 
engaged in mercantile business. Subse- 
quently Henry Seymour, about 1802, 
induced his brother Epapbro to come to 
Guilford and engage in trade, although he 
was less than twenty years of age when he 
commenced business. At this time Guil- 
ford was the most populous and prosperous 
town in Vermont. 

Zadock Thompson, in his Gazetteer of 
Vermont, published in 1820, speaks as fol- 
lows of Henry Seymour and others, for- 
merly residents of Guilford : 

•* Among the early settlers of Guilford, 
since 1790 was Hou. Royall Tyler, Hon. 
James Elliot, Hon. Micah Townshend, 
Hon. John Noyes, Hon. Henry Seymour, 
and others of lesser note, who were iden- 
tified with the history of the State, hut 
who have 9ince removed from the town.” 

After Epaphro Seymour was established 
in business in 1802, Henry Seymour re- 
moved to Porapey, Onondaga Co., N. Y., 
and engaged largely in trade, accumulating 
a handsome property. Subsequently, in 
1819, he removed to Utica, N. Y., and 
was appointed one of the canal commis- 
sioners of that State, and while supervising 
the construction of the canal, he acquired 
a large fortune by successful investments 
in real estate. 

Epaphro continued in mercantile busi- 
ness in Guilford until 1814, when he re- 
moved to Brattleboro, and was associated 
with Geo. F. Atherton in mercantile busi 
ness. lie continued in trade in Brattleboro 
some three or four years, after which he 
resided alternately at Guilford and Brat- 
tleboro. He spent the winter of 1820 at 
Middlebury, Vt. He was regarded as a 



discreet business man of most excellent 
judgment, and could readily and correctly 
estimate the value of all kinds of property 
that passed under his observation, and 
while sojourning in Brattleboro, Guilford, 
or elsewhere, he was constantly investing 
his money in a great variety of enter- 
prises. which uniformly proved produc- 
tive. 

In the fall of 1821, the Legislature of 
Vermont chartered a hank at Brattleboro, 
which was organized the following year, 
and Mr. Seymour was chosen cashier 
thereof by the directors in March, 1822, 
and continued to hold the office until Jan. 
1, 1837, when he was elected president of 
the bank to fill the vacancy made by the 
resignation of John Holbrook. Mr. Sey- 
mour continued to hold the office and 
faithfully discharge the duties thereof 
until bis death, June 10, 1854. By reason 
of his early and careful training, and hi9 
long experience in mercantile business, he 
was exceedingly practical in his method, 
and had acquired a perfect familiarity with 
all the details and complications of the 
most intricate business transactions, and 
was enabled to conduct the business of the 
bank profitably and successfully during 
the time of his official connection there- 
with, either as cashier or president. He 
settled the estate of Hon. Jonathan Hunt, 
as executor, without excuting bonds for 
the faithful discharge of the trust which 
the testator had reposed in his integrity 
and fidelity, and the estate inventoried at 
a sum exceeding $150,000. During the 
year 1837 and from 1837 to 1840, inclusive, 
he was associated with his nephew, Horatio 
Seymour, of Utica, N. Y., and O. S. Sey- 
mour, of Litchfield, Conn., in settling the 
estate of bis brother, Henry Seymour, who 
died at Utica, N. Y. The estate was very 
large and widely scattered, exceeding 
$250,000 in amount. He was greatly re- 
spected for his honesty and integrity and 
unflinching fidelity in the discharge of his 
fiduciary engagements. While connected 
with the bank his time and energies were 
almost exclusively devoted to the mainte- 
nance of its reputation for soundness and 
solvency^ His example, method and man- 
ner of conducting the business of the bank 
has since been strictly followed by his suc- 
cessors, and, at this day, it is regarded as 
one of the soundest in the State. He was 



BRATTLEBORO. 



123 



a great admirer of a fine horse, and mani- 
fested a deep interest in the implement 
of the breed of horses in Brattleboro and 
vicinity. At his death he was keeping in 
his stables eight brood marcs with colts, 
that were sired by the celebrated Gifford 
Morgan, which was his favorite horse. 
Some of its descendants are now owned in 
Windham county, and old horse fanciers 
readily detect in them the symmetry and 
prominent characteristics of the sire which 
was always regarded as the noblest horse 
in New England, forty years ago. 

Mr. Seymour was eminently practical in 
all his views, and opinions, and of most 
excellent judgment. The public, particu- 
larly those who were about to engage in 
new enterprises, reposing great confi- 
dence in his superior financial ability, uni- 
formly consulted him in relation to their 
proposed investments and were always 
controlled by This opinions. His advice 
was always eagerly sought and adopted. 
He constantly warned all who were in- 
clined to engage in speculations against 
the folly and danger which was so alluring 
to a man with a greed for wealth, and so 
dangerous to him when the money of 
others is under his control. He begged of 
his friends to make no investments but 
those that were perfectly legitimate and 
promised a safe return. 

The community reposed the most im- 
plicit confidence in his integrity. Before 
the adoption of savings banks and trust 
companies in this State, large sums of 
money were entrusted to his care and keep- 
ing, and in many cases with a simple 
minute noting the amount, yet for the 
period of more than forty years not a 
whisper was ever breathed against his 
fidelity in the discharge of any fiduciary 
engagement he had assumed. He was a 
generous- hearted man to the poor and un- 
fortunate, and kindly aided young men 
who were struggling against adversity aod 
poverty to obtain an education and qualify 
themselves for professional pursuits He 
married Miss Mary Root, an estimable 
young lady, sister of Mrs. Judge Whitney, 
of Brattleboro. He had but one child, a 
boy, who died Nov. 23, 1830, aged two 
years and six months. 

Chas. K. Field. 



CAPT. SAMUEL HOOT. 

Samuel Root was the son of Moses Root; 
born at Montague, Mass., Oct., 9, 1788: 
came to Brattleboro when he was about 20 
years of age, and worked for Samuel Dick- 
enson and learned of him the trade of a 
blacksmith. After laboring for Dickenson 
a few years and completing his engage- 
ment, he bought of him his shop, tools and 
good will and commenced business for 
himself. 

He married Catherine Surgeant, Feb. 0, 
1817, by whom he had five children, only 
two of whom survived him — Fiances E. 
and Catherine. Frances E. married Geo. 
C. Lawrence, who is still living. Catherine 
married Samuel FI. Price, who enlisted in 
the Union army and died in the services of 
his country in 1803. 

Frances E. Lawrence left three children 
— Elizabeth, Richard and Henry R. Eliza- 
beth and Richard died some years ago, and 
Henry R. is still living. Catherine had 
two sons by her husband, Mr. Price, Fran- 
cis and Edward, who reside with their 
mother in Chicago, and are engaged in 
trade. 

Capt. Root was a man of great industry, 
of an indomitable will and always exer- 
cised the most rigid economy. Forty 
years ago New England and New York 
were chartering banks by the score, and 
the prudent captain invested his surplus 
gains and accumulations in bank shares, 
and his investments uniformly proved 
productive and added largely to his wealth. 
At the time of his death he owued a large 
amount of stock in some 10 or 15 banks in 
New England and New York. 

His stern unflinching honesty and prac- 
tical good sense rendered him exceedingly 
popular with his neighbors and townsmen, 
and he was annually elected to responsible 
offices in town, the duties of which he dis- 
charged with great fidelity. He represented 
the town in the General Assembly of the 
State; was oftentimes chosen one of the 
selectmen of the town, and was for many 
years trustee and keeper of the surplus 
money, a large fund sequestered and set 
apart for the support and maintenance of 
common schools in town. The fund was 
large and great care was required in ob 
taining ample security for loans that were 
made of portions of the same. He was for 



124 



BRATTLEBORO. 



a long time a director in tbe old bank, and 
was elected president thereof after the 
death of Mr. Seymour, in 1854, and con- 
tinued to. hold the office until his own 
death in March, 1869. 

For the last fifty years of his life he had 
filled the most important municipal offices 
in town. As a citizen, he discharged all 
his duties faithfully, and distinguished 
himself by the zeal and energy with which 
he entered into all the enterprises which 
were calculated to promote the growth 
and prosperity of the town. Faithful to 
all with whom he had dealings, honorable 
and upright to all employees, and in all his 
relations, social or financial, his conduct 
was characterized by the utmost frankness 
and sincerity. He followed closely the 
policy adopted by his distinguished pre- 
decessor, Mr. Seymour, in the manage- 
ment of the hank. He never invested his 
money in wild speculations, and while 
president of the bank he uniformly declined 
loaning any of its funds to its officers, or 
to t J, ose who applied for loans for mere 
speculative purposes. lie condemned the 
speculative mania which prevailed during 
his official connection with the bank, and 
which was urged as a partial justification 
of various and illegitimate investments, 
such as cutting up farms into house lots, 
running up prices beyond reason, and ex- 
pecting every purchase to yield a profit. 
The world regarded this as legitimate and 
justified by the business necessities of the 
country. Not so Capt. Root. He resisted 
the policy and denounced it as vain and 
delusive, and flatly refused to approve any 
loans for such false and delusive purposes. 
Time has exposed the folly of the specula- 
tive mania which prevailed during the 
currency inflation, and fully justified 
Captain Root in denouncing it as a sham 
and a blunder. He died March 15, 1869, 
sincerely mourned and regretted by a large 
circle of relatives and friends. 

Chab. K. Field. 

FREDERICK HOLBROOK. 

Ex-Governor Frederick Holbrook was 
horn Feb. 15, 1814. He was the youngest 
of ten children, who constituted the family 
of Deacon John Holbrook, and is now the 
only representative here of this family, 
which formerly occupied a large sphere of 



usefulness and effectually exercised a crea- 
tive power in the forming period of the 
East vilfage of Brattleboro. Tbe head of 
this family was so identified with the 
building up of this place, that it is found 
impossible to give a history of the same 
without the association of his name with 
our account of the causes of the existence 
and early progress of this village. 

The mother of Gov. Holbrook, a lady of 
genuine Christian graces and strength of 
character, was the daughter of Hon. Luke 
Knowlton, of Newfane. She moulded to 
a forming degree the young life of the 
future governor, who manifested on the 
very threshold of manhood a love for 
theoretical and practical agriculture. 
There was ah increasing neglect of this 
important avocation, upon which our na- 
tional greatness depends, which so aroused 
the subject of our sketch that he brought 
all the powers of his mind to bear upon 
the subject. Ilis early culture, observing 
qualities and travels in Europe, enabled 
him to furnish valuable and interesting 
articles on the subject of agriculture for 
the leading journals of the science in the 
United States; they possessed a charm to 
a class of readers heretofore indifferent to 
such matters, and were extensively copied 
by the local press through the country. 

Mr. Holbrook was wary and cautious in 
advancing new theories. All positions he 
assumed w*ere thoroughly examined and 
considered before being submitted to the 
public. The reflective department of his 
mental organism and love for truth being 
largely predominant in bis nature, he 
avoided hasty conclusions; therefore, he 
seldom, if ever, had occasion to alter or 
retract any statements he had committed 
to the hands of the printer. Being a prac- 
tical as well as a theoretical agriculturalist, 
his theories were well tested before publi- 
cation. It does not require superior 
discrimination to discover in his writings 
a patriotic animus, a truthfulness and 
honesty of purpose. He loved to practice 
as well as to preach, and gentlemen farm- 
ers, so-called, were often surprised to find 
the man, who could so effectually and 
gracefully wield the pen, holding the 
plough or reaping his fields. 

In 1847, while thus busy with his farm, 
he was chosen Register of Probate for the 



BR ATTLEBORO. 



125 



district of Marlboro, and in 1850 lie was 
elected presides of our State Agricultural 
Society, and held that office eight years. 
In 1849-’a0, his fellow-citizens sent him as 
Senator from Windham county to the 
State Legislature, and during his term of 
office, as chairman of a special committee 
on agriculture, he projected a petition to 
Congress for the establishment of a na- 
tional “ Bureau of Agriculture.” During 
the next legislative session at Washington 
the President of the United States com- 
mended the measure proposed, and soon 
our national department of agriculture be- 
came a reality. 

His foreign tour, to which brief allusion 
is made in the foregoing, was in early life, 
soon after leaving his studies and a short 
time before steamship navigation of the 
Atlantic. Over fifty days confinement in 
a sailing vessel, on his return home, beat- 
ing against adverse winds, did not give 
him a rose-colored view of a life on the 
ocean wave. He suggested to the captain 
of the ship the employment of steam 
power in crossing the ocean, but, with a 
wise shake of the head, the veteran mari- 
ner declared the thing impossible. 

In this brief presentation of incidents in 
the life of Mr. Holbrook may be found 
some of the causes of his elevation to the 
Chair of State in 1861. During his term 
of office was the darkest period of our 
national existence. Upon no governor of 
this State ever rested so grave responsi- 
bilities, or of whom was required so ardu- 
ous, uuremitting labors as devolved upon 
Governor Holbrook and his able cabinet. 
When gloomy croakers and defenders of 
rebellion were making every possible effort 
to weaken the already bleeding hands sus- 
taining our old national eusign, the utter- 
ances of Vermont, through her executive, 
had no uncertain sound to the ear of 
Lincoln or to bis foes. Over 80,000 Ver- 
mont. soldiers, for the Union army, con- 
firmed those utterances and formed a 
living wall of steel in protection of that 
“Star Spangled Banner,” which, in the 
loug ago, had so often waved successful 
defiance to the enemies of liberty, and be- 
came a worshiped emblem of our nation’s 
glory. The proclamations of our gov- 
ernor, in that period of peril, were resolute, 
calm and hopeful, with uo sign of touch- 
ing or cessation of heavy blows at. the 



active euemies of our government, so long 
as they continued such. Official declara- 
tions of this character from the northern 
frontier at that time, tended in no small 
degree to dispel the gloom oft-times sur- 
rounding the President and his cabinet. 
While life was in the extremities of the 
nation, there was reasonable hope of 
soundness in the body of tbe same. The 
clear light of patriotism, from the distant 
heights of freedom, pierced through the 
dark cloud of thieves, spies and assassins 
infesting the home of Lincoln from the 
beginning of the rebellion to its close. 

Before assuming, and since leaving the 
chair of State, Mr. Holbrook has declined 
several invitations to official position, in- 
cluding appointments from the general 
government. He has never been an office 
seeker, but when induced to accept of a 
position, or to commence the accomplish 
ment of any duty, however humble, his 
consideration, first and last, has been for 
thoroughness and such action as, in his 
judgment, would secure the best results. 

As chairman of tbe board of trustees of 
the Vermont Asylum, he has ever been 
awake to the best good of tbe patients and 
the general welfare of that institution. 
As a director of the agricultural depart- 
ment, for which he is eminently qualified, 
his position would be difficult to fill. 

In confirmation of some statements in 
in the foregoing sketch of Gov. Holbrook, 
we give the following extract from bis 
message in the dark hours of 1862: 

[Extract from a Vermont pwpM'\ 

"We should gratefully remember the pa- 
triotic devotion manifested by those who, 
unable to bear arms and endure the hard- 
ships and fatigues of the soldier, have no- 
bly aided and encouraged others td do so, 
contributing liberally of their means to 
provide for the brave volunteers, The last- 
ing thanks of every patriot are due to the 
women of Vermont, for so freely giving up 
their hushauds, brothers and sons for the 
struggle, and their sympathy and zeal in 
furnishing, in such variety and abundance, 
tbe articles of their handiwork, and the 
delicacies indispensable to the comfort of 
the camps and hospitals, and to the alle- 
viation of the sufferings of sick and 
wounded soldiers, lonely and far from 
kindred and home. 



126 



BR ATTLEBORO. 



Thus wifi it ever be with Vermont to the 
end of the war; she will never falter nor 
look back, but will press forward, until, if 
need be, her laM dollar is expended, and 
her last son falls upholding in his dying 
grasp "the flag of our Union/ and with 
his latest breath ejaculating a benediction 
upon his country/ 1 

A large portion of the document is 
necessarily devoted to the finances of the 
State. Tie then reviews thw work of mis-' 
i ug a ud equipping l h e sc v oral regim e n t&, 
and with brief allusions to the several 
State institutions, to which lie has been 
able to give but little attention, owing to 
the pressure of other duties. He thus con- 
cludes ; 

‘*11 is an occasion for renewed congrat- 
ulation that the people of Vermont have 
again shown their devotion to the cause of 
the Union, by laying aside, almost unani- 
mously. all considerations of a partisan 
character, and uniting in earnest support 
of the National Government, which is 
charged with the high duty of defending 
and maintaining that sacred cause. The 
position of Vermont in this great life 
struggle of the nation, can neither be ques- 
ti oned norm tsu n d er stood . Th e bl ood of he r 
sons has reddened many battle-fields, and . 
their valor and endurance have vindicated 
her historical renown. Her people admit 
no thought of concession to, or compromise 
with, the causeless and wicked rebellion 
now striking at the vitals of the nation, 
and their determination is fixed to endure 
and fight, and sacrifice, till the govern- 
ment, established by the wisdom, the 
patriotism, and the blood of our fathers, is 
restored in its beneficent and rightful sway 
over every portion of the Union. 

“The st niggle in which the nation is 
engaged is clearly one of life or death. 
Even though the scenes of blood and the 
night of calamity through which we may 
be called to pass, shall shake the land to 
its foundations and try us to the utmost, 
yet, trusting in the God of our fathers, we 
will not doubt that life is to be the result, 
aud that the nation is to be purified by Sts 
trials and established and exalted beyond 
the expectations of its founders. Our 
fathers found: a great evil* which they de^ 
plored, but could not separate from the 
good. Current events are tending to pro- 
duce that separation, by uprooting the 



evil. The rebellion, if persisted in, may 
be the means, under Providence, of anni- 
hi hi ting the institution of slavery, which 
all acknowledge to have been its cause, 
The territory of the United States must be 
preserved in its integrity, j 

“Neither foreign power nor domestic 
Insurrection can be allow ed to establish a 
rival government within any portion of 
that territory, and, therefore, all means 
justified by the ultimate law of self -preser- 
vation and compatible with Christian civ- 
ilization, must be applied to the permanent 
suppression of the present rebellion. The 
recent Proclamation of Emancipation by 
the President of the United States, is a 
logical result of the slaveholders' rebellion, 
and as such it is accepted, and will be sus- 
tained by all loyal men. It is a * military 
necessity/ and has the recommendation to 
our people of according with both justice 
and humanity. 

Q Milkmen of the Senate and J3mj.sc of 
Representatives : 

“Grave and weighty responsibilities rest 
upon us in this great crisis. Let us show 
ourselves equal to our duties. Whatever 
we have to do, let us do it with one heart 
and one mind. However humble, we are 
a part of the American Union, and have a 
vital interest in its preservation. It m a 
Union consecrated to Freedom, and it falls 
to our lot and that of our generation Lo 
prove the ability of freemen to defend and 
preserve our birthright. Our Institutions 
are passing through n baptism of blood. 
They must and will be maintained at what- 
ever sacrifice; and in the momentous issue 
which is upon us, neither temporary re- 
verses will discourage, nor partial successes 
unduly elevate us. Belying upon the in- 
controvertible justice of our case, the 
bravery, patriotism and intelligence of the 
soldiers of tbe Union, the unconquerable 
determination, and the spirit of American 
Liberty actuating the loyal people of the 
country, we may confidently look forward 
to and patiently wait the Lime when our 
beloved Republic, under the providence of 
God, shall be re-established in unity and 
po w er , an d afford a t ri □ m pb an t vindi eati n n 
of the ability of a free people to govern 
themselves. 

Frederick Holbrook/' 



BRATTLEBORO. 



127 



nflS, SAMUEL. CLARK. 

[We are indebted to the Rev. Joseph 
Chandler, of West Brattleboro, for a copy 
of this sketch, prepared by him for, and 
read before, the Vermont Historical So- 
ciety, at its meeting in 'this village]. 

Hon. Samuel Clark, a member of this 
society, whose death at the age of 84 gives 
occasion for this notice, was for many 
years a prominent and highly respectable 
citizen of Brattleboro, He was born in 
Lebanon, Conn., in that part of the town 
which is now Columbia, Feb. 28, 1777 
His father was Samuel Clark, of Lebanon, 
son of Timothy Clark of the same town, 
whose father, with a Mr. Dewey, pur- 
chased a tract of land of the Indians, 
which tract was called, down to a late day, 
the Clark & Dewey purchase. There is a 
tradition that the first ancestors of these 
Clarks in this country came from England 
in the ship Ann, in the year IQ 23. 

Through his mother, Sarah Gunman, 
the subject of this notice was a lineal de- 
scendant, in the seventh generation, of 
Robert Cushman, who came to Plymouth, 
Mass., i o 1621, and who, though not a 
clergyman nor even a <l Teaching Elder/' 
prepared and delivered a sermon on 
Wednesday, Dec. 12, the day before he 
sailed for England. This was the first 
sermon delivered in New England that was 
printed. The main facts of his life, with 
a list of his descendants in this country, 
are recorded in the volume of " Cushman 
Genealogy/* prepared by Hon. Henry W. 
Cushman, of Bernardston, Mass., to which 
volume wc are Indebted for the main fads 
of this sketch. 

The family of which our deceased friend 
was the ninth, consisted of seven sons and 
four daughters. After the death of his 
brother Eliphas in 1850, who died at Tol 
land, Conn,, at the age of 82, he was the 
sole survivor of the family. Till 18 years 
of age, he labored on his father's farm in 
Lebanon. Then, after attending a* high 
school for about four months, he went to 
Massachusetts, and for about three years 
was engaged in teaching school and as a 
clerk in a country stove in Bernardston, 
Greenfield and Leyden. He then removed 
to Dover, Vt M where he resided for some 
six years, engaged in mercantile business. 
Sept. 1 , 1800, lie married Susan Johnson, 



who was horn in September, 1778, in El- 
lington, Conn., daughter of David John- 
son, of Dover, Vt. In 1804, he removed 
to Guilford, where he prosecuted his busi- 
ness successfully for nine years. In 1813, 
he went back to Dover, which town, in 
18 14, he represented in the State Legisla- 
ture. In 1915, he took up his residence in 
West Brattleboro, and for about 15 years 
carried on mercantile business there. In 
the years 1820-21 , and also 1825 26. lie was 
the representative of the town in the Legis- 
lat u re. For 1 1 1 ree yea rs ( co m m e n c i ng w j t h 
1827, he was a member of the Council of 
this State. In 1833 he was first assistant 
judge of the county court for this county, 
fn 1836 he was a delegate from this town 
to the convention for revising the Consti- 
tution. While in the Legislature, he was 
chiefly instrumental in obtaining the char- 
ter of Brattleboro Bank, of which he was 
for 20 years following a director. For 13 
years he was one of the trustees of the 
Hospital for the Insane, iu this town, and 
for 35 years was an active member of the 
Board of Trustees of Brattleboro Academy, 
ever manifesting a lively interest in the 
institution by his large contributions for 
building and other purposes, and by his 
faithfulness to promote the welfare of the 
school. 

His religious life is supposed to have 
commenced during the year 1833, at which 
time, in company with many others, he 
joined the Congregational Church in West 
Brattleboro, then under the pastoral care 
of Rev. Jedediah L. Stark. 

He was, in his sphere, a strong man; 
fitted by nature, and by the wise and dili- 
gent use of bis energies to exert an influ 
ence in society. Though possessed of 
strong feelings, his judgment was sound 
and his opinion was much valued by his 
neighbors. Prudence and sagacity were 
marked traits in his character. Another 
pleasing trait was his readiness to make 
amends for anything done under the im- 
pulse of excited feelings, which he was led 
afterwards to look upon as wrong, lie 
was not one of those men, of assumed in- 
fallibility who make it a point never to 
take back anything, and never to acknowl- 
edge themselves mistaken. In many 
instances where he was called upon to ex- 
press his opinion and to give his vote, he 



138 



BR ATTLEBORO. 



seldom hesitated to declare himself faith - 
fully and frankly upon the point in ques- 
tion; and almost as often he would express 
his willingness t,o acquiesce in the decision 
of the majority against him. In all mat- 
ters, however, involving moral principle, 
or that seemed to him of superlative im- 
portance, he was firm and unyielding; and 
he brought all the energies of his strong 
and impetuous nature to bear upon the 
business of main Laming and carrying out 
his convictions. 

His interest in I he welfare of the church 
with which he was connected was deep 
and unabated to the last. His place in the 
sanctuary was seldom vacant while health 
and strength were given him. He was a 
conscientious, not a captious hearer of 
preaching. Before the infirmities of age 
prevented, he was quite regular in his 
attendance upon the prayer meetings of 
the church, particularly the monthly con- 
cert in which he manifested special interest, 
and in which he seldom failed to take a 
part. While he ordinarily gsiv e something 
to all the ordinary objects of Christian 
benevolence, he felt more deeply the im- 
portance of the foreign missionary enter- 
prise than of any other, and his contribu- 
1 ions for that object were regular and freely 
tendered. 

His bequests for charitable and public 
purposes were as follows: To the A. B. 0, 
F- M*, $5,000; to the YermontDom. Miss. 
Society, $3,000; to the Adi. Colonisation 
Society, $1,000; to the Eccl, Society of 
the Cong. Church of West Brattleboro, 
§1,000; to the corporation of Brattle boro, 
Academy, for maintaining a school for 
hoys, §1,000, 

Admonished by the infirmities of age 
and by several slight attacks of paralysis, 
that the end was drawing nigh, he arranged 
his worldly affairs accordingly and “ set 
his house in order,” His last illness was 
short, and he fell asleep April 9, 1861. 

EBWAItD CROSBY, 

Among the enterprising men who have 
increased the business facilities, public 
conveniendes and beauty of modern Brnt- 
U shore, is Edward Crosby, who was born 
in this town in 1815. Boon after this event 
his father, Godfrey Crosby, removed with 
his family to Marlboro in this county. His 
father was also a native of tills town, and 



was born in 1784 He was of English 
ancestry, and received what was then 
called a good education. Beginning at 
the age of 17* he taught school several 
terms in succession in the West River dis- 
trict. After serving several years as a 
clerk in the store of Boa. John Holbrook, 
he married Sylvia Gune and commenced 
trade in Hummers ton, assisted by Mr. 
llolbrook* who held liim in high estinm- 
lion. Persons now living heard Mr. Hol- 
brook say, “Godfrey Crosby was a man 
of superior talents* energetic and faitfiful 
in the discharge of trusts, with few equals 
in penmanship and as an accountant.” 

The business venture of Mr* Crosby in 
Dummcrston proving L unfortunate, he 
again resorted to school leaching, but died 
at the early age of 33 years, leaving his 
family in destitute circumstances. The 
family at this time constated of his widow 
and three children, via. : Enos, Fanny and 
Edward, 

How well Edward improved the stern 
lessons of poverty and deprivation of early 
life, the history of his life in RrnUleboro 
since 1847 will testify. While about half 
a million of dollars have been annually 
passing through his hands in the dour 
trade, requiring unremitting care and re- 
sponsibility, he ha^ erected three large 
brick blocks in the heart of the village, 
the larger building, known as “Crosby 
Block, Jf containing banks, stoves, <fcc., and 
the others for mechanical purposes, with 
steam power and the best of modern con- 
veniences. 

In 1879 he finished and opened, for the 
public accommodation, a large and beauti- 
ful hall, known as “Crosby Opera HallT 
In 1870-71, he was elected to represent his 
native town iu the State Legislature* 
thereby giving evidence of public estima- 
tion and approval, As be is yet a live, 
progressive man, in practice as in theories, 
his future may be even more interesting 
tbau the past. 

JOHN BURNHAM* 

[Extract from the Illinois volume of the United 
Stated Biographical Dictionary , published at New 
Yoik and Chicago, 

He was born in Braltleboro, Yt., March 
18, 1816; the son of John Burnham and 

* u The Yankee genius in the bud/ 1 ivhen 
rescued by Miss Mary Tyler, in ifizi, See 
concluding pages of the Tyler papers. 



B R ATT LEE OHO, 



129 



Rachel nss Uossiter, both nf whom were 
natives of Connecticut. He is a descend- 
ant of Th omits Burnham, who emigrated 
from England and settled in Hartford, 
Conn., about 1640, John's educational 
advantages, very limited in extent, were 
such as the common schools of his native 
place would afford. He early developed a 
fondness for the reading nf philosophical 
works and kindred subjects, but at an 
early age was obliged to close his studies 
* and assist his father, who was a worker in 
gold and silver, also a brass founder and 
coppersmith- Three years lie traveled 
through New Hampshire, Massachusetts 
and Maine selling and filling trusses. 
Going to Ellington, Conn., he there en- 
gaged with Mr. Henry McCray in the 
pump business, and soon began the sale of 
the now well-known "hydraulic ram.” 
He continued in this business until he was 
nearly JO years of age, and during that 
time found so many who wanted running 
water, where they had not fail enough to 
use the ram t that his attention was diverted 
to the wind as a motive power. Here was 
the poorer of millions of horses, sweeping 
through the heavens over every man’s 
farm throughout the known world* and 
might be utilized to the saving of human, 
the dearest of all labor. It was this 
thought that inspired him and urged him 
on to the prosecution of that invention 
which has more than met his most hopeful 
expectations. 

There was at that time no manufactory 
of small wind mills in this country, and 
probably none in the world, the reason 
Mr. Burnham divined to be the difficulty 
in producing a machine that could stand 
the strong winds, and he felt that if this 
difficulty could be obviated, the success of 
sucb a machine would be certain. Feeling 
that he had but limited abilities as an in- 
ventor, he applied to Mr. Daniel Halladay 
then conducting a small machine shop in 
the village, and after several times calling 
his attention to the subject, received from 
him the following reply: 

"I can invent a self- regulating wind 
mill that will he safe from all danger of 
destruction in violent wind storms; but 
after I should get it made, l don't know of 
a single man in all the world who would 
want onc. JJ 

Being assured by Burnham that Its 



would find men who wanted them, he 
began and soon produced a self- regulating 
wind mill The two now united in the 
enterprise, and soon organized a joint stock 
company in South Coventry, Conn., with 
Mr Hal lad ay as superintendent and Mr. 
Burnham as general agent. The wonder- 
ful growth of the enterprise is abundantly 
shown in the following fact: When the 

machine was first entered at a State fair 
for a premium, it had to be entered as a 
miscellaneous article, as no such thing had 
ever been entered on a fair ground for a 
premium, To-day they are seen at every 
State and County fair throughout the 
country, while millions are invested in 
their manufacture, and they have become 
a common article for pumping at railroad 
water stations, on farms, and also for run- 
ning farm machinery, and during six or 
eight years past they have been success- 
fully used for flouring mill purposes, a 
single machine being sufficient to run three 
sets of burrs. The flour produced is, in 
quality, equal to that manufactured by 
steam or water power, and is furnished at 
a much less expense. 

In 1856, Mr. Burnham removed to 
Chicago where he resided eight years. He 
there made the acquaintance of John Yau 
Nortwtckj Esq., a noted western capitalist 
and railroad manager who. after examin- 
ing Mr. OaUaday’s invention* induced 
some of his friends to join him in forming 
a joint stock company, entitled *' The 
United States Wind Engine and Pump 
Company, l ’ with himself as president and 
general manager, Daniel Hal lad ay as su- 
perintendent, and Mr. Burnham as gen e*al 
agent. Up to the present time, (1870), 
$3,000,000 worth of the Halladay Standard 
Mills have been sold. 

Since the beginning of railroads* civil 
engineers have deemed the tank house* 
fuel and attendance, at water stations in 
northern climates, indispensable, and it is 
estimated that over $20,000 , 000 have been 
expended for this purpose. This became 
a serious objection to the use of the wind 
mill, as large tanks had to be provided to 
bold water sufficient to last through un- 
usual calms; and to remove this objection, 
Mr. Burnham began experimenting, with a 
view of producing a frostproof tank. For 
some time he met only with discourage- 
ment, as he could not induce a road to 
I 



iso 



E HATTLBBORO . 



allow him to even try his experiment, and 
finally accomplished his purpose through 
a director of one of the railroads, who was 
a stockholder in the wind mill company. 
The first frost proof tank has now been in 
use during five winters without house, 
fuel or attendance, and the road which 
adopted the improvement has already 
made a saving of more than $1511,00(1, and 
the universal use into which this improve- 
ment is now corning, will, in the next 
quarter of a century, produce to the rail- 
roads of this country a saving of $25,000,- 
000. Mr. Burnham attributes the success 
of his life not only to perseverance, untir- 
ing industry and an extensive business 
acquaintance throughout almost every 
Spite in the Union, but also to the superior 
mechanical and financial abilities of the 
men with whom he has been associated in 
business. Of the four patents which he 
has obtained, this hist he considers by far 
the most important. ' T 

This native of our village, xvhose name 
lias found creditable record, as will be seen 
by the foregoing extract, commenced his 
wandering from home at a very early age. 
To res tmin his natural inclination for trav- 
eling, when about two years of age, he 
was fastened at one end of a long rope, but 
he would keep the rope straitened, and his 
constant cries obtained his liberation. His 
infantile journey, in 1821, was Towards the 
western prairies— the arena of his fame 
to day — -when he was discovered and re- 
stored to his parents by that good angel of 
all the little ones — Miss Mary Tyler. 

UOS. OECHQE KBWMA2*. 

Mr, Nnwniaii was, in his younger days, 
one of the early efficient mechanics of 
B rattle boro. When a boy he learned the 
trade of carriage making of CapL Adolphus 
Stebbins at the West Village. We first 
knew him in 1828, when he was employed 
by Eli hue H. Thomas in the manufacture 
of fanning mills at the south part of the 
East Village. In 1830 he was employed 
by Messrs. Thomas tfc Woodcock, near the 
time, or at the time, they commenced the 
manufacture of pulp dressers and other 
machinery used for paper making. He 
was oue of their principal workmen, and 
in a few years thereafter succeeded them in 
this business, connected with which was 
an iron foundry, blacksmith mg, clothier’s 



shop, saw-mill and grist milk In this im- 
portant business, for the time and place, 
he was in co-partnership with CoL A. J . 
Hines and Roswell Hunt, Esq. At one 
period, Lewis Newman, Governeur Mor- 
ris, Esq., and Brinsmade, of Troy, N, Y,, 
were interested ill the business. Until a 
recent date, Mr, Newman continued at the 
head of the business, which finally all 
came into the possession of himself and 
family, under the name of George Newman 

Son. Without pretension or apparent* 
efCort for popularity or office, he became 
eminent and office was thrust upon him. 
However much people differed in opinion 
about other matters, all believed in George 
Newman, He died Sept- 11, 1872, 

In the Vermont PhwYvtos, of Sept, 13, 
1872, appeared the following obituary no- 
tice of him: 

"DEatjgl of Geouge New maw. — Geo. 
Newman, one of the oldest and most re- 
spected cllizens of Brattleboro, died at his 
residence, Wednesday morning, of heart 
disease, after a brief illness, at the age of 
74. Mr. Newman had been a resident of 
this town for more than GO years. Born 
til Bcekonk, Mass., he removed with his 
parents, at an early age, to Marlboro, V t. , 
whence he came to this phtce a mere lad. 
The history of his life is in large measure 
identified with that of the town of which 
he has so long been m honored resident. 
He served many years as lister, town treas- 
urer and selectman, and for two years 
represented the town in the Legislature. 
As proprietor of the machine shop, en- 
gaged iu the manufacture of paper ma- 
chinery, with which he was associated 
from 1837 to I860, his name was familiar 
to nmny people in various parts of the 
country, and the respect with which he 
was regarded was universal. Evidence of 
this may be seen in the frequency with 
which he was cubed upon to settle estates. 
Probably no man in the county has ad- 
ministered upon so many estates as he. 
For more than 20 years he was an officer 
of the Windham Provident Institution for 
Savings, and (or the last two years was its 
treasurer. He was also one of the original 
members of the Unitarian Church in this 
village, of which he ever remained a 
prominent and liberal supporter. Ever 
ready to oblige a neighbor or assist the 



BRATTLEBORO. 



131 



rudely, kindly Id all hie relations, and with 
out an enemy in the world, the influence 
of Ids genial life will not soon pass away, 
nor lus memory be forgotten." 

BOK ( EDWARD JtniKLANP. 

[Extract from A.n)licr*t Onllege Record of the cltis^ 
of 1831], 

He wsus the son of Samuel and Dorcas 
Kirkland; was born In Warwick, Mass,, 
June 24, 1308, graduated at Amherst Col 
lege in 1831, studied law in Worcester, 
under the direction of Judge Merrick, 
during the first three years after gradua- 
tion. Hr then localed himself in Temple- 
ton, Mass, , where he practised successfully 
In the legal profession until 1838. He 
unde rto ok a bu si n ess age n cy for the R ra t 
tleboro Typographic Co. T and removed to 
Louisville, Ivy., where he remained till 
1842, when he returned to the East and re- 
sumed the practice of law in Bmillcboro, 
The last two or three years of his life were 
marked by a gradual decay of his bodily and 
mental powers, owing to repeated attacks 
of paralysis, which terminated his useful 
and Christian, life, Jan 8, IHfifr 

Mr, Kirkland was successful in his pro- 
fession, and useful as a citizen and public 
spirited man, always ready to lend his 
hand and heart for the promotion of good 
objects, whether political or religious. He 
w tus several times elected a member of die 
Legislature of Vermont, For two years 
he was a member of the Vermont Senate, 
He was often active in the labors of polit 
ical campaigns, and was a good deal in 
demand as a "stump" orator. 

In answer to a letter from the class com- 
mittee, Rev. Dr. George P. Tyler, of BraL 
tlehoro, . writes; "During 12 years in 
which 1 was his pastor, lie was a prompt, 
useful, faithful member of the church. 
In the various causes of Christian benevo- 
lence, he was energetic and generous. He 
was thoroughly acquainted with the great 
foreign and domestic missionary enter- 
prises and promoted them with constant 
effort and success. As a lawyer, he stood 
among the first; as a citizen, he was often 
intrusted with public duties at home, and 
represented his town in the State Legisla 
lure with great credit. Beyond his pro- 
fessional studies, Mr, Kirkland was a man 
of much literary culture, fond of historical 
studies and belles- tettres, He left a con 
si d era hie library of carefully selected 



books of this character. He devoted a 
good deal of Lime to biblical research, and 
always laugh! u Bible class, and for sev- 
eral years superintended [oar Sab hath 
school. Such a man could not fail to be 
missed from the. bar, the church and the 
community. As a Christian , be felt deeply 
his uu worthiness, but while his mind re- 
1 mained he exercised a full, and 1 believe, 
a saving trust in his justification through 
faith in the Lord Jesus,” 

Ilia life was marked repeatedly by sad 
scenes of desolating bereavement, which 
put in requisition the supports of a Chris- 
tian faith and which he met ns a Christian. 
Mr Kirkland was married to Miss Oath- 
i erine P. Robinson, of Templeton, Mass., 
May 24, ISSfi, who died in Louisville, Ky. t 
April 15, 1840. He was married to Miss 
Frances 8 M, Robinson, of Templeton, 
Mass,, OcL 3l, 1844, who died in Brattle - 
boro, Vt,, Oct, 12. 1858. He was married 
to Miss Mary Slate, of Bernards ton, Mass. t 
in October, 1850. He left three? children, 
the eldest, bearing his name, was bora in 
April* 1851, His widow and three chil- 
dren now (1870) live in this town. 

An obituary notice of his death says; 
" He died at his residence in Bra tile boro. 
He was a native of Huntington, Mass., and 
a graduate of Amherst College, and 1ms 
been for 24 years a resident of this town. 
He was an able and successful lawyer, and 
, held In high esteem by all who knew him. 
Was a Statu Senator in 1803, and was a 
mem her of the House from Braltlebcu'o. 

, II e was w cl 1 k n o w n t k ro ug b o u 1 1 he; Co u n ty 
and State, and was reckoned on the list 
of the late Senator Coll&mttris intimate 
Mends. His age was 58 years." 

GEORGE c, HALL. 

George Chandler Hall was born in this 
village on the spot now occupied by the 
Baptist Church. Feb. 17, 1828; died at his 
residence on Clinton avenue, Brooklyn, 
N. Y., April 2f>, 1872. He was the sou of 
Gardner C. Hall,* of this town, who was 
sated born here, and who for nearly 40 years 

* Gardner Chandler Hid I was horn in Rrai- 
tleboro, Oct, iz, 1795- Julia Ann Leavitt 
was born in Su (field, Conn. r Jan. 27, jSo 6, 
The persons above named were married OtL 
6, 1823, and there were born to them eight 
children, of whom George C. Hall, the sub- 
ject of this sketch* was one. 



132 



BRATTLEBOKO* 



occupied h prominent business and social 
position in this community, and won for 
himself a stale-wide reputation for en- 
lightened enterprise and sterling integrity, 
which he transmitted, not in vain, as it 
but too often happens, to his sons. Up to 
the commencement of Ilia sixteenth year, 
George was kept constantly in the village 
schools, then recently remodelled on the 
improved system now existing, and no 
better Illustration of the thoroughness of 
the training therein prevailing can be 
afforded than by young Hall. 

In ]b44, his father placed him with the 
firm of CarruthA Whittier, Boston, whole- 
sale dealers in drugs, oils, paints, &c*, 
where he served n long apprenticeship, 
and commenced to form those habits of 
system, energy and strict persona] atten- 
tion which marked his after life and led 
to fortune. 

In 1851 f Mr. Hall, then about 23 years 
of age, removed to New York and soon 
engaged in the manufacture and sale of 
paints, dealing mainly in white lead, and 
subsequently established the now well 
known firm of Hall, Bradley & Co. , than 
which no business house iu the city enjoys 
a higher reputation for liberality, com- 
mercial integrity and financial soundness. 
He continued in this firm, as its senior 
partner, until his death. 

In 1868, after much solicitation on the 
part of the lute Col. Fisk and his associates 
in the management of the Erie railway, 
who had personal knowledge of his especial 
fitness for the place, Mr, Hall consented 
to accept the responsible and laborious 
position of purchasing agent of that road, 
wherein his strong will, personal inde- 
'pendence, thorough knowledge of men 
and business, aud especially hia eminent 
executive ability* found full scope, and 
soon made themselves felt in results so 
favorable to the financial condition of the 
company as to render his services a neces- 
sity thereafter, and to compel him to con- 
tinue in Lhe position, despite his repeatedly 
expressed wish to retire, up to the time of 
his death. He had also been a director of 
the road for nearly three years; but, fully 
occupied by the special duties of bis own 
department, he gave little attention to, and 
assumed no responsibility for, the general 
management and policy of the company* 
These, it was well understood, were in the 



exclusive control of an “inner circle v of 
the directory, to which Mr. Hall and sev- 
eral of his associates neither sought nor 
obtained admission, and of whose inten- 
tions and plans, until disclosed and de- 
veloped by acts, they knew nothing. In 
the final overthrow of Jay Gould and the 
lute notorious “Erie ring," however. Col. 
Hall played an important part, and was 
one of the three directors in the old board 
who commanded the full confidence of the 
rightful owners, now in authority in that 
corporation, and was consequently re- 
tained by them, both in his position as 
director and purchasing agent* It was, 
however, his firm purpose, at a near period 
in the future, to withdraw entirely from 
his connection with Lhe company, with a 
view to devote the leisure thus secured to 
duties and pursuits more congenial to his 
personal tastes* 

Though avoiding all active participation 
in public life, Col* Hall occupied a promi- 
nent social position in Brooklyn, where he 
resided, and took a lively personal interest 
in many of the enterprises intended to im- 
prove and adorn that city. He was the 
most active projector of the Prospect Park 
Association; was a member of the Art 
Association, and of several other clubs and 
associations* 

Fnneral services were held at his late 
residence in Brooklyn, the officiating cler- 
gyman being Rev. Dr Bud ding ton, (Cpn- 
gregationalist), assisted by Rev. Dr r Farley, 
(Unitarian), and were attended by a large 
concourse of prominent citizens, all testi- 
fying to the high esteem in which he was 
held In the city of his adoption* In the 
absence of Rev. Mr. Jenkins, the funeral 
services at Brattleboro, the following 
Sunday, in the Congregational Church, 
were conducted by Rev, Mr. Noyes, Uni- 
tarian clergyman, of Northfield, Mass. 
The church, the largest in town, could not 
hold the people, and Ilia remains were 
borne tenderly to their final home in the 
beautiful grounds on Cemetery Hill, by 
his life-long associates aud friends, and 
placed beside those of his three children, 
who had preceded him on the journey 
whence there is no return, lie left a wife, 
two daughters and a son ; also his mother, 
two brothers and a sister. He had accu- 
mulated an ample fortune, which he dis- 
posed of by will. 



RRATTLEBORO. 



133 



Ho was moulded on a Large scale. His 
pi ly si cal structure— Urge, compact, pow- 
erful — was a type of the whole man. and 
was the fitting abode of a head and heart 
of like proportions, all obedient to a will 
that yielded to no common obstacle. En- 
do wed thus bountifully with all the strong 
elements of manhood, he did nothing 
weakly. Earnest and tenacious in the 
pursuit of desired ends, he rarely failed in 
atta ining them. To h h grea t si re ngth w as 
joined a remarkable quickness of percep- 
tion and promptness in execution, qualities 
seldom found in one of bis mould. Me 
was essentially a fair-minded and just man, 
bating all shams and all forms of hypocrisy 
and meanness with a hatred that knew no 
bounds. Like most men of strong feeling 
and will, he w r !ts often impatient and some- 
times Imperious 5 but his strong sense of 
justice restrained him, even then, from 
serious wrong doing, and those who knew 
him best realized that his occasional 
brusqueness of manner seldom had a 
rough purpose, and not un frequently con- 
cealed the kindest thoughts and 1 intentions. 
Mis open-handed liberality is known to all, 
though but few of bis constant acts of 
kindness and generosity have been heralded 
abroad. His tender affection for his 
family — for wife, children, sisters, broth- 
ers, and especially for his widowed mother, 
from whom he Inherited many of bis 
marked physical and mental traits, was 
deep and enduring and found constant ex- 
pression, more in deeds than words. To 
his younger brothers and sister, on the 
death of his father many years ago, he 
acted a father’s as well as an elder broth- 
er’s part, and their preparation for and 
establishment in life, as their circumstances 
required, was bis especial care. Among 
the strongest characteristics of his strong 
nature were his remarkable local attach- 
ments and his never-changing affection for 
bis friends. Though he went out from 
among us while yet a boy, be never ceased 
to regard the place of bis birth and the 
scene of his youthful trials and pleasures, 
as the one spot on all the earth most to be 
dcsi re d and c h erished . Nop reject hav i n g 

in view the interests and welfare of his 
native town, ever appealed to him in vain. 
He had already done much for her material 
advancement, but it is within the knowl- 
edge of many, that he looked forward with 



peculiar pleasure to other and greater 
benefits he might bestow. In his death 
BratUcboro has lost a dutiful son and a 
most hearty and generous friend. 

Hon, B. D. Harris. 

COT,. ARNOLD J. HIKES 

Was born in Guilford, Vt., Jan. 28, 1805, 
married Sarah, daughter of Ezekiel Gore, 
of Bernard ston. Mass,, in 1827* Two 
daughters of this union are still living — 
Mrs* Mary J. Cutler and Mrs, Sarah A. 
Mortal ] — a son having died in infancy 
HU wife died March 14, 1835. In 1837, 
he married Maria L, Brown, grand ‘daugh- 
ter of Gamaliel Arnold, of Dummerston 
Hill, who still (1870) survives him. The 
result of this union was a daughter, Mrs. 
Julia M. Wilder, and a son, George A. 
Hines. His father, Thomas Hines, was by 
trade a millwright and the favorite right 
band man of Dea, John Holbrook in estab- 
lishing hU first mechanical operations in 
this village, and in 1829, Arnold and his 
father removed to this place, where the 
remainder of their lives was passed, 

Arnold J. Hines, as captain of the old 
artillery and colonel in the old Vermont 
State mihtia, in the declining days of our 
military organization, proved worthy to 
lead a * 'forlorn hope, T ’ He was promineo t 
in the tire department, in securing the first 
village charier, and was one of the original 
members of the Prospect If ill Cemetery 
Association. As a principal or important 
actor in establishing and sustaining the 
only religious organization in this village 
south of Whetstone Brook, be will be long 
and gratefully remembered. In religion 
be was a firm believer in the final restora- 
tion of all mankind to holiness. In poli 
ties he was a strong anti-slavery Democrat 
until the christening of the Republican 
party, of which, it may be said, he was 
one of its original members. His last days, 
which were days of suffering, were char- 
acterized by the heroic resignation and 
tender patience which might be expected 
from n man of his large and generous na- 
ture, and his last effort, just as he was en- 
tering the valley of shadows, was a pltias- 
unl word and smile to a ministering friend, 

[ From the Vermont Phmiix ) 

"He was for twenty -five years the 
senior partner of the well and widely 
known firm of Hines, Newman & Co,, 



134 



BRATTLEBORO. 



iron founders and machinists. Id the 
responsible and too of ton thankless labors 
of the fire department, village and school 
offices* he was often employed, and his 
efforts therein were largely instrumental 
io giving character to this village. He 
wits a man of excellent Judgment, of' good 
business habits* and his advice was fre- 
quently sought and highly appreciated by 
his townsmen. In all the relations of life, 
bo was a man of integrity of character, 
combined with a, geniality of disposition 
that commanded the res pec I and affection 
of Ids fed low-citizens no less than of his 
more intimate associates and friends. 
The existence of an internal tumor, which 
was rnpidily developing, led him, about, a 
year before his death, to retire from busi- 
ness and close up his worldly affairs. The 
tumor terminated his life April 6, 1862 
An examination disclosed the fact that it 
was a fleshy, fibrinous substance, with 
several attachments to the abdomen. It 
weighed 78 pounds. All the other organs 
of the body were in a sound condition, 
except as they were displaced by this mon- 
strous tumor." 

Tl seems that a targe share of his nutri- 
ment Was, io some mysterious way, 
diverted from its legitimate purpose to in- 
creasing the size of this formation. This 
satl case, so remarkable and without pre- 
cedent here or elsewhere, so far as we 
know, is deemed worthy of record. 

on.. caArajse chaJ*en 

Was born at Orange* Mass,, July 10, 1803, 
but his father, Judge Oliver Chapin, a 
soldier of the Revolution, removed to 
BmtUeboro almost directly afterwards* 
where he continued to reside and to act a 
prominent part in business and public 
affairs during the remainder of his life. 

Dr, Chapin was fitted for college by 
Rev. Dr, Coleman, and graduated from 
Harvard University in 1823* when 20 years 
old. He went through the usual course of 
studies for the medical profession under 
the direction of the celebrated Dr. Bige- 
low* of Boston, and commenced the prac- 
tice of medicine in Springfield, Mass., in 
1826, In 1827* he married Elizabeth B. 
Bridge, of Charlestown, Mass.* by whom 
he had one child, Elizabeth Alice, who 
married Joseph Clark in 1846 or *47. 



In 1830, his first wife having died, he 
married Sophia Dwight Orne, of Spring- 
field, by whom he had five children— 
Lucinda Orne. Oliver Howard, Mary 
Wells* William Ornc and Charles J ones— 
all now (1878) living. In 1831* Dr Chapin 
removed to Brattleboro, and soon after 
gave up the practice of medicine and 
thereafter devoted himself to business ami 
public affairs* filling many public offices 
with credit and fidelity. He was a mem- 
ber of t he legislature in 1838, and was for 
a long lime deputy sheriff and the most 
active officer of that kind in the county. 
He waft United States Marshal during the 
administration of President Pierce, and 
for many years was one of the efficient 
directors of the Vermont Mutual Insur- 
ance Company* He was one of the first 
members and organizers of the Unitarian 
Society of this place, and for 25 years was 
a favorite moderator and presiding officer 
at town meetings and other public gather- 
ings, and his services were in frequent 
request to conduct funerals. For many 
3 r ears* and -until infirmities forbade, he was 
the very acceptable and efficient chief en- 
gineer of our fire department; also a 
director of the Vermont Valley Railroad 
Company wheo their road was being con- 
structed, in 1850* and at the same period 
a clerk of the company. 

Dr. Chapin was an active, energetic* 
influential and useful man In this commu- 
nity for nearly 40 years, and whatever was 
given him to do was always well and faith- 
fully done. During a period of several 
years after resigning his medical practice* 
his advice in council was deemed of im- 
portance by the profession. Nature had 
indeed been lavish in giving him excellence 
of form and feature, a good constitution 
and a co m ma n d i ng p resenc e ; h igh spirited, 
quick of apprehension* honorable and just 
iu his dealings with all men, possessing all 
the advantages which education* wealth, 
social culture and position give* his influ- 
ence w as w ide a n d end u ri ng. W h i le not 
without faults, his virtues were of the 
manly sort which command universal es- 
teem. Suffering about seven years From 
paralysis, lie died on the 47ih anniversary 
of his second marriage, Jan. G, 1878 , — Bx 
tract from the writing# of C hm. JT, Field. 



BRATTLEBORO. 



135 



HON. ASA REYES 

Was boi n iu Putney, Vt., May 30, 1787. 
His father was Deacon Israel Keyes. He 
fitted for college in the then somewhat 
famous Chesterfield, N. H , Academy, and 
graduated at Dartmouth in 1810. He 
engaged iu teaching for a couple of years, 
then studied law with Judge Phinehas 
White, of Putney, and one year with 
Ebenezer Rock wood, of Boston. He was 
admitted to the Windham County bar in 
1814; married Sarah Britton, of Chester- 
field, N. H., Jan. 7, 1815. He practiced 
law at Putney until 1833, when he removed 
to Brattleboro, where he has ever since 
resided. He early became a Mason and 
was for a time W. 31. of Golden Rule 
Lodge in Putney. 

He has held, and what is better, filled 
many official positions; he represented 
Putney in the lower branch of the legisla- 
ture in 1820 and 1827, and Brattleboro in 
1835. Was a senator of Windham County 
in 1855 and 1856, and both year? a promi- 
nent member of the judiciary committee. 
He was Judge of Probate for the West- 
minster district while residing in Putney, 
and that position gave him the title of 
"Judge,” which he has since borne. He 
was also, for a number of years, Register 
of Probate for the Westminster district, 
and for 15 years preceding 1879, Register 
of the Marlboro district. He has been a 
Justice of the Peace “since a time whereof 
the memory of man runneth not to the 
contrary.” Was a trustee of the Windham 
Provident Institution for Savings from its 
origin, and of the Vermont Savings Bank 
since the change of name. He drew the will 
of Mrs. Marsh, the founder of the Vermont 
Asylum, and was for 35 years a trustee of 
that institution. He framed the charter 
for that institution and secured its passage 
through the legislature. 

Judge Keyes early stepped into the front 
rank of his profession and always 6tayed 
there. The bar of Windham County has 
always been an able one, and he did his 
part for more than half a century to keep 
the standard of excellence high. Though 
not eminent as a jury advocate, he was a 
successful practitioner; he was a good 
draughtsman, a skillful pleader, and the 
best equity lawyer in Southern Vermont, 
if not in the whole Slate. Hie Supreme 



Court briefs are models for other practi- 
tioners; he was always listened to atten- 
tively by the courts, for he never talked 
unless he had something to say. He was 
studious and painstaking, faithful to his 
clients and honest with the court. He 
was a good husband, a kind father, and 
always faithful to every trust; he never 
attained to wealth. The income arising 
from the practice of his profession he spent 
freely in his family, and gave generously 
to the church he attended, to public objects 
and to the poor and needy, as many among 
them can testify. 

He is now, (March 22, 1879), nearly 92 
years old, but still a healthy, vigorous old 
gentleman ; he is the oldest living graduate 
of Dartmouth College, the oldest lawyer 
in Vermont, the oldest Mason and the 
oldest justice of the peace, nis good, 
vigorous old age is due in part to a healthy 
constitution, but mainly to his temperate 
and methodical habits. Though never a 
“total abstainer,” he has ever been tem- 
perate and abstemious in both eating and 
drinkiug. He always loved his pipe and a 
game of whist. To those who know him 
best, his conversation is still entertaining 
and instructive. 

Of his four children, one is the wife of 
Judge Royal l Tyler of this village; an- 
other, a faithful daughter, who cares for 
her father in his declining years; a son, 
Judge George B. Keyes, died iu California 
two years since, and another daughter, de- 
ceased, was the wife of Dr. F. N. Palmer, 
of Boston, 3Iass, 

Chas. N. Davenport. 

HON. JONATHAN DOIUl BRADLEY, 

Son of Hon. William C. Bradley, of West- 
minster, Vt., was born in Westminster, 
Vt., in 1803; was a graduate of Yale Col- 
lege and fitted for the legal profession; 
was married to Susan Crossman in 1829, 
and first practiced law at Bellows Falls, 
but the most of hi, s professional life — about 
30 years — was passed in Brattleboro, where 
he died in September, I8fi2. His widow 
and four sons arc now, (1878), living. 
William C., a graduate of Harvard in 1851, 
and Richards uow reside iu this place. 
Stephen Rowe lives in New York and is 
of the firm of Hall, Bradley & Co., exten- 
sive manufacturers of white lead. Arthur 
C. graduated at Amherst, class of 1876, 



13(1 



BRATTLEBORO. 



The subject of our sketch was a grandson 
of Hon. Stephen R, Bradley, who whs one of 
the foremost men of Vermont a hundred 
years ago. Before our State was a mem- 
ber of the Union, he rendered important 
services in resisting her enemies, and was 
highly fitted by nature and cultivation to 
advocate our claims — the right to exist as 
a State in the Union — against the deter- 
mined opposition of New York. How 
grandly and triumphantly he assisted our 
infant State in her early struggles,has long 
since been recorded in history. [See Hall’s 
History of Eastern Vermont]. During, 
and years before, the declaration of war 
with Engluud in 1812,* lie was United 
States Senator from this State, and his son, 
William C.,— the father of J. Dorr Brad- 
ley — was elected Representative to Con- 
gress a short time after the close of said 
war. 

Hon. Jonathan Dorr Bradley, in some 
specialties, had no equal in his profession 
in this county, if in the State. His 
knowledge of mechanics — extensive scien- 
tific attainments and willingness lo impart 
the same to others — rendered him an 
almost inexhaustible source of information 
upou matters often imperfectly understood 
by the learned, as well as those of more 
ordinary attainments. To thoroughly 
understand the laws governing the pro- 
duction of the natural and artificial, or the 
discovery and bringing to light a hidden 
or obscure truth, seemed to be the greatest 
pleasure of his life. Pecuniary motives 
had but little if anything to do with his 
scientific labors, so far as he was personally 
concerned, but he gladly and freely fur- 
nished theories for the practical. Those 
who have met him, iu controversy at the 
bar or elsewhere, have learned that his 
mental exercises in the sciences did not 
render him a less formidable antagonist in 
debate. 

In the days of Andrew Jackson he acted 
with the democracy, but he was not a 
radical, or so governed by prejudice as not 
to candidly weigh and exarniue the views 
of his opponents. His devotion to truth 
was ardent and unremitting, and he was 
always ready to 

*See correspondence of Judge Tyler and 
Senator Robinson in Tyler papers. 



“ Seize upon truth where e’er ’tis found. 

On Christian or on heathen ground ; 

-The plant’s divine where e’er it grows. 

Amongst our friends or ’mongst our foes.” 

It became so apparent that the Demo- 
cratic party had lost all claim to that name, 
by following John C. Calhoun to death 
and destruction, Mr. Bradley early left the 
sinking ship, and ever after acted with the 
dominant party in this State in sustaining 
the old flag, anti shortly before our civi 1 
war — in 185G-57 — lie represented this town 
in the State Legislature. It was there he 
became noted by his able action in the 
State House question. There was healing 
in his presence before tumultuous assem- 
blies and heated clashing of opinions. He 
was on the first board of directors of the 
Vermont & Massachusetts Railroad Co., 
and no one in this place exerted so power- 
ful an influence in forwarding the con- 
struction of that road to Bratileboro. His 
simple presence at railroad meetings in 
towns on the route was to all a harbinger 
of success; but when came forth in earnest 
tones his arguments, honest convictions 
and prophesies, all doubts of success van- 
ished. Dilficulties or opposition only 
aroused him to greater efforts, and those 
efforts did not cease until the occasion for 
them passed away. 

As memory calls up the early days of his 
advent here, we see him, as if but yester- 
day, at the Village Lyceum. From his 
inexhaustible mental resources came forth 
telling arguments, with playful sallies of 
wit, compelling a general laughter of the 
audience, more beneficial to the dyspeptic 
portion than all the patent medicines ever 
invented. Nor cau we ever forget, when 
addressing a juvenile assembly, how he 
held the attention of little boys and girls, 
who would seem to see nothing but his 
genial countenance, aud hear nothing but 
his words of wisdom, so attractively aud 
ingeniously adapted to their comprehen- 
sion. Upon one such occasion, in the 
Goodhue oak grove, in July, 1842, a 
stranger to Mr. Bradley, from Ohio, re- 
marked, at the conclusion of Mr. Bradley’s 
address, as follows: 

" The gentleman who gave the hist ad- 
dress bas uttered the fewest words, but he 



RR ATTLEBORO. 



137 



has really said more than the five. gentle- 
men who have preceded him. He is cer- 
tainly a Christian , for he has given us the 
whole law and gpgpel. Who is he and 
what is his business?” 

We replied: " He is a lawyer by pro- 
fession, and his name is X D. Bradley, If 
lie is a Christian, I think he is not con- 
scious of it, for he belongs to no church, 
and is rarely seen in attendance upon 
religious exercises.” 

"Real Christians, v .said he, "arc the 
last ones to know it of themselves, bill 
their light may so shine that others tnay 
know it. When you find a man who is 
quite positive he is a Christian, you may 
well be on the lookout for him. There 
never was a face like Mr. Bradley's on a 
bad man, ” 

Perfect master of the science of adapta- 
tion to all grades of Intellect, Mr. Bradley’s 
remarks always found attentive listeners. 
Th e co u n tena n ces o f the h od - earn er, m e- 
chanic, scholar. Fanner and merchant all 
assumed a more happy and elevated ex- 
pression so long as the sound of Ins voice 
could be heard. His young professional 
brethren will ever gratefully remember the 
information imparted to them by him, in 
so modest and inquiring a manner, as to' 
make it seem he was the learner and pre- \ 
vent, so far as possible, a feeling of obliga- 
tion from his inferiors. After some 25 
years practice of the law, his friend Ros- 
well M. Field, a noted lawyer of Bt. 
Louis, reproved him for not giving the 
Yankee proof of success in life, 

"Roswell/’ said he, "I have laid up 
my treasures In Heaven, where moth and 
rust doth oo L corrupt nor thieves break 
through and steal.” 

Several instances could be given where 
he, in his intercourse with mankind, faith- 
fully obeyed tbe instructions in Proverbs, 
chapter 25, verse A We will give one in- 
stance of his ready wit: 

Coming hastily into the law office of Air. 
F., he enquired for CMtty on Contracts. 

" What do you wish to know?’ 1 replied 
Mr. F. , placing one finger on his forehead, 

' 1 1 cany my book here. ” 

"I see,” said Air. Bradley, " bound in 
calf*” 

Hear the close of a warm day in July, 
1037, a prominent citizen of the village 
became highly excited in denouncing a 



lecturer upon slavery. Wiping the per- 
spiration from kk brow, he said to Mr, 
Bradley: 

"A man who will lecture about the 
country, forming abolition societies, de- 
serves a coat of tar and feathers, and I 
hope Tyler will bo ridden out of town on 
a rail before to-morrow night” 

Mr. Bradley calmly replied: “I think 
among our societies we need one more, and 
I would suggest it be a ke&p cot/L society, ” 

In conversation with a neighbor, upon 
the cultivation of plums, Mr, Bradley said : 
"I know the curculio is considered a for- 
midable obstacle to the culture of plums, 
but to a certain extent they are needful to 
prevent a too great abundance of fruit. 
’When they appear in excess, we must figbl 
them, and if they are smarter than we are 
they will get all the plums, to which they 
arc entitled , by the same rule governing in 
transactions of far greater importance. ” 
[The following we received from fm. 
C.. eldest sou of Mr. Bradley]: 

"The late J. Dorr Bradley j soon after 
he entered on his professional career, re- 
ceived the gift from a friend of a noble 
mastiff, named Jowier, to which he became 
much attached. About that time a motion 
was made in the legislature to tax dogs, 
which gave rise to the following jeu 
<T esprit from his pen. The effect, was to 
defeat the motion, and it was laid aside for 
many years; indeed, until ho became a 
member himself, when ifc was again intro- 
duced, and he recited, at the request of a 
colleague, the lines to Jowier, with the 
same effect as before. Since his decease 
it has passed into a law. Thera is a like- 
ness of Jowier in the possession of X D. 
Bradley’s family, painted by his friend 
Fisher . n 

TO MY DOG JOWL13B- 

Jowler ! they have taxed you, honest friend ! 
Assessed yon, put you in the roll, 

1 To exile every dog they’ll sendj 

Unless some friend will pay his poll. 

By all that's good, the rascals meant 
Betwixt us two to breed a strife. 

And drive you into banishment, 

Or bribe your friend to take ymir life, 

BuL Jowier, don’t yon be alarmed! 

If politician!! do neglect you, 

Confound their taxi you shan’t be hammed, 

X know your worth and I'll protect you ! 

J 



138 



B BATTLER 0 RO . 



But taxes by the constitution 
Convey the right lo represent, 

So, dogs, by thin same resohuion* 

Might just as well as men be sent. 

Now, dogs and men and voters hear ! 

That Joivler r £ pm in nomination 
To go, upon the coming year, 

And aid in public legislation, 

Jovvler, avoid the demagogues, 

Keep out of the minority ; 

Take care to smell of other dogs. 

And vote with the majority. 

How be was regarded by Ida most inti- 
mate friends and members of Uie legal 
profession in this State, may be learned by 
the action of a meeting of the bar of the 
United States Circuit Court for the Dis- 
triet of Vermont, bohleu at Rutland, on the 
3rd rlay October, 18GB. Hon. Lucius B, 
Peck was called to the chair. 

On motion of H. E. Stoughton, Eacy , R 
J. Phelps, A P Lyman and Horace Allen, 
Esqs>, were appointed a committee to 
report appropriate resolutions relative lo 
the decease of Hon. J. Dorr Bradley, of 
Brattlcboro. On motion, Mr. Stoughton 
was added to the committee. The com- 
mittee reported the following resolutions: 

That the members of this bar 
have board, with profound sensibility and 
regret, the announcement of the death of 
Hon. J. Dorr Bradley, since the last term 
of this court. 

Reh&im t That it is due to his memory 
that this occasion should not be allowed lo 
pass without placing upon record, as tbe 
unanimous and deliberate judgment of bis 
brethren throughout this State, that the 
profession to which ids life was devoted 
loses in his death one of its most valuable 
members and most, admired ornaments. 

iiWJmi. That we shall cherish an un- 
failing and grateful remembrance, which 
none who knew him would willingly for- 
get, of his distinguished abilities as an ud- 
v ocate, h i s v a tied ao d clegan t acq u i rein eu ts 
as a scholar, his genial and attractive 
qualities as a man; and sluill recall with a 
sad pleasure, in the scenes from which he 
lias departed, those professional labors we 
shared with htm. enriched on bis part by 
learning so complete, by wit so rare and 
sense %o lull, and inspired always by so 
thorough an appreciation of what belonged 
to the lawyer and the gentleman. 

Rewlncd. That these resolutions and the 
proceedings of this meeting be presented 
to the court, with the request of the bar 
that they be allowed to be entered on the 
minutes, and that the clerk of the court be 



desired to transmit a copy to the family of 
the deceased, and to furnish copies for 
publication. 

R J, Phelps, for Committee. 

The resolutions were unanimously 
adopted, and the meeting adjourned, 

Lucjus B. Pecu, Chairman. 

Clerk’s Office. United States ) 
Circuit Co crt, Dist. of Vermont, f 

I hereby certify that the above and fore 
going is a true copy of record. 

B. B l Smaeley, Clerk, 

[From the Vermont Watchman of Sept, 
mil, 1SG3; 

<+ It is with great sorrow that we record 
the death of this distinguished gentleman, 
at his residence in Brattleboro, on the Oth 
lust. We team that he was taken severely 
ill with fever some three weeks since, and 
that his disease made rapid progress, until 
it quenched one of tbe most cultivated in- 
tellects and genial hearts that our Slate has 
prod u eed . He had a discer n i n g, rap i d a n d 
comprehensive mind, an elegant and varied 
culture. He was quick and ardent in Jiia 
sympathies, a lover of truth and justice, 
and a fervid hater of all shams and hypoc- 
risy. He was a member, for Brattleboro, 
of the House of Representatives for two- 
years, in which the State House contro- 
versy was waged, and distinguished him- 
self as leader in debate in that most bril- 
liant conflict. 

“If it bad not been for bis deafness, 
which prevented his hearing all points of 
discussion, no man that Verm out has pro- 
duced would have surpassed hi in in the 
debate in the halls of legislation. But 
whatever might have been the qualities 
that tilted him for a public career, he was 
most eminent in social and private life. 
His rare store of information and culture 
were open to bis friends, and he had few 
equals in the genial exchanges and conver- 
sations of social life. His reading was 
extensive and recherche > his memory was 
retentive, his style of conversation was 
playful and captivating and always appro- 
priate to his theme, his perceptions were 
quick and vivid, bis illustrations apt and 
beautiful, and his whole air and manner 
reminded us of the school of elder times in 
which he had bis training. The death of 
such a man is a public calamity, and in 
common with his nearer associates and 



BRATTLEBORO. 



139 



neighbors and friends, we would lay a 
small tribute of our high appreciation of 
his worth upon his fresh made grave. 7 

[The above was undoubtedly from the pen of 
Hon. E. P. Walton.— Ed.) 

We omitted to state that Hon. Stephen 
R. Bradley was the first U. S. Senator 
chosen from Vermont. 

WILLIAM MORRIS HUNT, 

The eldest son of Hou. Jonathan Hunt, of 
Vernon. Vt., and Jane Karla Leavitt, of 
Suffield, Conn., from whose maternal side 
he inherited his genius for art, was born 
in Brattleboro, Vt., March 31, 1824. 

Upon the death of bis father, in 1832, 
his mother removed from Brattleboro with 
her family to New Haven, Conn., where 
William was placed at Mr. Skinner’s 
school. He very early showed skill in 
drawing, and several finely drawn sketches 
and even small cameo heads are preserved 
in the family, done by him previous to his 
tenth year. 

In New Haven, Signor Gambadella, an 
Italian gentleman who had fled from Italy 
during the troublesome times of Silvio 
Pellico, was engaged to give William his 
first regular instructions in drawing. 

In 1839, he was prepared for college by 
Mr. William Wells, of Cambridge, Muss., 
and was matriculated at Harvard in 1840. 
Owing to a pulmonary ditficulty duriug 
his senior year, a change of climate was 
reconi mended by his physicians, and Oct. 
9, 1843, he accompanied his mother and 
family to Europe. As his life hencefor- 
ward was devoted to art, a sketch of his 
career as an artist will best define the 
limits of this paper. 

The winter and spring of 1843-44, was 
spent in Rome, where he applied himself 
to the study of drawing aud sculpture. : 
During the summer, lie traveled through 
Switzerland on horseback, visited Paris 
and mauy places of interest in England, 
and in the spring of 1845 went to Athens 
and Constantinople. In 1845 he entered 
the Avt Academy of Dusseldorf, where he 
devoted himself exclusively to anatomy 
and drawing, and not liking the' style of 
this school, he did not join the class in 
paintiug. While in Dusseldorf he lived in 
the family of Leutzc, the artist, and held 
most friendly relations with Lessing, Sohn, 
Schrmdter, and other notable men of that 
school. 

At this time Lessing was painting his 



picture, “ The Martyrdom of John Hus$,” 
and selected the head and figure of his 
friend Hunt as a model for the martyr. 

He passed the summer of 1846 in 
America, then returned to Paris. Pre- 
ferring the French method in painting, 
Mr. Huut entered the studio of Thomas 
Couture in the spring of 1848. Here fora 
year or more he worked in the scholar’s 
room, when, at the suggestion of his mas- 
ter, he took a large studio with Couture in 
the "rue de la Tourdes Dames,” formerly 
occupied by Horace Vcrnet. While work- 
ing here he made his first exhibition in 
the French "salon, 7 and his pictures of 
"The Prodigal Son” and "The Fortune 
Teller” received very favorable public 
notice. At the next annual exhibition he 
sent to the “salon,” amongst others, his 
picture of the “Marguerite. 7 This pic- 
ture was marked for purchase on the pri- 
vate list of Napoleon, but owing to 
political troubles no paintings were bought 
by him that year. 

At this time he became acquainted with 
Jeau Francois Millet, then living in the 
Imrnlet of Barbison in the forest of Fon- 
tainhleau. Between them a strong friend- 
ship was formed that resulted in Hunt’s 
going to Barbison to study near his friend. 
Here or in Paris he continued to work for 
several years, purchasing, meanwhile, 
many of Millet’s pictures long' before the 
latter had acquired his pre-eminent Eu- 
ropean reputation. The genius of no 
living artist seems to have impressed Hunt 
so strongly as the grand simplicity of 
Millet. 

To the first Universal Exposition, held 
in Paris in 1855, Mr. Hunt sent several 
: pictures, “The Violet Girl” and “Girl at 
the Fountain,” which were pronounced 
by TJieopliile Gautier the best in the 
American department. 

Returning to America in 1855, he mar- 
ried Miss Perkins, of Boston, and passed 
a year in Brattleboro, Vt., and thence 
went to reside in Newport, R. I., spend 
ing, however, a winter with friends iu the 
Azores— 1857-58. 

A ludicrous incident occurred at this 
time, when several of Ins pictures, that had 
received praiseworthy comments from the 
Parisian press, were sent to our National 
Academy. These were mentioned by the. 
art critics of New York, of that day, as 



140 



BRATTLE BORO. 



decidedly the worst specimens of art in 
the exhibition, with the exception, per- 
haps, of a small painting by a Mrs. X * * ! 
Since 1S61, Mr. Hunt has resided in Bos- 
ton, with the exception of ' two years in 
Europe, and two winters in Mexico and 
Florida. 

In Boston his time lias been devoted 
chiefly to portrait painting, and among the 
best known are those of Chief Justice 
Shaw, John Quincy Adams, William M. 
Evarts, Gov. John A. Dix, and one of 
himself. About 1868, he opened his studio 
to scholars for two or three years, and 
when some of his scholars formed classes 
of their own, lie continued deeply inter- 
ested and has ever maintained over them a 
constant personal supervision. It is to his 
devotednesa and untiring efforts in assist- 
ing the younger artists that the healthy 
impulse to art in New England is largely 
due and. recognized 

It was during these lessons that one of 
his pupils wrote down daily a few of his 
remarks to the different scholars, which 
were later. (1875), published under the 
title of “ Talks on Art." This little work 
had a great success in England as well as 
in this country. John Millais, the English 
artist, wrote the preface to the Euglisb 
edition, and the reviews in Eugland, and 
the press generally, had very complimen- 
tary notices on the work, besides most 
flattering letters were written about it by 
distinguished persons, among others by 
the poet Browning. 

But figure painting alone has by no 
means absorbed the whole of Mr. Hunt’s 
time. While iu Europe, he modeled, re- 
stored and put in marble the beautiful 
head of the Neapolitan Psyche. He also 
cut many fine heads in cameo, (1847), and 
lithographed and published, about 1850, a 
series of his own paintings. Besides, lie 
lms devoted considerable time to land- 
scapes, and among the most memorable 
are his views of Niagara, painted in the 
summer of 1878- His last great work was 
an order by the State of New York 1’or two 
large allegorical pictures for the new 
capitol at Albany. The subjects of these 
paintings, each 45x16 feet, were “Amvhi- 
ta," or “The Flight of Night, " and “The 
Discoverer/ 1 These grand paintings, on 
stone, finished in 55 working days, in De- 
cember, 1878, were hailed by the artists as 



making a new departure in art, and they 
have received unqualified approbation 
from the press, as the most important 
works of their kind in America. 

In personal appearance, Mr. Hunt was 
about five feet 11 inches iu height, slender, 
but sinewy. He bad a compact head, 
aquiline nose, keen gray eyes, and long 
gray beard. He was of a very nervous 
temperament, a most serious worker, but 
off his work overflowing with vivacity. 
There was no brighter wit, and he could 
tell a humorous incident to the life. Very 
sensitive not to ruffle the feelings of others, 
yet he had, perhaps, the one fault of being 
over absorbed in art, and we may add in 
flue horses. • 

Siuce the above was written it has be- 
come our sad task to record the death of 
Mr. Hunt, which occurred Sept. 9, 1879, 
at the Isle of Shoals, off Portsmouth, N. 
H. In compliance with an often expressed 
desire, he was buried in BrattJeboro, Vt. 
A deep public as well as private interest 
was taken in Mr. Hunt’s death. 

In the fall of 1879, a loan exhibition of 
many of his paintings and charcoal draw- 
ings opened at the Boston Art Museum, 
and was visited by 00,000 persons. 

In conclusion, a word may be added 
concerning the two great mural paintings 
at Albany. Although they were finally 
executed with great vapidity and by 
methods of unsurpassed durability, yet 
both the subjects, f * The Discoverer n and 
“Anahita,” or, “The Flight of Night,” 
cover, in their conception, partial treat- 
ment at long intervals and final rendering, 
almost the whole of his artistic career. 

Of “The Discoverer," a sketch exists 
made by Mr. Hunt many years ago; while 
the idea of “Anahita" as a pendant to 
Guido’s “ Aurora," was first suggested 
in 1847, by the writer of this notice in 
the following lines: 

ANAHITA. 

Enthroned upon her car of light, the nioon 
Is circling down the lofty heights of Heaven ; 
Her well-trained courses wedge the blindest 
depths 

With fearful plunge, yet heed the steady hand 
That guides their lonely way. So swift her 
course, 

So bright hei smile, she seems on silver wings, 
• O’er-reaching space, to glide the airy main ; 



BKATTLDBORCX 



Hi 



Behind, for 'flowing, spreads her deep bins veil, 
Inwrought with stars that shimmer In it! wave. 

Before the car an owl, gloom sighted, flaps 
His weary way ; with melancholy hoot 
Dispelling spectral shades that flee 
With bat like rush, affrighted, bach 
Within the blackest nooks of caverned Night. 
Still Hours of darkness wend around the car, 
By raven tresses half concealed ; but one, 

With fairer locks, seems lingering back for 
Day. 

Vet all with even measured footsteps mark 
i lef onward course. And floating in her train 
Repose lies nestled on the breast of Sleep, 
While soft Desires enclasp the waist of 
Dreams, 

And light- winged Fancies fid around in troops. 

L. R 

Fr&m Boston* DwMj Jan. 4 . 13?B< 

Mural — Mr- Hunt's mural 

paintings iu the assembly chamber at 
Albany. N, Y., could be approached, a 
week or two ago, by a scaffolding, which 
is now removed. These paintings were, 
of course, made with the intention of their 
being seen from the floor or galleries ; but 
the view from the scaffolding was full of 1 
an interest of its own, as it was there 
possible either to examine the most deli- 
cate details of the artist s work, or to look 
nt it across the great hall it completes. 
Sonic account of such a view may, there' 
fore interest even those friends of Mr, 
Hunt v*hn mean to see his last and best 
work for themselves. 

We are told, and it is easy to believe, 
that the assembly chamber is the largest 
and most beautiful room in this country. 
Its general effect is cheerful, but grave; 
It is built entirely of stone, much of it of a 
warm, yellow gray; the ceiling Is vaulted, 
and some slight decorative use of deep red 
and deep blue relieves its carved work 
Mr. Hunt's paintings, ''The Flight of 
Night” and f, The Discoverer," occupy 
arched compartments on the south and 
north walls, each 45 feet long by lfl high. 
The first glimpse which one caught of 
these pictures, in going upon the scaffold- 
ing, was Hope's extended aim, as she 
points the way across the sea for the Dis- 
coverer. He stands in his dark boat, his 
amis folded, a serious figure full of mo 
lotion; lie, too, is looking forward, but 
there is do wild joy In his steady face; he 



has not seen the country for which he is 
looking, and his voyage is a tong one. He 
has no company but his own Fortune ami 
Science and Faith and Hope. But he can 
want no belter friends than these. The 
Fortune raises the sail behind him, and 
holds the rudder with a firm hand. She is 
young and strong, as the Fortune of a New 
World ought to be; she is wonderfully 
beautiful, and, though she has broad wings 
to fly away with, her face shows that she 
is not the Fortune to desert the man who 
has trusted Iter. Hope is leaning on the 
bow of the boat and pointing forward; 
her's is a strong maidenly figure, too, with 
a lovely, hopeful face. Beside her 
Science rises from the water, and holds 
out her charts to the Discoverer; her face 
is turned toward him, and her white 
shoulders and proud head and gliding 
motion are what impress you. And far to 
the left, before all, swims Faith, looking 
down away from the bright afternoon sky 
and all her sisters, but sure in her heart of 
the New World, This picture is bright, 
both in key of color and of light and 
shade, though not in the least gundy. 
The sky is that of late afternoon, with the 
beginning of sunset la the west, to which 
Hope Is pointing, The sea, as well as the 
sky, is full of soft, bright color. The Dis- 
coverer stands dark, not black, against the 
sky ; the sail which Fortune holds is ruddy 
in the shadow, and her own figure, though 
fair and delicate flesh and blood, sends the 
distance behind it miles and miles away. 
The whole composition is full beyond 
description of the life and motion of the 
sea. 

There is as much color, life and motion 
iu the picture on the opposite wall, but of 
a far different kind. Any one who has 
seen just before sunrise the slender cres- 
cent moon pale in the eastern sky, with all 
the mists of the night flying away before 
the dawn, can form some idea of the gen- 
eral feeliug and color of this picture. But 
it is not in every morning sky tlmt one can 
sec, as here we do, the Goddess of the 
Night herself against the crescent, rushing 
down with her throe wild horses into the 
abyss of darkness, She docs not try to 
restrain them, though she secs over her 
shoulders the coming day ; a dark spirit is 
laying his hand on one of them to keep 
them back, but there is tin stopping such 



142 



BRATTLEBORO. 



Iiorses as these. Below the Moon -God- 
dess, and apparently under her protection, 
are a sleeping mother and her little child; 
the morning light might wake them too 
soon, fast though they are carried from it, 
and a flying boy is screening it away. The 
noble and beautiful figure of the goddess, 
seated ou the clouds, her right hand ex- 
tended toward the darkness, is relieved 
upon bright light all about her. But her 
own crescent shines mysteriously brighter 
than all; her three wonderful horses, one 
white, one gray and white, one bay, — 
horses to whom rest seems impossible, — 
come plunging out of the faint mists on 
their way to darker places. The figure 
who is trying to restrain them holds an 
inverted torch; whether it be against his 
will or not, he is going as fast as they. 
The beauty of the two sleeping figures 
makes one wish they were never to be 
awakened. But behind all, down in the 
east, stretch the level lines of the irresistible 
sunrise. 

Both of these pictures, admirable as are 
their composition and general effect, are 
equally admirable in grace and precision 
of detailed drawing and modeling. Every- 
thing is treated with the noble simplicity 
proper to decorative work and to all work, 
but it is the simplicity of deep knowledge; 
all is there, but nothing obtrudes itself. 
To the observer, within two feet of these 
paintings, there is nothing unfinished or 
sketchy about the drawing; the beads, 
the hands and feet, the wonderful outline 
arid modeling of the figures, all are firm 
and decided and complete. The gods see 
everywhere; it is to be regretted that 
they should monopolize a near view\ 
which would help so many young pain- 
ters and sculptors. Strougly individual 
as these pictures are, they fulfill exactly 
their leading pan in the general deco- 
ration of the hall. That key of color 
and of light and shade was chosen by the 
artist which would best carry out the con- 
ception of the architect, however difficult 
that key might be, and this sacrifice, if it 
were one, has brought its own reward. 
Mr. Hunt's work has helped Mr. Eidlitz’s 
hall, and this as well helps the painting. 

Much as we may wish those paintiugs 
were in Boston, we cannot wish them 
elsewhere than in a place which so well 



deserves them in every way. In fact, a 
visit to the unfinished assembly chamber 
gave one an impression of generous confi- 
dence between workers of different kinds, 
which cannot be easily forgotten. Yerv 
fortunate is the building committee which 
has such a head as Governor Eorsheimcr. 
But next Tuesday, when the building is 
formally opened, will be a day of triumph 
to not one or two men only, but to raauy. 
Mr. Hunt's paintings are in the best sense 
historical, for the story they tell is not 
only true, but is going on now among us 
all, and every one has his part in it. He 
has brought to this work the thought and 
study of years, the experience of all his 
life, and his own high powers. Those 
who admired his work before, will find 
him a greater pointer even than they 
thought. Those who disliked it before, 
cannot fail to change their minds in some 
degree before pictures so admirable. They 
form a new departure in American art, 
and a new departure worthy of the most 
serious recognition, thankfulness and con 
grat elation. 

HON. JACOB KSTEY, 

Now universally known as one of the 
foremost business men of New England, 
was born in the town of Hinsdale, N. H., 
Sept. 30, 1814, but has been a resident of 
Brattleboro tne last 42 years. Though de- 
prived of pareutal cave and training at a 
very early age — thrown upon the mercies 
of the world when not quite five years old — 
his life has been remarkably successful. 
Shifting about from one place to another, 
meeting indifference, selfishness, neglect 
and ill treatment, from which there was no 
relief or escape but by flight, his after 
career seems so wonderful, and if not so 
exceptional, we should be inclined to 
doubt the propriety of Solomon's injunc- 
tion in Prov. 22: 5. Brattleboro abounds 
in instances of the strictest compliance 
with the instructions of the wise mau, and 
the results may be seen and compared with 
the results of a course exactly opposite. 

We know but little of his early wander- 
ings from place to place, to obtain fair 
treatment or desirable conditions where he 
could be free in the nntramelled exercise of 
his native capacity, yet we cannot for a mo- 
ment doubt that the trials and difficulties 
he successfully encountered had much to 



BRATTLEBGRO. 



H3 



d o i u sliap i iig bis flit u re dost i n y . A no th er 
subjected to tbe same conditions as was 
Mr. Estey, might have become dissolute, 
improvident and wretched, but with hfs 
powerful vital organisation, iron will, self 
control, and great variety of mental 
resources, opposing influences, perhaps, 
proved more beneficial than otherwise, 
like sprinkling water on a blacksmith's 
fire, to produce a greater desirable effect. 
From the time he first began to act in his 
business life, he manifested a sagacity in 
discovering ways and means, no thought 
of by others, to improve natural resources 
to the best advantage, not only for him- 
self, but to cause tire world to bo benefieial- 
l y aff ecte 1 b y h i 5 a etion . H i s eq u a) i n ad - 
in i n isl rat i ve ab i i i ty , p o w or of orga 1 1 i zatio n 
and prudential management of a large 
business, cannot be found in this region. 

In 1848, he erected a huge building near 
the south bridge on Main street, where for 
many years stood the old wagon shop 
o wired by K I ea m r Fail is wt > rtl n T lie u p p er 
stories of ibis new building were devoted 
to the manufacture of m el o deous, as the 
instruments were then called. This busi- 
ness had been carried on here in a small 
way several years previous to the time Mr. 
Estey engaged, with others, in the manu- 
fact ure of these instruments. The demand 
for instruments rendered more room need- 
ful, and another larger building was 
erected south of the bridge, in that locality 
known in early times as Squabble Hob 
low." Tbe early names of some of our 
village localities are not very attractive. 
The neighborhood of the “Omnibus" was 
known as Polecat,” and at the north, 
where is the Park or Common, * * Toad 
Hill." How the name of ^Squabble Hol- 
low " originated we have not been in- 
formed, but we know there was a deadly 
squabble in one of the old low buildings 
of this locality in the summer of 1850. 
There and at that time, Peter Motive, in a 
quarrel with a French Canadian, received 
a fatal stab in the abdomen. By removing 
the old unsightly buildings and wiping 
out fi Squabble Hollow," Messrs. Jacob 
Esloy & Co. intule an important improve- 
ment in this pert of the village. 

In the fall of 1857, the manufactories 
were burned down, but very soon rebuilt, 
to be again destroyed in 1864, and two 
firemen— Messrs, Nichols and Kittredge—iu 



their labors upon this occasion lost their 
lives. The manufactories were again re- 
built, and also a much larger one was 
erected on Frost's meadows, bordered on 
the south by Whetstone Brook, where was 
ample room for the large amount of lumber 
requ i red c on stan tly o n ha n d . T h c s u d d cm 
rise of Wliels Lone Brook in 1869, drowned 
one of their workmen, carried off several 
thousand dollars worth of lumber, and m 
endangered the safety of the manufactory, 
other and higher grounds were obtained 
on Birge street, where Lhe company erected 
eight organ shops, each of three stories, 100 
Feel in length, where the whole business is 
now carried on. Large reservoirs of water, 
constantly supplied, on grounds high 
above the buildings, render It possible, at 
a moment's notice, to deluge any part of 
the premises. They have also two steam 
fixe engines, in readiness for emergencies 
in any part of the village, and on several 
occasions they have rendered highly impor- 
tant service in extinguishing and prevent 
ing fires from spreading over the village. 

Several hundred men have been in con 
stant employ a large share of the Lime, all 
through the general business depression, 
commencing In 1873, down to the present 
time. 

The field upon which the financial re- 
sources of this company is gathered, 
reaches beyond lhe United Stales; there- 
fore, local conditions or circumstances, 
adverse or destructive to many other en- 
terprises, is not sufficient to stop the 
profitable operations of this company. It 
may be considered fortunate, not only for 
the town but for the world, that such im- 
portant interests are con trolled by men of 
high moral aims, public spirit and liber- 
al ily. 

Mr. Estey was one of the first and 
principal actors in organizing the Baptist 
church a, ud society in this place, in 1840 
Benevolent, educational and Christian in- 
stitutions, in various parts of this country, 
have received pecuniary assistance from 
this Compaq, which, in its beneficial 
effects, will be felt to lhe remotest time, 
The two junior members of this firm, 
Capt-J. J, Estey and GoL L. K, Fuller, ha ve 
been mainly instrumental in organizing, 
equipping and sustaining the infantry and 
artillery of this place. Never, even in the 
most palmy days of old military rimes, 



144 



BRATTLEBORO. 



have we seen, in this town, military com- 
panies so apparently efficient and warlike 
as the battery or flying artillery company 
under the command of Col. Fuller. We 
have often heard it said there is nothing 
of the kind superior, if equal, in the State 
of Vermont. 

A large portion of a new department of 
this village has been built up and is sus- 
tained by this manufactory of cottage 
organs. Encountering so many difficul- 
ties — trials by fire, water, unpropitious 
times for business— this company has 
shown a courage, enterprise and persever- 
ance that compels the admiration of friends 
and enemies. 

We make the following extract from 
"Neic England Manufacturer* and Manu- 
factories f 1879 , 

“ Prominent in the manufacture of par* 
lor organs is the firm of J. Estey & Co., of 
Brattleboro, Vt. 

The families of the name of Estey, are 
descended from three brothers, who came 
from England and settled in Massachu- 
setts, early in the seventeenth century. 
The great-grandfather of Jacob Estey, 
founder and present head of the firm, also 
named Jacob, was a farmer in Sutton, 
Mass. , but moved early in life to Royals- 
ton. 

His sou Jacob owned and managed a 
farm in that town, and also kept a public 
house. 

Of his seven children, but two attained 
maturity. The eldest, Isaac, having mar- 
ried Patty Forbes, of Royalston, went with 
his brother Israel to Hinsdale, H. H., 
where, they built a saw-mill and engaged 
in the manufacture of lumber. This en- 
terprise was a failure, 

Israel Estey left the town and State, and 
went to Aun Arbor, Mich., where he en- 
gaged in farming. 

His elder brother, Isaac, remaining with 
his family, was arrested for debt and 
thrown into the county jail. He remained 
there thirty days, at the end of which time 
he took the poor debtor’s oath, and was 
released from his liabilities. He then en- 
gaged in farming. 

Jacob Estey was one of eight children, 
seveu of whom, five sous and two daugh- 
ters, still survive. He was born Septem- 
ber 30, 1814, and was, wheu four years of 



age, adapted by a wealthy family in the 
neigh borhood. After remaining with them 
seven years he ran away, and walked to 
Worcester, Mass., where a brother lived, 
and where he went to work on a farm. 
During the next four years be was em- 
ployed on farms in Rutland, Millbury and 
other places io that vicinity. At seven- 
teen he engaged with T. & J. Sutton, of 
Worcester, as an apprentice to learn the 
trade of a plumber, including the manu- 
facture of lead pipe, and remained with 
them four years. 

In February, 1835, he went to Brattle- 
boro, Vt., with two hundred dollars, and 
there purchased the business, tools aud 
real estate of a plumbing and lead pipe 
coucern, and hired a shop on premises op- 
posite the present Brattleboro House. In 
1S50, the proprietors of a small organ fac- 
tory, which occupied a part of his build- 
ing, being unable to pay their rent, he ac- 
cepted in settlement an interest in the bus- 
iness, and two years later purchased the 
whole establishment, which then employed 
six hands, for $2700. Mr. Estey now 
turned his attention especially to the organ 
manufacture, and a few years after devot- 
ed himself exclusively to it. He continued 
in successful operation until 1866. when 
he received into partnership, Levi K. Fuller 
and his .>>on, Julius J. Estey. 

Mr. Estey was married iu 1837, to Des- 
demona Wood, of Brattleboro. Their 
surviving children are Abby E., born Sept. 
•21, 1842, and married to Levi K. Fuller, 
and Julius J., born Jan. 8, 1845, and mar- 
ried to Florence Gray, of Cambridge, H. 
Y. Mr. Estey represented the town of Brat- 
Lleboroiu the Vermont Legislature in 1868 
and 1869, and the district, including that 
town, iu the Senate of 1872 and 1873. He 
is a director in the Central Vermont Rail- 
road. Mr. Estey is still iu the prime of 
life and retaius his business activity. He 
is a member of the Baptist Church, and 
has contributed freely to religious interests. 

Levi K. Fuller was born in Westmore- 
land, IN. H., Feb. 23, 1841, and at the age 
of about eighteen, engaged with Campbell 
Chubbuck, of Roxbury, Mass., in learning 
the trade of machinist. The next year he. 
went to Brattleboro, and entered, on his 
own account, upou the manufacture of 
cylinder Planers and Mowing Machines. 



BK ATTLEBORO. 



145 



lie was successful, and continued in this 
business until April 1, 1866, when he be 
came a partuer in the firm, of J. Estey & 
Go. tfince 1866 he has superintended the 
manufacturing department. 

His inventions had reference to new de- 
vices and adjustments, and are protected 
by patents. He has also made improve- 
ments in machinery specially adapted to a 
variety of the processes of manufacture. 

Julius J. Estey spent two years in the 
Military Academy at Norwich, Vl, and at 
nineteen entered his father’s office, where 
he received his training for the position/' 

ADDISON BIIOWN 

Died May 11, 1872, at his home in this vil- 
lage. He closed, in quietness and peace, 

" with eye undimmed and his natural in- 
tellectual force unabated/’ his earthly 
career, useful and honorable, al the age of 
73 years. For the greater part of the past 
forty years he has made Brattleboro bis I 
home. Here be hegau Ids public service I 
in the ministry of the gospel. And to the 
furtherance of the highest interests of thi», 
his adopted home, and through it those of 
the State and the nation, he gave the de- 
voted eflort of a long and laborious life. 

Born at New Ipswich, N. H., March 11, 
1700, the last year of the eighteenth cen- 
tury, his education, life and spirit were 
emphatically of, and kept pace with, the 
nineteenth. His collegiate and theological 
education were furnished by Harvard Col- 
lege and the Cambridge Theological school. 
A graduate of the class of 1820, and of the 
class of 1831 from the Theological school, 
ho became minister of the newly estab- 
lished Unitarian church of this village in 
1832. As its first minister, he continued 
in its pastorate nearly 14 years, and on 
dissolving his olficial connection remained, 
with brief interruptions, until his death, 
one of its most devoted members. His 
successors in its pastorate will bear warm 
testimony to the friendliness of his rela- 
tions to them, and the steadfastness of his 
endeavors to forward their labors for its 
prosperity. 

His connection with the Brattleboro 
Unitarian church terminated Dec, 1, 1845. 
Though continuing to preach as occasion 
offered during the greater part of the re- 
mainder of his life, Mr. Brown formed no 



new pastoral connection. With the deep- 
est interest in the advancement of the 
general good, which he always held to be 
the great aim of the church and the minis- 
try, he turned his attention to other 
methods of promoting it. The cause of 
education especially interested him. To 
it he gave increasingly hig thought and 
energies. The condition of the public 
schools in this region excited his deepest 
concern. lie saw they were far behind 
what the public need and the possibilities 
of the case required; he sought to remodel 
the schools on a higher and more effective 
plan, and he aimed to briug a more direct 
relation between the parents of the pupils 
and the teachers and schools entrusted 
with their education. In 1841, he had the 
gratification of seeing a response to his 
efforts, in the introduction into the schools 
of the graded system. But aware that not 
even the best system can dispense with 
that “eternal vigilance” which is the price 
of all worthy attain merit, he labored to the 
eud of his public life to deepen the sense of 
l responsibility in the public mind for the 
efficiency of the schools, and he rendered 
aD inestimable service. He held office as 
superintendent of the schools in Windham 
county from 1846 until that office was 
abolished, after which, for several years, 
he acted as superintendent of the schools 
of the towu of Brattleboro. To his care 
and faithfulness, which never relaxed until 
his physical powers failed, the schools of 
our village were greatly indebted for the 
efficiency which they have attained. Well 
do Brattleboro's teachers know what a 
wealth of sympathy and efficient help in 
all their efforts to improve the schools un- 
der their charge was given them by Mr. 
Brown, by his personal interest and care, 
and by his efforts through the public 
press. 

With the press he became connected in 
1862, when Dr. Charles Cummings, sum- 
moned from the editorial chair to the 
battlefield, relinquished the charge of the 
Vermont Phamix. Mr. Brown became 
editor and one of the proprietors, which 
post he held until March, 1871, when failing 
health compelled his retirement. Loyally, 
in the bitter days of civil war, he stood by 
the llag of our Union ; ceaselessly he iden- 
tified and toiled to induce others to identify 
the fortunes and significance of that starry 



146 



BR ATTLEBORO. 



flag with the broadest and most generous 
ideas of liberty and the rights of man, his 
works attest, and not only they, but a son 
and son-in-law cheerfully surrendered to 
his country’s service, and who being dead 
yet speak of his loyal and tender sympathy 
with them in their brave young consecra- 
tion. He realized the importance of his 
post as editor of a newspaper, and sought, 
in every way that opened before him, to 
make the journal in bis control powerful 
for good. He labored to ideutify his paper 
with all that was true and good. He 
made it a journal whose columns could 
bring a blush of shame to no pure mind. 
One of the best among the prints of the 
Green Mountain fttatc it was his pride to 
have it. With a special interest he advo- 
cated the cause of woman’s elevation. He 
set no bounds to his claim of rights for 
her. To her largest aspirations he lent a 
faithful, helping voice. Not alone her 
pleading for a higher education, not alone 
her assertion of right and opportunity to 
labor in other spheres thao those hereto- 
fore at her command; not alone her right 
to the possession and use of her own earn- 
ings, but, besides and beyond, her right to 
enter on every sphere to which she felt a 
divine call, a native Illness, and to the en 
joymeut of full political lights, found in 
hi in a devoted, and, so far as was possible 
to a mind so finely balanced and so judicial 
as his, an enthusiastic advocate. Indeed, 
wherever oppression was, there was be 
to be found exposing and withstanding 
it. In the days when slavery's night 
brooded over the laud, he stood one of the 
light* of liberty that prophesied the com- 
ing of the dawn. At the side of the slave 
he placed himself to recognize in him u 
man and a brother, and demand for him 
the full possession of his rights And the 
slavery of strong drink found no more 
steadfast enemy than he. In his own per- 
son. in his home, in all his public teaching 
and writing, he was the advocate and ex- 
emplar of temperance. To devoted advo- 
cacy, to a constancy that could not by pelf 
or argument be turned aside from its noble 
purpose, he joined a quietness, a candor of 
temper, a disposition to do justice to all 
sides, which nobly illustrated the practi- 
cableness and the beauty of a true tem- 
perance. 



As an editor, he illustrated in his own 
modest way some of the highest qualities 
of a true journalist. He would not for 
any consideration stoop to anything de- 
basing. No chance of making a striking 
point would move him to be unjust. He 
would speak the truth, the broad, careful, 
just truth. He would speak it kindly and 
calmly, and “with malice toward none.” 
If he missed the brilliance which many 
aifect, he gained the reality which they 
miss. So he could be utterly trusted, and 
was a safe and helpful guide. His mind 
was clear, his principle high, his purpose 
honest, his spirit pure To be good and 
do good were his life's great aims. When 
lie quitted his editorial post, he went forth 
to his retirement without reproach. 

Of him is it emphatically true that lie 
was good. His religious creed was broad 
and simple. It could heal) summed up in 
love to God and love to man. His life 
was devoted chiefly to others’ good. He 
believed in personal righteousness rather 
than in profession of piety. To do justly, 
love mercy and walk humbly with God, 
formed his great aim. It is safe to say 
that lie left the world without an enemy, 
but not without many a friend by whom 
his memory will long and tenderly bfi 
cherished . — From tho Ventiont Phcmix. 

WILLIAM H. ROCKWELL, M. D. 

William Ilaydoo Rockwell was born in 
East Windsor, Conn., Feb. 15, 1800. He 
was the fourth child and only son in a 
family of eight children, of Charles and 
Surah Hayden Rockwell. His father was 
| a farmer, as were several generations of 
only sons before him, a fact that rendered 
' him especially desirous that his only son 
should succeed himself in the cultivation 
of ail estate that had been long in the 
family. But though not inclined to adopt 
this for his permanent pursuit, the knowl- 
edge of farming here acquired was after- 
wards of great service in aiding him to 
advance the interests of those whose 
welfare became the chief concern of his 
life. 

A rather precocious fondness for the 
study of mathematics enabled young 
Rockwell to early master the science of 
surveying. This proficiency gained him, 
at the age of 17, the position of leading 
surveyor in the neighboring towns, and 



BRATTLEBQRO. 



IT 



by tbe time be bad attained his majority, 
be was appointed surveyordmehief of 
Hartford county* During the intervals 
that occurred between this and other en- 
gagements he found time to aid ills father 
when his work pressed more heavily; and 
also to prepare himself to pass the first 
throe examinations, and to enter the junior 
class of Y ale Cot I egc . Fro m t h is i nst i tu 
tion lie was graduated with distinction in 
1824. Be received soon after the appoint- 
ment of principal of the Nichols Academy 
at Dudley, Maes , and rama tiling there two 
years, lie then erne red on the study of 
medicine in the office of Dr. Thomas Hub- 
bard, n, professor in the Vale College 
Medical behoof While yet an under- 
graduate* he was appointed assistant 
physician in the Retreat for the Insane at 
Hartford, then under the charge of the 
noted alienist. Dr. Eli To 'd, where he re- 
mained until his return to the Yale Medical 
School, from which he was graduated in 
1831. Though earnestly invited to resume 
his position in the Retreat, and having 
now a strong predilection for the specialty, 
to which he hoped sometime to return, he 
wisely judged it better to first gain more 
experience in the general practice of his 
profession, and a favorable opportunity 
offering, he at once entered on the practice 
in D u r ha m , Conn. He was t here no t qui te 
two years when, in response to a most 
urgent request from his old friend and 
preceptor. Dr. Todd, then in failing health, 
he returned to the Retreat. Here he con- 
tinued as assistant physician until called 
to Brattleboro, though acting superinten- 
dent during Dv. Todd's disabling illness, 
and for some time after his death. 

Dr. Rockwell was married June So, 1835. 
to Mrs* Maria F. Chapin, a native of 
Salisbury, Cunu, 

He received I he appointment of super- 
intendent of the Vermont Asylum for the 
Insane, from the board of trustees, June 
28, 1836, but he did not assume charge 
until the following October, when his ser- 
vices were required to supervise the com- 
pletion of the alterations and additions to 
the building, purchased by the trustees, 
was undergoing, to render it suitable for 
the reception of patients, This building, 
a wooden .structure of rather imposing 
exterior, stood on beautiful grounds then 



known as Woodland , and when remod 
eled was very well adapted to the purpose 
in view. It occupied the site of the present 
Marsh building, and with the premises and 
45 acres of meadow land adjacent was 
purchased with the legacy of $10,000. be- 
queathed by Mrs. Arm Marsh, who died in 
1834. By the kind thoughtfulness of this 
most philanthropic lady, and the remark- 
able stewardship of Dr, Rockwell, Ver- 
mont was placed far in advance of most of 
the States of the Union in her ability to 
take proper care of her insane. 

The asylum whs opened for the recep- 
tion of patients December 12, 1S3G. At 
that time it was by many supposed to be 
of ample size to accommodate all that 
would be sent to it for many years; but 
patients came in so rapidly that scarce a 
year had elapsed before it became evident 
that a much larger building would soon be 
required. Not long after, a centre build- 
ing and one wing of a new asylum, a 
brick structure, designed after Urn best 
model then known, was erected on the 
grounds opposite the original building, 
which afterwards, until vacated and re- 
moved, was called the "old asylum/' 

To the construction of the institution, 
long since grown to be one of the largest 
in the country* the State has contributed 
va n o u s m rn s a mo 1 1 n tl ug i n lb e aggraga te 
to $23,000. This is the only outside aid 
the asylum has ever received from any 
source, while, under the management of 
the late superintendent, it lias been ex- 
tended, rebuilt, as to the large portion 
destroyed by lire in 1862, remodeled in 
some parts before and since that catas- 
trophe, and has besides supported itself 
from the first on income derived from pri- 
vate patients. These patients came from 
all sections of the United States; also from 
the West Indies, the Bermuda Islands, 
the Canadas, and the British Provinces, 
and were attracted hither by the wide 
spread reputation of Dr. Rockwell for 
treat i ng men tal d i S eases. An i l to esi ab I is h 
the institution on bo firm a foundation that 
it might continue to be of as great benefit 
in the future to the insane of moderate 
means, and to the dependent insane of 
Vermont, as It- was to them and others 
during his superintendency* with the hope 
that it might be ever increasing in its 



148 



BR ATTLEBORO* 



capacity for usefulness, was the great aim 
of Dt\ Rockwell's long continued, moat 
assiduous and untiring labors* 

While at Hartford, he bad longed for an 
opportunity of attempting an experiment, 
before untried, of largely engaging the 
male patients of an asylum in farm labor; 
and it is known that the favorable location 
of the Vermont Asylum for such purpose 
greatly influenced him in Ins decision to 
accept the super in tendency. But, as 

shown in some of bis earlier reports, he 
met with umch opposition from some of 
his brother specialists, who deemed the 
p i o j ee t Lm p rac ticab le m d dtmgero us. Bis 
was not the character, however, to be 
stayed by ordinary obstacles, and a few 
seasons of patient trial, beginning with a 
limited company at first — selected, of 
coulee, with due regard to their mental 
and physical condition— proved that a large 
number of insane persons, under the 
guidance of a few men of calm temper and 
possessed of ordinary tact, can be safely 
trusted to work together on a farm ; also, 
that such employment is a most valuable 
adjunct to the means used to promote the 
recovery of the curable, and affords the 
most natural* healthful and enjoyable kind 
of exercise for the incurable insane. The 
success of the experiment is further sub- 
stantiated and, indeed, now indisputably 
established by the fact that all Stale insti- 
tutions for the in sane, built iu mom recent 
years, have adopted his idea, and now 
possess extensive farms, on which the in- 
mates are more or less largely employed. 
But while so much interested in assuring 
the success of this undertaking, lie neg- 
lected none of the other means commonly 
used for the occupation and diversion of 
the insane. Indeed, he had early and 
thoroughly tested almost everything iu the 
form of diversion and the ordinary occu- 
pations and exercises* both within doors 
and without, for female as well as male 
patients, such as are now resorted to for 
their benefit. 

The following extract from some re- 
marks, offered on a public occasion soon 
after Dr. Rockwell's decease, as coming 
from a brother superintendent and native 
of Vermont — Dr. Murk R annoy — and as 
comprising so much in a few words, would 
seem to find an appropriate place in this 
brief sketch: M I well remember his fine 



presence and genial, courteous manner 
which quickly won the respect of all with 
w ho m h e came i n eon tact. His Intel lectu a I 
strength and culture also gave him great 
influence wherever he was known, and 
eminently fitted him for the position he 
filled and adorned for a long series of 
years. Although deeply engrossed with 
the financial affairs of a large asylum, 
which lie conducted with signal ahiliry, 
his contributions to the advancement of 
psychological medicine were important 
and valuable. His untiring industry, 
great financial ability and faculty of or- 
ganization and ability to forecast the 
prospective needs of bis State, and provide 
for them, ware integral and prominent 
points of his mental constitution; and 
they were agencies which led to the 
gradual growth of one of our largest public 
institutions, and with less pecuniary aid 
than iu any other instance in the country, 
and the same personal resources enabled 
him to rebuild the large portion of the 
asylum that was destroyed by fire." 

Possessed of abilities of no common 
order and in harmonious union as they 
were with a most generous and sympa- 
thetic nature. Dr. Rockwell could un- 
doubtedly have won distinction in almost 
any position in life. To refer to one 
faculty only, his memory was so retentive 
that until late iu life be could translate the 
classic authors with almost the same 
facility as when fresh from college; and as 
to such abstract facts as dates and names, 
particularly the latter, his powers of recol- 
lection were certainly quite remarkable. 
Considering his numerous family of 
patients and their more numerous relatives 
and friends, who often mine to visit them, 
and whose names even in full, once heard, 
he seldom forgot, the ability to call them 
ail by name was certainly very convenient. 
But it was of far greater service iu en- 
abling him to converse with his patients 
about their home and household affairs, 
when it was judicious to do so, with the 
facility almost of the family physician ; as 
with the names of their children lie could 
recall pretty much every incident he had 
from time to lime learned of their family 
histories. Yet this was perhaps the least 
Important instance in which this one 
faculty, a capacious memory, was utilised 
to interest and divert the minds of those 



BRATTLEBORO. 



149 



under his charge, and whatever talent or 
accomplishment he possessed, that could 
be applied to such service, he used to in 
some way benefit his.patients — to cheer the 
despondent, to soothe the irritable, to 
calm the excited, to rouse the lethargic, 
and to bring all on to the road to recovery, 
or to render as comfortable and contented 
as possible those for whom no hope of 
recovery could he entertained. 

It was ever bis most earnest and cease- 
less endeavor to have all associated with 
him in care of the insane, in whatever 
capacity, possess, besides other essential 
qualifications, the inherent and indis- 
pensable qualities of kindness, gentleness, 
frankness and patience which eminently 
distinguished his own intercourse with 
them. In addition to these, he was him- 
self noted for a wonderfully encouraging 
and hope- inspiring manner, which none 
can fail to recall to miud of the many in 
the community who came to seek his 
counsels in their various troubles and 
trials. 

Though few could excel Dr. Rockwell 
in the graces of general conversation, a 
conciseness or terseness of style, but of an 
order most pleasing, was one of his more 
proiniuent characteristics. This all will 
remember who had much intercourse with 
him. Most of his acquaintances, especially 
the recovered of his insaue family, will also 
recollect his happy method of illustrating 
a point he wished to fix firmly in the miud 
of the listener, by some apt quotation, or 
perhaps more often by a short anecdote. 
Of these last he had such a stock in reserve 
as to have been seldom known to repeat 
one. When or where he learned them 
was ever the mystery. 

The results of his rich experience, de- 
rived from long practice among and 
intercourse with the insane, he took great 
pleasure in freely imparting to his assist- 
ants and also to other physicians seeking 
such information. This was often and 
most aptly rendered in a sort of aphoristic 
style, in which much information was 
conveyed in a few words. Some of these 
condensed sayings, or maxims as they 
came to be considered, with others of like 
order, in which were concentrated the 
deductions of his experiences with the 
world at large, are known to have often 



been efficient guides to some of his assist- 
ants in their after career; and especially 
to those, of whom there were nine, who 
were called to the superintendeucy of 
asylums for the insaue. Among the latter 
were his son, who is now a member of the 
board of trustees, but when his father re- 
signed his charge in August, 1872, suc- 
ceeded him in the superintendency, and 
Dr. Joseph Draper, the present worthy 
incumbent of that office. 

As a citizen of Brattleboro, Dr Rock- 
well is most affectionately remembered for 
having always taken an active interest in 
evciything that tended to advance the 
growth and prosperity of the town, as well 
as for beiug among the foremost in every 
benevolent work. During the earlier 
years of his residence here, he occasionally 
read a lecture at the village lyceum, 
choosing for a topic something regarding 
mental or physical liygeine, or other sub- 
ject in the treatment of which useful infor- 
mation could be imparted. He was also 
several times called on to deliver an 
address on some occasion of unusual public 
interest. Among these addresses his 
eulogium on the late President Harrison is 
remembered as having been perhaps his 
most distinguished rhetorical effort. Un- 
fortunately all his manuscripts, including 
some unpublished papers on psychological 
subjects, were consumed in the disastrous 
fire at the asylum before alluded to. 

In person. Dr. Rockwell was much above 
the ordinary height, but of erect and well 
proportioned figure. His head was Urge 
and of fine shape; features regular, and 
countenance pleasing in expression. On 
May 10th, 1872, as be was starting from 
his door he was thrown from his wagon 
with such force tus to cause a fracture of 
the neck of the thigh; this, together with 
internal difficulties consequent to the 
shock to his nervous syslcm, confined him 
to his bed until his death, Nov. 30, 1873. 
Every day until his death, during his long 
and painful illness, some of his patients 
came to see him, and it was most inter- 
esting to witness them leaning over the 
form of the prostrate physician, and in 
their turn speaking words of sympathy aud 
encouragement. Encouraged and sus- 
tained he indeed was by their presence and 
their kind words, but in a way they knew 
not of, and cheered hy the thought that he 



150 



BRATTLEBORO. 



had been of some service to them, to 
humanity, and Lo his adopted State, be 
died, as since early youth lie had lived, in 
the hope of a blessed Immortality beyond 
the grave. 

Of Dr. Rockwell's family, his wife, 
daughter and one sou survive him. His 
second son, a graduate of tlie United 
States Military Academy, died io tlie ser- 
vice, in 1868. 

Largely indebted for his success to the 
trustees of the asylum, from whom he 
ever received unswerving sympathy and 
support, and to the harmonious coopera- 
tion of those immediately associated with 
biro, he was also in many ways efficiently 
aided by his wife, who, though holding no 
official position, devoted (he greater part 
of nearly every day of her long residence 
ill the institution to efforts to promote the 
comfort and welfare of the insane, 

Edward R Citafin, M, D. 

THE VERMONT ASVLtXM FOU THE INSANE. 

This institution was founded upon a 
bequest of $10,000 from Mrs. Anna Marsh, 
of Hinsdale, N. H., who died in the year 
1884. In accordance with the provisions 
of her will, it. was incorporated by the 
legislature, Nov. S, 1884, The trustees 
named in the will of the founder, and also 
in the act of incorporation, were Samuel 
Clark. John Holbrook, Epaphro Seymour 
and John C, Holbrook, all of BraUleboro. 
They held their first meeting at Colonel 
Chase's stage tavern, pursuant to notice, 
signed by Samuel Clark and published in 
the Vermont Pkmnix of Sept. 11. 1835, and 
organized by choosing Samuel Clark chair- 
man, Epaphro Seymour treasurer, .John 
0, Holbrook secretary. On the 3rd of 
October following, at an adjourned meet- 
ing, the legacy of Mrs. Marsh was paid 
into the hands of the trustees by Asa 
Keyes, one of the executors of the will of 
the said Mrs, Marsh , The first report of 
the trustees to the legislature was then 
made under the requirements of the char- 
ter. This report, (which was never 
printed), was in substance as follows, to 
wit; That they had received the sum of 
SfH 0,000, bequeathed by Mrs. Marsh for 
the foundation of an institution for the 
relief of the Insane, and that they had 
fixed the location of the same at Brattle- 
boro, the terms of the will restricting 



them to some place in Windham county, 
near the Connecticut River. They further 
took this early opportunity to slate, (what 
they say u must be obvious to every one,") 
that the sum of $10,000 was far from ade- 
quate to the establishment of such an 
institution as should be at all commensu- 
rate w ith the w ants of the State, In their 
opinion $30,000 was requisite, and they 
submitted the question of supplying such 
additional sum as might be necessary, to 
the consideration of the legislature. 

This appeal was supported by an inter- 
eating statement of the results of their 
inquiries and investigations as to the needs 
of the State, in respect to provision of this 
kind, supplemented by a showing of what 
had been done in this direction by 
chuseits and other Stales. The legislature 
responded b}’ the passage of an act, Nov. 
9, 1835. appropriating $3,000 annually for 
five years, “To enable the trustees the 
more effectually to promote the benevolent 
designs of the institution ; provided, that 
said trustees should lake no benefit from 
the provisions of the act, until they had so 
far erected the building and organized 
said asylum as to receive patients therein; 
and, provided, also, that any future legis- 
lature might alter, amend or repeal this 
act, 1 ' 

A purchase was concluded with Nathan 
Woodcock, May 25, 1836, embracing the 
location of the present buildings, (about 
six acres oF land, with dwelling house 
thereon), and with Ebenezer Wells For 45 
acres of meadow land, adjacent and addi- 
tional lo the site above mentioned. 

The work of remodeling the dwelling 
was then commenced, and at a meeting of 
the trustees, held June, 28, 1886. Dr. Wil- 
liam H. Rockwell* of Hartford, Conn., 
for several years previously assistant 
physician at the Connecticut Retreat, was 
chosen to the s u peri n tendency, to enter 
upon his duties as soon as the premises 
were ready for the reception of patients, 
which was Dec, 13, 1836. 

The second report of the trustees, (un- 
published), was presented to the legislature, 
October, 1836. In this the progress made 
was detailed. Besides the remodeling of 
the dwelling house, an extension of a 
wing containing eight rooms was made to 
it, the whole being designed For the 




THE VERMONT ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE. 

BRATTLEBORO. 




B R ATTLEE OB O, 



accommodation of 30 patients, the neces- 1 
sary office I'h mid employees; the cost of 
the whole, the purchase* refitting anti 
furnishing, absorbing nearly the whole of 
the Ularsli legacy, They expressed the 
belief that they had been extremely fortu- 
mile in the select ion of Dr. Rockwell for 
the super in tendency, uud that in the ex- 
penditure of the bequest of the founder, 
they had erected acco in modal ions for 
patients to the utmost limit of the means 
at their command, and hud so endeavored 
to order Lhdr arrangements, that in the 
event of further extensions, these first 
expenditures should not be to any con- 
siderable degree lost; anti closed by sub- 
mltting to the legislature the question as 
to whether the advantages to be derived 
from such an institution, should be ex* 
tended through its enlightened li humbly, 
to all the citizens of the Elate who required 
them, or be confined to the comparatively 
few, whom it would be practicable to 
accommodate, on the original limited 
plan, calling attention to the impossibility 
of relying at once upon the appropriation 
of $10,1100 made the previous year, by 
reason of the provisos which rendered the 
annual payments liable at any time lo be 

repealed* 

In response to this report, the legislature 
granted an additional appropriation of , 
Three subsequent appropriations ■ 
were made by the legislature for extending 
accommodations, during the seven follow- 
ing years, two of $4,000 each, and otic of 
$3,000, aggregating a total of $38,000. 
These last grants were made with certain I 
provisos in the interest of the Bute, se- 
curing to citizens of Vermont a preference 
in the matter of admissions over those of 
other States, and stipulating that in case 
the institution should cease to exist, the 
real estate should be held as security to 
the State for the total amount granted, 
T lie aid t h us re n dc red to this institution 
represents the total amount yet appro- 
priated by the legislature of Vermont, 
toward providing accommodations for the 
care and treatment of the insane of the 
State, 

The operations and results of the asylum 
since its opening have been detailed fully 
it) its published reports from year to year, 
lienee need not be enlarged upon here 



1,71 

Its grow l h, from its unostentatious begin- 
ning to its present state of development, 
has been slow but constant. The average 
nun) her at present is 470 patients. With 
Live exception of the State aid referred to, 
it litis been self-sustaining and seif-creating, 
through the sagacious foresight and sound 
practical management of its board of trus- 
tees and superintendent. Its success has 
been in no small degree due to the pur- 
suance of \\ steady ami uniform policy, 
which has been rendered practicable under 
its charter, which preserved it from those 
frequent changes of management that are 
incident to political revolutions in institu- 
tions under ordinary Slate control, 

The asylum Is a chartered Institution, 
bat cot a stock corporation, ft is simply 
a property In trust for a specific object, 
and its management is wholly v<£ied in its 
board of trustees. The following are the 
changes that have occurred , by resignation 
or death: 

In 1888, John Holbrook, deceased; Asa 
Keyes was elected his successor, In 1831), 
John G. Holbrook removed from the Suite; 
Nathan B. Williston was elected to succeed 
him. In 1847 1 Epaphro Seymour resigned ; 
J. Dorr Bradley was elected in lib place. 
In 1872, Samuel Clark resigned; Frederick 
Holbrook was his successor. In 1863, J. 
Dorr Bradley, deceased ; Daniel Kellogg 
was chosen to fill the vacancy. In 1874, 
Daniel Kellogg and Asa Keyes resigned; 
William H Rockwell and James M Tyler 
were elected in their stead. In 1875, 
Nathan R. Williston resigned; Richards 
Bradley was chosen In his place. There 
have been three changes in the super! a ten- 
dency of the asylum. In 1872, Di\ W. H, 
Ruck well resigned, and was succeeded by 
his son, in 1873, Dr, W\ H. Rockwell, 
Jr,, resigned, and was succeeded by Dr. 
Joseph Draper, who entered upon his 
duties Feb. 10, 1873. 

Dr. J. Draper 

HON. LARKfK G, Rtf AD 

Was born at Lexington, AfasR, Oct. 2, 
1705; educated at Dartmouth College; 
first practiced Jaw at Chesterfield, N, H. ; 
married Mary Jane Noyes, daughter of 
Hob, John Noyes, of Putney, Vt. , June 8, 
JR2li, and removed to Brattle-boro in 1830, 
where Jr was employed in closing up the 
affairs of the Bratll shorn Typographic Co. 
Re practiced law in the courts of Cheshire 






BRATTLEBOKO. 



county, N. and Windham county, Vt. , 
during a large portion of the 30 years in 
w f j I ch he lived in Bra U 1 e boro ; was a 
prominent Whig in the Harrison campaign 
of 1840, and chosen senator from this 
county in 1846. lie procured the charter 
for the first savings hank in this State, now 
known as the Vermont Savings Bank of 
Brattle boro, and was the first treasurer of 
that institution about 25 years; was chair- 
man of the first prudential committee, 
chosen to carry into effect the present 
system of graded schools, in 1841. Shortly 
after resigning the office of treasurer of the 
hank, he died July 0, 

Comparatively few persons have passed 
a more successful, cheerful, hopeful life of 
full rounded measure, beyond, by some 
years, the allotted age of man. In his 
domestic relations was, apparently, much 
of happiness and cause for congratulation. 
The wisdom he showed in the selection of 
his life partner was fully manifested in 
the conduct and characteristics of the nine 
children composing this gifted family. 
The eldest, John 14. Mead, died while in 
his fourth year at Harvard College, in 
1850, at the age of 19 years. lie seemed 
naturally to possess capabilities such as 
others can rarely acquire by years of effort. 
He wus with George C. Hall and William 
C. Bradley and others of that brilliant 
circle of scholars, in the early days of the 
present school system, which gave much 
pride and satisfaction to the teachers and 
a high character to the schools, In the 
sciences, languages, music, drawing, 
painting, mathematics and mechanics, he 
surprised every one by his proficiency. 
With such an easy comprehensive grasp 
his mind seemingly swept the whole field 
of human effort, we had cause to wonder 
what an Intellectual giant ho would become 
in coming years. All problems and diffi- 
culties wore fearlessly met and conquered 
with no show of egotism or vanity. Even 
" the groat teacher,” death, never found a 
mortal subject who met him tuore calmly 
and philosophically. When told that his 
disease was past remedy, lhat his young 
life, with so much to make that life 
desirable to himself and others, must in a 
few hours be closed forever, he replied: 

H T have had a good time and good 
friends, for which I feel thankful. Life 
thus far has beeu so pleasant, I would stay 



longer, but it is all for the best as it is, for 
the years of responsibility, I may not be 
equal to or fitted to endure, are near 
Socrates could have made no better 
reply, and Bryant, In his high poetical con- 
ception of the desirable in life's closing 
scene, has not transcended the actual, 

His classmates at Harvard gave evidence 
of the i r h i gli esti m at i o n an d a flee ti on by 
erecting a monument to his memory, on 
which is inscribed: 

"The autumn winds rushing, 

Walt ihe leaves that are sereV; 

Rut tnir flower was in flushing 
When blighting was nearest/' 

L. G. Mead, Jr, , early manifested a 
taste for drawing and sculpture. ills 
frequent copies from nature on paper, 
canvass, and in marble, during his clerk- 
ship with Messrs. Williston dz Tyler, in 
1&I3, caused his friends to think he would 
not long remain behind the counter selling 
nails, paint and putty. His local fame 
attracted the attention of that well-known 
artist, Henry K, Brown, while uu a 
short visit to this place in the summer of 
1853, Two favored sons of genius met. 
The claims of the younger to favorable 
consideration being honored by the elder, 
an artist of established reputation and old 
world experience, probably decided the 
pathway of the younger for life. The 
decisive step was taken by placing himself 
under the instructions of Mr Brown, at 
Hew York, where the young aspirant 
diligently improved his favorable opportu- 
nities about two years, when he returned 
to his home at Brattleboro, in Dec, 1850, 
where he soon gave evidence of his 
progress in art by a New Year's freak. On 
the last night of the old year, assisted by a 
comrade, with snow and water, he con- 
structed an image, called the H Recording 
Angel/ * The occasional application of 
water, during the progress of the work, 
made the snow more susceptible to mani- 
pulation and gave the whole figure greater 
hardness and solidity, as the 'night jwas so 
cold each application of water soon became 
solid. Standing in a snow bank, m 
a freezing atmosphere with a lantern 
ri dimly burning/* or "the moonbeams 
misty light/ J would be more favorable 
conditions for the burial of Sir John 
Moure than for the exercise of genius in 
the work proposed. Conveniently near 



BRATTLEBORO. 



153 



the scene of operations, at tlie joining of 
the two roads at North 3 rain street, was 
John Burnham's old foundry building. 
Access was gained thereto, at the midnight 
hour, and a sufficient quantity of snow 
carried into a warmer atmosphere, where 
was formed the most expressive parts of 
the figure, in the north room of that old 
building. We will give, in his own lan- 
guage, the account of a noted citizen of this 
place, ou this occasion: 

‘ r As morning dawned, there, at. a fork 
of the two principal streets of the village, 
stood an image, bright in the rays of the 
morning sun, and brighter still with the 
magic light of genius. The mischievous 
boy stood appalled by the unwonted sight; 
it was surely no* idle work for him to cast 
his snowballs at. A noted simpleton of 
the village, after looking at it for a 
moment, ran away from it in fear and 
alarm, and a man who rarety ever before 
made a bow, raised his hat in respect. 

This figure remained in perfection over 
two weeks, unprotected save by the 
sanctity of genius. New York papers 
gave an account of this affair, and a resi- 
dent of Brattleboro, when off the coast of 
Chili, heard a sea captaiu read the account 
from a Spanish paper. 

Soon after this event Mr. Mead received 
several commissions; one from Nicholas 
Longwortli, Esq., of Cincinnati, for a du- 
plicate of the snow statue in marble, and 
ouc from Richards Bradley, for a marble 
bust of his grandfather, Hon. William C. 
Bradley. A full length, colossal statue of 
Ethan Allen was made by him for the 
State of Vermont, and is now in the State 
House at Montpelier. Rev. Edward At- 
water, of New Haven, then recently from 
Europe, and some parties in New Orleans 
gave him commissions, all of which he 
executed lo the satisfaction of the appli- 
cants, previous to hia departure for 
Florence, Italy. The Inst accounts of 
him from that place are of a hopeful char- 
acter for his world-wide fame. 

Charles Mead, the eldest brother living, 
hits given proof of excellent business 
capacity. At the time of the great fire of 
1857, his works were destroyed. He was 
proprietor of the boxwood and ivory rule 
manufactory, founded in 1834, by S. M. 
Clark, of Hartford, Conn. 

Eleanor, the eldest daughter, was mar- 

L. 



ried to lion. AVilliam T). Howells, editor 
of the Atlantic Monthly, when he was 
United States Consul to Florence, Italy, 
during our civil war. 

Joanna was married to Augustus D. 
Shepherd, of New York, we think, in 18(52. 
The family is now widely scattered. To 
give an account of each member, in detail, 
our limits and propriety forbid, but as 
some of their uames have become, in a 
certain sense, public property, may be 
deemed a sufficient apology for the liberty 
we have taken for the honor of Brattle- 
boro. 

COL. JOHN STEELE TYLEK 

Was born in Brattleboro, April 29, 1843. 
He was a grandson of Hon. Royall Tyler, 
of whom is a biographical sketch in this 
work, commencing at page 83. Col. John 
was the eldest son of Rev. Thomas P. 
Tyler; 1). I)., and Alary A. Clark, daughter 
of Rufus Clark, Esq., of Brattleboro. He 
was baptized June 22, 1843. at Christ’s 
Church, Guilford, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop 
Hopkins, receiving as his Christian name 
that of bis uncle, John Steele Tyler, of 
Boston, Mass. * 

The subject of this sketch was one of 
that large class of young men whose pro- 
fessional studies were arrested by the 
outbreak of the rebellion, calling them 
away from school or office to the camp and 
battle-field. During the first ten years of 
his life, his father was rector of Trinity 
Church, Fredonia, N. Y., removing, in 
1853, to Batavia, N. Y. Consequently 
much of his earlier boyhood was passed in 
Fredonia and Batavia, although he had, 
for several of those years, the great advan- 
tage of the careful training and thorough 
instruction which then distinguished the 
school for young boys, under the charge 
of his aunt, Miss Amelia S. Tyler, at 
Brattleboro. About his twelfth year his 
father's friend and classmate, Rev. Chius. 
W. Everest, Principal of the Rectory 
School, Hamden, Conn., received him into 
that excellent institution for the next four 
years. One of the advantages in which it 
stood, at that time, almost alone, was a 
strict and efficient military organization. 
Uniformed and equipped as a company, 
the boys were drilled semi-weekly by Col. 
Arnold, their commandant, in all the duties 
of the soldier. 



154 



BRATTLEBORO. 



We well remember into what neglect the 
militia system, never very efficient, had 
fallen. Few of the future heroes of the 

war, at its opening, knew anything of tac- 
tics conlrl go through with the manual exer- 
cise, or had even fi correct idea how a 
squad of men was to be drilled, or how a 
company was to be organized, and. if 
possible, still less how it was to be ma- 
neuvered. All this the four years of his 
Hamden school life taught him thoroughly, 
and thus, what, at the time, seemed the 
least useful of his acquirements, proved 
to be by far the most important, 

Sooh after leaving school, his character 
began to assume a serious and manly cast. 
It would almost seem as if the stem duties 
and the early death, that loomed in the 
near future, already threw back a shade 
upon his life. While in Rrattleboro, at a 
visitation of the bishop, he acknowledged 
his baptismal obligations, and received 
from his father’s hands bis first com- 
munion, At the same time with him, a 
cousin, his equal in age, was also con- 
firmed, They soon separated to meet no 
more j>d earth, the latter, from family 
connection, removing to the South, It 

was, in miniature, an example of a wide 
spread sorrow. Cousins, almost brothers 
in affection, playmates in childhood, 
kneeling side by side in the solemn service 
of their common church, they parted to 
fight through that long weary struggle 
with equal bravery, and, no doubt, with 
equal earnestness of conviction, the one 
for, and the other against, the flag of their 
country. 

In the spring of 1861, he had cotumcueed 
the study of law at Brattle boro, in the 
office of his uncle, Hon. Roy all Tyler. 
When the first call was issued for volun- 
teers, for three years or the war, lie at once 
wrote to his father asking permission to 
enlist. If such promptness of application 
is an example of the zeal of our young 
men, the brief answer which he received 
by return mail, illustrates the feeiing 
equally prevalent among their parents: 

'Ah Dtcak If you do not en 

list, you will be ashamed hereafter to look 
your children in the face." 

He joined, as a private, the mm then 
being enrolled in Brattleboro, and when 
they were organized as company C, of the 



Second Regiment, he was chosen First 
Lieutenant, Ins commission bearing date 
May 17, 1861 June £4, the regiment left 
Burlington on its way to the front. From 
that time to the end, bis history is merged 
in that of the regiment. The sou or 
brother marched away in the flush of 
youth and strength, with a tear on his 
cheek and the light of hope in his eye, and, 
save a brief leave of absence, they saw 
him no more till he was brought back to 
them, tenderly, in that dreamless sleep 
which no reveille shall disturb. 

Within a short month of his departure, 
we gain our first destined view of the first 
lieutenant of Co. C\, revealed by the lurid 
glare of Bull Run's luckless fight, Captain 
Todd wounded, and he in chief command, 
rallying his men with an indignant appeal 
as to I( what they would say in Vermont, 
if the Green Mountain boys did hoe stand 
firm though all others fled/ 1 On the 8th 
of January, Capt, Todd resigned, and 
Lieut. Tyler was promoted to his place, 
January 23, 1862, Capt, Tyler retained 
the command of Co. C for 14 months, not- 
withstanding several proposals of promo- 
tion by transfer to other regiments. This 
period included the campaigns of Mo- 
del lart, Pope and Burnside, and in most 
oT the severe engagements of that battle 
summer he was present. 

Occasioual letters, written during the 
advance and retreat on the Peninsula, are 
preserved. He speaks with pride of tho 
Vermont brigade at Lee's Mills; at Wil- 
liamsburg, in the fearful battles of the 
seven days, and in the terrible retreat 
through White Oak Swamp. After de- 
scribing the repulse of the pursuing rebels 
at Savage Skit ion, June 26, '63, he says: 

■ ' The darkness was so intense we could 
not see our hands before us; but the retreat, 
must be continued, and on we tramp 
through rain, mud and in Cereal darkness, 
until White Oak Swamp lies between us 
and the foe. We marched all night, many 
a poor fellow, exhausted, fell out of the 
ranks, to be picked up by rebel cavalry 
On the 30th, everything promised a day of 
rest. The swamp covers our rear, and the 
bridge is destroyed. The men rest and 
sleep as bem they may* and a supply of 
provisions is brought up, When all is 
quiet, in the twinkling of an eye, the 



BE ATTLEBORO, 



155 



rebels, from forty pieces of rifled ord nance, 
planted with consummate skill, pour their 
leaden hail into our midst, *Twas the 
most terrific scene I ever witnessed. Our 
batteries were unable for some time to re- 
turn their fire, on account of their immense- 
losses in men and horses; hut reinforce- 
ments arriving, and our division having 
rallied from what promised to he a panic, 
we held our ground until midnight, and 
then covering the retreat by marching the 
remainder of the night, we reached James 
River at 7 a. m>, next day. 11 

August 27, he writes, from camp near 
Alexandria, Ya, : 

,c Wc arc all in good health, i. e., those 
that are left of us. Only 45 of the 87 who 
left Erattleboro for Burlington are now fit 
for duty; one-half gone in one year; in 
two — mus ftdJWtoS. ° 

In October following, Iris younger 
brother, Rufus Cl Tyler, arrived at camp in 
charge of a company of recruits from Ver- 
mont Rufus, not quite 15, had enlisted 
as a private in the HUi Regiment, Capt, 
Tyler procured it is immediate discharge, 
on the plea of Lender age* Rufus, having 
bad some experience in sea life, obtained 
a commission m the volunteer navy, where 
he served to the end of the war, taking 
purl in the capture of Fort Fisher and in 
other naval engagements. He was lost at 
sea while mate of that unfortunate ship. 
General Giant. 

On the Uih of February, 1868, Captain 
Tyler was coni missioned major in place of 
Major Stone, promoted. Op the 3d and 
4th of May following, occurred the battle 
of Fredericksburg, and Major Tyler, as 1 
once before, when captain, crossed the 
Rappahannock with the Vermont brigade* 
The Sixili Corps, flushed with victory , by 
taking the almost impregnable heights, 
were forced hack by the overwhelming 
forces of Longstrflet and Andeisou. 

Major Wales, then Captain of Co* C, 
recalls an incident of this fight. 11 Major 
Tyler/ 1 be says, " in the highest excite- 
ment w^s leading the regiment in a charge, 
pel! me II up the hill, clearing the rifle pits, 
out of which the rebels were tumbling 
1 ike s w al lows out o f a ban k . W li en abo u t 
half up. the order of recall was given 
‘ Mot till we have taken those works/ said 
die major, and it is a singular fact, could 

not hear the order till we had done it. ” 



In September, 1863, the Second Ver- 
mont, under the command of Map Tyler, 
was sent io Hew York and Poughkeepsie 
to enforce the draft. After the tramp of 
the Six Lb Corps through Culpepper to 
Madison Court House, he adds this post- 
script. to a letter of March 4, 1864 : 

** I omitted to mention an important 
event of our late expedition. I captured 
a small contraband; have him to black my 
boots; says his name is Andy — never had 
any other. I have affixed Johnson, of 
Tennessee/’ 

Andy, now known as Andrew J, lie id, 
remained in Col, Tyler's service till his 
death, and is still with ids relatives in 
Brattle boro. 

His commission as Lieutemuit-Colonul is 
dated April 2, 1864, but its reception by 
him was delayed until the 24th, on which 
day his last tetter to Iris father thus briefly 
annouuces his promotion: 

"Rev. Dr. Tyler: Compliments of his 
affectionate son, 

John Tvletl, Lt.-Col, Yt. YoIb/* 

Hitherto, in all the battles in which he 
had been engaged, he had escaped unin- 
jured, but al the sanguinary struggle of 
May 4th , In the Wilderness, when the 
Vermont brigade, at such a fearful sacri- 
fice, maintained the very key of General 
Grant's position, he received what proved 
to be hU death wound. In the same 
charge upon the rebel Hue, Col Stone was 
killed and Ll.-Col Tyler fell, struck in the 
thigh by several buckshot. As his boot, 
filled with blood, be supposed the femoral 
artery was pierced and that he should im- 
mediately bleed to death. He urged his 
men to go abend, as it was useless to re- 
move him. He was, however, removed 
to the field hospital, where the bleeding 
for a time stopped, to again commence, 
and he sank from exhaustion and died May 
23, having completed bisglst year the 20th 
of April preceding. His commission as 
colonel, dated May 6, 1864, was forwarded 
to his uncle by Gov. J. G. Smith, with the 
highest testimonials as to bis character 
and abilities. 

Hon. Frederick Holbrook, who was 
governor during two years of the war, and 
from whom he received his commissi ou as 
cap Lain and major, says of him; 

"I knew Col. Tyler intimately and was 
fondly attached to him for his many manly 



153 



BRATTLEEORO. 



traits and virtues, and fully believed, be- 
fore time had proved it, be would make a 
man in the best sense of that term. I well 
remember his patriotic enthusiasm in rais- 
ing a company for the war, and the faith- 
fulness and perseverance with which he 
d I Bcharged e v cry d a Ly as a sol d i cr. I may 
say, in a few words, that 1 the elements 
were so mlxerl in him. ' as to make him one 
of th e best of our volunteer office rs. —Ex- 
tract from ihs Tyhr Papers* 

PEOTtGE BATY BLAlvIi, 

The ♦ youngest of nine children of John 
Welland and Abigail Jones Blake, was 
born at Brut t) chore, Yt., May 10, 1808. 
His father and mother were married at 
Brattleboixb May 24, 1790, by Gardner 
Chase, Esq, His mother died Dec. 14, 
1808, within a few months after George's 
birth, at the age of 42 years, and his father 
Oct. 27, ISIS, aged 59 years. They were 
both buried in the beautiful graveyard on 
the hill near their Brat tie boro home. 

George, tli us early left an Orphan, was 
placed, during a portion of his Infancy* 
and cared for by Stephen Green leaf and 
his family, living at the West Village, and 
in after years he held their memory in 
grateful remembrance. Subsequently lie 
lived at the homestead until the age of 
thirteen. His eldest sister, Anna Sophia, 
who, iu 1814* married Henry Cabot, son 
of Hon, George Cabot, of Boston, had 
charge of the household during George's 
childhood until she went to Boston upon 
her marriage, and there lived until her 
death in 1845. Mrs. Cabot Is well remem- 
bered in Boston society of the time, for 
her personal charms and her winning, 
social graces. 

Alter the death of his father, George 
was for a few years particularly under the 
charge of his eldest brother, John Rice 
Blake. These brothers, the eldest, and 
youfigest of the family, long survived the 
other children, and were for twenty years 
or more partners iu the banking business, 
which George undertook about the year 
1850, in Boston, and to which the energies 
of the remain lug years of hia life were 
largely given. 

Although George's father had been a 
man of very considerable wealth for the 
time, at his death the family were left 



quite poor, so that when Mr. Dicker man* 
a dry goods dealer from Boston, who 
chanced to see George, then a lad of thir- 
teen, in BraUloboro, and offered him a 
place in his store, the family gladly availed 
themselves of the offer* and the boy went 
to Boston . He li vc d a t first w r t b 1 1 i s s I ste r , 
Mrs, Cabot, in Wiutbrop Place* Boston, 
and for two or three years received from 
his brother John and this sister $50 a year, 
which was the only money help he ever 
received. He was in Mr. Dickcrman’s 
employ a few years, and went thence to 
his brother in law, Edward Clarke, of Ed- 
ward Clarke & Uo. dry goods importers, and 
before he was 21 years of age. Mr, Clarke 
took him into the firm as partner, and he 
went at once to England to buy goods. 
From this time, in L838, he was constantly 
going to England and the Continent of 
Europe for the purchase of goods, making 
many acquaintances and some life-tong 
friendships. Among many others he thus 
came to know George Peabody, at that 
time a buyer of dry goods fur his Balti- 
more firm, and afterwards long resident in 
Loudon* where for several years Mr, Blake 
had large business relations with Ids firm. 

May 24* 1833, Mr. Blake married his 
cousin, Anna Hull, daughter of Joshua 
Blake, of Boston, a prominent and suc- 
cessful merchant, doing business wiLh the 
Mediterranean ports. They were married 
at her father's house in Win th hop Place, 
by the Rev, F, W. P. Greenwood, of 
King's Chapel, at which church Mr. Blake 
then, and during his whole life* at- 
tended service, acting for several years 
as vestryman, and always taking a deep 
and lively interest in the church and its 
several clergymen. 

In these early years in England, Mr. 
Blake made the acquaintance of Richard 
fcobden, the distinguished English states- 
man. then, in 1835* partner in a cotton 
printing establishment near Manchester* 
where he had built up a prosperous busi- 
n ess ♦ Mr, E! a ke at this ti i n e bou gl 1 1 goods 
of Mr. Cobden* and had a great admiration 
for the qualities which later won him such 
distinction as a legislator and political 
economist. Mr. Blake gave full adherence 
to Mr. Cobden’s free trade views, and was 
always of the opinion that for any country 
custom duties were only to be justified by 



BE ATTLEBORO . 



15 ? 



the need of revenue, lie recognized, how- 
ever, for the United S Lutes, that reform in 
this direction, in justice to large vested 
interests, must he somewhat gradual; but 
looked confidently to absolute free trade 
for all «, nations, and believed that in the 
not distant future, the United States, Uir 
tier a free trade policy, would be cotton 
manufacturers for the world. 

The children of this marriage were nine, 
of whom the two first born died in infancy, 
and the youngest of aJl T bearing the name 
of his paternal grandfather, John Welland, 
died in 18B1, aged nearly 15 years, Thu 
other children, four sons and two daugh- 
ters, are still surviving, in the year 18130, 
and all the sons were for years partners in 
their father's firms in Boston, Hew York 
and London. This business is still con- 
tinued bj r the sons and their associates 
selected by Mr. Blake, essentially as 
established by him. 

Mr- Blake, after leaving the firm of Ed- 
ward Clarke & Co, , formed a copartnership 
for the importation of dry goods with Mr, 
William A) my, under the firm name of 
Almy, Blake <& Co,, and during Uus Lime 
and subsequently was constantly crossing 
the Atlantic for the prosecution of his 
business in buying goods through England, 
France and Belgium, He next formed a 
copartnership with David Kevins and 
Edward H. R. Lyman, under the firm 
name of George B, Blake *& Co,, also im- 
porters of dry goods. Both these gentle* 
men still survive, Mr, Kevins living near 
Boston, carrying on a large manufacturing 
business, and Mr, Lyman in Brooklyn, 
N, Y. ( has been long associated with bis 
brother-in-law, Mr. A. A, Low, in the firm 
of A. A. Low & Bros., the prominent 
China firm. 

About the year 1S4G, Mr. Blake’s health, 
which had always been delicate, failing 
him, he was obliged to give up active 
business, and in the spring of 7847, he 
bought an estate in Brookline, near Bos- 
ton, where he lived the rest of his life 
excepting during the winters of the last 
few years; these were passed at his house 
in Boston. 

During the three or four years' interval 
in his active business career, Mr. Blake be- 
came a director in the Boston A Worcester 
Railroad, and took a most active interest 



in the affairs of that corporation, giving 
much of his lime and energy to the devel- 
op in cut o f i ts g ro w i t ig b um □ ess. He w as 
one of the very earliest to favor and pro- 
mote the joining of this railroad with 
the Western road. In 18o0, Mr, Blake 
associated himself with Mr Addison Gil- 
more, president of the Western (now 
Boston A Albany) road, and Mr, George 
Cabot Ward, son of Thomas G. Ward, 
Boston agent of Bluing Bros, A Co,, of 
London, for the prosecuLion or a foreign 
and domestic banking business. The firm 
name was Gilmore, Blake A Ward, Mr. 
Gilmore dying very suddenly shortly after 
this firm was established, the name was 
changed to Blake, Ward A Go., and later 
to Blake, Howe & Co, At this time his 
brother, John Rice Blake, came from 
Brattlcboro and joined him as partner, the 
firm name being later changed to BlalvC 
Brothers A Go., the three eldest sons join- 
ing as partners about the year 78(10. 

One of the leading aims of Mr Blake, 
throughout his business career, was to 
advance in every possible way the com- 
mercial interests of Boston. He was 
largely mstru mental in securing and main 
Uiiuing the regular visits of the Cu mud 
steamers to that port. 

During the civil war he was always most 
warmly interested in the maintenance of 
the Union. Originally a Whig in politics, 
and voting for Henry Clay in the p resi- 
de Eitiu] election, Mr. Blake early sympa- 
thized la the views of Garrison, Sumner 
and the others who looked upon African 
slavery In the United States as a barbarism. 
With many other law-abiding citizens of 
Massachusetts, his sense of justice was 
shocked by the enforcement of the fugitive 
slave law in Boston, by the returning of 
Anthony Burns into servitude. He en- 
deavored to prevent this by offering, 
through a friend, to buy Burns of his 
owner, who then refused to sell his prop- 
erty at any price. 

When the State of Massachusetts was 
rapidly forwarding troops for the sup- 
pression of the Rebellion, and incurring a 
large debt for bounties and other war ex- 
penses, the money market bad become 
exceedingly active, so that the State, for 
providing money on their notes having a 
few months to run, paid as high as 12 per 
cent, per annum. At this time it became 



lbs 



RR ATTLEBORO, 



necessary for funding her bounty loan 
indebtedness, that the Slate should prompt- 
ly secure some three or four millions of 
dollars. This was finally done by a sale 
to' Mr, Blake, by Gov, Andrew and his 
council, of two millions of five per cent. 
sterling bonds, with a short option for 
another million and a half at the price 
agreed upon. Mr. Bbtlee was then made, 
by Gov. Andrew, agent for the Slain for 
the negotiation of this loan, which he was 
authorized to domiciliate for payment of 
principal and interest in Loudon, with 
either of several firms selected by Mr, 
Blake and approved by the State authori- 
ties, foremost among whom were the 
Barings and Rothschilds, Mr, Blake went 
at once to London on this mission, but 
found the times most unfavorable for such 
negotiations, the Bank of England having 
suddenly advanced the rate of interest to 
ten per cent. Finally he succeeded in 
inducing the Barings u> take a joint in- 
terest in this purchase of two millions. 
Owing to the condition of the London 
money market, however r no bonds bud 
been sold up to the time when the option 
to take the further amount was maturing. 
Mr. Blake. however, took the further re- 
sponsibility of assuming the additional 
amount. He always felt that the de- 
served high credit of Massachusetts was 
largely due to the strong sense and high 
integrity of Gov, Andrew, insisting upon 
the payment of gold for the principal and 
interest of the State debt throughout the 
suspension of specie payment by the 
Ifni Led States government, 

Mr, Blake died at his house in Brook- 
line, Aug. G, 187 A his death resulting from 
a severe attack of paralysis ilL his office in 
Boston two days before. Ills wife had 
died two years previous, June 7, 1873, at 
the Brookline home. 

Geo. B. Bt,ake. 

[From the Boston Daily Advertiser of 
August 11, 1875. Written by Gamaliel 
Bradford]. 

The recent removal by death of Mr. 
George .Bitty Blake from business circles, 
will turn back the memories of many men 
over the Iasi fifty years of the commercial 
history of Boston, The youngest of nine 
children, of a highly respectable family in 
Brat tie boro, V t. , be came to Boston in 
1821, with nothing but his own exertions 



to depend upon. Amid the numerous 
temptations which a city life offers to 
young men, be kepi himself pure and his 
moral character free from reproach. His 
aspirations were high and were aided by 
an innate refinement, which distinguished 
him through life. His manners and bear- 
ing were always those of a gentleman, and 
nothing coarse or vulgar ever found favor 
with him. 

Probably there is no society sn the world 
where the English language is spoken, in 
which Mr. Blake would not have borne 
himself with credit. Of his commercial 
sagacity there is no need to apeak. In the 
long course of his business career he never 
failed to meet his engagements promptly, 
and during the years in which he acted as 
a director of the Boston & Worcester Rail- 
road, his judgment, energy and decision 
were such ns to command the respect of 
hts associates in an unusual degree. 

Mr. Blake delighted Lo select young 
men, to give them a chance of advance- 
ment, and to feel that they owed their 
success to him. During an acquaintance 
of nearly 30 years), of which 17 were passed 
in close and daily inter course, the writer 
of Lhis notice never received from him a 
harsh or unkind word To his inferiors in 
station he was uniformly kind and cour- 
teous, a fact lo which many attached 
dependants can bear witness. In bis 
family relations he was affectionate, almost 
without limit, and, as a father, at once in- 
dulgent and firm. IF the tree is to be 
judged by its fruit, lie needs no other 
monument than the character of the group 
of children who received his last adieus. 

Without theological bigotry, Mr. Blake 
was decidedly a religious man. His at- 
tendance at church was regular and quite 
as muck from pleasure as duty, He. has 
often been heard lo speak with emotion of 
sermons which particularly pleased him. 
His reverence for sacred things, though 
unostentatious, was real, and any man 
who acted from conscientious motives was 
sure of respectful treatment from him. 
He professed to be, and we believe was, 
governed by a sense of responsibility to a 
higher power. We are quite sure that his 
descendants will attach less value to the 
pecuniary inheritance which devolves upon 
them, than to the memory which they can 
Lhus cherish and hold in honor. 



BRATTLEBORO. 



kfv, jotm Cj\ uvrs holbkook, d, d., 

Brother of Ex-Gov. Holbrook, was born 
in this town June 7, 1808. His father, 
Dea, John Holbrook, of whom is a brief 
account in this work, commencing on page 
34, was the first publisher of the 4to Bible 
in the United States who made use of 
stereotype plates. Said plates were im- 
ported from England about 1810, and first 
put in use in this, then small village, in 
the remarkably successful enterprise. 

John C. was fortunate in his mental and 
physical organization, and well improved 
his opportunities for intellectual culture. 
He was full of life, activity and good hu- 
mor, and invariably a leading Spirit with 
his associates. He was two years a stu- 
dent at Hopkins Academy, in Had ley , 
M ass. , u d d er He v. Da n Hu u t i agio n, fath er 
of Bishop Huntington, r>f Central New 
York; one year under the tuition of Rev. 
E, H, Newton, and two years a cadet in 
Capt. Partridge's Military Academy, Nor- 
wich, Vt., at the most prosperous period 
Of that institution. 

Soon after he entered as clerk in the 
book store of Messrs. Holbrook & Fessen- 
den. 

He became a member of the Congrega- 
tional Church under the ministration of 
Rev. Jonathan McGee. After a few years 
he succeeded his father in the book pub- 
lishing and paper making business. Sub- 
sequently He became a member of the firm 
of Richardson, Lord <& Holbrook, in 
Boston, one of the oldest and most exten- 
sive book selling houses in the United 
States, and removed to that city, where 
he conceived the plan of the Comprehen- 
sive Commentary on the Bible, in d royal 
8vo volumes, and of the Encyclopedia of 
Religious Knowledge and the Polyglot 
Family Bible, which were prepared under 
his direction. “He sold out his interest in 
Boston and returned to Brattleboro to 
publish the aforementioned and other 
works. From about this time his action 
seemed wholly under the control of a high 
ideal. However it might he with his per- 
sonal interests, he seemed determined to 
leave this world in a better moral condi- 
tion than he found it. His publications 
were all of a religious character, and his 
undertakings great; but be would rather 



ISfi 

fail, and even perish, in a good cause than 
to succeed in a bad oue. Success in bush 
ness was mainly desirable that he might 
have the ability to forward his religions 
and beneficent plans. White prosperity 
attended him, He assisted several young 
men iu fitting for the ministry. 

In the days of his youth, some fifty years 
ago, his mind was much exercised iu re- 
gard to the great west, for he believed the 
time not distant when she would control 
in our national councils. Therefore, not 
only the welfare of the union, but of 
the world, demanded that the ideas of 
religious and political freedom, inculcated 
by the fathers of New England, be early 
implanted in the growing communities of 
the west, 

His last great business undertaking 
proved too much for his means, and the 
Brattle boro Typographic Co. was incor- 
porated, of which he was President, to 
continue the business. Before 1840 be 
gave up this position and removed to Dav- 
enport, Iowa. While there be was licensed 
to preach by the Congregational Associa- 
tion, and became pastor of n church hi the 
city of Dubuque in the same State, and in 
18 42 w as o rd ai n e d . Here be labor ed el even 
years and was instrumental in building up 
one of the strongest churches in the State, 
He was then invited to remove to Chicago 
and establish and edit the Congregational 
Herald, and to establish the New England 
Congregational Church, now one of the 
leading churches of the city and State. 
After three years of labor there he was 
re -called to the pastorate of his former 
church in Dubuque, where he labored 
eleven years longer. 

Being solicited to undertake the rais- 
ing of an endowment fund for Iowa Col- 
lege, he removed to Boston, and, in a little 
more than a year, collected upwards of 
forty thousand dollars for that purpose. 
While engaged in this work, he was called 
to become pastor of the old and large Coo 
gregational Church iu Homer, N. Y. Dur- 
ing his ministration of six years in Homer, 
be was induced, by the American Mission- 
ary Association, of New' York City, to 
visit Great Britain and address meetings, 
held for raising funds for the education of 
the lately liberated slaves of f this country 
He accepted this invitation, having leave 



160 



BRATTLEBORO. 



of absence from his church, and was ena- 
bled to send home about thirty thousand 
dollars for this object. During his ab- 
sence he visited the principal parts of 
England aud Scotland, portions of Ireland 
and the continent, going to Palis and 
thence to Italy, as tar south as Naples, and 
returning through Switzerland. While 
absent he wrote a series of letters for the 
Boston Recorder, and occasionally one 
for the Congregationalist and New York 
Independent, as well as for the Dubuque 
Daily Times. 

From Homer he was called to the pas- 
torate of the Congregational Church in 
Stockton, one of the chief cities of Cali- 
fornia, aud after two years’ labor there, 
was chosen by the General Association of 
New York State, in 1872, Secretary of the 
newly formed Home Missionary Society, 
and removed to Syracuse, where he has 
since resided in the discharge of the duties 
of this important office. 

>fv. Holbrook was married in 1829, to 
Miss Cynthia S. Tuttle, of Windsor, Vt., 
by whom he had four children, all de 
ceased. She died in Davenport, Iowa, of 
consumption. His present wife was Miss 
Ann L. Clark, of Platteville, Wis. They 
have no children, but adopted and brought 
up as their own, two sisters, both now' 
married aud settled in Stockton and Du- 
buque. 

While living in Brattleboro, Mr. Hol- 
brook was chosen deacon at the same 
time his father was in that office in the 
same church, (a rare case,) and was super- 
intendent of the Sunday School. 

in Boston he was a member of Dr. Ly- 
man Beecker's church, and for a time the 
clerk of it - 

While in the west he aided in founding 
Iowa College, and was one of its trustees 
while he lived in the State. In Chicago 
he also co-operated in originating and 
founding the nourishing Chicago Theolog- 
ical Seminary, and was one of its directors, 
and for a time Vice President of the Board. 

In 1863, the honorary degree of D. D. 
was conferred upon him by Williams Col 
iege, of w*hich Dr. Mark ITopkins was 
President. 

The grandmother of Mr. riolbrook, Sybil 
Lane, was a lineal descendant of Gov. 
Bradford, of Plymouth Colony. 



Since 1856 he has been a corporate m em- 
ber of the American Board of Commis- 
sioners for Foreign Missions. He was one 
of the originators and members of the His- 
toric Albany Convention of Coogregation- 
alists, and lias several times been delegate 
to the National Couucil of that denomina- 
tion. 

While he resided in Brattleboro he man- 
ifested much interest in all public im 
provements, and was active in the project- 
ed railroad from Brattleboro to Troy. He 
was also appoint ed by the Governor of 
Vermont, Commissioner to superintend 
the expenditure of three thousand dollars, 
granted by the Legislature to procure a 
preliminary survey of a route for a railroad 
from the south line of the State, uorth on 
the west bank of the Connecticut, which 
was accomplished by Prof. Twiniug, of 
New Haven, Conn., and which prepared 
the way of the present Connecticut and 
Valley Railroads. 

He was also one of the four original 
Trustees of the Vermont Asylum for the 
Insane, under the will of the founder, Mrs. 
Marsh, aud by the act of incorporation. 
He took a deep interest in the establish- 
ment and progress of this important insti- 
tution, and, in spite of discouragement, it 
was largely owing to his influence aud 
persistent efforts that it went into opera- 
tion. 

Mr. Holbrook is still, at the age of 73, 
(1830,) actively eugaged in superintending 
the operations of the New York Home 
Missionary {Society, of which he is Secre- 
tary, having charge of all its affairs in the 
State, 

LIEUT. COL. ADDIS05 BUOWN 

Was boru at Brattleboro, Vt., June 6, 1838, 
and was, at the time of his death, in his 
26th year. His father, the Rev . Addison 
Brown, of Brattleboro, Vt., was well aud 
favorably known throughout the State. 

Armed with the rudiments of a good ed- 
ucation, impressed with the moral and re- 
ligious teachings of his home, and with the 
spirit of enterprise not uncommon to 
American youths, young Brown left the 
paternal roof at an early period in life, 
and sought his fortune in the Western 
States. At Rockford, 111., and on the up- 
per Mississippi in Minnesota, he prosecuted 
business with an industry and intelligence 



BE ATTLEBORO. 



101 



that gave promise to future success. lie- 
turning to visit bis friends in Vermont, be 
was induced to remain in the East for a 
time, and the breaking out of the war of 
the rebellion, in April, 1 80 X t found him in 
the city of New York. 

Filler] with ao ardent love of country, 
and true to the principles of Republican 
liberty, he volunteered at. the first beat of 
the drum, and enlisted as a private m the 
12tb Regiment, New York Volunteer Mil- 
ilia, a three month's Regiment, command- 
ed by Colonel, afterwards MaJ. General 
Butterfield. The Regiment took part in 
Patterson’s campaign in the Shenandoah 
Valley. 

After the muster out of said Regiment, 
private Brown returned to Brattleboro, 
assisted in raising a company, and, in Sep- 
tember, 1801, again entered the service as 
Captain of Co. F, 4th Vermont Volun- 
teers. 

The winter of 18 61-2, one of great, mor- 
tality to Vermont troops, Capt. Brown 
fell a victim to disease, and for several 
weeks remained iu a critical condition, 
but before the opening of the spring was 
able to be with his command. 

In March, 1802. he accompanied his 
command to Fortress Monroe, and up the 
Peninsula to Warwick Creek, where the 
drat engagement of note took place, April 
10, 18G2, on which occasion Capt Brown, 
though not in the most, active part of the 
engagement, displayed, under heavy fire 
and trying circumstances, the calm and 
deliberate enthusiasm for which he was 
afterwards so justly distinguish ecL At 

the battles of WMUamsburgh, Golding's 
Farm and Savage Station, he bore a a hon- 
orable part with his Regiment. 

At the battle of Gramptou’s Gap, (Smith 
Mountain,) Sept. 14, 1802, in the charge 
that a rove the rebels from their chosen 
position, the 4th Vermont scaled the 
heights, and captured a Virginia Regiment 
almost entire. In this brilliant affair Capt. 
Brown bore an active and distinguished 
part. 

At the battles of Antic tain, Fredericks- 
burg, Bank's Ford, Gettysburg, Fun Up- 
town, Orange Grove, Opcquau and the 
Wilderness, Capt. Brown was always 
where duty called him, and showed quick 
comprehension, great presence of mind 
and justly won great praise 



Sept. 20 , 1864, the term of service of the 
4th Vermont expired. His commission as 
Lieut. Colonel of the 5th Regiment, bad 
not reached him; under these circumstan- 
ces, in obedience to existing orders, he had 
but one course to pursue, and that was to 
return to Yermoot with that portion of the 
Regiment ordered there to he mustered 
out. Arriving in Vermont with the 4th 
Regiment, Col. Brown spent a short time 
with Iris friends, and, upon receiving word 
that his commission as Lieut. Colonel of 
f the 5th Regiment had been forwarded to 
the army in the field, be left home for ric- 
Live service again. 

At the Lime Col, Brown left for Ver- 
mont with the 4th Regiment, his health 
was considerably impaired, hut ii was not 
anticipated that it was seriously so. It 
was hoped that a few weeks of rest from 
the cares, arduous labors and severe expos- 
ures of the service would restore him to 
health again. He returned to the field 
with renewed hope and zeal, it is true, but 
with unrest.ored health. A leave of ab- 
duce was granted him, and lie left lu3 
command Dec. 8, 1804, for Rockford, 111., 
to regain Ins health and strength and re- 
turned to duty again. But he had ended 
his last campaign, Uc had fought Ids last 
battle. The severity of the service had 
, been too much for his physical system, 
and be who had stood firm while others 
q u ailed , a t las t y i el d ed to d isease . Ac ti ng 
upon medical advice, he started with his 
devoted wife, for the coast of Florida, He 
had not proceeded far when it became 
evident that his strength was too rapidly 
failing for so long a journey, and stop- 
ped for the night at Harrisburg, Penn, t 
where he died March 8, 18(1 A 

Ills example was for good, and his dally 
conduct was worthy of imitation. He 
never yielded to the use of intoxicating 
drinks, so prevalent in the armjj and on 
no occasion was Col. Brown ever heard to 
use a profane or licentious word. His 
conversation was direct and agreeable, and 
his language pure and simple. He was 
very particular to do exact justice to all, 
and he would spare no paius to see that 
the humblest soldier of his command bad 
full justice done him. While he was kind 
to all, he frowned indignantly upon any 
act of cowardice or disposition to shirk 



162 



BRATTLEBORO. 



the performance of duty. He was an af- 
fectionate man. lie remembered home 
and friends, and would often speak of the 
loved ones there in terms of fond endear- 
ment. 

In the winter of 1862-3 he married the 
accomplished daughter of Melancthon 
Starr, Esq., of Rockford, 111., to whom he 
was devotedly attached. During the se- 
verest campaigns he would find a few 
moments time, nearly or quite every day, 
usually just before seeking rest, by sleep, 
to write a few lines to her and other 
friends, how it went with him and his 
country’s cause. 

In the death of Col. Brown, Vermont 
lost one of her noblest sons, a true soldier 
and an honest man. — Extract from Vermont 
1 J hernia*.. 

OHOUT FAMILY LN BltATTLEBOKO. 

The genealogy and history of the Grout 
family, of Westminster and Newfane, and 
afterwards of West Brattleboro, Vt., is 
briefly as follows : 

Dea. Jokn Gkoet was born in West- 
minster, Vt., August 17, 1788, went to live 
in Newfane about 1810, moved to West 
Brattleboro iD 1836, and died here Octo- 
ber 16, 1851. He was son of John Grout, 
of Westminster, Vt., who was the son of 
Thomas, of Spencer. Mass., who was the 
son of John, of Sudbury, Mass., who was 
the son of John, of the same town, who 
was the son of Capt. John, of Watertown 
and Dudley, who came over from England 
to America, about 1634, at the age of eigh- 
teen, who is believed to have been the son 
of Richard Grout, or Groutte, of Walton, 
in the county of Derby, England, whose 
family is supposed to have settled in Corn 
wall, in the west part of England, during 
the reign of Ilcnry II., 1154-89, and to 
have originated in Germany, where they 
bore the name of Grolius, or Groot, alias 
Grote, Gross, Gros, or Graus, who are be- 
lieved to be the descendants of the Grudii, 
or the Great, of whom Caesar speaks as 
among the daring tribes of Belgic Gaul, 
upwards of fifty years previous to the 
Christian era. 

John Grout was married to Azubah, 
daughter of Jonathan Dunklee, of Brattle- 
boro, May 28, 1811, and had nine children, 
of whom eight were sons. Ilis wife, Azu- 



bah, died in West Brattleboro, July 24.. 
1866, aged 73 years; his own age, ut the 
time of his death, being 63 years. 

Lewis, the eldest of the children, was 
born January 28, 1815; fitted for college, 
in part, at Brattleboro Academy, and in 
part at Burr Seminary, Manchester, Vt. ; 
graduated at Yale in 1842. Having taught 
nearly two years at West Point, N. Y., 
he studied theology at New Haven two 
years, graduated at Andover (Ms.) Theolog- 
ical Seminar}* in 1846. and was ordained 
October 8, same year, as a missionary to 
Soulli Africa, and married to Misa Lydia 
Bates, in 8pring6eld, Vt., whence he and 
his wife started, the same day, for missioo 
work, under the auspices of the American 
Board, among the Zulus, in Natal. Two 
months’ sailing brought them to the Cape 
of Good Hope, where they spent six weeks, 
then set sail for the rest of the voyage, and 
reached their desired haven February 15, 
1847. Mr. Grout's mission life was one of 
much activity, labor and study, of a pio- 
neer character, full of solid reality, yet not 
a little diversified with what, in America, 
would be regarded as wild and romantic. 
He gave much time and attention to the 
study of African languages, especially the 
Zulu, of which it became his duty, by ap- 
pointment of the mission of which he was 
a member, to prepare a grammar, ne 
translated the Scriptures and prepared oth- 
er books in the Zulu tongue, for the na- 
tives; having charge of the printing press 
for a time at his station. Umsunduzi. He 
was also engaged in teaching and preach- 
ing, traveling and exploring; establishing 
a station aud organizing a church where 
there had never been a trace of civilization 
or Christianity ; and no obliged to be, for 
himself and his people, architect and car- 
penter, brickmaker and mason, wheel- 
wright. and blacksmith, tamer and trainer 
of oxen and horses, physician and dentist, 
farmer and magistrate— to say nothing of 
finding and building roads, fording rivers, 
and trapping leopards, and nothing of in- 
cidental studies in Natural History, of pre- 
paring a sketch of the native tribes, of 
having now and then a controversial bout 
with the Colonial Government in behalf of 
Aboriginal rights; or with Bishop Colenso 
on Biblical teaching, moral science, and the 
proper way of treating polygamy among 



BRATTLEBORO. 



163 



a heathen people in their coming to em- 
brace the Christian faith and enter the 
church of Christ All which manifold 
duties and vocations left no time for idle- 
ness, or even for that needful rest which a 
tropical clime makes all the move impera* 
live for the foreigner of a cooler sky. Yet 
here he labored fifteen years, or till March 
12, 1802, when, with impaired health, he 
made return sail, reaching Boston June 7, 
1862. 

Having rested for a time, Sept. 21st, he 
took charge of the Congregational church 
iu Saxtons River, for a year ; was then set- 
tled as pastor of the Congregational church 
in Feeding Hills, Mass., two years, after 
which, Oct. 1, 1865, he entered on an agen- 
cy for the American Missionary Associa- 
tion in New Hampshire aiul Vermont, an 
office which he still continues to hold, hav- 
ing his home in 'West Brattleboro. 

Admatua Grout, second son, born Feb. 
19, 1817; lilted for college in Brattleboro 
Academy; graduated from Dartmouth in 
1845, and from Union Theological Semi- 
nary in 1851. But failing health did not 
allow of; his entering upon the work of the 
ministry. He died in Osawatomic, Kansas 
Territory, Sept. 6, 1855, 

Hannah, third child, born May 9, 1819; 
married to Mr. Lyinan C. Ranney, of 
Westminster West, Aug. 18, 1859. They 
reside now at St. Job ns bury Centre. 

Sylvester Brsnop Grout, 4th child, 
born Feb. 7, 1822; married Nancy R. Mon- 
tague, of Guilford, Jan. 8, 1852; lived in 
West Brattleboro till March, 1872; re- 
moved to Kansas; is now living in Clarion, 
Kansas. Mrs. Grout died September 23, 
1879. 

Paulinus Scott Grout, born Nov. 18, 
1823; died in West Brattleboro, March 14, 
1847. 

Isaac A. Grout, born March 2,1826; went 
in early life to live with his uncle Isaac, in 
Putney; being of age, went to California, 
where he still resides. He was married 
April 10, 1879, to Mary T. Taft, of San 
Francisco. 

Chester Gilbert Grout, born April 3, 
1828; married Emeline Washburn, of 
Springfield, Vt. ; lived in Kansas for a 
time; went to Illinois, there volunteered 
during the late war, and entered the 7th 
Iowa regiment of the Federal army; was 



in several severe engagements, as at Bel- 
mout, Fort Douelson, and Fort Henry; is 
now living iu Kansas. 

Henry Martyn Grout, seventh son 
and eighth child, born May 14, 1831; grad- 
uated from Williams College in 1854, aud 
married Miss Fannie J. Foster, daughter 
of Rev. Amos Foster, of Putney, Vi. He 
was Principal, for a time, of Brattleboro 
Academy, afterwards of Monson Academy ; 
was licensed to preach in 1856; labored for 
a time in Marlboro, Vt. ; was afterwards 
installed over the church in Putney; called 
to West Rutland, was installed Aug. 26, 
1862. Ilis next pastorate, four years, was 
in West Springfield, Mass., after which lie 
was for several years associate editor in the 
literary department of the *' Congregation- 
al ist,” of Boston. He was called to the 
pastorate of Trinity Church, in Concord, 
Mass., in 1872, where he is still laboring; 
in 1878, received the honorary title of Doc- 
tor of Divinity, from his Alma Mater. 

John Mjlo Grout, 9th child of John 
and Azubali Grout, born April 13, 1835, in 
Ne whine, where all the other children 
were born ; was married May 25, 1858, to 
Miss Sarah A. Herrick, of West Braltle- 
boro. He engaged in mercantile business, 
for a time, in Hartford, Conn. ; afterwards 
in Putney, then in West Brattleboro; now 
resides iu Medford, Mass. 

While engaged in mission work, in Na- 
tal, the Rev. Lewis Grout was chosen cor- 
responding member of the American Ori- 
ental Society, in whose ''Journal' 1 may be 
found a number of literary and linguistic 
papers from his pen, such as an “Essay on 
the Zulu and other Dialects of South Af- 
rica,” “A Uniform Orthography of South 
African Dialects,” “Phonology and Or- 
thography” and “Particles of the Isizulu 
and its Cognates.” Among the other lite- 
rary productions of his pen are “Reply” 
and “Answer” to Bishop Colenso, on Po- 
lygamy, and a “Review of the Bishop’s 
Notes on Romans;” Dedicatory, Installing, 
Historical, and other “Sermons;” “Histo- 
ry of the Zulu and other tribes in South 
Africa;” “Reminiscences of Life among 
theZulu-Kaffirs;” “Zulu-Land,” “A Gram- 
mar of the Zulu Language;” “Zulu-Eng- 
lisli Vocabulary;” “English-Zulu Vocabu- 
lary;” and translations of Psalms, Acts, 
and other portions of the Bible into the 
Zulu language. Rev. Lewis Grout. 



101 



BRATTLEBORO. 



HON. DANrEL KELLOGG 

Was bom at Amherst, Mass., Feb. 10, 1701, 
graduated at Williams College in 1810, 
studied law with Gen. Martin Field, and 
commenced practice at Rockingham, Vt. 
in 1814, where he continued to reside until 
1854, when he removed to Brattleboro, 
where he died May 10, 1875, aged 84 years. 

The name and character of this gentle- 
man as a successful advocate at the bar. 
President of the Bellows Falls Bank and 
Judge of the Supreme Court, had long 
l>cen known to the people of Brattleboro, 
therefore, as was anticipated, the accession 
of himself and family to this community 
proved an acquisition of the most desira- 
ble character. In various ways did the 
action of Judge Kellogg and his estima- 
ble wife, the daughter of Judge Aldis, of 
St. Albans, contribute to the welfare and 
attractions of Brattleboro. To the Epis- 
copal Society, then struggling to obtain a 
foothold and a church building in this 
place, their influence and material aid was 
indispensable, and will ever be gratefully 
remembered. 

They purchased the estate of Hon. John 
Phelps on High Street, aud on grounds of 
the same erected a handsome residence. 
Mrs. Kellogg, by the exercise of her taste 
and culture, intellectual attainments and 
instructive conversation, rendered her 
home one of the most attractive resorts in 
this place. She was, we learn, a pupil in 
the Troy Seminary, under the manage- 
ment of Miss Willard, and graduated with 
great proficiency and honor from that in- 
stitution, which, at that time, had a repu- 
tation unequalled iu this couutry. 

The greater portion of Judge Kellogg’s 
active life had passed before he became a 
resident of this town, where he closed his 
long life of 84 years, therefore we give an 
extract from the pen of those qualified to 
give us correct information regarding him. 

"He married, first, Jane McAffee, of 
Rockingham; second, Merab Ann Bradley, 
daughter of Hon. Wni C. Bradley, of 
Westminster; third, Miranda M. Aldis, 
daughter of Hon. Asa Aldis, of St. Albans. 

He was for a few years State’s Attorney 
for Windham County, .and Judge of Pro- 
bate for the District of Westminster, Sec- 
retary to the old Governor and Council of 
Vermont, during the administration of 



Gov. Butler and Gov. Van Ness, United 
States District Attorney for the State of 
Vermont 12 years during the administra- 
tions of Gen. Jackson aud Mr. Vau Burcu, 
Adjutaut and Inspector General of the 
State, represented the town of Rockingham 
in the General Assembly, aud for two years 
State Senator for Windham County. In 
1843, he was chosen President of the State 
Constitutional Convention, and Judge of 
the Supreme Court of the Shite fvom 1845 
to 1852. 

His childreu were: Henry, born Aug. 
23, 1823, graduated at Williams College in 
1843, engaged iti the study of law with 
Hon. William C. Bradley, of Westminster, 
Vt., and was drowned while bathing in 
the Connecticut River at that place, June 
18, 1844. 

George B., born in November, 1825, 
studied law with Hon. Asa Keyes, of Brat 
leboro, married to Mary L. Sikes, daugh- 
ter of Urial Sikes, of Brattleboro, March 
15, 1847, commenced the practice of his 
profession at Rockingham in 1840, pooh 
after his father was elected Judge of the 
Supreme Court, removed to Brattleboro in 
1855, appointed Postmaster at Brattleboro 
in 1801, State’s Attorney for Windham 
County three years, Adjutant and Inspec- 
tor General for the State from 1854 to ’59. 
represented the town of Brattleboro in the 
General Assembly two years, was active 
in raising and enlisting the Vermont Cav- 
alry Rcgimeut. and was Lieut. Colonel 
thereof during the Rebellion, at the con- 
clusion of which he was discharged, and 
resumed the practice of his profession at 
St. Louis, where he died in November, 
1875. 

Sarah B. t born in August. 1831, mar- 
ried Henry A. Willard, of Washington, D. 
C., in November, 1855, where she now 
resides. 

Daniel, born April 9, 1834, married 
Margaret W. May, of Brattleboro, May 2, 
1861, was Postmaster at Brattleboro from 
1862 to July, 1868. 

At the time Judge Kellogg was elected 
an associate Justice of the Supreme Court 
he was in the enjoyment of a lucrative 
practice in the judicial district for which 
he was chosen, and although at the time 
he was open and undisguised in his devo- 
tion to the democracy, and had accepted 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the position of United Stales District At- 
torney for the Slate under Jackson , yet 
his fidelity in the discharge of his official 
duties, discretion aod sterling honesty, Ms 
learning and ability as a lawyer, all con- 
spired to secure an election from Ids polit- 
ical opponents, His personal popularity 
was sc greed m his Judicial District, that 
lie secured an almost unanimous vote 
from the members of the General Assam 
bly representing the district for which he 
was chosen, although a large majority of 
the members were radically opposed to his 
political opinions, yet they freely and cor 
diidly supported him for an office which 
has always been regarded as the highest 
and most honorable in the State. 

In his deportment he was kind and 
courteous towards his professional broth 
ren and judicial associates. During an 
extensive practice of more than fifty years, 
his fidelity to his clients was never ques- 
tioned, his social, political and business 
relations were characterized by great 
frankness and sincerity* and his whole 
life was distinguished by the most perfect 
integrity. He was a careful and labori- 
ous student, precise and painstaking in the 
preparation of his cases. His examination 
Eind presentation of authorities iodiented 
great industry and research. 

Although be had been unfaltering in his 
devotion to the democracy from his early 
manhood, the free and almost unanimous 
support ho received from the representa- 
tives of his judicial district indicated the 
estimate inj which he was held as a lawyer 
and a cltbsen/* 

Hon. James Barrett, of Woodstock, 
who succeeded Mr. Kellogg as Judge 
of the Supreme Court* and lias always 
been assigned to the same judicial dis- 
trict, says of him: “I was in practice 

in the County of Windsor during all 
his official service, lie was adequate to 
all its responsibilities aad requirements, 
his lawyership was broad, accurate, prac- 
tical and sensible, the result of faithful 
study, faithful and extensive practice, of 
a large conversaney with current business 
and affairs in all departments, and of most 
excellent, social culture and bearing. As 
in all things else, so in the law, as practi- 
tioner and Judge, his faculty and fond- 
ness of order, system and propriety "were 



1&5 

marked, arid secured not only the best re- 
sults from these qualities in the conduct 
and dispatch of business, but the highest 
respect and esteem of all, both clients, the 
public aud the bar. His personal charac- 
ter was blameless and without the stain or 
shadow of dubious propriety in any re- 
spect iu all the relations He sustained in 
life*" 

1 The State Reports which contain the 
opinions he delivered during his judgeship 
show that he was worthy of bis position, 
aud a worthy associate of the eminent men 
who were his fellow Judges, In conclu- 
sion I may properly say, from my fam il- 
ia rily with the people of Windham Ooun- 
ty since I have been in service as Judge* 
that the uniform expression of all in re- 
spcct to him, has shown that few men 
pass through so long a life, esteemed and 
honored and gratefully remembered by 
those who knew him in all his daily walk 
and conversation, in the deportment and 
outcome of his current life, private, pub- 
lic and official, as was Judge Kellogg/ 1 

We first met this gentleman eight years 
before he became a citizen of this place, 
under emeu instances whereby wc are re- 
minded of the foiegoing testimony of 
Judge Barrett* in relation to Judge Kel 
logg's “fondness of order, system aud pro- 
priety. 1 ' In October, 1846, the Windham 
Gou u ty Agr i ci 1 1 1 u ral Bo ci ely held their an- 
nual meeting and exhibition here, and we 
believe it the first and only time, that our 
town has heeo honored by such an occa- 
sion, The Common north of Main street 
was the exhibition ground for live stock, 
the old School -House for farm products 
and garden vegetables, the High School - 
Housa for manufactures, etc, , and the old 
Unitarian Meeting- House was occupied by 
the members of the society after the exhi- 
bition closed, to hear the reports of the 
committees of the various departments, 
a nd Im tmct a 1 1 1 egi t i m ate b usi ness comi u g 
before said society. Judge Kellogg was 
at that Lime President of the society* and 
presided over its action in the old meeting- 
house, where came iuto full exercise that 
“order, system and propriety/' to which 
Judge Barrett ill hides, causing dispatch of 
business aod the high respect of all, both 
members of the society and the public. 

After over twenty years of acquaintance 
and pleasant familiarity of the people of 



166 



BR ATTLEBORO , 



this place, with the subject of our sketch, 
they are compelled to coufirm the conclud- 
ing statements in the testimony of Hon. 
James Barrett. 

Though Mr. Kellogg was some past 
three score years when he came here, he 
was not idle, he practiced law several 
years after he settled in this town, and 
during about the whole period of his life 
thereafter he was in offices of trust and 
responsibility. His facial expression, and 
the personnel of the whole man, was such 
as to iuspire trust and confidence. 

He was president of the old Savings 
Bank, the first chartered in the State, and 
one of the board of Trustees of the Ver- 
mont Asylum. For the best good of the 
patieuts, proper management and general 
welfare of the institution, he ever betrayed 
a warm and liberal interest. "The proper 
thing to do/’ was the first and uppermost 
question with him in every positiori he 
occupied. 

Though a democrat, one of the most 
influential and decided in the State, he 
disapproved of the actiou of the adminis- 
tration in the Kansas outrages, and also it s 
action, or rather its inaction, near the 
commencement of the late Rebellion or 
Civil War. When that awful strife was 
fully inaugurated, he said: “I know of no 
other way but to stand by the old flag, 
come what may, all else is, with me„ of 
secondary consideration — my party, my' 
church may perish, but save the country/’ 

When we consider the long, successful 
life and honorable record of Judge Kellogg, 
the partner of his life, one of the finest 
examples of female excellence, we cannot 
be insensible to the compliment, to the 
honor received by this community, that 
he selected this place for the remaining 
years of his well spent life. 

ROBERT G. HAJIDIE, JK., 

Son of Robert G. Hardie and Fanny W. 
Hyde, was born in this town in 1854. His 
early development of artistic talent excited 
public notice and attention. Before re- 
ceiving any instruction, his friends were 
surprised by the accuracy of his pictures 
from nature. Among specimens of his 
work we have noticed portraits of Gen. 
Martin Field and wife, Jacob Estey and 
wife, Mrs. Col. Hooker, P. B. Francis, 



Esq., Rev. Mr. Cummings, Mrs. Dr. H. D. 
Holton, and Mrs. Gen. Marcy — mother-in- 
law of Gen. Geo. B . McClellan. 

Upon real personal merit alone can one 
become noted or distinguished in this field 
of labor, and nothing would be more im- 
possible than to undeservedly obtain a 
reputation for excellence in the same, as 
he has secured in his native town. It does 
not seem to have given him a satisfied 
pride, or made him vain to know that his 
early efforts receive commendation, and 
his works are appreciated; but, like all 
true sons of genius, he is constantly look- 
ing forward to the unattained. During 
the winter months of the last two or three 
years, he has pursued his favorite studies 
in New York city, but now (1879) we learn 
he is in more favorable conditions for this 
purpose, iu France. 

His genius, gentlemanly bearing, good 
habits and excellent moral character — not 
always associated with genius — has inter- 
ested our best citizens in his welfare. 
Therefore it is with mach pleasure we hear 
of his favorable progress in Paris, (the la- 
test field of his efforts,) and that it is our 
privilege to place his record here in honor 
of his native home. His father, Robert 
G. Hardie, is a native of New York city, 
and his grandfather, Mr. John Ilyde, who 
served in the war of 1812, came from 
Massachusetts to this town about, fifty 
years ago. It is about thirty years since 
his name became associated, and, to the 
last years of his life, he was practically in- 
terested in, the improvement or regenera- 
tion of our village cemetery. But a short 
time has elapsed since the eyes of our ven- 
erable friend of eighty years closed for- 
ever, therefore there is here uo more famil- 
iar name than that of “Uncle John Hyde/* 

HENRY DWIGHT HOLTON, M. D., 
Resident physician and surgeon, of Brat- 
tleboro, the past decade, was born at Sax- 
tons River, Yt., July 24, 1838, married 
there Ellen Jane Hoit, Nov. 19, 1862, who 
was born Nov. 28, 1839, at Saxtons River, 
daughter of Theophilus and Mary Damon 
(Chandler) Hoit of S. R. The early training 
of Dr. Holton was of the strictest New 
England kind, and much of his success in 
life is undoubtedly due to the principles 
thus early instilled into his mind by his 
parents. His boyhood was like that of the 



RR ATTLEBORO, 



m 



majority of boys brought up ora a farm, 
anti is well described by Warner, in Vi is 
book entitled, " Being a Boy.” The fol- 
lowing account of bis Hfe is from a book 
entitled, “Physicians and Surgeons of 
America,” ami a sketch of him in a work 
published by the Rocky Mountain Medical 
Association. He was fitted for college at 
the Saxtons Rim’ Seminary, and studied 
two years with Dr. J. H. Warren, of Bos- 
ton, and two years with Professors Yale ra- 
tine and A. B. Motl , of New York, attend- 
ing lectures at the same time in the medi- 
cal department in the University of New 
York, from which he graduated In March, 
ISGO, settling successfully in Brooklyn, N. 
Y. , (physician to Williamshurgh Dispen- 
sary, Brooklyn, I860,) Putney, Vt , and 
Brattleboro, Yt,, his present residence, 
He has traveled extensively in Europe and 
this country. He is a member of the Con- 
necticui River Valley Medical Society, of 
which he was Secretary from 1 8053 io 1867, 
and President in 1868; the Vermont Medi- 
cal Society, of which he was censor for 
several years, and the President in 1868; 
the American Medical Association and the 
B ri tis h M ed i cal Assoc inti on, a co rre spo rad - 
vug member of the Boston Gynecological 
Society, and member of the American 
Public Health Association, and a delegate 
to the International Medical Congress at 
Brussels in 1S75, 1 le is also a member of 

the Rocky Mountain Medical Association. 
The Doctor has contributed some valuable 
papers to medical journals and to transac- 
tions of medical societies, and reported at 
one time ''Mott’s Cliniques" for the press. 
An article describing his apparatus for 
keeping in place sternal dislocations of the 
clavical, and an article on diphtheria, are 
contributions which show research and 
ability Be was appointed by the court, 
in 1878, medical examiner to the Vermont 
Asylum for the Insane, and in the same 
year was elected by the Legislature one of 
the Trustees of the University of Vermont. 
He has been surgeon of the 12th regiment 
of Vermont militia. He is now Professor 
of Materia Medlea and General Pathology 
in the medical department of the Univcr- 
sityof Vermont. The honorary degree of 
A, M. was conferred upon him in 1870, by 
the University of Vermont, In June, 1880, 
be was elected one of the Vice Presidents 
of the American Medical Association. The 



Doctor is a vigorous orator and a clear 
thinker, and well up In a knowledge of the 
most approved and latest methods of re- 
lieving human suffering . - — the " Far- 
well Mem&rial * M 



ECCENTRIC PERSONS IN BR AT- 
TLEBORO. 

Mrs. Lydia Maria Child has, in some of 
her works, compared such persons to 
"sweet bells jangled out of tune." 

Such characters, of varied capabilities, 
can be found io every contra unity. The 
great deficiencies in some render them un- 
worthy of notice, but the amusing pecu- 
liarities of others cause I hem to be con- 
spicuous and quite universally known and 
remembered, while many persons of far 
greater usefulness are forgotten. There- 
fore the history of the odd specimens of 
humanity serves to remind ns of persons 
and events that otherwise would be forever 
buried in oblivion. 

OtD JJMMIE BARNES AND SUXIE, 11 13 WIFE, 

Black Sam, Johnson, Aleck, Jess. Mash, 
John Dover, Ed. Gould and others, have 
each played their parts before the people 
of Bra fctle boro; the curtain dropped, and 
the actors, with a large share of their 
audience, passed onward beyond recall. 

John W. Blake. Esq>, our first post- 
master, found employment for Jimmie 
Barnes on a farm owned by Mr. Blake, in 
the West River district At this time 
Jimmie had no family, and ho was id tensely 
devoted to the interests of his employer, 
for whom he had great veneration. He 
considered the "Esqr/* the man, and the 
only man, fit for office* When asked the 
question whom he should vote for, for rep- 
resentative, governor or president, the 
answer i n variably was , ^ Squar Blake." 
Jimmie remained a single mao until he met 
Sukic at the store of John Holbrook, in 
the building now known as the American 
House. This event must have boon before 
1810, for Mr. Holbrook ceased his mercan- 
tile operations in this place about that 
time. 

However much <r Barkis was willin’/' 
there was a serious objection, in the shape 
of a husband, to be disposed of, before 
Sukie could be honored by the name of 



168 



BR ATTLEBORO. 



Barnes. In all the stores and hotels of that 
time, customers were furnished with a 
popular beverage called 4 flip. " This was. 
we believe, a compound of some kind of 
ardent spirits, beer, water, nutmeg, sugar, 
and finished by inserting into the mug 
containing the composition, a red hot iron. 
As Esau sold his birthright for a mess of 
pottage, the husband of Sukie, for a mug 
of flip, gave up his marital rights to Jim- 
mie. and left him in undisturbed posses- 
sion of "the charmer.” The legality of 
tills affair was never questioned before the 
courts, and for effectiveness, expedition 
and economy the transaction has never 
been surpassed, if equalled, in this town. 
Jimmie ever afterwards had a weakness 
for the beverage, and lmd as many bless- 
iugs in store for the man who invented 
'* flip,'* as Sancho had for the man who 
invented sleep. 

A daughter, the eldest from this novel 
union, married one of the brave tars who 
served under Com. Decatur, in the war of 
1812, and assisted in the. capture of the 
British frigate “ Macedonian.” It was the 
custom of that time to use complimentary 
words in marriage notices, therefore ap- 
peared in the village paper, the following: 
fi Mr. J. Freeman, to the amiable and ac- 
complished daughter of James Barnes, 
Esq., of England,” 

Our earliest recollections of Jimmie date 
to the time he was bent with age and went 
about with a bag upon his back, to carry 
off — we were told — naughty, disobedient 
children, and especially those boys who 
neglected to attend school aud religious 
exercises. 

The frontispiece in the Westminster 
Catechism — a likeness of Satan — for Sun- 
day, and Jimmie with his bag for the other 
six days of the week, rendered one motive 
of obedience sufficiently prominent for 
juvenile government in this place. But 
more dreadful than with a bag was Jim- 
mie with a spade — that implement of his 
vocation in the village cemetery — when 
lie covered from our sight forever, Andrew 
Jackson Shattuck, AVilly Fessenden and 
other of our schoolmates, in the long 
lime ago. The pent up grief, led slowly 
up cemetery hill by Dea. Wood, often 
found utterance, when fell upon the ear a 
hopeless, heart-rending rattle upon the 



coffin, of gravel from the glittering spade 
of Jimmie. 

Though 

“ It was a childish ignorance,” 

there was a pleasure in wishing anything 
but good for the old wretch who dug the 
first graves on that hill and made so many 
people cry. 

The catechism can yet be seen, but the 
old " Scratch,” decorated with serpents, 
who once stood at its threshold, long since 
vanished with Jimmie and his bag. By 
the death of Mr. Blake, in 1818, Jimmie 
lost his most highly valued patron. From 
that time, or a short time before the death 
of Mi*. Blake, Jimmie took up his abode 
on the east side of the river. The small 
dilapidated cottage, where he lived with 
Sukie and an idiotic child named Olive, 
was, in 1825, standing near the base of 
Chesterfield mountain and about opposite 
the Congregational parsonage. He culti- 
vated some over an acre of ground, about 
his cottage, but the principal source of his 
income was this place, where he passed 
most of bis time in varied employments, 
such as working in gardens, doing chores, 
moving grain on his back up or down 
stairs for merchants, and telling big stories. 

“The honey bees in England,” he said, 
"are big as the sheep in this country, but 
the hives are about the same size as used 
here.*' "When at work with my axe on 
the mountain,” said he, "I was attacked 
by a big snake that measured, after I bad 
killed and straightened him out, just six- 
teen axe-helves long.** It was as impos- 
sible to gel an abatement of one axe-helve 
from the measure of that snake, as to get 
from farmer W. a reduction of one bug 
from the "eight bushels of squash bugs, 
potato measure,” found by him, as he de- 
clared, when tearing away an old ham. 

Jimmie claimed to be a native of old 
England, and he evidently felt superior to 
the natives here who were laborers like 
himself. In hair breadth escapes and 
thrilling experiences he rivalled old Sin- 
bad, of Eastern romance. There was an 
air of earnestness and seriousness in his 
manner, when relating the events of his 
life, that would doubtless have generated 
more faith in the minds of those who 
listened to his narratives if lie had regarded 
the old admonition, 



BRATTLE BORO, 



1(19 



"Lest men suspect jonv tale untrue, 

Keep probabilities in view . 11 

The history of lus advent here will be 
best given, as well as we cab remember, in 
liis own words’ 

“When some weeks oo the voyage from 
England to this country, our ship was 
leaking so badly we could not save her, 
and to save ray self I got inside of a Urge 
hogshead The cooper headed me in and 
tbe wa ves east me ashore. The hung of 
the cask loosened by sunshine and I pushed 
out. and grabbed the tail of an ox. The 
frightened animal dragged me over a ledge, 
the cask broke open and up jumped Jim 
mle.” 

His wife, Sukie, made mops, husk door 
mats, and told ladies’ fortunes to order; 
but she was a poor financier; Her price 
for reading the book of fate was a small 
package of green tea. When the summer 
was in prime many small packages, wafted 
by white dresses atid enclosed by jewelled 
fingers, passed, over Chapin's island to the 
shrine of Sukie. To the Brarileboro fair 
of doubtful age, feediug on blue clay and 
the illusions of hope, there was an unac- 
countable charm iu the ugly, pox- marked, 
tripe-like face of their oracle. Her emi- 
ueuce in ugliness constit uted, perhaps, her 
popularity as an oracle. A company of 
quite plain looking girls never appeared so 
attractive as when standing beside old 
Sukie, We will allow them credit for 
sagacity transcending their aspirations of 
receiving light from Sulrio's yellow teacup. 
The cunning creatures understood the 
value of comparison; willingly did they 
accompany eligible and desirable young 
beaus to this little col on the mountain, 
who would ''look on this picture aud then 
on that” 

In 1833 some people then living in this 
place caused the erection of a new building 
for Jimmie and Sukie, Col, Paul Chase, 
proprietor of the old stage house, and Mr, 
McKean, the first high school teacher, 
especially interested themselves in this 
matter, and Mr, McKean went over the 
river with Jus nail-hammer, to help shingle 
the house, A few r years after this event 
the house was destroyed by fire, and from 
injuries thereby received, Olive, their 
idiotic child, died. At this time age and 
infirmity had) nearly finished their work 



upon the aged couple; but Col. Chase did 
not desert them in tins extremity. With 
his own carriage lie brough t them to this 
side of the river, where his personal super- 
in tend ence was given lo their wants, and 
every needful provision made for their 
comfort up to the last moment of their 
lives, 

**BLAOK 5 AM,' 1 

So called, carue here from Bennington 
about 1833, and was at one period the only 
representative of the colored race in this 
place. From that circumstance alone he 
was conspicuous He was much ol the 
time in the employ of Francis Goodhue, 
Esq,, hut when he was under the influence 
of stimulants his employ meat, was less 
lucrative though more amusing. Upon 
such occasions his powers of Imitation 
were largely developed, The sentiments 
and exact tones of the voice of his subject 
was given at the street, coi ners, or where- 
ever he could find an audience. He gave 
imitations of animals, but he especially 
delighted in showing off the magnates of 
Brat.t leboio ; and his patron was not ex- 
cepted in these laughable exhibitions of 
his peculiar faculty, tfarn was bound to 
have some fun, and he generally succeeded 
in accomplishing his object. He did not, 
bind his talent In a napkin, but did all he 
could to improve his own and other peo- 
ple's digestion. 

Poor sensitive, suffering 

JOHNSON* THE HHfMETt, 

Or bard, Lo whom we have elsewhere 
alluded more definitely, rarely smiled, 
Hoi a day passed when he did not have a 
grievance, some record of abuse or charge 
against some oue, Lo send up to the high 
Court of heavem Homeless as he was, and 
wandering in abject poverty from house to 
house, and passing the long winter nights 
in a stable, caused some observers of his 
condition to advise him to apply Lo the 
town for relief. Upon one such occasion 
he replied* “Don't fret yourself about me. 
I lodge in a more comfortable place than 
General Washington did when he was sur- 
veying in the forest; and when he was 
fighting the battles of his country 1 guess 
lie would have sometimes been glad to find 
as good a place as Mead's ham to sleep in. 
Tl T my shoes do let in the water, there is as 
good a chance for it to run out as there is 



170 



BRATTLEBGRO. 



for it to get in, and there is as good a chance 
iii o %v for you to mind your own business as 
there ever will be," 

"join* DOVETlJ' 

Who came here about 1M0, was a serious 
oddity, and always in a hurry ► Ills almost 
constant employment was sawing wood 
with a very short, quick movement of the 
saw, and his utterances perfectly accorded 
with said movement. His reply to any 
question was prefaced with the word God, 
repeated very rapidly many times. He 
knew Alfred Ellis was the most eminent 
fisherman in town, and it may be he in- 
tended to hike away his well-earned laurels. 
This much is certain; John, ju his latter 
days, spent much time fishing in divers 
places. One morning he caught, at the 
mouth of West river, an enormous pike. 
Passing tii rough Main street with his val- 
uable prize, much attention was esc i ted. 
congratulations offered and inquiries made 
of the fortunate fisherman- With the 
usual preface John replied, “Can't tell, 
can't telh if he hadn't thought 'twas Alf, 
Ellis' hook never should catch ed him in 
God’s world." 

John belonged to one of the two classes 
of men in Brattle boro who do not 

**E>ep t.heir oyeHtls (dosed 
Aiid waste their hoars in bed*" 

As a general rule, smart, thriving men arc 
not of the 3 o'clock In the afternoon son ; 
they are early risers In the morning Mon 
of an exactly opposite character do the 
same, its some hotel bar-keepers could tes- 
tify. Now it is not necessary to say Jolm 
was of the class last mentioned; but we 
will give him the credit of being an early 
riser, and giving Important testimony as 
to the merits of Mead's snow statue, Near 
the snow-1 i tied pathway in which he was 
walking, with a wood saw, Lo his task, 
stood, in all its commanding, wondrous 
beauty, the "Recording Angel," fresh from 
the creator's Imud- Fearfully he gazed 
upon the silent monitor and then, giving 
it as wide a berth a possible, ran with all 
his might until well out of supposed dan 
gar, when he exclaimed, "It’s a devil or 
ghost, I don't, know which!" After living 
in this town about twenty -eight years, 
poor John died in the arms of public char* 
iiy at the town poor farm of Brattle boro. 



EDWARD COULD. 

With slender, bent form and shu filing; 
dragging step — the motion of his body like 
that of a ship in a high sea, and apparently 
\im insensible to surroundings,— this queer 
specimen of humanity was for many years 
almost daily seen in our streets, to us lute 
a period us idljfl* He w as peaceable and 
inoffensive under great provocations; but 
when lie heard from a crowd of school 
boys, "Ed Gould stole a knot hole, a post 
hole, and ho stole squashes in the blow," 
his anger was aroused to a fearful pitch. 
He was often shamefully treated and made 
the subject of ridicule. The boys, delight- 
ed to Bud a vulnerable point in the armor 
of his good nature, teased and tormented 
poor Ed. until he often became completely 
exhausted in vain efforts to punish them 
for libel and clear up bis character. It 
was not, we Lave charity to behove, inten- 
tional cruelty on the pari of the boys, but 
it was their natural, almost insatiable love 
of fun that nearly wore out this poor, un- 
fortunate being* The veteran frog, as 
stated In ancient fable, exactly explained 
the situation amidst a sliower of stones. 
Deficient as he was in the qualities needful 
to command respect, he seldom, if ever, 
failed to give a correct answer when the 
question was, "What U the day of the 
month?" He also gave exercises in sing- 
ing, spelling and preaching. If a chair, 
box or barrel was furnished him for a ros- 
trum, he never declined when invited to 
address the few or manj". These efforts., 
it has been said, * ‘were cnc ugh to make a 
colt break his halier." They were often 
unintentional burlesques, more character- 
ized by entertainment than by instruction, 
yet some gifted men of high intellectual 
attainments will ever lack the important 
qualifications— assurance, energy and earn- 
estness— as displayed by Ed. Gould from 
the last head left in an empty hour barrel 
"The Scolding Wife" was the song best 
adapted to his operatic abilities— his high- 
est accomplishments in vocal music* In 
the chorus— 

“It if- her baert'a delight 
To bang nirt with ft tire shovel 
Around the room at night 11 — 

a very proper sympathy was excited for 
the unfortunate husband in this age of 
female domination. When the song of 
"Brave Wolfe" was called for, the whole 



miATTLEBORO- 



171 



air and manner of the sieger changed. 
The smacking together ol clenched hands, 
the fire and indignation, in singing the 
grievance-s of the unhappy subject of pet- 
licoiU despotism ceased, anti in soft, plain- 
tive tones was beard: 

'“Love is u dtonumd ring, long Lime I've kept It, 

VP is for your sake, my love, if you'll accept it. 

And then this gallant youth did cross the ocean. 

To free America from her invasion, 

The dr n mb did loudly heat, the guns did rattle; 

Bravo Wolfe lay on his back, “How goes the buttled 1 
I went Lo see, my love, 'twaa in tny favor; 

“Qh then . 11 replied brave ‘Wolfe, “T die with pleas- 
ured 

Then the con non on our side did roar like EhnndcL 
"And, have yor got eny ferbackei- with yef ' 

“Be yer four 1 to tise that pipe for a few minutes? 1 * 

Hts Lectures on Millejusm.— 'Now 
my Christian Friends, Ru resellers, Ter- 
backev-cUowers and Sabbath -breakers, you 
don't believe the world will all burn up 
next year, because you don’t want to be- 
lieve it; and that ain't all j you don’t want 
a stop put to your deviltry. You are as 
bad as the folks was more I ban 40 years 
ago, when old Noah built his yark. When 
he told the folks the water was goiu ? to rise 
high as Chesterfield mountain and drown 
'em all out, they didn't believe it, but they 
abused hiui, and made fun of him, and yer 
see how they got paid for it, Noah dew 
round like a house afire after stuff to build 
his yark. He weal to Texas, Hinsdale 
and Chesterfield to buy lumber. He got 
some of his best sticks down to Tarro Bur- 
ro ws* mil l, in Vernon; and farmer Wood 
with his stags did the teaming for nine- 
pence a perch. He got all the nails at 
Hall s store and paid for 'em in sheep pelts 
and dried apples. He hadn’t but just got 
his yark done when the rain come down 
like pitchforks. But folks wouldn’t be 
H eve Noah when the water was knee deep 
in Main street. Noah see how ’twos, and 
he opened the door and tolrl “cm they bet- 
ter git aboard while they could; but they 
said it wasn't much of a shower, and soon 
over; then they began to yell and hoot, 
and the tar nal school boys snow -balled him 
so he had to go in aod shut the door. But 
you know it wasn't long afore they wished 
he would open that door agin and take 'em 
aboard. This time the fishes will all be 
hilled, and a yark such as Noah had 
wouldn't do yer any good. Nothin’ will 
save ye now but to believe what I tell you. 



and being so good, the fire won’t burn ye 
more 1 n t 1 'will Hio sdal e rod oak. We tn u at 
all stop being sinners. I have been a sin- 
ner myself. I stole mm from Hartwell 
Bills and denied it when they laid it tome, 
t went to court the Pierce, girl and pre- 
tended all I wanted was a drink of water. 

I was a lying scamp and I've been sorry 
for it a good many Limes, and I shan’t do 
SO again next time t see her,” 

Ed. obtained some of the ideas from 
which this lecture was constructed by at- 
tending Millerite meetings at the Chapel 
on Canal street, in 1842. One of the preach- 
ers at the series of meetings held there at. 
that time usual !y. when commencing his 
services, took off his coat and cravat. 
While disrobing himself to his shirtsleeves, 
he said to tile audience, 1 k Thank God, I 
know what it is to work for my living, I 
have laid many rods of stone wall in iny 
day, hut I have done with all such work 
forever. I have but one task- before me, 
and that is of short duration. I shall never 
again visit my earthly home, for before I 
finish the work assigned me, before I can 
complete the circle marked cut for me, the 
last great day will surely come and all the 
things in this world will bum up or melt 
with fervent beat. This mountain of 
rocks, now clad in the varied colors of 
autumnal beauty, will, before another 
autumn, melt down into the river and kill 
all the fish. Please to sing, 

'You can’t stand the fire 
In that great day .' 11 

tn an atmosphere charged with fumes of 
burning sulphur, a large share of the audi- 
ence, judging from the sound, kept time 
with the singing by stamping their feet, 
01iipm.au Swain, Esq., our deputy sheriff, 
appeared in the sacred desk, on the left 
side of the preacher, and requested there 
be uo more manifestations of disrespect for 
the services. He reminded all present of 
Vermont law, its impartiality in protecting 
all religious sects, and the penalties for 
persons who in any manner disturb assem- 
blies gathered for religious worship. The 
tall, commanding form, authority, and 
very proper remarks of this executive offi- 
cer prevented, it may be, the riotous oppo- 
sition or persecution needful for the pros- 
perity of this sect in Brattleboro. The 
awfully solemn words of the stone wall 



172 



BR ATTLEBORO. 



preacher fell mostly upon stony ground, 
and since this event mure than thirty times 
has old Chesterfield mountain put on her 
annual gala dress, as in days of yore, while 
upon Ed, devolved the task to keep green 
the memories of the prophets by his ora- 
torical efforts in the public streets. 

At the conclusion tif a lecture on phre- 
nology, Ed. and “Jess Marsh” were per- 
suaded to become subjects for examination 
by the lecturer before the audience. The 
next morning Ed. said, “They wouldn't 
let the phrenologer man tech us hill they 
pul a h an here her on my face and a han- 
k etcher on Jess’ face. The phrenologer 
said we was both fools, but Jess was the 
biggest fool, ’cause he didn't know it* and 
I did.” 

One evening in a crowded meeting house, 
not very well lighted, Ed. was seated list- 
ening to a revival sermon from an itiner- 
ant minister. Immediately after the ser- 
mon, an invitation was given to all imeo li- 
ve rled persons desiring prayers to occupy 
the * ‘anxious seat," The reverend gentle- 
mem, depending upon his sagacity to de- 
tect mental emotion from appearances, 
left the pulpit, and by making personal 
applications, as he moved among the peo- 
ple, some persons went forward who other- 
wise would not, probably, have presented 
themselves. The serious, humble appear- 
ing Ed., as he sat with downcast eyes, at 
traded the attcul ion of the vigilant shep- 
herd, “My friend,” said the preacher, aa 
he grasped Ed by the hand, “Is Christ 
precious to your soul?" The great, prom- 
inent blue eyes of Ed, opened wide with a 
vacant stare as he replied, “Wal, I dun 
know ; guess it's pretty good plan. ” The 
faithful watchman said no more, 

11 But vvitia a sigh moved slow slung.” 



HOTELS 

TUTS OLD BKATTLKBOUO HOUSE, 

Known in the past generation at one period 
as “Smithy* and at another time as 
“Chase’s Stage House/' was built by Sam* 
uel Dickinson, in 1795, and was destroyed 
by fire in October* 1869. Dickinson mar- 
ried Hannah Whitney, a sister of Hon* 
Lemuel Whitney. After he left the hotel 
he built the house on Flat street afterwards 
owned by James Frost, where he died May- 
15, 1817. I t\ Prospect Hill Cemetery we | 



have found bis monument, with the follow- 
ing inscription: 

•‘Benesth the titered honors of the tomb, 

In awful bilentfl and runjestie gloom* 

The man of mercy here conceals tits hend, 
Amidst the solemn melons of the dead, 

Ko more his liVnh hand Shall help the poor, 
Believe distress and scatter joy no mom,'’ 

From 17f)5 to J6G0 the hotel has been 
conducted by Saurl Dickinson, Salem Sum- 
ner, Erastus Dickinson, John It Blake, 
3Iaj. Henry Smith, Coh Paul Chase, Lem'l 
Whitney, William 0* Perry* Charles C* 
Lawrence, and at some period by a gentle- 
man from Troy, N. V. r whose name we 
are not able to give. The property was 
owned at one period by Francis Goodhue, 
who erected the front gable and made some 
other alterations ; but at the time of its 
destruction it was the property of the 
Blake Brothers, of Boston, Mass., who 
sold the land on which the buildings stood 
to E* Crosby, or Crosby & Bice, and the 
well-known “Crosby Block” now occupies 
the site of the old Brattle boro House, 
which was built 85 years ago. Built so 
long ago, and in almost constant use for 
the public accommodation seventy-four 
years, this hotel was more extensively 
known and belt e r re m embered ah road t ha n 
any other building of its time in this place. 
Standing through all the wars excepting 
that of the Revolution, what a story of the 
long vanished years must be associated 
with it l If it had it voice or record to tell 
us of the now burled generations find in- 
teresting events of Us time* we should have 
a more complete history of this town than 
any person now living can furnish. We 
can sift over some ashes of its past, find 
here and there a gem or historical fact; but 
of the many sad and glad memories asso- 
ciated with it, we can know but little. 

Of those known to fame who in early 
life began their career by rendering services 
as bar -tender* office clerk, or occupying 
some subordinate position here, were: E. 
Fessenden, William Chamberlin and Sim- 
eon behind. Fessenden is a native of this 
town* but for many years has been a noted 
citizen of Hartford, Ct,, where he has suc- 
cessfully Oiled important offices in that city, 
and among them, president of the Fhaiuix 
Life Insurance Company. Chamberlin 
whs an eminent wholesale merchant in New 
York, and began business in that city by 
retailing goods from a wheelbarrow, on a 



BRATTLEBORO. 



173 



capital of but $1G0, and that was lent to 
him by Maj. Henry Smith, who was at the 
time keeping the old stage -house here. 
The fame of Behind p as a man of enterprise 
and success, readies from the Atlantic to 
the Pacific, Judging from the palatial 
hotels he has reared as if by magic, he 
must have found, in some dark corner of 
this old bouse, or elsewhere, the wonder- 
ful lamp of lladdim 

About the time of the Iasi war with 
Britain it was the custom to roll into that 
big bar-room a hogshead of old West India 
ram, and supply customers from the fau- 
cet. Tears ago we heard Erastus Dickin- 
son (nephew of Samuel Dickinson) say. 
tr I paid over $300 for a hogshead of old 
rum. and after it was on draft in the bar- 
room, it was, by good judges, declared a 
superior article, It immediately acquired 
so excellent a reputation it would not stay 
with me, and in a little over one week it 
all left me,” Probably more than a dozen 
such houses could be built by tbe money 
here expended in hogsheads of rum, fourth 
of July dinners* training day and other 
gala day feasts, diffusing a sweetness on 
the air a la the 

[i Wonderful savor of prt&try anfl pies 

That night from Si Gore’s butter tea.” 

The only hall iu the village for public 
gatherings was in this house. It was ded- 
icated iu 1816, by feasting and dancing. 
Cap’t Sam J l Betterly of Few fane— just mar- 
ried — was there with his bride, and others 
from out of town participated in the fes- 
tivities on this occasion. Joseph Steen, 
Esq., our eldest native citizen (1880), and 
Judge Whitney joined in the dance, and 
Mr. Steen, by his activity upon the floor, 
completely wore out his new pumps bought 
for this eventful night. “While joy was 
u neon fined, and youth and pleasure met,” 
intelligence circulated in the gay company 
that Mrs. Barber— a general favorite and 
highly respected— had just breathed her ' 
last. The sad feeling in the company 
from this event, and respect for the de- 
ceased, suggested a discontinuance of the 
exercises, but Judge Whitney said, '‘Let 
the dead bury the dead. On with the 
dance 1 !” 

Many years ago a theatrical company 
from the city made the whole village and 



vicinity completely wild with their excel- 
lent acting in this hall. The plays con- 
tinued so many days or weeks it was 
thought by some to be a permanent insti- 
tution, as in Boston or New York. The 
fate of the beautiful Desdemona excited 
general sympathy and brought copious 
terns f rpm— then in life’s morning— our 
prospective grandmothers. The play of 
[ 'George Barnwell, the London appren- 
tice,” was, for moral effect, equal to a 
comp-meeting sermon. Upon the handbill 
announcing the play, or tragedy, was tbe 
following caption : 

‘How wretched is the man who’s wise too hit*:! 

By my example learn to fehun my fa f tv 5 etc. 

Underneath the foregoing was an engrav- 
ing representing poor Barnwell hanging by 
the neck upon a gallows, as an example of 
being “wise too late.” Wisdom, as per- 
sonified in Scripture, said, “seek me tarty 
aud ye shall And me,*’ but for late seekers 
for wisdom no encouragement is given. 
When wisdom comes too late we do jnst 
as well without it, as exemplified io the 
fate of Barnwell. That sermon, though 
from a theatrical company, at the old stage 
house in the long ago, has never yeL, we 
believe, been surpassed in any pulpit in 
this town. 

With the exception of D, P. Kingsley 
of Springfield, Mass., we believe the old 
stage proprietors who once made this house 
their home, are none of them living. Many 
now living here remember Aslier Spencer, 
Lovell Farr and Kingsley, formerly a part- 
ner of Mr. Spencer. Shepherd Pond, the 
last of the old stage drivers we remember, 
is yet living (1880)* we learn, iu Benning- 
ton, Vt 

Col. Paul Chase served several' years as 
high sheriff of the county, and Maj, Henry 
Smith was chosen his successor to that 
office. They were agents of th e old lottery 
organization, chartered for the benefit of 
Horatio Knight, about 18&G. Messrs. 
Chase and Smith occupied conspicuous 
positions io society, and their families, as 
to intelligence, influence and respectabil- 
ity, were in the front rank. 

Tim VE7UHOXT HOUSE, 

Which from lS£8 to 1857 stood where is 
now the Town Hall and the Episcopal 
Church, was a common wooden dwelling 
house of two stories, until fitted up for a 



174 



BR ATTL EB O R 0 . 



hotel by Willard Poniroy, in 1828. His 
brother, Chester W- Pomroy* was the first 
proprietor He was succeeded by Hiiurn 
and Alonzo Joy, and others, whose names 
do not occur to us; but Capt. T. C. Lord 
was the lost owner and proprietor* He 
took away the old wooden house, and 
in 1849-50 erected* in place of it, a hand- 
some brick front of three stories. It was 
destroyed by fire in February, 1851, and 
never rebuilt. At the same time "Wan- 
tastiquet Hall/' built in the rear of this 
hotel, by Hon. Calvin Townsley* was de- 
stroyed. The hotel was owned by Col, 
Calvin Tbwnsley, and sold by him to Gapi, 
Lord after 1840* Capt, Lord died but a 
short time — a few weeks— before the fire. 
He was a popular hotel keeper and captain 
of the ''Lafayette Light Infantry, * A m i V 
itary company from the city of Lowell, 
Hass., was induced by Capt. Lord to visit 
B ra t tlebo ro , in i 847^8, T hey h ad gl o ri o us 
wen the r a u d a ft ne ti m a Acco m pao led by 
Capt* Lord's infantry, they ascended the 
mountain east of the village. The hydro 
patkic institution of Dr. Weasel hreft was 
then in its palmiest days, and the patients 
had built a house of logs upon the highest 
point of the mountain, three stories in 
height. There were projections from each 
story wide enough to stand upon, and a 
flat roof. The soldiers and brass hands of 
music completely filled the projections of 
the house and occupied the fiat roof. They 
played several marches we could hear from 
the village distinctly, and we could also 
plainly see the bright glare of the brass in- 
struments reflected by the sun. The effect 
was beautiful and decidedly pleasing. The 
house, soon after this rare event* was 
burned down by one of the annual fires oo 
the mountain, Capt. Lord at this time 
could not accommodate one-half of his 
applicants for hotel fare, and many private 
houses were opened for visitors from 
abroad. 

Between 184# and 1800 — a period of four- 
teen or fifteen years— celebrities of both 
sexes were frequently seen riding or walk- 
ing in our streets. Of such* whose names 
occur to US* wore Henry W. Longfellow, 
Cou Jit La Porte* professor in Harvard, 
but ju L8B0 Minister of Finance under 
Charles X. of France, Rev. William H. 
Charming, Col, T. W. IUgginson, James 
Puvton and wife, (Fanny Fern,) Miss 



Catherine Beecher, Dr. Kane, of Arctic 
fame, Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, Prof. 
Calvin Stowe, and Count Oowraski, Of 
those from abroad who built or bought 
houses in this place and vicinity, for homes 
during the warm season* were John Stod- 
dard of Savannah, Ga,* Buckner and Bus- 
ince of Hew Orleans, La., the last named 
United States Senator from Louisiana, 
Hon. George Folsom of Hew York, United 
States Minister to foreign parts, K. F, 
Cabot, Esq., from Alabama, Prof, Elie 
Chav Her of Hew York, and at a later period, 
Joseph H. Bales tier, Esq., and Dorman B. 
Eaton, Esq,, hoLh of the legal profession 
in New York. City. Each of the gentle- 
men last mimed have given public ad- 
dresses in this place upon matters of na- 
tional importance; and Prof, B. Charlie r 
of New York, on the Fourth of July, 187G, 
made some remarks with happy effect. 
To the people assembled on our park, or 
village common* he said ; "Though a native 
of France* I claim a kindred with you, for 
my wife and children were born under 
your flag. And I claim a share in your 
Washington, for the royal army of my 
native land could not be permitted to draw 
their swords on your soil against the ene- 
mies of American libej'ty until your Wash- 
ington wtts created* by a commission from 
the King, a Marshal of France.' 1 A reply 
the Professor ouee made, as we learn* to 
the remarks of an insufferable ego list, is 
so good a piaster for the bump of self- 
esteem, that present and future generations 
o n ght to ha ve i t, T 1 1 e reply w e g iv e belo w ,- 
"If what you say is true* no other man in 
this world can perform the duty I require 
performed, or fill your place. I see upon 
you, as well as upon myself, indications of 
age, and people will soon be obliged to get 
along without us* therefore they might 
just as well begin now to learn to do with- 
out us as to wait a little longer/* 

Tinn HAYES tfOTEI** 

Built by the grandfather of President 
Hayes, is yet standing at the West Village, 
but it has long since ceased to be used for 
its original purpose. The President's un- 
de occupied it for many years aa a private 
re aide nee* and it. is now in possession of 
his daughter* Mary Arm, who is the pres- 
ent wife (1880) of Mr. W. H. Bigelow, 
formerly of Chicago, Hi. In 1815 the old 



BR ATTLEBORO, 



175 



Brattleboro Light Infantry dined at the 
Hayes Hotel, tbe day tbe mail coach — 
decked with flags — brought here the tidings 
of peace, after tbe war of 1812, and Mr. 
Anthony Yun Doom,* We know of hut 
one member of tbe infantry company of 
that day now (i860) living, Joseph Steen, 
Esq,, and he says the father of President 
Hayes assisted In waiting upon the table 
that day. We improve this occasion to 
say that one of our early Representatives, 
Israel Smith, was brother to Chloe Smith, 
th e g ra n d m o t her of th e Pres id e n t , R u t her- 
ford B. Hayes. 

THE AMERICAN HOUSE. 

The hotel now known by the above name 
was not used for that purpose until after 
1811. John Holbrook occupied it for mer- 
cantile uses np to Unit period, when he 
left this place and settled in Ware House 
Point* Ct. After its vacation by Mr. Hol- 
brook, it was owned by one of the Hunt 
family, of Tern on, and Joseph Goodhue, 
first hotel keeper. It w r as nest owned by 
Francis Goodhue, who, sometime between 
1833 and 1837, built the front gable and 
piaz&L. The house then received its pres- 
ent name, but for some fifteen years or 
more it was known as “Slices' Hotel,” and 
there was a sign with the name as stated 
thereon. Mr. Uriel Sikes and Richard 
Philips came from Northampton, Mass., 
about 1811, and established a hat manufac- 
tory in this village, under the firm of 
Philips & Sikes, Sikes afterwards began 
hotel keeping in this house, about 1820, 
and left it about 1835 lo his successor, 
Ralph Herrick, During the time Mr, 
Bikes was in this hotel he was a noted per- 
former upon the bass viol. He was the 
leader of a band of stringed instruments, 
that officiated at a Fourth of July celebra- 
tion in 1824. On the morning of that day 

*Nr. Anthony Van froorn wets the eon of a West 
India fcugar planter, and was ft man of excellent 
htteincas capacity. Ho was wall Infenaied* he had 
studied for one of the professions, but did not com- 
plete Hte studies. He built up— for that time— u 
large furniture businea*, at the Woet YiJInge; and 
about 1820^30 moved hie business to tbe East Vil- 
lage, where he died in 3 £71. Ha built the Janje 
brick house on Main street, now occupied by his ton, 
Moses f. After He retired from business ho visited 
Europe. He left a widow- and four children. His 
oldest utm* Moaes T-, ie now a prominent merchant 
on Main street, and His second daughter is the wife 
of Mr. John Brown, 



the base viol and viol i tj players had a re- 
hearsal in the south front room of this 
hotel, and thereof Lev played a march at the 
head of a long procession, escorting the 
orator of the day to the only meeting house 
then in the village. Tbe house remained 
in possession of Joseph and Wells Goodhue 
until sold to Charles F. Simonds, in 18(10; 
and in 1863 it wsts conveyed to Stearns & 
Ray, In 1865 it was bought by the pres- 
ent {1880) owners, Ray & Boy den. 

From the beginning to the present time 
the proprietors have been; Joseph Good^ 
hue, Uriel Bikes, Ralph Herrick, Mr. Bur- 
nett, Edward Woodman, George B ugbee , 
Charles G, Lawrence. Mr, Rice, Mr. Shaw, 
Mr. Day, Henry 0, Day, IL Rawson, Cbas. 
F. Shnonds, Mr* Starkey * J. 8. Gates, C. 
Stearns* George A, Boydeo, Henry Star- 
key, F. E. Reed. Hon, Daniel Webster 
took dinner at Ibis house in July, 1840, 
when Id ward Woodman was proprietor 
of it. Messrs, L. G. Mead, John R, Blake, 
and others* — a committee of reception- 
directed the footsteps of Mr. Webster to 
this hotel. ^Mine host" of the "'Stage 
House/' Col Paul Chase, was at that time 
a prominent pillar of the democracy here ; 
otherwise the great statesman would, prob- 
ably* have been directed to " Chase’s Stage 
House. w 

RTTFUS CL A HE'S HOTEL. 

The house south of Whetstone Brook, 
bought by Capt. Adolphus Stebbins in 
1833 and now (1880) owned and occupied 
by his son, John Stebbins, was a hotel, and 
Rufus Clark the proprietor, in 1815. Mr, 
Stebbins removed the upper story of the 
rear part, where was a hall for dancing, 
etc. There was at this time (1816) no road 
past the bouse, leading to Guilford, and* 
of course, no Canal street. All travel from 
this village to Guilford was up Cemetery 
Hili and then take the right* past the farm 
of W, F* Richardson. 

The house was built in 1812, by Joseph 
Clark, father of Rufus Clark. The master 
workman was James Steen, father of Jo- 
seph Steen, Mr. Clark also first estab- 
lished here the cloth -dressing and wool- 
carding business. The shop and machin- 
ery was where is now the machine shop, 
first built by Thomas & Woodcock for 
the manufacture of paper machinery* and 
afterwards a new brick shop, for the same 



176 



BHATTLEBOIia 



purpose, was erected on the same ground 
by Hines, Newman & Co. T and is now 
Blaading, Joseph Clark was one of the 
earliest settlers, and owned ail the land 
south of Whetstone Brook to the Guilford 
line* 

TEE REVERE ROUSE 

Was built by James Fisk, in 184&, and was 
burned in 1877. Mr. Fisk was the first 
keeper, or proprietor, and thereafter it was 
kept by Henry Field, J. J. Crandall, Van- 
bibber, Asa Sanderson, George R. CushiDg, 
Enow! Ion Brothers, Mr. Stevens, L. V, H. 
Crosby, Henry Cl Nash, George A. Boy- 
den, and some others, but Nash was owner 
and Henry Harris proprietor at the time of 
its destruction. Fisk sold the house and 
stables to Mr. Vmibibber, and after the 
death of Mr. Van bibber, Homy Nush be- 
came the owner. In 1850, when under the 
management of X Fisk, it was opeued as 
a temperance house, and a grand entertain- 
ment given on this occasion. Sentiments 
were offered and congratulatory speeches 
made at the table of refresh men is, by pas- 
tors of churches and other citizens of this 
plac e. We be lie ve i t d id not 1 o ng c o n ti n u e 
to be a temperance house. 

After its destruction a portion of the 
land in front was purchased by the town, 
to widen the highway, and A, V. Cox & 
Co,, and Star? & Estey bought the remain 
der. The gentlemen last named have 
erected (1879) a beautiful brick block with 
marble tfi minings— Philadelphia style — 
Containing Howe's photograph rooms, Mrs. 
T. Avery's millinery store, office of Dav- 
enport & Eddy and the People's National 
Bank, of which Hon. Parley Starr is pres- 
ident. The land west of this block has 
been sold by Messrs. Starr & Estey to D. 
Leonard and the Methodist Society, That 
society is now (1880) constructing a house 
for public worship. It is the intention of 
Mr. Leonard, we learn, to build a block, 
at no distant day, upon the remainder of 
the Kev ere House ground* to contain his 
power presses and other fixtures for the 
publishing business, 

BE ATTLEBORO ROUSE, 

Named after its old predecessor of “hap- 
pie memories is upon the south side of 
W h ets to n c B too k . near the bri dge. It was 
at first an organ manufactory, built by 
Messrs. Jacob Estey & Co. Isaac Sargent 



fitted it up with all the modern improve- 
ments for a first-class hotel the next year 
(1870) after the old "Brattleboro House" 
t u jTicd to a shea. Hi s mean s b ei n g e x h aus t- 
ed by the great expenditures, the property 
returned to J. Estey & Co. Tlte hotel is 
now (1880) conducted by Messrs, Dun ton 
& Campbell. The house is well kept and 
has pleasant rooms . The view of the Con- 
nect icut from its upper rooms is very fine. 

BROOKS house 

Was erected by George Jones Brooks in 
1S71-X The plan was by E + Boy den 
of Worcester, Mass., and the construction 
by J, iL BuzzdL The cost was between 
one and two hundred thousand dollars. 
The size, quality, and general arrangement 
of it has led some people to believe the 
public wants have been anticipated for 
some years to come. Within the memory 
of some people now living here* not so 
large* convenient and elegant a hotel could 
be found in our largest cities. All the 
rooms are in telegraphic communication 
with the office, are healed by steam radia- 
tors, and are mostly arranged in suites* 
parlor and bedroom adjoining. It is pro- 
vided with all the modern improvements* 
and no expense has been spared in the 
arrangements to meet the demands of the 
age. It stands upon the west side of Main 
street, and but a few rods from the steep 
declivity of the river bank, upon which as 
Main street, about 10b feet above the Con- 
necticut*— thereby affording the very best 
facility for drainage. Since the construc- 
tion of £ 'Crosby Block” and the ''Brooks 
House," our natural advantages for good 
drainage have been improved by all the 
hotels, most, of the dwellings on Main 
street, also on High and some other streets, 

Mr, George J. Brooks, to whom we are 
indebted for this generous expenditure for 
the convenience mid honor of Brattleboro, 
is a son of the late Oapt. William Smith 
Brooks, who, with his family, settled in 
this town in 1880. He was born in Med- 
ford, Mass. , March 5, 1731, and in early 
life was engaged in commerce. He was 
the commander of a merchant vessel, and 
suffered loss and imprisonment by the 
French depredations,* or ‘‘ spoliations/' as 

*Ee wns alao taken pri E-oner by trn English press 
gang. It was such outrages upon our commerce 
that brought on our last war with that nation, IBIS. 



BHATTLEEORO. 



17? 



it was culled, of American commerce, 
when Napoleon L was shaking down the 
thrones of Europe, Capt. Brooks, after 
his capture, was detained several months 
a prisoner in Franco, and saw Napoleon 
when at the pinnacle of his prosperity. 
This insult to the old stars and stripes was 
not forgotten by Andrew Jackson, Many 
will remember that halcyon period of the 
democracy, when, by the action of its great 
executive, it bravely defended the unity of 
these States and 

4 *My father's Rug Mid mime." 

The dilatory action of the French govern- 
ment in regard to making compensation 
for these spoliations, revived within the old 
hero the memories of other days. The 
Sag which waved in triumph over his cot- 
ton bags, and the dead Pacltenham with 
four thousand slain, must he respected tit 
home and abroad. Therefore came forth 
his message to Congress, recommending 
reprisals upon French commerce, unless 
immediate attention was paid to our de- 
mands. 

In 1821, Capt, Brooks settled in Chester- 
field, N, H., where he established a cotton 
factory at the outlet of Lake Sp&fford, 
causing a village to spring up about him, 
which is now known as ' "Chesterfield Fac- 
tory," He continued his business at llie, 
factory several years after his removal to 
this place, his bust home, where he died in 
18(im His wife died in 1841, and of the 
family six children are now 7 (1880) living, 
and, with the exception of Capt. William, 
Jr,,, make this place their home. George 
J, and Francis W. were located several 
years in California, where they were sue- ' 
eessful wholesale dealers in paper. Capt. 
William was a clerk in the store of the late 
Gardner C. Hall In 1829-30, when he was 
elected captain of the Brattlehoro Light 
Infantry. From him, when in England, 
came the art of making seamless brass and 
copper tubing, and patents therefor have 
been sold to the amount of $500,000. 
The wide acquaintance of the most of this 
family with the world —having lived in 
varied climes and visited the most famed 
resorts in this and other countries— had 
ample means, opportunities, experiences 
and discrimination for selecting the most 
favorable locations for health, convenience 
or pleasure, has not prevented them from 
choosing their location here. And one of 
O 



them, in giving such a monumental evh 
deuce of his approval of this location, has 
spoken plainer than words In favor of 
Brattle boro. 

In the summer of 1877 the President of 
the United States— R. B. Hayes— with his 
wife, visited Brattlehoro, the home of his 
fathers, and was met by our citizens in the 
spacious rooms of the Brooks House, He 
addressed the people from the balcony in 
front, and on the morning of bis depart 
urc, said his grandfather was a blacksmith 
in this town (8ee sketch of the Hayes fam- 
ily, page 67) about 100 years ago. This, 
we learn, is the first time a President of 
thin nation has visited this town, and it 
wws a matter of congratulation and satis- 
faction that there was so good a house for 
his reception, 

GI jEN HOUSE — WEST VOX AGE, 

Known over fifty years ago rts Stewart's 
Hotel, and a favorite resort of the military 
of that day. is the second hotel built by 
Rutherford Hayes. Since Russel 1 Hayes 
succeeded his father as proprietor of this 
hotel, the persons whose names we give 
below have conducted it down to the pres- 
ent time; Amusa Rixby, Henry Barrett, 
Timothy Root, Phineas Blew art, R Goorl- 
e no ugh, George Emerson, Mark Worcester, 
George A, Boyden, Henry Nash, G, G. 
Miller, D, Thayer, Mr Akkra, William 
Warren, T. Clapp, Albert Smith, John L, 
Sargent, present owner, and Seth Jones, 
present proprietor (188Q.) 

VERMONT HOUSE. 

There is another hotel a few rods north 
of the Glen House, known as Vermont 
House. This hotel was first set in opera- 
tion by Mr. Nathaniel Holland, some 
twenty years ago, and is now owned by 
Charles Mixer. It is the last public house 
in this town before coming to the Marlboro 
line. 



CHURCHES. 

ST. fctlCTLA El/S CHUR CB . — EF 1 SCO PAL, 

In 1871 the Rectory, situated on Green 
street, was sold, and a lot purchased on 
Tyler street, upon which, during the same 
year, a new rectory was built, costing 
about §6,000. F, A. Nash and Dr, W. H. 
Rockwell were appointed as the building 
c ora m itt ee. The 1 argest con trib u l; o r to th e 
building fund was Airs. Judge Kellogg, 



BRATTLEBQRO. 



ITS 



Mr. George W. Folsom and his sister* Miss 
Helen L. Folsom, also gave liberally, and 
the different parishioners contributed ac- 
cording to their several ability. In 1874, 
the Rev. Mr, Harris resigned, and was 
succeeded by the Rev. Wm. H. Collins, of 
Vergeones, Vt. , who is now the rector of 
the parish. Through the efforts of the 
ladies of the parish, the debt remaining 
upon the rectory has been nearly all paid. 
In April. 1879, F, E, Draper, Esq, , of 
New York City, placed in the church the 
following substantial and elegant memori- 
als of his wife, Mary Goodhue (Cune) Dra- 
per: A □ eagle lecturn r>f polished brass, a 
chancel rail and corona of the same mate- 
rial The latter is a very fine piece of 
workmanship, being made in the form of 
a double crown. Upon the largest is this 
inscription in raised letters — ‘T will walk 
before the Lord in the land of the living, 5 ' 
The inscription on the upper crown con- 
tains the names of Mrs, Mary G, C, Dra- 
per and her sister, Julia (Dune) Bartlett. 
There are about 40 gas jets in the crown, 
and the effect when lighted is very beauti- 
ful. Ill addition to these gifts, Wilton 
carpets have been laid in the chan cal, 
greatly improving its appearance. These 
were also from the same person who gave 
the memorials we have described. 

Eev, Wm. H. Collies. 

UK t VRtlS A LI SM IE LR ATTLEBORO, 

West Village. 

llosca Ballou preached Ids second ser- 
mon in this place in 179L He was t hen in 
his twenty -first year* He says, "The sec- 
ond time I attempted lo preach was in the 
town of Br&ttlcboro, Vt. p where my brother 
preached in the daytime mid I unde nook 
to speak in the evening, being o vesper- 
s untied to do so; but this attempt was a 
failure, and I was greatly mortified and 
thought for a time that I would not engage 
in a work for which! was not competent, 
The brother referred to above was David 
Ballou, considerably older than Hosea, and 
the father Of Rev, Moses Ballou of Phila- 
delphia. Among the auditors of Father 
Ballou on the occasion mentioned above 
were, probably. Col, .Daniel Stewart, Levi 
Good enough and Reuben Stearns, at least 
these men w ere pronounced Uni vers&lists 
at that lime. Col Stewart was "always” 
a Umversalist If so,, the doctrine of the 



final restitution of all things was believed 
here as early as 1780. 

Hose a Ballou, 2d, preached some of his 
first sermons in Eratlleboro, It is believed 
that he preached at the residence of Levi 
Goodenough in his eighteenth year — ISH, 
He certainly preached there not later than 
1816-17, Between this date and 1821b 
there was occasional Universalis!, preaching 
in school houses or private residences by 
Revs. John Brooks, Thomas J. Sawyer, 
Wm, A. Balch, Russell Streeter and Isaiah 
Boynton, In December, 1829, Rev, Mat- 
thew Hale Smith, then only a boy of 3 8, 
was settled over a society in the West Vil- 
lage. lie preached half the time there and 
the other half in Guilford. Meetings were 
then held in the Town Hall. Mr. Smish 
continued his pastorate in Bmileboro till 
1880:, a successful one so far as indicated 
by 0 u L w ard resu I ts. He w as po p u I ar a u d 
his audiences were always large. 

He was succeeded by Rev. Aurln Bug- 
bee, during whoso ministry occurred one 
of those episodes the like of which could 
hardly take place in this generation whose 
sectarian spirit is certainly less tierce than 
ill at o f the 1 a si. gc n e rat ion. T h e o I d eh u rc h 
in West Brattle boro was owned in aonaid- 
.erabl e pa rt by U n i ve rsa 3 i sts. T 1 1 e y asked 
for the privilege of using it occasionally n 
Sunday, but their request was absolutely 
refused. Thereupon they went to church 
early Sunday morning, November 24, 1883, 
forced open the door and Look possession 
of the house. Meantime, two clergymen. 
Revs, F. Luring of Hinsdale, N H. , and 
Warren Skinner of Proctorsville, hud been 
engaged to con duel the religious services 
during the day. Mr. Luring began his 
service at 9 a. si. and continued ii till 10:80 
,v ( m, . When Mr Skinner took the pulpit 
for another service. At l h is time the ot her 
party with their members, one of them the 
principal of the Academy, came in a body 
to the church, entered the vestibule and 
demanded admittance to the auditorium, 
the doors of which were all closed, long 
seats tilled with men being placed against 
them. They requested the Uni versa lists 
in the vestibule to call out tlielr committee 
for consultation; but they answered tlmL 
they should not interrupt the services, 
which had then begun. Next the Ocrngre- 
galionaiists proposed to overpower the 
Universal! sts in the entry, rush Into the 
church and expel Mr. Skinner by force 



BRATTLEBORO, 



179 



from the pulpit — anil take possession them- 
selves, But Judge Clark advised them 
that by this course they would ail render 
themselves liable to indictment and heavy 
tines as disturbers of a religious meeting. 
The Academy bell was then rung arid they 
departed in a body to that place and held 
their meeting, leaving the Uni verbalists in 
undisputed possession of the church for 
the rest of the day. However, at the close 
of Mr, Skinner's service, at twelve o'clock, 
Mr, Coring began his second service for 
the day, nod at its c onclusion, at half-past 
one o’clock, Mr. Skinner took the desk and 
occupied it till three o'clock. As a result 
of this contest, after some mouths the 
17m verbalists sold their interest in the 
church to the other owners and in 1834 
built the Brick Church now standing in 
the West Village, Meantime their meet- 
ings were held in Stewart Hall. 

The Brick Church was dedicated the 1st 
of January, 1835. The order of services 
on that occasion was as follows: Heading 
of Scriptures, Rev, Mr. Wheeler; Iniro 
ductory Prayer, Rev, P, Boring; Sermon, 
Rev, I. D. Williamson; Dedicatory Prayer, 
Rev, T, J, Whitcomb; Concluding Prayer, 
Rev. Amin Bn ghee. Immediately after 
the dedication of the church, Rev Charles 
Woodhouse assumed the pastorate of the 
society and continued it two or three years, 
lie was succeeded, about 1838, by Rev, 
Abraham Page, whose ministry extended 
only through one year. Rev, J. W. Bailey 
preached here from 1841 to 1843. An in- 
cident occurred during this period which 
made a deep impression upon his audience. 
OneSucday while he was preaching, a pure 
white dove came into the church, through 
an open window, perched upon the stove- 
pipe, where it remained a moment, and 
then dew directly over the minister's head, 
poising there. awhile, and then passed out 
of the window through which it entered. 
The speaker was moved by this incident, 
so much resembling the descent of the 
Holy Spirit upon Jesus, and drew from it 
encouragement and approval of his words 
and work. 

Rev. W, S. Ballou * van pastor of the so- 
ciety in 1844-5, He was succeeded in 1847 
by Rev. Jno. S, Lee. The Melrose Semi- 
nary, at the head of which was Mr. Lee, 
was established at West Braltleboro at this 
time. Ai this institution, besides many 



others, several of our clergymen received 
Their academical education, among them. 
Revs, Sumner Ellis, R, A. Ballou, S. H. 
McCollesler, Jiidsod Fisher and Simon 
Good enough. Mr. Lee left the parish and 
tire school in 1840. The school did not. 
continue long after he removed from this 
place, 

Mr, Lee was followed in the parish by 
Rev, W. S. Ballou, whose- second pastorale 
e x ten ded th r o ugh t wo yea r«. Re v . Ed w i n 
Davis preached part of the time during 
1,851-2, Rev, W, Wilcox part of the time 
during 1853—4. The society's Iasi settled 
pastor was Rev, Maxey B. Hewell, who 
supplied them half the time in 1858-0. 
There has been no stated and regular Uni- 
versalis! preaching in the West Village 
since that date. 

The society was organized January JO, 
1834. Among the first signers of t he con- 
stitution were Phincas Stewart, Samuel 
Earle, Jv_, Jeremiah Beals, Emory Stearns, 
John Cutting, Robert Windsor Frazier, 
Roswell and Alonzo Good enough, John 
Mixer and Rufus Pratt, 

Bad Village, 

Uni verbalist meetings were held in 
Wheeler's Hall as early as 1835. Rev. Ghas. 
Wood house the preacher; but it was not 
till May 24, 1843, that the present society 
was orga n i zed , A mong the. or i. g i ti a 1 m em - 
hers were Dr, Reuben Spaulding, A, J. 
Hines* J. H. Eaterbrook, W. H. Ester- 
brook, Alford Si moods, O, J. Martin, Chin 
8 tal k ey , Luther W eld, Harv ey H ough Ion, 
Jno. R. Miller and Sewall Morse, The 




was located on the corner of Cantil and 
Clark streets t and was purchased by the 
Milleriies in May, 1 8-43. Tt was built and 
occupied for many years by the Methodists. 
The first settled pastor of the society was 
Rev. L. J, Fletcher, who began Ids minis- 
try in the early part of 1844, He was suc- 
ceeded in July, 1846, by Rev, .Too. H. 
Willis, who remained here only one year. 
Rev, C. R Moor assumed the pastorate of 
the society early in 1848 and closed his 
connection with it in February, 1853. The 
present Universal is t church was built dur- 
ing bis settlement hero. It was erected in 
1850 and dedicated in February, 1851. 

Rev. H. P, Cutting was settled over the 
society in May, 1852, and remained one 
year. He was followed, June, 1853, by 



m 



BRATTLEBOKO. 



Rev. Geo, H. Deere, whose pastorale ex- 
tended through seven years. During his 
ministry the church was repainted, in 1657, 
and through his exertions $5GQ were raised 
in 1858, for Tufts College, Rev, E. Smiley 
began Ins labors with the society the first 
of January, 1801, and closed them with the 
same year. He was succeeded early in 
1862 by Kev. W. T. Stowe, whose pasto- 
rate extended to July, 1864. Rev, M. 11. 
Leonard supplied the desk through the 
winter of 1S64JU 

Rev. James Eastwood. 

Rev. James Eastwood was called to the 
pastorate of this parish Sept, IQLh. 1865, 
and resigned Jam 3rd, 1876. Rev. M H, 
Harris was settled July 1st, 1870. During 
the nine years of Mr, Karris" pastorate 
this parish has grown to be among the 
largest and strongest in the village, and 
the largest Uni versalist parish in the 8tute, 
having at the present time two hundred 
and fifteen families connected with it. In 
1871 the church edifice was enlarged and 
remodeled. Since October, 1870, more 
than two hundred members have united 
with this church by baptism j and §3Q,0G() 
have been paid out for parish expenses and 
missions. The church organization was 
reorganized 8ept. 14, 1848. Rev. Warren 
Sk inner preached the sermon on this ocen- 
Sion, and baptized fourteen persons and 
gave them the right hand of fellowship. 

Eli ATTLEBORO NEWSPAPERS. 

Brattle!) ore's first uows paper was the 
Feixekal Galaxy, which was started by 
Benjamin 8 mead, in 1797. The Galaxy 
was printed on a four-page sheet measuring 
about 17 by 21 inches, four columns to a 
pagRi in type of similar size to that used in 
this work, but of the "old style,” and was 
sold to subscribers for §1.34 per year, pay- 
able on Ihe last day of every quarter. An 
idea of what was considered news in those 
early days may be gained from the con- 
tents of No. 71, Yol, 2, dated May 8, 1768, 
a copy of which Is now in possession of 
the writer. The entire first and second 
pages, aud nearly one column of the third 
page, are taken up with a copy of the "In- 
structions to Charles Cotes worth Pinck- 
ney, John Marshall and El bridge Gerry, 
Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plen- 
ipotentiary to the French republic, 1 " signed 
by Timothy Pickering, Secretary of Stale, 



and healing date July 15, 1797— nearly ten 
months previously ! Following this arti- 
cle, under the general head of "Domestic 
Events/* is given about a column and a 
half of news from South Carolina, Virginia, 
Maryland, New York and Massachusetts. 
Then follows a half-column of editorial 
matter, the leading article treating upon 
the then all absorbing topic of our rela- 
tions with France. Something more than 
a column of this page is occupied with 
advertisements. Two and a half columns 
of the fourth page are devoted to a report 
of the proceedings of the American Con- 
gress, House of Representatives, extending 
from Wednesday, March 28, to Tuesday, 
April 3. The remainder of the page is 
taken up with advertisements, among 
which are three applications for divorce. 
There is not a local or State paragraph in 
the entire paper. The Galaxy was con- 
tinued until about 1862, when Air. Smead 
removed to Dansville, N. Y. 

Not long after the death of the Galaxy, 
(in 18031 Thu Repoeitbe was started, by 
William Fessenden. Mr. Fessenden was 
the son of Rev, Thomas Fessenden of 
Walpole, X* R, and learned his trade at 
that place. As related by Mr, Joseph 
Steen (who served as apprentice in the Re 
porter office, beginning June, 1814J, Air, 
Fessenden had arrived in Brat tie boro on 
his way to New York to procure employ- 
ment ns a journeyman printer, and the fact 
becoming known to the landlord, Mr. Sam- 
uel Dickinson, John W, Blake, Esq., and 
Other leading men of the place, w ho great- 
ly desired to have a Federal paper pub- 
lished here, Air. Fessenden was induced 
to remain and embark in the undertaking. 
He obtained a press and other necessary 
materials in Boston, at second hand, estab- 
lished the Reporter, and remained prop vie- 
tor of it until his death, in 1815, Becom- 
ing largely interested in the publication of 
I books, the editorial charge of the paper, 
after the first few years, was largely left to 
other hands, being for some time id care 
of his brother, Thomas Greco Fessenden, 
who was a lawyer by profession and a 
writer of note, and who afterwards went 
to Boston and established the New En 
gland Farmer. 

Another newspaper, called "The Inde> 

: DENDIHNT FftEEUOLDEil! AND RrFUBLTCAJN 

Journal,” was started about 1808, by a 



BRATTLEBGRO. 



181 



printer named Peter Houghton, who was 
backed up in the enterprise by Judge Cha- 
pin, father of Lhe late Dr. Charles Chapin, 
but it was continued only a short time* 

The Reporter, soon after the death of 
Mr. Fessenden, passed into the hands of 
his father-in-law, Deacon John Holbrook, 
by whom it was continued until merged In 
the Messenger, about 1326* 

The year 1817 saw the advent of the 
American Yeoman. The publisher, Mr* 
Simeon Ide, had worked as pressman on 
Webster's spelling book the greater part of 
the year 18111, foi William Fessenden. In 
181b he had printed ' the first Mew Ipswich 
(N- II.) edition 11 of the New Testament, In 
his fat her' a blacksmith shop in that town; 
but the work proved unremun era Live, titid 
after having disposed of most of the edi- 
tion to pay his debts, he found himself 
possessed of a good Ram age press, a font 
or two of type, and a few other necessary 
utensils of the trade, and he resolved upon 
publishing a newspaper. Failing to find 
the necessary encouragement at Keene, he 
next turned lo Brattle boro, and issued the 
first number of the Yeoman, February 5* 
1817* T h e fi rst u u m bur co u Uu aed a spicy 
article from the pen of Hon. John Phelps 
of Guilford, laying down before the inex- 
perienced young editor certain rules to be 
observed ia his editorial career, by follow 
mg which, (in the ironical sense of the en- 
tire article), lie says, ft I am certain your 
pap er will waut no th i n $—bul subscriber#, 1 ’ 
Mr. Phelps, Hon. James Elliot* Hon, Roy- 
al! Tyler, Dr. Allen, Dr. .J, P* Warren 
(then a student with Dr. Aden), and other 
men of some note, were occasional con- 
tributors to the columns of the Yeoman, 
A circulation of 800 copies was msufii 
cicnl, however, to satisfy Mr. Ide's ambi- 
tion, and at the end of one year lie removed 
to Windsor, Vl, and united his paper with 
the Vermont Republican, in Lhe office of 
which he had commenced bis apprentice- 
ship in the fall of 1800. At this writing 
Mr. Ide is still living in serene old age at 
Claremont, N* H. 

In 1822 the Bn attleboho Messenger 
(Whig) waa started by Alexander C. Put- 
nam, a printer, who learned his trade at 
Windsor, and married a sister of the late 
Deacon Anson Barber. After continuing 
the paper four years, Mr. Putnam sold 
(1826) to George W, Nichols, whose first 



wife was a sister of the Fessendens, and 
who for some time had been employed on 
the Reporter, as foreman* Mr, Nichols 
was born at Stowe, VL, in 1782, and 
learned his trade at Walpole, N. H. In 
politic# lie was a Democrat, He continued 
the Messenger until it was merged into the 
Vermont Phmujx, in 1834 r After two 
years’ connection with this paper, be sold 
out, and soon purchased the Windham 
County Democrat, which was started In 
1836 by an association of Democrats, and 
run for one year under the editorial man- 
agement of Mr. Joseph Steen. Mr. Nich- 
ols' second wife, Mrs* G* I. II* Nichols, 
who was a sister of Judge Howird of 
Townshend. was for some years the real 
and accredited editor of the paper. Under 
her administration the Democrat became 
one of the earliest champions of woman's 
rights in the country, and took a promi- 
nent position among the newspapers of the 
State. The paper was discon tinned in the 
fall of 1853, and in the spring of 1855 Hr. 
Nichols removed with hh family to Kan- 
sas, where he died the same year, at the 
age of 73* 

The Semi-Weenie Da ole was started 
by B. D, Harris and William R. Hale — 
two youths just emerging from boyhood, 
aud, as one of them has since expressed it* 
with considerable more pluck than discre- 
tion, there being already two well -estab- 
lished newspapers in the village of 25GU in- 
habitants, and neither of the firm under- 
standing the printing business. It was a 
Whig paper, with strong partisan procliv- 
ities, and decidedly belligerent* The first 
number was issued Aug, 10, 1847, and its 
publication was continued about three 
years before passing into other hands. In 
the meantime Mr. Hale became cashier of 
the bank at Winchester, N. H., and Mr. 
Harris, having accepted the position of 
first Secretary of the Territory of Utah, 
then 1‘eceuLly organized by act of Congress, 
wys compelled to relinquish his connection 
w i lb Lhe pap c r . Aec o rd i u gly , i n th e sp n □ g 
of 1851 the establishment was sold lo a 
party of gentlemen in the county who 
were interested in maintaining the paper, 
and its management was committed to the 
hands of Pliuy H, White, then a young 
lawyer, residing at West Wards boro, whose 
letters and occasional essays had al ready 
1 attracted attention, and who, in after years, 



183 



BRATTLBBORO, 



as Rev, Pliny H. White, became tvoII 
known throughout the State, Mr. White, 
uot finding editorial pursuits, rus developed 
in a country newspaper office, entirety 
congenial to liU tastes or his talents* re- 
mained in charge of the Eagle only a little 
more than a year, when Mr. Harris, having 
returned from Utah, was persuaded to re- 
sume control of it. He enlarged and 
changed it to a weekly sheet, and continued 
to conduct it until 1855, *u which time, un 
adjustment of local political differences 
having taken place, the paper was united 
with the Vermont Statesman, conducted 
by O, H. Platt- The Eagle, under the 
management of Messrs, Harris and Hale, 
attained a circulation of about 1500 copies, 
which was considerably above the average 
circulation of country newspapers at that 
day. Being eon temporary, and to some 
extent in rivalry with such well-known 
journals os the Windham Con my Demo- 
crat, edited by Mrs, Nichols, with which 
it had many a friendly bout; the Bellows 
Falls Gazette, edited by John W. Moore; 
the Montpelier Watchman, Patriot and 
Freeman, conducted respectively by E, P, 
Walton, pfr., Charles G. Eastman, and 
Charles VC\ Willard; the Burlington Free 
Press, Sentinel and Courier, under the. edi- , 
tori a 1 management, respectively, of De- 
Witt G* Clarke (aud afterward of the elder 
Benedict), John G* Saxe and E. A. Stans- 
bury, and other journals of like character 
and ability that might be named, it had to 
be both wide awake and pungent to main- 
tain a reputable standing. The original 
projectors of the Eagle are still living and 
in the prime of life. Mr. Homs, still a 
resident of Brattle boro, is a well known 
railroad contractor, while Mr, Hale lias for 
many years been engaged in the banking 
business at. Northampton, Mass. 

THE VERMONT lUICENIX 

Was first published Sept 13, 1834, by Geo. 
W Nichols and William E, Rytkor, Mr. 
Nichols being the publisher of the Brattle- 
boro Messenger, a Whig paper in politics, 
and Mr. Rylher publisher of the Independ- 
ent Inquirer, a liberal paper in religious 
matters, owned by an association of gentle- 
men . It was ft rs t p u b 1 ish od f o r the p m j > rt - 
Otars by Hiram T upper for a short time. 
The Inquirer having been published one 
year, the association sold it to Mr. E. H. 



Thomas. T3ie proprietors of the two pa- 
pers then agreed to let both die, and from 
their ashes resurrect another paper, to be 
called the Vermont PUmuix, The Phoenix 
was published by Nichols & Bythcr until 
Sept. 30, ISSGj when they transferred their 
interest to Mr. G, G, Hall and Mr, J. G. 
Holbrook* the polities of the paper not be- 
ing satisfitctoiy to some of its patrons. 
The paper was then put in charge of Mr. 
Calvin Walton, from Boston, whom the 
proprietors engaged for the purpose, Mr 
Rylher being retained in the office, and 
the paper advocating the election of Wil- 
liam Henry Harrison for President. Mr* 
Walton's name, however, appears in only 
four numbers of said paper* Five weeks 
afterward Mr. Ryther, having purchased 
the paper <jf the proprietors, assumed its 
publication, and continued the saiue until 
July S, 1847, when a partnership was 
formed with Mr. 0. H. Platt (since of St* 
Louis, Mo.,) which lasted until April 18, 
1851, when Mr. Platt, having purchased 
Mr. Ryther’s interest, became sole proprie- 
tor* The Phoenix was enlarged in 1845, 
eleven years after its first publication* 
June 5, 1851, Mr. Platt, having purchased 
the Bellows Falls Gazette, united the same 
with the Phoenix, announcing that the pa- 
per would be published simultaneously at 
Brat Lie boro. Bellows Falls and Ludlow. 
How long this arrangement lasted we do 
not know. The Phoenix was again en- 
larged January, 1 85& About this time 
the name of the paper was changed to 
The Statesman, January 1, 1S55, it was 
merged with the Eagle, published by R. 
D, Harris, and the combined paper was 
called The Republican. George W. Nich- 
ols, publisher of the Windham County 
Democrat, having given up his paper and 
gone West, the type and fixtures were pur- 
chased by Dr. Charles Cummings* (who 
Intd had some connection with the Eagle), 
and Feb. 3, 1855, he revived the Vermont 
Phoenix* with which The Republican was 
merged in 1857. Mr. Cummings remained 
editor and proprietor of the Pheenix until 
he went to the war, in 18G2, as Lieutenaut- 
Colonel of the IGfcb Regiment Vermont 
VoLs. At this time the publishing of the 
paper was iti charge of Mr, Charles S. 
Prouly, and the editorial charge was as- 
sumed by Rev. Addison Brown, formerly 



BRATTLEBORO. 



183 



pastor of the Unitarian Society in Brattle* 
boro. Cummings was killed before Rich- 
mond, Sept. 30, 18<54r, white in command 
of the 17th Vt. Reg’t, which he had re- 
cruited on the expiration of the time of the 
101 h. Col. Cummings was a native of 
Royalstou, Mass., where he was bora Feb. 
6, 1821. Attending medical lectures at 
Castlctou and Woodstock, he received his 
diploma in 1847, and after practicing a 
while at Fitzwilliam. N. FI., came to Brat- 
tleboro in 1850. Messrs, Brown and Prouty 
purchased the Phoenix of Cumming’s es- 
tate, in December, 1804. Jan. 1, 1808, Mr. 
Daniel B. Steelman bought a third interest 
in the paper, which was then enlarged to 
its present size. Mr. Brown died May 11, 
1872, and Sept. I, 1873, Mr. Prouty [sold 
his interest to Mr. Oliu L. French, who 
had formerly been editor of the Keene, N. 
If., Sentinel. The present lirm is French 

Stedman. The veteran founder of the 
paper, Mr. William E. Rytker, is still liv- 
ing at Beruardston, Mass., and furnished 
many of the above facts. — D. B. Stedman. 

VERMONT RECORD AND FARMER AND ITS 
EDITORS. 

In July, 1863, Daniel L. Milliken, editor 
of the Brandon Monitor, a local paper, 
changed the name and character of his pa- 
per, with the view of better adapting it to 
the wants of the whole State, and styled it 
"The Vermont Record/’ Mr. Milliken 
removed to Brattleboro Jan, 1, 1805. Here 
he had svith him for a time H. M. Burt, 
now of Springfield, Mass., publisher of the 
paper printed on Mt. Washington, and 
who was connected withtheNew England 
Homestead, a paper which has gone out of 
existence. Rev. Mr. Ketchum was also 
associated with the editor of the Record 
for a limited time. Soon after the removal 
to Brattleboro, auother department was 
added, with a separate heading, entitled* 
"The Vermont Farmer.” In April, 1887, 
Mr. Milliken sold out to Ed. P. Ackerman, 
of Newark, N. J., who conducted the pa- 
per for nearly two years. In January, 
1868, the two departments were united 
under the present title, The Vermont Rec- 
ord and Farmer, aud C. Horace Hubbard, 
Esq., of Springfield, conducted an agricul- 
tural department for a uumber of years. 
In March, 1860, Mr. Ackerman sold to F. 
D. Cobleigh, a Brattleboro printer, who 



had a job office in connection with the of 
flee of the Record and Farmer. In May, 

1874, Mr, Cobleigh died, and for the fol- 
lowing year the Record and Fanner was 
under the editorial charge .of J. M. Tyler, 
Esq., administrator of Mr Cobleigh’s es- 
tate, now Representative to Congress from 
the Second Vermont District. In April, 

1875, Rev. A. Chandler, theprcvsent editor, 
purchased the paper of Mr Tyler, and in 
January of the present year (1879) H. L. 
Inman of Ballston, N. Y., formerly one of 
the proprietors of the Ballston Democrat, 
purchased a half interest, the name of the 
firm now being Chandler <fc Inman. 

While in Brattleboro, D. L. Milliken 
published also a School Journal, a month- 
ly publication. He subsequently removed 
loBostou, Mass., and started "The Cottage 
Hearth,” a literary and family magazine, 
which was continued until the present 
year, when it was merged into the Golden 
Rule, W II, FI Murray’s new monthly, 
with which Mr. Milliken is now connected. 
Mr. Ackerman, on leaving Brattleboro, 
went to New York, and has been engaged 
in different kinds of business. He is novv 
in the lecture field. Mr. Cobleigh was a 
Knight Templar, and was hurled with Ma- 
sonic honors. Mr. Chandler, previous to 
taking charge of the Record aud Farmer, 
had been a Congregational minister, 
preaching in several places in New Hamp- 
shire and Vermont for fifteen years. 

Rev. A. Chandler. 

tiie household. 

The Household is the pioneer in its class 
of periodicals; the first, and, for several 
years, the only journal published iu the 
country entirely devoted to domestic af- 
fairs. It was founded in the belief that 
the literature furnished by the various 
"ladies magazines” and kindred publica- 
tions, though well-adapted to the needs of 
a large portion of its readers, was not such 
as to meet the requirements of those earn- 
est working women who constitute so large 
a portion of the wives and daughters of 
our land ; that they needed something more 
practical in its nature, whose tendency 
should be to elevate that peculiar labor of 
caring for and managing the family, known 
by the general term of "housework,” from 
a mere drudgery to a science, aud at the 
same time extend a hand to those who 



184 BR ATTLEBORO, 



have a I O aging to make their home an in- 
dex, as it were, of their characters— a reach- 
ing oat for an attractiveness of surround- 
ings which, with much or little expendi- 
ture, according to their means, shall attract 
and retain their husbands and friends, edu- 
cate and refine the boys growing from 
youth to manhood, and cultivate a love for 
the good, Lhe beautiful and the true in the 
daughters of the household, and in this 
way to make home, however humble, the 
dearest place, and the family the happiest 
people. Such is the purpose of the House- 
hold, and the patronage it. has received 
may be taken as evidence that the fai th of its 
projectors was well founded, especially in 
view pf the fact that, unlike many, if not. 
all of the successful journals of the present 
day, it was in uo sense a child of fortune, 
either by birth or adoption. It ia a well- 
known saying, r *it takes a fortune to estab- 
lish a paper;'* the history of nearly every 
prominent periodical hears witness to its 
truth, The Household was reared and 
schooled in the hardships and privations 
incident to the life of a country printer, 
starting in January; 1SU8, with a subscrip- 
tion list of thvrte&l, with no capital to sus- 
tain it, and but little experience in news- 
paper life to direct its course, amid doubts 
and fears, gaining a little firmer foothold 
every year, it has solved the problem of 
success, and has to-day the largest circula- 
tion of any monthly published inNevvEng- 
laud. Four pages were added to its origi- 
nal si ^tecu, in the early part of 1809, the 
publisher having offered to make such tux 
enlargement when the circulation of the 
journal should reach IS, 000, and at the 
same time promised to make another and 
equal enlargement when the subscription 
list should number SO* 000, The latter 

promise he was able to redeem with the 
commencement of the third volume, two 
years from the time Lhe first number of the 
paper was issued; and since that time it has 
contained twenty-four large and well-filled 
pages, making it considerably the largest 
dollar monthly issued from an American 
press. 

Instead of being disposed of through 
newsdealers, as a large portion of most of 
the monthly publications are, the large 
edition of the Household is mailed almost 
entirely from the publishing office, and fills 
nearly a hundred of Uncle Sam’s large 



mail sacks per mouth. These are mailed 
from the middle to the last of the month 
preceding the date of issue, those having 
the farthest to go taking the earliest trains, 
and the whole edition reaches its readers 
with the regu la r 1 1 y of el ock w ork, 1 1 goes 
to every State and Territory in rbe Union, 
besides a large number are sent to foreign 
countries; the Household is not o local 
paper with a ci re uni scribed field, but a cos- 
mopolitan journal, adapted to all sections 
of Lhe country, pretty generally found 
wherever there is a representative of the 
class to whose interests it is devoted* Its 
subscribers are found in nearly every 
county in the Northern and Western States, 
while in the far South and on the Pacific 
Coast its patrons are already numbered by 
the thousands. It has a large and efficient 
corps of agents throughout the country, 
many of whom have canvassed for it from 
its commencement, and it is a fact, since 
the firsL number was issued not a week-day 
has passed without bringing some addition 
to its subscription list. A good idea of 
the scope of the Household may be de- 
rived from a brief review of the special 
departments into which it is arranged. 
These are ten in number, Corresponding to 
the apartments of a dwelling, as follows; 
The Veranda, the Drawing Room, the Con- 
servatory, the Dressing Room, the Nursery* 
the Bining Room, the Dispensary* the Li- 
brary, the Kitchen, and the Parlor. 

In the Veranda are given the architectu- 
ral notes, hints for out- door work, while a 
lookout is kept upon the surroundings of 
the dwelling, and assistance given toward 
beautifying the premises. Tim Drawing 
Room has articles on the art of furnishing 
the house, care of furniture, etiquette, and 
interior decorations. In Lhe Conservatory 
are gathered the pets of the family m pots, 
cages and aquarium, ami information given 
upon all matters pertaining to their treat- 
ment* The Dressing Room contains a 
brief review of the fashions, toilet recipes 
and practical suggestions upon needle- work 
and kindred topics. The Nursery is de- 
voted to the care and management of in- 
fants and children, and furnishes the little 
folks with an assortment of entertaining 
reading and puzzle work. The Dining 
Room is fur Dialled with hints upon table 
etiquette, the analysis of food, table talk, 
and a column of jokes as a ' ’dessert. The 



BRATTLEBORO. 



185 



6unitary articles of the Dispensary are 
from some of the best writers in the coun- 
try, and abound in valuable information 
concerning the cave of the sick and the 
preservation of health. Iu the Library, 
literary and educational topics are freely 
discussed, and there are also notices and 
reviews of books and current publications, 
and a page of original music iu every is- 
sue. The Kitchen is a large department, 
where contributions are received every 
month from many of the most successful 
housekeepers iu all sections of the country 
upon the various subjects that please or 
perplex their younger and less experienced 
sisters, with a large number of original and 
well-tried cooking recipes, a column of 
“Questions and Answers” upon all subjects 
pertaining to home life and domestic econ- 
omy, a fund of practical information un- 
der the title of “Chats in the Kitchen,” 
and a page of “Letters" from the House- 
hold Board, which is uot surpassed in in- 
terest by any other feature of the paper; 
last, is the Parlor, which is a collection of 
original and selected stories, miscellaneous 
rending, poetry, etc. In short, the House- ' 
hold labors to promote the sweetuess'and l 
grace of true womanhood in its presiding 
genius. And as an advertising medium 
the Household is especially valuable to all 
who desire to attract the attention of house- 
keepers and heads of families. It is gen- 
erally preserved through the entire month 
for family reading, and then quite fre- 
quently aid away to be bound at the close 
of the volume and kept for future refer- 
ence . — From the Book of the Centennial 
Newspaper Exhibition. 



ODD FELLOWS. 

Odd Fellowship was introduced into 
Brattleboro by a dispensation granted by 
R W. Grand Sire Thomas Sherlock, July 
13t.h, 1840, to John H. Willis, Henry Burn 
ham, Thomas 0. Lord, Frederick Franks, 
John B. Miner, and Horace D. Brackett, 
for a Lodge at Brattleboro, to be named 
Wantastiquel Lodge, No. 5, which was 
duly instituted at Brattleboro, Aug. 3, 
184(i, by D. G. Sire Albert Case. The 
Lodge was then put in working order by 
electing the following officers: John H. 
Willis, Noble Grand; Thomas C. Lord, 
Vice Grand ; Horace D. Brackett, Secre- 



tary; Frederick Franks, Treasurer; who 
were duly installed into their respective 
chairs. 

The Encampment branch of the Order 
was introduced by a dispensation granted 
by R. W. Grand Sire James L. Saunders, 
for an Encampment to he named Oasis 
Encampment, No. 5. This Encampment 
was duly instituted by James L. Saunders, 
R. W. Grand Sire, April 9, 18(58. The En- 
campment was organized by electing and 
installing the following officers: Sewall 
Morse, Chief Patriarch; Henry .U. Currier, 
High Priest; Timothy Vinton, S. W, ; 
James M. Allen, Scribe; Henry Glover, 
Treasurer; George. H. Clark, J. W. 

The Rebelcah branch of the Order was 
iutroduced by the institution of Dennis 
Lodge, No. 1, by Commissioner B. W. 
Dennis of Michigan, Febuary 9, 18(59, and 
was organized by electing and installing 
the following officers: Henry M. Currier, 
N. G.; Mrs. H. Atherton, V. G. ; Mrs. L. 
M. Burdill, Secretary; Mrs. L. S. Higgins, 
Treasurer. 

Timothy Vinton. 



BANKS. 

PEOPLES NATIONAL BANK. 

Organized October 25, 1875. Capital 
$100,000. Parley Starr, President; Julius 
J. Estey, Vice President; W. A. Faulk- 
ner, Cashier. 

BHATTLEBOP.O SAVINGS BANK. 

Chartered in October, 1870; commenced 
operation in spring of 1870. Deposits, 
about $700,000. R. W. Clarke, President; 
B. D. Harris, Vice President; C. W, Wy- 
man, Treasurer. 



THE VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY 

Held their semi-annual meetings iu Brat- 
tleboro in 18(50 and 1802. At the meeting, 
July 10—17, 1862, the lGth, morning ses- 
sion, the Educational Secretary (of the 
Vermont Board of Education), John S. 
Adams of Burliugton, introduced with 
timely suggestions Vermont geography 
and local history, for action of the Society 
upon, later. At the afternoon session, 
Rev. Pliny H. White read a memorial pa- 
per ou Gen. Wm. Barton, who settled in 
the town of Barton, Orleans County, from 
whom the town derived its name. Henry 
Clark of West Poultney read interesting 
extracts from addresses he had delivered 



180 



B R ATTLElB 0 RO , 



at the centennial celebration of Poultuey, 
&ept. 21, 18(51, upon l he history of that 
town. The Hon, Hampden Cutts of Brat' 
Lleboro read a carefully prepared sketch 
of the Hon, Paul Spooner, M, D., late of 
Hart land, Windsor Comity; after which 
Henry Clark, the omior of occasions, after 
some popular remarks on the suggestions 
made by Mr, A dam a, at the morning ses- 
sion, introduced a resolution of sympathy 
and encouragement for Vermont geogra- 
phy and the civil and natural history of 
the State, The resolution, supported by 
the Hon. Geo. Folsom, LL, D. + of Brat- 
tle boro, and the Burlington orator, who 
ir/h la pertinent, persuasive, hurriedly elo- 
quent zeal, always took an audience 
up and carried them along with him, was 
adopted. The Hon. Hi land Hall, Presi- 
dent of the Society, in his grave, kind 
manner and way, then introduced the fob 
lowing, which, on motion of Mr. Adams 
of Burlington, was adopted: 

B&soh'm, That we commend to the al- 
ien tin u and cncou rage m cut of our citizens 
the Term o n t Historical Magazine, recently 
undertaken by Miss Ahby Maria Hemert- j 
way, of Ludlow, and now partially com- 
pleted, Collecting from sources that will 
ere long be inaccessible, a vast amount of 
historical mutter that is now useful, and 
will soon become in valuable. Its own in- 
trinsic worth, sc? well as the persistent en- 
ergy aud praiseworthy perseverance with 
which it has been prosecuted, all recom- 
mend the enterprise to our approval and 
k> gen era 1 e n co u ragome nt and stippor l . 1 f 

This was the first public notice of the 
work by an historical body ; the more fit- 
ting and pleasant, coming as first, from our 
own Vermont State Historical Society. i 
Mrs. Hampden Cults gave the historical 
levee, a very pleasant feature in the meet- 
ings of those days, at her hospitable man- 
sion, the evening of the 16th. This meet- 
ing at Bra i tie boro was a specially interest- 
ing and genial one. Of the gentlemen 
named there present, all are now dead but 
Gov. I Ini I, of Bennington, and Henry 
Clark, now of Rutland. Others also, not 
herein specified, who were there are now 
demised. One, whose death left a blank 
in the Society, never yet filled, the live 
historical secretary, George F. Houghton, 
Bsf|., who was so much the soul of the 
meetings in his time, infusing into them 
so largely his own earnest zeal and fine 
Ms to r i cal t as te an d f eOli Ug P "Sfo 

gloria mundi. 11 — Ed, 



ADDENDA TO BIOGRAPHICAL 
SKETCHES, 



Hon, Chatvles Eelloog Ftei-d. 

Died Sept. 16, 1880, aged 77 years. 

To the persistent efforts of this gentle- 
man during the last two years of his life, 
we are indebted for a large portion of the 
portraits contained in this work- By 
age and Infirmities retired from business, 
but so long as he had strength to move he 
continued his slow and daily walk through 
our busy streets, but ever manifesting a 
lively interest in the progress of our His- 
tory, since its publication was commenced 
by Mr, Leonard. 

Fortunate, in 1876, in obtaining of 
Messrs. Bufford ife Sou, of Boston, accu- 
rate portraits for liis history of JSewfane, 
he wished to see equally good portraits of 
the old-time worthies of tins town, whose 
well-remembered faces were familiar to 
him in the days of his youth and early 
, manhood. Unsolicited, and without my 
| reward for his services, he corresponded 
I extensively With those more directly inter- 
ested, to assist in the accomplishment of 
Ms wishes. He also collected money by 
subscription to procure an engraving of 
the new Unitarian church, and wrote the 
biographical sketches of CwpL Samuel 
Root and Epaphro Seymour, on prop*.? 
121 and 123. But a few days before his 
death he said to the writer, 15 Well, I L el 
relieved, for I have collected the money, 
paid Rufford for the portraits, got his re- 
ceipt, and the matter is uow all settled/" 
With this labor of love his life has closed. 
Sadly and reluctantly, after a pleasant 
familiarity of twenty years, we take final 
leave of this remarkable man, who usually 
kept his worse side out and his best with- 
in, It maybe truly sa Id of him, as Byron 
said of Sheridan, 

1 Ccd never mnde bat one such uum, 

And broil a thti H\e inmcntldLng Sheridtm^' 

In the Vermont Fhcemx of September 
17, 1880, we find the following obituary 
notice: 

"The well-known form of Charles K. 
Field litis passed from among us forever. 
For many months his friends have been 
admonished by Ins faltering steps that the 
end was near, and his own remarks have 
indicated that he was fully conscious of 
the fact ; but when it was reported that he 



BRATTLEBORO. 



187 



was hopelessly ill, a feeling of sorrow set- 
tled over this community, which was great- 
ly deepened by the intelligence of his 
death. 

Mere casual acquaintances were often 
repelled by ids somewhat rough exterior 
and blunt remarks, but those who knew 
him intimately looked through the surface 
into his heart, esteemed and loved him. 

He came of a distinguished family, his 
lineage being traceable to John Field, the 
astronomer, who was born in London about 
1520, and who died at Ardsley, England, 
about 1587. His graudson, Zeclmriah 
Field, came to Massachusetts and settled 
in Dorchester about 1630, but a few years 
later moved to Hartford, Conn,, and died 
in Hatfield, Mass., in 1666. From him the 
line is easily traced to Martin Field, the 
father of the subject of this sketch, who 
was born in Levcrett, Mass., Feb. 12, 1773, 
graduated at Williams College in 1798, 
studied law with his uncle, Lucius Hub- 
bard, at Chester, Yt., and settled at New- 
fane at the opening of this century. He 
was a man of rare natural ability, of varied 
aud extensive acquirements, and for thirty 
years was eminent in his profession and 
one of the leading men of the State. His 
wife was sister of the late Hon. Daniel 
Kelloggof this town. Their younger son, 
Roswell M. Field, was one of the most 
brilliant and able men Vermont ever pro- 
duced. He removed to St. Louis in 1839, 
and soon became the compeer of the most 
eminent lawyers of the West. For many 
years before his decease, in 1869, he was 
called the Nestor of the Missouri bar. 

Charles K. Field, the oldest son, was 
born in Newfane, April 21, 1808, fitted for 
college at Amherst, Mass., entered Middle- 
bury College at the age of fifteen, and 
graduated in 1822. After studying law 
three years in the office of his father, he 
was admitted to the bar of this county and 
commenced the practice of his profession 
in Ncwfaue; in 1828 he removed to Wil- 
mington, where he resided for ten years, 
representing that town in the legislature 
in 1835, '36, '37 and '38; lie was a delegate 
from that town in the State Constitutional 
Convention in 1836. In 1838 he returned 
to Newfane, where he resided until 1861, 
representing that town iu the legislature 
in 1853, ’54, '55, and '00, and also repre- 
senting it in the Constitutional Convention 



in 1843, ’50 aud ’57. In 1861 he moved to 
this town, where he has since resided. He 
was elected a member of the Council of 
Censors in 1869, and chosen President 
thereof at its first session, and in 1870 rep- 
resented Brattleboro in the Constitutional 
Convention. Thus it will be seen that ha 
had large experience io legislative bodies, 
where lie always exerted great influence 
and did much toward shapiug the legisla- 
tion of the Stab;. 

Mr. Field inherited many of his fath- 
er’s characteristics, especially his sarcasm, 
humor and faculty for relating stories, of 
which he possessed an inexhaustible store. 
He was a great reader, and the best ancient 
and modern authors were as familiar to 
him as were his village neighbors. His 
memory was wonderful; he remembered 
all of value that he ever read or heard, and 
had it at instant command; this, with his 
quick perception, originality, powers of 
description, wit and humor, made him a 
most entertaining man in conversation, a 
brilliant public speaker and a formidable 
adversary in forensic debate. His judg- 
ment of men was unerring; a distinguish- 
ed jurist of this State once said of him 
that it made little difference what men 
said to him, ho seemed to look right into 
their minds and read their real thoughts. 
He was a skillful lawyer, few men wield- 
ing a keener rapier than he, and he appar- 
ently possessed every requisite of a most 
effective jury advocate; hut though lie al- 
ways commanded a large practice, he 
mainly left the trial of jury cases to others, 
regarding that as an uncertain and unsat 
isfactory field of enterprise. He was wide- 
ly known throughout this State and highly 
regarded for his brilliant abilities, He 
possessed a kind, sympathetic heart, re- 
tained the strongest attachment for his 
friends, and was an honest man. He was 
the last of that generation of men com- 
posed of the Bradleys, the Kelloggs, the 
Shafters and the Fields, who for more 
than half a century gave eminence to the 
Bar of Windham County, and whose names 
will always shine in the galaxy of Ver- 
mont’s distinguished men. 

Mr. Field was married in 1828 to Julia 
A. Kellogg of Cooperstown, N. Y., who 
survives him; he leaves three children, 
Mrs. E. P. Jewett and Henry K, Field of 
Montpelier and Mrs. H, C. Willard of 
this town.” 



188 



BRATTLEBORO. 



AldB&ERT H. BTJI.L. 

A well known citizen of Brattleboro, died 
July 29th, 1809, of heart disease, at 
the age of 04 years, while on his annual 
summer visit at Old Orchard Beach, near 
Saco, Maine. Mr. Bull was a native of 
Hartford, Ct., where for several years he 
was a successful druggist. Me retired 
from business about 20 years ago, aud since 
that time has resided in Brattleboro. In 
1840, he married Sarah, youngest daughter 
of the late Ool. Joseph Goodhue, who sur- 
vives him. The Brattleboro Phanix says: 

“Mr. Bull has laid the people of this 
village under great obligations by a gener- 
ous donation to the library, a few years 
since, of $2,000, to be paid in annual in- 
stallments of $100 each, for the purchase of 
books- The perusal of the books purchased 
by his liberality will exert a healthful influ- 
ence for long years to come, and keep his 
name in fresh and grateful remembrance. 
ITis remaius were brought to this place, 
and buried in our beautiful cemetery.” 

A correspondent of the Portland PreM 
writing from Orchard Beach, says of Mr. 
Bull: “For 17 years he had spent his sum- 
mers here, and had become interested in 
making the place attractive. When four 
years ago, the Park lot of forty acres, cov- 
ered with a pine growth, was purchased 
by Mr. Staples, proprietor of the Old Or- 
chard House, Mr. Bull conceived the idea 
of laying it out with walks and avenues, 
and supplying it with rustic seats and ar- 
bors. Ha had so nearly succeeded in car- 
rying out his design as to make it a spot 
of great interest to all who visit the beach, 
ne labored with his own hands, and with 
his own money employed others to assist. 
In winters, at his home in Vermont, he 
had with his own hands painted signs for 
the names of the walks and slmdy nooks, 
among which we find “Fisherman's Hut” 
and “Parsons Lodge,” &c., and many 
other similar names, that seemed to him 
appropriate to the various localities. His 
work was a purely disinterested one, aod 
he could only have been prompted by his 
love of the beautiful. He is represented 
as a man of culture, and his works here 
abundantly show it. His age was sixty- 
five, and the exclamation of all is, 'lie 
died too soon .’ v 



THE ACADEMY OF 1801. 

Three buildings were occupied by Rev. 
Hiram Orcutt in the establishment of 
“Glenwood Seminary,” al the West Vil- 
lage in 1800. One of the buildings, with 
gable in the center and wings upon each 
side, is the academy building constructed 
by a joint slock company in 1802, the 
charter of the company having been grant- 
ed by the State of Vermont iii 1801. Ros- 
well Redfield, uncle of Capt. Benajah Dud- 
ley, assisted in its construction in 1802. 

Capt. Dudley, now (1880) living in his 
ninetieth year, was one of the pupils at 
this academy in 1807, when it was under 
j the administration of its first preceptor or 
instructor, Rev. Titus Hutchins of West- 
moreland, N. II. Built in the days of 
wrought nails, pod augers and flint-lock 
muskets, its antiquity and associations 
claim our attention. A large number of 
the collegiates of this town, whose names 
are on our list, page 58, fitted for college 
at this institution, under the instruction 
of Mr. Roswell Harris, who was its pre- 
ceptor over thirty years. 

In by-gone days this academy was fa- 
mous for its exciting, thrilling exhibitions, 
in the ancient, spacious mectiug-house 
(built in 1785 and destroyed by fire Febu- 
ary 2, 1845) and thereby a worthy rival of 
the old Chesterfield Academy, which, at 
its annual exhibitions, drew crowds of 
visitors from afar and near to see where 

“The great homes of the hurled past. 

Their mighty shadows o’er the present cast, 

Aud tight tin:- lx battles on the tented field. 

Upon the lofty heights of Chesterfield.”* 

In the exhibitions at West Brattleboro, as 
at Chesterfield, tragedy was largely prom- 
inent and “thunder, blood and guns,” the 
order of the day. 

At the East Village there was but one 
school house in which was a public school, 
in operation about six months in a year, 
when it was currently reported among the 
scholars that at the coming exhibition of 
the Academy at the West Village, Theo- 
dore Greeo would, with a sword, cut off 
Goliah's head. Whether that now veteran 
Admiral in his youthful days acted the 

♦In November, 1812, there was acted by the stu- 
dents “The Emancipation of Europe,” and Napo- 
leon, Wellington, Blucher and Alexander were rep- 
resented. About midnight the Burdett and Miller 
glee club, from Brattleboro, sang “Lutsow’s Wild 
Hunt” with fine effect and loud applau ee. 



BR ATTLEBORO. 



183 



young David and carried out this part of 
the programme, we cannot say; hut in 
after years we have seen acting by these 
students of such a character as to confirm 
us In the belief that somebody cu t off the 
giant’s head. In one scene we witnessed,, 
the situation required the use of u terrible 
dagger, but in place thereof appeared a 
silver plated butter-knife, and this was 
before the days of Mark Twain. 

The. annual June training sham fights 
were invariably upon the green in front of 
the Academy * and against its walls were 
placed canvas roofs, under which were re- 
tailers of various kinds of refreshments, 
?uch as yellow gingerbread* smoked her- 
ring, beer, cider, and the contents of those 
beautiful cut-glass decanters of the olden 
time Mr. Lewis Amsden (one of the old 
spelling-book printers at flic East Village) 
usually pitched his tent in this locality on 
the first Tuesday in June, where, in addi- 
tion to the sale of refreshments, as afore- 
named, he disposed of penknives, jack- 
knives, pencils, side-combs, etc. 

In 1815 the school closed, and remained 
closed about two years. During this pe- 
riod the second story of the building was 
occupied as a cabinet furniture manufac- 
tory by Mr. Anthony Van Doom. He 
continued his business there until he built 
a furniture manufactory at the West Vil 
lage* where, or near where, is now the 
brick Baptist church. Alter the room 
was vacated by Mr. Vau Doom, the town, 
for a consideration, acquired the right to 
use the room for town meetings. From 
that time this was the town hall, and the 
Only place for voting upon town and state 
affairs until 1855, when the brick building 
now used for that purpose was built and 
made ready at the Bast Village. Previous 
to the occupation of the old Academy by 
the town, we have not learned where the 
town meetings were held, but we surmise, 
as the old meeting-house wus built by the 
town, they made use of it. for that purpose. 

Judge — — * who lived at the East 
Village from 1789 until April, 1847— a 
period of 58 years— never in all that time 
failed to be present at town meetings hut 
in two instances. The Judge was a man 
of marked ability* and for a long time con- 
trolled public opinion here; but as the 
town increased in population and he in- 
creased In years* his position became more 



and more difficult to maintain. He made 
many eloquent and effective speeches in 
that old hall* in defence of his opinions 
upon town affairs. At the conclusion of 
one such effort against a popular move- 
ment* Mr, John Birgc* who rarely made 
remarks in public, arose and said: ''Mr, 

Chairman* I move there he 3000 copies of 
his excellency's speed i printed for circu- 
lation." No one man has so many times 
represented this town in the State Legisla- 
ture' as the .Judge. He has been 
heard to say he could not be true to the 
freeman's oath unless he voted for himself, 

At the town meeting hi 1847 there was 
along contested election for representa- 
tive, and not until near midnight did they 
succeed. Then* at the eleventh hour* a 
new candidate — John R. Blake, Esq., — re- 
ceived the majority vote. 

Killed In Battle.— M r. S. T. R, Che- 
ney of West BmUlebcro has recently lost 
two sons, one killed in the attack on Fort 
I Steadman, in front of Petersburg, and the 
■ other died at Brooklyn* N. Y<* the day 
after his marriage, Frederick S, Cheney* 
who was killed at Fort Steadman, was a 
corporal io Company C. 57t.h Massachu- 
setts Regiment, Captain George E. Bar- 
ton notified Mrs. Cheney of the death of 
her son, an extract of which we copy: 

Dear Mad ame : It beco m os my pai n f u 1 
duty to inform you that your son, Freder- 
ick Cheney, a corporal iu my Company* 
“C," detached on the "Color Guard," was 
killed in the action of the 25th of March* 
before Petersburg* Va, I cannot speak 
too highly of his many good qualities, 
both as a soldier and a young man of ex- 
cellent principles. Always kind mid con- 
siderate towards his comrades, he won 
their love and respect* and as some of the 
company remarked in my presence* "I 
would have spared almost any one else, 
rather than him." Like many of our other 
brave boys, lie fell at his post of dutyi 
fighting for the Union and the old flag. I 
found Ins body after the fight and it was 
removed to the 1st Division Hospital bury- 
ing ground. He must have died instantly 
without much pain* as he was struck on 
the head by a piece of shell His body 
lay within a few Feet of^Lieut. Murdock, 
who was killed while holding the colors* 
And now* dear madam, please accept the 



190 



BBATTLEBORO. 



heartfelt sympathy for yourself and family 
in this your sad bereavement, and may the 
good Lord in las mercy help us all to do 
our duty and enable us to say and feel 
“Thy will be done,” so that whether on 
the field of battle or in our quiet; Kcw Eng- 
land homes, we should he * l always ready'* 
and like your son Frederick at our post 
of duty.’' — From, an Old BraftlfJx>ro Paper. 

Historical Nuggets from Bh Attle- 
boro. — The first postage stamps ever 
printed hi this country came from Brattle- 
boro, iu 1845 and 184(3, About the same 
time Providence, ft I, and New York 
city issued a local carrier's stamp, but 
Postmaster Palmer, of Brattleboro, was 
the first to put m circulation a stamp to 
prepay postage. They were printed In 
sheets, upon light buff-colored paper in 
black ink, and were about the size of the 
present postage stamp. It is needless to 
say that in the years that have elapsed 
their value hits largely appreciated. Be- 
fore their scarcity and antiquity was fully 
realized, seven of these stamps were sold 
for $1 each, and the same have been re- 
sold sts high as $90 apiece, going to En- 
gland, A Bath (England) magazine has 
published a long article iu regard to the 
stamps, mentioning the name of the en- 
graver (Thomas Chubbuck of Springfield, 
Mass.,) and having a wood-cut of their 
original. — Mmpapar Item. 

Death of a Prodigy, — George Ladd, 
Brattleboro's mathematical prodigy, died 
at Llic Poor Farm, February, 1878. His 
wonderful ability to solve the most diffi- 
cult mathematical problems, although 
without even a common school education, 
made him an interesting character. If 
given, for instance, the number of miles 
from Brattlebwo to Washington, or any 
other point, he would immediately and 
accurately give the number of feet and 
inches. 

A Ccrioqs Fuddle. 

Not even Cremona’s far-famed violins 
so cluster with reminiscences as this. 
It was natural that, while our boys were 
lying at Brandy Station, on the Rappahan- 
nock, during the gloomy winter of 18(34-5, 
their thoughts should turn towards the 
more pleasant scenes of their native hills, 

“Oh that we had a fiddle!*' at length 
some one exclaimed. 



“Well f M said a young fellow from Brat- 
tleboro, "I believe, boys, that I can make 
you a fiddle.'* 

He had never attempted anything of the 
kind io his life. 

^Can you? 11 shouted the boys. "Good! 
you make one and we will send to Wash- 
ington for the strings." 

George ML Colt, of Company C., M Ver- 
mont Volunteers, was the one who pro- 
posed to make the cheer-gi vi ng iustru ment : 
and with a hatchet, a jack knife, an 
old file and a piece of a junk bottle as his 
only tools, he got a piece of soft maple 
that grew upon the banks of the Rappa- 
hannock, and set to work. The bottom 
and side rim of the fiddle were made out 
of one single piece of maple, in the most 
appmved style and form of the ordinary 
fiddle. It was a complete dug-out. The 
top was made of pine, which grew in the 
country. The bow was of maple, same 
as the larger part of the shell. The bait's 
were pulled from the lull of Col. WaI- 
b ridge’s white horse. The glue, some 
member of the company happened to have 
with him. In the course of some five 
weeks the i u stru mem was co m p Le ted , 
After having been wistfully eyed by the 
meo of the company and regiment for a 
longtime, during its const ruction, the in- 
s tru me a t a t 1 en g th gave f ortl i i to sti r ri ng 
strains. One of their comrades was called 
out of the hospital to give it a trial He 
played two hours, until he was exhausted. 
Many stag dances it conjured up; to many 
headquarters it went of nights in a round 
of serenades. It was admired and cher- 
ished by the officers, and wondered at by 
that prince of. tacticians and soldiers— 
General Gett y.—Nhmpap&r Atttcte. 

A Centex ati lax. — 1 879. 

A notable event for West Brnttleboro 
was the 100th anniversary of the birth of 
Mrs. Bally Stockwell, which was celebrat- 
ed most becomingly, at her home, on 
Wednesday, April 30, 1S70, by her numer- 
ous relati v es an d f ri en d a . Mrs. Block wel 1 
was horn at Chesterfield, N, H., April 30, 
1779. She was n daughter of Abner Har- 
ris, whose father was one of the early set- 
tlers of that town, and who emigrated 
from Woodstock, Conn, She was married 
to Arad Stock we 11 when sixteen years of 
age. He died 23 years ago at the age of 



BKATTLEBOKO. 



191 



83 years. Site has been the mother of ten 
children, five of whom are still living and 
were all present. There were also 34 
grandchildren, 24 now living, and 37 great- 
grandchildren, 33 now living. Hundreds 
of her friends called upon her, with con 
granulations and many tokens of regard. 
A poem was also read by Rev M. IT. Har- 
ris, written for the occasion by Mrs. Ah by 
K. Colburn of BratUeboro. The Brattle- 
boro photographers, Messrs. Howe and 
Parker, were on hand, and secured pic Lures 
of the old lady, the house, and the rela- 
tives and visitors present The old lady 
received them with charming womanly 
simplicity and grace. She dined with her 
Oldest friends, and after dinner she smoked 
her accustomed pipe. Her mind and 
memory are wonderfully clear for a cen- 
tenarian, while there is little i n her appear- 
ance to indicate that she has outlived three 
generations. Among the aged guests pres- 
ent were Eli Lee o! Vernon, 93 years old; 
Rev. Samuel Fish, 90; Emory Pratt, 90; 
Beiiajah Dudley, 88; Sally Harris, 87; 
Timothy Adkins and wife* each 80; Maria 
Woodward, So; Mrs. Emory Pratt, 84; 
Electa Bennett, 84; Saben Jones, 82; 
Wilder Harris, 82. Mrs, Stock we 11 is a 
living, unanswerable argument and exam- 
ple in favor of early marriages and large 
families, Mamed at Hi, The mother of ten 
children, and 100 years old. What more , 
can be said? Girls, go and do likewise — 
if you can. Another *ad warning of the 
evils of tobacco, Mrs, Stock well has 
smoked moderately for a lime, "whereof 
the memory of man runneth not to the 
contrary . ' 7 If she hadn't done so, prob- 
ably she would now be 291} years old iro 
stead of 1001 — BratUehoro Paper. 

The Tusk oy an Elephant Found in 
R li ATTLEBORO. 

The tusk of a fossil elephant was found 
in a muck bed, about rive feet below the 
surface, on the farm of D. 8. Pratt in this 
town, Saturday, &epL 2, by a workman 
who was digging muck. The tusk is forty- 
four inches in length and eighteen inches 
hi d re u inference at the largest end, and 
eleven inches at the smallest. It is in a 
fair state of preservation , although some 
parts of it crumbled after being exposed 
to the air. The workman on discovering 
it took a piece to Mr, Pratt, remarking as 



he banded it to him, that he bad found a 
curious piece of wood, Mr. Pratt, on 
looking at U, discovered its true nature. 
This tusk belonged to a species of eteph ants 
long since extinct, supposed to be the Ele- 
pha* Prkaogmdm (or mammoth) BUmmir 
back, that inhabited the northern part of 
North America, having wandered across 
the Siberian plains to the Arctic Ocean aud 
Behring Straits and beyond to this country 
south to about the parallel of 40 deg reef?. 
"Their bones show them to have been about 
twice the weight and one- third taller than 
our modern species. 

The remains (tusks, teetli and several 
bones,) of one of these elephants were 
found at the summit of the Green Mourn 
Lb os, at Mount Holly, in 1848, by work- 
men engaged in building tlie railroad from 
Bellows Falls to Rutland, These remains 
were found in a muck bed, eleven feel be- 
low the surface and at an elevation of 1415 
feet above tide water. Most of the bones 
found, including a molar loath, were taken 
Iky the workmen and others and carried 
out of the State, The most perfect tusk 
was secured by Prof Zadock Thompson, 
and is lodged in the State Cabinet at Mont- 
pelier. This tusk was SO inches long and 
four inches in diameter The molar tooth, 
now in possession of Prof, Agasaiz, weighs 
eight pounds and presents a grinding sur 
face of eight inches long and Jour broad, 
A plaster cast of it is on exhibition with 
the tusk at our State Cabinet , — Brattleborv 
Pap&}\ 

Leonard Knapp was captain of tile otd 
Flood wood company, In 1881. His father 
— James Knapp— John Alexander and a 
Mr, Be an ell went from Bmttleboro to the 
battle of Bennington. Leonard Knapp 
said, when in the employ of Dr. Lemuel 
Dickemum, he hoard the Dr, say he learned 
his profession from Dr, Henry Wells, our 
first town clerk. Lemuel Dickcman, when 
a boy, was a bound apprentice to learn shoe- 
making, in M&SS&chu softs. He left ids em- 
ployer and travelled on foot to Braltleboro. 
After some time in service on Lho farm of 
Dr t Wells, he became so well accomplished 
by mat ructions from Wells, that he assisted 
him in practice, until so many patients pre- 
ferred the young doctor, that the old 
doctor sold out and went, to Montague* 
Mass, 



BY DAVID LUFKIN MANSFIELD, 



i 



I 



Bti tkat is not proud of his an castors, eillitsir lie 1ms no miee&torg to h& pvonA 
or he is a degenerate s on-. " 



THE FIRST VISIT OF WHITE j 
MEN TO DUMMERSTON 

Was that of CoL Joseph Kellogg and 
his scouting party from Fort, Dimmer, 

They ascended Black Mountain, 
Nov, 30, 1721; CoL Kellogg wrote in 
his journal at that time : 

4 'Ttie next scout I sent up ye West 
lii ver M o uut a i n , a n cl 1 1 1 ere to T X) dge on 
ye top and view Evening and Morning 
f o r smoaks - an cl th on ce up ye mo un Lai n 
at Great Falls and there also to Lodge 
oil ye top and view morning and eve- 
ning for smoak \ but these making no 
d i s co v c ry o f an y En e my r e tu r n ed . 1 ' 

Dummerston was a name originally 
applied to one of four tracts of land 
granted about 1713, by Massachu- 
setts to Connecticut as an equivalent for 
197,733 acres of land granted by the for- 
ni c r to ] A an t ers , and w h ich upon clc ter - 
mining the boundary between the two 
governments were found to be within 
the jurisdiction of the latter. This 
tract containing 43.043 acres and in- 
cluding a portion of the present towns 
of R rattle boro, Dmnmerstoti, and Put- 
ney, was sold at auction, together with 
the other tracts, by order of the colony 
of Conn ectlc u t , Ap r i I 2 4 an d 25, 1716, 
and upon partition made, fell to Will- 
iam Dimmer (afterwards Lieutenant 
G oven i o r . ) A n tl ion ) r Stoder (Si od d ar d ) 
William Brattle and John White. 



( Dimmer being the oldest proprietor, 
the tract was called after him. On the 
Settlement of the judicial line between 
Massachusetts and New Hampshire in 
1741, this tract fell within the limits 
of the government, of New Hampshire 
which incorporated the whole into three 
townships, including in the middle 
township, the greatest pari of the land 
belonging CO the heirs of Win, Dummer 
and Antony Stoder, and called the 
name of it Fullum, by virtue of which 
the privileges of a town are now held , 

The charter from New Hampshire, 
dated Dec. 26 7 1753, was issued to 
8 1 o der a n d 56 ,o th ers , an d co vere d 13. 
360 acres. The time to fulfil some of 
the conditions of the charter was extend- 
ed June 12, 1760, and again July 7, 
1763. 

L Jl-ixltjry vf New England?— Cooledge 
em d Ma it sji tid , 1860, — T o w n R ec ord . 

X o tc i A i itb ruy Stoddi m:l , W i 1 J i am Dimi m er 
iWKl .Tolm Wbitfi. resided in Ronton Mass. anil 
iVm. Brattle in Cam bridge 

ORIGINAL CHARTER OF 
DUMMERSTON, 

Through the kindness of 
O. E. Randall of Chesterfield, N, IL, 
the representative of that town to the 
Legislature of that State, which met at 
Concord , June 4 ^ 1879, we have ob tai n - 
ed a copy of the charter of Full um. 

The original charter is recorded in 



2 



V EBMO NT HISTORIC A L MAGAZINE- 



the 4 ' C barter Record 1 ' V uL 1 Page 18J, 
which volume \& kept in the office of the 
fciecretary of State, for the titufc of 
New Hampshire, at Concord. 

PROVINCE OV K 1-; W HA3IP3HI R£fr 

*4 *>* ****** George trhe second 

J C | by the grace of God, of 

% Ut jJi * Great Britain. France 
********** and Ireland. King, de- 
fender of the Faith, &<\ To all Per- 
sons to whom these Presents shall come, 
Greeting : Know ye, that we of our 

special grace, certain knowledge, and 
mere motion, for the encouragement of 
settling a New Plantation within our 
said Province, by and with the advice 
of our trusty and well- beloved Banning 
Wentworth, Esq*, our Governor and 
Commander- in-chief of our said Prov- 
i n ee of N e w Ha nips hire, in N e w Eng- 
land, and of our Council of said Prov- 
ince, have upon the conditions and res- 
ervations hereinafter made, given and 
granted, and by these presents, for ua 
our heii-s and successors, do give and 
grunt it> equal shares unto our living 
subjects, inhabitants of our said Prov- 
ince of New Hampshire, and our other 
governments, and to their heirs and 
assigns forever, whose names are en- 
tered on this giant, to be divided to 
and amongst them into fifty- six shares 
(two of which a Imres to be laid out in 
one tract of the contents of eight hun- 
bm l acre s for Hi & Exe ellei icy , Be n n I ug 
Wentworth, Esq M and in full for his 
two shares, which said tract is houn- 
ded Viz: Beginning at the North East 
Corner of this town, then miming' down 
Connecticut fti vcr two hundred and for- 
ty rods, then West 10° North, til) 
eight hundred acres are completed,) all 
that tract or parcel of land situate, ly- 
ing and being within our said Province 
of New Hampshire, containing by ad- 
nicasuirnient, nineteen thousand three 
him d ed and s ixty an res , * w hi o h tr a ct i s 
to i contain five and a half miles square 
and no more; out of which an allow- 
ance is to be made for highways, and 
unimprovable lands, by rocks, ponds, 
mountains and rivers, one thousand and 
forty acres free, according, to a plan 



thereof, made and presented by our said 
Governor's order, and hereunto annex- 
ed, butted and bounded as follows, viz - 
Beginning at a stake and stone on the 
bank of Connecticut River, being the 
North # East comer ot Brattle borough 
and running West UP North on said 
Brattle boro ugh Lo Marlboro East line,* 
thence North 1(P East on said Marl- 
borough to the line of 'Fainc thence on the 
line of Fume East !0 U tiouth, Eve hun- 
dred rods, thence, northerly on said 
Faina four miles to a stake and stones* 
from thence east 10° South to Connec- 
ticut River, and from thence down said 
river to the bound first mentioned, and 
that the same be, and hereby is incorp- 
orated into a township by the name of 
Pull urn, and that the Inhabitants that 
do or shaft hereafter inhabit the said 
township, are hereby declared to be en- 
franchised with and entitled to aft and 
eve ry o i t he ] ir i vil eges and i ) urn u n i ti c& 
that other towns within our Province 
by law exercise unci enjoy : And fur- 
ther, tliat the said town ay aeon a& 
there shall be fifty fa mi lies resident and 
sc t; tied 1 1 iev eo n , s lml 1 1 1 a ve tl ic 1 i her ty < i f 
holding two Fairs, one of which shall 
be held ou the first Thursday in May 
annually, and the other ou the first 
Thursday in September annually which 
Pairs are not to continue and be held 
longer than the respective Saturday fol- 
lowing the said respective Thursday* 
and that as soon as the said town shall 
consist of fifty families, a market shall 
be opened and kept one or more days 
in each week, as may be thought most 
advantageous to the inhabitants : Also 
that the Erst meeting for the choice of 
town officers, agreeable to the laws of 
our said Province, shall be held on the 
fifteenth day of January next, which 
meeting shall be notified by Josiah 
Willard, Esq., who is hereby appointed 
the Moderator of the said first meeting 
which he is to notify and govern agree- 
able to the laws and customs of oor said 
Province ; and that the annual meeting 
for ever hereafter for the choice of such 
officers for the said town, shall be on 
the first Tuesday of March, annually 
to have and to hold the said tract of 
land as above expressed together with 
nil privileges and appurtenances > *o 



DUMMEKSTON. 



3 



them and their respective heirs and us- 
rsi g n s fo revcr , u po n (he fo llo wing ec u 0 i - 
lions, viz : 

I. That every grantee, his heirs or 
assigns shall plant or cultivate five 
acres of land within the term of five 
years, for every fifty acres contained in 
his or their share or proportion of laud 
in said township, and continue to im- 
prove and settle the same by additional 
cultivations, on penalty of forfeiture of 
his gram or share in the said township 
and of its reverting to us, our heirs and 
successors, to be by us or them re- 
granted to such of our subjects as shall 
effectually settle and cultivate the same* 

II. That all white and other pine trees 
within the said township* fit for Mast- 
ing our Royal Navy, be carefully pre- 
served for that use, and none to be 
cut or felled without his Majesty’s special 
license for so doing first had and ob- 
tained 3 upon the penalty of forfeiture 
of the right of such grantee, his heirs 
and assigns, to ns, our heirs mid sue- 
eessors, as well as being subject to the 
penalty of any act or acts of Parlia- 
ment that now are, or hereafter shall he 
enacted, 

III. That before any division of the 
said land be made to and among the 
grantees* a tract of land as near the 
centre of said township as the land will 
admit of, shall be reserved and marked 
out for town lots, one of which shall he 
allotted to each grantee of the contents 
of one acre, 

IV. Yielding and paying therefor 
to us, our heirs and successors for the 
apace often years, to be computed from 
the date hereof, the rent of one car of 
Indian Coni only, on the first day of 
January, annually, if lawfully demand- 
ed the first payment bo he made, on the 
first day of January after the first of 
January next ensuing the date hereof. 

V* Every proprietor, settler or in- 
habitant* shall yield and pay unto us, 
our heirs and successors yearly, and 
every year forever, from and after the 
expiration of tens years from the date 
hereof, namely, on the first day of Jan- 
uary, which will be in the year of our 
Lord Christ, one thousand seven hun- 



dred and sixty four, one shilling pro- 
clamation money for every hundred a- 
eres he so owns, statics or posse.sscs, a nd 
so in proportion for a gr eater or lesser 
tract of the .said land ; which money 
shall be paid by the respective persons 
above said, their heirs or assigns, m our 
Council Chamber at Portsmouth, or to 
such officers as shall he appointed to re- 
ceive the same ; and this to be in lieu of 
all other rents and services whatsoever. 

In testimony whereof we have caused 
the fteal of our said Province to be 
hereunto affixed. Witness — * Penning 

Wentworth, Esq., our Governor and 
Commaiiderdn-Chief of our said Prov- 
ince, the twenty -sixth day of December 
in die year of our Lord Christ, one 
thousand seven hundred and fifty three, 
and in the twenty -seventh year of our 
Reign. 

u* wen two urn. 

By his Ex ce 1 len ey con mi end. w i th 
advice of Council* 

TO E 01 >0 RE AT Kl N S O N* § EOT* V . 

Entered and recorded according to 
i the original, under the Province fceal, 
this ‘27th day of December* 1733* 

NAMES OF THE GRANTEES 
OF FULLTjM* 

Simeon Stodard, John Franklin, 
Anthony Stodurd, Martha Holmes, 
Thomas Hubbard, Samuel Hulebrook, 
Nathaniel Perkins, Thomas Brumfield* 
John Cushing* Samuel Watts, John 
Chandler, Joseph Royal, Benjamin 
Lowder, William Low tier, Solomon 
Willard, Daniel Oliver, Gillum Phil- 
lips, John Foy, John Foy, Jam, 
TSbenezer Field* Samuel Hunt* John 
Powel, Jeremiah Powe], Shrnnpton 
Hutchinson*Eliakim Hutchinson* Hen- 
ry Liddle, William Hutchinson, Rob- 
ert Jenkins, Thomas Amory, Nathan- 
iel Coffin, Jonas Mason* Thomas 
Seales, Nicholas Loreing, Benjamin 
I Tallow all, Henry Bromfield, William 
Phillips. Samuel F reel , Richard Fos- 
ter, Robert Fletcher, Jun., David 
Nevins, James Minot, Jonathan Huh- 
bard, Elijah Alexander, John Summers, 



4 



VERMONT H rsTORl CA L MAGAZINE, 



John Pierce, Daniel Warner, Theo-* 
done Atkinson, Richard Wihird, Sam- 
uel Solley, Mesbauh Wear. 

His Excellency, Denning Wentworth, 
Esq. a tract of land to contain eight 
hundred acres, which is to be account- 
ed t w o o f tl i e vv i t h m u te n Li o n cd s h a r cs , 
and laid out and bounded as within 
mentioned ; one whole share for the 
Incorporated Society for the Propaga- 
tion of the Gospel in Foreign Parts ; 
one whole share tor the first settled 
minister of the gospel ; in said town ; 
one whole share for tv Globe for the 
m inister of the Church of England, as 
by Law Established ; also oue whole 
share for Sampson Willard. Recorded, 
from the back of the original Charter 
for Fid Inm the 27th* day of December 
1753. 

VH. THEODORE ATTCIN90K, SECT**, 
The Grantees, owing to Indian wars, 
as they claimed, could not fulfil the con- 
ditions of the charter ; hence, they ap- 
plied for anr extension. Mr* Rami all 
did not deem it necessary to copy the 
merely preliminary or terminal matter, 
but made the following extract from 
Extension of Charter: 

u Now know } T e that we being willing 
to promote the end proposed, have of 
our farther grace and favour suspended 
our claims of the forfeitures which the 
said Grantees may have incurred, and 
by these presents do grant unto the 
said Grantees, their heirs and assigns 
the term of one year for performing and 
fulfill big the conditions, matters and 
things by them to be done which term 
is to he renewed annually until his Maj- 
esty’s Plenary Instructions shall be re- 
ceived relative to the Incident that has 
prevented a compliance with the charter 
according to the true intent and mean- 
ing thereof. Signed, sealed &c. by 
Penning Wentworth the 12th, of June 
1760. 

Received pr. Theodore Atkinson, 
Sect’y, according to the original. June 
12, 1760,” 

DTBIMEHST0IS AS SURVEYED TK 1767, 
The plan of the town as Surveyed by 
Isaac Miller, and Ebene^er ‘Waters in 



1767. is quite different from the one re- 
corded at the. end of the charter on the 
Charter Book with the Secretary of the 
State of New Hampshire. The west 
boundary line of the town as surveyed in 
1767, is a straight line. The plan of the 
town drawn on parchment by Ebenezcr 
Waters is stilt in existence ; but the writ- 
ing' has nearly faded out. By careful 
study, we have deciphered, or made out 
all hut one or two words. It reads 
follows : 

“This is a Platt of 2-1,700 stores of 
Equivalent Lands, so called, Eying on 
and adjoining the West side of Connect- 
icut River and North of Maidens Laud 
so called, ami said Equivalent Lands of 
Gov. Dumrncr and Anthony Stoddard 
Esq, deceased beginning at the N, E. 
corner of Brattloho rough at a bass- 
w o* >d tree m ark ed stand i n g on the ban k 
of said River, From thence extending 
West & & 45 North 5 3-4 Miles and 17 
rods to a Beech Tree marked on the 
West line of said Equivalent Lands from 
thence extending North 25 East 6 
8-4 Miles 18 1-4 rods on said West line 
to a small Hemlock Tree ma rked , Thence 
extending East 1 IF 25 South 6 3-4 miles 
& 56 rods to a stake and stones Found 
oi7 the Bank of said River and from 
thence Extending southerly by said Riv- 
er on which it Bounds easterly to the 

Bounds as formerly said 15,600 

acres of said Land was laid out in the 
months of Sept. A Oct. 1767, and 6100 
acres laid out in the month of June— for 
all said Land was laid into 100 acre lots 
Excepting some slips that was not con- 
venient for lots, and these was also 
mostly on corners — all was done in lots 
that could be by Isaac Miller of Worces- 
ter & 1 >y Par ti e u 1 ar orde rs of Gap t . John 
S teveo s of Ash fo rd , C o an . and An th o n y 
Stoddard Esq. — —Surveyed. 

Per Eeenz. Wate&a**' 

The Captain’s name was barely leg- 
ible. T h e s on M i liue o f D u ra merston is 
now 7 miles long, and the width of the 
town about 5 miles. 61 lots, or 6100 
acres, were sometime set off to Putney, 
leaving 15,600 acres. Adding 1400" 



DUMMERSTON. 



5 



probably once a part of Marlboro* we 
have 17,000 acres, or as reported in the 
grand list of 1880* 18,481 acres. The 
township was re-charted by Gov. Tryon 
in 1766. 

TOPOGRAPHY OF THE TOWN. 

Brookline and Putney bound Dum- 
merston on the N., Connecticut river on 
the K., Brattleboro on the S., Marlboro 
and New fane on the W. The surface 
is exceedingly diversified. There arc 
many high hills and deep valleys. Most 
of the land is very productive, especially 
in the Connecticut river and the West 
river valleys ; and other portions are 
well adapted for grazing purposes. The 
principal forest trees are hemlock, pine, 
beech, birch, oak, ash, hickory and some 
chestnut. The sugar maple is abundant, 
and the product of one of the largest 
orchards, in the best seasons, lias been 
3300 lbs. of maple sugar. In 1850, 
other products amounted to 1581 head 
of cattle valued at §50,000 ; 9G7 bush- 
els of rye were raised that year, also, 
8639 bushels of oats ; -15066 lbs. of 
butter were made and 14550 lbs. of 
cheese. 

West river separates the town into two 
divisions called East and West Dum- 
inerston. It flows southeasterly through 
the town and empties into the Connecti- 
cut at Brattleboro. The school districts 
are numbered from one to five in the 
west part, and from one to eight in the 
east. Two have been consolidated with 
the others leaving ouly eleven at the 
present day. The west village is located 
near the right bank of West river on a 
lowland plain running north and south. 
The principal buildings include a church, 
9tore, tavern, post-office, and saw and 
grist-mill. The thrifty farmers and 
mechanics occupy neat looking dwell- 
ings. The Brattleboro and Whitehall 



narrow gauge railroad is building past 
this village. (Written in 1879.) 

From this valley the hills rise gradu- 
ally till their summit is reached, in this 
town,/ four miles distant near Marlboro 
pond. From that, point the hills over- 
look Black mountain which rises to a 
height of 1150 feet above the surface of 
West river into which flow the streams 
from this high range of hills. The 
largest stream is Aden’s brook, so named 
from the circumstance that a Mr. Allen 
was killed by the Indians many years 
ago, and buried near its source at Marl- 
boro pond. They defeated the whites 
in a battle at New faue, and Mr. Allen 
was one of the number pursued and 
killed. For long years a pine Btump 
marked the spot where he was buried 
near the brook which received his name. 
Late years it lias been called Stickney 
brook. On it are good water privileges, 
and within a few years, 4 saw-mills 
were standing on its banks within the 
space of as many miles. Three are 
still in operation and one has been 
pulled down. Along the passes of* this 
brook are very deep ravines. The most 
beautiful stream is u Furnace brook” 
on which is the “Cascade” made famous 
and attractive to the passer-by on ac- 
count of its foaming, rushing and 
sparkling waters jumping, tossing and 
glittering in the falling rays of the sun, 
down over a high ledge of rocks shaded 
by over-hanging trees and bushes threat- 
ening to dash upon the traveler as he 
passes over the bridge under which it 
swiftly glides into the river below. 

Of the western range, Wicopee Hill ia 
the most famous. Years ago there was 
no other pathway up the West river 
valley from Brattleboro to Newfane ex- 
cept over this very steep hill, by marked 
trees ; and the traveler must have found 
it a hard road to travel. Black Mount- 



6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ain is on the left bank of West river 
opposite the village of West Duinrucrs- 
lon. It rises almost perpendicularly 
from the water 1150 feet and opens to 
the south in the form of a horse-shoe, 
called u The Shoe of the Mountain.” 
The appearance of the mouutain as you 
pass along on the opposite bank of the 
river, is bold and majestic. Granite 
rocks are piled one upon another. Ever- 
green trees and stunted shrubbery poorly 
•cover its surface and give it a dark and 
sombre hue. Iu the N. W. part of the 
town is a narrow defile made by the 
river. Along this narrow passway called 
44 The valley of the shadow of death,’* 
is the road leading to New fane. So 
steep and high are the hills and so nar- 
row the pass, that for two or three 
mouths of the winter the rays of the 
sun scarcely fall upon the road for a 
mile, auy part of the day. Well may 
the traveler exclaim on his journeying 
over the hills in this town : 

"The bills! the everlasting hills! 

How peerlessly they rise, 

$ Like earth's gigantic Soutine Is, 

Discoursing in the skies.’ 4 

Through the east part of the town 
passes the Vermont Valley Railroad 
along the Counecticut valley. The rail- 
road buildings include a passenger and 
freight depot. After leaving the rail- 
road station, about two miles distant 
across the meadows and plains is the 
village of Slab Hollow, not a very high 
sounding name, but a place of consider- 
able business, located on Salmon brook 
where there are good water privileges. 
The principal buildings are mills and 
shops, aside from the dwellings which 
together make quite a collection. One 
mile farther west is Dummcrston Centre, 
a small village on an elevation of land 
that affords a delightful view of the long 
range of New Hampsliire hills. No 
water-power is near and hence its for- 



mer prosperity lias greatly declined. 
Here is where the first meeting-house 
was built more than a century ago. 
Here is where the first settlers met so 
often at the house of Enoch Cook to 
transact town business. The new inect- 
ing-liouse stands not far from the site of 
the old ch urch . The post-office is located 
where Hosea Miller lived, who was one 
of fourteen to sign the first call for a 
settler’s meeting Jan. 21, 1771. 

Business was once sufficient to keep 
open two stores, and the firm of Noyes, 
Mann & Hayes profited to the extent of 
S3. 000 in one year. Litigants found 
employment for two lawyers ; and the 
old time schoolmaster flourished his ruler 
over four-score and ten pupils. All is 
now changed. The number of school 
children has lessened one third. The 
old store is empty, the lawyers are 
starved out and only tillers of the soil 
remain. The range of hills through the 
central part of the town form a water- 
shed from which the streams flow in oue 
direction to the West river, and in the 
opposite direction, easterly, to the Cou- 
necticut. The principal streams on the 
eastern slope are Salmon brook and 
Canoe brook or Murder Hollow brook 
as it is called at the present day. The 
first name was given from the circum- 
stance that Alexander Kathan,onc of the 
first settlers, found an Indian canoe iu 
that stream. The other name was 
given from the fact of its being the 
scene of a murder committed near where 
it empties into the Connecticut. The 
victim was a peddler of silk dress-goods. 
His body was supposed to have been 
thrown into the river, as a trail from the 
place of violence was found leading 
across the sandy soil to the edge of the 
stream. 

The view from Prospect hill is always 
pleasing, and at this season of the year, 



DLTMMERSTON 1 



7 



May 27th. when the fields and pastures 
are green \v ith fresh grass, the forests 
clo thed with new leaves and the fruit, 
trees in full bloom, the survey is truly 
delightful. Prospect is nearly 200 feet 
higher than the beautiful hill where the 
Cen tral v i l luge s tand s b e lo w , and a bn o si 
overlooks Black mountain on the south- 
west in the West river valley. From 
Its summit ten churches are visible in 
the se v era! v i 1 luges exp osed fco vie w . A 
part of the thriving village of Brattle- 
boro can he seen six miles southward. 
The Green Mountains terminate the 
view in Lhe west and gradually slope 
downward to the valley between, fertil- 
ised by "West river, that rushes on in its 
rapid course until it unites with the 
Connecticut a few miles to the south, 
and destined some day nut fat 1 distant to 
furnish a path for the swift locomotive 
that carries wealth and enterprise where* 
ever it. speeds. The bl ue Aseu tu ey rises 
prominent in the scenery 40 miles away 
to the north, and the woodland hills fade 
into the horizon far beyond. The gran- 
i te hills of New H a m ps h i re ex ten d a 1 on g 
the eastern sky and the grey old turret 
of Mr, Monadnoek rears in sight far 
above the neighboring summits. A rich 
and beautiful valley intervenes, througli 
which how the tranquil waters of the 
Connecticut us they roll silently on fro 
the broad ocean. These arc some of 
the principal features of the surrounding 
landscape. Consider, also, the culti- 
vated fields, the numerous farm- dwell- 
ings, dotting the hillsides, the grassy 
plains and the fertile meadows and ma ny 
pleasing objects, too numerous for de- 
scription, and it can well be said that 
the view is charming, 

GEOLOGY. 

This paper for our history was to have 
been written by Samuel Knight of Brat- 



tleboro, but old age and failing health 
prevented his performing the allotted 
task. The writer can make only a brief 
statement on the subject. In the cast 
part of the town is a large quarry of ar- 
gillaceous or roofing slate which has 
been wrought for more than half a cen- 
tury. There are other kinds of slate some 
of which are serviceable for flagging 
stones. Schorl or black tourmaline is 
to u n d i n this to w n . Gran it e is also very 
abundant and highly valuable for build- 
ing stones. Excellent granite has been 
extensively wrought for building abut- 
ments, piers, culverts of highways and 
railroads. It is also used for the walls 
of buildings* underpinning, doorsteps, 
h earths tones , w i rulow-caps and fenci ng 
posts. Allen, or Stickney brook, hows 
over a bed of excellent granite near its 
mouth, that has been worked many 
years. There is a shop near by for stone 
m aso irs w o r k w he rc tlx e gj an ite is fb rul- 
ed into the required shape for building 
p u r poses . Bl ac k mo u n tain is a kuge pile 
of granite rocks piled up like u Ossa on 
Pel ion’ ^ making an inexhaustible gran- 
ite quarry. The BraUleboro and White- 
hall Railroad passes close to the foot of 
this mountain of granite. [ the above 
was written in 1379. The writer adds, 
Jan. 1884:] This quarry was owned 
by a New Turk Company in 1879. It is 
now owned by Geo . Lyon of N orthfield 
Mass, who employs about 50 men in get- 
ting out granite. He has a large and in- 
creasing business, and contracts at the 
present time that will require two or 
more years to fulfil. 

BKATTLEUORO AND WHITEHALL R. R. 

Gauge , three feet r 

Tlie road extends up the West River 
valley from Brattlebovo to Londonderry. 

The trains began running, Nov. 20, 
1880, and the road has been in success- 
ful operation since that time with in- 



8 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



creased earnings and passenger traffic 
from year to year. The earnings from 
Nnv. 20 ? 1880! to Jan* 1* 1 882* as re- 
ported by the treasurer, of the road 
are as follows : 

F rom passengers, § 1 5 , G4 1 , 97 

freight, 15,910,78 

,, express, 579,41 

mails, 2,251,14 

A total of 33,810,30 

The total cost of the road was not far 
from 8408,000. 



RECORD HISTORY, * 
NOTIFICATION* 

This is to inform the freeholders of 
the Town of Dummerston that they 
meet at the house of Mr* Isaac Miller 
in said town on the first M onday March 
at ten of the dock in the forenoon to act 
on the following articles , viz : 

1st* To clt oose a M o d era to i h to gov ern 
said meeting. 

2d. To choose a Clerk for the settlers. 
3d. To see if they will choose a com- 
mity to lay out roads in said town . 

4th. To choose Surveyor to order the 
work on said roads* and see how many 
days each man shall work at the roads 
year ensuing* 

5 th* To choose- a com mity to view 
the public Lots and choose a spot to set 
a meeting house on, and this commity 
to he employed by tin; settlers to see to 
the owners for a title to the land to set 
u meeting house on , 

6th. To choose a commity to look out 
a convenient spot for a burying place, 
7th, For all who have worked on the 
road to bring in then- account at said 
meeting— and further to act as they 
shall think proper when met together* 
Dummerston, January the 21st, 1771. 
The foregoing was signed by 

Alexander Rathan, EM’jg. Haven, 
Chas* Davenport, Daniel Ka than, Enoch 
Cook, John Kilbury, Samuel W is wall, 
Josiah Roy den, Barzilla Rice, Rufus 
Sargent, Samuel Dutton, Jr.* Nathaniel 
French, Isaac Miller, Hosea Miller. 

Agreeable to the foregoing the settlers 
met at the house of Mr. Isaac Miller in 
*Fiom Joseph Miller, Town Clerk* 



Dummerston on Monday the 4th day of 
March 1771 and acted as followeth, vie ; 

1st. Chose Mr. Alexander Kathau 
Moderator. 

Secondly Enoch Cook Settlers Clerk 

Sly. Voted and chose Mr. Samuel 
Wkwalh Mr. Alexander Katban and 
Mr. Enoch Cook for to be a commity 
to lay out roads. 

4thlv. Chose Mr* Isaac Miller and 
Mr. Benjamin Jones to be joined by the 
above commity to view the public Lots 
andchu sev a sp o t to set the rn ee ti i i gh o a se . 

5 tlily. Choose Mr. Benjamin Jones 
and Mr. Alexander Kathnn Surveyors 
of highways and voted each settlers lot 
to work (bur days. 

6ly. Choose Mr. Charles Davenport 
and Mr. Daniel Eatlian and Mr* Joseph 
Hildreth to look out a burying place, 

7th. Voted the commity for viewing 
public Lots, to apply to the owners for 
a title to the kind to set the Meeting- 
house on. 

Agreeable to the 7th article, put to 
vote whether there should be any allow- 
ance for any that had worked at the 
roads before the year 1771, and it passed 
in the negative. 

Li A town meeting was holden at the 
house of iEr. Enoch Cook in December 
4772 voted to build a meeting house 
forty foot long and thirty two toot wide 
Lieutenant Spaulding, and Mr. Charles 
Davenport and Mr* Bbeuezer Haven a 
commity to compute, the cost mid ad- 
journed till the 28th day of this instant 
day of December at the house of Mr. 
Thompson at eleven ohdock in the fore- 
noon. 

December 28tb 1772 then met accord- 
ing to adjournment at the limise of Mr. 
Jacob Thompson & voted, first, that the 
vote for build a meeting-house forty feet 
long, a nd th irty two feet be Reconsidered 
and voted that a meeting house be built 
50 feet long, and 40 feet wide, and fur- 
ther voted that Mr* John Hooker* & 
Mr* Joseph Hildreth and Enoch C ook 
be a com m i ty to for w ard the b ui Id i ng o f 
said bouse, and dissolved the meeting, 
(No name signed as clerk but think 
Enoch Cook at this time was clerk.) 

Dummerston, Alias* Fullam, Alias, 
F utl am D istri c t, M ay 9th, 1 7 72 * 



DUMMERSTON- 



9 



Public Notice is hereby given time the 
third Tuesday in May instant being the 
HJth of the same month is appointed by 
law, for the freeholders and inhabitants 
of that tract of land called Fullam 
which is erected into a District to elect 
& choose from & among the freeholders 
& inhabitants thereof one Supervisor, 
Asses s or , Col t ec to r , 0 v ersee r o f th e Po o r 
Commissioners for laying out high ways- 
Also so many persons to be Surveyors, 
and Overseers of the highway as shall 
be thought to be necessary. Fence- 
view evs , an d fo ur C on stab les an tl Sele c t- 
men or Trustees,” 

I NTR 01) U CTl O N TO Tl 1 E R EC O R D S O F L> 0*1 - 

meHstok for the tears 1773 & 1774. 

The tract of land called Dummerston 
is ti part of the tract of bind on the west 
side of Connecticut River formerly 
granted to Connecticut government as 
an equivolcut for some lands which the 
province of MassacdusetU Bay luid 
granted to their planters which upon in- 
quiry was found to be within the Gov- 
ernment of Connecticut in order to secure 
the property of ye soil to the Massachu- 
setts planters, that government granted 
to Connecticut the property of sundry 
tracts of their province lands one of 
which was the tract here mentioned, 
which the government of Connecticut 
sold to sundry private gentlemen among 
w h o in th e 1 ate I I on or abl e Willi am D u m - 
mer Anthony Stodcr Esq, whose heirs 
are now the proprietors of one-half of 
the whole tract on Connecticut River 
supposed to contain 18000 acres the said 
Wm. Dummer being the oldest proprie- 
tor the tract was called after him, the 
name is now kept up in acknowledge- 
ment of the title from the original grant 
of th e M as such u se tts gov e r nine n t wh ich 
is the title the land is now held by— ^ 
on the settlement of the jurisdictional 
line of the province of Massachusetts 
Bay with that of New Hampshire, the 
tract of land here mentioned fell within 
the limits of New Hampshire govern- 
ment which ineorporate.fi the whole into 
three township including in the middle 
townships the greatest part of the lands, 
belonging to the heirs of Wm, Dummer 
& Anthony Stoddard & called the name 
of Fnlhm by virtue of which the priv- 



ileges of a town are now held Besides 
the town of it Fullum which is known by 
the name of Dumnmrston, includes near- 
ly one half of the town of Putney. 

MINUTES FROM PUMMERSTOX RECORDS, 

“After the record of a town meeting 
1 1 olden on the 17th of May 1774, are 
the remarks of Dr. Solomon Harvey 
then town clerk of Dummerston . The 
reader may observe that no Trustees 
were chosen at the annual meeting as 
usual, which, should it excite any spec- 
ulation, it may be remembered that the 
Government of New York who had ever 
since July ye 4th Anno 1764, exercised 
an u 1 1 p re ci d ev it ed ay ate in o f iy rany over 
all that territory then called State of 
Vermont— and did in almost numberless 
instances, so cruelly ha crass and pillage 
the poor new settlers in Lheir Intolerably, 
inhospitable wilderness, as rendered 
their bard earned pittance scarce worth 
enjoying* and all under the sacred and 
auspicious name of administering jus- 
tice ; for a particular account of which 
see Col, Ethan Allen 5 s treatise on the 
monopolizing conduct of New York rel- 
ative to the New Hampshire grantees 
and settlers on the West side of the 
Green Mountains ; and all to reflect on 
the conduct of the New Yorkers in the 
neigh borhood from the time of the coin- 
mi Uncut of Lieut, Spaulding to the 
common jail for high treason till after 
their murthermg of W illiam French and 
Daniel Houghton : and no man can be 
at a loss in regard to the truth of what 
is here laid down. 

Governor Tyron and his imps, and 
th c m i n ion s of th e B ri ti sh ty ran t ( G eorge 
the third) had by their hell invented 
policy, their plans, commissioners and 
other artful insinuations, extended their 
influence into every new plantation over 
which they ty rani zed, and had not failed 
even to have some in their interest in 
tins town who by art and insinuation 
overpuisuaded the honest people of the 
town to omit choosing Trustees for the 
year, alleging that they had no right to 
it by virtue of any law of the Govern* 
merit, notwithstanding the provision 
made and provided in such case, and the 
special injunction to all incorporated so- 
cieties to comply with it, and accordingly 



10 



VERMONT. HISTORICAL MAGAZINE* 



1 1 1 c m eel i n g w as dis s o 1 ye d by a 1 1 1 aj o r i ty 
of votes * Tim people fi mb ng how grossly 
they had been imposed on in the affair, 
grew uneasy at the conduct of the artful 
insinuator, knowing that the next step 
would be that the New York Judges 
and Trustees in their Court convened al 
that blood stained star-eliauther in West- 
minster would appoint some of their 
iinmisaries to supply the place of Trus- 
tees in the town according to the law of 
New Turk made and provided in that 
case its aforesaid , and of consequence to 
avoid the mischief en tended a meeting 
was held on the 10th of -June following 
at 1 of the clock in the afternoon at the 
house of Enoch Cook in said town pre- 
vious to which an advertisement bad 
been published by the Clerk exhibiting 
the articles hereafter acted on, viz ; 
Hily. After the meeting being opened 
the Moderator of the former meeting 
took his place iu order to keep silence 
agreeable to the 1st article, the inhabi- 
tants voted to reconsider the vote of the 
former meeting for dissolving it, and to 
revise said meeting and 2dly chose Jos- 
h H i 1 d ret h. Enoc h Cox .>' k an d S olo man 
arvey Trustees for the year ensuing* 
3dly, Thomas Clark as an assessor to 
be joined with tire other two chosen at 
the former meeting, after which the 
meeting was adjourned, and to meet, at 
any time or as occasion might require 
in the judgement of the Trustees, to 
consider of such business as might be 
thought sufficient for consideration, the 
response for a meeting of this nature 
seems to have been the threat ning ap- 
proach of New Yorks Tyranny which 
in i gh t req u i re a mo re spe edy j ne eti u g o f 
the inhabitants than wlmt could have 
been convened agreeable to the usual 
method. 

A true re co i'd of the aforesaid pro- 
ceedings. 

Per Solouxs Harvey, Town Clerk. 

On the 18 th of Oct, AD urn 1774 
Lieut, Leonard Spaulding of the town 
of Fulham Alias Dummcrstcm was com- 
mitted to the common goal for high treas- 
on against the British Tyrant George 
the third, by the direction of the infa- 
mous Crcan Brush, his attorney and 
Noah Sabin William Willard and Eph- 
raim Kan a Esqrs. and Win. Patterson 



the high S breve and Benjamin Gorton 
and the infamous Hi Id ad Bason his depu- 
ties upon which lie upon the following 
‘lay, viz : Oct , 29th a majority of the 
in habitants meet near the house of 
(."harks Davenport on the green and 
made choice of sundry persons to serve 
as a committee correspondency to join 
with other towns or respectable bodies 
of people, the better to secure 1 and pro- 
tect the rights and privileges of them- 
selves and fellow creatures from the 
ravages and embarrassments of the 
British tyrant and his New York and 
other ton m usuries. The persons made 
choice of ware these, viz ; Solomon 
Harvey, John Bailor* Jonathan KuighL 
-Jos nth Boydeu Daniel Gates. 

By whose vigil euce and activity Mr. 
Spaulding was released from his con- 
finement after about eleven days ; the 
committee finding it necessary to be 
assisted by a large concourse of their 
freeborn neighbors and brethren consis- 
ting of the inhabitants of Hummers ton. 
Putney, Guilford, Halifax and Draper, 
who discovered a patriotic zeal, and true 
heroic fortitude on Lire important oectis- 
i on . The pi al n tr nth is l h at tl \ e son s of 
freedom whose patience was worn out 
with the inhuman insults of the imps of 
power, grew quite sick of diving after 
redress in a legal way and finding that 
the law was only made use of. for the 
emolument of its creatures and the im- 
miseries of the British tyrant, resolved 
on au eisier method and accordingly 
opened the goal without key or lock- 
picker, and after congratulating Mr. 
Spaulding upon the recovery of his 
freedom dispersed every man in pence 
to his respective home, or place of abode. 

The aforegoing is a true and short 
relation of that wicked affair of the 
N e w York on t- 1 h roatl y Jt r.c ah tiink , High 
Church Tori eti cal minions of George 
the third, the pope of Canada and tyr- 
ant of Briton. 

Per Solomon Harvey, Town Clerk* 

P, S.— Mr. Spaulding's pretended 
crime was that he threw out some words 
unfavourable to the British tyrant, relat- 
ing to the Q tie heck bill by which he is 
made pope of that Government* 

On February ye 3d the freeholders of 
Du miners ton met at the house of Enoch 



DUMMEB8T0N. 



II 



Look in said town, at the hour of 2 
in the afternoon agreeable to a legal 
advertisement for the purpose. 

JLstXy. Made choice of Hosoa Mil- 
ler as Moderator. 

2dly. Chose Solomon Harvey, 
and Richard Kelley to serve as dele- 
gatee to set in Congress at Weatm lu- 
ster on the 7 tli instant at the hour 
of ten in the forenoon. 

ftdiy. Voted that the Courts of 
Coin men pleas be put by for a time. 
After which the meeting was ud- 
j o u rued to th e 14th i ust an fc at 2 of 
the clock in the afternoon, in order 
to hear the report of the delegates 
after the rising of Congress. 

Hosba Miller, Moderator. 

A true copy from the minutes, 
per Solomon Harvey Tow n Clerk 

On Feb. ye 14th met according to 
adjournment the former Moderator 
being absent and made choice of 
Enoch Cook to conclude the business 
of the meeting* 

Voted Is the That the Delegates 
conduct at the Congress is satisfac- 
tory to the town. 

2mlly. Voted that the Cadet 
Company have leave to act indepen- 
dent of the town until the 3d Wed- 
nesday in May next with regard to 
military affairs* 

3dly. Voted to dissolve the meet- 

ing. 

A true copy from the minuets 
pr Solomon Harvey Town Clerk 

On the 28th of November 1774, at 
8 cd clock in the forenoon the free- 
holders &c met at the house of En- 
och Cook lo Du miners ton agreeable 
to an advertisement previously post- 
ed for that purpose in which the ar- 
ticles to be acted on were regularly 
inserted. 

1st Chose Solomon Harvey, Eb- 
ert ezer Haven, Hosca Miller to act as 
delegates in the County Congress at 
Westminster , on the 30th instant 

2dly Voted that the Assessors, 
assess the town in a discretionary 
sum of money sufficient to procure 
100 wt. of Gunpowder 200 wt. of Lead 
& 300 flints for the town use, which 
was proposed to be procured with 
Potash Salts 

3dly Voted that Josiah Boy den 
& Thomas Clark be a committee to 



receive the Salts & procure the arti- 
cles above mentioned. The meeting 
was then dissolved by vote of the 
town. 

Per Solomon haryey town clerk 
JFinistur A Dorn 1775* 

On April the (ilh a meeting was 
held in 1 humnerston agreeable to the 
* usual forms. 

Voted Istly That Lieut. Leonard 
Spaulding be the Moderator of said 
| meeting. 

Voted 2dly To send Solomon Har- 
; vey, Ebenesjer Haven, Cornelius 
Jones and William Negus to Week 
I minster, there to meet other Com- 
mittees, to consult on the host meth- 
ods for dealing with the unprovoked 
mnrtberers of William French and 
Daniel Hon gh to n . 

3dlv Voted to Dismiss Alexander 
KaLhan and Enoch Cook from being 
Assessors because they refused to as- 
sess the town for the purchasing u 
stock of ammunition agreeable to a 
v ote of the Lo w n of N o v e n \ ber y e 2 8 fc 1 > 
1774 

4thly Made choice of Jonathan 
Knight Hose a Miller, Win. Negus to 
I supply their places after which the 
; meeting was dissolved by a majority 
of votes . Tests Leonard Spun 1 d i ng, 
Moderator. 

Per Solomon Harvey Town Clerk. * T 

Remarks of Solomon Harvey 
Town Clerk 

J cannot conclude the records of 
the town regularly with regard to 
e u n d r y pro coed mgs t o w ar d the cl o so 
of the year. X would cast no undue 
reflections bn t it may not be amiss 
to say that this year was the most 
ran ark oh 1 e eve r k n o wn in this 1 a n d , 
being, a time of heart searching per- 
plexity throughout all America the 
most porgmynt griefs and raging ca- 
lamities seems to have raged in all 
parts, and in this neighborhood the 
affairs of a public nature wore the 
most disagreeable face. 

The enemies of our land and of 
miv temporal happiness exerted 
themselves iu a very singular manner 
in order to create jealousies the most 
dangerous to societies and thereon to 
boil tl th e m o n s tro u s f abri c of d isoo rd 
designed for our destruction. The 



12 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



worthy inhabitants of this town can- 
not after a moments reflection but 
be sensible of the artful insinuation 
of the inveterate enemies of the pub- 
lic affairs which so far succeeded not- 
withstanding my faith fulness and 
unshaken fidelity both to the town 
and country and mankind at large 
as rendered it necessary that I should 
resign all public offices among which 
that of Town Clerk. I resigned to 
John Scott your Constable to whom 
you are referred for the remainder 
of the Town records of the year A 
Dom 1775. Thus I conclude by sub- 
scribing myself the towns and all 
mankinds hearty and sincere friend. 

Solomon Harvey. 



Soon after the charter of Full am 
was granted, John Ivathan who had 
resided in the limits of the town 
since the year 1752, united with a 
number of persons, purchased in con- 
junction with them, from the New 
Hampshire proprietors, a part of the 
township, and in the year 1754, ac- 
cording to his own account removed 
there with bis wife and seven or 
eight helpless children.” Possessing 
the qualities of industry and perse- 
verance — qualities especially neces- 
sary to the successful management 
of a new settlement, he addressed 
himself to his task and did actu- 
ally clear and improve above 120 
acres, and built a good dwelling- 
house, barn and all necessary offices, 
and also a saw-mill and a potash 
works,” and in order to guard his 
improvements was “ at considerable 
expense in building a fort around 
his house” and was under the disa- 
greeable necessity of residing there- 
in during the course of a tedious and 
distressing war. 

Joseph Temple of this town tradi- 
tion says was saved in Westminster 
fight by the pewter basin in his 
knapsack. 

Another brave man of the same 
township, John Hooker escaped with 
the loss of the soles of his boots 
which were raked off by a chance 
shot from the enemy. But the dis- 
comfiture was only temporary ; the 
art of the shoemaker was potent to 



restore the wanting portions, and 
the boots were afterwards worn by 
their owner with feelings of pride 
and satisfaction. Many a man more 
distinguished but less valient than 
Mr. John Hooker has in time of bat- 
tle found safety in trusting to his 
soles, and that too, in a manner not 
one half as honorable. 



RECORD RESUMED BY MR. MANS- 
FIELD. 

In accordance with the act of Con- 
gress, adopting the “ non -importa- 
tion, non -co u sumption, non-export- 
ation association” on Oct. 20, 1774, 
the town held a meeting Nov. 28, 
1774, and voted : 

“that the assessors assess the town 
in a Discretionary Sum of money 
Sufficient to procure 100 weight of 
gun powder, 20o weight of Lead & 
300 flints for the town use which was 
proposed to be procured with potash 
salts.” 

Josiali Boyden and Thomas Clark 
were chosen a committee to r< reive 
the salts and procure tin ariirbs 
above mentioned In one of th«- arti- 
cles of the “ non-imponatio)i ” A*c 
act, was a recommendation that a 
committee should b’e chosen ** in ev- 
ery county, city and town, by those 
qualified to vote for representatives 
in the Legislature, whose business it 
should be attentively to observe the 
conduct of all persons” in regard to 
measures adopted by the association. 
The advice conveyed in these words, 
though rejected by Westminster, was 
heeded by the patriotic people of 
Dummerston. The service implied 
was such as suited their temper. The 
subject was broached in town-meet- 
ing, Jan. 3, 1775, and several per- 
sons with Dr. Harvey at their head 
were chosen a “ Committee of in- 
spection to observe the “Conduct of 
the inhabitants agreeable to an order 
or recommendation of the Right 
Honorable Continental Congress.'’ 
Under authority of this Committee, 
two of the town assessors were re- 
moved from their places, because 
they had refused to purchase the 
stock of ammunition which was to be 



DU M M ERSTO N . 



13 



paid for in “potash salts. From one 
jnan they took a gnu because they sus- 
pected it contained a ball more friendly 
to the King than to the Congress. 

By their decision, another man who 
had been prominent in the history of the 
Tillage was declared unfit for office, and 
was not permitted to art in a public sta- 
tion, until by his conduct be evinced the 
spirit of a patriot. After the beginning 
of the Revolution, committees like these 
were to be found in almost every town 
throughout the New Hampshire Grants, 
but the people of Durnmerston seem to 
have led the way in sustaining in Cum- 
berland eouuty ( now Wind ham and 
Windsor counties) the efforts of Con- 
gress to guard against the manoeuvres 
of inimical persons. 



CAPT. JOHN KATRAN, 
to whom iu the year 1753, the township 
of Fulluni was granted, unitedly with 
a number of other persons, purchased 
from New Hampshire proprietors, re- 
moved therewith his family. He address- 
ed himself with energy to his task and 
cleared and improved 120 acres on 
which he built a good dwelling-house 
.and u all necessary offices, also a saw- 
mill and potash works,” and in order to 
guard his improvements “was at consid- 
erable expense in building a fort round 
his house. 

The first settler of Durnmerston, as 
suited in the preceding records by the 
town clerk, performed good labors in the 
midst of great hardships and trials. Mis- 
fortune rendered his toil more severe. 
His eldest daughter, Mrs. Moore was 
taken captive by the Indians and he did 
not know her fate until she was return- 
ed from her captivity. The settlement, 
although much disturbed by the war, was 
not allowed to die, and a few years after 
the restoration of order, John Kathan 



and his eighteen associates, with their 
families were rapidly subduing the for- 
ests of Fullum, aud -Accomplishing the 
conditions of their charter.” 

In addition to the town record ac- 
count, the history of Captain Katlmn, 
thus far given is irovo* Hull 9 s History of 
Eastern Vermont. For further infor- 
mation relative to him and his family, 
we are indebted to relatives of the Ka- 
than family at the present time. Valu- 
able information lias been obtained from 
two Bibles ; one containing the family 
record of Alexander Katlmn, the other 
that of his father’s family. Alexander’s 
family Bible is now the property of a 
relative in Bangor, Me. It was printed 
in 1775. The Bible with- the record 
of Captain John Kathan was printed 
in 1731, aud is 148 years old. It is now 
the property of Charles C. Frost of 
Br&ttlcboro. Both Bibles contain facts 
relative to the captivity of Mrs. Moore, 
a daughter, of C'apt. John and sister of 
Alexander Kathan. 

Capt. John Kathan came from Eng- 
land in the year 17 29, and probably re- 
sided in Worcester, Mass, previous to his 
removal to Durnmerston. Remarried a 
sister of Capt. Fair bank Moore. Their 
children were Alexander, b. Apr. 22, 
1729, during the passage of his parents 
to America ; Margaret, b. Oct. 6, 1 730 ; 
John, b. Jan. 7, 1732, died June 3, 1802, 
aged, 70 ; Mary, b Oct., 18, 1734, and 
married Col. John Sargeant, the first 
Anglo-Saxon child bom in Vermont; the 
event is recorded in the old Bible as 
follows : 

‘Tuesday ye 10 day of Dec. 1700, 
John Sargeant and Mary Kathan was 
married by Major Belles, (Bellows). 

She was the mother of Eli Sargeant, 
the elder, who died at West River, Apr. 
24, 1834, aged 73. Martha Kathan was 
boru May 8, 1736, and married “July 
ye 22, of tuesday 1 764 to Asa Holguit, 
By Samuel Stevens Esq.” 



IS 



V ERMONT HISTOE ICAL MAGAZINE. 



i > a N r E l. K a' r 1 1 a h w a s h o r n Feb . 1 , 1 74 1 j 
and married, 

i4 tuesday May ye 0 day 17G4, to Ruth : 
Beret (Barrett) By Mr. Gay of Hius- 
dell." 

Charles Kachan was bora Mar, 2G, 
1743. Those are the seven children that 
Capt. John Kathan had when he remov- 
ed his family to Dtun mats ton, They 
were not very 1 4 help less” at that time, tor 
the youngest was VI years of age and the 
eldest 22 years. It is not certain that 
A lexander came here with the rest of 
die family. If he did* he must have re- 
lumed to Ills home in Massachusetts, 
where he was married in 1755, and 
came back to tins town in ^7dl. 

John K at ban was present with his 
father in 1 765 , tor John luithan and 
John Jiatlum Jun. t with nine other per- 
sons signed a memorial that year. (MSS* 
in the office nf'Scct. State Maas. LXX V . 
547.) It was a complaint against Na- 
than Willard, In command of Fort 
Dummer. The record of Cap t„ Kat han’s 
settlement in this town reads thus : 

“June 5, 1752, John Kath an wi tli his 
family Cam to settle at Benias’ rook on 
Commit, river in ye Government of New 
harapshir eight miles from Fort Hum- 
mer." 

This rock, which is near Putney depot, 
w as n am ed fo r Joseph Benia s , prob abl y , 
a rather noted individual in this region at , 
that rime, and from whom sprang nu- 
merous families by that name. 

The place in now called Katharfy 
ferry. The naming of rocks in the river 
appears for two objects : one as points 
for surveys of land, as deeds are in ex- 
istence making these rocks as bounda- 
ries : The other as stopping places in voy- 
ages on the river to different military 
posts. Gapt. John Kathan died Nov. 23. 
1787, in the 83 st. year of his age. II is 
wife, Martha (Moore) Kalb an, died, 

14 22 of September J 7G6, of a mtmday 
night.” 



. We read also, iu the old Bible that on 

‘Tuesday february ye 1U, 767, Capt, 
John Kuril an and the Widow Mary 
W right muired at Springfield By the 
Rev. M v Lotrop ( Lothrop) 

4 4 M ay 3 1 , 1 7 55, Ma rgaret K at 1 1 air 
1 1 in i re tl Be n j a m in M oo r s , ” 

Although the captivity of Mrs. Moore 
is an incident in the early history of 
B rattleb b ro , it is me i s l io n eel tl i u s hr i el - 
ly for the purpose of adding in connec- 
tion what was recorded in the old Bi- 
bles of t he Rath an f ami ly . 

4 1 Monday M arc 1 1 y e 6* 1758, Cap t . 
Moors with his sou Benjamin were kill- 
ed and Ben’s Wife and two children were 
taken captives by the Indians." 

After she had regained her liberty, 
we read in the same record : 

“ J an u a ry 2d, 17 64 . t h e \v i d o w Ma r- 
garet Moors was mai red to Moses John- 
son by the reverent Mr. Gay of Hina- 
dell." 

This passage explains w hat Alexan- 
der Kathan wrote in his Bible about 
the captivity of tL sister Johnson” by 
the Indians. I n the old Bible printed in 
17(31, we find the earliest date of birt hs 
in Dummerston. 

4 4 Mar. ye 5, 1761, thurs day Mary 
Kathan or Mary Sargent wife of John 
Sargent ; her first child a sou was born 
in ful lorn (Ful him) and province of New 
Hampshire. Ilis name was Eli Sargent. 
He died Apr. 24, 1834, aged 73 years.” 

The second family that moved into 
D 1 1 m mem to n w as that of 

A LE X A N D li U K ATM A X , 

son of John Kathan who came to Ameri- 
ca in 1729. He was bum Apr, 22, 1729, 
during tli e passage of his parents to this 
country. Margaret Baird, his wile, was 
bovu Aug. 21,1732. They were mar- 
ried, Dec. 4, 1755, by Rev. Mr. Rob- 
erts of Leicester. Their children were 
Mary, b, Oct. 8, 175G, married Eli hu 
Sargent, died Dec. 48, 185U ; John, b. 



DUMMERSTON. 



15 



Oct. 12, 1758, died Apr. 10, 1833, 
aged 74; Daniel, b. Oct. 15, 1760, 
married Olive Lamb, died Sept. 10, 
1804, Olive his wife died Jan. 23, 
1803; Thomas, born in Dummers- 
ton Apr. 30, 1704, died July 15, 
1S38; Elisabeth, b< rn Dec, 25, 
1767, died Jan. 13, 1828. 

“I, Alexander Katliau, arrived in 
Fulham May 1, 1761, with my 
family from Worcester. Nov. 16, 
1762, moved into my log-house. 
Nov. 6, 1783, moved into my new 
house west side the road." 

It was, probably, not' the first 
framed house built in town, as 
suited in another place. Alexander 
Nathan died Feb. 14, 1825, aged 
05 yrs. 6 mos. ; Margaret, his first 
wife, died July 14, 1803. 

He married after her death, Dec. 
21, 1806, Mrs. Mary Hart Daven- 
port, who died June 22, 1830, aged 
08 yrs. 3 mos. Alexander's mother 
died Sept. 22, 1766. 

His father died Nov. 23, 1787. 
His wife's father, Mr. Baird, died 
May 3, 1782. John died June 3, 
1802. His brother Charles resided 
in Putney where he built a house in 
the year 1708, “on the spot where 
Mrs. McLellan lives [1825J near 
Dr. Campbell's." As a military 
man, his rank was Lieut. Colonel. 
He died May 22, 1703, aged 50 
years, llis brother, Lieut. Daniel 
Kathan died Oct. 17, 1 SO 7, aged 67 
yrs. Daniel's wife, Ruth Barrett, 
died Aug. 3, 1S02, aged 57. Alex- 
ander’s family Bible has the follow- 
ing information recorded: 

“Mercy Baird died Apr. 23, 1790. 

“Hosea Beckley, ordained minis- 
ter in Dummerston Mar. 2, 1808; 
Court stopped at Westminster 
March 13, 1775; 

“‘Sister Johnson was taken by 
the Indians, carried to Canada Mar. 
6, 1758, and was redeemed by Gen. 
Schuyler in the fall. She died Oct. 
18, 1779, up at the lake."' 

Also, we read in the Scame record 
that Alexander Kathan and wife 
joiued the church in Dummerston, 
‘Mar. 11, 1787. 

Religious sentiments and counsel 



for his family are written on several 
pages of this old Bible and many 
texts of scripture from which he 
had heard sermons preached by 
Rev. Aaron Crosby. 

The first three settlers located, 
not on the high lands, as many 
have done in early settlements, but 
on the forest plains near the Con- 
necticut. Capt. John Kathan, 
Alexander Kathan and Daniel Kath- 
an built their log-houses near to the 
three principal brooks that How 
into the Connecticut river in the 
east part of the town. 

Capt. John Kathan settled near 
the brook north of Putney depot on 
land then a part of Dummerston; 
Alexander, near Canoe brook, and 
Daniel not far from Salmon brook. 
These families came from Worces- 
ter, Mass. Alexander kept a memo- 
randum in almanacs for each year, 
of principal events in Ins farming 
business and other matters worthy 
of note. These almanacs were kept 
in file by stringing them on a 
leathern thong, and are now in pos- 
session of his descendants; some 
forty in number are in possession of 
a family in this town. 

The earliest of these almanacs is 
for the year 1764, and the numbers 
are complete down to the year 1817, 
except 1795 and 1814. The oldest 
ones arc the almanacs published by 
Nathaniel Low. Most of the file 
from 178 L, are the almanacs of 
Isaiah Thomas, Mr. Kathan was 
in the habit of noting on the margin 
of these almanacs important events 
relating to his business and other 
affairs. Here are a few items in 
reference to the making of sugar: 

“March 19, 1704, tapped trees, 
made 21 lbs. of molasses." 

February 1765, tapped trees, and 
sugared off 18 pounds on the 20th." 

“Apr. C, 1778, made off, 10 lbs. 
of sugar; that's the first this sea- 
son." 

Here we find the date when the 
first meeting-house in town was 
raised. 

“November 10th 1773, raised the 
meeting house." 



V Eltil< ) N T HISTOltl GA L M A G AZ1NE. 



15 



“Ma y 10th, 1 7 SO, remarkable dark 
day.” 

“April 5th 1781, a man and a 
horse crossed the river on the ice.” 
“The 2d Sabbath in the same 
month snow was knee deep in the 
field and solid/ 5 

“1785, snow 1st day of April, 34 
inches deep on a level.” 

“19 th, old snow knee deep, new 
snow/" 

“May 23th, put in seine and catch 
no shad.” 

“May 30, catch shad.” 

“March 31st. 1786, no snow.” 

“2d day of April, terrible storm 
of wind, and snow fell knee deep/” 
“17th. began to plow/" 

“March 29 th, 1787, burnt out the 
base- wood stub and scarfc out two 
flying squirrels.” 

“May 10th. 1788, the mountains 
covered with snow,” 

“Aug, 19th. a hurricane.” 
“March, 1803, what a sight of 
pigeons did fly all the 13 th,” 

“June 6th.' 1804, set tobacco. ” 
“Aug. 29th. cut up tobacco.” 
“Mrs. Kathan sea a robin on the 
9th of February, Robins here seen 
til the 17th.” 

“March 5th, sea two robins.” 
“July 12th, had string beans/ 1 
“the % 2d, had new tatos/ 1 
“February 1811, killed 1J0 ruts in 
the corn house hi one day.” 
Alexander cleared a piece of plain 
land thickly overgrown with old 
pines, on w hich he plan Led corn at 
one time, but the tall over-shadow- 
ing pines prevented his securing 
anything but a harvest of fodder. 
The first apple trees grown in town, 
he brought from Worcester, three 
in number, and set out ori his farm. 
The kind of apples which these 
bore was called “cotton wool.” The 
last one of the old trees stood till 
the year 1859, on land just north of 
the barn on “the old Kathan place.” 
Mr. Kathan went to Deerfield. Mass, 
during the first years of his settle- 
ment, to get his corn ground. The 
first record of a grist-mill in Diun- 



merston was Nov, 23, 1772, at which 
time the settlers voted “that the 
road be accepted from tiic meeting- 
house (lot) by the corner of Hosea 
Miller’s lot, so on the south line of 
said Miller's lot to the Salmon brook, 
over the brooks down on the north 
side of said brook, to the Corn Mill 
tli e nee to John Kilburyk thence to 
fc h e g r eat ro ad on the south si d e of 
Daniel Kathan s barn. ” 

On one occasion when Alexander 
Kathan was returning from Worces- 
ter or Deerfield, guided on his way 
by marked trees, a dark object ap- 
peared in his path not far in front 
of him. It was evening and near 
his home, Not being able, on ac- 
count of the darkness to recognize 
what it was that obstructed his 
pathway, and not daring to risk too 
much by a nearer approach, ho fired 
his gun and the dark object glided 
away into the forest. In the morn- 
1 ing be returned in company with 
others to the scene of his advedture, 
and finding traces of blood followed 
1 the trail to a swamp, now south of 
the old burying ground near Oscar 
F . B en n et t's, they d i s e o v ere d a d e a d 
bear. Bears were plenty in this 
| town in those {lavs, and frequently 
the family were kept awake during 
the night time by the howling of 
wolves near the sheep-pens where 
they were often seen standing on 
their hind feet with their paws 
resting against the pen, and bark- 
ing furiously. Some idea of the 
den sc growth of the forest trees and 
unde r-b r u si j i n th ose ti n i es m ay b e 
had from the fact that one of Mr. 
Kathan y & little children was lost for 
a short time in the woods only a few 
rods from the house, having been 
sent out by their mother to call 
their father to dinner. 

The first house he lived in was 
built of round logs, the second 
one, of hewn logs. The third build- 
ing was framed, and may have been 
the first framed house built in town. 
The old house was remodeled many 
years ago and the carpenter who 
helped do the work says, that 



DUMMERSTON. 



17 



the old roof was taken oil, another | 
story added, and what is now quite 
a good looking, two-story, white 
house, wasouce the habitation of the 
second family that settled in Dum- 
mcrston. By good fortune this 
building escaped destruction in Aug. 
1843. A violent whirlwind or hur- 
ricane that prostrated several acres 
of forest trees on the hills west of 
the buildings, swept down across the 
plain, leveling the trees in its path, 
making a direct route towards the 
house around which it made a sud- 
den turn in serpentine course, shak- 
ing up the stately old elms furiously, 
and spending its force not far to the 
eastward. The oldest sugar lot in 
town stands on this farm. Only 
thirty-one of the old nionarehs of 
the forest are now standing, the 
largest of which measures 17 1-2 feet 
in circumference. 

A grand-son of Alexander Kafchau 
cut down in 1858, or 1859, one of 
the large trees in this old lot, and 
while working it up, the number of 
rings made by the annual growth 
from the place where the deepest in- 
cision was made in “ boxing” the 
trees, were counted and fonud to be 
nearly one hundred. 

In boxing the trees for sap to run, 
a place or groove was cut with an 
axe, instead of boring with a bit, as 
the custom is at the present day. 
With the aid of an iron gouge a 
place was made to receive the wood- , 
on spout. The sap was caught in ; 
bass-wood troughs. A section of 
wood from one of these old trees lias 
been preserved. It shows the marks 
of three instances of boxing in per- 
pendicular line, the central scar be- 
ing in the form of the letter Y. 

A great grandson of Alexander 
Kathan named Horace, 10 years old, 
was scalded with hot sugar so that 



he died, 9 days after the accident, 
Mar. 8, 1833/ 

He was helping his father take oil' 
a kettle of hot sugar. The leg of 
the. kettle caught on the side of the 
arch, and tipped the contents upon 
the boy. His father caught him up 
and dipped him into a tub of cold 
sap which relieved him of agony a 
short time, but was not eifectual in 
saving his life. 

Au incident relating to John 
Kathan, Jr. is given in HalPs His- 
tory. In 1 779, lie refused to serve 
in the Vermont militia. June 17, 
of that year, John Kathan and Beu- 
jamin Jones, Jr. both of Dummers- 
ton, were informed by an officer 
that they were required to do mil- 
itary duty. Ou their refusal to com- 
ply, being subjects of New York, 
the officer took a cow from each and 
sold one of them at auction, and re- 
tained the other for the use of the 
state/’ Ezra Robinson and Eph- 
raim Rice, also, of this town had 
cattle sold in the same manner be- 
cause they refused to pay or serve in 
the militia. Children of: 

LTEl’T. T) A KIEL AND RUTH 

Kathax 

the order of names being uncertain 
—Susanna, m. Freedom Bigelow of 
Chesterfield. N. II., Dec. hi, 17SS: 
Eunice, m. Israel Bigelow, June 11, 
1792; 

Rufus m. Nabby Stone, Nov. 8, 
1796: 

Phebe, m. 1st. William Wilder, 
Jan. 3, 1800, 2d. Josiah Dodge; 
Daniel Jr. m. Fanny Haven, Oct. 
23, 1800; 

Lydia m. Benjamin Frost, Oct. 
25, 1801; 

Dolly m. Jacob Frost. 

Lieut. Kathan died Oct. 17, 1807, 
2R 67; Ruth, his wife died Aug. 3, 
1802, ,E 57. 

It is said that Mrs. Kathan was, 
in some way related to widow Re- 
becca Barrett, who died May 15, 
1809, aged 79, and who was the 
“Parent of Lieut. Elijah Brown. ” 



IS 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Silas Butler, who married Sally 
McFarland, Jan. 25, 1816, is said to 
have owned the old tanneiy prop- 
erty, located south of Lt Nathan's 
residence. The old building and 
well-sweep were standing in 1832, 
perhaps later than that date. 

A portion of the old tannery- 
building was occupied for a dwell- 
ing. The old millstone, used in the 
bark mill, that lay imbedded in the 
earth many years, was recently re- 
moved, and now forms a part of the 
covering on a large water-course 
built 3 years ago on the Haven place. 

rAKBY GENEALOGY. 

Daniel Nathan (2d.), son of Alex- 
ander, Esq. b. Get 15, 1790, m. 
Olive Lamb, 2d. Sibyl McFarlaud; 
He died Sept. 10, 1801. 

Children of Daniel and Olive 
Kathan : 

Thomas, Ik Nov. 25, 1788, m. 1st. 
Lucy, b. May 9, 1790; Caty, b. 
Dec. 22, 1791; 

Anna, b. Feb. 7, 1795, m. Alphe- | 
us Pratt, of Brattleboro, May 21st, 
1812, 

Emery, b. May 23, 1797; 

Wyman Lamb, b. Dec. 9, 1798, m. 
Laura Burnham, July 3 1st, 1825; 

Orison, b. July 31, 1801. 

The children of Wyman and Lau- 
ra Kathan were Am an da Hu, b. Oct. 
9, 1825; Mar id da, b. Oct. 5, 1827; 
Eliza, b. Feb. 12, 1831; 

Wyman L, Kathan died Feb. 25, 
1832, and his widow married Job 
Knight, June 7, 1834. They had 
two children, Caroline and Herbert 
Knight. Their mother died Oct 
17, 1842. 

Gardner Kathan, Sen. was a son 
of Colonel Charles and brother of 
Prentice Kathan, whose name ap- 
pears on the tax list for 1802. On 
the same list is the name of David 
Kathan. Gardner, Sen. married 
Betsey Townshend, of Putney, lie 



is said to have been twice married. 
He died Feb. 11, 1813, /E 46. His 
children were: 

Lydia, who m. Charles Daven- 
port, Jr., Sept. 6, 1812: Richard; 

Robert, b. 1790, d. Apr, 8, 1819, 
M 29; 

Gardner, b. Aug 11, 1794, m. 
Apr. 10, 1821; 

Jerusha, daughter of Charles and 
Lydia (Scott) Kathan, b. Dec. 29, 
1800; 

Betsey, born 179 6, m. Abel Knight 
Oct. 17, 1317, d. Mar. 4, 1$72; 

Orrin, b. 1802, m. Ad aline Katin 
an. 

The children of Gardner and Jo- 
rush a Kathan were: 

Gardner S., b* Dee. 4, 1 821; Hen- 
ry, b. Jan. 7, 1823; Eliza, b. May 6, 
1825 ; Norm an, b. Jan. 25, 1827; 
Dorr W., b. July S, 1820; John A., 
i b. July 19, 1832; Frances, b. Nov. 
15, 1833; Helen, b. Dec. 22, 1837: 
Riley H., b. June lo, 1839. The 
father of these children died June 
28, 1858. 

One Charles Kathan married Su- 
bra McFarland, Mar. 29, 1811, 

John, eldest son of Alexander. 
Esq. was born Oct. 12, 1758, m 3 1st. 
Polly Perry, sister of Bethany, wife 
of Jesse Knight, 2d. Rebecca* dam 
of John Severy of Worcester, Mass. 
His first wife, Polly, died Mar. 8, 
1791, M 23; Rebecca, the second 
wife, died Dec. 25, 1837, /E 79. By 
the first marriage he had one child, 
John, born Nov. 6, 1790; by the 
second, Polly, b. 1794. or *95, who 
rn. Squire Spaulding, July 3, 1811. 

John Kathan m. Rhoda, daughter 
of Roswell Bum ham, of Westmore- 
land, N. H., Nov 14, 1817. She 
iv as born Dee. 3, 1800, died Jan. 3, 
1860, Bed, Oct. 1% 1859. Their 
children were: 

Louisa, b. Feb, 5,1819, m. Wilder 
Knight, July 2, 1839. 

Horace, b. Nov. 9, 1821, d. Mar. 
12 1831 . 

Aurelia S., b. Feb. 2S, 1823, m. 
William A. Dutton, Sept. Ill, 1850. 
Adeliue E.. b. June 14, 1S25, married 



DUMMKRSTQN. 



. 19 



On-in Kathan, Sept. 14, 1850, d. July 
HL 18 m. 

Fanny M m b, Feb. 18, 1820, m. Ad in 
A. Dutton, Jan* t, 1850 ; Ellen, born 
Feb. 26, J SHI , m. Larkin Q, Cole or 
W c anno re land * N . H., Ap r, 15, 1 85 8 ; 

John H., h. Mar. 23, 1838, married 
F a i s i\y M . N o w man, o i Bi 1 1 le boro , d . 
Dee. 7, 1883; George F. Kathan, born 
-Now 18, 1835, married ElUa Ware, of 
Westmorchwcl, N. FL, May 18110 ; 

Kinsley S., b. July 2, 1838, d. Doe, 
27, 1864 ; 

Henry IF, b. Aug. 18, 1840, m. Belle 
Belknapp, May 6, 18G3, died Aug. 24, 
1873. 

Eliza belli, youngest child of Alexan- 
der K a than, was b. Dee. 25, 1707, m. 
Joseph Wi bom Jan. 7, J 706. 

The earliest record of any death in 
town is that of Capt. John KaUianT 
wife, Martha, who died Sept. 22. 1766, 
M about 60. 

First Burials. 

The first burials in town were made 
in the old grave-yard, formerly in Dum- 
inerston, now in Putney, about 40 rods 
northwest from the railroad station. In 
1878, seventeen old gravestones were 
left standing in the yard, and at the r 
present time only nine remain. The rest 
have been broken down and trampled 
in pieces by cattle. The grave of Capt. 
John Kfl-than, the first settler iu Dunu 
merstou, is, therefore, left unmarked. 
Quite a number of the first settlers 
must have been buried in that yard ; for 
in making the excavation for a cellar 
ou its site a few years ago, seven bodies 
or skeletons were found, and the owner 
of the land states that his horses some- 
times step into soft places where graves 
were dug. 

Thus ends the record of the births, 
marriages and deaths in the first three 
families in town. 



The following inscription was taken 
from one of the old gra ve- stones left 
standing in that cemetery of olden time. 

* L J?z memory 

Colon ii Charles Kuihuv h* 1 
Died Mm f 22 1 7 93 w 
The 51 at year of ins age 
Time was J stood where thou dovni uov 
And vc wed the dead as thou dust me 
hire /any thoult lie fir l wo us 1 
And others stand a ml look on find* 
From the first setflem m in 1752* 
down to the present time, families by 
the name of Ka than have been residents 
of tins towtL The last person, but one, 
who died here in the year 1883, was 
John Kathan, whose death occurred 
Dec . 7 tl t . He w as b or n in D urn me rs to m 
Mar. 23, 1833, and was great- great 
grandson of the first settler, 

MAUGARET( KATHAK) MdOKEs 
the eldest daughter of Capt. Jolm and 
Martha Moore K nth an, was born, Oct. 
iu 1 730, probably in Wore ster, Mass. 
She was married to Benjamin Moore, 
Son of Capt. FcUrbank Moore, May 11, 
1755, and in less than three years after 
was taken prisoner by the Indians who 
broke into the house of Capt, Moore, 
her father-in -law, with whom she and 
her husband resided, at midnight Mar. 6, 
1758, and killed her husband and the 
Captain, Ins father. She, startled from 
sleep by the terrible war-whoop of the 
savages, sprang from her bed and while 
the fierce attack was going on below, 
hurridly dressing herself and her chil- 
dren escaped from the house. It was 
in the middle of the night, dark and 
coin. Not knowing what she did in her 
fright she had pulled on in dressing two 
p air o f lo n g w ool en s toe ki n gs tl ui t p ro v - 
ed of good service now and it probably 
saved her life. She took a sled -road for 
the woods, that her husband had broke 
the day before to draw wood. With her 



VERMONT HI STORK. 1 A I. 



MAGAZLNE. 



iwo children, the youngest a babe ai l 
but three weeks old, she was soon aver* 
taken Ivy s the Indians* who as soon as , 
it was light discovered her footsteps in 
the snow . They took both of her chil- 
dren from her at first but soon re turn - 
ffd her babe to her which they allowed 
her to carry \ and they led or carried 
the oldest child that was b\*r little over 
two years old. During the night the In- 
dians finding i j\ the house some beaus 
and tallow, cooked the beans in about 
20 pounds of tallow and put them up 
in bags for provision on the way ; upon 
this 1 1 icy s u bsi s t e d , tr a v cling on foot to 
Fort Tieonderoga* which they read ted 
on the tenth day from their departure ; 
having crossed the Green Mountains in 
llie most inclement season of the year ; 
and from T founder oga they were taken 
by boat to Montreal in Canada, where 
Mrs. Moore and her children remained 
in captivity for two and a half years ; 
her father’s family in D mum e niton, not 
knowing her fate til! she was returned 
to them ; — Col. Peter Schuyler having 
4 i paid a ransom of four hundred livves 
(874) for her redemption from cap- 
tivity." 

She came back to her friends in 1762, 
end was married to Moses Johnson, 
J an . 2 6, 1 764 n d. “Tip the , Lake" , 1779, 

In her after life* it is said, she never 
reverted to her captivity unless first it 
was mentioned to her. The reason she 
gave for it was, during that time she 
suffered so much that it was painful to 
remember it. 

At. the time of the massacre, CapL 
Faivbonk Moore and his son lived up- 
on the farm comprising the meadows 
now owned by the Insane Asylum pro- 
prietors, just north of that institution. 
They were killed in a skirmish, and al- 
so several Indians whoso, bones, have 
been exhumed from time to time by 



plowing ami digging on these premises z 
supposed to have been their remains. 

After the death of CapL Moore, the 
above farm was purehicsed by Major 
John Arms. After hts death which 
was by the kirk of a horse. Ins sou* 
Jti&Lah kept the inn mi the place* whirl: 
was a favorite? stopping place for Ethan 
Alien and the Bradleys in their day. 
Major John ws&s the lather of Captain 
Job 1 1 A nn S w b use tsliil then w ere J osia li . 
John* Alfred, (Doctor) Willard, and 
William Arms of Dirmmerstcm, We 
are indebted to the Vermont Pbamix. 
IS7G for some of these particulars last 
mentioned. Mr. Mall says that Ilovr. 
the an t h o r o i' H oy t 1 s Iiuli a n W an * no- 
l ices this transaetioif as having occurr- 
ed in the month of September * another 
account says February, Hoyt locates 
Mr. M core’s residence in Hinsdale, an- 
other account near Fort Dummer. The 
relation given in the text is, however, 
believed to be correct. The farm on 
which Mr. Moore lived* is now occu- 
pied by Newman Allen Esq, To an ac- 
count of this transaction, which appear- 
ed in the columns of the '"Vermont 
Flufinix” in the year 1849. is appended 
the following note ; 

‘•Mr, Moore and his son alluded to 
above as having fallen victims to the 
Indians, are supposed to have been bur- 
ied near the side of their log-house which 
was burnt. On Monday last, bones be- 
lieved to have been theirs were found in 
Mr. Allen's barn-yard* covered with 
about one foot of earth and a board 
over them, b it apparently no coffin or 
box around them. One of the skulls con- 
tained an ounce bullet * which was un- 
doubtedly the cause of death." 

[The apology made on ov ov twice in these Ka- 
tlinn i; uni ] y papers, tunm the John Sargeaufc 
psqviVt following;- — for introducing m fitters 
of history that. OccnrcU on ground in Braille- 
hero, is luwiflsQ*ne in tlie author, ljut scarcely 
needed j wot onJy, as BraUleboro papers sent 
for publication in this work do not include 



IH'MMERSTON. 



21 



this new and interesting in formation. but also 

Mrs. Brujimiin Moore uml Mrs. John Sm- 
jjfeant belong certainly to the lutlmn family, 
the two oldest daughters of old Capt. John Iviv 
than. Margaret Katlmnimd Mary Kathan, both 
having been raised and having lived here un- 
til their marriage, and Mary, prolmbly having 
been born here; and 11s the. eldest daughter* of 
the tii-st settler, the first young women who 
lived in the town, could not well be spared 
from the Dummerston record of “ye olden 
time.” Ed.] 

JOHN SARGEANT 

was the first Anglo Saxon child born in 
Vermont. Wc write about this family 
because John Sargeant married Mary 
1\ a than of Dnmmerstou, daughter of 
Capt John Hath an. Their first child 
was born in this town Mar. 5, 1761. 
II is brother Rufus was a resident of the 
lown and bought his land of the propri- 
etary in 1 770. It is recorded in history, 
that Thomas Sargeant, a brother of Ru- 
fus. was a resident of Fullum. One 
Thomas Sargeant of Brattleboro bought 
a farm in Dummerston in 1703. 

The earliest account wc have of the 
family begins with Digory Sargeant wbo 
was born in Sudbury, Mass. The first 
name is spalled Dickery in Barber's Tlis- 
torieal Collections of Massachusetts. He 
was one of the early settlers of Worces- 
ter, and in company with John Wing, 
George Dan son, Peter Goulding and 
Jacob Leonard began a settlement there 
in 1685. The town had been previously 
settled by a few families in 1665, when 
six or seven houses were built, but soon 
deserted on account of Indian hostilities 
iu connection with King Philip’s war 
which raged at that time. From the time 
of the second settlement in 1685, when 
the whites returned with Mr. Sargeant 
and others, the settlers prospered well 
till 1 701 , when the Indians resumed hos- 
tilities on the frontier towns, and Wor- 
cester was again depopulated. All the 



settlers fled except Mr. Sargeant and his 
family. He determined to remain and 
brave the dangers of the Indian foe. He 
was not molested till 1703, or '04. The 
following particulars of his death are 
preserved. When the Indians surround- 
ed his house, Sargeant, seized his gun 
to defend himself. As he was retreating 
to the staircase, he was shot down by 
the savages. Upon this, they rushed in- 
to the 1 10 use and completed the work of 
death with their tomahawks and tore 
off his scalp. They seized his wife and 
five children and began a rapid retreat 
westward. Mrs. Sargeant overcome with 
grief and fatigue impeded their progress. 
As they were ascending the Tataesset 
or Tatnick hills, a chief stepped out of" 
the file, and while pretending to be look- 
ing for game, came up behind Mrs. Sar- 
geant iu an unsuspecting moment and 
deprived his sinking captive of life at a 
single blow. The children were taken to 
Canada, where they remained a long 
time before they were redeemed by their 
friends. It appears from one record that 
Mr. Sargeant was twice married. Ilis 
second wife was sister of George Par- 
menter of Sudbury. Martha was the. eld- 
est of his five children. She was born 
before 1609, and married Daniel Sbat- 
tuck of Worcester. Apr. 16, 1719. She 
died in 1722. The other children were : 
John, Daniel, Thomas and Mary. Dan- 
iel and Mary never returned from cap- 
tivity, but remained with their captors 
and adopted the habits and manners of 
the Indians. Thomas resided in Boston 
iu 1715. John, his brother, had au event- 
ful life. After his return from captivity, 
lie entered the service of the province. 
During the old French and Indian war, 
he was a soldier at Fort Dunmicr. He 
was a lieutenant, 'and both his name and 
that of his son, Daniel appear on Capt. 
Josiali Willard’s company roll, dated 



22 



V ERMONT H IS TO RICA L MA G AZ l A E 



Feb. 12, 1748. Lieut* John Sargeaut, 
his sou* Daniel, Moses Cooper, Joshua 
Wei 1 s a n d one o 1 1 i er sol d i er s t ar ted M ar . 
29, 1748, from Fort Dummer down the 
scout path to Col rain, for oars and pad- 
dles. When a little more than a mile 
from the fort, they were fired upon by 
a u am b ush of 1 2 o r 1 o 1 1 id i an s . 31 os e s 
Cooper was mortally wounded at the 
first five, but managed with the help of 
a comrade U> reach the fort. Lieut. Sur- 
ge ant with the others retreated slowly, 
firing as they went. The woods wore 
thick and the savages well covered. 
Wells was soon killed. The Lieutenant 
encouraged liis son with the assurance 
that help would be scut from the fort ; 
dared the skulking enemy to come out 
and fight like men, and firing as often 
as an Indian showed himself. When 
dear tb e fort , Lieu t . S argeai 1 1 w as k i 1 le d 
and his son was taken captive. The 
next day a company of seven men from 
North field under Capt. Ebeno/er Alex- 
ander went up to fort Dummer, and 
found and buried the Lieutenant and bis 
comrade. Ills grave was probably in 
sight of the fort. In a petition to the 
General Court, dated Nov. 29. 1 738, 
asking lor a grant of land, he says : 

u About the beginning of Queen Anne's 
war yr Petitioner’s father [Digory Ser- 
geant j then [1704] living in Worces- 
ter, bad the misfortune with your peti- 
tioner's mother and one brother to be 
killed by the Indian enemy : At which 
time yr petitioner with 5 brothers, and 
sisters were taken into captivity where 
yr petitioner remained 12 or 13 years. 

When Inclined to go home met with 
great oppossition as well from the pa- 
pists as Indians : yet be came home 
and was at the. sole cost of 4ns redemp- 
tion : That upon his arrival into his na- 
tive country, he was put into the ser- 
vice under Capt. Kellogg, [and after 
under Capt. Willard] and so remains 
to this time : That he has been three 

times to Canada in the service of the 



Province since his redemption, and 
when the Truck -house [one of the 
small houses in the stockade] was burnt 
ill 1 787. he lost greatly. 5 ' 

A grant of 200 acres of laud above 
North field was made to him by die leg- 
islature, The land appears to have been 
laid out at the lower end of Fort Dura- 
mer meadow* He built a house on this 
grant where be and bis family lived at 
the lime of his death. His age was about 
54 years. In 17(18, his widow, Abigail 
8 argent] L and the other heirs sold the 
estate to Capt. Samuel Hunt of North- 
field, It is described in the deed as ‘rifil 
acres with buildings thereon, which 
was a gram to the proprietors of Lunen- 
burg in 1731. 11 

The wife of Lieut. Surgoaut was Abi- 
gail Jones of Springfield, Mass. They 
were married July 4, 1727. Their chil- 
dren were : 

Daniel, b, Mur, 25, 1728. m. Dinah 
Jones of Springfield* Mass.. July 20. 
1751 ; 

Abigail, b, Jan, 1730 ; 

John, b, 1732, at Fort Dummer; the 
first English child born in Vermont, 
m. L i tuesday yc 10 day of Dee, 1700, 
M a ry K a tl v an , by M a j o r Bel 1 fts ( B e 1 - 
lows)*’ died July 30, 1793 ; 

Thomas, b. about 1734 ; lived at Fort 
Du miner, and Fullum ; married. May 
17, 1757, Anna, dan. of Joseph Hteb- 
bins, of North field. Mass, 

Mary, born 1742 ; 

Rufus, b. 1740 : married about 1774, 
Susanna ; died Nov. 23, 1820, 

The children of Cot. John Sargeant 
were : 

Eli, born Mar. 5, 17(51 , u in Fullum " 
[Dummerston]. 

Levi, in, Lydia Daily ; 

L u cy , w i fie o f I sa a c R igel o w ; 

Abigail, wife of Robert Wells, atul 
Mary, alius Folly. 



DTTMMERSTON. 



n 



The children of Thomas Sargeant 
and Anna Stebbins* Ins wife were: 
Elisha* b. May 3* 1758; 

Anna* b, June IS, 1760, 

The children of Rufus Sargeant 
and Ins wife* Susanna* were John* 
Sally* Rufus and Susanna, A daugh- 
ter of Rufus Sargeant, Jr. married 
James II Sargeant of Brattlcboro* 
who now lives on the site of the 
house built by Col, John, 

Cob Sargeant was captain of a 
company in the Lower Regiment 
£i of Yt. in 1776, and was commis- 
sioned Ll Col. of the Southern Reg- 
ime nt* Aug, 18, 1778." 

His father had a brother James* 
and they together* purchased all the 
I and in Brattleboro* lying between 
West and Connecticut rivers or what 
is now in that town* called West 
River. On account of tire Indians* 
it was not deemed prudent to build 
and occupy, so they with their fami- 
lies took refuge in Fort Du miner* 
which was on the site of the present 
residence of Simon Brooks. 

This brother James was the father 
of Thomas Sargeant* who was the 
father of Elihu* Calvin* Thomas 
and Luther. The two former living 
and dying at West River. Elihu 
was born May 3* 1758 and died* 
Dec. 1* 1833. 

A writer of ^historical notes” in 
the Vermont Phoenix Mar. 3J* 1876, 
Hays that Col- John Sargeant built 
about 1762* a large* two-story, gam- 
brel -roof house on the site" of the 
present residence of James H, Sar- 
geant, which became a noted rendez- 
vous for the neighborhood, and also 
for entertainment for travellers and 
officers of military posts tip and 
down the river. They were greatly 
annoyed by the Indians* and the in- 
habitants had many dangers and 
hairbreadth escapes to relate. 

At the time the Colonel's house 



was building* his wife was living 
with her father* John K a than, In 
D uni m erst on* where her .first child* 
Eli was born. Eli and bis brother* 
Levi* lived to au advanced age* and 
di ed on lav ms com p ri s ed in t h e fore- 
going purchase. Mary, a maiden 
sister, lived and died on the old 
homestead. Cob Sargeant was a 
distant relative of Mrs. Jemima 
Howe* afterwards Mrs, T u to* who 
was captured June 27* 1755* by the 
Indians at Fort Bridgman on Ver- 
non meadow, a short distance below 
Fort Du miner. It appears in the 

record that Mr, Sargeant was mar- 
ried by Major Bellows* who was 
doubtless* Col. Benjamin Bellows of 
Walpole* N. II. His sister* Juda* 
married Capt. Fairbank Moore* kill- 
ed by the Indians in Brattleboro* 
Mar. G* 1758. She was born in 
1708, and her brother* Col. Bellows* 
in 1715. Capt. Moore had two 
children, Fairbank and Benjamin. 
Fairbank married Esther Katban* 
who was admitted to the church in 
Northfh'ld* Mass.* Nov. SS* 1756. 
He lived with his family in Putney, 
1768* on what was known in 1825* 
as the Timothy Underwood place. 
It is recorded that a family by the 
name of Fairbank Moore lived in 
Walpole* N. II.* in 1759. Benjamin 
Moore married Margaret Katban* 
sister of Mary* the wife of Coh Sar- 
geant* whose marriage was perform- 
ed by Major Bellows. The state- 
ment is made in North field history 
by Sheldon and Temple* that Esth- 
er* wife of Fairbank Moore* Jr., 
was a daughter of Capt. John Katli- 
un, but her name is not given in the 
family record in the old Sargeant 
Bible. The three sisters* as there 
recorded, are Margaret* born 1730* 
Mary* born 1731* and Martha, wife 
of Asa Hoi gait* born 1736. Their 
mother was sister of Capt. Fairbank 
Moore. Colonel Sargent died at 
West River in Brattleboro* and was 
buried in the cemetery near hie 
home. On the stone at the head of 
his grave, it reads thus; 



u 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



“Snored to the memory of 
Col John Bargain t 
who departed this life July 30, 1103, 
in the 00th year of his aye 

Who now lies in the same town in 
which he was born, and was the first 
white man born in the state of Far - 1 
montJ I 

His eldest child, Eli, the first child 
born in 1) n miners ton, died at West 1 
River in Biuttieboro, Apr. 24, 1834. 
M 73. 

His wife was Elizabeth Genoa. 

LIEUT. LEONARD SPAULD- 
ING, 

who was the first representative to 
the Vermont Legislature, chosen 
from this town, was a resident of 
Du miners ton, Nov. 23, 1772, when 
with two o tlier persons he was 
chosen to draw a plan of the first 
meeting-house built in this town. 
From an old account-book it appears 
he was in Westmoreland, N. IT., at 
work on a farm in May, 1772, which 
he bought of Abner Howe. He was 
a resident of Putney in the summer 
of 1 771, where he had lived six years 
and perhaps, longer. In his old ac- 
count-book, minus 19 pages, be 
charged under date March, 1766 : 

* * M i k e 1 La w U > a t\ n a r t o f ru m a n d 
mug of flip.'"’ 

Lt. Spaulding settled in Putney 
soon after the close of the French 
and Indian war, during which he 
served as soldi en He made a clear- 
ing on the plane east of Putney vil- 
lage, now known as the Dea Jones 
farm. When cutting the timber lie 
left the trunk of the largest tree 
higher than the rest and with his 
axe leveled and smoothed tiie top as 
much as he could. The log house 
was so built that the stump was in 
the centre of the room and served 
for a table till he could get time to 
make one, after removing his family 



from Westford, where they lived 
during Ins absence, in the French 
and Indian war. The ground an- 
swered for a lioor to his cabin. A 
rustic bed, made of stakes and poles, 
overspread with hemlock houghs, 
served for a couch on which to sleep 
until his goods should arrive. When 
the new home was ready lor the re- 
ception of his family, the Lieuten- 
ant returned to Connecticut and re- 
moved in the early spring to Ver- 
mont. He and one child, bis wife 
and another rode on horseback. 
Thomas Love, his wife's brother, 
with three more of the children fol- 
lowed, driving the ox team and cart, 
loaded with a small amount of fur- 
niture and clothing. 

A coord iug to th c age of the ii f th 
child, it would be in the spring of 
1704, that his family came to Put- 
ney- The charges in the old ac- 
count book show that the Lieuten- 
ant was not only a farmer, but also 
a e ar pc n ter a n d t rad er to some ex - 
tent Tie bought and sold many 
articles usually kept in a country 
store. 

Numerous charges are made 
against customers for rum, dip and 
occasionally a **pot of sytler.” From 
176G to 1771, the following names 
of persons living in Putney are 
found on the book: Mike! Law, 
Samuel Allen, Jacob Thompson, 
Ichabob Gary, Andrew Me Adam, 
Itehenuah Howe, Jethro Brown, 
Samuel Skinner, Joshua Parker, Lt. 
Edward Howe, William Wimin, Mr. 
Hale, Benjamin Hutchins^ IT. lich- 
ens, Mr. Hartwell, Samuel Morse, 
Abraham Gariy* Aaron Alexander. 
Lt. Benjamin Whitcomb. John 
Cole, Elijah Temple, John Scott, 

' Leo ii ‘d Keep, Mr. Sawyer. Cap t, 
Aaron Brown, Aaron Gary, Jon a. 
Moore, Daniel Pearce, Daniel Whip- 
ple, Judge Lord. 

Spaulding’s house was burned, 
probably in the fall of 1771, He 
did not rebuild, but bought a 
farm in Westmoreland 7L H,. 
where he remained less than a year. 



DUMMKRSTON. 



25 



•ami removed to Duromcrstoru bought a 
farm ; built a log-house and some years 
sifter a framed dwelling now standing. 
The place is now owned and occupied 
by George Warwick. 

Lt. Spaulding was the first man here, 
to start with his gun for the fight at 
Westminster, Mar. 13, 1775. He was 
knocked down and wounded in that skir- 
mish. ITe immediately joined the army 
nnd continued in t he service much of* tlie 
lime during the Revolutionary war. His 
wife and sons, Reuben and Leonard jr. 
managed the farm during his absence, 
yet he came home quite often on fur- 
lough lie was in the. battle of Ben- 
nington [1777]. The day it was fought, 
bis wife, who was in the garden gath- 
ering vegetables for dinner, heard dis- 
tinctly the sound of the roaring cannon, 
nearly forty miles away. O tilers in her 
neighborhood heard the same noise and 
called it distant thunder ; and iu one 
thought differently until the news of the 
battle came. 

Mrs. Spaulding was afraid of wild an- 
imals, and one night when her husband 
was absent from home, a boar came 
and tried to drive away the hog, which 
naturally refused to go. The squeal iug 
of the hog awakened the family ; and 
the boys with the aid of a dog and burn- 
ing torches, drove the bear away and 
rescued the future meat of the family. 

It is related a f Mrs. Spaulding that 
she went on horseback, alone, every two 
years to visit her aged mother in Prov- 
idence, R. I. os long as she lived, who 
died at the advanced age of nearly a hun- 
dred years. When returning from one of 
those visits she brought home a small 
willow stick, used on the way for a rid- 
ing-whip and stuck it into the ground 
where it was moist ; and it grew to be 
a large tree ; said to be the first of its 
kind in this town. 



Mr. Spaulding held a lieutenant’s com- 
mission, not only in the French and 
Indian war. but, also, in the Revolu- 
tion ary wav. He was wounded in the 
battle of White Plains, Oct. 28, 177(1, 
in the. thigh, by a ball which remain- 
ed in bis leg as long as be lived ; and 
was troublesome at times. 

Lieut. Leonard Spaulding, for bis 
service in the war of 1776, be received 
a grant lyiug west of Lake Champlain 
in New York state. His commission 
and other papers showing evidence of 
service in the war were kept in the fam- 
ily many years ; but Timothy Spaul- 
ding. a grand-son of Lieut. Spaulding, 
getting the impression be could secure 
a pension for the heirs, all of the pa- 
pers were given up to him by Mrs. 
Anna (Spaulding) Laughton, He re- 
moved soou after to the West, where 
he died before an application was made 
to the government and the papers were 
never l-etucned to the family. 

Leonard Spaulding married, Mar. 5, 
1756, Margaret, daughter of Johu and 
Elizabeth (Sprague) Love of Providence 
R. I. Her brother, Thos* Love, settled 
in Powmil. but removed to Benning- 
ton. The maiden name of Spaulding’s 
mother was Persis Prescott. Joanna 
Spaulding was a sister of Lt. Leonard. 
She married Jesse Frost of Brattleboro 
and lived in what forms the ell-part of 
the house iu which Dr. S. N. Bern is 
of that town now lives. She was born 
Mar. 29, 1739, died Nov. 1834, J£ 95 
years, and was buried in the cemetery 
west of her residence. 

Josiah and Samuel Spaulding were 
brothers, probably, of the Lieutenant. 

They were with him a. Crown Point 
in 1758. Jonathan Spaulding may al- 
so, have been his brother. The family 
were tall, strong looking persons ; and 
it is said the sons of the Lieutenant 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



26' 

were over six feet in height ; the tallest 



one six feet seven inches. 

The children of Lt. Leonard and Mar- 
garet Spaulding wore : 

Reuben, b.Nov. 19, 1756, m. 

Gates, died, Jan. 20, 1791 ; 

Betsey, b. June 22, 1758, m. Hen- 
ry Stevens, Dee. 19, 1779, died Eel) . 

2, 1790; 

Leonard Jr. . b. Mar. 14, 1760, m. 
Priscilla Gleason, Dee. 9, 1779, d. 
Sept. 3, 1792 ; 

Mary. b. Oct, 11, 1 76] » at. David 
Laughton, died May 12. 1782 ; 

Sarah, b. July 19, 1763. m, Charles 
Wilder, Oct. 27, 1782 : 

Timothy and John, (twins) b. May- 
13, 1765, d. June 13, 1785, and Mar. 
26, 1793 ; 

Anna, b. Apr. 7, 1767, m. Samuel 
Laughton, Dec. 14, 1786, died, Jan. 
13, 1849 ; 

Esther b. Apr. 1767, d. July 1783 ; 
Josiah, l>. Mar. 30, 1771, in. Eunice 
Skinner, d. Dee. 3, 1798; 

Olive, b. Oct. 17, 1773, m, 1st. Dav- 
id Wilson, Feb. 17, 1798; 2d. Dan- 
iel Mixer of Bruttlehoro. 

Lt. Spaulding was born Oct. 28, 1728 
and died of consumption July 17, 1788 
JF 59, in a bouse which he built, now 
standing on George Warwick's farm. 

He was buried at his own request in 
the grave-yard east of the Hollow, be- 
cause, at that time, the cemetery where 
his children were buried was wet ground. 
No stone marks his resting place. Mar- 
garet, his wife, resided with her son, 
Josiah, on the home farm till his death 
when she went to West Dummersfcon 
after her farm was sold, and lived near 
her daughter, Mrs. Anna Laughton, 
where she died May 1, 1827, JE. 94. 
Her grave is beside that of Mrs, Anna 
Laughton, who died Jan. 31, 1849, and 
no gravestone marks the place. 



When Anna Spaulding was manned, 
she wore a linen muslin dress of her 
own manufacture. She selected the ni- 
cest flax, hatchcled, carded and spun the 
same into a thread so fine that each 
skein consisting of fourteen knots, could 
be drawn through her open thimble. The 
dress was woven, cut and made by her- 
self. and in texture resembled silk. 

Josiah and Eunice Spaulding’s chil- 
dren were Polly, horn 1 793 ; Timothy. 
Betsey, and John. 

Leonard and Priscilla Spaulding were 
the parents of Thomas, b. Oct. 19, 1780. 
Leonard, 3d. Adam, John, William, 
and Squire, b. May 12, 1790. 

Leonard (3d.) married Sally Fuller, 
of Putney. She was a sister of Mrs 
Alvin Knapp- Their children, so far us 
known, were Rinda. who married Dec. 
1, 1880, Asa Baldwin ; Amy, married 
John Cudworth of Putney, and Priscilla 
married a Howe ; 

Arba married 1st. Emetine, daughter 
of Benjamin Estabrook,2d. Margaret 
Boyden, sister of Mrs. Electa (Boy den) 
Bemis. Harriet married Samuel Wil- 
der ; Charles ; Alvin ; Lovina ; Lucina. 

Children by the first marriage were : 
Clarissa E., Benjamin A. ; 2d. marriage, 
Hoyt T., Anna, Nellie. Clarissa E. 
married Ransom C. Farr of Chester- 
field, N. II. ; Hoyt T. married Ella 
Mason. The parents and the other three 
children are not living. 

Lieutenant is the title given on the 
town records ; but on the grave-stones 
of his children, the inscription is Capt. 
Leonard Spaulding. He was a citizen 
of the town when it was organized. 

The place where he settled and clear- 
ed the land was about 2 miles north of 
the meeting-house and long known as 
Spaulding’s Hill. He was a prominent 
and capable man in business affairs and 
in continual service for the town until 



UUMMERSTON. 



27 



the year 1788, when he was unable on 
account of sickness, to act as one of the 
committee in finishing the building of 
pews in the meeting-house. July 2d.. 
1788 : 

“ the town met and chose Thomas 
Clark in lieu of Lt. Spaulding who is 
unable to act.” 

He deeded his farm to his son, Josiah, 
June 8, 1778. He also, deeded fifty 
acres to his son. John. June 23. 1778. 

In the deed lo Josiah. provision was 
made for Margaret, wife of Captain 
♦Spaulding ; also, for Mrs. Betsey Stev- 
ens, Mrs, Sarah Wilder. Mrs. Anna 
Laughton, and Olive Spaulding, his 
daughter* He was then near his end 
with consumption. 

Although the children of Lt. Spauld- 
ing, especially the sons, became large, 
muscular persons, all but one or two, 
died under 40 years of age of consump- 
tion, and their sickness was brief. 

It is related by those who remember 
the circumstance ; after six or seven of 
the family had died of consumption, an- 
other daughter was taken, it was sup- 
posed, with the same disease. It was 
thought she would die, and much was 
said in regard to so many of the fami- 
ly’s dying of consumption when they all 
seemed to have the appearance of good 
health and long life. Among the su- 
perstitions of those days, we find it was 
said that a vine or root of some kind 
grew from coffin to coffin, of those of 
one family, who died of consumption, 
and were buried side by side : and when 
the growing vine had reached the cof- 
fin of the last one buried, another one 
of the family would die ; the only way 
to destroy the influence or effect, was 
to break the vine ; take up the body of 
the last one buried and burn the vitals, 
which would be an effectual remedy: 
Accordingly, the body of the last one, 
buried was dug up and the vitals taken 



out ami burned, and the daughter, it 
is affirmed, got well and lived many 
years. The act, doubtless, raised her 
mind from a .state of despondency lo 
hopefullness. 

"Hall's History of Eastern V ermont" 
gives us much of the following infor- 
mation In a ^sermon preached by Rev. 
K I). Andrews, on Fast day, 1825, be 
states that Leonard Spaulding in 1768. 
lived near where B. Reynold's resided 
in 1825. At the June term of the In- 
ferior Court of Common Fleas in 177K 
one Jonas Moore of Putney recovered 
judgment against Leonard Spaulding, 
of the same place, to the amount of for- 
ty pounds, including costs. A fieri fa- 
cias having issued to satisfy the judge- 
ment the sheriff bv his deputy seized 
some of Spaulding’s effects and placed 
them in the charge of Moore, who was 
to keep them at his house until the day 
appointed by the sheriff for the sale. 

Meantime, the 27th. of Jan. 1772, 
seventy or eighty men crossed from 
Now Hampshire over Connecticut river 
and going in the evening to the house 
where the goods were deposited, broke 
open the door, seized upon and carried 
them away, and insulted Moore’s fam- 
ily at the same time, “various ways.” 

This affair was owing to the enmity 
which existed between the supporters 
of the jurisdiction of Now York and 
the favorers of the jurisdiction of New 
Hampshire. (For account of liis im- 
prisonment at Westminster, see rec- 
ord report by the town clerk.) 

In 1776, the ‘‘Committee of Safety” 
cited the doughty old soldier of Dum- 
merston to answer or “make suitable 
Confession to this Committee for his 
conduct in Taking Colonel Wells by 
military force ; that mode of pvoced- 
ing Being Contrary to the minds of this 
Committee, and also a Violation of a 
^Preached ut Putney. See Putney, this vol. 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



28 

Certain ResoUvav formerly passed by 

this Committee/' 

To this resolution is appended the 
following note: “Spaulding comply* d 

with the above Vote by making j.rop“ 
cr Confession, &e/* Polite and 
valient, his apologies were ample, and 
the complaint was dismissed. This inci- 
dent was copied from the records of 
the Committee of Safety for Cumber- 
land County, duly 25th. at which time 
Lieu tenant Spaulding, a most patriotic 
citizen of Dummerston, was a mem- 
ber. The committee noticed the matter 
in order to wipe out the disgrace which 
had been cast upon them by the un- 
warrented act of the fiery Dummer- 
stonian. Jacob Laughton, who was a 
cotemporary with Ur. Harvey, says, 
Mr, Hall in his History, in a conversa- 
tion with him in 1857, said Lt* SpaaL 
ding was a resolute man and that when 
It* was committed to the jail at West- 
minster, it took three or four Yorkers 
to conquer him. 

FEOCH AND INDIAN WAR RECORD. 

From the remnant of a journal kept 
by Lt . S p au idi ng i n 1 7 58, 1 a tel y found 
among old papers in the po session of 
Mrs. Electa B. Bemis, his great-grand 
daughter. 

crown kiest -july nm* 

Lieut. Curtis anti Ensign Da vice these oftb 
eers was alt Xeld and several men beside that 
I do not. Know. 

the 21 st day a party of our men went out to 
Look np the Bed men that waa not found 
they fmratl tour of our men Kdd Nothin g 
more 

the Wd Nothing' H- ora arka.be I Stirling 
(strange) i remaining week ami Loo. 

the 23d No news to he hold only mi 1 , moire 1 
was not all el to preach it be Lug 1 Sabeth r 3 ay 
oar men got mad and sod thuy would go bom 
case thay Bed No good to the King or Cutry 
(Country) 

the 2-kb in the morning auumber of sheep 
came to the fort and our men brought them 



eu a xi almost every man got one towards 
night a eu in puny Of Hangers came from t li fr 
Lake anti a camion was sent from the Lake Ur 
he Kept lien 1 

the £iii. on! firs came ibr our Regnant Ct to 
march to the Lake three hundred of Regler? 
came to stay mid two hundred of prnvftiieheJfr 
We at rack our tents ami moved to the t. like 
Lett Cur’ll (Gob) Cummings and several of mir 
men in order 

FORT EDWARD 

the 3fKi. we pc tclit our ten is trim* we bad of 
lit era 

llieTTd. the RegemenTis all rlroed (drawedy 
up on the Lines ho m? the Genral mir fixe (view' 
them 

the 25d. News fcftm en Iri the RV^nlng by » 
post from the half way brooek that tfceie was 
n bout thirty six team a and three wagons Cut 
of aiul About hefty men to A skoit them to ye 
half way b mock got Tl r ith en two miles of ye 
s’d brook a bout four or five hundred Indians 
fel on them and teock al the terns and if eld 
arid touch a bout 20 women and a bout m or 3b 
men 

fke'Iikl there was orders from the gen ml 
for nl the men that Could not draw there charge 
was to tire off there peaces muses Sartwell 
Burned bis charge and only for fishing hi? 
gun ye Commodore brigade general a riding 
a Long his bora started and be Emmedi redly 
confined him lhea f d Sarfcwell and tryed by tc 
court marshall Ctiph fnles presented Lent. 
Bollard Lent, nwi ikeptosh Lent. Gcdfree En- 
sign far v el members under examination 

the Wetness cleared him Copt Daniel flelcher 
an 1 1 Ca p t jon e s w ass w el n ess an d w as eoi i fl n e d 
to there tents forgiven SartWell favors 
the 30d. Cap t Jones was ordered to go on 

Goiimnd for his punishment Down the Lake to 
the Narrows with the party of J2 hundred men 
the £ld Capt Daniel fl etcher was sot. at Lib- 
erty a party of sixty men out of our Rege- 
menlwas ordered to go to ye half way broock 
Aug Id- Nothbig llemarKabel in the evening 
I re c ki S on defy Letters* id r our co rap an ey « m e 
fr om Air. Joseph Emerson to Capt. Thomas 
Law ranee I being Commander of the Com- 
paney I broke It open and Red it I found a 
word of cosh on to Capt Lawrence 
the 2d. Lout wesson earae in from the N are w. 
era, a number of teams ca nt en with ptevesions 
the 3d the teams went out Loaded with Chest 
of arms and Sick men was ordered to move 



DUMMERSXON 



five i- 1 lie li ill ween can ip t an d{ got v cry g pod 
tent for oar selves but sain of the men had 
noue mid was foi st to do as they could get 
sum balk 

the 4(1- Nothing Remarkable at n iglit orders* 
Came out for Con’U fetch * Itogt to march in 
tile morning by four a Cloak 
tl i e 5d Bro tl le r J os to ti 5 pa u 1 ding in the m o m - 
lag tooek hfs gun ami went out In oulcr to Kill 
sum pi gens and a coining cn he Herd of his 
giut and Hie gard seeing him went and too eh 
hi iii :uiil ICep him under gard 2 oners 1 went 
and got him oft a bout son down Recod a 
letter from my wife and one from mother to 
JOstoh which Kejoyecd inc muchal though it 
tied been a ioage time on its pas&gdd it hove 
date June 231) 

the fid we drnwed four clays pra visions hi the 
four Noon In the after Noon I went to heur 
preaching 

the “th Nothing stming only one Of the .Reg 
el am was in Sw lining and was Iho wnfrd and 
two men was found Ded a bout half a mile 
From the encampment judged to have beu kuhl 
by the moo holes s who limy be Longed tQ if 

to not Known 

the Set r went on gard ours with one hun- 
dred men About i»on one oar high about sev- 
e ii by teams Cam an brought sum flower 
some locked with Sutlers stow era they brought 
an ten six pounders in order to put. on bord the 

fosel 

the 9d. the teams went a way and, caned 
towards a hundred sick men ei party of 
man that went out five days ago Came eu ami 
brought, La a french man that the} - tooek 
the lOd. I came of from guid and Nues came 
on from majh' Rogers that he had a light ami 
had got a bout CO skelps ami 2 pres ners and ho 
lost a bout 20 men about 30 wounded 
the 11 cl. In the morning the who to army was 
Drawed up on the Lines in order to Hud spies 
If there was any in the Camp hut none found 
the genial went Round to see the men a par- 
ty of teams Came eu at night by Caudal Lite 
J went ye Con'll tent and a Number of of! Id era 
was »n there and got. in a fro Hick and put 
Leut. wbson en capt and Uenry woods Ensign 
and settled the Company 
the I2d. Nothing strain g or lie mark Abel 
the UJd. Mager Rogers came en from fort Ed ■ 
ward Aud a boutOOteauto Came en boded with 
preventions 

the 14d. the teams went a way nnigcr Rog- 



2 \> 

ers went out a gain with a bout seven hundred 
men to the south Bay on the eight day of Tbia 
in on 1 h m tiger Rogers an d m a g e r p ut id a u be. 
ing at the South Bay with TOO men miv)or 
Rogers took KM men and went over to wood 
Creek after ha was gon one of potmans men 
went out about JO rods from the rest of the 
Cuntpany out on an old Loggatviugto Catch 
sum flsh and wile he was there lie bearing a 
Noise be Loock he see a bark cannoo with two 
Indians a run mug from I it m be went and told 
the maj 1 ]- ho {lien found tlntt be was discover- 
ed he thought proper to Remove to the Rest 
of the party ho sot out for wood creek got 
a bout half way met ten of rnafr Kogans men 
a coming to him for maj’r Rogers and his par- 
ty was discovered by a party of french and 
Indiana in a boat hi wood creek and whoa 
mager Rogers and potman came to gather t hay 
thot proper to march home wards to wards 
fort Edward, tliay mavebt to fort and Loged 
in the morning maj'r Rogers and one of the 
Regie rs Capts got into a banter a bout shout 
Lug marks shot a bout live or six guns there 
being a party of french and Indians on there 
1 inreh to waylay the Rods (roads) between 
fou Iward and the halfway brook tliay sed 
there was mager lingers si killing pegings Lhay 
went and waylaid biiu i anger puli nan led the 
party of marcht a bout a mile tho enemy en- 
emy haveiug plfisfc themselves in an ambush 
fired upon them they Rushtou the frmit of our 
men and kihl sum they took mager puttnan 
and sum more and caned them to Ucontoro 
(Ticondurogn) for inager puttnan Rote a letcr 
and sent it by a flag of truce that came in from 
the french our men got. CO skelps and two pres- 
Tiers and bvotthem to fort Ed ward 
I5d. in the morning got up and weuL to wour 
(our) Nue Ensigns tout and be hud got a eitel 
[ ke ttl e) of mil k an d m a id it in to p orige tl n nd I 
eat sum of them which tasted very well at 
night there came en 90 team 6 Loded with meat 
and flower and buter 

the Hid- I was ordered on gard- 

the STDay a bout midnight Leut. Joseph far- 
vel Departed this Life ye next morning he 
was buried l went and bonod sum bortto to 
make a Coiling for him promised to pay 

them again 

the 2Stli rlay tn the morning A post Cam in 
to the gcnriil with a packet that Cap brtton 
wits taken the whole army was Dr awed up 
on the Linos 21 cannon fired at a time 3 times 



$0 



V ERMONT HISTO R ICA L M A O A Z l N K 



going and the small avim it times Road a peace 
September the 9d. Campt at Lake George A 
skout a going to the half way broock to gat'd 
teams up got a bout four miles Down the I 
Commamlliig officer of i lie party sent one sarg't 
and Four Privets as a Front ga id lliey being 

sum wttys a head Not leas than half a mile from : 
the party the party Constated of a bout tliKI 
men tbe Indiana way Laid the ltofres unci Shot 
at These five men and Kield Mm Rargt derj on 
the spot and wounded one more lie mad Lna 
Hkept [escape] and all but the sargi They 
skelpecl Mm and got of Iliad the csfnmnand 
of the Quarter gar d 
tin IOcL 1 came ol the Quarter gat'd 
the lskl. Joeluiuy fletcher Died at the Half 
way b mock with the Camp feaver 
the 15th LeuL pJoseph iksset Departed this 
Life he died a bout 12 or I o clock at Night 
1 bought Ninety one pound of Chens and gave 
seven pound mitl seven shilling Lawful! mon- 
ey for It and I Let the men belonging to the 
company hove it at one shilling and six ponoc 
A pound. 

Sept the 2D Leon aid pinker Departed this 

Life a bout \ A clock in the morning John 

Read Departed this Life a bout the same time 

u Opt. ye 1, 17 58. n Under tljfe date 
thft journal contains several items charg- 
ed in accL against the- following pur- 
sons ■ 

Capt ptwei-fi, inr David powers, Timothy 
Northftn and Hr Pen jigs, 

Oct. the 2d 1 ketiert five Letters from west- 
ford (Conn,) One From my Deal Mend which 
Pieced, acne the Boat Of any thing fora Long 
time one fur Bctijbli bulling one for farmer 
one for haitwell one for Joseph Boyton 
Oct. the 3d. I went on the main garrt with, 
forty men of the prevcnshels & one rapt from 
Lhe Reglers and t hilly men with him one 
B&rg’t mu) one Corp'l each 
Oct, 7d, 1 went Down to Uic Lake In a whale 
bote with Leut whitney to the Narrows to the 
sloop Iiahfas and In n od nl Night And fine do- 
ings we bad A. good super of hi Led Bass and 
b nle r an d Yt ti neger Wt t.l i i t th e Nex morn i i lg 
went ashore and got lied Seder and went on a 
Island to aplet It out we ou lotted and Lent 
whitney nod 1 was on riled to go a Bor d to 
Bruxfaat which we went and had Xvofce ami 
tee in the morning we went to the Island and 
shot at marks A boat 12 oeioek wb sot of for 
horn the wend being very high against x% 



We toock on shore nod bo got In Day hte it 
is a bout Eghttee (80) miles Down to the Nai 
rows 

Oct the 1-2 then took a true Copy of the or- 
ders given at olbony (Albany) the U (th) 
general orders Dated at olbony Hay i4d 173# 
Reed at fort Ed ward Hay ID— all officers what 
ever bom the time of there taken the field un 
till the Day of there Entving into winter quar- 
ters are to have only one Ration of iTo visions 
pc Pay for which they are to draw for them 
selves Slid servants and the orders of Xovem 
bev 26, 17777 or the Al lowtlu ve idaylhitioin 
Ratio: is in Lieu of provisions to be suspended 

Oet, ULh Regimental Rader lays orders 
\tU ordered that Leonard Spaulding He fiisi 
Lent. In thft Company of Cap! Ephvam wvson 
and Heucry woods second Lent, ami Oliver 
Parker Ensign ami Jonas Stratton to be lirsl 
Leut. and John Dunlap 2d Lout. & David hoteli- 
er Ensign hi live Coinpauey under the Coiu- 
f mum] ofCnpL John Clcphuxn and Thus, bn 
vcy to be ensign under tin?, command ot Capt, 
Asa foster & thay are to be obaid as such at so 
ordered that each tmpl or Com man ding offi- 
cers of Each emu puny in my Regt Eaaeiidtftte- 
ly scud hi to me an a couut of all the arms that 
arc lost or pamnlfltle in there Respective Com* 
paucys makhig u Dl&tSn&hon Between there 
own A those which thay Reekl out of the kings 
Stores in order to be Laid Before his Excel eu 
cy tbe gen ml. Ebeueacr NIckols ColTo 

Oct. LO, there came cut 104 ox teams and 
t he Next morning t, hay nil Lorkd Cannon am t 
carved of all the cannon and mortars ami Sum 
shm at Night there came eu a bout one 
H u i id red w;i gons t h a y w m al l f ex l and Lord- 

ed by morning with JiattOO* about 90 bAL 
tons in ail 

tbe 17c! the teams Returned from fort Ed 
ward 

the Ul tlmy went a way Loeded with ball 
and shels also one Hundred ajid forty wagons 
with Battoos Came en at. Night a gain the 
sloop being al Anker she way ordered to on 
Rig herself 

the 20d She was Brought a long Side the 
wharf and her cannon all on Lodcd Jiir Sals 
taken ol in order to be Souk in the Lake 

Lake George- 175S LUore Came orders 

that nil the ColTos (colonels) should met and 
thay Did and Cou&ulted sum time and found 
many siek in the Camps and the Next was to 
see the Like lest way to help the Lord a way 



DU M M KRSTON . 



ai 



untof the world with them mini thought (one 
vvfly) and Sum A nothev but. on the whole 
tbiiy thought It licat to jjitL out all the Ares and 
ho give them a ft-h&s, J think 11 Is as Damn- 
able au Action ns they tluve Don since T cunit 
from home At id gilt there emu e lint bout 
I (MJi ux teams Lotted with Powder ami Cuttregea 



to the wounded or dead person j attach 
the w tump line” and by adroit movements 
haul the body away urs observed by the 
enemy. From June 17, 1158* to Sept. 
9, many words used for "Parole” are 
recorded among widt h are Gage, Nieh- 



< k L L. ill eo n 1 1 1 X ie I ml I « was o vt 1 e red t o tn k a 

II battens fmd martih to fort Edward take 
them to olbony vvhev on we tok live in the Re$- 
meat fquro grot Down 
Ml SO tv L LAS coir a EXTlUIiR l S THF, JOtUNAL. 

ScpL 12 J73& Samuel Keep came up Lo see 
his brother J n be Iteep lie went a way and J 

sent one Ruffled shin and one shlrf not Ruffled 
and one pare of Sue brown gloves and two hoL 
on caps and olcVaflk handkerchief l delev- 
ered these Lhiiigft to him to turray home to 
his home so I mite have them when wo weni 
home so my pack mitt- be sum Liter 
Oct 14 1753 I hud of Sir. Northern one pint of 
Hone water Stephen Kemp Departed this 
Life about Eight o Hock in Ihe morning. 

Oct. 17 I had five mugs of flip find two Cub- 
egos heeds mid one p on Lid of Coffe. 

Nearly one 1ml f the journal was used 
to keep aceo unis with the soldiers and 
from the kind of articles sold to them it 
is inferred that Lt. Spaulding sold sut- 
ler's stem,. From tl test pages the follow- 
ing names of soldiers have been select- 
ed and may be valuable for reference :' 
Joseph Hartwell, Daniel Dugins* Jonathan 
Sheple, Leonard Parker, Oliver Parker* Silas 
Kent* NaCLrtCu L&kin, Joseph Page, Nat-Humid 
P ark nr r T1 i am ns Scott , J o lm Clm in bn rlen> Be nj * 
Nuftlug, Daniel Gllfton, Moses Goold, David 
Shflttuhk, Step him Foster, Zaohnriah Willis. 

"Sept* 7d. 1758. Benjamin Farmer 
bought one powder horn one Ink horn 
and one tump Line belonging to Lent. 
Farvel that Died*” 

Many charges are made for ”muton” 
"elms" and "Ilumb”. 

The "tump line” was used during the 
time of battle by the Indians and the 
white men for the purpose of hauling 
dead bodies, or helpless wounded men 
from the scene of carnage. When offi- 
cers or soldiers were seen to fall in bat- 
tle, some soldier friend would creep up 



ols r Whitehall, Monmouth, and Gata- 
rockcj he a. 



CAMP AT CROWN POINT— SEPT, 111, 17G0, 

A li In v lin lory of T ho .Effects of Samuel Span t d- 
ing Deceased Ljite Soldier in Ca.pt. Ifottet'f) eld's 



Compancy in CoVo, Reggies Hflgt, Lawful 1 



money. 

Yiv, : 1 ^un 

1 Pare of b i d Ians stock mis 

2 Fare of Slot-kins 
1 Pare of Crete lies 
Hlii ver»ftek£ 

1 Pure shonus 

l Powder llm-u St null cl Pouch 
1 Tump line & Bolt el 
l Shirt 



U£ — l*s— fid 
li — a — 0 
ft — « — 0 
0 — 1 — « 
0 — 1 — fi 

(j — 2—0 

n — u — » 
0—1—0 
0—1—0 



1 — 15 — li 

Leonard Whitney < 

Joseph Roy if ton j Priseis. 

John Dam ham f 

Aug. 10, 1760. then Rer/d tv Loter from iuy wife 
wbeicli Flesed mo well feudal is well bui no date 
to the L etc Vi 

WAR T A CT I CS FROM TH E JO CRN A L * 



Words of command for the exercise of foot 
(soldiers ) armed with lire Locks 
l. Joyo your right hand 
to your firelock 
2 Potsc your fire looks 
a Rest M fi 

4 Cock it » 

5 Present, 

0 fire. 

7 Keeo ve r you r ar ms* 

S Half cock I, „ 

0 Run del your primers, 

LO Prime 

It Shut your pane. 

13 Cast about lo Charge. 

13 U and cl your Ca r tl irid e 

14 Open " 

15 Charge with .* 

1 6 V i'u w you v i 'am in e rs. 

17 Shorten v ty 

IS Put thc'Ti jjj the barrels. 

19 ■-ta^i down your Can h radge- 

20 II I th draw yow ra miner, 

21 Shorten „ „ 

£2 Return ,* fi 

2.1 Cast, off your firelocks. 

34 Tour right hand under the locks. 

35 Poise your firelocks, 

25 Shoulder ,, ,* 

2i Kc*t ,, i, 



32 



V EE MON T H 1 8 TO 11 ICAL M AO AZIN E . 



SB- Order „ 

29 Grow mi „ H . 

SO Take up „ 

31 Rest ,, i g 

32 Club „ r, 

33 Rest, 

34 Secure t( r , 

U3 Shoal dev „ „ 

THE PEATS OP DRUM PGR war. 

L, a call 2 . a Troop, 3. a Mareil* 4. a prepar- 

titivc, S. a Hat tall G a Retreat. 

Ll Spaulding omiis ike bayonet ex- 
ercisebut gives the following exercise:. 

To the 111 gli t , Close you r ftiee. 3 1 a veil . Ha it . 
poujjLnro*, 

Rear half Hies, vo the night* Double your 
front. Al&rcb. Half files to the Left. as you 
■were* March, milt, near half flies, to tlie J ufL 
Rouble your front. March. null* naif tiles, to 
the Right, Ay you were. March. Halt. Front 
half tiles to the Right. About, ooubie your rear. 
March. Halt. Front half files* as you were. 
March, 

Front half files, to the left. Double your rear. 
March, Halt* Front half files, as you wore. 
March. Files to the fight- Rouble, March, mill. 
to the left, as you were, March* rites to the 
left. Rouble. March, Halt, To the right : a* you 
were, March. Halt. Half ranks, to the right. 
Double your files. March, Holt* to the Left, as 
you were* March* Halt* Htilf ranks to the left. 
Rouble your files. March. Halt. To the right' 
as you were* March* Halt. 

Lt. Spaulding's old account 'book, that 
1 1 as bee n p re ecr y ed wttli his jo ur na 1 , co n - 
tains many accounts with citizens in 
Putney and Duminerston. The charges 
in Putney begin in Mar* l 766, and end 
in 1771* la 1770, he makes the follow- 
ing entry : 

4 ‘To serving and returning a ret (writ) 
on Ben Hutchens before* Judge Lord, 
and to service on said Hutchens before 
Judg Wells*” 

The book shows that lie did business 
apart of the year, 1772, in Westmore- 
land, N* H*, on a farm which he bought 
of Abner Howe* The earliest date for 
this town, then called Fill I am, Jan. 6, 
1773* The name does not change until 
1775, to Dummerston. 

"Dummerston, June 27, 1776. For 



my time and Expenses a going to old 
hadle (Hadley) for a minister, time 
and expenses and hors 15 shillings*” 
u Tu bringing the powder from West- 
minster £.0-4-6 

31 To bringing the Lead from Capt* 
Clays 100 wait £* 0- 3-6 

u Sept. 23 1776, an a Count of what 
time I spent awaiting on the convention 
for a N ue State I sot out for Dorset ye 
23, of Sept* and Returned hom the 
2d* of October, my expenses for that 
journey are as follows viz : 



Alt 


Wirsfmniyixw 


£. — 0 — 0— if 


at 


RockmijhfliH 


— 0 — l - fl) 


at 


Chester 


£* . — 0 — 0 — 3 


at 


Brumle 


1 

ei 

t 

I' 

<4 


at 


Dorset 


L. — 0 — 10 — 4 


at 


Man cheater 


X, — 0 — 1 — lt) 



at Cub Bronsona X. — 0 — 0 — 10 
at Bennington three ni^hte and two days a 
waiting 1 for copies of ye Convention fl — 4 — s 
ou u ly way hom 0 — 3 — 9 

ami my h ora the aarne time I — G — Jo 
my expenses at Westminster tb« tblrd w ed 
neaday of Janet*? 1777 four days G— $ — 3 
t went to Guilford to earru the pupara to Coll 
Carpenter that Cam from Dorset In tmler for 
rasing money for Con, U wurner 0 — 3 — fi 
Feb, 17, 17 7T. to gding to Westiuiiisler to earn- 
a letter to Dorset by order of the com mi tee. 
Henry Stern* in . to Leonard Spaulding* 
K'b. 17SL To tme* fiat iron in paper Dollars 
( continental } $ 75* 00 

Mar. % To two pound Colon woo) at 30 (loJera 



per* 


pound 






Apr. I(i „ 


one Quart of rum. 


s m 00 


jj 


k It 1* 


one bake cUoe&let 


S 10,00 




f ,f ,t 


liulf a pound uf Coffe 


$ S, 00 


No 


date 


M one bushel of ryo 


S 50 


it 


i, it one Quart rum 


3 Of! 



Creeled fe Unary 1781, by 1000 Coot intuit nl del 
ers with sixpence, Rid tener. each duller 



[Of the papers contributed by Mr, 
Mansfield we shall next give what bio- 
graphical account he has been aide to 
gather of the fourteen men who signed 
the notification calling for the first town 
meeting, commencing with Ebenezer 
Haven, (see page 8,) and Enoch Cook, 
the first town clerk, chosen that day, 
and such other citizens of Dummerston 



DT’MMEESTON - 



as were named in that report, — tlie 
K at linn's and Lieut. Spaulding. haying 
been previously given. Ed.] 



EBENEZER HA YEN FAMILY. 

Ehenezer Haven , lived in Hopk intern, 
Muss., in 1754, and was at that time 
24 years of age. He removed to Ox- 
ford with his family in 1757 or '58. 
thence to Sutton, and in 1770, to Dum- 
merston, and was one of the signers on 
the first call for a meeting to organize 
the town in 1771, He reached the ago 
of 79 years and his wife, 70. He was 
probably a brother of Deacon Moses 
Haven, of HopkiuLon, who was born in 
1752, and m. in J 750. He was the son of 
Joseph, b, in 1689, who was a ruling 
Elder in Uopkinton, in 1731, and after- 
wards . The father of Joseph was Moses, 
±1 deacon in Hop kin ton, but b. in Lytm 
in 1667. whose father was Richard, who 
came from England and settled in Lynn, 
in 1045, where, in 1092, he then living, 
it was 11 voted t that Sergeant Haven 
should sit in the Pulpit.” Samuel Haven, 
sod of Moses, b, Dee. 9. 1 751, removed 
fro m Ho p k i n ton to S h rew sb u ry , M ass , 
in 1800, an<l from the history of that 
town, we ascertained the information 
given above. 

Ebenezer and Abigail Haven were the 
ancestors of the Haven families in this 
town. He was a blacksmith and was 
doubtless the first man working at that 
trade m Du miners ton- He bought lot 
No. 14 of the original proprietors, June 
26, 1770, and the farm is now owned 
by his great grandson, Orrin Haven, 
having been kept iu the family name 
since it was first settled. 

The children ofEbenezer and Abigail 
Haven were : 

Abigail, b. in Hopldnton, Oct. 26. 
1754, m. 1st, Thomas Boyden ; had two 
5 



33 

children that died young ; “2d. Marshall 
Millet, Nov. 17, 1778, died Jan. 26, 
1829. 

Nathaniel, born Nov. 8, 1756, m. 
Mrs. Eunice Farr, widow of William 
Farr, of Chester field, N. II. , May C. 
1779, 

Ann^t, b. Sept. 29, 1758, m. Arad 
Holton about 1776 ; rL m Feb. 1787, 
Joseph, b. Apr. 3, 1 761 , iu, Pamclia 
Houghton, Mar.l2, 1789. 

Abel, born May 20, 1763, m. Rachel 
Frcncli. 

Relief* b. Mar, 26, 1765, m, Elijah 
Brown. 

Sarah, b. May 3, 1769, remained 
single through life, 

David, bom Apr, 3, 1770, m., 1st, 
A h i ga i 1 1 lav eu, h is ecus i n , fro m B mo k- 
lyn Cl. ; 2d, Olive Go ode 11, of West- 
minster. 

Polly, In Feb. 17Z3, the youngest oi 
I he family, m. June 5, 1796, Evans 
Reed, of Putney. 

The children of Joseph and Famel ia 
Haven were Amelia, m. Wilson Bennett. 
Jan. 1814 : Polly, m Amasa Houghton, 
of Putney, Oct. 31. 1812; Rebecca ; 
Sarah ; Lydia, m. Philip Allyn.Feb. 
26, 1829,; ' Ta m a r a n d Sy I van us . 
Joseph Haven and family removed 
to Traxton, N. Y. 

The children of Abe! and Rachel 
Haven : Fanny, h. Apr. 18, 1783, in. 
D ani el K o t h an , Jr., Oct . 23 , 1800; 

Lydia m. Rodolplma Scott, of CbcS- 
erfield, N. II. ; Ira m. Jemima Ward ; 
J air us m. Arathusa Herrick, of Ches- 
terfield. N. II, ; Chester m. Lydia, 
dau. of Marshall Miller and after his 
death, Nov. II, 1814, She in, 2d. 
Reuben Walker ; Louisa m. George 
Anson Miller; Otis m. Frances Brad- 
b u ry , of V e r gen nes ; A b el ni . ft 1 a ria 
Miller, May 18, 1820. 



VERM ONT H ISTORIC A L M A G A Z1 NE . 



34 

The children of Ira and Jemima 
Haven ; 

Dana M. m. Lois Ruck, of Lake 
George, N* Y. ; 

Nancy died young ; Susan m. Asa 
Lawton ; 

Eliza m. J. K. Worden ; Rachel, un- 
t carried ; 

Lucy died young ; Ira Osman m - 
Alvira Ford ; 

Louisa m. George B. Newton, of 
Royal ston Mass* f 

Fanny died young; Julia ni. Wm. 

0 Miller; Frances married II. Hurry 
Miller. 

The children of David and Abigail 
Haven : Abigail ui, 1st /Thus, Katlmn, 
Sept. 17, 1829, 26, Benjamin Stive ter } 
3d, Leonard Maxwell ; Square m. So- 
phia Carpenter, of Westminster; Relief 
11. m, Horace T. Moore, of Putney, 
Oct. tf, 1825 ; William, unmarried* 

Square. Haven married Sophia Car- 
penter, of Westminster. Their children 
wore i 

Alvira m, Lorenzo Field, of Putney ; 

Minerva m. J. L. Maxwell; Orrin, 

1 m married, 

David Haven, a brother of Abel, died 
in 1865, aged 94 years, (> months, J aims 
bom in Diimmerstou , was the fourth 
child of & family of whom Deacon Abel 
Haven was the youngest: Dca, Abel 
died on the farm now owned by his sou, 
Joel M. Haven of Rutland. This farm 
was the only one in town on which good 
corn was raised in the cold summer of 
1816, u Uncle * J Jair us did the farm 
work that year and was in his old age 
quite fond of relating the particulars of 
Ills raising corn when so many failed to 
ee u i t j a cro p . His li fe- w ork was farm - 
mg, and he used a scythe in haying for 
nearly 80 years. 

Abel Haven, born Jan. 1, 1799, died 
Apr. 20. 1864. Maria. Ins wife, dau. 



of William ami Hannah (Worden) Mil- 
ler and grand -da ugh ter of Capt. Isaac 
Miller, died Jan. 29, 1873. Dea. 

Haven — deacon of the Congregational 
church in this town many years — and 
his wife were good members of the 
church and very helpful in society, and 
were much esteemed. Their portrait* 
were donated for this publication by 
their son, Dea. Joel M, Haven, of Rut- 
land. who was born in Hammers ton on 
the old Haven farm and was a farmer 
boy until the time when he became u 
clerk for Poster "Wheeler, of Putney. 
Afterwards he went, to li rattle-boro and 
was cl er k lor A . E . Dwin ell , th en book- 
keeper and confidential clerk for Galvin 
To was ley until Towns ley's store was 
burned. He then went West and en- 
ga gee I in fan nmg : but \v as n o t success- 
ful and returned to Brattleboro where 
lie went into the dry goods trade with 
his brother- in -law, H.C.FisRer. The 
firm established a branch store at Rut- 
land, of which lie became the manager. 
Some years afterward he. became treas- 
urer of the Rutland It. R. company and 
has held that position many years. He 
engaged iu various enterprises, chief 
among them being the purchase of the 
Bates House, making it one of the best 
hotels in the State and running it as a 
te n ipcrai j ce li ouse , H Is w i fe w as Maria 
Dicker man, of Brattleboro, who became 
a prominent worker jn the temperance 
cause tl i ro u gll o u t th e S late . Ma ria, his 
sister, married William Fuller, of Brook- 
lyn, Ohio, and Caroline, the other sis- 
ter, married Henry C. Fisher, 
CHARLES DAVENPORT. 

The earliest ancestor of whom there 
is any authentic record, is Thomas Dav- 
enport, of Dorchester, Mass*, whose 
name first, appears on any of its records 
as member of its church, Nov, 20, 
1640 ; his wife* Mary, joining, Mar. 8, 



DUMMERSTON. 



35 



1644. She died Oct. 4, 1691. He 
was made freeman. May 18, 1642, and 
constable, 1670. He probably lived 
on the eastern slope of Mt. Bowdoin, 
near the corner of Bowdoin Street 
and Union Avenue. He bought the 
house and lands of William Pigrom, 
Nov. 25, 1653, and William Blake? 
Feb. 5, 1665. He made his will, 
July 24, 1683, “ being aged/' leav- 
ing the homestead to his youngest 
son, John, after his widow’s death. 
He died Nov. 9, 1685. His inven- 
tory of property amounted to £332, 
16s, 8d. He had nine children. The 
fourth child was Charles, baptised, 
Sept. 7, 1652, in Dorchester, where 
he died, Feb. 1, 1720. He married 
Waitstill, dau. of Quartermaster 
John and Katharine Smith of Dor- 
chester, Jan. 11, 1650, who died 
Aug. 9, 1747. 

Charles Davenport was ensign, 
and held many town offices. He was 
selectman most of the time from 
1700 to 1714. His homestead on 
Washington Street was on the south 
side of Mt. Bowdoin. His inventory 
amounted to £2700. — There were 
9 children in his family. The eighth 
child was Charles, b. in Dorchester, 
Feb. 15, 1700, m. May 31, 1722, 
Jemima, dau. of Thomas and Ex- 
perience Tolman of Dorchester. He 
inherited the homestead by his 
fatlier’6 will. His wife, Jemima, 
died Feb. 17, 1735. He sold off the 
homestead and removed to Worces- 
ter, Mass., where he had four child- 
ren by a wife, Joanna. His first five 
children were born in Dorchester, 
the others in Worcester. He had 10 
children. 

The 4th child was Charles, the 
subject of this sketch, and great 
grandson of Thomas. He was born 



Mar. 5, 1730; married Apr. 16, 
1755, at Worcester, Mary Hart, born 
Mar. 7, 1734, who died June 22, 
1830, aged 96. He died in Dummer- 
ston, Apr. 25, 1805. She married 
•2d, Alexander Kathau. Descend- 
ants of Charles Davenport are now 
living in this town, Newfane and 
Chesterfield, N. H, 

CHARLES DAVENPORT, 

was one of the first settlers in this 
town and signed the first call for a 
meeting of settlers. In 1774 he 
lived on the ‘‘green” as it was called 
in the town records. The exas- 
perated citizens met at his house, 
Oct. 29 of that year, and chose a 
committee who released Lieut. 
Leonard Spaulding from confine- 
ment in the jail at Westminster. He 
moved a few years after down on to 
the plain near Isaac Millers and, for 
many years since, the home of John 
Stearns. A large apple-tree is now 
standing near the house that was set 
out by Mr. Davenport more than 
one hundred years ago. The tree 
measures 12 feet 6 in. in circum- 
ference and is probably one of the 
largest and oldest apple-trees now 
standing in the county, if notin the 
State. 

The children of Charles and Mary 
(Hart) Duvenport were : Elizabeth, 
b. Feb. 5# lV.v;, m. Fairbanks 
Moore, residence in Canada. 

Mary, b. Oct. 12, 1757, m. John 
Miller; 

Jemima, b. May 16, 1759, m. Jo- 
seph Gilbert, a soldier of the Revolu- 
tion, a resident of Dummerston fora 
time and later in Hadley, N. Y.; 

Charles, b. May 4, 1761; m. Polly 
Wood; 

James Hart, b. Dec. 29, 1763, 
died Nov. 25, 1780. 

Thomas and Catherine, twins, b. 
July 10, 1766. The son died the 
day of hi b birth. Catherine in. 
Benjamin Alvord of Dummerston, 
d. in Boston with her daughter, Mrs. 
Jesse Maynard, May 20, 1850, aged 
90 years. 

John, b. Feb. 22, 1769; Sally, born 



36 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



July 3* 1771. m* Stephen Cum- 
mings; 

Susanna, b. Nov* 12 , 1774, died 
Feb, 21, 1796* The first five child- 
ren were bom in Worcester, Mass., 
and the others in Dummerston* 

Halls Hint ory of Masi&rn Verm out , ' 
states, Charles Davenport, a skillful 
carpenter from the patriotic little 
village of Dummerston, was the man 
who replied to a threatening speech 
informing the rioters that they 
“should be in h— 11 before morning/' 
and who said that if the sheriff 
should offer to take possession of the 
Court-house, the Whigs would send 
him and his men to the same place in 
fifteen minutes* Jj [See previous pa- 
per from the town clerk}. The 
twin children. Thomas and Cathe- 
rine, were doubtless the first twin 
children born in town, but evidently, 
not the first births. According to 
the family record, Mr. Davenport 
moved to town between the years 
1763 and 1766. lie taught the first 
school in town* 

ENOCH COOK, 

the first Town Clerk, died Feb* 4, 
1707, JE 74 yrs* His wife, Lucy, 
died Aug. 17, 1806, M $2, Ilis son, 
Enoch Cook, jr., died Aug* 15, 1838, 
/E 76* Anna, his wife died, Feb. 
12, 1851, iE 83 yrs* Sarah, his sis- 
ter, wife of Samuel Negus, died 
Jan* 9, 1834, JE 83. William, his 
eon, died Aug. 36, 1861, JE 60. 
Anna II. Gates, hie .wife, died Sept* 
36, 1861, M 67 years* 

Mr. Cook was probably born in 
Worcester, Mass., where hie brother, 
Robert of Newfane, was born in 
1730. His sons, go far as known, 
were Enoch, jr., Nathan and Solo- 
mon* 

Nathan mar. Levi nab Farm enter* 
Children: Polly, b. Jan* 37, 1789 ; 
Oaty, b. Aug* 30, 1791* His wife 
died Apr. 8, 1793, aged 88. He mar. 
3d, Susanna Davenport, Oct* 6, 1805. 

The children of Enoch, jr., and his 
wife Anna, were : 

Betsey, b* Mar. 3, 1793, m* Royal 
Miller; 



Lucy, b. Mar. 17, 1795, m* Moses 
Clark, June 10, 1816; 

Polly, b. Mar. 9, 1797* m. Densel 
D. Rand, ol Townsend, November 
34, 1S19; 

Katherine, b. Feb. 16, 1799, mar- 
ried Wm. A. Bartlett, of Newfane, 
June 19, 1S36: 

William, b* Apr. 18, 1801, m* An- 
na H. Gates; John, b. June 19, 
1803, died 1805; 

Cyrus, b. Oct. 39, 1807; student 
of languages in Brattleboro academy; 
d. Sept. 8, 1836* 

Children of William and Anna 
were: 

Enoch G., b. born Apr. 13, 1836* 
m. Jane, dau, of John Clark; 

Mary Ann, bom Sept. 39, 1838, 
m. James Miller, May 33, 1848; 

Lucy Rosalia, b. Oct. 19, 1831, in- 
Martin W. Gates; 

Wm. Wallace, b. Mar. 31* 1834, 
m, Electa Whitney; Cyrus, born 
July 33, 1836: m* — Pettis; 

Martha E., b, Oct. 6, 1838, m. 
J* R* Nouree. 

JOHN KlLBtT RY, 

who signed the settlers call for the 
first town meeting in 1771, bought 
land of the proprietors in 1770, and 
settled on lot No. 33, east of Slab 
Hollow* Re was a resident of 
Chester field, N. H., for a time, but 
returned to Duinuierston before 
1787* He married 1st, Zerviah - — ; 
children: 

John, b* Mar. 10, 1773, married 
Hephzibah Pierce, Feb* 14, 1799; 

Richard, b. July 2, 1773, nu Bedee 
Baldwin, Dec, 1. 1796; 

Robert, b, Dec, 18, 1774, 

wife ’s name not recorded * O hildren : 

Robert, jr., b. May 9* 1796; Olive, 
b* Sept. 36^ 1799; 

Andrew, b. May 3, 1801; Caty, 
b* July 1 # 1803: Betsey, b. July 2, 
1805, died 1807; 



DUMMERSTON. 



37 



Sophia, b. Apr. 26, 1807. No 
record of John Kilbury Jr/s chil- 
dren. 

Richard and Bedee’s children: 

Zerviah, b. May 28, 1797; Thom- 
as, b. July 16, 1798; Richard, b. 
Feb. 3, 1800; Polly, b. Feb. 20, 
1802; Dexter, b. July 29, 1804; 

Asa Gates, b. June 25, 1806; 
Denison, born Oct. 13, 1808, 
drowned in childhood; 

Laura, b. Sept. 2, 1810; Orre- 
villa, b. Dec. 29, 1813. 

John, sen. m. 2d, Dorcas , 

who lived to be very aged. 

SAMUEL W IS WALL. 

signed the notification for the first 
town meeting in 1771. A town 
meeting was held at his house, May 
19, 1772. He was chosen, at that 
time, with Isaac Miller and Cyrus 
Houghton, commissioners of high- 
ways. No further record of him. 
His name disappears from the 
records after 1772. I wrote for fur- 
ther information concerning Sam- 
uel Wiswall, but did not get it. 

MAJ. JOSIAJT BOYDEN. 

was one of the five persons, includ- 
ing Solomon Harvey, John Butler, 
Daniel Gates, Jonathan Knight, 
forming a committee, who released 
Lt. Spaulding from confinement in 
the jail, Nov. 8, 1774. [See pages 10 
and 27]. 

Josiah Boyden, 6en., came from 
Framingham, Mass., to this town, 
soon after the close of the Revolu- 
tionary war, and settled on the farm 
where Timothy Brown now lives. 
His wife died before lie came. He 
had a large family. In a few years 
he removed from Dummerston with 
Jonathan, his son, and two or three 
other children, to the interior of 
Vermont, leaving here Josiah, jr., 
Isaac, Thomas, Nathaniel, and 
three daughters. The sons settled 



near where their father had lived. 
Thomas located in the lot west of 
the Haven farms. Josiah, jr., mar- 
ried Lydia Whitney, of Petersham, 
Mass., birth-place, Watertown, and 
settled north of Canoe brook, but 
afterwards removed to a farm since 
known as the Henry Cressey place; 
thence to a place south of the Hol- 
low, on the west side of the road at 
the top of the hill. He bought the 
grist-mill, since owned by Joseph 
Dix, which was probably the first 
one built in town. He was major 
in the Revolutionary war. 

His father, sometimes called “Col. 
Si/* was in the French and Indian 
war. Isaac, brother of Josiah, Jr., 
was born Jan. 1, 1750. His birth- 
place and his mother’s maiden name 
are unknown. He married Eliza- 
beth Laughton, born Mar. 25, 1750, 
and settled south of Canoe brook in 
what has been called the Knight 
pasture and since owned by Willard 
Dodge. Red rose bushes are still 
growing on the old house-spot in 
the pasture west of Edward Chap- 
pell’s residence. His brother, Thom- 
as, married Abigail Haven and bad 
two children who died in childhood. 

Isaac, who married Elizabeth 
Laughton, had two sons: Thomas, 
b. Mar. 6, 1783, and Isaac Jr., b. 
July 13, 1785. 

After Thomas became of age, he 
spent a few years in a store at Put- 
ney. He married Margaret Laugh- 
ton, and lived on the paternal farm, 
taking care of his parents and an 
aged grandmother. During the 
winter season be taught school. 
He did much town business and 
was chosen to the state legislature 
several times. 

Isaac, his brother, studied medi- 
cine with Dr. Abel Duncan, and 
closed his studies with Dr. Alexan- 
der Campbell, of Putney. He mar- 
ried, May 7, 1809, Phebe Perry, of 
Putney, born Feb. 5, 1784, and re- 
moved^ to Windham, where he prac- 
ticed medicine. Children: 



38 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Phebe b. Feb. 3* 1810, married 
1st, Beman Bemis* 2d, Amasa Clark; 

Lurancy, b. Nov. 23* 1814* d, 
1815; 

Isaac and Mary, twins* b. July 3* 
1821 ; Isaac m. Fanny Wheeler* 
Mary m. Chester Denison, Both 
daughters went West and are still 
living. 

Dr. Isaac returned with his fami- 
ly to Dummerston and lived with 
hie uncle, Major Josiah, and caring 
in part for him* as he was helpless 
from the effects of palsy. He was 
thus afflicted 4 years before he died. 
He and his wife were buried in the 
yard east of the Hollow* beside the 
graves of Thomas and Nathaniel 
Boyden, 

Nathaniel* b. Sept. 1730; was 
never married; died 1801, 

Major Josiah* jr.* was born Feb. 
15, 1744; never had any children; 
died Jan. 4, 1818, M 74, and Lydia* 
his wife Jan. 28, 183 9, 2E 91 years. 

CJAPT. ASA EOYDEN, 

a nephew of Col. Wm. Boyden* born 
Mar. 4* 1777* and died Oct. 11* 
1848* M 71. Martha Minot, hie 
wife, born Mar. 28, 1785, died Oct, 
11, 1856, M 7L It is a somewhat 
remarkable incident that each were 
born in the same month in different 
years, died on the same day of the 
same month, in different years; but 
were each 71 years 'of age at the 
time of their death, Asa Boyden 
when quite young, went to live with 
hie uncle, Col. Wm. Boyden, who 
had no children* He made Asa his 
heir* who always lived with his 
uncle William and took care of him 
and Ilia wife in their old age. 

Jonathan Boyden, jr. T married 
Ruth Jefferson, Mar. 14* 1787. 

Capt. Asa had a brother* Alvin* 
who lived in New fane. 

Jazeb Butler, married Deliver- 
ance Whitney. She was sister of 



Lydia, the wife of Josiah Boyden, 
jr. Butler lived near where James 
Heed now owns* north of the brook 
on the west side of the road. He 
removed thence to the old tavern 
where Nelson Willard now lives. 

The children of Thomas and 
Margaret (Laughton) Boyden were: 
Betsey, b. Aug. 13, 1811, m. Church 
Miller; Anna, b. Dec. 23, 1812* died 
Oct. 10, 1823: Electa, b. Oct 11* 
1817, nr Bradley Bern is ; Margaret 
married Arba Spaulding. 

In 1814, Thomas Boyden bought 
of his uncle Josiah, jr.* his mill and 
farm, giving him and his wife a 
life-lease on the place* as the old 
gentleman was helpless at that time. 
After his death, about 1819* his 
widow, Lydia (Whitney) Boyden, 
married Cornelius Jones, of Ches- 
terfield, N. H., who died in Nov. 
1823- She died at her nephew's, 
Henry Whitney, in Putney* Jan. 
1839, M about 92- 
Judith, a sister of Josiah, jr., 
married Sylvan us Ballad. He built 
what is now, 1883, the west room of 
the house in which Job Knight 
lives. About 1792, be sold his 
place to Isaac Boyden* and removed 
to Chesterfield, N. H.* where bis 
wife, Judith, died July 4* 1800, in 
her 75th year. They had several 
sons and a daughter* Elizabeth* who 
married 1790, John Day of Chester- 
field. A sister of Judith Boyden 
married Mr. Pike and lived in 
Stratton. She was his second wife 
and had no children. The Dunl- 
in ers ton records state that Lucy 
Boyden was married to John Butler, 
Oct. 16, 1788, and that Samuel At- 
wood married Hanna Boyden, Nor* 
17, 1788. 

JOSIAH BOYDEN, SEN*, 

was a soldier in the French and 
Indian war. On one occasion, 
lie was with a company of soldiers 
sent to rescue a little village in 
the eastern part of Blass., from 
an attack by the Indians* who were 



DUMMERSTON, 



39 



burning the dwellings and killing the 
inhabitants. The soldiers discharged 
their guns aL the Indians, killing sever- 
al of them. The Indians then, with a 
savage yell, turned upon the soldiers 
vvEUl their tomahawks. A stalwart In- 
dian with his weapon of death raised 
above his head, started for Boyden , who 
was a man of superior strength, above 
medium size, quick and bold in the 
pres -nee of danger. He turned his gun, 
struck the Indian a blow that knocked 
him down, snatched the tomahawk from 
his hand, and sunk it deep into his head, 
thus dispatching his enemy in an Instant. 

H is so n , Isa a c B oy den , s er v ed I u th e 
Revolutionary war, a little more than 
one year. Josiah, Sen., was a black- 
smith ; and in the fall after he settled in 
Dummerston, he built a log-shop, burn- 
ed a coal pit, and began work at his trade. 

One of his arms was somewhat stiff 
from the effects of a wound in or near 
the shoulder, made by the tomahawk of 
an Indian. His shop stood on the west 
side of the brook that runs west of: 
Timothy Brown’s buildings. The site 
of tile shop and old coal-pit near it may 
be seen at the present day. 

The house in which Major Boy den 
lived when he ho light the grist-mill at 
the Hollow, was afterward sold to Jo- 
seph Crosby and removed to its present 
location where Franklin Crosby now 
lives. 

During the first year that Isaac and 
Elizabeth Hoyden lived on their place 
south of Canoe brook, about 1782, Mrs. 
Hoyden, one day, went to the spring, a 
tew rods from the house, for a pall of 
water. When she returned in a few 
minutes, she found a large black hear 
in her room looking about to see what 
he could find. The hear had pushed 
open the door, which Mrs. Boy den had 
carelessly left unlatched, and entered 



the house. It was startled by her sud- 
den appearance at the door ; but she 
turned quickly and hurried around the 
outside of the house, thinking that the 
bear would follow her tracks. She judg- 
ed rightly, for on making the circuit 
and reaching the door, site found the 
room vacated, dodged in and fastened 
t b e doo r aga i n st b r u i n . L o oki n g o u t th e 
window in a few minutes, she saw the 
bear going Into the woods, and was hap- 
pily relieved by her stratagem. Some of 
the clothing spun, wove, and made for 
her first child, Thomas, born Mar, 6, 
1783, is in possession of her grand- 
daughter, IV Its. Electa Boy den Reims, 
having been kept one hundred years. 

Thomas Boy den took the job of rais- 
ing up the old meeting house in 1817, 
and putting beneath granite under -pin- 
ning. He hired Henry Houghton of tins 
town, who married Sally Ferry, sister 
of Dr. Isaac Bov den’s wife to help him. 
Houghton was an excellent mechanic 
and had served 7 years in Montreal to 
1 can i h i s t rad e . H e i n ad e the pulpit an d 
some of the pews in front, in the old 
church* Mr. Boy den learned t heart of 
surveying land and was a surveyor ma- 
ny years. After his death the compass 
and chain which lie used were sold to 
Samuel Knight. 

MAJOR JOSIAH 

and wife, not' having any children, 
took several orphan children to care 
for as their own. The first was his broth- 
er, Thomas’s little girl, Lyclia, a name- 
sake of Ms wife. She died at the age of 
3 year s , A n o th e r el n 1 d w 1 1 om t hey to ok , 
was Jason Duncan, son of Daniel and 
Zurvilla Duncan. His father died in the 
Revolutionary war, leaving a wife and 
t h re e young eh il dren . Th e boy w as h oi i - 
e$t and faithful, and when he died at 
the age of 12 or 13 years, Mr. Boy den 
and wife mourned for him as for their 
own child* His mother died Oct* 30, 



40 



V E R M ONT H ItiTOBIC A L M A G A Z 1 HE. 



1312 aged 65. Her daughter, Z ur villa, i 
m. Levi Goddard. The other daughter, 
Beulah n married her cousin, Jason Dim- 
can and lived in Newfaue. Mrs. Dun- 
can wus left without a home at the time 
of her husband's death. Isaac Hoyden, 
Joseph Temple Jr., and others in that 
neighborhood, built for her, at their own 
expense* a small house which stood on 
'the west side of the road south oi H The 
'Isaac Reed place. She was aided by 
'them still more in harvest time, each 
year, as long as she lived, Zurvflki, her 
daughter, learned to weave many dif- 
ferent patterns of table-linen and bed- 
spreads, Beulah, her sister, taught 
school several terms in that district. 

Dorcas Haile was another child tak- 
en into the family of Major Boyden. 
Her mother died and left two little girls. 
Her father lived west of the road not 
’far from where Mrs. Joel Wheeler's 
buildings now stand. She m. Samuel 
Adams, N ov, 7, 1805, and several I 
years afterward removed to Brookline. 
GOV, THOMAS CHITTENDEN'S LETTER TO 
MAJOR BOYDEN. 

“Arlington, 30th of Dee'r 1784. 

Bir In pursuance to 
an act of Assembly past Last October, 
ordering that ah the property of Charles 
Phelps, which had been taken from him 
on account of liis opposing the author- 
ity of this State and Not disposed of 
for the Benefit of the State, should be 
returned to him on Sartin Conditions, 
Which Conditions has been Comply ed 
with on bis Part, you are therefore di- 
rected to Deliver to the s T d Charles 
Phelps His Sword, if you have the 
Same in your Hands, and the Same has 
not been sold or disposed of by author- 
ity for the Benefit of this State/* 

I am s'r your H*bl SeiVt. 

THO’S CHITTENDEN. 
“MAJOR BOXDEN” 

Charles r helps of Marlborough in 
the Co, of Windham, 

He was highly esteemed for his integ- 
rity andjudgment, in all business trans- 



■ actio its, He was often chosen as the 
guardian of orphan children and to set- 
tle the estates of the deceased, which he 
did to the satisfaction of all concerned. 
The widow and the fatherless always 
fount! him the judicious adviser and the 
faithful friend. 

For a man in the ordinary walks of 
life, lie had also acquired an uncommon 
knowledge of the condition of the world 
and took a deep interest both in its po- 
litical and moral state, and was especi- 
ally interested in the African race, for 
which he thought others lelt far too lit- 
tle, and Iris sympathies were decidedly 
in favor of the colonization movement. 

COL. WILLIAM BO YUEN 

was chosen overseer of the poor at the 
fi rst to w h me e t in g in 1772, d i ed S Of >t . 
19, 1822, aged 7G. Joanna, his wife, 
died Fell. 5, 1847, aged 92 years. His 
\ i rot h c r , Is aac , d i ed J one 9 , 1 8 1 3 , aged 
63. Elizabeth, his wife, died Feb. 8, 
1834, aged 84. Thomas, son of Isaac 
was the husband of Margaret Hoyden, 
who died Jan. 6, 1879, aged 91 years, 

BARZILLAI RICE, 
one of the fourteen signers for a set tlers 
meeting, 1771, was chosen 2d constable 
at the first town meeting, in 1772. His 
wife's name was Silence. No record of 
their deaths. Their children were; 
(diver, b* Nov. 1765 ; Hannah, born 
Dee. 1, 1767; Bamllai, born Mar. 8, 
1 770 ; Lydia, h. Mar. 14, 1772 ; Jeza* 
niah, b. June 1, 1774 ; Reuben, b. Sept. 
3, 1776 ; John, b. Dec. 8, 1778; Jo- 
siah, b. Sept. 23, 1781 ; It will be seen 
that Oliver Rice was born before the 
twin children of Charles Davenport ; 
also Levi Robinson, son of Ezra and 
Sarah Robinson, was born Oct. 21 , 1705. 
Hall, in his history relates two or three 
incidents of Rarrillai Rice’s experience 
as deputy sheriff in 1782. 



m; MMERSTON. 



41 



HU FI' 8 SAEGEANT. 

One of the fourteen signers for a settlers' 
meeting hi 1771, was chosen 1st- con- 
stable in 177:2. He died Nov. 23, .1826, 
&g$d 86. His wife, *Sus;uma, died dune 

10, 1 774, aged 37 years. 

Their children's names on record are; 
John, h. Dee. 8, 1776 ; Sally, b. Sept- 
0, 17710 Rufus, b. Jan. 0, 17S2; Su- 
anua, b. Apr. 26, 1784. [ See John 
S a rge a n t f am i ly p ape rs, \ > age 2 1 ] 
SAMUEL DUTTON JUN., 
was the son of Samuel Dutton, and 
married Rebecca French, sister of Wil- 
liam French killed, in the Westminster 
massacre, and Nathaniel , Asa and Jo- 
el were her brothers. He died Nov. 21, 
1829. aged 87. Rebecca, lus wife, died 
July 2-7, 18 CO, aged 60 years. Their 
children were : 

Rhoda, b. Mar, 21, 1771, m. Pel eg 
Winslow Feb, J6, . 794 ^ 

S a mue l * b . 0 c t . 28 , 1772, mar r i ed 
Abigail Hoilgskins of Dover, died Feb, 
18, 1837; 

David, b. July 27, 1774, died Oct T 

11, 1774; 

William, b, Aug. 27, J 11b. d. Apr, 

26, 1791; 

Betsey, b, Aug. 26, 1777, m, Steph- 
en W oo d b u ry Feb. 17. J 708 , (L J u ly 

27, 1887 ; 

Lucy, b, Jan. 2ib 1781, married 
John Woodbury, died Dec. 25, 1825; 

Rebecca, b. July 22, 1783, married 
i th amar Cham berlain, J une 1 5 , 1 8 6 3 ; 

Sally, b. Sept. 26, 1785, in. StOns 
Whitcomb ; 

Pliilinda, b, Nov. 0, 1791, m. Dr. 
Isaac N. Knapp, d. Jam 15, 1835. 

The ancestors of 

samuel nurroK sex., 
a first settler in Du miners ton. were, 
residents of Billerica, Mass,., where he 
was bom, Oct. 15, 1718. He descend- 
ed from Samuel Dutton 3, John 2, and 
6 



Thomas 1. ILis parents were Samuel 
and Hannah (Hill) Dutton, married 
about 1713. Their eldest child, Join), 
was born Oct. 18, 1715, She was a 
widow when married to Mr. Dutton, 
Her fa Liter was Joseph Walker. 

Samuel of Du miners am * married in 
Bedford, Aug. 19, 1740, Martha Labe* 
b- tu Billerica, Mar. 17, 1721. Their 
children, born in Bedford (formerly a 
pa rt of B die ri c u ) , \v c re Pal tee , b . A p r . 
10, 1742; Samuel, b. July 11, 1743: 
Hannah, b, Apr. 21, 1745 ; Seth, born 
Apr. 9. 1747; David; Stephen ; wild 
Asa . born 1 7 5 9 , N o re co r d of o t U c rs . 

The family came to Du miners toil 
with fo u r so ns he ft) r e 1 7 7 0 . 1 > av Id i n , 
Folly Higgins, 1782; Step lien’s wife is 
not named in the record ; Asa m. Folly 
Tarble about 1783. He died Feb. 11, 
1886, a ged 7 (I ; Folly , his wife . d ied 
Apr. 22, 1827, aged 58. Their children 
vv e re Pol ly , b* Oc t . 28 . 1 78 5 : Pa l ty , 
b. Aug. 8, 1787 ; Susan, born June 8, 
178b; Asa, b. May 13, 1791 ; Sibyl, 
b. Jan. 4, I 783 ; Sally, born Mar. 2, 
1796; Lucy, b. Dec, 3 7, 1797 ; Steph- 
en, b. June 2-1, 1801. Asa Dutton 2d 
died Mar. 23, 1868, aged 76 yrs. the 
same age as his father when be died, 
Mary, bis wife, died Dee. 4, 1864. 

Samuel and Martha Dutton settled 
on lot No. 74, now the well-known 
Rice farm, which he sold in 1777, with 
improvements, to Ephraim Rice for 
$500. and iu the same year, bought of 
J o ua t il a □ K u i gl i t 1 o t N o . 49, w h e re lie 
remained, during life. He was living 
in 1802, and his wife, Martha, in 1786 
when the farm was deeded in equal 
shares to Asa ami Stephen, 

Samuel Jr. bought of proprietors in 
1770, lot No. 122 (in the Hague). lie 
sold It in 1782, and purchased lot No. 
51 , the farm where Daniel W. Gates 
now lives. It was his home the rest 



42 



VERMONT II ISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



of life. He married, late m life, Anna 
(Nancy) Chamberlain of Chesterfield * 
N. H., for his second wife, who sur- 
vived' him 38 years, and died Oct. 20, 
1862, aged 87* lie left considerable 
property for his family. 

Samuel, lived half a mile north of his 
Father’s ^residence* where no buildings 
arc now standing, hut an orchard of 
y o u n g appt e trees su r ro i md s th e 1 oc a 1 i ty , 
ALONZO DUTTON, 

w 1 1 o se po r t rai t islvere gi v e n w as h o i tj 
A ug. 20, 1 808. 

Winslow, b. 3805; Mary, Ij. 1808, 
m. Oct. 7, 1838, Daniel P. Kingsley, 
of Brattle boro, died July 18, 1851 ; 

Cylinda* b, Feb. 27, 1812, m. Mar 
27, 1330, Manor Smith; Mu nn ass eh, 
b< Aug, 1823, died Sept. I T 1850, 

Mr, Dutton bought Sept. 6, 1819. 
the farm near Connecticut river which 
Alonzo, bis son, has o w ned m any y e ars . 

He married Oct. 25, 1S27, Harriet, 
daughter of Enos Goss, who died June 
9. 1872, JF 65. Children : 

Adiu A., b. Oct. 28, 1828, and Sarah 
F., b. July 17, 18S7, d. Dec. 12, 1859. 

He married 2d, Mary, widow of 
George Hildreth, June 12. 1873. 

Ad in A . m a r r ied J an . 1 , 1850, F a ti- 
ny M., daughter of John K a than, and 
lives with his family, in the two-story 
house on the parental farm which he 
a n d 1 1 is S on , My ro n F . , h a v e raa n aged 
several years. Children : Mary E. died 
young; Myron F. ; Hattie A., married 
Adiu F. Miller ; and Jennie F. 

They make the ninth generation, of 
the Dutton family, as here recorded,— 
the whole record covering a period of 
nearly 250 years. 

Alonzo Dutton was town representa- 
tive in 1854, and has been selectman 7 
years. He and his wife are pleasantly 
situated near Ids son’s residence, and, 
being past hard labor, he takes pride in 



the cultivation of the finest garden in 
town, in which are grown several vari- 
eties of choice grapes. He has been 
prospered as a farmer anti gained a 
competence for old age by a life of hard 
work and habits of economy. His son 
and grand- son have made many im- 
provements on the farm. The well-built 
slate stone walls along the roadside, the 
well cultivated and productive fields* 
the ucaF looking buildings, shaded in 
part by rows of stately maples, are ev- 
idences of good management by pro- 
gressive and diligent farmers, 

ASA DUTTON, 

died Feb. 11, 1836, 2E 76; Polly, his 
wife* died Apr. 22, 1327, JF 68. Their 
children were : 

Polly, b. Oct. 23, 1785 ; Patty } born 
Aug. 8, 1787 ; Susan* b. June 8, 1 789 ; 

Asa, b. May 13, 1791 ; Sibyl, born 
Jan. 4, 1793 ; Sally, b. Mar. 2* 1796 ; 

Lucy, b. Dec. 17, 1797 ; Stephen* 
horn June 24, 1801. Asa Dm Lon 2d. 
died Mar* 23, 1868, 2E 76 ; [sec page 
40] Mary, his wife d. Dec. 4, 1864* 
aged 68. 

NATHANIEL FRENCH, 
settled in Dummemon. on what is call- 
ed the 1, Luke Norcross” place, in 1768. 
He was brother of William French, kill- 
ed at the Westminster massacre, also 
of A sa , w ho ra a it i ed M a ry H i c e A]) r . 
17, 1783, Rebecca, who married Sam J 
Dutton. Joel, who married Polly Bailey 
Oct* 29, 1794, Asa and Mercy French 
were the parents of Jonathan French* 
who died in this town , J an . 18, 1864 aged 
73. 

NATHANIEL FRENCH SEX. . 
the father of William, killed at West- 
minster, ami Nathaniel Jr. , died Juno 8. 
1801, aged 81 years. He was born in 
Billerica, Mass,, Feb, 2, 1720, and de- 
scended from "William 3., John 2., Wil- 
liam 1 . His mother, Elizabeth Frost, 



lJUMMERSTON. 



4$ 



was bai n in the same town, Aug. 31, 
17 23. clan, of William 3,, James 2., 
James 1. They were married Sept. 28. 
1744. ERgabeth (or Betsey) . his wife 
diudSept. 20, 1777. One Joanna French 
died Sept. 0, 1800, aged 72. One Jo li- 
ft ih an F i 'e n ell with t w o o th er b oy ts , F ro s i 
and Richardson from Billerica, were kill- 
ed by the Indians June 15, 1748, while 
on their way from Hinsdale east of the 
Connecticut river, to Fort Diimxner, 

Nathaniel French Sen. was a resi- 
dent of Brattleboro at the time his son 
was killed. In 1 784, his house was the 
most north -eastern dwelling in that town 
and was very ;imf the southern line of 
Du miners to u . The name Nathaniel 

French appears in the census of 1771, 
in the list of both towns, and Hall, in 
his History of Eastern Vermont, makes 
the mistake of supposing there was 
only one Nathaniel French whose name 
was twice recorded, being claimed by 
both towns. 

The tact is, that father and son had the 
sam e nam e , th e form e r res idi ng in B r a t- 
tleboro, the latter in Duuimerstou, when 
the census was taken. The French Fairr 
[y in 17G9, resided in Fort Dnmnier, 
but afterward, removed to the home m 
which they lived in 1 784. The site of 
the French house formed a part of the 
farm known ip 1857 as u the old W ill- 
in gton placed since owned by Church 
Miller and now owned in 1881 by Milton 
Miller. 

The son came to this town when 2] 
years of age, marked out and cleared up 
the land .which made him a good farm 
near West river. The large button-wood 
tree now standing m front of the house 
was set out by him. Betty, his wife was 
a widow Duncan. Mrs. Nor cross, the 
grand-daughter, lived and died on the 
old homestead. The blood of William 
French, shed at Westminster , was the 



first blood shed in the Revolutionary 
war, Frank Moor, Esq. > the genial 
editor of the Songs and Ballads of the 
American Revolution u had in his pos- 
session a ballad published in 1779, in 
which reference is made to the death of 
William French, as follows ; 

<'BhI Yangeance let as Wreulf ir»y Boys* 

DW ittutron , UlMd. and Spinster; 

Whose joy* are Ued who^r Hornet are sad. 
For the Youth of Rt i U M f eAtniinstBi , . Tr 

The children of Nathaniel Seu, and 
Betsey French wore Betsey, b. Mitre h 
13, 177 5 , d . May J G , 1775; S an m el . 
h. Mar. l;j ? 1777 ; 

Wil 1 i am , b . Oct. 9 , 1778; Kp h ra I m , 
b. June 24, 1780; Betsey, b. Oct. 27. 
1782 ; Lydia, b. July 9, 1784 ; 

01 he* h. Mar. 10, 1 786 ; Natlianiek 
b. Nov. 17, 1789. 

Nath 1 ! French Ben, died June .10, 
1-811, aged 64 ; liis wife died Mar. 10. 
1828, aged 72 years. Samuel, sou of 
Nathaniel Sen, m. Sarah Gates, June 
15, 1800; William m. Lydia Eata- 
brook, Oct. 4, 1801 \ Ephraim married 
Priscilla Duncan Oct. 14, 1804 ; 

Betsey ni. Jesse Mauley Sept. 27, 
1 8 1 0 ; Ly d i a m . Am as a M a n 1 ey J a n . 
25, 1806 ; OlLie m. Moses Rod, Nov. 
22, 1807 ; Nathaniel m. Sally Walker 
“181 1 . 

Louisa French, widow of Luke Nor- 
cross, died of typhoid fever, Nov. 17, 
1881, aged nearly 74 years. She was a 
daughter of Ephraim French, and grand- 
daughter of Nathaniel French. 

ISAAC MILLER. 

The original survey parchment of the 
town of Du miners Lon, made in 1 757, is 
signed by Ebenezer Waters, Nearly 
all the parchment is much faded. Prob- 
ably Isaac Miller was Due of the compa- 
ny who made the survey , as he was em- 
ployed that year by the heirs of the 
late Gov. Dummer to lay out the town- 
ship called Dumniers ton. If Isaac Mil- 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



*'4 

ler had any claim or right to the town- 
ship of Walpole* N. H., as sta ed in a 
biographical sketch of Major Charles 
Dana Miller of Newark, Ohio, audit 
must have been long before 1 763,’* 
for John Kilim vn purchased “the 

whole” township and was a settler 
there in J 74 , according to the history 
of Walpole, published in 1880. 

The history of Nortldield, Muss., 
records the event that “John Kilburn 
started from Weathersheld, in 1740, 
stopped at Northiicld with his family 
where lie was taxed J 7*1 1. and then mov- 
ed onto No. 3 (Walpole). The town 
was chartered and organized in 175*2. 
from which time officers for the town 
have been chosen annually, and so late 
as 1763. about 15 families resided in 
the place. 

Col. Benjamin Bellow s, who it is claim- 
ed, got the laud away from Miller after 
lie had rightfully obtained it, had trouble 
with Kilburn ; but he bravely replied, 
“No ! I bought the whole and paid for 
it, and it is all mine, and I w ill have all 
or none.” May it not be that the follow- 
ing letter, written by Isaac Miller, ex- 
plains the whole trouble he had about 
the ownership of laud? The letter was 
taken from the papers of Col. Israel 
Williams, now in the Mass, Historical 
Society at Boston. The writer is in- 
debted to Hon. George Sheldon of Deer- 
Held, Mass, for a copy of the letter for 
this publication, and he w'rote : 

“I give yon the paper just as I cop- 
ied it, some part an abstract, some ver- 
batim, only I did not follo w the spelling, 
as I should, were I to publish it.” 

Sept. 4, 1772, Isaac Miller writes to 
Col. Israel Williams as the last survivor 
of 10 to "whom was granted the Equiv- 
alent Lands above Fort Duxnmer. He 
lias a copy of the deed from Connecticut 
and has been informed there was a 



deed from the natives of the same land 
to 16 gentleman, but of larger extent 
that both deeds had been conHrtned by 
the Board of Trade & Plantation. 

‘*1 was employed some years agone 
by Gov. Duminer to take care of the 
above farm to see that the timber was 
not destroyed <fc the owners bad 
ag eed with me to lay out one part of the 
above said farm into a township but the 
wars with the Frenclt ^Indians prevent- 
ed any further proceedings at that time 
So all things lay dormant unteTI the death 
of Gov. Dinnmev & the wars ceased & 
the heirs ofGov. Dunnnev employed me 
again to layout a part of said farm into 
a township in the year 1767 & my hav- 
ing a large family caused me to remove 
from Worcester to the Equivalent farm 
and settled a town in said farm called 
Dummerston, not thinking but our title 
was as good as any in the British Do- 
minions. But Col [Samuel] Well* 
agent from New York came and deman- 
ded $1410 for a new Patent with a quit 
rent of 2s Od each 100 acres. I lold our 
people I should do no such thing. We 
had a good title from Conn., the natives* 
and a charter from New Hampshire, 
I shall not go to York fora Patent, but 
Wells and his Yorkers try all that lies 
in their power to disturb us and make 
dissenters among us.” Begs advice, in- 
formation & assistance from him & 
Col. Patridge, “Our lines have fallen in 
arbitrary places (Genrrings Patent) 
these Jacobites are pleased to call onr 
binds." Ac. 

The Equivalent Lands were sold at 
Hartford, 24tli and 25th of Apr. 1716 
in 16 shares to 21 persons aiming whom 
were Anthony Stoddard, Esq., Boston, 
William Brattle, Cambridge, clerk,- 1 
share each ; William Duminer, Boston* 
merchant, his brother, Dr. Jeremiah 
Dummer, one half share each. The 
shares were allotted in June 1716, The 
whole of the land alluded to as Dummer 
was known by the name of Dummerston 
previous to 1753, when the Equivalent 
Lands together with a “considerable 
quantity of other lands,” surveyed by 



UUMMERfcTON. 



45 



- Joseph Blanch tml of Amherst* N. IT., 
i i j th r y ear 1 75 0 , we re divid ed i u i o c h ree 
townships one (4‘ which was called Full- 
urn. The name was changed hack to 
D u m me rsto n to co m 1 1 i si n o ra te tli e i >a in e 
of Wm * Dnmmer, the oldest proprietor 
who died 1761, aged 74 yes. The town 
was called by both names about 25 years, 
the time of the charter. The large family 
of Isaac Miller revered to in his letter* 
when he removed to Mass, in 1770, 
n umber ed 1 2 children. 

PAPER Ff>tt THE MILLER FAMILY, FROM 
MH. jVl J LU£H OF NEWARK. 
MU.LKR1 M Ait OK CHARLES DATS A, wa& 

born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, September 
8. 1880, and moved to Newark in the 
spring of 18.57, His family has an an- 
cient and honorable lineage, dating back 
o v e r t w o h u ii < J red ye a rs i u A m er i c a , and 
ante-dating from it* emigration to Amer- 
ica into traditional genealogy another 
century in Scot land. 

T I le AJLill e r s , of S co t 1 an d , w e re o f 8 a x - 
on origin, and followed the leadership of 
Edward, who conquered the Piets and 
founded Edinburgh, A* D. 441b The 
history of the family is rather obscure, 
until about the year 1600, when the 
co u a try w as d i b traded by civ 1 1 w ar , a s- 
Burning a religious character between 
Protestantism and Catholicism* The 
Millers took sides with the Protestants, 
and } a ter w i th th e P resby t er i a n s or Co v - 
emutters, when persecuted by James the 
First* in his efforts to establish Episco- 
pacy. The laws against Presbyterianism 
were so abitrary that it led to groat dis- 
order and opposition by the inhabitanee, 
and many personal encounters passed be- 
tween the liberty- loving Scots and the 
minions of the king, in the enforcement 
of obnoxious l aw s . Then am e of Ja mes 
Miller is found twice recorded in a list of 
those who paid fines for transgressing 
the laws in the city of Edinburgh, and 
is recorded Id this quaint style : 



“The compt or neony re earn tin iVa. sick person e 
as lies tr&nsgmt dgauesl the sbttulis and emt- 
finances of the gu^fi toun ; the naihls of the per- 
s< meg that pay it, ami somn that eyrie man pay 
it, Ijeginlhff fitt Mycbehnas. RIOS yiers, tilt Alyelr 
elmas tlie yler of God ltiQ9 yiers, the time of 
thair offices of htiill yiere. as follows: James 
Miller, for being found be the ?uird, at twelve 
hours at even, with otin ywoi d U raw in id James 
llavrlt;, £4, James Miller, for the multi wyte of 
Patryk Chatmevs, £ 9 l8d. H 

The oppression of the Covenanters led 
many to seek the shoves of America 
where they could worship God without 
restraint, and one Senior Miller and his 
son James (who are the direct progeni- 
tors of this Family in America) , cm igra- 
ed fro m Ed i n b u rg h abo u t they ear 1660. 
They settled in Charlestown, near Bos- 
ton, and joined the established Presby- 
terian church at that place. We find re- 
corded in the Genealogical dictionary 
of the first settlors of New England. 
“James Miller* the Scotsman. Charles - 
to w n , adiiii tte d to F i vs t c h u rck , 1 ) eoem - 
der 17,1676, an cl mad e fr e cm a n * M ay 
26. 1677, and died July 14, 1 600. His 
w 1 fe , M ary , j o i ne d th e e h □ roll A ugus 1 5 , 
1677, be i ng hap ti se A th a t day w i ll i lie r 
eight children- — -James, Mary, Robert, 
J ob , Abrali a m , Isaac . M ercy a n d J a n e . 

The record of 3 1 is father’s death, Aug 
1, 1688, calls him 'Sen/ an aged Scots- 
man about seventy.” 

Isaac Miller, the son of James, remov- 
ed to Concord. Massachusetts* and after- 
wards to Worcester about the year 1718* 
His son Isaac, born in Concord, May 7, 
1708, married in Worcester one Sarah 
Crosby, and reared a large family. In 
1770, the year of the Boston massacre, 
he removed to Du miners ton, Vermont, 
which town he surveyed and settled. 
John, the son of Isaac, jr., was born in 
Worcester, December 20, 1756, and liv- 
ed and died a farmer in Dummerstou. 
His son, James, who was bom in Dura- 
merston, December 1C, 1783, emigrated 
to Ohio in 1814, and se tied in Knox 



VERM ONT HISTORIC A L MAG AZIN E 



4fi 

county, what is now Miller township, 
named in 1m honor. His son, James 
Warned, born in Dummersti ui - Vermont . 
J u 1 v 8 h 1 80 7 , se til e d fir s t in N e vr a r k , 
a 1 >o lit th e y ear 1 H 2 6 , a fee v wai -cl & in M l - 
Vernon, where he manned in 1833, and 
raised a large family, the second son of 
which, Charles JX Miller, is the subject 
of this sketch. 

The genealogical order of the eight gen- 
erations as far as authenticated, will then 
stand as follows : First* Sen. Miller, 
born in Edinburgh, Scotland, about 
IG 13 ; second, James Miller* horn in 
Edinburgh, Scotland, about HUG ; third, 
Isaac Miller, born in Charlestown, 
Massachusetts, about 1670; fourth, 
Isaac Miller, jr** born in Concord, 
Massachusetts, in 1708 : fifth, John 
Miller, bom in Bummers ton, Vermont, 
in 1783 ; seventh. James Warner Miller, 
bo ru in Du mm er s to a , V c rmoi 1 1 , i n 1807 ; 
eighth, Charles Dana Miller, born in 
Mti Vernon, Ohio, in 183h, 

In order to present the history of this 
family more in detail we must return to 
the Sc otish ancestors* 

Many of the Scotch Millers attained 
eminence in literature and science. The 
ancestors of Hugh Miller, the great ge- 
ologist, were a seafaring race. Among, 
the great writers were John Miller, of 
Lanarkshire, professor of law in the 
u n i v ersi tv of G l asgo w ; J a m es M i 11 e r , 
of Ayr, physician and chemist, and ed- 
itor of the fourth edition of the Encyclo- 
pedia Britan im ; James Miller, professor 
of surgery in I lie university at Edin- 
burgh ; Thomas Miller, of Glenlee, 
baron and lord justice clerk of court of 
sessions* 

The ancient coat of arms of this fam- 
ily, adopted by the various Scotch 
branches, bears a similarity in the chief 
points of the field ; the only variations 
appearing m minor objects in the clivisi- 



eions according to the fancy of the bear- 
er, or as conferred by heraldic law* The 
chief points, as borne by all the Scotch 
families, are : first, the color of the shield 
(white) ; second, the Moliue cross* 
which represents the figure of the iron 
that supports the upper mill sione ; 
third the wavy bar in the base, and last, 
the mullet, or rowel of a spur. A descrip- 
tion of the arms borne by the American 
branch of the family, as near as can he 
authenticated, and as expressed in herald- 
ic terms, is as follows : Argent, a cross 
moline, azure. In chief, second, bordure 
of three cinquefoils, gules, lozenge be- 
tween two mullets ; sin star chief lozenge 
between two mnlett. In lessee, hand 
with fiist and second fingers extended, 
two arms with hands clasped, moliue 
cross, sable* between four hearts j in 
base wavy bands of vert : crest* lion 
rampant with mobile cross, sable, be- 
t w ccn paw s in otto* Opt it n a Co do * fV i - 
one Al((fCtUi\ 




A very complete record has been 
preserved of the family of Isaac Miller, 
jr., the grandson and great-grandson 
of the Scotish emigrants. He was a 
staunch Republican in the troublesome 
times preceding the outbreak of the 
Revolution* Being a surveyor by pro- 
fession die became useful in the settlement 



DUM..M KliSTON * 



47 



of LUt* then new country north of 
itehuseus, hut his enterprises met with 
disaster through the machinations of the i 
tools of the king, who had sei a mark 
upon all Republicans, fu 1 763, he, 
with others, were granted a township of 
land in New Hampshire, which they 
settled and paved fbr, but by a sub ter frigs 
the British court* then in session in 
Worcester, re-grouted it to General 
Bellows, a tory. He moved life family 
in 177Cf, to Du miners Lou, Vermont, 
which town he surveyed ami settled. 
Isaac Miller, jr., had twelve children. 
Visapatian was a soldier in the old French 
war, and afterwards followed the sea. 
Hoson was a farmer. Rosanna married 
Major pToseph Negus, of Petersham. 
Among her descendants are Mrs. Gcn'l 
It * B , M ft rcy , M rs , G en e ra I G eo rge B . 
McClellan, Mrs. Major W. B. Rosaell, 
of the United States army. Sarah mar- 
ried Silas Wheeler* cf Petersham. Tii- 
lotson emigrated to_ N e w Y ork S tu te* 
Patience married Dr. Thomas Amsden, 
of Petersham. Joseph was a soldier of 
the war of Lhe Revolution, and served 
seven years with distinction, lining pro- 
moted to the rank of major, and merited 
the friendship and confidence ofGeu’l 
Washington. Isaac was a captain ill the 
Revolution, and was badly wounded 
early in the war near Boston. Marshall 
was a fanner and left many descendants. 

John, the great-grandfather of the 
subject of this sketch, was a Revolution- 
ary soldier, and subsequently became 
very prominent as a citizen of Vermont. 
Catharine married a Mr* Knapp and 
reared a. large family. William, the 
youngest, was a soldier in the 1 alter part 
of the Revolution and rose to the rank 
of major* 

John Miller, who was born In Wor- 
cester, Massachusetts, December 20, 
1756, had eight children — Lewi*. 



James, Levi, Sally, Polly, Rosanna, Su- 
san, and John B. Rosanna ami SusaQ 
are still living— -the former eighty-six 
and the latter eighty -lour years of age. 

James Miller, who was born in Dum- 
merston, Vermont, Dec. 16. 1783, was 
educated at Williams college. In the 
war of 1812 lie was a member of the 
co mpan y of Cap t tun I f ay es — 1 1 1 e I h tl i e r 
of President Hayes. He emigrated to 
Ohio in 1814. and was six weeks mak- 
ing the journey in wagons. He bought 
of the government a section of laud in 
what is now Miller township, Knox 
county, which was then a howling wil- 
derness. James Miller was a gentleman 
of culture and highly esteemed by his 
neighbors tor Ins sterling worth, indus- 
try. and enterprise He married >Sarah 
Warner, I be eldest sister of Luke K. 
Warner, of Newark. They were mar- 
ried in 1800, near Ward shorn ugh, Ver- 
mont, eight years before their depart- 
ure for the West. She was an accom- 
plished and educated young lady, of 
rare personal beauty * and seemingly 
too tender for the hardships of pioneer 
life, but she lived to see the primeval 
forest on her husband's land replaced 
by smiling and fruitful fields. They 

reared a family of eleven children 

J a mes W ar n er , M a d i so n , V o 1 u ey , Hen - 
ry H, , Mary M., Rosanna W M John 
F., Harriet M*, Sarah Warner, Dana, 
and Lucinda A, Of this family now re- 
siding iu Newark may be mentioned 
James Warner, his sous, Charles D* 
and Philip I), ; two daughters, Eliza- 
beth V* and Susan R. : John F. Miller 
and one sou, Edwin S« ; also, Mrs. H. 
C. Bostwick, daughter of Madison MIL 
lev. 

J am e.s W arne r , the e 1 t ies t, w a s bo r n 
in Vermont, July 8, 1807, and emigra- 
ted to Ohio with his father. In 1826 he 
went to Newark and engaged with Ms 



48 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



1 

uncle, Willard Warner, who kept the 
old “Green House,” on the present site 
of the Park hotel . In 1880, he moved 
to Mt. Vernon and engaged in business. 
In 1888, he married Mary G. Bryant, 
daughter of Gilman Bryant, Esq., one 
of the pioneers of Knox county. He 
reared a family of ten children — James 
Bryant, Charles Dana, Elizabeth V., 
Edward Stanley, Sarah Warner, Phil- 
ip Dennis, Mary Gilman, Francis 
Warner, Jennie Ella, and Susan R. 
Janies Warner Miller engaged in busi- 
ness in Mt. Vernon for over forty years, 
and was widely known as one of the 
most industrious and enterprising mer- 
chants. He removed to Newark in the 
spring of 1879, where he now resides. 

This closes the succession of the pa- 
eroal ancestors of Charles Dana Mil- 
ler. 

His maternal ancestors were g^so of 
old revolutionary stock. His mother, 
Mary Gilman Bryant, was the daugh- 
ter of Gilman Bryant, a pioneer of 
Knox county, whose father, David 
Bryant, was an officer in the Revolu- 
olution, ami a cousin of William Cullen 
Bryant, the poet. David Bryant married 
Mary Gilman, the daughter of Colonel 
Jeremiah Gilman, in whose regiment 
(the New Hampshire line) he served. 
The genealogy of the New Hampshire 
Gilman’s is thus narrated : 

In May, 1 638. Edward Gilman, with 
his wife, three sons, two daughters and 
three servants, came from Norfolkeoun- 
ty, England, in the ship called the 4 4 De- 
light” of Ipswich, and settled in Hing- 
ham, Massachusetts. Moses, the third 
son of Edward Gilman, lived in New 
Market, New Hampshire, and had six 
sons Captain Jeremiah, born in 1660, 
had Thomas, Andrew, Joseph and oth- 
ers. The last two sons were captured 
by the Indians, in 1709, and taken to 



Canada. At a war-dance, Joseph was 
burnt. Andrew was sold to the French, 
aud imprisoned, but obtained favor of 
the governor aud was permitted to work 
for wages until he earned a sum suffi- 
cient to purchase his freedom. He re- 
turned to his old home, married, and 
had one son — Jeremiah — and three 
daughters. Jeremiah was born about 
the year 1721. When the Revolutionary 
war broke out, be was commissioned a 
colonel ami commanded a regiment in 
the New Hampshire Ipie. His daughter. 
Mary Gilman, married Lieutenant Da- 
vid Bryant, who served in his father-in- 
law’s regiment during the war. Lieuten- 
ant Bryant was the great-grandfather 
of the subject of this sketch. 

The geuealogical successions of :he 
nine generations in this line, therefore, 
stand as follows : First, Edward Gil- 
man, born in Norfolk, England, about 
1600; second, Moses Gilman, born in 
Norfolk, England, about 1680 ; third 
Jeremiah Gilman, horn in New Mark- 
et, N. H., in 1660; fourth, Andrew 
Gilman, born in New Market, New 
Hampshire, 1690: fifth, Jeremiah Gil- 
man (second) , born in New Market. 
New Hampshire, about 1720; sixth, 
Mary Gilman, born in Vermont, about 
1760 ; seventh, Gilman Bryant, horn 
in Vermont, 1784 ; eighth, Mary Gil- 
man Bryant, born inMt. Vernon, Ohio, 
1814 ; ninth, Charles D. Miller, born 
in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, 1836. 

Nicholas Gilman, who was a dele- 
gate to the convention in 1787, aud sign- 
ed the constitution of the United States, 
and the Hon. John Taylor Gilman, gov- 
ernor of New Hampshire, were descend- 
ants of Edward Gilman. Governor 
Lewis Cass was a descendant of Moses 
Gilman. 

I Charles Dana Miller received a good 
| academic education, which he greatly 



DUMMEItSTON. 



43 



improved in after ]ife by much reading 
And travel. He moved to Newark iu 
1857, and engaged m business with 
Lake K. Warner, doir\g a large and 
successful trade in the grain products 
of the county. When the war broke 
out m 18GK be enlisted ns a private in 
Captain Com airs company C, Seventy- 
sixth Ohio regiment., and was succes- 
sively promoted for meritorious services 
to first sergeant, sergeant major- first- 
lieutenant and adjutant, captain and 
major by brevet. The latter rank was 
conferred by the President of the Uni- 
ted States. He was of light frame and 
delicate and nervous temperament, and 
seemingly ill adapted to endure the pri- 
vations of a soldier's life, but in his 
case, as well as in many others, actual 
service proved that physical proportions 
and strength were counterbalanced by 
spirit and energy. During his whole 
term of service of three years and a 
month he never permitted himself to be 
excused from duty, although suffering 
physical disability, contracted by his 
devotion to the service. He was twice 
slightly wounded, at Vicksburg and 
JEfcesaca , bu t con ti n ued o n d u ty w i th o u t 
reporting his wounds. He was engaged 
in the battles of Fort D ^nelson and 
Shiloh with credit, and during the Siege 
of Corinth, when the adjutant of the 
regiment and adjutant general of the 
brigade succumbed to disease, he was 
detailed to perform their duties, at the 
same time he performed the arduous 
work as orderly of his company. It was 
ttere that, his qualifications pointed the 
r o&d to p ro m o t io n , an d li is com m n n 1 in g 
officer, without solicitation, obtained a 
commission for him as adjutant of the 
regiment, to fill the vacancy of the late 
adjutant, who had resigned. He contin- 
ued to perform the duties of adjutant 
for nearly two years, never missing a 
7 



dress parade while with the regiment. 
In 1SC4, when bis regiment re-enl is ted as 
I veterans he was promoted to a captain- 



cy, and placed iu command of his old 
company C. He commanded this com- 
pany through the active, glorious Atlan- 
ta campaign, and in Aug. 18134, was 
appointed acting assistant inspector gen- 
eral, performing the laborious service 
pertaining to that office in a large brig- 
ade of nine regiments. 

Major Miller commanded the highest 
esteem and confidence of the colonel of 
his regimen L He was conspicuous for 
his devotion to the cause of the Union 
arms in battle and in camp, At Arkan- 
sas Post he was mentioned in special 
orders for his gallantry. At Atlanta, 
on the twenty second of July, 18(14, he 
led his company iu advance of the reg- 
iment, bearing the colors, and in the 
face a scorching lire, drove the ene- 
my from earthworks and re-captured h 
due battery of parrot guns. 

He presented a conspicuous target iu 
i this engagement, but escaped the mis- 
siles aimed at him. His first lieu ten taut 
(Arnold) was shot three tunes by his 
side. At Ships Gap, w hile on the staff 
of Colonel Milo Smith, he directed the 
bank movement, which resulted in the 
capture of two South Carolina compa- 
nies. 

On the twenty -eighth of July, near 
Atlanta, he stood for four hours en- 
couraging ids men while breasting a 
fearful storm of musketry to which the 
regiment was subjected. The lists of en- 
gagements be participated in numbers 
forty or fifty, but the principle battles 
and sieges which will be prominent in 
history, may be mentioned : 

For! Donelsou, Shiloh, Siege of Cor- 
inth, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas 
Post, Siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, 
Dallas, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, 



VERMONT Hf, STORK 1 A L MA 0 AZT NK. 






Atlanta, July 2 2d and Jonesboro ugh* 
After the expiration of his term of 
so i"G I o e lie re co 1 ved a u , ho no v able d i s- 
eharg , November 18 1 1884. The war 
practically ended in t lie West at that 
■mne. He returned to Newark and again 
engaged in his former business^ 



in May, 1865, he married Lucy Gil- 
man Jewett, daughter of David D. and 
Lucy J c w ett, of N ew ark . She w as a 
noble woman, a devoted Christian, a 
foad wife and mother. This union, so 
p rom isiug of 1 ortg h ap pi ness T te r mi 1 1 a ted 
m her early death, which occurred Jan. 
2, 1809, leaving two infant children— 
daughter and son — Lucy Jewett, born 
Marc a 4, I860, and Charles Dioi>, born 
November 17, 1867. 

In 1875- 7(5 T he engaged in the commis- 
sion business m Chicago, retaining, how- 
ever, a branch business at Newark. In 



decidedly toward the study of a profes- 
sion instead of mercantile pursuits. He 
inherited a tasle for drawing and point- 
ing, and has followed the natural ben:, 
more or less in an amateur way dol - 
ing his leisure moments, LI is eye is al- 
most perfect ii> its coiiqircbeosioti of 
forms, distances and colors with rare 
taste for landscape gardening and ru- 
ral adornment. He has been an in- 
dustrious student of science and history, 
his mind favoring geological research 
more than any other. He lias written 
many able articles for the press upon 
subjects in* harmony with his tastes. 

In religion lie was brought up in the 
doctrines and faith of the Protestant 
Episcopal church, and became a mem- 
ber of that denominator before entering 
die army, but his general religious views 
are of the most liberal character, free 



1877. he returned to Newark uod con- 
tinued m the grain trade, under the firm 
aarne of Miller & Root, and is at the 
present time transacting a large business 
in the products of the county. Major 
Miller has always been ;cn out -spoken | 
adherent to the principles he fought fur 
during the war, and although he has 
never aspired to civil office, he has been 
somewhat conspicuous in Ilia advocacy 
o f L ' s fcal w art Rep ul >1 ie ai i i sm . J * 1 1 e lias 
taken a lively interest in the organiza- 
tions and re- unions of ex -soldiers, being 
one of the first projectors of the Soldier’s 
moiety of Licking county, through whose 
instrumentality the great re -uni on was 
held in 1878, 

He has been continuously elected 
the secretary of the society T and he pre- 
pa red , ami li ad p u 1 jl is h ed , th e ad m i raid e 
report of the great re- union which gives 
a very com plete record of Licking coun- 
ty’s participation in the war for the 
Union. 

Major MOler’s early inclinations were 



from bigotry ami di.-p^od t-r reconcile 
and knnnnmze wiih si-ien-'e l:. 

its broadest sense. 

PA PER F< I II MFLLLli FA X £ L 1 RES U Jl £ D 
BY MR. .VI A XS FIELD. 

The motto of the Miller family pitge 
4th may be translated, the best thing 
liuder Heaven is increased by union. 

CAPT. VESR4.STAN MILLER, 

was born June 2, 1740, in. Abigail 
Church, born Jan. 28, 1744. She died 
Feb. 3, 1802, of consumption, JE 58. 
He died July 9, 1312. Children : 

Anna in. Elijah Rice; Abigail, m. 
C al v in S ai *gean t ; S arah nm r ri ed John 
Laughton; Lovmna m. Solomon Wild- 
er, of Brattleboro ; George m. Nov. 30, 
1801, Dolly, dau, of Elias Wilder ; Jo- 
seph, b. Mar. 21, 1780, m. Elizabeth 
Wilson r Feb. 2, 1806 ; Edward, bom 
Aug. 1785, m. Beulah Burnham, His 
son, Joel Miller lives on the parental 
farm. Mrs. Vespasian Miller was of 
Swedish origin. 

The children of Joseph and Eliza- 



DUlfMEE-STON* 



51 



abeth were David, b* 1SOG, d. 1811* 
Vespasian Church, b. Nov. 26,1808, 
m* Betsey Boy den* 

Elizabeth, b. Nov. 27, 1811, m. 
Ira Ormsbee, 

Temperance, b. 1814, d. young ; 
Joseph, b. Mar* 3, 1817, m, let 
Eliza Heed, 2d Sophia Arms* 

Lavinna, b. May 21, 1819, mar- 
ried William Knapp ; Harriet b. 
1821, d*YE 6. 

Joseph Miller now lives on the old 
homestead of Oapt, Vespasian, which 
is also the paren tal farm. He is the 
present town clerk and has been 
chosen for 33 consecutive years. In 
his possession is an old Log-Book 
called the English Pilot, which his 
grandfather used when he followed 
the sea. I t was printed by Thomas 
Page and William Mount at the 
Postern on Tower Hill, London, and 
is dated, 1st part 1731, 2d, 1732. 
The size of the book is IS inches by 
12, and two inches in thickness. 

Isaac Miller, father of Vespasian, 
removed his family from Worcester, 
Mass.* to Dimmers ton, Mar. 5, 1770. 
The following sketch of him is In 
Ward's History of Shrewsbury , Mass* 
Isaac Miller, whose wife was Sarah, 
had Vespasian, born June, 1740. 
Isaac Miller above the pond was 
highway surveyor in 1 7 GO, and liv- 
ing on house lot No, 27, in 172S. 

HOSEA MILLER, 

son of Isaac Miller, married Lydia 
West, June 3, 1786; moved from 
Eichmond, Mass,, to Du rnmers ton in 
1770; died May 7, 1796, JE 54. His 
wife died Sept. 23* 1800, aged 54 
years. Their children were : Ves- 
pasian, b. Mar, 12, 1767; Martin, b. 
April 12, 1769; Sylvan us, b. Dec. 
4,1771; Hoeea, b, May 21, 1774; 



Lydia, b. Sept. 15, 1776, died Sept 
30, 1777. 

Lydia 2d, b. Nov. 8, 1778, mauled 
; Dr, Abel Duncan, died in Shel- 
burne, Mass., May 1, I860, JP 90 
yrs. 6 mos., and was buried in Hum- 
mers too; John Chamberlain, b. May 
4,1781; Polly, b. June 22, 1784; 
Electa, b. Jan. 15, 1787; Louis, b. 
Mar. IS, 1790, 

Lydia, who married Dr. Duncan, 
remembered distinctly a circum- 
stance that took place on her fath- 
er's farm in 1787, or soon after 
Shay's Bebelioru Two men, who 
were refugees of that rebelion, 
boarded at her father's a few weeks, 
and, in making themselves useful, 
set out a number of young apple- 
trees in the orchard near the house. 
Six of those trees are now standing. 
One was recently, May, 1879, cut 
d o w n an d m easu red 3 4 i n ch es in di- 
ameter and 9 feet around it. 

EENrAMII* JONES 

was one of the officers chosen at the 
first town meeting in 1772. His age 
and date of death are not known. 
Obedience, his wife, died Dec. 5, 
1791, Benjamin Jones* jr. married 
Mrs. Susanna Baldwin Apr. 8, 1774. 
She was the mother of 12 children, 
three by her first marriage, and nine 
by her second, 

OAPT. CORNELIUS JONES 

was one of the delegates chosen Apr. 
6, 1775, to go with three others to 
Westminster “to consult on the best 
method for dealing with the inhu- 
man and unprovoked murderers of 
1 William French and Daniel Hough- 
! ton." His wife's name was Mary. 
The names of the three children are 
* recorded : 

Polly, b. Aug. 31, 1779; Sarah, 
j b. May 18, 1783; Clarissa* d. Feb. 

1 19, 1785. 



52 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



JOSEPH HILDRETH* 

(eon of Joseph Hildreth, sen.*) one 
of the first town officers chosen in 
1772, died July 4, 1796 aged 72, 
Lydia, his wife, died May 26, 1799, 
aged^6S; children: Hannah, b« July 
4,1776; Lydia, b. Feb. 16, 1778, d. 
April 26, 1780; Phebe, b* Sept, 7, 
1781; Joseph, b. Sept. 2% 1783, d. 
Sept. 28, 1829 aged 46. Abigail Reims, 
his wife, died Sept. 9, 1870 aged 88 
years. Their son Joseph, died Got. 
9j 1S22, aged 10 years. Hannah m. 
James Johnson, Sept. 13, 1792; 
Phebe m. Alp hens Higgins, Sept. 
21, 1797; Joseph, b. Sept. 29, 1783, 
m. Abigail Bern lb, May 1, 1806. 

The children of Joseph and Abi- 
gail were, Ann 11a, b. 1806: Arosina, 
b. Nov. 14, 1809, m, Humphrey 
Barrett. 

Joseph Jr., b. Apr. 20, 1812, died 
1321; John; George m. Mary Clark. 

JACOB THOMPSON, 

at whose house a town meeting was 
held Dec. 28, 1772, was chosen first 
constable in 1774. No family rec- 
ord. Benoni Thompson, b. Apr. 19, 
1797, m Susanna — , may have 
been his son. Olive, Jonathan, 
Michal and Dolly were children of 
Benoni and Susanna. 

For the brave 

JOHN HOOKER, 

who was present at the first town 
meeting, page 8, who left hie soles 
on the field at Westminster, see page 
12, and any further items hereafter. 



SOME O F THE CONTEMPORARIES 

of those who signed the notification 
for the first town meeting of Hum- 
mers ton. 

The town of Dnmmerston number- 
ed among its early inhabitants men 
who were unfriendly to the jurisdic- 
tion of New York, and who regard- 
ed the order of the King in Council, 
by which Connecticut river was de- 
clared the eastern boundary of that 



province, as especially tyrannical. 
Such were pre-eminently the views 
of 

DR. SOLOMON HARVEY, 

the physician and clerk of this pat- 
riotic village, and the records which 
he kept, in virtue of the latter office, 
exhibit on almost every page traces 
of his peculiar disposition. He was 
chosen town clerk May 18, 1773- 
The dislike which he in common 
with others entertained towards the 
government of New York, had no 
doubt been increased by the aris- 
tocratic bearing of some of the 
county officials who held their ap- 
pointments from the Colonial Leg- 
islature; and the abuse of power 
which these men sometimes exhibit- 
ed in their functionary character, 
was used as an argument against 
those from whom they had received 
their authority. At a town meeting 
held May 17, 1774, the people omit- 
ted to choose town trustees. The zml 
of the eloquent clerk in stirring up 
the recollection of hie readers upon 
this occasion may be seen on pages 
4-8, record history. 

The next meeting was called June 
10, 1774, at 4 o'clock, p. m., at the 
house of Enoch Cook, and Joseph 
Hildreth, Enoch Cook and Solomon 
Harvey were chosen trustees to fill 
the places left vacant at the regular 
election. 

Fully on their guard, and ready to 
treat as tyrants those who should en- 
deavor to deprive them of any of 
their privileges, they afterwards sent 
delegates to the Westminster con- 
vention, and were among the fore- 
most in advancing the objects for 
which it had been convoked. Nor 
was it long before they had an op- 
portunity to carry into action the 
spirit which they had evinced in that 



DUMMERSTON* 



53 



rock-ribbed village, which allowed full 
scope to their patriotism, and ended in 
con finning the jealous watchfulness with 
which they had resolved to guard their 
lights, which the w t irm -b 1 oo t led Doc ter 
Harvey, the u village Hampden' 1 of 
Hummers Lon, who. judged by his zeal T 
and courage, seems to have possessed. 
Doctor Harvey was the leader on this 
occasion, lie has shown in his narra- 
tive records, how the insolence of Brit- 
ain was checked by the valor of himself 
and of his compeers, and it is but right 
that he should tell the story in his own 
quaint and energetic mode : 

[see paper for town record page 9 to 12] 

Such is the graphic and impartial nar- 
rative of one who was the chronicler of 
events in which lie bore an important 
part , M ar . 1 5 , 1775, w hen ab out 500 
soldiers assembled at Westminster in 
order to punish the murderers of Wil- 
liam French etc., the beating of a drum, 
heralded the approach of Solomon Har- 
vey, Practitioner of Physic, at the head 
of a body of 300 men. In the centre 
walked four of the sheriffs posse, who 
had been intercepted on their way home. 
The whole party halted in front of the 
Cou r t li o use . A n i n v es t i gati on was had, 
which ended more favorably than the 
poor prisoners had expected. The stern 
old doctor disarmed them, and dismissed 
them with a pass signed with his own 
name, to winch was prefixed the title 
of' Colonel . The courts were broken up 
at Westminster at. that time- In an 
account of the meeting of the inhabitants 
of Du miners tort held Aug. 22, 1775, 
occurs an entry which shows that the 
people were engaged in preparing an 
elaborate account of the disturbances 
which had happened in the month of 
March previous* The entry was made 
by Jonathan Knight, town clerk, in these 
words : 



V oted that it is the Sence of this town 
that the Letters that are in the hand of 
Dr. Harvey are Not any Evidance in 
the Case which the Commite is Collect- 
ing ; for the Evidence which tha are to 
Colee t is the Bad Conduct of the Oort 
from its fust Setting up the Corfc, Down 
to the fust of March Last; and that 
these Letters only Shite that the Peple 
ware Displfcaised at the E arid tar y of 
offiseirs of the Oort and ware Raday to 
Rise and Stop the Cor the fore that time ; 
and we think those Letters Show Like 
wise the unity of the People and purtix 
the time ; and we think it Best not to 
have these Letors goe to Westminster. 1 * 

At a town meeting held Dec. 21, 

1775, it was voted ; 

That Jonathan Knight, Enoch Cook, 
Joseph Hildreth secure the town records 
that are in the hands of Dr. Solomon 
Harvey and transcribe it into a town 
book*” 

This is the latest account we can find 
of Dr Harvey, He probably moved 
from this town before the close of the 
Re v ol u t i o n a ry w aiv H is fare w e 1 1 I etter 
as town clerk is recorded on the town 
records, for which see town records. 

A part of this sketch is from i i Hall's 
History of Eastern Vermont J 1 

.Dr* Solomon Harvey, the efficient 
town clerk in Duimnerston, was also, a 
practitioner of physic, ^and when Dr* 
Jones rode bareheaded from Westmin- 
ster at the time of the courthouse fight* 
to Dummers ton, for re-info rce meats, 
Col* Solomon Harvey led a company of 
300 men from this town and Putney to 
the scene of action, Capt. Leonard 
Spaulding inspected the men.** The 
Hoctor removed from Humiuerston in 

1776, to Chesterfield, N. PI*, where he 
died about 1820* He took an active 
part in the affairs of the town during 
the Revolution* In 1 788, he was chosen 
to represent Chesterfield in the con veil- 

I tion that adopted the Federal Constitu- 
I tion. Selectman, 1789, *92; town clerk 



54 



VERMON T H i STO RIC A L M A G A 7 IN E. 



from 1800 to 181 7. His wife Was Mary 

. Duly one child's name is 

recorded, Mary, b. in Dummerston, 
Apr. 22, 1773. 

DANIEL HOUGHTON, 

who was mortally wounded d ring the 
massacre at Westminster, came origi- 
nally from Petersham, Mass., and pre- 
vious to Ins death was a resident of 
Dummerston. The idea was general lor 
a time, that he would recover from 
bis injuries, and it is for this reason 
that his name is not often found in con- 
nection with that of William French. 
But in the records of this town the 
“murthering of William French and 
Daniel 'Houghton’ 1 is spoken ifasun ar- 
ticle of history, which was then receiv- 
ed without doubt and in the account 
at the meeting that held in this town 
on the 6th of April, less than a month 
after the event, is a memorandum of a 
committee who were appointed to u go 
to Westminster there to meet other 
committees, to consult on the methods 
for dealing with the inhuman and un- 
provoked murtherers of William French 
and Daniel Houghton.” Houghton was 
wounded in the body aud survived only 
it days. He died at Westminster in a 
house situated a little northwest of the 
Court-house, and hut a short distance 
from it. It was then occupied by 
Eleaaser Harlow. Most of those who 
were wounded were taken to the house 
of A znriali Wright. lie was buried in 
the old grave-yard at tlmt place, not 
far from the last resting-place of French. 
For many years there was a stone, 
shapeless and unhewn, which marked 
the spot where he lay ; but even this 
slight memorial has at length disappear- 
ed from its place, and no one can now 
mark with accuracy the locality of his 
grave. 

Doctor Thomas Amsden, whom we 



have mentioned elsewhere as one of the 
physicians of this town was one of the 
17 coroner’s jury , who were assembled 
Mar. 15, 1775, to inquire into the cause 
of the death of French. The original 
report of the investigation is still pre- 
served and Dr. Amsdcn's name is first 
on the list of jurymen. 

CAPT. JOHN WYMAN. 

On a gravestone in the cemetery at 
Dummerston Centre, is the inscription ; 
“Capt John. Wyman, an officer of the 
Revolution, Died July. 23d, 1823, aged 
80 years.” Captain Wyman was 
born in Cambridge, Mass., in 1748. 
His rank in the Revolutionary army 
was lieutenant, and his service was in 
the Rhode Island Continental Line. He 
was placed outlie pension roll Apr. 15. 
1818. Annual allowance $240. Sums 
received $1276.07. This information 
the writer obtained from an old pension 
roll printed about 1835, which also con- 
tains the names of all persons who were 
or had been pensioners belonging to 
Windham county When writing for 
Miss Ilciuemvay’s publication ten years 
ago, we obtained the information that 
Capt. Wyman was one of the number 
who dressed in the costume of Mohawk 
Indians, went on board of the British 
vessel in Boston harbor in 1773, and 
“Took the old tea ami done ns they oughter, 
Aud tinned it all out right Into the water.” 

Capt. Wyman’s home in this town 
was where Henry French now lives. 
He was a tanner by trade, and marks 
of the old tan-vats are now visible on 
the flat south of the barn near Salmon 
brook. His dispositon and character were 
of a beiligerant nature. lie was aU 
military, and was fond of relating his 
exploits and deeds in Revolutionary 
times. Bunker Hill was his favorite 
theme. lie selected the spot on Ins farm 
where lie wished to be buried and call- 
ed it Bunker Hill. It was on high 



DUMMERSTON. 



55 



land west of the house, back of which 
extends a beautiful plain. He was bur- 
ied under military honors, a company of 
soldiers, or military men, being present 
on the occasion, from out of town. A 
liberty pole was erected near his grave. 
After a few years his remains were re- 
moved to the cemetery where they now 
rest, and over which a marble slab was 
raised by his relatives, bearing the in- 
scription we. have quoted. 

Of the many songs about Capt. Wy- 
man that he or some one else used to 
sing in his day, the following verse is 
a sample ; 

Beleive me Sirs, now if you please,. 

A ball took of my breeches’ knees; 
From a loud cannon it was scut, 

As 1 against the Britons went, 

A little episode of a war-like charac- 
ter Occurred in this town, ’in which 
Capt. Wyman figured prominently. He 
got into a dispute with a prominent man 
of the town. Bela Shaw, we believe 
was his name. From words they came 
to blows, the Captain got knocked down 
to the floor by Slmw. The Captain in- 
dignant threatened prosecution * r what 
resulted the doggerel tells, 

fn Mr. Shaw, be picked a flaw. 

Wbo then to have some fun, Sir, 

The other uiglit did not do right 
And knocked John Wyman down Sir, 
He knocked him down upon the floor, 8. r 
Where he did long remain ; 

At length he tokp with head so sore 
That loud he did complain. 

"Bela Shaw, " said he , you, me, Imvo’liit 
And now lor wbat you’re done 
I'll go and get a justice.’ writ 
As fast as 1 can run.” 

But Shaw was wise and did advise 
With him he’d arbitrate: 

Two mugs of tod, they did award 
As the price of Wyman’s pate. 

Capt. Wyman was one of the number 
wbo took offence at hearing what they 
called a “tory sermon preached by Rev. 
Hosea Beckley during the war of 1812. 
His text was in Rev. XII, 7. “And 
there was war in heaven. ” “England , ** 



he said, * ‘loved us, and we declared war 
against her. France hated us and we 
loved France.” Capt. Wyman would 
not. hear Mr. Beckley preach afterward 
for a long time. On one occasion, when 
Mr. Beckley was to exchange with an- 
other minister, lie called and notified 
the Captain of the event, and that it 
would afford him an opportunity to at- 
tend meeting in his absence. This act 
restored him to favor .and he again at- 
tended Mr. Buckley’s meeting. 

LIEUT. DANIEL GATES 

married Sarah Moore and their children 
were : Daniel, born Apr. 3, 1777, m. 
Polly Newton, Apr. 1, 1805; 

Sarah, b. Jan. 5, 1779, m. Samuel 
French June 15, 1800 ; Persis, born 
Sept. 17, 1780, m. Christopher Orms- 
bee, May 1, 1803 ; 

Ira, b. May 12, 1783, died Mar. 5, 
181*2; Eli, b. Mar. 22. 1786, d. Dec* 
15, 1792; 

Joel, b. May 9, 1788, m. Susan Dut- 
ton, Mar. 6, 1828 ; Martin, born Feb. 
25, 1791, m. Rebecca Winslow, May 
3, 1826. 

Lieutcu&rtl Gates bought the land on 
which lie settled in this town in 1774. 
His native place was probably Worces- 
ter, Mass., from which town Jonathan 
Gates came in 1777. Their relation to 
each other, if any, is not knowir. Lieut. 
Gates was a successful farmer and also 
prominent in the business affairs of the 
town. He was prompt aud efficient in 
all his dealings. His ability as an offi- 
cer in the Revolutionary army was seen 
and acknowledged at the capture of 
General Burgoyne and secured to 
him the confidence aud esteem of his 
fellow citizens, who held him iu grate- 
ful remembrance’ He died very sudden- 
ly Nov. 6, 1807 aged 56, when absent 
from home on business. He went to 
Worcester, Mass., with a neighbor of 



56 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAG AZ t NE . 



his, and a Mr. Joy of Putney* They 
returned Nov. 5, as far as Oakham, 
Mass. He retired at night in good health 
but awoke about 20 minutes to three in 
the morning ; and complained of great 
distress at his heart. Stimulants were 
administered, and he was relieved for 
a time* He died in a few minutes on re- 
tiring again to his room. He was an 
ardent lover of his country and an 
early advocate for its freedom and in- 
dependence. Sarah, his wife, died Mm 1 . 
0, 1829, aged 45 1* 

Daniel Gates, who married Folly 
Newton, removed with his family to 
Tmxton , N. Y* [ Children: Asa, horn 
Feb* II. 1806 ; Sally Moore, b* July 
14, 1807? 

Salona and Sirena, (twins), b. Mar. 
30, 1809 ; Justin, bom Jan. 3, 1811 ; 
Joel ; Martin. 

Joel and Susan (Dutton) Gates had 
two daughters, Sarah and Mary. The 
younger sister married Hiram Knapp : 
she died and he married, 2d, the elder 
sister, Sarah* 

Martin and Rebecca Gates were the 
parents of Martin W**born Feb. 19. 
1727, m, Ro sella Cook ; Sarah M., b* 
June 6, 1828* rn . Fred A* Fish ; Daniel, 
born Nov* 24, 1831, m* Emily Orms- 
bee ; Emma m, Lewis Li. Lynde* 

Martin Gates died Dee* 21, 1859, 
aged 68 ; Rebecca, his wife, is now liv- 
ing at the age of 83, 

Martin W. with his family, removed 
to Seward, Kansas, in 1877, where he 
died Jan, 21, 1882, He was chosen 
selectman in 1862, and served very ac- 
ceptably during four years and at a 
time when more than usual responsibil- 
ity rested with the officers of the town 
In eon Election with the war of the Re- 
bellion* 

Lieut* John S* Gates married Han- 
nah , and was a brother of Lieut. 



Daniel Gates, and settled on the river 
and in the northeast part of the town 
In 1770. If. is recorded that John Gates 
settled on an adjoining lot the same 
year* It is possible that John 8 . and 
-John Gates may be one and the same 
person. His name is also wri ten J * 
Shephard Gates, and in 1784 , is re- 
corded as Shephard Gates. In 1793, 
John Shephard Gates is the only name 
recorded as the lie ad of a family in 
that part of the town. Hence the con- 
clusion that Lt. Daniel Gates had only 
one brother living In Dummersbon. He 
probably bad a sister who married 
Reuben Spaulding, for when Spaulding 
died he was not buried in the. family 
lot of his father, Lieut. Leonard Spauld- 
ing, but was buried iu the lot belong- 
ing U) Lieut. Daniel Gates* It is said 
that Reuben Spaulding married a Gates* 
and after his death in 1794, she remar- 
ried and left town. 

Lieut- John S. Gates was chosen se- 
lectman in 1732. '83, J 84, ? 85, and at. 
other times up to 1806, in all, 12 years, 
making the longest term of service as 
selectman, in this town, except that of 
Jason Duncan, who served 17 years. 

The children of Lieut. Gates and 
Hannah, his first wife, were John, born 
Apr. 11, 1776, m* Polly Goodwin, 
Aug. 23, 1303 ; 

Asa, b, Feb, 14, 1777 ; Lucy, born 
Jan. 25, 1779; Shephard, b* Oct. 1, 
1780, m* Polly Dutton, Dec, 27, 1807* 
died Apr* 1361, 2R 88 ; 

William, b* Oct. 8, 1782, d* Nov* 
18, 1821 \ James* b, Mar. 21, 1785, 
d, Dec, 26, 1816 : 

Hannah, b. Mar* 12, 1787 ; Polly, 
b, Apr. 8, 1789, m. 1st Stearns Wilder, 
Sept* 4, 1814, 2d, Artcmas Knight. 

Hannah* the wife of Lt. Gates, died 
Feb. 15, 1813, JP 62, and he married* 
2d Lucy Witt, Oct* 16 n 1814, and died 
Feb. 28, 1827, aged 81. 



DUMMERSTON. 



5? 



Minor Knight m. Lavilla Oates, 
June 13, lb3G. She had a sister, 
Maria, They were nieces of John 
S. Gates, 

The children of Shepard and 
Polly Gates : Alanson, b. Oct, 5, 
ISOS, and John S., b. June 24, 1811, 
d* May 22, 1849. 

Alanson, now living, married 
J o i i a Tarn e r , and th ei r eh i Id r en are 
Horatio, Asa D. and John T. 

Shepard Gates died Apr, 8, 1809, 
aged 88, and Polly, his wile, June 
23, 1883, aged 77* 

Phineas Gates was a resident of 
this town 10 years. It is not certain 
that he was related to any one of 
that name in Du miners ton* He 
married Rebecca, dan. of Elder 
Woods, of Putney West Hill, and 
they were residents of Worcester, 
Mass., in 1788. They lived in Peter- 
sham, Mass., in 1791, came to this 
town in 1798, and occupied the red 
building east of the common for a 
few years. Their children were 
Haney and Polly (twins), b. June 3, 
1788. Sophia, k Jan. 11, 1791;Henry ? 
k June 17, 1792; Lucy, k Nov. 19, 
1793; Oran T k Feb. 19, 1797; John, 
b. Dec, 3, 1798 ; George, b. Oct. 
1G, 1800; Fanny, k Sept. 9, 1802; 
Eliza, k June 9, 1804; Emelia, b. 
Feb, S, 180G. 

dummerston in the fight 

AT GUILFORD JAtt. 30. I78L 

Among the 300 militia gathered for 
the purpose of driving the Yorkers 
out of Guilford, was a company of 
20 men from Dnmmereton, led by 
Lieut Daniel Gates. The ordnance 
department was composed of one old 
cannon, almost useless, from Dum- 
m era ton, and was superintended by 
Ebcnezer Haven and Isaac Miller. 



During the affray near Massachu- 
setts- line, one man was mortally 
wounded and Joel Knight of this 
town was slightly wounded in the 
arm by a bullet. 

THE LAUGHTON FAMILY. 

The ancestor of the Laughtons in 
this town was John, sen., who mar- 
ried Mary Crawford- He resided in 
Taunton, Mass., before removing to 
Dummerston. John, Jr., Samuel, 
sen., Thomas, sen,, who was born 
1730, Mary who married Joseph 
Temple, and a daughter who mar- 
ried a Huntington and lived in 
Warwick, Maes. 

John Laughton, sen. was a shoe- 
maker and also made fish seines* 
He built what is now the old part of 
James Reed's house. 

Thomas, son of John, married 
Rebecca Derby, lived with his par- 
ents and built on two additional 
rooms to the house south of the 
rooms first occupied. They had 7 
children* 

Nathaniel, the eldest* was in the 
Revolutionary war and was killed in 
the service. 

Bebccca m* Abel Butler about 
1780, lived in Dummerston till 1809; 
removed to St. Johnsbury and at 
the time of her death, was 100 yre* 
8 mo. 4 days old. 

Susanna m. Samuel Gates Dec. 4, 
1782; removed to Hancock, and 
lived to the age of 98 years. 

Esther m. Benjamin Hadley, re- 
moved to Hancock, and died at the 
age of 97. 

Betsey m* Peter Butler, Apr. 30, 
1795* went to New York state and 
lived to be 80 years old. 

Lydia m. Asa Davis, of Hancock, 
and was 76 w T hen she died. 



58 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



John tn. Jan. 1, 1795, Sally, dan. 
of Gapt. Vespasian Miller, and they 
were the parents of Thomas, Sally 
and Harriet D. 

Samuel, sen. married Susanna Mel- 
vin, of Rutland, Mass., where he 
resided before coming to Dummer- 
eton. He settled on lot No. 6:3, deed- 
ed to him by the original proprie- 
tors of the township, June £6, 1779. 

Thomas, brother of Samuel* sen., 
also from Rutland, bought half of 
Samuel's lot, Nov. £9, 1779, and a 
part of the adjoining lot. No. 57, in 
1784. Beacon Thomas, as he is 
called, was a shoemaker, or cord- 1 
wainer, as the record reads, 

1788, Samuel deeded his farm in | 
equal shares to his sons, Samuel, jr 1 
and Jacob. The children of Sam- 
uel and Susanna were Samuel, jr., 
David, Amos, Jacob, James, Mary, 
Susanna, Esther, and Sarah who 
died in childhood. 

David married Mary, dan. of Capt. j 
Leonard Spaulding. 

James m, 1st, Ruth Melvin, his 
cousin, from Northfield, Mass., 2d, 
Hannah Cook] of Newfane. 

Amos m. Lucy Melvin, of North- 
field. 

Jacob m. Lydia Crosby in 1787, 
and lived on the parental "farm, now 
owned by Austin Laughton, and 
which ha-e been kept in the family 
name 113 years. 

Mary m. Silas Gates Dec. 4, 1781. 

Susanna m, 1st, Thomas Daven- 
port; 2d, Get. 6, 1805, Nathan Cook. 

Esther married Jan. 31, 17S8, 
Jacob Laughton (“deaf Jake"), her 
second cousin, and lived in a house 
south of the Joseph Temple place. 

John, jr., son of John, sen. and 
Mary Crawford, was bom Aug. 11, 
1714. lie m. Esther, dan. of Mr. 
and Esther (Alley) Davis, of Con- 
cord, Mass. She wag b. Sept. 9, 
1717, and died at the residence of 
Thomas Hoyden, Apr. 27, 1813, ini 



her 96 th year. Her husband d. 
Feb. 26. 1799, and they were buried 
near the graves of Isaac and Eliza- 
beth Boyden. Her grave is un- 
marked, but Thomas Boy den made 
and erected the stone now standing 
at the grave of her husband. He 
was a shoemaker and made fish 
seins. Their children w r ere James, 
Jacob, John, jr, called the 3d, Eliz- 
abeth, Ann, Esther, Sally and Solo- 
mon. 

James m. a Gates, 

Elizabeth, b. Mar. 25, 1759, m. 
Isaac Boy den. 

Anna m, 1st, about 1777, Parme- 
nas Temple, had two children, An- 
na and Parmenaa, jr, She m. 2d, 
March 25, 1788, Lemuel Presson, 
half brother of Samuel Presson, and 
with her two children, removed to 
Northfield, Mass* 

Sally m. Solomon Cook, a brother 
of Enoch Cook, sen. 

Esther m. Ezekiel Hagar. They 
and her brother Janies and wife re- 
moved to the south-eastern part of 
Maine, 

Jacob married and lived near 
Boston. He responded to the first 
call for soldiers to meet the British 
and was mortally wounded in one of 
the early battles of the Revolution, 
He fell in the ranks, rose again, and 
started, for a thicket. He did not 
reach it, as his strength failed from 
the loss of blood, which flowed fast 
from a wound near hie knee. His 
body was not recovered and it was 
devoured by wolves. 

His son, Jacob, wanted to revenge 
his father's death, and enlisted at 
the age of 16 years, a more stripling 
youth. When he was ready to march 
the neighbors proposed to have his 
gun and equipments weighed, and 
then weigh the boy. The result was 
that the boy weighed one pound less 
than the burden he had to carry. He 
could not endure long marches and 
carry so much weight. His gun was 
exchanged for a drum and he did 
good service for four years as a 
d ru m m er , Ii i s d e af n es b w ae c an se d by 
standing too near the discharge of 



DUMM35B8TON. 



59 



cannon in a hard fought battle* lie 
was known as “deaf Jake. 31 His 
brothers also* were soldiers from the 
commencement in the same war. 
John, sen. and John, jr, were in the 
French and Indian War. Samuel, 
sen. was in the Revolutionary war 
and was present with Col. Ethan Al- 
len at the capture of Fort Tic on* 
deroga. 

Huntington, who married a 
daughter of John Laughton, sent, 
was a cruel tory, The family of Ins 
wife's brother, Samuel, sen,, who 
was then a soldier, were short of 
grain. They heard that Hunting- 
ton, who was living in Warwick, 
Mass., had grain to sell, and sent 
Samuel, jr. ? a boy of 16 or 17 years 1 
of ago, to that town, a two days 
journey on horseback, to buy rye of 
him* The boy was instructed to 
stop over night at some place near 
his uncle's for fear that he might 
n ot he kin dl y re cei V ed . N ex t m or o - 
ing he started early and arrived at 
Huntington's just after breakfast 
and found there six British officers, 
who had been his guests over night 
and were preparing to leave. Hunt- 
ington was giving them information 
which lie had gathered about the 
rebels in the army and at their 
homes, saying that his wife's folks 
were all rebels and some of her broth- 
ers were then in the rebel army. 
The officer’s mounted tlieir steeds 
and rode away. When he went into 
the house, his wife reproved him for 
speaking to the officers, as he did, 
about her relatives. Her reproof 
added fuel to his hot temper, and lie 
cursed and swore that he would give 
the British all the information he 
could gather, telling his wife that, 
if any of her brother Sam's boys 



should come into his house, he would 
take his gun and blow his brains out. 
Young Laughton heard liis threat 
and thought it time to do bis errand 
with the tovy and he otL He bought 
two bushels of rye, paid him the 
money and left without being recog- 
nized by the family* They were too 
much excited to ask his name, and 
his morning visit did not raise a sus- 
picion that he had come any great 
distance. 

Huntington never allowed his 
wife to visit any of her relatives 
after the war. Her parents once 
made her a visit, but he was so much 
displeased about it that they never 
had an opportunity to see their 
daughter again. 

Susanna Laughton, who married 
Thomas Davenport for her first hus- 
band, had by this marriage two 
children, Lucy and Pardon. When 
Lucy was about 6 years of age, her 
father went to Hew York to get 
work and never returned. His 
daughter lived in the family of 
Isaac and Elizabeth Boyden until 
she was 18 years old, and afterwards 
married Clark Knight. Pardon, her 
brother, went to Hew fane to live, 
married, and had a large family. 
One of his sons, Alonzo C. Daven- 
port, is now (1883), a merchant in 
Brattleboro. 

Capk Samuel Laughton, ]T., once 
the boy who went to Warwick for 
rye, was born Jan. 5, 1758, and m. 
Anna, dan. of Capt. Leonard Spauld- 
ing, born in Putney, Apr. 7, 1767. 
Of their children, Margaret m. 
Thomas Boyden; Anna m. 1st, 
Jonathan Tenney, 2d, Nathaniel 
Ilerrick; Roswell died in childhood; 
W eal t h y d i d not m arry ; E l ec la m. 
Rodney Laughton; Susanna m. 
Wm. Chase; Betsey m. Ben]. But- 



60 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



terfield; Pevsis m. Nathaniel Bixby; 
Samuel and Sally never married. 

Mrs. Isaac Boyden, the daughter 
of John Laughton, jr., often told 
her grandchildren and others, the 
following Revolutionary story : 

Uer father and family then lived 
near Boston, and when the British 
troops were landing in that city, a 
man rode past their dwelling at 
full speed, on horseback, just as they 
were rising early in the morning, 
calling, “ To arms! To arms! The 
British are landing in the harbor. 
Be ready to march immediately.” 
All was excitement. Her father 
put the guns in order, and told his 
two sons to get what lead they could 
find and run it into bullets. The 
number of balls were not sufficient, 
and Mrs. Laughton took from the 
table a pewter basin and had it made 
into bullets. The jrirls cut patches 
for wads, while the mother got 
breakfast. Very little was eaten 
and the father and two sons were 
soon on the march for conflict. In- 
structions had been given for the 
mother and daughters to get sheets 
ready for bandages and scrape what 
lint they could. It was a wise pre- 
caution, for bandages and lint were 
needed before sunset. This event 
was June 17, 1775, and the battle 
scene was on Bunker Hill. On that 
day, Mr. Laughton and his two sons 
saw the brave Dr. Joseph Warren 
fall mortally wounded. 

John, 3d, son of John,jr., mar- 
ried Lucy Chase, of Newfane, where 
he went to live, and had several 
children. Solomon and John were 
two of his sons. John was born 
about 1760, and married about 1791, 
Sally Black. The parents lived 
with their son, Solomon, during the 
decline of life. The father died and 
was buried in Newfane; the mother, 
who survived, was brought on a t 
bed, she being quite sick, to Dum- 
merston, and lived with her son, 
John, until her death. She was 
buried in Newfane. “Aunt” Mar- 
garet Boyden worked for the family 
when Bhe was a girl and took care 
of Mrs. Laughton during her last 



sickness. John and Sally (Black) 
Laughton (or Lawton as they spell 
the name) were the parents of Solo- 
mon, b. Sept. 3, 1793, Asa, John, 
Sally, Franklin, and Mary Jane. 

The wife of Samuel Laughton, 
sen., was often called on to visit the 
6ick, as there were few physicians in 
those days. She responded to all 
the calls for aid in sickness, and 
often went in winter time on snow- 
shoes across the lots to visit families 
2 or 3 miles away. On one occasion 
she visited a sick woman whose hus- 
band had not got reconciled to the 
destruction of the tea in Boston har- 
bor. Having brought some tea with 
her for the sick woman, she watch- 
ed her opportunity to steep it while 
the man was out at work, gave it to 
her patient and then drank some 
herself. Before she had finished her 
cup, the man came in, smelt the tea 
and stormed furiously, saying it cost 
too much human blood, to drink it, 
it was like drinking human blood and 
he would not have tea used in his 
house. Mrs. Laughton could not 
be frightened and deliberately finish- 
ed drinking her tea in the presence 
of the enraged man. 

DEA. THOMAS LAUGHTON 

was a soldier in the French and In- 
dian war, which begun in 1754 and 
lasted 6 years. On one occasion lie 
was pursued by Indians, and in en- 
deavoring to escape, was obliged to 
cross a swamp. The passage was diifi- 
I cult, as the mud and water were quite 
deep in many places. One of the 
worst places, he crossed on a log. 
When he was near the opposite side 
of the swamp, he discovered the In- 
dians were ahead of him and, in 
fact, had surrounded him. He re- 
traced his steps immediately to the 
log on which he had crossed a few 
minutes before, and secreted himself 
beneath it in the water. He remain- 
ed there a long time, and in order to 
breathe, he kept his nose just out of 
the water close behind the log, 
so that he escaped the notice 
of the passing Indians. They 



DUMMERSTOH. 



01 



crossed and re crossed the log under 
which he was secreted without dis- 
covering him although they had a 
little dog that crossed on the log with 
them. Mr. Laughton enlisted in the 
Revolutionary war, but his son, 

NATHANIEL LAUGHTON, 

took his father's place and served as 
a substitute for hie father. Re was 
killed at the battle of White Plains, 
Oct. $8, 1776. It was only a partial 
engagement, but the Americans were 
obliged to retreat. In endeavoring 
to escape across the fields, he jumped 
over a fence and. by accident dropped 
his gun. He thought it not safe to 
go on without his gun and returned 
to secure it. He was not seen, after 
that, by his fellow soldiers, and they 
concluded he was killed by the ene- 
my* 

DesL Laughton moved to this town 
from ''Old Rutland,” Mass., near the 
close of the Revolutionary war. He 
died Hov. 12, 1814, aged S3, Rebecca 
his wife died Jan. 12, 1818, aged 82, 

John Laughton, his sou, m. Sally 
Miller, Jan. 1, 1795, d. Apr. 27, 
1823, aged 82. His wife d. Jan. 24, 
1853, aged 81. 

His son, Thomas Laughton, was 
born Jan. 3, 1796, and died Aug. 
25, 1863, aged 67 years. 

JACOB LAUCrHTON AND LYDIA 
CROSBY 

were married Ang. 14, 1787, he died 
Aug. 29, 1852, aged 91, she died, s 
Apr. 15, 1887, aged 79 years. Child- 1 
ren : Ephraim, b. Feb. 15, 1788 ; 

Joel and Jonathan, b. May 22, 1789. 
Jonathan d. Oct, 22, 1876, aged S7. 
Rodney, b. Apr. 25, 1791 ; Lydia b. 
Jam 10, 1793 ; Almira, b. Jan. 10, 
1796 ; Laura, }\ June 29, 1797 : Ja- 



cob, b. July 1, 1798, d. March 13, 
1870, aged 70. Lydia Bos worth, Ins 
wife, died March 31, 1877, aged 75 
years. 

LEMUEL PRESSON. 

a Revolutionary soldier, one of the 
early settlers in this town who enlist- 
ed at Deerfield, Jan. 1776, was pro- 
moted to sergeant in Co. of Capt, 
Wilkinson, Regfc. of Col. James Reed, 
of Mass, line, was in Canada and the 
northern department, and was dis- 
charged at Old Ticonderoga Hov. 3, 
1776, in consequence of a rupture 
resulting from a wound. 

He married Lydia Hildreth, prob- 
ably a sister of Joseph Hildreth, jr. , 
who d. May 22, 1812, aged 65 ; chil- 
dren : 

Samuel, b. May 24, 1779, m. Phoebe 
Warner of Brattlebovo, June 5, 1SGU 
—as recorded on town register. Mr. 
Sheldon reports Susan Tliomae as his 
wifA 

Lemuel, b. Mar. 8, 1785, m. Bet- 
sey Burnham, Sept. 22, 1811. He d. 
Mar. 30, 1859, John Bresson now 
living in town was his son. 

Submit b. Feb. 20, 1787, m. prob- 
ably, Jacob Estey. 

The late Presson Stearns' mother, 
of Chesterfield, U, H. was a daugh- 
ter of Lemuel Presson. Lydia, his 
wife, died Mar. 1, 1787. He m. 2d, 
March 25, 1788, widow Anna (Law- 
ton) Temple, and their children were: 

John and Esther, twins, b. Jan 20, 
1789 ; 

Aaron and Hannah, twins, h. June 
26 and 27, 1791. 

William Emerson and Betsey, 
twins, b. Aug. 7, 1793. 

John m. Eliza, dan. of John M. 
Field and removed to Warwick. Es- 
ther m. Benjamin Dennis, Aaron m. 
Acbsah, dan. of John French, of 
Hollis, N. H. Hannah m. July 5, 
1813, Otis French. Wm. Emerson m, 

Polly Brooks. Betsey m, 

Greenwood. 

Mary, b. 1795, m. Leonard Smith, 

Joseph, b. Hov, 27, 1798, became 
a clergyman and settled in JSlew 
York. 



62 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE* 



Sally, b. Dec. 31 , 1800, m. George 
Smith, Philana, b* Aug, 30, 1803, 
m. Ebenezev Dennis, 

Lemuel Presson died Dec. 12, 
1820, aged 67. His second wife, An- 
na, died about 1855 aged 97, 

BE MIS FAMILY. 

Joseph Bemis* boro in 1619, was 
in Watertown, Mass,, in 1640; d, 
Aug, 7, 1684, By Sarah, hie wife, 
be had 9 children, 

Philip Bemis, probably a grandson 
of Joseph, who settled in Watertown, 
was in Cambridge in 1723* m. Eliza- 
beth Lawrence* Nov. 21, 1723 ; re- 
moved to Westminster, Mass., 1738, 
was the third settler in that town- 
ship. His children* born in Cam- 
bridge, were baptised ; Philip and 
William, Nov. 13, 1726; David* Ju- 
ly 30, 1727 ; Abigail, July 25, 1731 ; 
Edmond, Oct. 22, 1732; Zacheus* 
July 25, 1736: 

David m. Mary, great-grand- 
daughter of Henry D mister, first 
president of Harvard College, He 
became a Baptist minister* known 
as Elder Bemis, who died 1813, aged 
86. Hie children were John, Joseph, 
Benjamin, Elias, Abner, Levi, Asa, 
Samuel, and Sarah, most of whom, 
if not all, settled in Dmnmerston, 
John, b. June 13, 1753, in. 1st, Ab- 
igail, sister of Henry Stevens of this 
town, who d. 1782 2E 27 ; 2d, Jemi- 
ma, dan, of Elder Daniel Whipple, 
the first Baptist minister in Ver- 
mont, who died 1789, M 97, and was 
buried at Brattleboro. Children by 
the first marriage : Benjamin, m. 
Rebecca Dickinson, resided at Bath, 
enlisted and died in the regular 
army ; Abigail, m. May 1, 1806, Jo- 
seph Hildreth, jr., had children, 
George, John, and Arazina ; Lucy 
m. John Streeter and settled in Lis- 



bon, N. H,; by 2d marriage* John, 
jr., Daniel W., David, Stephen, 
William, Emelme, Melinda, and 
Catherine* 

John, jr,* m. 1st, 1th od a Be bee. 
July 5, 1807- Children : Roxana, 
married Charles Butler, who was 
drowned in the Connecticut river tn 
1838 ; John Bradley m. Electa Boy- 
den ; 2d, Dolly Pettis; 3d, Patience 
Wright. 

Daniel W, m. Melindy Goddard ; 
children : Melinda, Anna, Orpha, 
and Sumner. A few years before his 
death he removed to Hinsdale, N. 
H.: died 1867. 

David m. Rhode Sargeant* Feb 13, 
1817, Children : Erastus, Daniel G„ 
Samuel N** and Horace. Erast ue 
was a physician, and m. Ruth Mc- 
Cullough, and settled in Pennsylva- 
nia. Daniel G. m, 1st, Amanda M. 
Bemis, 2d, her sister Melvin a A. He 
was killed instantly by the falling of 
a tree in 1864. 

Samuel Newell, physician; gradu- 
ate of X\ Medical College in 184S, 
married Loui^i K. Miller in 1851 ; 
settled in Stanford, 1852 ; represent- 
ative in legislature !>■ l> -5. J 65, 
again in 1314: removed to D.mi- 
merston, ; n. -id *-i . t 1 2 ; 1 nr&. 
with extensive p met ice ; removed >. 
Brattleboro in 1881. 

Horace, lawyer; studied with 
Keyes of Brattleboro: m. 1st, Car - 
line S Bruce ; removed to N, Y. ; m. 
2d, Sarah Washburn. Stephen mar- 
ried Sophia Daniels. 

William m, 1st, Isabella Houghton* 
2d, Marinda Willard; 3d, Dolly Sar- 
geant He died 1868. William H. ? 
his son, soldier, died in late war of 
Rebellion. 

Em el me in. Na than Applebee, 
Aug. 31, 1812; settled in Littleton, 
N , H, 

Melinda m. David Daily; lived in 
Newbury. 

Catherine m + Dr. Sewall Walker ; 
d, in 1872, 

John Bemis, sen. was a Revolution- 
ary soldier ; came from Brattleboro to 
this town before 1792 ; died in 1835, 
aged 83; Jemima, Ins wife, d* in 1830, 



DUMMEESTON* 



63 



Joseph meh is | l^sdlk, b. 1808 y m. George Dickin- 

was in the Continental service at the age solJ : Edwin B* m. 1st Eliza Arm, dau* 
of 17. He wintered at Valley Forge j of Joseph Duncau Esq. , 2d Ann Cross- 
with Washington’s army in 1777. One held;. 

night, he gLood on guard over a house in ! Louisa E. m. Alexander Dickinson ; 
which Gen* Washington was an inmate* Lewis m. Naomi Cushman ; Jesse ra. 
At dry break, the General came out and Faraielm Cole; Abigail died young* 



said, ■ ‘Pretty cold morning is'nt it, sol- 
dier? Do you suppose a little peach 
brandy would hurt you? “1 think not,** 
replied Bernis, The General sent him 
the h r andy * On another occasion Wash- 
ington wished to pass into ea rap where 
Bernis was on guard. He halted the 
General, presented Ids gun and called 
tor the countersign. “You cati let me 
p a as t " said W ash i ng ton , “I am or: e of 
the officers.” t<- You must give the pass- 
word first” said the Soldier. “You have 
aline gun there soldier.” “Yes,” replied 
Bernis, “Guess L can kill an JudiaD&ix 
or eight rods off. Stand out there ; you 
can tell.” The General held out his 
hat, showing the coumersign inside, 
and was allowed to pass on* As he went 
by, he slapped Bends on the shoulder 
and said, lL I wish I had a whole regi- 
ment of soldiers lika you.” 

Joseph Bernis, bom in 1759: mar- 
ried Jemima Stoddard Children : Pol- 
ly, L. June 29, 1781, m. Nathaniel At- 
bridge, Jan, 24, 1 802 ; Cyntlia, b, Dec. 
20, 1 783 , m, Joel Chandler, Dec, G, 
1804 ; Joseph Jr T , b, Aug. o, 1786, m* 
Abigail Hadley, Dec. 3, 1807 ; 

Sibyl, b. Nov, 26, 1789, m. Eben- 
eze r J J adl ey , Qc t , 6 , 1 814; A s a , bo m 
1795, d, 1799 ; 

Joanna, h* Apr. 8, 1797, m. Rufus 
Hadley. Mr. Bernis settled on the farm 
now owned by Luke T. Bond. He died 
Aug. 16, 1837, aged 78; Jemima, his 
wife, d* June 15, 1842, aged 89. 

Joseph Jr. lived on the parental farm 
many years ; removed to New York, 
and now living in his 98th year. Cli : 



M ar y Ann m. J o h n Ei n er so n ; J a n e E*. 
in, James Peabody ; Harriet S. ; Sarah 
m, Dennison Wilson. 

J oshua Bernis, a Revolutionary sol- 
dier with Joseph. Sen*, probably a cous- 
in, m. Joanna, ■, about 1783. Ch : 

Joanna and Abigail (twins), b. 178-5, 
Polly, Buzina, Ira, Stephen, Olive,. 
Sibyl, Ira 2<L t Betsey and Be man . 

Benjamin, brother of Joseph Sen. m. 
Olive Baldwin Mar. 14, 1793. She 
was born Aug* 23, 1769, and after her 
father’s death, her mother nr. Benjamin 
Jones Jr* Apr, 8, 1774. 

Elias Beads, b. July 15, 1 767, m. 
Experience Kendrick, Jan. 12, 178£L 
He died June 2, 1806, from exposure 
after having the measles. The grief of 
his wife Ibr him, made her partially in- 
san e * She mu r i i ed 2 d S a m ue 1 W ill tug- 
ton, July 14, 1868* 

The children of Elias were Lemuel 
K., b. Oct. 22, 1790 ; Abner, b. 1792, 
m, Bolivia Tracy ; Clarissa, born Mar* 
28, 1794, m, Jonathan French ; Sally, 
ro. Asa Miller ; Lav in a, m, Edward 
Whitney ; Eliza in. Lor an Smith ; 

Lemuel K. m* Feb. 23, 1813, Bet- 
sey, dan. of Elijah Back, a Revolution- 
ary soldier. Children: M and arm, Bet- 
sey, Maria, Gyrene, Willis, and Lem- 
uel, 

Abner Bernis. a Baptist minister, m. 
Katie Freeman and settled in Halifax, 

Levi m. and removed to New York. 
Asa went West, but returned to Dum- 
merston* Samuel m, Betsey Bernis, 
his cousin, Oct* 29, 1794* She was a 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



64 

dau. of Samuel, who in. Elizabeth Rob- 
inson of Lexington, Mass. Sarah m. 
Paul Dickinson, Dee. 13. 1796. 

SAMUEL 3TEAKNS, M. 1> M LL. D. 

Dr. Samuel Stearns became a resi- 
dent of Dummerston about 1796, and 
practiced medicine in this town several 
years. He was of a roving character 
and, previous to his residing in Ver- 
mont, had traveled in nine of the Amer- 
ican states, and in England, Scotland, 
Ireland, and France. lie was born in 
Lancaster, Mass., in 1747, and was, 
as expressed in bis own language : 

4 ‘early taught by parents and ministers 
to fear God and honor the king. I was 
also instructed in the various branches 
of grammar, arithmetic, algebra, ge- 
ometry, trigonometry, navigation, sur- 
veying, astronomy, music and medicine* 
I always had a natural inclination to do 
good ; to walk in the paths of righteous- 
ness, and to shun vice and immorality.*’ 
When quite young, he removed with his 
parents to Paxton, an adjoining town, 
where, at the. age of 26, he eugaged in 
the practice of medicine and compiling 
and publishing almanacs. His medical 
practice was fair, and his fame as an 
astromomer led many of the inhabitants 
to consult him on the turn of future 
events. Nothing had occurred to change 
tile current of his existence till after the 
Revolutionary war. He was suspected 
of being disloyal to the American cause 
and it became evident that he was a lo- 
ry. For that reason his practice fell 
off and his friends deserted him, except 
those who were loyal to the king. He 
did not flee from the royal lines, but 
chose to remain and endure the sneers 
and insults, which were freely bestowed 
upon him, until 1780, when he was ar- 
rested, His experience for the next 
seven years is given in his own words 
in a petition dated, Brattleboro, July 18, 
1799, and addressed to his Excellency 
Robert Liston, Philadelphia, Penn., 



which was the seat of U. S. govern- 
ment at that time, and by him to be 
transmitted to the king ; 
u To the King’s Most Excellent Maj- 
esty : — 

The petition of Samuel Stearns most 
humbly, — That when the unhappy dis- 
sensions commenced between Great 
Britain and your Majesty’s American 
colonies, be was an inhabitant of Pax- 
ton, in the county of Worcester, in the 
province of the Massachusetts Bay, 
where he followed the practice of physic 
and the making of astronomical calcula- 
tions. That a number of years he suf- 
fered persecution in consequence of his 
loyalty to Your Majesty, and attachment 
to the British government, was made a 
prisoner on the twenty-third day of 
September. A. D. 1780, accused of 
holding a traitorous correspondence 
with, and affording aid and comfort 
to the enemy, supposed to be Your Maj- 
esty’s armies, but was liberated by giv- 
ing bonds for his appearance before the 
Supreme Judicial court in April follow- 
ing. That on the third day after he was 
thus recognized he received information 
that his adversaries had issued a second 
warrant with the design to put him in 
close confinement, and finding that his 
life was in great danger, fled for protec- 
tion to Your Majesty’s army, then at 
New York. That he resided within 
the British lines, during the remainder 
of the war, and Congress having rati- 
fied the treaty of peace between Great 
Britain and America, he returned to 
said Paxton in the year 178'i, with a 
design to collect sundry debts due to him 
and ascertain the value of the property 
lie had left and remove his family to 
Nova Scotia. That although it had 
been in the 6th article of said treaty , 
that no prosecutions would be commenc- 
ed against any person, etc., for, or by 
, reason of the part lie had taken in the 
war ; and that no person would on that 
account, suffer any future loss or dam- 
age, either in person, liberty or proper- 
ty, yet in less than two days after his 
return he was seized and imprisoned in 
the goal in said county of Worcester, 
under the pretence of being brought to 
trial, in consequence of the accusations 



DUMMKRSTON. 



65 



already mentioned. That, without any 
trial, without the finding of any bill 
against him, and without his being al- 
lowed anything to eat, drink or wear, 
at the expense of the county or suite 
(water excepted) he suffered two years 
and elevcna months confinement in a 
very disagreeable prison, although it 
had been customary to allow states' 
prisoners something for their subsistence 
even if they bad been theives, highway 
robbers and murderers, and although 
he frequently petitioned the general 
court or assembly of the commonwealth 
of Massachusetts praying for liberation 
and the enjoyments of those rights 
which were granted to him as one of 
Your Majcstys' subjects in the definitive 
treaty of peace between Great Britain 
and America. That, for a loug time 
he was treated with neglect and con- 
tempt, but was at last discharged from 
confinement on the 28th day of July, 
1787, by order of said General Assem- 
bly, Then he was liberated in a very 
distressed condition, being destitute of 
house and the common necessaries of 
life, but went with his claims for the 
loss of his houses, lands, etc., to 
Montreal, in the Province of Quebec, 
in hopes it was in the power of the com- 
missioners appointed by Your Majesty 
to inquire into the losses, services and 
sufferings of the American loyalists, to 
grant compensation. That lie found 
that it was not in the power of the com- 
missioners to receive his claims because 
they had not been delivered to them 
previous to the begin iug of May, 1786, 
at which time he was in prison : He, 

therefore, went to Great Britain, peti- 
tioned for relief and had some compen- 
sation granted for what he had suffer- 
ed in the time of the war, but uot any- 
thing that he knows of, for his suffer- 
ings since the establishment of peace. 

That he returns his sincere thanks to 
Your Majesty for those favors, and fur- 
ther begs leave to mention that he re- 
turned to America in the year 1791; 
and having been informed that the com- 
monwealth of Massachusetts had paid 
for his board whilst he had been a states, 
prisoner, went into that government to 
visit his friends in the year 1793, when 
he was unexpectedly seized and impris- 
9 



oned in the goal in the county of Bris- 
tol, for not paying said board. That 
he suffered four days, eighteen hours 
aud fifteen minutes close confinement in 
said county of Bristol, and lost by 
this prosecution 141 pounds, 16 shillings 
and (> pence, sterling. He also lost, 
when imprisoned in Worcester, 273 
pounds, 19 shillings and 9 pence, ster- 
ling, in consequeuce of his non-appear- 
ance before the Supreme Judicial Court, 
when lie resided within the British lines 
in the time of war, the greatest part of 
which sum was paid to the said com- 
monwealth by his bondsmen, who were 
also imprisoned. That said imprison- 
ment also prevented his collecting the 
debts that were due to him in said state, 
which amount to 368 pounds, 6 shill- 
ings and 6 pence, sterling, including 
the principal, which, joined to, amount 
to 784 pounds, 2 shillings and 9 pence, 
besides the two years, eleven months, 
four days, eighteen hours and fifteen 
minutes imprisonment which he has suf 
fared repugnant to the requisitions of 
the articles of peace. That lie ha* pe- 
titioned to Your Majesty's commission- 
ers in Philadelphia, and these appoint- 
ed by the President and Senate of the 
United States of America, for the pur- 
pose of ascertaining the amount of all 
loses and damages as divers merchants 
and others. Your Majesty's subjects 
have sustained in consequence of their 
being debarred by sundry lawful imped- 
iments from collecting their debts in 
said states, praying that they the said 
commissioners, would aid aud assist him 
iu obtaining compensation, but they es- 
teem themselves as not empowered to 
act upon the subject because his impris- 
onment is considered not as lawful but 
as an unlawful impediment to his col- 
lecting his debts. That he understands 
that a number of Your Majesty’s sub- 
jects in Nova Scotia and elsewhere, 
who formerly belonged to Massachu- 
setts, are debarred from receiving com- 
pensation for their debts in the same 
manuer, although it does not appear by 
the records that the General Assembly 
of Massachusetts ever repeated the laws 
they made in the time of war for the 
purpose of protecting the American loy- 
alist, and which were repugnant to the 



fifi 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



definitive treaty of peace between Great. 
Britain and America, till the year 1787. 
That it appears by an article of Con- 
gress passed in the year 1794, that no 
foreigner is allowed to sue any state 
within the limits of the United States 
of America. Therefore, he sees no way 
to obtain compensation for the injuries 
and abuses that lie has received than 
that of imploring Your Majesty's most 
grac i ous aid an d asri s Lane e . H e tli e re- 
fore prays that Your Majesty will be 
pleased to aid and assist your petition- 
er, and a fl others, Your Majesty's loyal 
subjects, who have been injured by viola- 
tions of the treaty aforesaid, “for whom 
no provisions appear to he made at pres- 
ent for their relief’* in obtaining com- 
pensation of the United States in such 
a way and manner as Your Majesty in 
your wisdom may see fit. 

Sworn before me this 23d of July, 1 799, 
Luke Know [ton, 
Member of the Honorable Council for 
the State of Vermont in America and 
Justice of the Peace throughout the 
State/’ 

The fivT? or six years succeeding his 
release from imprisonment, in 1787, 
were spent in various parts of t he Uni- 
ted States and Europe. In 1789, he 
was for a short time engaged in editing 
the Philadelphia Magazine. He pub- 
lished an almanac which was printed 
in Bennington. In 1790, be published 
a work entitled “A Tour m Holland, 
by an American. 1 ’ It was printed in 
Worcester, Mass., though he was then 
in Europe* In 1791, lie had published 
in Dublin a work entitled “Dr. Stearns’s 
Tout from London to Paris." 1 1 is 
“American Oracle" was published in 
New York, in 1791. It was printed for, 
and sold by Hodge & Campbell, <fe Co. 

In this hook, he states that he is the 
author of a treatise entitled “The Mys- 
tery of Animal Magnetism Revealed to 
to the World." In 1801, he published 
by subscription “The American Her- 
bal/ 1 It contains the names of sub- 
scribers, mostly in Vermont and New 



Hampshire. In the “American Oracle/’ 
under the head of chronology, is the fol- 
lowing item ; 

“Dec. 29, 1782, Dr. Stearns, having 
made the calculations, publishes the first 
Nautical Almanack that ever was print- 
ed in America/ 7 

That credit is accorded to him at the 
p r cs eo 1 1 i vo e . His “New H ypo tli esi^ 
Concerning the Cause of the Aurora 
Borealis" was formed while he was in? 
Vermont, as thus recorded in the Ora- 
cle. 

In the evening of the 20th of Janu 1 - 
ary 1788. as I was sitting in a large 
room in the state of Vermont, the weath- 
er being very severe, a cat jumped into 
nry lap, whose hairs were stiffened with 
the cold-, and, as I stroked them I ob- 
served that they emitted coruscations, 
and 1 began to conclude that they were 
the electrical fluid/’ 

In a few minutes afterwards, lie no- 
ticed the North era Li gilts and reasoned 
that the atmosphere might likewise emit 
sparks, or electrical light, if it is prop- 
erly stiffened with the cold, and agitated 
by the different currents of air- When 
In London, Jan. 27, 1791, he wrote a 
poem to commemorate his new theory 
of the Northern Lights, 

The Oracle comprehends an account 
of recent discoveries in the arts and sci- 
ences, In it he records. 

“Jan* 20, 1790, Dr. Stearns receives 
a letter from Dr. Herschel, informing 
that Mrs. Ilerschel, sister to the Doctor 
discovered a comet on the 7th instant/* 

Thus it is known thatWilliam Ilerschel 
LL.D,* F.ll.S,, the celebrated astrono- 
mer, married a sister of Doctor Stearns. 

In the Boston Athenaeum Catalogue, 
Samuel Stearns is credited with his de- 
gree M. D. and LL.D. It has been 
stated tli at he obtained his degree in 
England, but it is not known that 
he was a graduate from college. He 
says m his preface to the American 
Oracle, dated New York, Sept, 12, 



DUMMERSTON- 



87 



1 791 , that philosophy, the liberal al ts 
and sciences have been the objects of 
his early and unremitting study. The 
practice of physic, and the making of 
astronomical calculations engaged his 
Attention for upwards of twenty years. 
He had a familiar acquaintance with 
the laicst and most approved authors 
upon the Liberal and mechanical arts and 
sciences, attended lectures upon phsiol- 
ogy, chemistry, magnetism, electricity, 
optics, astronomy, and other branches 
of natural and experimental philosophy. 

He invented a Tide-table for the Sea 
Ports iof the North American continent, 
"was astronomer for the Provinces of 
Quebec and New Brunswick : also, for 
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
and the State of Vermont. 

Dr. Stearns was married before 1780, 
and his wife was not living at the time 
of his first imprisonment, for, while in 
jail, he wrote a poem, dated July 15, 
1786, advertising himself for sale as a 
widower. He married twice while liv- 
ing in Du m in el's ton. The second wife, 
Sarah, died in this town and was bur- 
ied near the grave of Capt. John Mel* 
calf. The following inscription was 
copied from the slate stone erected to 
her memory : 

“The Honorable Mrs. Sarah Stearns, 
the amiable Consort of the lion. Sam- 
uel St arns, One of the Senators of the 
University of Aberdeen in Scotland, 
Physician and Master of the Canon and 
Civil Laws, (lied in this Town, Oct. 14, 
1801, aged 5*1 years 10 montlis and 22 
days/* 

The same inscription is recorded on 
the town book. His third marriage is 
recorded in the same book. The lady 
was the widow of Alexander Kelly , Sen. 
he died Jan. 15, 1803. She was the 
widow' Albee when married to Mr. Kel- 
ley, Mar. 13, 1797, and her former 
residence was Bellingham, Mass. 



Dr. Stearns whs married to Mrs. 
Elizabeth Kelley, of Dummcrston , Nov. 
10, 1803. by Samuel Mead, Rector of 
the Church in ALstead, N. 11., in the 
preseuce of the following witnesses, — 
Jason Duncan, Sarah Duncan, Jabez 
Butler, Experience Butler, Delia But- 
ler, Thomas Lewis, Me hi table Lewis. 
Thankful Grover, Polly Town, Mary 
Grinnell and Philenda Smith. In the 
marriage certificate, he states that he 
was ’‘one of the Royal Pensioners of 
the Kingdom of Great Britain.” Thus 
it appears that lie was successful in pe- 
titioning the king for aid. 

Dr. Stearns while a resident of Dum- 
merstou, lived in the east part of the 
town. In 1804, lie occupied what has 
iince been called the “Birchard place.” 
He owned one-half acre of land and 
one-third of the store, Jabez Butler 
and Asa Houghton owned the remain- 
ing two-thirds. He sold the land and 
his share in the store, the same year, 
to Butler and Houghton. The store 
was 40 by 60 ft. and was the first one 
burned on that site, when occupied by 
Roger Birchard. Asa Houghton, born 
in Bolton, Mass., Feb. 3, 1775, was a 
nephew of Dr. Stearns. He was in trade 
in this town but. died in Putney, Sept. 
10, 1829, where lie. has a daughter now 
living. He was an uncle of Simon VV. 
Houghton, Esq. of Putney. 

Dr. Stearns had a sister, Martha 
Stearns, who married Simon Houglitou 
grandfather of Simon W. Houghton, 
Esq. now living in Putney. She was 
born in Lancaster, Mass., May 30, 
1750, died Apr. 3, 1823. Her husband 
was- born Oct. 15. 1737. Both died in 
Bolton, Mass., a town taken from Lan- 
caster. 

A lady now living in Dummerston, 
nearly 88 years old remembers the Doc- 
tor quite well. He was called to see her 
mother, who was sick of a fever, and 



68 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



she describes him as a nice looking 
man. His hair was white and combed 
straight back from his forehead and 
worn in a queue. During his visit to 
the sick woman, the doctor looked in 
the mirror two or three time3 to see 
whether Ins hair avrs ah right. 

Just how long he was a resident in 
this town is uncertain. His home was 
in Brattleboro at the time of his death. 
In the northwest corner of the cemetery 
south of Brattleboro village is a slate- 
stone bearing the following inscription : 
Sacred to the Memory of 
Samuel Stearns , LL.D ., who 
Died Aug . <9, 1810 aged G3 years. 

Self-taught. 

Nature was his preceptor , philosophy 
His mistress , and astronomy his proviptci\ 
Disappointment ever succeeded his lest 
Endeavors \ he deserved letter . 
Ingratitude was the reward of his labors . 

Peace to his ashes. 



■ I am but of a middling Size [Sotrnrt 

My Limbs are strait, ther'egood and 

1 have a pair of bluish Eyes, 

An d with good health I do abotmd- 

I have myself once married been ; 

It happened in my younger Age; 

More than a thousand Days I’ve seen 
Since My companion left the Stage- 

My children, they all married be 
And all alone 1 must Remain 

Unless that i should chance to See 
One that will Marry nue again. 

Hence, tho > in Prison Pin Confined 
1 do expose myself to Sale 

And Advertise that it is my mind 
To Marry tho’ I am in JaU 

1 want a wife that is clean mid neat. 

That is neither Bashful! nor too cold. 

Whose shape, Deportment, all complete, , 
That is not stingy, nor a Scold. 

Dot such an one now visit me 
Whilst in the Prison I'm Confined 

And if with me, She ean agree 
Ourselves, in marriage wc will bind. 

Some Ladies often almost Cry 
Because Confined in Jail I be 

And whils’t they’re even passing by 
They dare not stop to Visit me; 



Note: Dr. James Conland of Brattleboro is 
entitled to much credit for looking up the his- 
tory of Sam‘1 Steams. The writer of this sketch 
is much indebted to him lor valuable infor- 
mation taken from a paper read by him before 
the Brattleboro Professional club and publish- 
ed in the Vermont Phoenix, June8, 1S88: 

Dr. Samuel Stearns was an inhabit- 
ant of this town many years. His to- 
ryism made it unpleasant for him to re- 
main with the patriotic citizens of this 
town and he left for Canada and remain- 
ed till peace was declared, after which 
he again returned. Before his return 
he spent a few years in England where 
he had the degree of LL.D. conferred 
on him. He w as born at Lancaster in 
1736. 

Advertisement. • 

THE WIDOWER IN JAIL EXPOSED TO SALE. 

A NEW SONG. (BY DR. SAMUEL STEARNS.) 

Ye ladies all who have a mind 
In Matrimony to Engage 

With me t hat ’s honest good and kind ’ 

That is nigh to fifty years of Age. 



Because they think that in these Days 
Some people of them would make sporfr 
If they in such Religious ways 
Should once begin the men to eo«irt- 

The Ladies wish me out of JaU, 

Are sorry for my Dismal f&to 
But as I‘m now exposed to sale 
1 hope they will no longer wait; 

But Visit me without delay 
That so a Husband they may find * 

Who to a Wife both Night and Day 
Will always be exceeding kind. 

Let our Great Men soon make u Law* 

That the Kind Ladies shall not fail 
To often Visit men that Draw 
Their fancies, tlio* they be In Jail. 

FINIS. 

Composed by a Prisoner, .July 16, 178G. 

Note: tho.se verses, written by Samuel Stearns 
wove copied by the writer from the original 
unpublished poem, long In the possession of J. 
F. Steams of Dummerston and given by him 
sometime before his death, to Dea. Simon W- 
Houghton. John F. Stearns died Nov. 26, 1872, 
aged 82, and Is supposed to have been a relative 
of the doctor. The value of those verses is chief- 
ly of a historical character, giving as they do, 
a description of the doctor in his own language, 
stating his age and circumstances in life. He 



DUMME RISTON. 



6'J 



w:vs “nigh to fifty” iu 1780. and must have been 
t)oru In 1780, as Dea. Houghton. his Bister’s 
grand sou, claims. Therefore his age should 
have been 73 aud not 03, as engraved on the 
slate-stone. Mrs. Houghtou always said that 
“Poor Samuel,” as she was wont to call her 
brother, was much older than herself, who was 
bom in 1730. Pea. Jloughton claims also that 
l>r. Stearns came to Puumjerslon several years 
before 1700, and the claim is made good by the 
Doctor hiinseU, who says In his book that he 
was in Vermont In Jan. 1788. 

SECOND MARRIAGE OP 1>K, STEARNS : 
ENTRY ON THE TOWN ttECOIll). 

“The Hon. Samuel Stearns, LL.D. one of the 
Royal Pensioners of the Kingdom of Great 
-Britain, after lteing lawfully published three 
Sundays, was on the 10th day of Nov. 1803, le- 
gally married by me according to the method 
practiced by the church of England, to Mrs. 
Elizabeth Kelley of Dummerston. 

A.WUEL HEAP, HECTOR OF THE 
CHURCH IN ALSTEAl), 

WILLIAM NEGUS 

was among the first settlers iu this 
town. His wife was Patience Hil- 
liard, and their children were Polly, 
h. Feb. 17, 177S, m. John Barnes 
Dec. 22, 1790; Patience, b. 1781, d. 
infant; Persis, b. Sept. ID, 17S2, in. 
Oct. 7, 1810, Daniel Newton of Now- 
fane; Joseph, b. 1784, d. infant; 
Samuel, b. Dec. 7, 1788. Sally, prob- 
ably a daughter of William Negus, 
in. Asa Houghton, Aug. 10, 1804. 

Three daughters of J ohn aud Polly 
(Negus) Barnes married as follows: 
Mary Barnes, June 19, 1820, Corne- 
lius Tuttle; Persis, Jan. 23, 1821, 
Benjamin Tuttle ; Martha, Oct. 7, 
1821, Joel Tuttle. 

John Negus married Lydia , 

and their children were Elizabeth, 
b. Oct. 21, 1787; William, b. Aug. 
22, 1789; Lydia, b. Sept. 24, 1791; 
John, jr., b. Aug. 22, 1793; Sarah, 
b. Oct. 2, 1795; Pollv, b. 1797, d. 
infant; Patience, b. Sept. 14, 1798; 
Zeruiah, b. Jan. 20, 1801; Samuel, 
b. Apr. 5, 1803; Benjamin, b. May 
13, 1805; Joseph, b. Apr. 13, 1807.; 
Abigail, b. Oct. 1, 1809, John Ne- 



gus, the father of these children, 
died Sept. 30, 1809. 

Elizabeth Negus m. Nathan Davis 
May 10, 1781. His first wife was 
Sarah Jones, whom he m. May 20, 
1774. 

Samuel Negus m. Jan. 30, 17S3, 
Sarah, sister of Enoch Cook. Dir- 
axy Negus m, Thomas Barnes, Dec. 
20, 1787. 

THOMAS HOLTON, 

one of the first five selectmen chosen 
Apr. 15, 1770, died Dec. 22, 1800, 
about 75 years of age. His son, 
Arad llolton, died Oct. 8, 1841, 
aged 88 yrs. 11 mo. Arad married 
Anna Haven for his first wife. She 
died Feb. 1, 1787, aged 28 yrs. 4 
mo. Children: Reuben, b. Nov. 

9, 1778; Ira, b. Apr. 20, 1780; Arad, 
b. Sept. 9, 1781; Ariel, b. July 20, 
1783; Experience, b. Mar. 20, 1785. 

lie married his second wife, Re- 
becca Houghton, May 13, 17S7, who 
died Dec. 17, 1800, aged 35 years. 
Children: Wranslow, b. Jan. 11, 
1788, now living at the age of 91 
years ; Louden, b. June 23, 1789; 
Rebecca and Ira, twins, b. Dec, 23, 
1795: Abel, b. Sept. 7, 1800. 

He married, 3d, Mrs. Eunice 
Spaulding, widow of Josiah Spauld- 
ing. whoso maiden name was Skin- 
ner. She died Jan. 21, 1850, aged 
85 yrs. 0 mo. Children : Joel, b. 
May 14, 1803; Eunice, b. Aug, 3, 
ISOS; Denslow, born Aug. 29, 1810, 

CAPT. ASHBEL JOHNSON, 

a citizen of the town in Revolution- 
ary times, resided in school district 
No. 4 in the N. E. corner of the 
town. He was born May 22, 1750, 
aud died Jan. 20, 1823, aged 72. 
Jail Johnson, his wife was born 
Mar. 6, 1755. Children: 

William, b. Apr. 10, 1773; David, 
b. Feb. 0, 1775, d. Feb. 22, 1780; 
Ebeuezer, b. Feb. 14, 1777; Lucy, 
b. Dec. 6, 1778; Martha, born Mar. 
29, 1780; Aslibel, b. Jan. 30, 1782: 
Tabatha, b. Jan. 12, 1784; Ezekiel 
Porter, born Nov. 20,1785; Abigail, 



70 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



b. Mar* 3, 17SS; Samuel, bom Dec. 
39, 1789; Mary, b. Mar. 4, 3793; 
David Ward, b. Nov. 30, 1793 ; 
Stephen, b, Feb. 13, 1.796. 



EARLY FARMS. 



1754. 



Col. 
ter, N. 



JoBiali Willard of Winches- 
1L, bought Jan, 9, 1754, a 
share of land in Hummers ton be- 
longing to Jonathan Hubbard, Esq., 
of Townsheud, Mass., for £2 Old 
Tenor Rills. Hubbard was an orig- 
inal grantee. Jan. 33, 1754, John 
Pierce, a farmer of Winchester, 
whose name is on the charter, sold a 
share of land in this town to Col 
Will ar d. Jo h n Sn mm era, far m er , of 
Winchester, sold him the same year 1 4S 

" y n 

his right to a share, as an original 
grantee. In 1759, Col Willard 
bought a share of Elijah Alexander 
of Winchester, 

1764. 



Gapt John Kathan bought a 
whole share of Oapt Samuel Hunt, 
gentleman, of North 9 eld, Mass , for 
£60. 

Hunt was a original grantee. At 
this time Mr. Nathan had occupied 
the land 13 years. He sold the 
farm to his son f John, jr., for £400, 

June 13, 1786. 

In the deed the farm is described 
as a certain tract of land in the N, 

E. corner of Bummer ston, contain- 
ing 300 acres, "on which I now live, I by J. E. Worden. 



1770. 

The proprietors of the township 
at this time were the heirs of Li cut. 
William Dimmer and Hon. Anthony 
Stoddard of Massachusetts. 

Governor Du miner died in 1761, 
and Stoddard had died before the 
granting of deeds in 1770, to the set- 
tlers. John, Jeremiah, William, and 
Susanna Powell were the heirs of 
Governor hummer, and Martha, 
Anthony, and Simeon Stoddard were 
, the heirs of Anthony, deceased. 
Martha had married John Stevens, 
and Simeon, not of age. had a guar- 
dian named Joseph Jack eon. Most 
of the heirs resided in Boston, but 
Stevens was, in 1773, a resident of 
Ashford , Conn. Each lot contained 
1 100 acres, size 160x100 rods. 

They were numbered from one to 
in what is now Du miner ston. 
Each settler paid 5 shillings, as a 
recording fee, and the consideration 
for each lot was that certain work 
had been done on the land, and each 
purchaser should clear and fence 
four acres fit for the plough or 
scythe, also erect and finish a 
dwelling-house thereon, not less 
than 30 feet square ; also that a 
house for public worship he built in 
Bummers ton and a minister of the 
gospel be settled therein within 4 
years from the date of the deed, 
June 36, 1770. 

Thomas Clark from Worcester, 
Mass,, bought lot No. 53, that year, 
but afterwards purchased, June 13, 
1783, for 100 "Spanish Milled Dol- 
lars/* the adjoining lot No. 53, on 
the north, and lived many years on 
the place now ow ned and occupied 



and is one whole right of land deed- 
ed to me, the said John Kathan, by 
Samuel Hunt and surveyed to me 
by Elisha Root.” John Griffin and 
Willard Moore w'ere witnesses to the 
deed and were sworn, after the death 
of Capt. Kathan, by Judge Benjamin 
Burt, of Windham County Court, 
when the deed was recorded Nov. 
36, 1787. 



Isaac Beard bought lot No. 113, 
near the present location of West 
river bridge. 

Ezra Robinson's lot, No. 49, 
was in the south part of the town, 
cast of the "Rice place/" He sold 
a part of Ins land to Nathan 
Davis, Feb, 19, 1777, reserving 
a bridle-path through it to Benja- 
min Jones's house. Robinson sold, 



D UM MERS TON. 



71 



Oct. 22 , 1 779 ? another portion of land 
to John Rice for $3U0. 

John Fmwell’s lot, No. (51 was sold 
by 1 1 h n to Col . W i 11 i am B o y den , June 
2G. 1771. It Is now Willard Dodge's 
farm . 

-John Killbury purchased lot, No. 23, 
east of Slab Hollow. 

John Wilder from Sturb ridge, Mass, 
located on lot No. 07, the cast part of 
which is the ok! A Ivord place. Wilder 
sold CO acres of the west part to Jonas 
Walker from Rutland, Mass., Jan. 8 , 
1778. for £160. 

Hosea Miller settled on lot, No, 54, 
east of the meeting-house, June 5, 

1782, he bought of the proprietors lot, 
No. 55, north of his homestead, for 
£ G 0 , Win, 0 . M ill er , p ostm as te r , no w 
owns the farm. 

Ebenezer Haven located on Jot, No. 
14, where Orren Haven now lives. 
June 5, 1782, he bought of the propri- 
etors lot, No. 24 for £50, the farm has 
ever since been kept in the family name. 
Mr. Haven owned one half of lot. No. 
29 near Putney on the Connecticut riv- 
er. 

( 1 a,pt . I saac M i lie r , w 1 1 o he! ped E 1 >c n- 
ezer Waters survey the town m 1767, 
selected lot, No. 11 , now known as the 
Abial Walker farm, where he lived 
many years. He sold the farm to his 
son, William Miller, Apr. 29, 1758, 
for £500. 

Samuel Dutton Jr . 3 bought lot. No, 
122, up in the Hague, and sold the 
sarrm to Joshua Walton, March 10 , 

1783, he, performing the work required 
of Dutton. -June 5, 1782, Mr. Dutton 
bought of the proprietors, lot. No. 51, 
one mile south of the meeting- ho use, 
where he lived many years. 

Alexander Kathan, Esq. settled on 
lot, No. 15, the well known Kathan 
farm. At the date of his deed, he had 



been a resident of the town 9 years. He 
o w n ed a part of 1 ot , No . u ear w h ere 

Samuel Wheeler now lives. It was 
bought of Isaac and Asa Sharpe, the 
Connecticut proprietors, Eeb. 18, 1784. 

Charles Davenport located on lot. No. 
12, known as the John E. Stearns place. 
Rufus Sargeao thought lot, No. 1 , in the 
S. E. corner of the town and in 1783, 
bo u gn t lo t. No. 7 , i n t h e n ex t r an ge . 

Joseph Millet bought lot, No. 148, 
in the N. W. corner of the town ? own- 
ed by Iehabod Knapp in 1782. 

John Shepherd Gates bought lot No. 
29, near Putney. Ho sold a part to 
Ebenezer Haven, Apr. 10, 1780, 

John Gates located on lot, No, 32, 
one half mile from Putney line cm the 
road leading to Bmttleboro, 

Enoch Cook lived on lot, No. 67, 
Levi M. Walker now owns the farm, 
kept hi the Cook family four generations 
now. Mr. Cook sold to his sou, Enoch 
J r. , A pr . 3 , 1 78 U . * Joseph Temple set- 
tled on lot, No. 36, where the Temple 
family lived many years. 

Samuel Laughton located on lot, No. 
63, where Austin Laughton now lives, 
Oct, 9, 1787, he deeded the farm to his 
sons, Samuel Jr. and Jacob In equal 
shares. 

Benjamin Jones resided on lot No. 
44 , in the south part of the town, near 
the Bice place. 

Elias Wilder bought lot. No, 47, of 
Benjamin Gould of Brattleboro, June 
27,1770. The other deeds of fcl i at year 
were dated June 26. Some of the ear- 
ly settlers neglected to have their deeds 
r eeo r d ed \ n th e D u m m ere ton books, an d 
deeds granted In 1770, were not record- 
ed for ten and even 11 years after that 
date. 

May 29 1 1772, Dr. Stephen Little 
of Portsmouth, N, II M bought of Mesh- 
ech Weare of Hampden Falls, N. H., 



72 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



three whole shares of land situated in 
the. following township, Viz : Bummer- 
ston, Halifax:, and Bridgewater, and 
th e same y ear so Id th e s h ares to John, 
McKesson, a Lawyer, of New York City. 
In 1783, McKesson appointed Jacob 
Baglay his attorney to sell all his lands 
in Vermont, 

June 5 t 1 773 , C h arles Le o i? ard fro m 
Worcester, Mass., bought lot, No. 116, 
in the Hague, of Abraham Taylor of 
Worcester v and settled on the same, < 
He sold one half the farm to his son, 
William, in 1776. 

June 5, 1774, Joseph Negus of Pe- 
tersham, Mass., sold lot, No. 81 to 
William Negus of Granby, Mass., for 
£25. In 1783, William bought a part 
of lot, No. 68, east of where he lived, 
William and John Negus may have 
been sous of Joseph, [page 69] 

J arm ary 3 , 1774, John S eott and 
Susanna, his wife, sold a part of lot, 
No. 22, east of Slab Hollow, to Aaron 
Brooks, He sold a part of lot, No. 4, 
to Brooks in 1773* The land in lot, 
No. 4, is near Connecticut river, east 
of Alonzo Button’s farm* Dr. Solomon 
Harvey and Mary, his wife, who lived 
on the adjoining lot, south from Brook's, 
witnessed the deed. 

Dec. 26, 1774, Daniel Gates bought 
lot, No. 65 of the proprietors in Con- 
necticut for £23. The farm is now 
owned by John Miller, Gates sold a 
piece of land in 1791, to Cotton Skim 
ner, a shoemaker, who sold the same 
in 1792, to Nathan Cook. Capfc. John 
Metcalf, gentleman, who married Sa- 
rah Taylor of Hinsdale ; lived just 
south of Gates' house, on laud which 
he bought in 1789, he sold his place to 
Wm, Moore of Greenfield, Mass., al- 
so the store near the meeting-house in 
which Benjamin Esta brook lived many 
years. 



Dec. 19, 1775. [Elijah Town sold 
part of lot No. 89 to his sou, Elijah Jr. 
He had bought of J. Shepherd Gales 
and Adam Whitney. It is uow the 
farm of Howard Jones* Gates bought 
in 1782, lot. No. 28, and the farm is 
probably where Alauson Gates now 
lives. He owned lot, No. 32 and sold 
in 1781, 42 acres to Smith Butler, 

May 26, 1776. Joshua Walton sold 
to Lt. Josiali Allen a part of lot. No. 
, 122, south side of Fall Brook with the 
benefit of a mill spot tor 8176. Walton 
was a resident oflhe town in 1770, and 
had probably bought land of the origi- 
al proprietors before that date. 

1777. 

Martha Stephens of Boston, widow 
of John Stephens, daughter and only 
heir at that time of Hon. Anthony 
Stoddard ; gave Dec. 9, a deed and re- 
lease of certain undivided land in ]>um- 
merston, reserving sales previously made 
by her husband, to Jonathan Amory. 
a merchant of that city for £2600* 
Benjamin Estnbrook from Rutland* 
Mass., bought of Wm. Negus, carpen- 
ter, one half of lot. No. 81 for £70 \ 
located near Black mountain and re- 
cently owned by Josiali Dodge. 

Samuel Dutton sold Jan, 9, to Eph- 
raim Rice from Petersham, Mass., lot, 
No. 74 for $500. Now called the Rice 
farm, Mr. Dutton probably lived on 
that farm before buying of Jonathan 
Knight in June, following. John Rice 
sold Oct. 23, to Amos Rice from Peter- 
sham, Mass., lot, No. 52 for $700. 
This farm may have been the Samuel 
Duncan place. John, also, sold Eph- 
raim Rice 30 acres io 1783. 

John Scott sold, Mar. 17, to John 
French, miller, the eastern half of lot, 
No. 38 in Slab Hollow for £20. The 
boundary line began at the “LGg 
Bridge” below, “and running as the 



DUMMEBSTON. 



73 



road runs till you get eight rods above 
the grist-mill dam, then westerly a 
•straight line, so as to take half of said 
lot.” French sold in 1784, to his 
sol), John Jr*, 23 1-2 acres “with one 
half of the grist-mill and mill-spot, 
one half of the dwelling-house on Jo- 
seph Hayward, my son-in-laws* land.” 
A part of the boundary was 
“the southeast* east corner of my Log 
House.” Joseph Iiay ward was a shoe- 
maker. In 1783, French sold Hay- 
ward one half bis farm-house, grist- 
mill and mill-privileges. The deed was 
signed by Jolm French and Mary, his 
wife. Hayward was married to their 
daughter, Sarah. Jan. 15, 1784, by 
Rev. Mr. Goodhue of Putney. 

April 7. Jonathan Knight, Esq., 
bought lot, No. 58 for §355, with build- 
ings thereon, of Cyrus and Experience 
Houghton. This is the Simeon Reed 
farm, and the old buildings were a few 
rods south of the present dwelling-house 
on the place. Artemas Knight of Wor- 
cester, Mass., sold, Apr. 19, lot, No. 
49 to Jonathan Knight, and lie sold the 
same to Samuel Dutton June 9, “for 
3600 Bay Currency, or silver at five 
shillings & eight pence the ounce. ” In 
1780, Jonathan purchased a whole 
share of laud in the township of Corn- 
wall, Vt. of Nathan Foot. Cyrus 
Houghton, who sold his farm to Mr. 
Knight, was doubtless the father of 
“Daniel Houghton, killed at Westmin- 
ster March ye 13, 1775” 

March 20. Joshua Walton sold apart 
of lot. No. 113 to John Crawford, near 
West river bridge. Mr. Crawford, on 
account of sickness iti 1782, delivered 
up his property to the selectmen and 
they were to provide him with “such 
Necessaries as shall be comfortable for 
my support” He died in 1785, and 
William Boyden, Adxnr. sold his re- 
10 



maining estate to Mieah French Jr. for 
$144. 

Sept. 22. Lt. John Wyman from 
Cambridge, Mass., bought a part of 
lot. No. 38 of John Sargeant of Brat- 
tleboro. He also purchased the same 
year a part of lot, No. 39 of Asa Sharpe, 
a proprietor in Connecticut. This farm 
is now owned by Henry French, Oct. 
13, he bought a part of lot, No, 63 of 
Thomas Clark. 

Jonathan Gates of Worcester, Mass., 
sold June 19, oue half of loU No. 22 
to Isaac Miller. 

Dec. 9, John Mauley sold land to 
his sou, John Jr., near to J onas Liver- 
more. John Jr., sold a part of the 
•same lot. No. 115 to Set!) Hudson, 
house wright. 

Jan. 3, Joseph Hildreth Jr., sold lot. 
No. 119 to Joseph Covey and Hazael 
Hooker. 

Aug. 16, Thomas Murry sold CapL 
Ebcnczer Merrick a part of lot, No, 
126, on West river road near the land 
of Oliver Evans. 

Sept. 13, Tillotson Miller of Deer 
field, Mass., sold lot, No. 34 to Josiah 
Boyden. 

1779. 

May 19, Johu Florida from Shrews- 
bury, Mass., bought of James Nichols 
a part oflot, No. 27 ou the river road 
to Putney, for £420. 

Nov. 29, Samuel Laughton sold a 
part of lot, No. 63 to Thomas Laugh- 
ton, a shoemaker, From Rutland, Mass, 
Deacon Thomas, as he is called, lived 
east of Jacob Laugh to if s, probably 
where J . Arms Miller now resides. 

1780. 

Dec. 16, Samuel Dutton sold to his 
son, David, one half his farm, includ- 
ing half the house, north end, and barn, 



74 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



one half the stock, farming-tools &c. 
In 1786, he sold Asa Dutton one half 
of the farm, and signed an acquittance 
to Stephen Dutton for one-half the 
bam in 1789. Asa’s half of the 
farm included one half of the first 
division of lot, No. 49, “west of the 
road which runs between the house and 
barn, as then trod,” and the southern 
half of the second division of the lot. 
One half the house was deeded to Asa 
in 1789. 

1781. 

Benjamin Whitney bought Nov. 1, 
lot, No. 10, of Daniel Taylor Esq., of 
Newfaue, for “500 Spanish Milled Dol- 
lars.” This is probably the farm south 
of where Alonzo Dutton now lives. 
Mr. Whitney sold a part of his lot, 15 
acres, the same year, to William Boy- 
den. 

Apr. 14, Win. Kelley sold let, No. 
93 to Jesse Manley for §200 — near 
the Gardner Knapp place. 

Apr. 27, Samuel Duncan, from Guild- 
lord, bought 43 acres of Ezra Robin- 
son, near Brattleboro line. Mr. Dun- 
can is reported in 1 780, as a miller from 
Northfield, Mass., when he sold laud to 
Ephraim Rice. 

1782 

Jau. 18, Jack Freeman sold to John 
Fuller a farm for 8400, near Isaac Mil- 
ler’s on the Connecticut river road. 

Aug. 20, Samuel Norcross, cord- 
wainer, from Putney, bought lot, No. 
90, near Putney line, of Samuel Childs 
and Leicester Grosvenor, the Connecti- 
cut proprietors. 

June 5, Tnomas Holton settled on 
lot, No. 62, which he purchased of the 
original proprietors. He sold one half 
the farm to Arad, his son, and it has 
been occupied by the Holton family 100 
years. 



May 13. The proprietors in Boston T 
of land in Dnmmerston, gave a power 
of attorney to Jonathau Mason Jr., and 
Rufus Green Amory and their names 
as agents fbr the proprietors appear on 
deeds after this date. 

Samuel Childs Jr., was a resident 
of Woodstock, Conn., and Leicester 
Grosvenor, of Windsor, Mass. They 
sold several lots to the early settlers. 

Daniel Taylor Esq., of Newfaue^ 
sold most of the farms in the west part 
of the” town to the first settlers in that 
locality. He bought several lots in the 
east part of the town and resold them 
to settlers. 

Dec. 14, Thomas Burnham sold to 
Oliver Hale from Marlboro, Mass., “the 
whole of the labor and possession that’s 
done on lot, No. 35s except a small piece 
that’s cleared on the south part of said 
lot. by Parmenas Temple, and a house 
and about one acre of laud on the south 
west corner of said lot.” 

Oct. 25, Nathaniel French, son of 
Nathaniel French of Brattleboro. settled 
on lot, No. 113, near West river, “it 
being part of the right of Mr. Jonn 
White, who was one of the original pur- 
chasers of the commisioners appointed 
by the Province of Connecticut, as by 
the Antieut Deed appears.” Mr. 
French had probab y been on the lot- 
some time before the purchase was 
made. ' 

June 5, Aaron Brooks bought of the 
proprietors, lot, No. 21, and sold one 
half the same Aug. 20, to John Full- 
er. Dea. Adin A. Dutton now resides 
on the farm. Dan Brooks married Pol- 
ly Presson of Gilsum, N. II., Aug. 6, 
1783, and in 1787, Aaron Brooks deed- 
ed him 12 acres in lot, No. 1 east, near 
the river. 

June 5, Joseph nildreth bought of 



DUMMEHSTON- 



75 



£he proprietor lot, No. 91 near Spauld- 
ings* hill. 

June 5, Bar filial Rice purchased lot, 
No. 56 east of Jacob Laughton's. 

Get. 25, John Millar bought of the 
Connecticut heirs lot, No. 81, near tlie 
Prospect hill. 

June 5, Jason Dimean bought of the orig- 
inal proprietors, lot, No- 80, where he 
settled and lived many years, near the 
William Negus place. 

Mar. 29, Rev. Joseph Farrar bought 
of Bamllai Rice a part of lot, No- tio, 
north of the meeting-house. The place 
was after ward owned hy Di\ He wall 
Walker and was where he resided at the 
i line of his death, 

June 5, Marshall Miller bought of 
the proprietors, lot, No, 85 ■where he 
settled near his brother, John, In 1788, 
he purchased of Asa -Sharpe 40 acres 
In ihe .adjoining lot, No 94. 

June o, Beni ah Putnam purchased 
dot, No. 95 and sold one half the same 
an 1784, in Jonas Livermore, 

June 5, Elijah Cook located on lot. 
No. 87 sind sold one half the same to 
Solomon Cook, Elijah^ wife whs nam- 
ed Elefe. This farm is located where 
Asa Laughton lived many years, 

June 5, Richard Ivclley bought lot, 
No, 41 one mile southwest from the 
IIollow, 

Nov. 12, Ichabod Knapp sold lot, No. 
148 in the northwest corner of the town 
to Joshua Bemis, In 17pS7, Bemis 
bought a part of lot, No, 1 26 of Capt. 
Merrick. Knapp sold in 1 783, a part 
of lot, 119, io Thomas Turner of Put- 
ney. John Turner bought of Bends, 
a part of lot, No. 143 in 1786. 

1788. 

Apr, 24, Moses Taylor bought of 
Asa 8 bar pc lot, No. 68 south of Enoch 
Cook's lot. The east end of this lot, | 



30 acres was sold in 1784, to Dan Hib- 
bard by Ho sea Miller- 

Apr. 28, Dea. Nathaniel Holmes, 
c&rdwainer, bought 40 acres taken from 
the west- end of lot, No, 116. JosiaJa 
Packard purchased on the same day the 
remaining 60 acres hi lot, 116. The 
farm was afterwards ow ned by Deacon 
Daniel Walker. 

Apr. 22, Asa Sharpe of Pom fret* 
Conn., *<akl Lemuel Davenport 60 acres 
in lot, No. 64, one-half mile north of 
the meeting-house. He also sold Apr. 
2L 59 acres in lot. No. 60, next to Put- 
ney line, to Jabes Butler, now proba- 
bly, II o wa rd J omV 1 hr m . S h n rpc st >1 d 
J^ise Hildreth, April 21, lot. No, 3. 
near the Slate Quarry. 

Cap t . E b o ne mr Muni ck bo ught Ap r . 
16, of Josiah Willard of Winchester. 
N. IL. one whole share of land origi- 
nal ly gr an \ cd t o J o h n Pierce , a eharte r 
proprietor ; located near West river, 
Apr. 2 L Sharpe sold Cornelius Jones 
lor. No. 50, about \ 1-2 miles south of 
Hoaea Miller's. 

Mar. 19, Richard Kelley sold Wm. 
Kc hey o tie h al f o f 1 lot t No. 41, and Apr. 
22, Sharpe sold William Kelley 1—2 of 
of lot, No. 42, in vicinity of William 
Knapps' place. 

Mar. 7, Lieutenant Daniel K a than, 
ho use w right, bought one- half of lot. 
No. 12* This land is east of where 
Roger Birchard’s store w f as burned. 

Apr. 20. N ath an i e i Prime h o f B ra t- 
tlehoro bought lot, No, 5, probably 
now a part of Samuel Wheels pa farm. 

M ay 14, Pa. inner ias T enrp I e so Id J oh n 
Bennett his lot, No, 35. Oliver Hale 
had made considerable improvements on 
this lot and Bennett paid him £95 For 
his * 1 labor and possession 71 A clearing 
made by Temple, also, a house and one 



76 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



acre or land in the southwest corner of 
the lot were not sold. 

Apr. 21, Sharpe sold Aaron Jones 
lot, No. 18, south of Samuel Dutton. 
He also sold Elias Wilder, Nov. 10, 
one-half of lot, No. 72, a part now of 
the Stephen Dutton place. 

Sept. 19, Ephraim Rice bought lot. 
No. 76, now Leroy Wilder’s farm. 

Nov. 12, Ebenezer Hadley bought 
one-half the adjoining lot, No. 75. 

Apr. 26, Ashbel Johnson, carpenter, 
bought one -half of lot. No. 31, near 
Putney . 

Apr. 22, Sharpe sold Win. Middle- 
ditch, one-half of lot, No. 42, east of 
Samuel Dutton. 

Apr. 21, Oliver Hartwell bought 32 
acres in lot, No. 50, north of Samuel 
Dutton. 

Apr. 21, Sharpe sold Cornelius Jones 
lot, No. 6, near Rutus Sargeant. 

Apr. 26, Jonas Stock well from New- 
fane bought on Dummerston Hill a 
whole share of land of Colonel Jos mb 
Willard of Winchester, N. II., origi- 
nally granted in the charter to Elijah 
Alexander. 

May 14, Josiah Temple sold a part of 
lot, No. 36, to Parmenas Temple. 

1784. 

Feb. 4, Daniel Sargeant bought of 
David Bond a part of lot, No. 2, near 
Rufus Sargeant. 

Mar. 5, Dr. Thomas Baker bought 
of John Scott, 35 acres in lot, No. 38 
and lived where Joel Miller now resides. 

May 7. Joseph Nourse bought lot, 
No. 118, near Putney line and West 
river. 

Aug. 11, Rev. Joseph Farrar sold for 
jCHOtothe town of Dummerston, his 
share of land known as the Public lot 
on which the meeting-house stands, 
with buildings and improvements there- 
on, which he claimed by virtue of his 



being the first settled minister of the 
gospel in town. 

Mar. 9, Ebenezer Wait, blacksmith, 
from South Hadley, Mass., bought of 
Rev. Joseph Farrar five acres in lot. 
No. 65, on which he built a blacksmith's 
shop, and in May 1785, be bought a 
house opposite the shop of Sarah Cut- 
ler, wife of Seth Cutler, for §22 ; lo- 
cation near the road east of. Clark Ba- 
con’s house. 

Oct. 19, Capt. David Bar to u and liis 
son, David Jr., bought 50 acres in lot, 
No. G8. south from Enoch Cook. 

Asa French, the same year, sold 
Abraham Rice lot, No. 135, nearWie- 
kopee Hill. 

Oct. 15, David Bixby from Leyden, 
Mass., bought 40 acres in lot. No. y7, 
west of Jonas Walker. 

May 2, Isaac Childe bought a share 
of land on Dummerston Hill, of Col. 
Josiah Willard. He sold the same day 
a part of the land to Stephen Bennett 
from Brattleboro, for 8200. His son, 
Orren Bennett, was born aud is still liv- 
ing at the age of 90 years, on this place 

Sept. 20, Win. Sargeant bought land 
near Capt. Jobnlvathan. 

May 20, Dea. Thomas Laughton 
bought of Barzillia Rice a part of lot. 
No. 57. 

May 17. Capt. Ellis Griffcth bought 
a lot on Dummerston Hill of Daniel 
Taylor, and he also sold a lot, May 18. 
to Seth Briggs in the same locality. 

1785. 

June 22, Paul W. Hazen and Ed- 
ward Hazen Jr., from Swansey, N. H., 
bought of George Atkinson of Ports- 
mouth, N. H,, lot, No. 105, on West 
river road next to Brattleboro line. 

July 30, Lieut. Leonard Spaulding 
bought of Joseph Hildreth, lot, No. 91, 
in consideration of work performed ; 



DUMMERSTON. 



77 



near Putney line. In 1786, Spaulding 
bought ol' Joseph Minot of Concord, 
N. H., his share of land in Dummers- 
ton, owned by virtue of James Minott's 
right as a charter member. 

Dec. 24, Capt. Ebenezer Merrick 
made his • ‘Pitch of land,” 200 acres 
bought of Colonel Willard of Winches- 
ter ; location on West river road, north 
of the village. Merrick also made sev- 
eral other purchases of land in that lo- 
cality and resold to first settlers. 

Apr. 14, Samuel Howe bought land 
near Fall Brook, of Josiah Packard. 
Zackariak Cutler owned land near the 
same brook. Abraham Fitts, who liv- 
ed in that locality bought his land in lot, 
No. 116, of Packard in 1787. Packard 
bought land of Isaiah Stone of Towns- 
hetld. Seth Smith and Hannah, his 
wife, sold Packard a part of lot, No. 115. 
1786. 

May 2, Silas Taft sold Solomon 
Willard of Winchester, N. H., “the 1 
gristmill ancl houses and barns and ev- 
ery building and Fence on 20 acres” for 
£135 ; locution, West Dummerston vil- 
lage. 

Mar. 14, Benjamin and Samuel Pres- 
son from Chesterfield, N. II., bought 
of Micah French Jr. a part of lot. No. 

1 22, up in the Hague. 

June 13, Seth Hudson bought of the 
proprietors lot, No. 94, now the Reuben 
Walker place, and Reuben Spauld- 
ing bought 32 acres of James Manley, 
west of the same lot. 

Ang. 31, Henry Cressy from Chester- 
field, N. H., bought 61 acres in lot. 
No. 34, of Josiah Boyden, joined on 
Canoe brook. 

May 4, John Whipple bought lot, 
No. 56, south of Jacob Laughton’s 
place. No. 6, Jonathan Page, trader, 



at West village, sold his store to Drin 
Taylor. 

Oct. 5, Benjamin Whitney bought 
100 acres of John Pcnhallow, Esq., of 
Portsmouth, N. H. It was a part of 
the original right of Richard Wibird, 
Esq., late of Portsmouth, of whom Pen- 
hallow was an heir. Robert Fletcher 
of Dunstable, N. II., one of the origi- 
nal grantees and Daniel Warner of Am- 
herst N.H., an original grantee, sold 
each, a share of land in Dummerston to 
Daniel Taylor. 

Dec. 17, Robert Usher of Merrimac, 
N. II., an original grantee sold his 
share to James Minott of Concord, N. 

11 . 

Mar. 21), Stephen Woodbury, trader, 
bought of Charles Davenport Sou, 

: one-half the saw-mill on Salmon brook, 
near the grist-mill of Maj. Josiah Boy- 
den. 

1788 

Jan. 10, Isaac Burnett bought lot. 
No. 129 and a part of 109. 

Rufus Green Amory, agent for the 
proprietors in Boston made the follow- 
ing sales November 5, to Isaac and 
Electa Bigelow, lot, No. 17 ; Sylvauus 
and Dorces Ballad apart of No. 35; 
Asa and Polly Dutton a part of No. 
71 ; Isaac and Elizabeth Boyden, a part 
of No. 55 ; Samuel and Jemima Nich- 
ols, No. 20 ; Adam and Lucy Whit- 
ney, No. 141 ; Thomas and Rebecca 
Laughton, a part of No. 57 ; Calvin 
Butler No. 33 ; Jos. and Jemima Berm's, 
No. 70 ; Lycas and Hannah Symonds, 
No. 140 ; Jonas and Sarah Livermore, 
No. 124 ; Abel and Rebecca Butler, 
No. 88 ; Jesse and Bethany Koight, a 
part of No. 57 ; Seth and Sarah Dun- 
can, No. 112; Jabez Butler, a part of 
No. 57 ; Hosea Miller, No, 145, near 
New fane ; Lemuel Graham for work 
done by his father, Andrew Graham, 



78 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



No, 40, about 3-4 of a mile south of 
Slab Hollow, 

Jan. 4, Timothy Underwood from 
S re wsb u ry , Mass . , bought lan cl nex t t o 
Putney line, 

Samuel Wakefield and Isaac Taylor 
bought lot, No* 125, in the Hague. 
Nov, 25, Jason Dimo&n bought lot 79, 
of* Amnry, where he lived and kept the 
town clerk's office many years. 

1789, 

Asa Caryl from Marlboro bought 
what is now tailed the Caryl place. 
J n ly 7 . S a m uel For ter of P u tn ey bou g h t 
lot, No. 140, on Diammerston Hill. 

July 28, David Pollard, shoemaker, 
sold all his goods, tools, stock &c. to 
Timothy Church of Bmttleboro. 

EARLY ROADS, 

The first committee to lay out roads 
in this town were chosen in Mar. 1771 j 
Samuel Wiswall, Alexander K a than, 
and Enoch Cook. At the same meet- 
ing* Benjamin Jones and Alexander 
Kathnn were chosen surveyors of high- 
ways* 

Nov. 23, 1772, the town voted to 
accept all the roads, as then laid out ex- 
cept the one leading from the meeting- 
house to Daniel Kathan’s. After an 
adjournment of two hours, during which 
time all difficulties were adjusted so that 
when business was again resumed, Lhe 
town voted "by a graft majority” that 
the road be accepted as it then run from ( 
the meeting-house, past Hose a Miller's 
down across Salmon brook, by the 
“Corn Mill” (in the Hollow) out, to 
Daniel Kathao’s and the u grate road' J 
leading from Putney to Brattleboro. In 
1773, there were only three highway 
districts in town. For that year, Jolm 
Shepherd Gates was chosen surveyor 
for Dist. No. 1 in the eastern part of 



the .town, Hosea Miller for No, 2 in 
the central part, and Samuel Dutton 
for No. 3 in the southern. June 15, 
1773, John Shepherd Gates surveyor 
in No. 1, was instructed to have the in- 
habitants, living on the road leading to 
Putney by John Nathan’s, work out 
their share of taxes on that road, exclu- 
sive of the road lately laid by J. Shep- 
herd Gates’ to Putney. No further reo 
ord of toads, was made on the town books, 
us now existing, till 1780, when the 
selectmen laid out a road from 'William 
Boyd civ’s, past Thomas Holton's, Sam- 
uel Laugh ton's, down across Salmon 
brook and up to Lt. Daniel Gates' house 
where John Miller now lives. That 
part of the road from the brook to John 
M i Her 'sis a or t n\ veil cd at 1 1 1 e presen t 
clay. The Mime year, the road was 
turned a few rods north of Damef Gates’ 
and made Lo run “as stride a course 
the laud will admit of to the meeting- 
house.” 

Befo re th e road w a s st ra igl i ten ed . r 1 1 e 
course was farther to the eastward. The 
road extending north to Lt , Spaulding 1 * 
was probably laid out and accepted in 
1772. 

In May 1781, the selectmen laid out 
a road beginning near where Do a. Le- 
roy Wilder now lives, running north- 
easterly* northern lv> then northwester- 
ly, u to the road that leads from West 
river to the meeting-house 7* A part 
of this road is the one now leading past 
Luke T. Bond's place. The road was 
turned in 1780. from where Stephen L. 
Dutton now lives, and laid out down to 
the road now leading past Hiram Knapp’s 
res i den ce* to B j a ttlebo i o . 

June 1782, a road was laid out from 
the house of Nathaniel Haven to Paul 
Wilson’s land, then on his lot to the road 
“that gqes to Shop iKiCSftteaY' 

In 1783, Jo slab Boy den had a road 



DUMMER.STON. 



79 



laid out from Ills house to the road lead- 
ing past the Temple farm. 

The old road from the meeting-house 
to W est v i ver , we lit s o u th , p a St E rro cl 1 
Cook's, where it turned southwest, and 
then westerly, to the top of the hill, ex- 
tending down by tine Benjamin Esta- 
brook place, straight west, past Benja- 
min Alvord^s and Jonas Walker 1 ® place, 
then northwesterly to tire river. 

The old road leading east from the 
meeting-house was changed in 17S2, 
and instead of running on the north side 
of Thomas Clark's house, where J. E- 
Worden now lives, was made to run 
south of his dwelling-house and was 
several rods farther south than the pres- 
ent road, leading from the common to 
the top of the hill on the west side of 
the Salmon brook. 

In 1791, tli e se lee t men 1 aid ou l a ro a d 
from Rufus Sargeaut's place west by 
El 1 h u S a rgean t's n or t li w ester ly to J o s i ah 
Kelley's, then north to Richard Kelley's : 
which is the road now travelled from 
Parker Morse's, where Rufus Sargeant 
lived, west by the George Hildreth place, 
round past the Joseph Nourse farm, 
even to the Hollow. The river road to 
llmttleboro, in those times, went from 
the place now owned by John Presson, 
over the hill by the Stephen French 
place, past Samuel Wheeler's, then 
southerly, coming out- at the Willing- 
ton place now owned by Milton Miller. 

The road now running west, above 
George Knapp's place to West river, was 
I a i d o u t J an , 1 6 , 1 78 K T1 le wes te v n 

part, ending near Addison Knapp’s 
house, was laid out in 1783. 

The road laid out across Dea. Jesse 
Manley's land to Putney line, was 
accepted in 1797. Josiah Spaulding 
gave a bridle-road through his land to 
Abraham Parr’s house, and it was es- 
tablished in 1797. Abraham Farr liv- 



ed south from the Simeon Reed place 
on Putney west-hill. 

In 1797, the town established a bri- 
dle-road from Mr. Haven’s, to Elijah 
Brown's also, turned the road from the 
Ki ee p lace to Stephen D u tto rf s , an d ac- 
cepted one from Daniel Z wears to the 
“great road” over West river, No oth- 
er roads are on record up to 1797, but 
se v eral more m u st 1 1 a ve been laid o f \ t 
previous to that year. 



HOW THE EARLY SETTLERS 
LIVED. 

what they ate ; ■ — In all the New 
England settlements, one common arti- 
cle of food was bean-porridge. It was 
eo ten fo r I >rc ak fas t a ud , of te n time s , for 
supper. Dinner j usually, consisted of 
boiled meat arid some kind of vegeta- 
bles, most frequently turnip. These 
were boiled in a large iron-pot or kettle.- 

lb make bean -porridge, a sufficient 
quantity of beaus were boiled with meat 
and turnip. When these were remov- 
ed, the residue with the beans, was 
made into porridge. In cold weather 
enough was made ut once to las sever- 
al days. It is said in the old rhyme 
that it was “best when it's nine days 
oldT However that may be, it was 
cus t o m a ry e ve ry m or n i n g , to “ h an g tli e 
kettle on” and serve the porridge smok- 
ing hot. After milk became plenty, 
1 1 lat , w i th b ro w n bve a< 1 w as ea te u . usu- 
al ly , by fam i 1 ie s , For 1 1 lei r e v en l n g m eal . 
The brown bread was baked in a stone 
or brick oven often built separate from 
the house. On baking days, when the 
oven was sufficiently heated, the coals 
were removed with the u fires lice.?* and 
the oven swept clean with the “oven 
broom.” The “bread -peel,” a kind of 
woo den -shovel, was used to place the 
bread in the oven where it was baked 
on die bare heated stone or brick. The 



so 



VERMONT H ISTO RIGA L MAG A Z TN E . 



grandfathers and grandmothers claimed 
that no bread baked in a pan or dish 
ever tasted so sweet as it did when bak- 
ed as they were accustomed to have it 
done. 



Judd says in the history of Old Hadley 
that sonic families had 365 of these hard 
boiled puddings in a year. The style 
of living in u ye olden tir^e* , has been 
celebrated in song. 



Pumpkins were baked in the same way 
as bread, and also furnished a common 
article of food, A ripe pumpkin, bar- 
ing & very hard shell was taken, and 
a. hole was out in the stem-end some five 
or six inches in diameter, the piece be- 
ing kept whole winch was taken out. 
The se ed sand all th e s t ri ngy s n beta nee 
were then scraped out clean. Thus pre- 
pared, it was partly filled with new milk 
and covered with the piece taken out, ^ 
placed in a well- heated oven and left 
to bake six or eight hours. It was al- 
lowed to cool in the oven, and, when 
served, was eaten with milk. Borne 
scraped out the pumpkin mid ate it in 
bowls— others turned the milk into the 
pumpkins and ate from the pumpkins. 

Governor Chittenden in his youth of- 
ten made a hearty meal in this way. 
Pumpkins were very much preferred to 
squashes by the early settlers and few 
of tie latter were raised. 

Turnips and parsnips were raised in 
la rge qu an ti t i es a n d w e re the m ost com - 
mon vegetables. Very few potatoes 
were grown and scarcely a barrel would 
be disposed of by a large family in a 
year, Sweet corn, which is so exten- 
sively used at the present day, was un- 
known, and when corn was wanted to i 
bofl or roast m the green state, yellow 
corn was used. Considerable quanti- 
ties of wheat were raised, but it was 
not much used in every-day life, Wheat- 
on cakes were a luxury to be enjoyed 
when company was present, Barley 
cakes were eaten, and buckwheat, was 
not much relished except as hoe- cakes 
and u fl apj ack sT B oi 1c d and bak ed I n - 
dian puddings were a common diet, and 



'■Pottage and pud <11 ngs without cust&v as and 

pies, 

With turnips and parsnips are t ern man 
supplies ; 

We have pumpkins tit morning and pump- 
kins at night, 

was not for pumpkins, w6 should be in a 
plight, 1 ' 

Great quantities of meats were eat- 
en . T ] \ ese e on s 1 s ted of h ec f a n & po rk 
and the wild meats obtained in the for- 
ests, sir eh as bear, deer, moose, wiki 
turkey s an d s m all e r ga me. The stre am s 
and rivers abounded in fish of which 
! large quantities were caught and eaten 
by many families. 

WHAT THEY T>ft AKK. 

It is granted that cold water was used 
when nothing stronger could be obtain- 
ed ; but strong drinks were much used, 
and the grandfathers were full of expe- 
dients to make them. Malt beer was 
a common beverage. 

'O f barley be warning to make Into malt, 

We must then be contented, and think it 
no ihal t; 

For we cau make liquor, to sweten. mir lips. 

Of pumpkins, ami piimiipa, and walnut tree 
chips/ 1 

From the settlings in beer- barrels, our 
grand mothers made L - Emptyings/ 1 a 
kind of yeast, so called because the bar- 
rels were emptied for the settlings. 

Flip, a strong drink, was usually made 
of beer heated foaming hot. with a red 
hot u loggerhead,” and then pouring in 
a glass of rum. Punch was also a com- 
mon drink and was passed round to the 
c omp any 1 n bo w Is . Th is k in d o f dr i n k 
was so called because it originally con- 
tained five ingredients — water, sugar, 
tea, lemons, and arrack, a kind of spir- 
it. The word means five. Later, rum 



DUMMERSTOTS , 



81 . 



was the kind of spirit used, and milk 
was added to make milk-punch* 

Black-strap was a cheap Hud of drink 
and was dnmk when nothing better 
could be afforded. It was made of rum 
sweetened with molasses. Toddy find 
€gg-nogg furnished other varieties of 
drink. As soon as the people obtain- 
ed orchards, cider was drank hi large 
quantities by all classes, rich and poor. 
Hop -beer was also brewed and drank 
hi ] arge q ■ mu t ities > All d n n k i u g of r I te 
common people was social, all drinking 
from the same mug or bowl. 

W H A T TIT E Y Wt ) K K . 

Garments for summer were made of 
tow-cloth or linen spun from flax- Wool 
was raised in considerable quantities 
and furnished the materials for winter 
garments. Carding, spinning, weav- 
ing, and coloring were done by the in- 
riustrious fcmaleH, aud the cloth manu- 
factured into garments and bed -do thing-* 
F 1 six w as mis ed in large q uan title? . 

Instead of being mown or reaped, it 
was pulled and the dirt shaken very 
carefully from the roots* This was by 
general consent, the work of women 
an 6 girls. The flax after it was pulled 
was laid out and rotted for several wegsks 
to make the fibre suitable for breaking 
and preparing for spinning. The young 
women of nearly every family could 
spin and and most of them could weave. 
The male members of & house- hold usu- 
ally went barefoot in summer time, and 
females in some cases went without 
shoes. The women were very careful 
of their shoes, and in -some instances they 
would in going to church, carry their 
shoes, and at some convenient place 
before arriving, put them on. 

Shoemakers or cord wain era, as they 
were called, w ere aec u s to me d to go ab o u t 
from house to house, and make for 
each Family in a neighborhood, a. year’s 
11 



stock of’ boots and shoes, which was 
called “whipping the cat/ 5 

THEIR COXYEXIEXCES QFDFE. 

The style of living was necessarily 
simple. Their first houses were rude 
structures made of unliewu logs. Tim 
open spaces between the logs were fill- 
ed with day ant ^ mnd* and the roof 
was shingled with bark or rived splints. 

The interior, usually consisted of one 
room lighted with one or two small pris- 
on-like windows. A rough stone chim- 
ney was built at one end of the room, 
having a firer place capable m receiv- 
ing wood 4-feet la length , and children 
might sit in the corners and look up at 
t-h e s t a rs . M ore ligh t w as o I te 1 1 con v ey ed 
into th room from the large chimney 
than from the dim little windows. One 
room was made lo serve the purpose of 
kitchen, dining-room, dormitory, and 
parlor. Later, when boards could be 
procured, a more comfortable and con- 
venient house was built, generally with 
two rooms, a board floor and brick 
chimney- on one side of which was a 
brick-oven. The most important apart- 
ment was the kitchen with its capa- 
cious fire-place, andirons and bellows, 
the crane and pot, suspended from it, 
showed that the day of stoves had not 
arrived. The commodious high-backed 
settle made a comfortable seat protect- 
ed from the wind, whistling through the 
crevices. There would be found the 
sp i n n i n g- w li c el , pi ied by th e goo cl h o na e- 
wife as she found leisure ; anti the trusty 
firelock and powder-horn hung over the 
fireplace ever ready for any emergency. 

For dishes, wooden plates were first 
used, then pewter, and later, “Quectf s 
ware/ 1 which were kept in a sort of 
cupboard called a “dresser. 51 

“toe light of other days ? ,j 
was the tallow -can die or tallow-dip as 
It was often called. Later, the oil-lamp 



82 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



came into use, and lastly, kerosene and 
gas. Matches had not been invented, 
and the utmost precaution had to be 
taken- lest their fires should go out. Fire 
was kept by burying a brand deep in 
the ashes. When the fire was out, it 
was necessary to obtain it from some 
neighbor or strike a light with the aid 
of' flint and steel. The invention of 
4 Jocofoco” matches was lmilcd with de- 
light. 

The line of distinction between the 
rich and poor, the cultivated and uncul- 
tivated, was more distinctly drawn m 
the early days than at the present time. 
They were very careful to give no titles 
where they were not due, and, also, as 
careful to write the titles of persons in 
affairs that were passing. Mister and 
Mistress were respectful forms of ad- 
dress for persons of rank* or ministers 
and their wives. In a list of 100 free- 
men of ^ olden times, you will not find 
above four or five distinguished by Mr. , 
although they were men of sonic sub- 
stance. “Good man” and “good wo- 
man,” often abbreviated to “goody/* 
w ere the common titles, 

THEIR AMUSEMENTS 

w ere fe w but exc ee di ugly see i a I . Husk - 
ing and quilting-bees were frequent in 
the farming communities. House- 
warmings, house and barn -raisings, the 
old fashioned muster, and the fourth of 
July nearly completed the list of enter- 
tainments. 

TRAVELLING 

was performed on foot or on horseback. 
At every house was the horse-block or 
convenient place to mount the horse, A 
man, his wife and two children could 
ride conveniently on the back of a strong 
horse. The husband held one child in 
front, and the wife rode behind him on 



a pillion, holding another, and with one 
hand clinging to her husband. 

Before fields were fenced, cattle were 
kept in one drove and guarded by a man 
who from the nature of his employment 
was called a hay ward. 

Swine were guarded or looked after 
by a committee of nine persons chosen 
aim n a! ly cal led 1 1 Ho g- 1 lay wauls . 1 1 

Isaac Miller Jr., had the honor of be- 
iug elected to that office in this town 
in 1780. 

TITHING- MlilSt 

were pe a ee o (free rs , and w ere so call eel 
because they originally luid charge over 
too families in a neighborhood. 

DEEli REEVE-S 

were officers to inform against persons 
who killed deer out, of season, which 
according to law, was between January 
1st and Aug. 1st. 



CHURCH HISTORY 
CHAPTER I. 

THE OLD MEETING HOUSE : — The? 

history of building the old meeting- 
house began with the first town meet- 
ing of the settlers, Mar. 4, 1771, Ac- 
tion was taken to secure a lot on which 
to build- Isaac Milier and Benjamin 
Jones were the committee to choose 
the lot. Nov. 23, 1772, the settlers ae- 
eep ted tk e lot ehos en b j th e co m mi tte e > 
and appointed Joseph Hildreth and 
Enoch Cook to forward the building. 
Charles Davenport and Lieut, Spauld- 
ing drew the plan of the house, 50x40. 
May, 1774, the town took action in re- 
gard to hiring preaching the year ensu- 
ing. The building of the house had 
so progressed that the town-meeting 
was held there on May 16, 1775. 

It is inform! that the committees, 
Cyrus Houghton and Joseph Hildreth, 
did not succeed in hiring a preacher 



DUMMERSTO N . 



83 



for that year, as, Aug. 22, 1775, it 
was voted in town-meeting that John 
Hooker, one of the heroes from Dum- 
merston iu the tight at the court-house 
at Westminster, 1775, “should carry 
on public worship on the Lord’s day.” 
We conclude that uo person was hired 
to preach till 1776, when it was voted 
Apr. 25, “to hire preach ing this year,” 
Lieut. Leonard Spaulding, Jonathan 
Knight and William Boyden were chos- 
en a committee, for hiring preaching. 

Nov. 19, 1776, Jonathan Kniglit was 
chosen to get, of the proprietors a. lot 
of land to settle a minister on ; Bar- 
y.illa Rice, Lieut. Leonard Spaulding 
and Joseph Hildreth were chosen a 
committee to give instructions to Mr. 
Kniglit about getting the lot of land; 
and, as it had been previously voted 
to hire preaching, it is iuferred that 

MR. l> LTD LBV PREACHED 
that year, as the same committee were 
instructed “to treat with him about the 
tax due him, and how much he must 
have before he goes away.” 

The committee were paid for their 
trouble and the interest on the money 
was paid to Mr. Dudley, which they 
had borrowed. At the same meeting 
the town voted to set apart, Nov, 1776, 
for a day of public thanksgiving in this 
town. There are no further town rec- 
ords till February 1780. The records 
for the intervening time have been lost. 

When Rev. Joseph Farrar was hir- 
od to preach, the house was in a very 
uncomfortable condition. There were 
but few, if any, pews built till 9 years 
after the church was organized, in 1779. 
In 1788, a committee was chosen for 
building pews, and a porch over the 
front door. Gallery-pews were sold 
that year to furnish money to build oth- 
er pews and finish more pews in the 
gallery. Windows, having glass, were 



not furnished for the house till 1790, at 
which time 860 was raised for that pur- 
pose. These windows were finished 
in 1791, and the committee drew orders 
on the town for making the sashes, glaz- 
ing and putting them*in, July, 1783; 
and voted for finishing the porch 60x60, 
and yet after it was finished, it was not 
considered of much service to the town, 
for Aug. 15, 1786, it was voted to sell 
the “present porch to build a pound.” 
Dan Hibbard aud Moses Taylor agreed 
to build the pound 30 feet square of 
round poles for the porch. Atthe same 
meeting the town voted to build “stocks, 
and to have the post of the slocks be 
the whipping post.” At the time the 
pews were built in 1788, the town voted 
to build another porch over the front 
door, 14 feet square in order to save 
room for four pews. The amount real- 
ised for the sale, of pews, 37 in num- 
ber, was 700. In 1794., the house was 
plastered for the first time at an expense 
of $150 : furthermore, Charles Dav- 
enport Jr. was hired by the town, that 
year, to sweep the meeting-house, once 
per quarter for the sum of 75 cents. 

[Information received since the above 
was in type.] 

John Hooker should, also, be included 
in the committee for building the 
church, chosen, Dec. 28, 1772. 

The pews were sold Nov. 20, 17S6, for 
$479, and were built in 1788, with mon- 
ey thus received: 36 were sold undone 
reserved for the town, making 37 in all, 
Iu the first paragraph, May 1774 should 
be April 25, 17 76. 

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 

in Dummerston was organized Aug. 18, 
1779, with 16 members; 

REV. JOSEPn FARRAR, FIRST PASTOR : 

members : Joseph Farrar, Thomas Hol- 
ton, Joseph Temple, Aaron Brooks, 



84 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



John Crawford, John French, Joseph 
Temple Jr., Arnos Rice, Mary French, 
Sarah Holton, Sarah Town, and Han- 
nah Brooks, The Ecclesiastical Coun- 
cil which organized the church, repre- 
sented the chucftes in Putney, Brattle- 
boro, and Chesterfiield, N. H. ; Jonah 
Goodhue was moderator. 

It is not stated in either church or 
town records, at what time Mr. Farrar 
began preaching in this town. He was 
probably installed in Aug. 1779. The 
first two children were baptised August 
29, 1779, daughters of Samuel and Su- 
sanna Laughton, Esther and Susanna. 
The church records were first kept on 
loose pieces of paper and some of them 
being lost, the aecouut is imperfect. 

When Mr. Farrar was first settled, 
the town gave him a deed of the farm 
on which he resided during his ministry. 
The town acted in concert with the 
church in the management of its affairs, 
so far as respects the settlement and 
dismission of ministers, and payment of 
their salaries. During his pastorate, 
about 5 years, 129 children were bap- 
tised a large number compared with 

the infant baptisms in more mod- 
ern times. It may in part be accounted 
for by the fact persons not in full com- 
munion, were allowed to present their 
children in this ordinance. Frequent 
records are made to this effect. Certain 
persons renewed their covenant and be- 
came entitled to baptism for their chil- 
dren. Besides 32 persons were receiv- 
ed into full communion ; a few by letter, 
the rest by profession, and a large pro- 
portion were heads of families. These 
additions were scattered along, equally 
over the time of his pastorate. There 
was no special ingathering at any one 
time, and this constant increase would 
indicate faithfulness on the part of the 
pastor and a healthful growth of the 



church; and.it is probable that others 
were received into the church besides 
those who appear on the record. 

The church chose its first deacons in 
1733: Amos Rice, Thomas Laughton, 
and Nathaniel Holmes. Mr. Farrar 
was dismissed May 12, 1784, by an 
ecclesiastical council in which were repre- 
sented the churches in Westminster, and 
Hinsdale, and Chesterfield, N. H. 

May 31st. the town voted to accept, 
the referees : John Sessions, Luke 

Knowlton, and John Bridgman, mutu- 
ally chosen on the l£th Inst, by Mr. 
Farrar on one part, and the church and 
town committee on the other. July 
’22 d., the town voted to have the select- 
men and their investors take the deed 
of Rev.* Joseph Farrar, in behalf of 
the town. Also, voted n muni mo tody 
to secure John Shepherd Gates, Will- 
iam Boyden, and Thomas Clark, the 
present selectmen, who have taken the 
deed of Mr. Farrar in behalf of the 
town, and make good all cost and dam- 
tages that may accrue to them by reason 
of any suit or suits brought against them 
on account of their obligations given as 
aforesaid. In September the committee 
settled with Mr. Farrar and paid him 
the amount due on his salary. 

Some information concerning 

THE REV. JOSEPH FARRAR 

and family. Neither the church rec- 
ords, nor the town records of Duimner- 
ston, furnish any information in regard 
to Rev. Joseph Farrar’s place of resi- 
dence before he was settled here in the 
ministry or 'where he >vent after his 
dismission. During the summer of 
1882, we chanced to see a copy of the 
u History of Marlboro, N. II.” and 
learned several families, having the 
same name, Farrar, resided in that town. 

This history and a correspondence 
with the author, Charles A. Bemis, fur- 



DUMMERSTON. 



85 



nished this information . The name 
Farrar signifies iron, and was, doubt- 
less, first used to designate a locality 
where that metal was found. As a fam- 
ily name it was first known iu Englaud 
from Walkeline de Farrars, a Norman 
of* distinction attached to W illiam, Duke 
of Normandy, before the invasion of 
1066. From him, all of the name, in 
England and America, are descended. 
His son, Henry de Farrars, was the first 
of the family to settle in Englaud, soon 
after the Conquest. The family became 
very numerous in England. Among 
the original proprietors of Lancaster, 
Mass., were two brothers, John and Ja- 
cob, as early as 1653. Tradition says 
they came from Lancashire, England. 

Jacob, left his wife and children in 
England till a new residence was pre- 
pared for them iu Lancaster, J658. He 
died gn Woburn, Mass., 1677. His eld- 
est son, Jacob, b. in England, probably 
about 1642, m. 1668, Hannah, dau. of 
George Hayward. He was killed by 
the Indians, Aug. 22, 1675. George, 
second son of Jacob Jr., b. Aug. 16, 
1670, m. Sepl. 9, 1692, Mary Ilowe, 
and settled iu that part of Concord, now 
Lincoln. He died May 15, 1760. Ilis 
wife d. Apr. 12, 1761. Darnel, the 
secoud son of George and Mary (Ilowe) 
Farrar, b. Nov. 30, 1696; m. Hannah 
Fletcher ; settled in Sudbury, and died 
about 1755. Josiah, the eldest son of 
Daniel, b. Sept. 1722 ; m. 1745, Han- 
nah Taylor of Northboro. Her father, 
John Taylor, was a man of considerable 
note and a tovy of the Revolution, whose 
name was borne by a former govenor 
of New Hampshire, John Taylor Gil- 
man. Daniel, a brother of Josiah was 
horn in 1 724 ; in. 1748, Mary — . 

Phiueas, a son of Josiah, was the 
father of Calvin, whose eldest daughter, 
Caroline Eliza, married Levi Brown of 



Waterford, Maine, and became the 
mother of Charles Farrar Brown whose 
nom de plume was “Artemas Ward.” 

Rev. Joseph Farrar was the third 
and youngest son of George P'arrar of 
Lincoln, Mass., and was boru probably 
in that town, June 30, 1744. He was 
doubtless, a great-grandchild of George 
Farrar, b. 1670, and whose death oc- 
curred in 1760. He graduated at Har- 
vard college, 1767, and married July 
28, 1779, Mary Brooks of Grafton, 
Mass., b. Feb. 4, 1755, and who lived 
to be over one hundred years old and 
celebrated her one-hundreth birth-day 
by attending church. Rev. John J. 
Putman preached, on the occasion, from 
Prov. XVI. 3. “The hoary head is a 
crown of glory, if it be found in the 
way of righteousness.” 

The history of Dublin, N. PI., states 
that Rev. Joseph Farrar was the first 
settled gospel minister in that town, or- 
dained June 10, 1772 ; dismissed June 
4, 1 776, and enlisted in the Revolution- 
ary army, serving for a time as chap- 
lain and leaving the army became the 
first settled minister in Dummerston. 

Alter leaving Dummerston he became 
the first settled pastor in Eden, 1811 ; 
(Vol. II. Vt. His. Gaz) ; 1815, remov- 
ed to Petersham, Mass., where he died 
Apr. 5, 1816, aged 72 years. Children 
of Rev. Joseph and Mary Brooks P\ir- 
rar : 

Joseph, b. Apr. 4, 1780; resided in 
Petersham, Muss. 

Mary, b. Oct. 18, 1781, died Apr. 
13,1786; 

Joel, b. July 28, 1784. died April 
13, 1786; 

Rouel, born Nov. 5, 1786 ; settled in 
Petersham, Mass ; 

Anna, b. Feb. 10, 1789. Sally, b. 
Jan. 20, 1794; 

Humphrey, b. Aug. 13, 1798; set- 
tled in Petersham, Mass. 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



86 

The salary of Rev. Mr. Farrar was 



40 pounds or $133 2-3 a year. A part 
of his salary was paid in hard money , 
the rest In produce and wood. June 
15, 1782, the town 

u Voted to except ?m, Negus & 
Lieut. Leonard Spaulding, to provide 
wood (24 cords) for Mr. Farrar one 
year from this Day for Ten Dollars or 
three Pounds/' 

MARRIAGES BY REV. JOSEPH FARRAR, 

Elijah Town fur d Mar y Heed, June £9, J 780. 
Samuel Kelley, Margaret Howe, July ft, 17^0. 
IcU&botl Knapp, Cat y Miller, Dec. 10, 17S0* 

S m i tb Butler , Than Irfu 1 II oufi h low , L>e c ,20 1 78i). 
Samuel E/nlgJit, Susanna Rui£rv> <Jmi. A J7S0. 
JoLiu Miller, Polly D.i veil port, Apr. I. L78L 
Nathan Davis* Bet ty Negtn* May 10, 17*1, 

J a be z Rli fc) er , Del v vgmnce W h U n oy , M tty f 1 7^ 1 . 
Isaac Roy cl cn f E M sa betU Li uigU ton, J an, 1 7* 1 . 
J ou ns l A ve r n .iuve , SaraU Wt \ otTbury , Jtine,178L 
Jolm Frenc.li, Rebecca Hayward* Nov. 1731. 
David Baugh ion, Mary Spaulding, Nov.2D*j 7£U. 
Silas GateS, Mary Laughton, Dec. 4, 17SL 
David Dutton . Polly Higgins, Jah, 3, 1783* 

T hos, Bu mil am Dell ve v?n ce G rahtun , .J an , 1 752 
Ezekiel Rice, Judith WRUuU May, 22, 17*2* 
John Burnham, Rhode, Wilson, July, 3, 17*3. 
GWs. Wilder, S a rail Spaulding, Get. 27, 1733* 
Win. Miller, Hannah Worden, Nov. 10, 17SL 
Abel Haven, Rachel French, Nov* 21, 1782* 
David Bourl, Patty Sargeaut, Dec, US3, 

Samaei Gate 8* SusiHuiali Laughton, IkRi, 1, 1732* 
Samuel Negus, Sarah Cook, Jan* 3d. 17SS. 

Asa French, Merry Rice, Apr. 17, 1763, 

Chas, Davenport Jr,, .Polly Wood. Mays, J7fi3, 
Ef iab JB town , lie lief -Ha v v n , < >e t,. 8 , 1 754. 

Jessie Knight j Bethany Perry, Nov* Gj 1738. 

MARRIAGES BY JON A- KNIGHT ESQ. 
Marshal) Mf11et\WRl* Abigail RovdCu, Nov I77S- 
Natha, Haven, VY id, Eunice Fuit, May, 1770, 
John Ha&cy, Mary Pratt, May 15, 1782. 

John Hilt, Meribali, Perry, June 3, J7S4* 
Lemuel Graham* Eunice Bn mam, Aug. 10 1784, 
Lemuel Stoddard, Polly Thomas, Oct. 21, J7S*. 
BenJ. Alvord, Katherine, Davenport, Nov.lTHL 
Asa Wilder, With Joanna Crawford, Dec. 1784, 
Abraham Rice, Lucy Nurse, Fell. 17,1785. 
Ebcnczer Brooks, Sura.li Bliss, Apr. 1785. 
Samuel Kelley, Rebeeea Cheat, May 17, 1735, 
John Hill, Molly Graham, Mar. S, 1738. 

MARRIAGES BY JUDGE JASON DUNCAN 
TO 1188. 

Joseph Shaw, Elijah etli Thomas, June 30, 17B5 
Samuel Laughton, Anna Spaulding Dec. 14, 178G 
John Wyman Jv. , Susannah Cole, Nov. 22, 1786 
Jacob Laughton, Lydia Crosby, Aug, U, ITS 7. 
Arad Holton, Rebecca Houghton, May 3S r 17S7 
Thos. IL Bamcs, Duaxy Negus, Dec. 2(f* 1787, 
Da ole) Davenport, Hannah Rice'Jan.Slj J7ST 



Andrew Willard, Caty Rice, Mar, G, 1737- 
Sam’l Nichols, Dolly Blorlgct, Dec* 30, 17S7. 
Jana, Boyden, Ruth JtoJTerSOu, Mar. 13,1757- 
Jesye HUcheth, Lucy Sevety, 5 opt, 10, 1787. 
Ebetiz, Barber, Rebecca Alvord, Oct* 1787* 

Alter the dismission of Mr. Farrar, 

REV, AARON CROSBY 
was employed in the ministry. The 
records of the church during his minis- 
try, as well as previous to it, are very de- 
fective. Mr. Crosby commenced his 
ministry in 1784* and preached about 
3 years without Settlement, His sala- 
ry was raised from year to year by the 
town. In December 1786. a call was 
given to him to settle and a salary a Sev- 
ered to him, £G6 per year, to be paid in 
grain. One third part in wheat at. 4s. 
8d. per bushel : onefhird in Indian corn 
at 2s. Sd. 

Mr. Crosby accepted the call and the 
salary giving auy individual tax payer 
liberty to pay his share of it. in either 
kind of grain that would be most con 
veu lent for him to spare. This privi- 
lege was given on condition that it be 
paid within three or four months when 
it, became, due. During Mr. Crosby’s 
ministry ihere were 180 baptisms and 
about 50 admissions lo the church. 

Difficulties arose in the town in those 
days ; and an unhappy contest was eon- 
inued for a long time, relating to the 
“ministerial lot of land/' Some per- 
son engaged in this contest, destroyed 
the town -records, extending over eight 
pages ; and as no church records were 
kept, no particulars can be given. 

All that is to be found on the church 
b ook i s th e rec < >rd o f bap tism s and at t- 
missions. By those who remember 
Mr. Crosby, he Is said to have been “a 
good man } n but in the latter part of 
Ids ministry, “an abused man*” 

There was a meeting of the church 
May 8, 1804* for the purpose of dis- 
missing of the pastor. The reason giv- 



DUMMERSTON. 



87 



en for asking a dismission was u want 
of health.” The church voted to com- 
ply with his request. Four churches 
were represented in the council ■ Brat- 
tleboro, New fane, Marlboro, and West- 
minster, The council met May 10, 
1804, Rev, Heackiah Taylor, pastor 
of the church in Newfhne, was chosen 
moderator, and Rev. Sylvester Sage of 
Westminster was appointed scribe. Af- 
ter Mr, Crosby made a statement of 
the condition of his health and of his 
desire not to be a hindemnee to t esta 
ted minis! rati on a of tli e wo r cl an d ordi- 
nances of the gospel, the council express- 
ed the unanimous opinion that it was 
expedient that his re .quest should be 
granted- The clmn h appears to have 
been in a harmonious state, were attached 
to their minister, and parted reluctantly 
with him, as also did the council- 

Mr. Crosby removed to New fane and 
resided during the remainder of his life 
with a son who owned a farm there, — 
[As recorded in the history of Newfane, 
as a I so a n acco nut o f his death . — Et> , ] 

Children of Rev. Aaron Crosby and 
Mary , h is w i fe T w ere : M ary 1 horn Now 
25 1 177b, at Cherry Valley, New York ; 
Eli, b. Nov. 7, 1 778, at Rlanford, Mass. 

After Rev". Joseph Farrar, the first 
settled minister in town was dismissed, 
the town voted, a sum of money to sup 
ply the pulpit, and in 1785, the Rev. 
Aaron Crosby was paid for that ser- 
v i co , a n d be cam e a fro r w ar d , th e seco i id 
settled minister for this town. 

Oct. 17, 1785, the town 
“ vo ted to raise money or Produce to 
pay the Rev' d Aaron Crosby for the 
Half year which is to come.” 

John Miller, a grandson of the col- 
lector, has in his possession the original 
bill of which the following copy is 
made : 

u To John Miller one of the collectors 
for the town of Dummesrtou for the 



Present year 1785, You are hereby 
Commanded to Collect the Three fol- 
lowing Rates as they are Respectively 
set against each mans Name of each 
Man and in the Articles as they arc 
Written over the Head of each Tin to 
The first is to pay the Rev, hi Aaron 
Crosby for his Years Preaching to be 
collected forthwith and paid into the 
Town Treasurer. The Second Name- 
ly* the Stock Rate, they are to have 
the Stock ready by the first Day of 
M ay Next to ans w e r a N o t e w h i c h Mr. 
Levi Baker lias against the Selectmen . 
The third Rate Namely the Hard Mon- 
ey Rate to be paid by the first Day of 
March Next, to the Town Treasurer 
which you arc to collect & pay as afore- 
said and is to Answer a note which 
said Baker lias against, the Selectmen, 
N. R. For the RevM Aaron Crosby 
The Wheat at 4-8 d. Rye at 3 -Id and 
Indian Com at 2-Sd pr Bushel. 

Given under our Hands in Dummera- 
ton this 19th of Decfbf i 785. 

Th ? s Clark 1 c . , 

Wra. Boy dci i j Selectmon ' 



RATE BILL FOR MINISTER TAX I7&L 
Tills first Rate to be paid in Grain ; 
Xtrisseecnid RiLe to be paid in Neat Stock ; 
Tills third rate Rate to he paid Ui Hard 
Atony : 



Aroliebel Woods* 
Xatfiicl Homes, 
Joshua Rutzms* 
Saelii'iali Cutler, 
Samuel IIow t 
William Lcnovd, 
William Crtiford, 
BosTU frtvneh, 

LeoWd Spaulding, J u 
Seth Hudson, 

Jonas Livermore J 
Moses Givers, 

Jonas Liven no re. 
Bmi&h Putman* 
Jonas Warber* 
AshbU Johnson, 
Shephard Gats, 

Capt. John Katlian, 
Jolm Kathan Ju, 

J oh n hate j' { FI orida) 
Elcxaudcr Katlum 



0 3 H It 01 7 f;Q0 S3; 
0 147 2; 0 7 33;0 3 30; 
0 2ft l ; 0 i 2 3 ; 0 0 7 0; 
0 2 3 0; 0 l 1 2; 0 0 GO; 
0 3 4 0; 0 i SI; 0 0 0 0; 
0 G 0 0; 0 li 4 3; 0 I G 0; 
0 2 3 0 ; 0 1 12; 0 0 GO; 
0 10 0; 0 a tfQ;0 1 0 D; 
. 0 3 4 0 1 & 1; 0 0 0 0; 

0 7 210; 0 Ml 1; 0 l 0 0, 
0 53 0;0 27'2;0 i 2 0; 
0 7 8 0; 0 310 0;0 i 8 2; 
0 1010 2; 0 5 51; 0 2 5 0; 
0 G 0 0; 0 3 4 2;0 1 G 0; 
0 12 31 1 ; 0 6 5 0; 0 2 10 2; 
0 0 0 0;0 410 2;0 3 2 0; 
018 0 0; 0 0 42;0 420; 
0 0 0 Q; 0 7 n0; 0 3 3 2; 
0 0 0 0: 0 “ 102; 0 3 0 0; 

0 11 7 %\ 0 5 9 2; 0 2 7 0; 

1 2 1 2; 01 03; 0 41 11 0; 



88 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



John K attain 3d 
Daniel Kattain Ju. 
Ebenezer Haven, 
Abel Haven, 
Joseph Haven, 
Jonathan Knight, 
Solomon Cook, 



0 3 4 «;0 181;0 0 9 
0 2 3 0;0 I 13; 0 0 6 
0 19 lo 2;0 9 111; 0 4 5 
0 5 .7 2; 0 2 9 3; 0 1 3 

0 5 3 0; 0 2 7 2; 0 1 2 

1 l 9 0; O' 10 10 2; 0 4 10 
0 5 3 0; 0 2 7 2; 0 1 2 



Vespacbent Miller, 01310 2; 0 0U1;0 3 1 
Samuel Knight, 0 4 0 0; 0 2 30; 0 1 0 
Wm. Boy den, 1 1 9 0; 0 10 102; 0 4 10 

David Laughton, 0 2 3 0; 0 1 12; 0 0 6 

BC&rchel Miller i 0 1130;0573;0 2C 

John Miller, 0 11 3 0; 0 5 72; 0 2 0 

Lemuel Spalding, 0 10 1 3; 0 8 0 3; 0 3 7 

Berziler Bice, 0 7 6 0; (I H 9 0; 0 18 

Iiose Miller, 1 5 10 3; 0 12 U 1; 0 5 9 

Daniel lvathanSd, 1 510 2; 0 12 11 1; 0 f> 9 

John Kill ibry, 0 li II 1 ; 0 8 53;0 2 10 

Gideeu Bavnam, 02 30; 0 1 12.0 0 G 

Jabez Butler, 0 3 42;0 8 0 1; 0 0 9 

Elijah Town Ju; 013 1 2; 0 6 6 3; 0 5 11 

Thomas Holton, 015 0 0; 0 7 G 0; 0 8 4 

Sam’l Laughton Ju.O 1C 10 2: 0 8 5 1; 0 3 9 

Joseph Temple Jr. 9 12 6 3;0 6 31; 0 2 5 
Lem’l Davenport, 010 6 0:0 5 3 0: 0 2 4 
Joseph Nurse, 09 00:0 4 00:020 
Henry Stephens’ 0 6 4 2.0 3 2 1 ; 0 15 
John Butler, 010 1 2:0 5 5 1: 0 2 3 

Arad Holton, 01010 3.0 5 5 1: 0 2 5 

Asa Houghton, 0 460:02 30: 010 

Thomas turner, 05 03:02 6 2: 01 1 

Wm. Wiman, 09 00:04 00:020 

Abel Butler 0800:0 1 6 0:008 

Isaac Boy den, 07 GO: 03 90: 01 8 



0; 

0| 

o. 

0; 

0; 

o; 

0 ; 

0; 

0 ; 

0; 

0; 

0; 

0 ; 

0 : 

0; 

0 ; 

0; 

2 ; 

0; 

0 ; 

0; 

0 ; 

0 : 

2: 

0 : 

0 : 

0 : 

0 : 

0 : 

0: 

2; 

0 : 

0: 

0: 



Sel venus Ballard, 033 0: 0112:00 60: 
Thomas Clcson, 0 2 3 0:0 1 1 2:0 0 00: 
Thomas Laughton, 0 7 4 0: 0 3 8 0: 0 1 7 6: 

Total 31 15 6 2:1612 9 2: 7 G10 0: 

The Rev, Aaron Crosby’s salary was 
69 pounds or §220 a year. It is seen 
by the bill that he was paid in produce 
at the ’rate of 80 cents 'a bushel for wheal 
and 55 eta. f..u* rye, and 47 cents fo ; In- 
dian corn. Sept. 20, 1785, the town 

“Voted to raise a Penny on the Pound 
Valuation List lo pay the Rev’d Aaron 
Crosby for Preaching.” According lo 
that vote the “Valuation List” must 
have beeu £7626 in order to raise the 
£81 15s. Gd. as made out in the tax 
bill, nearly the half year’s salary as the 
vote was intended to raise. Samuel 
Williams History of Vermont, printed 
in 1794, revised in 1809, states that 
the Property Valuation of Dummerston 
in 1781, was £2970 ($9900) ? in 1791, 
£4978 ($16,593) ; and in 1806, it was 
$21,429. According to the vote and 
tax bill for 1785, the “Valuation List,” 
including the polls for that year, would 
be §25,420. This would make a grand 
list for the year, 1880, of $254,20.” 

After Mr. Crosby’s dismission, tlie 
church was without a stated pastor till 
Mar. 20, 1808 ; when 

REV. HOSKA BECKLEV 



Eplniam Jiawl, 
Win Sargent, 

Joel Knight, 
Thomas Baker, 
John Benn it, 
Oliver Hale, 

John Wyman, 
Calvin Butler, 
Daniel Gats, 
Nathan Cook, 
Daniel Davenport, 
Jesse Knight, 
Ichob Knap, 
Ebenezer Waigbt, 
Jacob Laughton, 
Paul Willson. 
Eliger Brown, 
Ebenezer How, 
Charls Wilder, 
Nathiel Haven. 



06 00. 
0 13 1 *2 : 
0 2 3 0; 
0 G 4 2. 
0 4 G 0: 
0 2 3 0: 
0 9 0 0: 
0 2 3 0: 
01S 9 0: 
0 2 7 0: 
0 3 0 0: 
0 3 4 2: 
0 S 5 1: 
0 5 3 0: 
0 2 3 0: 
0 3 4 2 : 
0 3 4 2 
0 3 4 2: 
0 3 4 2: 
0 8 9 3: 



0 3 0 0: 
0 6 6 3r 
0 112: 
0 3 2 1 . 
0 3 3 0 
0 112 
0 4 G 0 
0 112 
0 0 4 2: 
0 13 3: 
0 1 G 0: 
0 1 S 1 : 
0 4 2 3; 
0 2 7 2: 
0 1 12: 
0 18 1 : 
0 18 1 : 
0 19 1 : 
0 18 1. 
0 4 4 0: 



0 140; 
0 2 11 0; 
0 0 G 0: 
0 15 0; 
0 10 0; 
0 0 G 0: 
: 0 2 0 0 . 
.0060: 
:0 4 2 0 : 

: 0 0 7 0 : 
.008 0: 
.0 0 9 0: 
0 111 0 : 
0 12 0 : 
0 0 6 0: 
0 0 9 0; 
0 0 9 0: 
0 0 9 0 : 
0 0 9 0: 
0 1 11 2 . 



was settled. He received his call Jan. 
26th. and was ordained Mar. 2, 1808, 
by a council of which Rev. Gessham 
Lyman was moderator and Rev. E. D. 
Andrew, scribe. Nothing further was 
recorded about the ordination ; nor were 
there any records of the church kept 
by Mr. Beckley, during his ministry of 
23 years. After preaching a few years, 
he was dismissed and was absent for a 
short time, when he again received a 
call from the church ; was installed and 
remained till 1836. There have subse- 
quently been recorded, 150 names of 
persons, who joined the church during 
his ministry. Forty were admitted at 
one time. He was the author of a 



DUMMEESTON. 



89 



History of Vermont which he had 
nearly prepared for the press, when 
he was suddenly arrested by death- 
leaving no other patrimony to hie 
bereaved Family, but the work in 
manuscript, upon which he had be- 
stowed much labor, and which was 
published in 1846, for the benefit of 
his widow. Ho died Oct 15, 1848, 
xE. 64 years. Rev, Amos. Foster of 
Putney preached the funeral ser- 
mon, taking for his text. Precious 
in the sight of the Lord is the death 
of his saints. Pe. 116:15. 

Lydia Pierson, wife of Mr. Reek- 
ley died May 6, 1857, M 71 years 10 
mos. SO d. 

“The History of Chester lie! d/ J N. 
H., by Oran Randall, pub. 1882, in- 
forms us : Lydia Pierson, wife of 
Rev, Hosea Reckley, was a direct 
descendant of Rector Pierson, the 
first p resident of Yale College. 
Their daughter, Jane Louisa, m. 
1st, Oct 5, 1840, Nelson W., eon of 
Mason Herrick ; 2d, June, 1861, 
Alonzo 0. Wood. David Webster, 
eon of Rev. Hose a Berkley, m. May 
9, 1S49, Mary H. , dau. of Bela Chase, 
and lived in Chesterfield, where he 
engaged in trade for a time. He 
removed to Keene, where he died, 
April 15, 1879.— Con . 



EARLY SETTLERS CON- 
TINUED. 

ORVTS FAMILY, 

Samuel Obvis was from Framing- 
ham, Ct,, and came to Northfield, 
Mass., Jan. 30, 1718, where he was 
offered 30 acres of land, on condi- 
tion that he would come with his 
family and stay 4 years. In 1720, 
he sold land to Rev. Benjamin Doo- 
little and his home -lot to Stephen 
Belding. 

William Or vis was probably a son 
of Samuel, and born in Shrewsbury, 
Ct., 1709, no was in Winchester 
in 1743; Northfield, 1749, and died 



June 14, 1774. Hie first wife/ An- 
na, died Aug. 19, 1746. He mar- 
ried 2d, Martha, in 1750, who died 
Sept, 30, 1754, and in 1755, Eliza- 
beth Severance for his third wife. 
His son, William, born May S, 1740, 
removed to Leyden about 1785. He 
married about 1764, Min dwell, a. 
sister of Thomas Holton who after- 
wards was a resident of Dummers- 
ton, to which place William re- 
moved, and died Jan. 11, 1S01, aged 
61 years, 

William Or vis, sen. was in the 
old French and Indian wars. His 
name was on the roll of JA John 
Catlings men from Dec. 10, 1747, to 
June 10, 1748. Lfc. Gatlin, with 39 
men, was posted at Fort Shirley in 
the winter of 1747. The name of 
William Or vis also appears in the 
list of proprietors of Northfield, 
Mass., in 1751. He owned and paid 
taxes on 100 acres, lot No, 16, 4th 
division. He was in the last French 
and Indian war, 1756, and his name 
appears on Oapt. John Callings mus- 
ter roll, 2d Co., “in service at the 
westward/ 7 Oct 13 to Dec. 1L 
“History of Northfield by Temple 
and Sheldon. r! 

BUTLER FAMILY. 

Jabez Edtler was a Revolution- 
ary soldier. He died and was buried 
in the cemetery east of the Hollow. 
During his last sickness he re- 
quested that he might be buried 
with military honors. He was laid 
out, in his uniform, having on a 
military hat, boots and spurs. 

His sword was sheathed and fas- 
tened to a belt-buckle around his 
body. Thus uniformed he was laid 
in the coffin and buried with his 
head to the northwest and feet to 
southeast. Two graves, one each 
side of his, are made in the same 
way. No stone marks bis resting 
place. In accordance with his re- 
quest, a certain number of bricks 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



m 



was laid in mortar on his grave and ■ 
on that foundation was built a fence I 
three rails high* made of 3-inch 
scantling, set diamonding in the 
posts an a p ai n ted w bite. T I ie fen ce 
has long since gone to decay and the 
brick foundation broken up and 
much scattered. 

Abel Butler married Rebecca, 
dau. of Thomas Laughton, sen. 
Children: Rebecca, b, Apr. 24, 

1788; Abel, born Jam 5, 1790; Lucy, 
b. Apr* 4, 1792; Sally* b. 1794, d. 
1795; Sally (2d), b. Jan. 7, 1796; 
Candace, b. Apr. 12, 1798, 

Jarez Butler, brother of Abel, 
m. Deliverance Whitney, May 12, 
1781, a sister of Maj. Josiah Boy- 
den's wife. 

Silas Butler, brother of Abel, 
rm let, Mercy Orvis, May 15, 1796, 
2d* Sally McFarland, Jam 25, 1816. 
The children by the first marriage 
were Hiram, b. Apr, 14, 1799, Mer- 
cy, born June 14, 1S02; Maria, born 
Sept. 27, 1804, 

John Butler, another brother of 
Abel, married Lucy Hoyden, Oct, 
10, 1788. She was a sister of Col 
Win. Boy den, 

Polly Butler was a sister of Abel, 
Silas, Jabez, Calvin and John, She 
married Paid a (Pcrley) Town, Sept. 
5, 1808, and they lived at the “up- 
per mill" near the George Knapp 
place. Her parents died when she 
was young. 

Abigail, wife of John Butler, died 
May 10, 1785, aged 50, and they, 
John and Abigail, in ay have been 
the parents of these Butlers, though 
not certain. Possibly Paul Butler 
was their father, 

Abel and Rebecca Butler lived 
several years on the place now own- 
ed by Milton Knapp. They re- 
moved from town many years ago* 

Peter Butler married Betsey 
Laughton, Apr. 30, 1795. She was 
an aunt of Asa Laughton, who died 
1888. After the marriage of Peter, 
he lived for a time in the same 



house with Jabez Butler. The 
house stood on the north side of a 
little brook which runs through the 
farm of James Reed north of his 
buildings. A son of Peter, sis or 
eight years of age, was drowned 
while fishing with older children in 
the brook where it enters the land 
now owned by Sylvan us Kelley. 

Calvin Butler married Obedience 
Holton and the name of one child, 
Ira, is recorded, born Nov, 11, 1787. 

John Butler, who married Pkebp, 
Chase of Brattleboro, Aug* 7, 1791, 
lived where Lemuel Dickinson now 
resides. Their children were Whit- 
ney, b. Mny 12, 1792; Pbilinda, h. 
Mar, 19, 1796; Ora, b. Oct 15, 1798, 
John was a cousin of Abel Butler. 

Smith Butler m. Thankful 
Houghton, Dec, 20, 1780, who died 
Dec, 27, 1788, aged 27, 

Simeon Butler married Nabby 
Rice, June 10, 1789* 

Luther Butler married Hannah 
Wilson of Putney, Aug. 25, 1790, 

TEMPLE FAMILY. 

Moses Temple was the ancestor of 
the Temples who settled in Pum- 
mereton before 1770. According to 
the usual difference in time from 
generation to generation, he wu s 
born 1665. His son, Richard, was 
the father of 

JOSEPH TEMPLE, SEN., 

who was born about 1718* Joseph 
sen. was a native of Massachusetts 
and a cooper by trade* He married 
Mary, sister of Samuel Laughton. 
Children: 

Joseph, b. in Worcester, Mass., 
Dee. 23, 1743; Parm enas m. Anna, 
dau, of John Laughton jr* about 
1777. 

Amos, unmarried; Samuel m. wid- 
ow Wing; Daniel, unmarried ; Joanna 



DUMMERSTON. 



91 



married 1st. John Crawford, 2d. Aaron 
Wilder Dec. 26, 1784; 

Plicbe i 4 died of nervous headache." 

Joseph Sen,, Joseph Jr. and John 
Crawford were among the members of 
the Congregational church when first 
organised in 1779. 

Joseph Sen. set out seven small elms 
near his son’s house, now occupied by 
Alonzo Bradley. Only one of these 
trees is left standing. It measures 18 
feet around, is nearly 100 feet in height 
and estimated to contain 8 cords of 
wood. It stands in the roadside a few 
rods north of the bouse, and n statelier 
looking tree, the passer-by will seldom 
dud. 

It Is also Tela ted of Mr. Temple that 
on on e o ecasidn , when Ii e w as rett i rn- 
mg on horse-back from a vMt to Wor- 
cester, a violent, storm of wind arose. 
While passing through the woods, he 
savv trees felling in every direction end 
and J Lurried on eo escape the impending 
•danger. Soon after leaving the woods, 
Jie looked back and saw that die hurri- 
cane had swept down the whole forest 
through which he had just passed. The 
same storm did much damage in Bum- 
mer stem . On the Miller farm joining 
the Temple place, a wood lot was blown 
down, in which the cows out at past- 
ure, had taken refuge, and it was sup- 
posed that all i he cattle were killed by 
falling trees. On making search for 
the cows, the men took knives with 
t h ein for t h c pn rpo se of r cm o v i n g the 
h ides. As th cy app ro ach e d t h e woods , 
they heard the cow -hell sounding, and 
a?ery soon found all the cattle safe in an 
enclosure, made by the fallen trees, 
from which they could not escape till a 
passage was cut. 

JOSEPH TumpnE, jh., settled on lot, 
No. 3fi, in the town survey, made in 
1 707. He walked from Worcester, 



bringing what few things he had in a 
pack on his shoulders. His first work 
on the new farm was in cutting a large 
hollow bass-wood and fitting it for a 
place in which to sleep. He w as oblig- 
ed to build fires near his sleeping place 
at night in order to keep away wild 
a n i mal s . H is log-h ouse w as bu il t a b o li t 
70rods h S, Wi from the present build- 
ings on the farm and its site may still 
be seen whenever the land is ploughed. 
That portion of the farm on which it 
stood, including several acres of fend 
was sold many years ago, and it is now 
a part of Joseph Miller’s (arm. Mr. 
Temples parents came from Worcester 
to live with him on his new homestead. 
His father was in poor health and died 
of consumption some years afterward. 

Joseph Jr,, -married 1st. Elizabeth 
W i 1 dor ai i d h ad t w o eh i Id ren t h at died 
in infancy . He married 2d, Lois Hub- 
bard of Chesterfield, N. H. She and 
her parents were residents of Rutland, 
Mass. , and her brother, Ephraim, 
came to Chesterfield before 1770. Her 
father married 1st., Ruth Gates, 2d, 
Sarah Billings. Lois, Ruth, and Eph- 
raim Hubbard Were children by the first 
marriage. Ruth m. Francis Maynard, 
Ephraim m. 1st. Lucy Willard, 2d. 
Thankful Butler, wkl. of Josiah But- 
ler. The children by the 2d marriage 
w e r e A m os , w 1 1 o in . Leah F a it ; 0 Fi - 

ver m. Lois Baker ; James m. — 

B r ow ni ng ; J o n atha u ; J oel m , Ph ebe 
Molly m, Jason Reed. 

The children of Joseph and Lois 
Temple were : 

Elizabeth, b. Oct. 27, 1772, m. An- 
thony Mason of Putney, Jan. 20, 1793 ; 

Lois, b. Jan. 1, 1775, m. Samuel 
Mill-dock* 

Sarah, b. June 21, 1778. m. Lewis 
Fisher of Putney, Feb. 19, 1806 ; 

Joseph, b. Jan. 18, 1781. 



92 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



The father of these children was in 
the skirmish at Westminster, Mar. 13, 
1775. lie was knocked down and, for 
a time, supposed to be dead. His skull 
was fractured on the left side of* the 
forehead, and the scar remained during 
life. He had a pewter basin, which he 
carried, with a blanket, in his knap- 
sack. It was hit by one- or two bul- 
lets which did not penetrate, but left 
depressions. The marks w r ere so plain- 
ly to be seen that the basin was kept, 
as a relic, in the family many years. 
At last a tin peddler secured the trophy 
for old pewter, but not by fair means. 
He took advantage of Joseph Temple’s 
(3d) good nature, crushed the basin 
with his hands, spoiling it for a relic, 
and then paid the price which Mr. Tem- 
ple asked for the spoiled dish. 

Joseph Jr., deeded the farm to his 
son, Joseph. Mar. 16, 1802, who m., 
Dec. 29, 1803, Amy, dau. of William 
Perry of Putney, a sea captain. Their 
children were : 

Amos, b. Sept. t), 1804, m. Maril- 
la Bennett. 

Amy, b. Jan. 24, 1807, m. Alfred 
Bennett, Nov. 12, 1829 ; 

Sally, b. 1809, married Calvin Brad- 
ley Nov. 12, 1829 ; 

Emeline, b. Dec. 12, 1814; Zilpha, 
b. Mar. 19, 1819, m. Willa d Dodge, 
Sept. 5, 1837. 

When Mr. Temple and wife became 
aged, he deeded the farm, Apr. 9, 
1859, to Alfred Bennett and continued 
to live with him on the old homestead. 

Mr. Bennett had four children : two 
died young. Harriet, his daughter, 
m. Alonzo Bradley ; Joseph F., his son, 
m. Augusta Bradley, and his father, 
Alfred, deeded the farm to him Jan. 8, 
1872. He died May 23, 1872, aged 
69. 

Joseph F. Bennett died Oct. 15, 1875, 
leaving a widow and one daughter. 



The three Joseph Temples and their 
wives died on the old homestead. Jo- 
seph Jr., died Mar. 23, 1832, aged 88 : 
Lois, his wife, d. June 23, 1829, aged 
88 ; Joseph (3d) died Mar. 16, 1870, 
aged 89 ; Amy, his wife, d. Aug. 3K 
1801, aged nearly 82. 

COL. WILLIAM SAICGEANT 
and Rachel, his wife, were residents al- 
also in this town as far back as Revolu- 
tionary times. Their children were ; 

Sarah, b. July 10, 1780; William 
Todd, Sept, i, 1782 ; Mary, Sept. 23, 
1784 ; James, Aug. 28, 1786; Jona- 
than, July 10, 1788; Benjamin, Dec. 
21, 1790; George, Dec 12, 1792 ; 
Charles, Oct. 9, 1794; and Lucretia, 
Mar. 28, 1797. 

JAdOK DL KCAN, 

Assistant judge of the county court 4 
years and town clerk 29 years, d. Dec. 
15, 1839, aged 90. Sarah Gates, his 
wife, died Sept. 13, 1842, aged 86 yrs. 
Their children were Joseph, born Aug. 
24, 1776. m. Miranda Taylor d. in 
Chester, 1863, aged 87 ; Jonas, b. Aug. 
15, 1778, d. Mar. 13, 1813 ; Jason, b. 
Sept. 18. 1780, tl. in Newfane; Silas, 
b. Mar. 12, 1783, d. Feb. 15, 1784; 
Priscilla, b. Feb. 15, 1785 ; Samuel, 
b. Feb. 15, 1788; Alvan, b. Nov, 19, 
1791, d. in Leicester, Mass.. Aug. 2, 
1813 ; Tyler, b. Aug. 8, 1794 ; Sarah, 
b. Mar. 19, 1797. 

Jason Duncan was the first school- 
teacher in town. When a young man, 
he taught a small school in a dwelling- 
house on the river road in the eastern 
part of the town. [It is, also stated ou 
page 36, that Charles Davenport taught 
the first school ] 

Samuel Duncan was a distant rela- 
tive of Dr. Abel and first cousin to 
Judge Duncan. Samuel lived and died 
on the place where Clark Rice once 
lived. No buildings are now standing 



DUMMEBSTON. 



93 



m the place He had a family of 11 
children. Samuel, his sou, died on the 
same place where his father had lived. 

The earliest record we have of the 
D u n can fam ily is th at o f 

JOHN DUNCAN 

and Sarah Button, who were bom in 
Massachusetts, probably, about. 1690. 
Their children were : Sarah, who m. 
Uriah Panneter of Sudbury, Mass. , 

John m. Sarah Rogers of Billerica ; 
Samuel m. 1st. Mehitabk Barton of 
Sutton, 2d. Hannah Livingston ; 

Daniel m. Sarah Rice of Conway ; 
Simeon m. Bridget Richardson of Ril 
[erica; xVlngail m. Samuel Slone, of 
Ireland. 

Billerica was first settled about, the 
year 1653, and among the names of the 
first principal settlers are John Rogers 
and Thomas Richardson, probably, an- 
cestors of the wives of John and Sim- 
eon Duncan. 

‘'During the French and Indian war, 
Aug. 5. 1G95, the Indians made an at- 
tack on the inhabitants of this place- In 
the northerly part of the town, on the 
east of Concord river, lived several 
families, who, though without garri- 
sons anti in time of war, felt no appre- 
hensions of danger. Their remoteness 
from the frontiers might have contrib- 
uted to their apparent Security. The 
Indians came suddenly upon them in 
th c d ny ti me . T h ey e n ter e d the h ou s e 
of John Rogers while he was sleeping, 
aud discharged an arrow at him, which 
entered his neck and pierced the jugu- 
lar vein. Awakened by this sudden 
attack, he started up, seized the arrow, 
which he forcibly withdrew, and expir- 
ed will the instrument of death in his 
hand. A woman being in the chamber, 
threw herself out of the window, and, 
though severely wounded, made her es- 
cape cmtealing lierself among the flags. 

A young woman was scalped aud 
left for dead but survived the painful 
operation, and lived many years after- 



wards. A son aud daughter of Mr. 
Rogers were made prisoners. Thomas 
Rogers and his son were killed. 1 * 

The children of Daniel and Sarah 
(Eire) Duncan were: Sally m. James 
Jackson of Petersham. Mass; 

John m. Rebecca Meacham of New 
Salem ; Daniel m. Zurvilhi Rice of' 
Worcester, Mass. 

Levina m. John Rice of Petersham ; 
Abel ni. Lydia Mills of Peters h am , 
about 1770 ; children : Abel Jr., b. in 
Petersham, Feb. 22, 1772; Nathan 
m. Betsey Whin of Chester ; Rufus 
ni. Lucy Kimbol of Chester : Anna m, 
Amos Heald of Chester ; 

Lucy m, Jason Duncan Jr. of Dum- 
m erst on ; Charles in. Parly Carter of 
W embers field ; Johnm. Caroline Hast- 
ings of Charlestown, N. H. ; 

Arad ; George ; Lydia m. Daniel 
Church of Chester. 

JOSEPH DUNCAN ESQ., 

was town clerk 37 years. He repre- 
sented the town in 1828, *29, '36, s 37. 
He lived on the paternal farm many 
years and was much respected as a cit- 
izen of the town. He was a consist- 
ent member of the Congregational 
church and a leader of the choir in 
singing for a long time. His father, 
Judge Duncan, had been leader of the 
choir after the church was organized in 
1779. 

-Joseph Duncan married Miranda 
'fay lo r , who died In Chester. Children b - 
i n D u m n ic r sto n : M Iran da, h . J uly 7 , 
1797 ; Joseph, Lu Dec. 14, 1798, m. 1st. 
31 a ri u Blake, 2 d . L o re tta S . P rat t, D ec . 
2, 1820 ; Silas, b. 1301, d. 1803 ; Or- 
sarnus, b. May 2, 1804 ; Sophia, born 
Mar. 23, lSlQ, m. Linus Williams Aug. 
5, 1334 ; Samuel, & b. Sept. 27, 1812, 

m.- Hoyt, Eliza A., b. Jan. 

20, 1815, m. Edwin Bemis. 



VERMONT HISTORIC A L MAGAZTN E . 



94 



DR. ABEL DUNCAN 

married Lydia Miller dau. of Hosea 
and Lydia (West) Miller, born in D a tu- 
rners ton Nov- 8, 1778; married Aug. 
28, 1805 ;■ — 

Children : Charles Morris ,born duly 

l, ISOS, married Lucinda Eatabrook 
of Braftieboro, dau, of John Estabrook 
and Lucinda Stock well, his wife, Aug. 
1833, Fanny Maria, b, June 22, 1810, 

m. Joel Knight Jr. Jan, 1, 1829; 
Lydia Eveline, b, Aug, 1, 1313, m. 

Marshall Newton, Apr. 4, 1833, 

Mrs, Duncan died in 1809, aged 90, 
The spotted fever, a violent epidemic, 
raged in town in the winter of 1812-13, 
and many died. Dr. Abel Duncan was 
very active and successful, but at length 
was attacked with the fever, himself, 
and died Mar, 5, 1813, aged 42 years. 
Dr. C. M. Duncan was a son of Dr. 
Abel Dun can and was in practice for 
a time. He removed to Sherburne, 
Mass. 

S i meo n Du aean , w h o m a me d R r i dg- 
et Richardson, was the father of Judge 
Jason Duncan, who died in Du miners- 
ton , Dec . 15,1839, aged 9 0 years . Ja- 
son Duncan and Dr. Abel Duncan 1 ® fa- 
ther were cousins. The Judge married 
S am h G ates abo tit 177 4 . 

OR. SEWELL WALKER, 
an early physician of Du miners ton, 
was the seventh son of Jonas and Sa- 
rah (Davis) Walker, born March 10, 
1796, He m. 1st. Lucratia, daughter 
of Marshall Miller, Children : Lucre- 
tia, b. Aug. 6, 1825, married Pliny F. 
Walker ; 

Esther, b. Mar. 2G, 1828, m. Loren- 
zo D . T h ay c r ; A lexa u de r G . , b . S ept , 
2G- 1829, m. and lives in Farley, Iowa, 
Dr. Walker, m. 2d, Catharine Be- 
mie, Oct, 21, 1838. 



The children of Jonas aud Polly 
(Miller) Walker were Laura, b, Nov. 
28, 1814, m. Mason Bennett; Levi M. 
b. May 25, 1816, m. 1st, Mrs. A dal in e 
Winslow, 2d,, Priscilla Sampson ; 

Jonas b. 1818, d. 1826 ; George W. 
b. Sept. 25, 1822, m. Susan Dutton ; 
Emily, b. May 30, 1726, m, James 
Brown : 

Eliza, b. Sept. 1, 1827, m. B* J. Smith ; 
Jane b, Aug. 4, 1831, in. Anthony 
Huntley; Caroline, b. Aug, 7, 1819, 
died 1820, 

The children of Daniel and Mary 
(Stock well) Walker were ; Dana, born 
Apr. 30, 1809, m. — — , 

Joel, b. Sept. 9, 1810* m. - — ; 

Sally, b. 1812, d. 1834 : 

Edson, b, Oct, 27, 1813, m. ; 

Harriet N,. b, Apr, 24, 1815, m. 1st. 
Win, Bennett, 2d, Marcus Perry ; 

Relief, b. Sept. 15, 1817, ui. Gran- 
ville French ; 

Mary* b. Dec, 14. 1819, m. — — 
Eaton of New Salem* Maas. 

Daniel 2d. b. 1822, d. 1854 ; Sam- 
uel N,, b. Apr. 1824, married Julia A. 
Miller ; 

Yliny F,, b, J une 4. 182G,m, Lucre- 
tia Walker, 

The children of Reuben and Lydia 
(Mi Her ) W al k or we re : 

Luc ret ia, b. Sept. 26, 1822, m. Sam- 
uel Martin ; 

Chester H., b. Jan. 5, 1824, m. 
Sarah Martin ; 

Julia and Jane, Feb. 23, 1828 ; Jane 
d. young, Julia m. Charles E. Taft. 

Horatio N,, b. Jan. 17, 1830, m. 
Carrie French ; 

Marshall, b, Dec. 12, 1831, m. Nel- 
lie Fairbanks ; 

Sarah R., b. Jan. 31, 1839, m. Dr* 

Clark. 

Phine&B. the eldest brother of Dr* 



DTTMMEBSTON. 



95 



Sewall Walker married Anna New- 
ton. Their children were: Louisa, 

born Dee. 17, 1310; Lyman P. ? b. 
June 19, 1812; Elvira, b. Apr. 11, 
1314. 

Dr. Walker prosecuted his pro- 
fessional studies with Doctor Alex- 
ander Campbell, then of Putney, and 
received the degree of M. D. from 
the Academy of Medicine at Castle- 
ton, Dec, 2, 1823. He was elected 
a member of the Medical Society of 
Middlebury, Vt. June 19, 1832, at a 
meeting of the Society held at Mid- 
dlebury at that time. He had pre- 
viously been elected a member of 
the Dartmouth Medical Society at 
Hanover, Nov. 2, 1320, He was 
elected a member of the Vermont 
Second Medical Society, established 
in the County of Windham, June 
14, 1324. He commenced the prac- 
tice of medicine in his native town 
where the whole of his professional 
life was spent. He was twice mar- 
ried. His second wife survived him 
several years. Ho lived with his first 
wife, Lucre tia Miller, 13 years. 
She was the mother of three chil- 
dren, now living. The death of Dr. 
Walker was a severe public loss, 
having fulfilled the dutiesof hie pro- 
fession for about 40 years. He at- 
tended faithfully upon the sick ones 
committed to his care, never neg- 
lecting his patients, and his success 
was equal to his fidelity. The dis- 
ease which terminated his life was 
an attack of the lungs. He died 
Aug. 14, 1868, aged 66 years. 

Mary, second daughter of Jonas 
Walker (overlooked in the foregoing 
record) b. Apr. 1834, m. first. Loyal 
Smith, 2d, Benj. F. Willard. 

For Portrait see froniisplate* 

DR. THOM AS AMS DEN 

was a resident in 1778. (Of whom 
we have no further particulars.) 

DR. ISAAC N. KNAPP 

was a contemporary of Dr, Walker; 
both were physicians in 1831, and 



both had a long and extensive prac- 
tice. Dr. Knapp died Aug. 23, 
1856, aged 67. 

DR. THOMAS BAKER, 

[ The candid Doctor ,] 
Came to this town from Oxford, 
Mass., 1783. It is said, on one oc- 
casion in his practice, he was called 
to see a sick person in the evening, 
but not being in a condition to deal 
out medicine, intelligently, at the 
time, as members of the family no- 
ticed, his prescription was not used. 
Very early, next morning, the Doc- 
tor came in haste and asked excited- 
ly about the patient and the medi- 
cine. Alter learning that the medi- 
cine had not been given as he order- 
ed, he said, after looking at it, 
“You did well not to give it to the 
woman, for if you had it would have 
killed her dead as the devil.” “The 
fact is,” said he, “people wait till 
they are almost dead, then send for 
drunken Dr. Baker, 

JONAS WALKER 

died Feb. 13, 1817, aged 67; Sarah 
Davis, his wife, d. 1831, aged 76. 
Their children were; Phineas, b. 
Get. 11, 1779; Jonas, b. June 35, 
1781; Daniel, b. July 11, 1783; Ly- 
man, b. June 25, 1785; William, b. 
May 22, 1787; Sally, b. March 15, 
1790; John, b> Jan. 29, 1793; Be- 
wail, b. March 10, 1796, and Reu- 
ben, b. Mar. 29, 1798. 

CLARK FAMILY. 

Thomas Clark, a resident of this 
town in 1770, came from Worcester, 
Maes. That portion of Worcester 
in which he lived, together with 
parts of Sutton, Leicester, and Ox- 
ford, was incorporated a town by the 
name of Ward in 1778, and was so 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



named in honor of Artemns Ward, i 
the first Major-General in the Revo-! 
lutionary war, who died at Shrews- 
bury, Oct. 28, 1800. It received 1 
the name of Auburn, in 1887. Mr. 
Clark married Catherine Ward, 
about 1772; children: T had dens, 

b. May 13, 1775, d. Sept. 17, 1777 ; 

Thomas, b. July 20, 1777, m. 
Mrs. Martha (Tenney) Bond, Dec. 
27, ISIS; 

Thaddeus, b. Mar. 2, 1779, mar* 
ried Chatlierine Ryan of Putney, 
died — 

Jonas, b* July 29, 1781, m. Bet- 
sey Florida, Jan. 16, 1803; 

Amasa, b. Oct. 24, 1783, m* 1st, 
Arathusa Whitcomb, 1813 ; 2d, 

Phebe (Boydeu) Demis; 

Gardner, b, Nov. 28, 1785, d. 
July 12, 1825; 

Catherine, b* May S, 1788, m. 
Ezra Florida, Nov. 26, 1811; 

Polly, b. Aug. 24, 1790, m. 1st, 
John Robertson, Mar. 28, 1814 ; 2d, 
Samuel Knight, 1844; 

John, b. Mar. 31, 1795, m. Sarah 
Stock well, June 10, 1818, died — — . 

Thomas and Catherine Clark 
lived to be quite aged. He died 
Jan. 26, 1837, aged 91; she died 
May 3, 1834, aged 84. 

Children of Thomas and Martha 
Clark: Martha, b. Oct 30, 1819, 
married William E. Ryther of Bern - 
ardston, Mass. Mary, b. July 25, 
1823, m. let, George Hildreth, 2d, 
Alonzo Dutton; Thomas, b. Apr. 
19, 1825, m. Julia A. Adams of 
Marlboro; 

Eli, b. May 4, 1828, m. Cornelia 
Hubbard of Roy ala ton, Massachu- 
setts* Thomas died Nov. 24, 1865, 
aged 88; Martha, his wife, died, 
1840, aged 55. 



Jonas and Betsey Clark had a 
daughter, Catherine, who m. Orrin 
Heath of Corinth, also a son, John. 
Jonas d. Dec. 22, 1866, aged 85, 

Children of Amasa and, Arathusa 
Clark: Catherine T,, b. Oct. 3, 1814, 
m. John Woodbury; 

Caroline A. m. Alvin D. French. 
She died and he married, 2d, Mrs. 
Phebe (Boydeu) Remis, and had one 
son, Charles A., who married Ellen 
Farr of Chesterfield, N. H. 

Amasa died Nov, 30, 1866, aged 
83. Catherine, who married Ezra 
Florida, died Sept. 27, 1827. Mary 
(Polly), her sister, died Jam 2,1S83, 
aged 92, 

When her first husband, Mr, Rob- 
ertson, died, and his property was 
settled she offered to take, as her 
share, a piece of land worth $1500, 
but the heirs preferred to give her 
$100 a year instead so long as she 
lived. The amt* paid to her by the 
heirs was $4,300. 

John married Sarah Stock well, 
Mar. 31, 1818; their children: John 
S. m* Louisa, an adopted daughter 
of Thaddeus Clark. 

George W. married Mary Ann 
Boy den. Sept. 2, 1844; 

Laura m. Dr. A. F, Tuttle' of 
Clinton, Mich; 

Charles F. ; Jane m. Enoch G. 
Cook; Fletcher M. 

James Clark married Betsey Dun- 
can, Oct. 14, 1800. 

Nathaniel and Lydia Clark were 
the parents of Warren, b, 1809, and 
Ferdinand, b. 1810. 

Moses Clark married Lucy Cook, 
June 10, 1810. 

Arba Clark m. 1st, Laura Knight. 
Jan. 18, 1820; had one son, Osman; 
married 2d, Catherine Black, July 
26, 1S35. 



JOHN FRENCH, 

who tended the first grist-mill built 
in town, at Slab Hollow, was born 
July 2, 1735; Mary Wilcox, his 
■ wife, June 22, 1740, m. Dec. 10, 
1 1759. Children: 

1 John, b. Oct. 10, 1760, d. Mar. 17, 







ELIJAH RICE 




ANNA MILLER RICE. 




DUMMKRSTON. 



97 



1647, aged 67; Sarah, bom Mar. 26 
1762; 

Rachel, b. Mar. 28 T 1764, m, Abel 
H av m ; I cliabod , b, Nov. 26, 1767.; 

Abel, b* Max. 3, 1769: Mary, born 
JSbv* 24, 1770 -■ 

Reuben, b. July 11, 1772; Jemima, 
b> June 24. 1774^ Silence, born June 
13, 1773 ; 

Joel , b . Dec- TO, 1773, died 1 7 79 ; 
Joel 2d., b. Mar. 31, 1780; 

Rebecca, I). June,, 1 783 ; Solomon, 
h. Apr. 9, 1 765, Sarah married 1 all- 
a bod Onion, and when she died, he 
married Jemima for his second wife. 
Their children had the name. Onion 
changed to Doming. 

MARSHALL MMXlSH 

married widow Abigail Boy den, Nov. 

17, 1778. Their children were : Abi- 
gail, b* July 30, 1779, died Get. 13, 
1801; Marshall, b. Oct. 21, 1780. ivu 
1st. Betsey Campbell, she died Apr, 23, 
*813, aged 26 years, 2d. Sophia Char- 
lotte Porter, daughter d' Hon. Samuel 
Porter July [) 7 1815, who died July 

12, 1860, aged 79 years 9 mos- 
Luther, b. Mar- 7, 1782, m. Luraue 

Knapp, died Apr. 2, 1832 ; Thomas, b. 
Apr. 21, 1783, married Harriet Moore, 
May 9, 1810, died Mar. 25, 1865, M 
*82 ; 

Ebeaesser^ b. May 10, 1785, married 
Ama Farr; Dana, born Aug. 5, 1783, 
an. Sally Keyes; Polly, bom Dec. 13, 
1787, married Jonas Walker Dec, 2, 
1813, who died April 18, 1373. aged 
id 1 y ear a , Hi s w i fe d led Feb .26,1847. 

William, h. July 3, 1789, married 
Esther Knight, Sept. — 1814, who d. 
Apr. 14, 1862, aged 66; he died Feb. 

18, 1877, aged 87 years ; Royal, born 
Fob, 15, 1891, m. Betsey Cook Nov. 

13, 1813; Lydia, b. June 5, 1793, m. 
Chester Haven Sept- 21, 1814, after his 
death, m. Reuben Walker, who was 

13 



killed by being thrown from a wagon, 
Apr. 21, 1860 ; Levi, b. Feb. 3, 1797 ; 
Lucre tin, b. Sept. 13, 1798, m. Doctor 
Sew a II Walker. She died May 22, 1838. 

Marshall Miller died June 10, 1807, 
aged 53* His death was caused by 
jumping from a window ito-the httli sto- 
ry of a house which was then on fire. 
Abigail, his wife, died Jau. 26 , 1829, 
aged 73 years. 

RXCE KAMXLY. 

kiuikalm uioii imi rriejdJoanna ■ 

He came from Petersham, Mass., where 
all his children were born, to Du mm ea- 
stern, and was a resident <of the town in 
1779. 

Cluhlren ; Ezekiel, b* Mar. 27, 1701, 
m. Judith Willard May 23, 1782 ; 

Elijah, b. Oct. 14, 1164. va. Anna 
Milkr, daiu of Cap t, Vespasian Miller, 

Wilder, b. Sept* *3 , 1766 ; Caty, K. 
Oet. 27, 1768 ; Molly, born Mar 15* 

1 771, m. Jacob Hadley, Nov. 27, 1788 ; 

Joanna, b. June 1 7, 1 775- [See sketch 
of Ephraim Rice, from “Hall’s His- 
tory."] 

Abraham Rice married Lucy Nourse 
Feb, 17, 1785, and were residents of 
the town at that time. Had one child, 
Joshua, h. Aug* 23, 1785. 

Dcacou Amos Rice died May 31, 
1807. Martha — •, Jus wife, died Apr. 
10, 1808, 

One, Amos Rice m. Susan Daven- 
port, Feb. 22. 1819, John Rice, also 
from Petersham, m. Levinah [Levina] 

. Children: Sarah, b* June 29, 

1707 ; John, 1769, died, infant* 

David, b. Dec* 29, 1770: John Jr., 
1774, d. 1777 ; Joel, b* 1776, d. 1777 ; 

Samuel, b. Sept, 24, 1778; Folly, 
born in Du miners ton* Aug* 9, 17S2 ; 
Lydia, b. June 13, 1789, 

Gardner Rice married Lydia — — , 
Children : Dolly, born June 9, 1809 ; 
Amos, 1792; Lydia, 1794; Patty, 



VERMONT HISTORIC AL MAGAZI XE, 



98 



1796 ; Nabby, 1 708 ; Roxanna, 1800 ; 
Simeon, 2802; Gardner Jr., 1804; 
Nelson ,1806 ; Phylinda, 1808 ; Ezekiel, 
181 0 ; Francis, 181 2, 

Clark Rice, son of Elijah, once own- 
ed the large farm, 4 'Rice place,** in the 
south part of the town. 

ELIJAH AND ANNA (MILLEE) RICE* 

Elijah was bom Oct. 14, 1764 ; An- 
na Miller, horn July 22, 1766. They 
were married Nov. 29, 1787. Children : 
Aratfum, b. Oct. 12, 1788; Abigail, 
bp Oct. 17, 1790, in. Jacob Hadley a 
Methodist minister ; 

Abel, b, Aug, 27, 1792, trr. Folly 
Hadley and removed West; Elias, b. 
Dec. 12, 1794, died young; 

Clark, b. July 8, 1797 ; Lovina 
and Lewis, [twins], b, Jan. 17, 1800. 
and Lovina in. Ephraim Hadley ; 

William M. b, June 5, 4802, mar- 
ried Dolly Whitney ; 

Almira, b, Mar. 9, 1807, m. Lewis 
Holton ; Daniel, b. July 28, 1809, m. 
Maria Mann, 

Elijah Rice and wife were Congre- 
gational ista, and were very constant in 
their attendance on public worship. He 
was a farmer, and a ranelf^respected 
citizen, The family were very helpful 
in society. 

CLAEIC RICE 

was born in Du miners ton , July 8, 1797,, 
and married Mar. 3. 1828, Clarissa, 
dan- of Jonas Rice, a cousin of Elijah. 
She was born March 15, 1804, and is 
still living. Her husband died March 
22, 1872, aged 74. 

Their children were: Helen ' C. died 
in childhood; Fanny E,, unmarried; 

Henry C. ; Clark F., both d. when 
young; Helen C, 2d, xn. Walter Gibbs, 
died 1858 ; 

Clarissa J., died young; Julia A., 
in. Milton M. Miller; Maria J. mar- 
ried Charles Sargent; Frederic C., d. 
in childhood ; 



FREDERICK A. RICE 

born June 23, 1846, died Jan. 28 * 
1862, a soldier and musician in the 
service of the U. S. in the late Nvar for 
tb e U n ion . His moth e r r ecei ves a pe n - 
siou from thy government on account of 
her son's death. 

The farm on which Mr Rice lived 
many years was tirst settled by Samuel 
D utto n be fb re 1770. He sol d it to Eph- 
raim Rice Jhtt. 9, 1779, who, with Jo- 
anna, his wife, and six children, came 
from Petersham, Mass., where their 
children were born- Elijau, lus sou y 
bought the farm in 1 787, which m 
time came Into the possession of his son, 

| Clark Rice, who greatly improved the 
place. He was an excellent farmer, 
read many books and newspapers on the 
subject of agriculture, and was aided by 
Lhe judgment of his friends, who were 
alike interested in w book - Far 

The value of the farm was more 
than doubled during his management- 
On account of his declining health* 
he Bold his farm to R. D. Bradley, Esq. 
of Rrattleboro. for the sum of §9000. 

Like his parents, Elijah, and Anna 
Rice, he and bis family were Congre- 
gational ists and very constant in their 
atten dance at ch u rch . H e was no l on- 
ly a very enterprising farmer ; but was 
much interested and helpful iu the af- 
fairs of the church and society and in 
1838, was chosen to represent the town 
in the state legislature. He set out 
many fruit-trees on his farm, which at 
the p res e u t ti me are very pro du c Li v e . 

The orchards have in some years pro- 
duced 500 barrels of apples, 

MAJOR WIILLIAM flRLLER 

was major in the 1st. Rcgt. in the 1st. 
Brigade and 1st. division of infantry in 
the state of Vermont- He married Han- 
nah Worden Nov, 10. 1782. Their 




CLARK RICE. 



DUMMERSTON . 



99 



children were: Fanny, born March 31, 
1813; Isaac, b. Nov. 15, 1781; 

Charles, b. July 25, 1786 ; Dolly, b. 
Apr. 6, 1788; George Anson, b. Dec. 
6, 1789; 

William, b. Dec. Hi, 1791 ; Joel, b. 
Nov. 21, 1793; Nathan, b. Aug. 13, 
1795; 

Asa, b. June 12, 1797; Catherine, 
b. July ‘24, 1799; -Maria, b. Sept. 18, 
1807: 

Major William died Apr. 16, 1802, 
aged 40. His wife died July 7, 1823, 
aged 62 years. 

An incident remembered in the town : 

MAJOR WILLIAM MILLER 
and Hannah, bis wife, lived in the eas- 
tern part of the town on the Connecti- 
cut river road, and owned good lands. 
They were the parents of eleven chil- 
dren. Mrs. Miller was always kind to 
the poor and ever willing to relieve the 
wants of the suffering. About the year 
1 786, there was in this section mi alarm- 
ing scarcity of grain for family food. 

The Millers parted with all they that 
they could to the needy, and the last 
bushel of wheat, except a baking of 
flour for their own family was ground 
and eaten before the new grain had 
been cut. The destitution was much 
greater on the newly cleared and rough- 
er hill-land of Halifax. 

Joseph Wordeu came one night, at a 
late hour, from that town, and stopped 
at Miller’s. Mrs, Miller rose from her 
bed, baked the last flour site had by the 
lire, and gave him a part of the loaf for 
bis supper. H-,said that he had never 
tasted anything so good in his life, for 
he was weak and weary, and had tast- 
ed no bread for several days. The next 
day the men went into the wheat-field, 
picked off the ripest ears, threshed out 
a bushel or more, and bad it ground. 
Mrs. Miller was sifting some flour for 



baking, when Mr. Worden, her broth- 
er, came to her, the tears standing in 
his eyes, ‘‘Sister, 0 said he, “wont you 
put the bran into my bag?” This proof 
of his family’s want so affected her 
that she gave him more than half of 
all the flour she had, and the happy 
man started for home, knowing that he 
con 1<1 now relieve the necessities of his 
family.” 

JOHN BENNETT 

one of the early settlers in town, was 
from Shrewsbury, Mass. lie bought a 
farm iu Dummerston, of ParmenavS 
Temple, iu 1783. He married Lucre- 
tia Rice, of Lancaster, 1778. who died 
in this town dan, 20, 1811, JE 51. His 
death is not recorded. He was a son 
of Josiah Bennett Jr., who married 
Abigail Graves, of Sudbury, Aug. 13. 
1751 . 

Children : Elizabeth, born Feb. 10, 
1753, m., it is supposed, Luther Rice, 
of Lancaster, 1780; 

John, b. June 23, 1755; Dorcas, b. 
Apr. 1758, m. Oliver Hale of Marlboro 
in 1778; 

Josiah Sen. m. Hannah Ross, of Lan- 
caster, Nov. 27, 1728, and was admit- 
ted to the church, 1731, and died before 
1751. 

Children : Josiab Jr., born Dec. 18, 
1730. 

Miriam, Dee. 28, 1732, m. Kbene- 
zer Cutter Jr., of Grafton, Nov. 28, 
1764; 

Asa, b. Apr. 26, 1735, m. Sibyl 
Barnes, of Marlboro, June 1784 ; 

Experience, b. Mar. 26, 1739 ; Jonas, 
b. Mar. 11, 1741, died young; 

Lydia, b. Oct. 9, 1747 ; Jonas, born 
Feb. 11, 1749, m. Mary Williams, July 
10, 1773. 

Jonathan, a brother of Josiab Sen. 
had a son, David, bora Oct. 21, 1749, 
who died before 1779, as in that year 



100 



VERMONT HISTORICAL, MAGAZINE. 



his widow, Ter sis [Cutting] Bennett, 
jn* Philip Branseom. 

Deacon David Bennett erf Buimner- 
5 ton t died June 0, 1848, Hi 87, 

Rev, Jonas Bennett, his son, m . Ad- 
aline, dan. of Edward Miller* 

Josiah and Jonathan were supposed 
to be tire sons of Samuel Bennett, prob- 
ably from Lancaster, born, 1600, died 
Dec* 5, 1762, aged 72. 

The children of John and Luoretiu 
Bennett, of this town, were Judah, b, 
1778; Nancy, b* 1780; Lucy, born 
1781 ; John 17., boro in Hummers ton. 
1784; Dorcas, bom, 1787, married 
Ezekiel L. Chapman ; 

Henry L* t AHyo tX, Franklin W,* 
Almyra* 1801- He married 2d, Polly 
Codding, Oct. 25, 1812. Children;, 
Lockhart W and Melinda. 

XOBCKOS5 FAMILY . 

Tito wr as KoacBQSS, a London mer- 
chant, born about 1550, Is of the first 
generation of the Norcross family so 
far as the name has been traced* Jer- 
emiah of the second gen. b, about 1505, 
name to America in 1638, and settled 
in Watertown, Mass. Richard of the 
3d. gen. was born in 1621 ; resided in 
Watertown, died in 1709. Richard of 
the 4tn, gen., bom 1660; resided in 
Western, Mass*, died 1745 ; Joseph of 
the 5th gen*, b* 1701 ; resided in Wes- 
ton and Princeton, Mass., died 1789. 

SAMUEL of the 6th gem, bom 1745 ; 
resided in Marlboro, and was the .first 
Norcross, who settled in this state. He 
died 1812* His wife was Rachel Har- 
vey, who died 1811* He was a soldier 
in the Revolutionary war, and belong- 
ed to an artillery company at a fort in 
Boston Harbor at the time the British 
evacuated Boston in 1775. He had 
eleven children: 

Candace, b. Dec. 5, 1776, died 1778 ; 



Samuel, bom J an 9, 1769, died 
young ; 

Nahum, born May 9, 1771, d* Jan - 
26, 1851 ; 

Eber, h. May 23 1772 ; resided in No. 
Easton, N* J., died 1861, aged 89. 

Rachel, h, Sept. 13, 1 774, d, 1836 ; 

Benaiab, b* Dec. 20, 1776 ; resided 
in Chesterfield, N. H., d. I860, aged 
85; 

Zebrina, b* Apr. 18, 1770, res. in 
Chesterfield* N. H., 

Darius, b, Oct. 9, 1781, res* Lock- 
port, N . J . , died 1 838 ; 

Lucy, bom Aug , 2, 1784; 

Shepard, b. Mar. 9, 1788* res* in 
No. Easton, N. J * ; 

Anms. born Oct* 7- 1 790, 

n ah um came to Du-mmerston ; mar- 
ried Zerniiih Reel, Jan. 17, 1796. She 
was born Sept. 7, 1778* died Apr. 8* 
1840. Their children were: Betsey, 
born Nov* 24, 1797, married Aaron 
Grimes ; 

Luke, bom July 15, 1799* died in 
infancy ; 

Luke 2d*, born June S>, 1801 ; mar- 
ried Louisa French ; 

Mary, b. Oct. 9, 1803, m* William 
Woodard ; 

Moses, born May 29, 1806 ; 

Sarah, horn Dec. 7, 1808, married 
Anson Woodard ; 

Charlotte, born Nov. 24, 1809, m- 
first Ebene&er Wiswall, 2d, Warren 
Stearns ; 

Orison, born Nov. 22, 1812, mar- 
ried Sophia Howe, Nov. 1S33 ; 

Blueher* bom May 15* 1815, m* Bet- 
sey, dan. of Lyman Huntley. 

None of the children of Nahum Nor- 
cross are now living. Orison d* Aug, 
21, 1873, and Sophia, his wife, died 
July 19, 1871* Luke died June 22, 
1876, and Louisa, his wife, d.Nov. 17, 
1881. Blueher, the youngest, d. in 1880. 



DUMMEESTON. 



101 



FIERCE FAMILY* 

William anti Patty Pierce were the 
parents of Josiah, Sally, Moses anti 
Henry* 

Henry married Philadelphia Thom- 
as ; children : Sophia, b. about 17(12, 
m. Isaac Libby of Boston, Mass ; Sa’ly 
m. Harlow Williams of Milford, Mass* 
Joseph, b. 1797, died yotmg \ Martha, 
b. 1800, m. Do to n Smith, Middleboro, 
Mass, ; Joseph (2cl.), m, Melinda — ; 
Betsey, b, 1804, m. Allen Knight, of 
Braltkboro ; John m. Althea Springer. 
Maine ; Polly married Luther Thayer, 
Apr, 19, 1837, died 18b 9 ; Lucy in, 
Benjamin Newton of Shrewsbury, 
Mass* ; George ; Lydia married Amasa 
McFarland of Iloph in ton- Mass. ; Plain 
married Josephus Cutler of lloliiston. 
Mass, 

JOSIAH PIERCE 

came from Upton, Mass., to Dmnmer- 
ston, in 1793. Upton was not unorig- 
inal grant, but was taken from the town- 
ships of Hendon, Sutton, ami Hnpkin- 
ton, a locality from which several of 
the early settlers removed to this town. 
The chilclr en o f J os ia h n n d S arah P \ er ee 
were : W 1 [1 iam . b . in U pton , Mar. 1 2 , 
1792; Jacob : Hollis, born Hay 7, 1793 ; 
Anson, in 1798; Hannah, b. Dee. 18, 
1803 ; Joel, b. Jan, 22, 1806 ; Susanna, 
born Jau, 19, 1809. William was 
drowned in West river Apr. 11, 1825, 
while crossing it in a skiff 1 about a mile 
north of the old bridge- place- Henry 

and Bios os Pierce were brothers of Jo- 
siah and came from Hopkinton, Their 
si s t er , Sally, was th e w i fe o f Ph i 1 i p B e- 
mis. Moses Pierce m. Patty Barnes ; 
children : Asa, Eli, Bahama, and Ira. 

ISAAC RI5ED 

became a resident of this town about 
the time of his marriage to Abigail 
Me wain, Sept. 2,1790, Their cfo, were ; 



Lucy, b. July 27, 1791, died 1823 ; 

Sally married Ephraim Brown, Aug. 
1814 ; 

David m , Betsey Fairbanks, 1824 ; 
Leavitt, Ids twin brother, m, 1st. Erne- 
hue Hubbard, May 27, 1830, 2d. Clar- 
issa F. Miller; 

Tsaac, m. Catherine B. Alexander, 
Dec. 3, 1829; 

Eliza, m. Joseph Miller, March 3, 
1841. 

The children of Ephraim ami Sally 
Brown were Charles, b. Feb. 12, 1818 ; 
Nancy, F Nov. 30, 1815; James, ru. 
Emily Walker. 

Children of David and Betsey Reed : 
Ad in Thayer, b. Dec. 28, 1826 ; Lucy 
M- bom Apr. 23. 1828 ; Fanny E, b. 
Dec. 8, 1829 ; George F,, born Oct. 2, 
1831 ; Louisa P., born Feb. 28,1836; 
M ary C . , born Feb. 2 G , 1838; Day id 
Henry, b. Oct. 3, 1840. 

Isaac Jr., had James A., Maria, 
Charlotte, and Ellen, of whom James 
only is living. Leavitt had Eomanzo 
an d Eliza by 1 st . ma ar i age an d M a r- 
shall I. by the second. 

H E HR I C- ft. JFAMILY, 

The traditions of this very ancient fam- 
ily claim their descent from Ericke, a 
D an i a h c h i ef , w ho i n v ad cd B r i ta i n ab o u t 
the year 911, during the reign of Al- 
fred, the Great, and, having been van- 
quished by that prince* was compelled, 
with his followers, to re-people the 
waste districts of East Anglia, the etov- 
eminent of which he held as a fief of 
the English crown. He w as afterwards 
defeated in battle by Edward, the sou 
and successor of Alfred, and was sub- 
sequently slain by his own subjects for 
alleged cruelty in his government. The 
Norman invasion found this name rep- 
resented by Eric, the Forester, who 
resided in Leicestershire, and was an 
extensive land- holder. Henry Eyryk, 



102 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



a lineal descendant from Eric, the For- 
ester, was seated at Great Stratton, in 
the county of Leicester, England,, at a 
very remote period. His grand-son, 
Robert Eyryk of Stratum, by his wife, 
Joanna, had William, who bore the ti- 
tle of Sir William Eyryk, Knight of 1 
Stratton. He was commi stoned to 
attend the Prince of Wales on his expe- 
dition into Gnscony, 1355. From him 
descended Robert Eyrick of Houghton, 
who was living in 1450. 

Thom as Ey i i ck of II ough to u , s e ttl e d 
in Leicester, and died in 1517. His 
se eon d so n , J o hn Ey ry k , or H er r ic k , 
born 1513, m. Mary, daughter of John 
Bond, Esq., of Ward End in War- 
wickshire. He died Apr. 2, 1589, 
leaving a large family, among whom 
w as William, b, 1557, He was d 
member of Parliament from 1601, to 
1630, knighted in 1605, and was known 
as Sir William Herrick of Leicester, 
London, and Beau Manor Park. He 
married 1586, Joan, daughter of Rich- 
ard May, Esq., London, died Mar. 2, 
1652-53, aged 96. 

Henry T the fifth son of Sir William, 
was born at Beau Manor in 1604, and 
was named by command of the unfort- 
unate Prince Ileurv, the eldest son of 
James 1. His sponsors were Sir Da- 
vid Murry, Sir John Spillman, and 
Lady Aston. He came to this country 
and settled Id Salem, Mass., June 24. 
1629- He married Edith, daughter of 
Mr. Hugh Las kin of Salem, and be- 
came the ancestor of the numerous race 
by that name in this country. He and 
his wile were among the thirty who 
founded the first church in Salem, in 
1629 . He died in 1671, leaving seven 
sons and a daughter, who are named in 
his will. Of these, Thomas and Ben- 
jamin, the eldest and youngest, and the 
daughter, Elizabeth, died childless. The 



other five sons are regarded as the pa- 
triarchs of their respective branches of 
the posterity of Henry and Editha Her- 
rick. They are known as Zacharie of 
Beverly, Ephraim of Beverly, Henry 
of Beverly, Joseph of Salem, and John 
of Beverly. 

George Herrick of Salem, another 
ancestor of the family, was an emi- 
gra n t fro m E n glan d , an d came to £ a- 
lem in 1684 or 5. He was marshal 
and deputy sheriff in 1691, 2. & 3 ; & 
1695. II ifrwift ’ s nam e was Martha, 

James Herrick of Southampton, N. 
Y., settled at Southampton, Long Is- 
land, then within the jurisdiction of Con- 
necticut, prior to 1657 [ died 1687, Ilia 
wife, Martha, survived him. 

Henry Herrick of Beverly, d. June 
1702 ; inherited the paternal farm, a 
part of which was possessed by a lineal 
descendant, Mrs. Anna Meaeom, dau. 
of Col. Henry Herrick, aged 92 in 
1845, Henry Herrick's first wife was 
Lydia Woodbury, and their filth child, 
Jonathan, was baptized iu 1672. He 
removed from Beverly to Concord, 
Mass., where he possessed considerable 
property in mills &c. \ died 1724 ; mar- 
ried 1st. Elizabeth, dam of William 
Dodge of Beverly, Oct. 28, 1696, w r ho 
was bom 1672, died Mar. 13. 1712. 
aged B9 ^ had five children : manned 
2d. Bethiah Conan t, Beverly, Sept. 13, 
1713, by whom there were five more 
children , 

Joseph, youngest sou of Henry, was 
born in 1720. He removed from Con- 
cord to Groton in 1744, where he pur- 
chased a farm which he sold to J osiah 
Coiiaut, 1746 j lived a while in Towns- 
head, and finally settled in BratBeboro, 
died Mar. 16, 1795. He married Lois 
Cutler of Chelmsford, 1742, w T ho died 
Aug. 5, 1812, aged 92. Their chil- 
dren were Jonathan, born Sept. 26, 



DUMMERSTON. 



103 



1743 ; Joseph died about 1835, at Rum- 
ney, N. II. ; Shadrnck married Abigail 
Stoddard, Chesterfield, N. H. ; Lois, 
born in Chelmsford, Mass., 1749 ; Amos 
married widow Miles ; Abner, Bethiah, 
and Mary. 

Jonathan Herrick of Brattleboro, in. 
Mehitabel French, 1770, related to Na- 
thaniel French of Dummorston. Their 
children were Jonathan, born April 1, 
1771; married Lucinda Diokerman, 
1779; settled in Faruham, Canada; 
John died 1779 ; Lydia, born June 4, 
1 773 ? married Grafton Luce of Stowe, 
Vt. died 1821 ; Mehitabel, born April 
20, 1775, married John Page, Clayton, 
N. Y., 1803; Elisabeth, born 1777, 
died 1780; Edith, born Feb. 2, 1780; 
married Calvin Sarilc, Lowell, Vt. in 
1799; Nathaniel, born Mar. 1, 1782; 
Joseph, born Mar. 1, 1784, married 
Eunice Coughlan, 1807 ; Seth, born 
Apr 16, 1986, m. Melinda Cqughlau, 
1815 ; Elisabeth 2d, born Apr, 9, 1 788 ; 
Lucinda, born Angust 13, .1790, mar- 
ried Lincoln Bixby of Dummerstou ; 
Asa died, 1792. 

Seth Herrick of Brattleboro had 7 
children : Seth N. Herrick Esq., of 
that town, John N., Melinda C., Susan 
E., Mary L., Sarah A., and Ellen C t 

NATHANIEL HERRICK 
removed from Brattleboro to Dumiuer- 
ston ; married Lydia Eastman Nov. 30, 
1806. Children : Esther in. Stephen 
Mann, 1834 : Harriet, horn Mar. 22, 
1808, died 1840 ; Nancy, horn July 4, 
1811, married Nathaniel Roel, 1830; 
James, born Mar. 19, 1814, married 
Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas Crosby, 
Nov. 2. 1845 ; embarked Dec. 1845, 
for the Madura Mission, in south- 
ern India; still in missionary work, 
1882 ; John, b. July 27, 1815, m. Fi- 
delia Stiles. The mother of these chil- 
dren died Feb. 19, 1825, and the father 



married 2d. Widow Jonathan Tenney, 
Jan. 11, 1826. Children; Jonathan T. 
Lydia E., and Nathaniel. 

Jonathan Tenney was married Jan. 
1810, and Mrs. Tenney's maiden name 
was Anna Laughton ; Children . Mary 
Ann, m. Merrit Cough lan ; Willard m. 
Mary A. Stevens ; Ephraim, a college 
student ; Lucinda m. Charles Baggs ; 
Anna m. George Everleth ; Oliver to. 
Nan Farmer; and Arvilla m. Frederic 
II. Elmore. 

THE LINCOLNS. 

Atnasa Lincoln came to Dununers- 
ton, from Walpole, N.H., and Allen 
Lincoln, his cousin, came from West- 
minster. They bought, Sept. 2, 1811, 
of Dr. Abel Duncan, one acre of land 
for SI 00. It was taken from the south- 
west corner of his farm, lot, No. 54. 
The Lincolns built on this land a large 
tannery and a dwelling-house. The 
tannery stood a few rods west of the 
house at the foot of the hill east of the 
common. It fronted to the south and 
the upper part of the building was en- 
tered from the old road, leading past the 
tannery. Several of the tan-vats were 
in the basement <*f the building. Am- 
asa Lincoln sold his half of the proper- 
ty to Alien Lincoln, Mar. 11, 1817, 
and removed to Newfane. Allen con- 
tinued the business till Nov. 21, 1821, 
when he sold out to Adin Thayer, who 
on the same day sold to Asa Knight. 

The Lincolns came from Massachu- 
setts. Amasa was born in Norton, 
Mass., July 10, 1787. He married, 
1st. Lucy Richardson, Apr. 14, 1814, 
and boarded for a time with the family 
of Doctor Duncan. He married, second, 
Mary Hastings, Jan. 26, 1730. He 
had four children by the first, marriage. 

Allen Lincoln married in 1810, Fan- 
ny, dan. of Ezra and Amy (Snow) 
Davis of Chesterfield, N. II. Their 



104 



VERMONT H IS TO LOCAL MAGAZINE. 



children were : Fanny D, , Stella S. , 
Allen M-, and William K. He, with 
his family, removed to Fort Covington, 
or French Mills, N. Y. 

Jacob Amstlen, a tanner, bought- of 
Asa Knight and soon after sold to Lu- 
ther Thayer, who put into the tannery, 
a steam apparatus for heating the vats. 
About 1S30, the tannery was burned, 
and a much smaller building immediate- 
ly built on tin spot. The business how- 
ever, soon declined, and the ncvy build- 
ing was removed, attached to the dwell- 
ing-house on the place and converted 
into a shoe-shop. 

Henry L. Porter rented the place for 
a time and worked at shoe-making. Al- 
ter two or three more changes, A dm 
Thayer bought the property and sold 
the same to Lewis Iloltou, who did an 
extensive business in making fancy mo- 
rocco shoes. Mr. Holton, his wife; 
and two children, died of erysipelas hi 
Jan. 1844, and the place was sold at 
auction to Wm. O. Miller. William 
Luck, an Englishman, rented the shop 
for a time. He served a regular ap- 
prenticeship in England and was an ex- 
cel 1 e n t sho emake r. No w o r k man could 
make a more handsome boot or shoe 
than Mr. Luck, He served for a time 
in the British army, but deserted and 
carnc to this country. What was once 
the tannery, then a shoe -shop, is now 
the building joined to the west side of 
Wm. Op Miller’s residence. HLs sis- 
ters, Mrs. Mary M. Kust and Lticretia 
Miller, own and occupy the Lincoln 
place. 

HIGGINS FAMILY. 

Caleb higgik8 married Lucy II 11 - 
d i 'cth May 5 , 1796. She died in 1797, 
and he married, 2d, Mary Hildreth, 
June 17, 1798. Alpheus Higgins, prob- 
ably a brother of Caleb, married Fhebe 
Hildreth Sept. 21, 1797 . The children 



of Caleb and Lucy (Hildreth) Higgins 
were Caleb and Joshua, twins, b. Feb. 
16, 1697 ; and by his second mam age, 
Lucy H., born Dec. 6, 1798, who m. 
N ath an A dam a Jr., O ct . 4 . 1821. 

Caleb, brother of Joshua, married 
1st. Almeda Sawyer, July 9, 1820 ; 2d. 
name unknown; 3d. Lucy Johnson, of 
Jamaica, Dec. 8, 1844. He was a shoe- 
maker by trade and with his third wife 
lived several years hi the Hollow where 
Maner Smith now resides. He'd. May 
25, 1803, aged GO, and Lucy, his wife, 
died Mai'. 31, 1865, aged 67. During 
the summer of 1883, a benevolent friend 
who knew them well in former years, 
placed at the head of their graves a 
marble slab bearing the inscription, in 
addition to their ages and time of death, 
“Humble and unassuming in life they 
did what they could/ 1 He never learn- 
ed to read or write. On one occasion 
he had a sign painted for his shop. His 
name and occupation, in lettering, re- 
quired two lines ; but when the painter 
showed him the sign, he refused to take 
it, saying, “what man can read twice 
across that board while riding past my 

shop r 

Uriah Higgins was one of the heads 
of families in school district No. 3, in 
1798, and lived near Kufus Sargent. 
Polly Higgins married David Dutton, 
in 1782. Joseph Higgins was a resi- 
dent of school district No. 5, in 1793. 
Joseph Higgins jna rried“ Widow Ka th- 
an Aug, 26, 77 — -T 

July 2, 1797. From th e c 1 mr c h rec- 
ord. Two children of Caleb Higgins, 
twins, were baptized,— one named 
Joshua, given by its grandfather, Uri- 
iah Higgius. the other named Caleb, 
given by Its grandmother, Lydia Hil- 
dreth” Therefore, Uriah was father 
of Caleb and Alpheus. 



DUMMERSTON . 



m 



THE HAGUE IN 1733, 

AND VICINITY. 

This locality comprised 26 families 
in 1793, and wa s No. of the school- 

districts. The school-house then stood 
between John Whitney’s and Elder Jow- 
.athan Huntley’s. In 1820, the num- 
ber of scholars attending school was 28, 
as returned by Lyman Walker. Re- 
ligious services were held in the school- 
house for many years, regularly every 
•Sunday. Elder Huntley preached there 
for a long time. 

AURAHAM FITTS 

was one of the earliest residents in the 
Hague. Abraham Fills Jr., married 
a Barues and lived where B. F. Wil- 
lard now owns. He removed to New- 
fane where he died about 1803, aged 
nearly 90. Ills wife died in 1833. 

TIMOTHY OKOSBy 

married Amy, and was from Claremont, 
N. II., where two children, Timothy, 
1784, and Amy, 1785, were born. The 
children born iu this town were Levi. 
Nabby, Lydiu, Rhoda, Lucy, and Ilez- 
ekiah. Mrs. Crosby died Apr. 7,1800. 
He married 2d, Amita Hale, May 15, 
1803. 

MICAH FRENCH ,IR., 
was from Royalston, Mass., ami pur- 
chased land here in 1789. He owned 
land in lot, No. 121, on which he had 
a saw-mill iu 1797, and the same year, 
sold it to Dyer Remington, who iu 
turn sold it to Joseph Poole of Brook- 
line. The saw-mill was probably built 
by Micah French, and in the sale, one 
acre of land was included with the saw- 
mill which stood on Fall brook. Mi- 
cah French Jlr-, married Sarah Howe, 
Jan. 28, 1787. John French Jr., mar- 
ried Rebecca Haywood, of Walpole, 
N II., Nov. 22,1781. Children : Hay- 
ward, born Aug. 18, 1783. 

14 



JESSE MANLEY 

and Eunice, bis wife, were married in 
1778. Children : Jesse Jr., born Jan. 
28, 1778, married Betsey French, Sept. 
27, 1801. 

Amasa, born 1780, married Lydia 
French, Jan. 2<i, 1806. She was sis- 
ter of Jesse’s wife and both were daugh- 
ters of Nathaniel French. 

Eunice, born 1782, married Reuben 
Newton, Mar. 11, 1804. 

The other children were Nathaniel, 
Hannah, Betsey, William, Sally, Polly, 
John, and Luke, the youngest, born 
Oct. 17, 1800. 

Johu Manley, son of Jesse Jr., mar- 
ried first Irena Goss, sister of Harriet 
Goss, wife of Daniel Taylor, 2d, Abi- 
gail Wilson, daughter of Joseph Wil- 
son. Her sister, Sarah C. married John 
Whitney, and her brothers were Shep- 
ard and Eli hit Wilson, 

JAMES MANLEY, 

a brother of Jesse, removed from lul- 
lingsley, C't., where he married Hannah 

, and where Samuel, their first 

child was born Jan. 13, 1774. Molly, 
the second child was born in Royalston. 
Mass., July 30, 1 776. From that place 
the family came to Dummerston, where 
Marcy was born June 1, 1778 ; Han- 
nah born Apr. 12, 1780, married Fair- 
ringWilson, whose daughter, Hannah, 
married Gideon, son of Charles Cud- 
worth, a first settler on Putney West 
Hill. Janies Jr., born July 8, 1782; 
Lucy, born July 9, 1784, married Stew- 
art Black ; Ebenezer, born Oct. 20, 
1780. married Patty Black. The chil- 
dren of Ebenezer were Phiiisia, Syrene* 
Mary, George and Eliza. Syrene mar- 
ried Shepard Wilson, who now lives oil 
the Manley home>tcad. 

JOSEPH ENOS, 

a native of Portugal, came with his wife, 
Jemima, and one child, Mary, from 
Smithfield, R. L, to Putney where 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



100 



Hannah was born Aug, 3, 1779. Jo- 
seph n J r . t Betsey , J esse , ami S i mcon 
were all boro in Putney. Hannah m. 
Timothy Crosby, and Mary married 
on the same day, Sept* 29, 1802, Dan- 
iel W oo ds of Townsh end . Be tsey ma r - 
ri e d J < mas B arms , Mar . 30,1 800 . M r . 
Enos was a miller and owned the grist- 
mill on F all l > ro ok . He b ongh t th e 1 and . 
about 25 acres, and the mill, of Joseph 
Poole in 1797, who probably built the 
mill that year. Enos sold the same to 
N'ali urn Nor cross Jan . 1 fi, 1 8 01 , u and 
the said Noreross is to have liberty to 
draw water at the saw -mi It for the use 
of the grist-mill as he Hiall want or 
ne e cl . s * J arnes New ton had a s h op and 
furnace on the same land with rights 
reserved to him in the same deed. 

JOmH TEN Nicy 

married Matilda Liver more and lived 
on the Abram Dewy place- He came 
from Havre, Mass-- > where his sister, 
Martha was born Aug. 5, 1785. Her 
first husband was Samuel Bond, born 
in Winchester, N. FL, Aug. 28, 1783, 
They were married Nov. 16, 1803. 
Children : Luke Taylor, born Jan. 3. 
1807 ; Samuel Jr., born Apr. 28, 1809. 
Samuel Bond died in Walpole, N. H. , 
March 9, 1809. His widow married 
second Thomas Clark. 

JONAS LIVEftMGTCE JR.- 
married Sarah Woodbury, June 20, 
1781. He was from S otton , Mass . , 
wh ere hi s fi r st child, B e uj am i n , w as b . 
Oct.. 23, 1781* The other children 
were Sally, b. May 12, 1784, David, 
Parks, Calvin, and Matilda, who mar- 
ried Josiah Tenney. David died 1876, 
aged 89; Olive, his wife, died 1&75, 
aged 86. Jonas -Tr., died Apr. 6, 1812, 
aged 58. 

SOLOMON NOL1HSE 

was probably from Westbora, Mass., 
where many persons of that name liv- 
ed when he came to Dummemon. Dan- 



iel! Nurse and Sarah Ball were the 
parents of II children born in Westbo- 
ro. Joseph and Joel, hie sons, remov- 
ed to Shrewsbury about 1800. W in . 
Nurse married Rebecca Fay and was 
a resident of Shrewsbury in 1729 ; but 
was set off with his farm to Westboro 
in 1741. 

Frar-cis Nourse of Salem Village., 
had children, John, Handu Rebecotu 
Samuel, Francis, Mary, Elizabeth, and: 
Benjamin. Their mother was hung m 
the witchcraft delusion, July 19, 1692. 
The name originally Noum, is still so* 
written by many families. 

Solomon, of this town, married Me- 
huible — -, and had children, Asa, b* 
1779; Hannah, Mebi tilde, Sampson- 
Pars is, Caty, Samuel Duncan, and Ben- 
jai ni t y , the y o uuge st, b . Jan. 27, 1 8 0 1 - 

Betty , wife of Nathaniel French, was- 
probably a sister of Solomon Nouise - 
Her first husband was Samuel Duncan, 
and a child of her brother is named 
Samuel Duncan. 

Joseph Nonrse, who lived m the east 
part of the town, was a cousin of Solo- 
mon. He m. Hannah Holton ; C ILL 

dren ; Hannah, b. 1781, m. 1st.- 

Wright, 2cL John Wellman of Am- 
herst, 1838 ; Joseph, b. 1783, m. Sally 
Glynn, 1822 ;Aseruith. b. 1785, m. hst- 
Eli S. Davis of Bratdeboro, 1817. 2d. 
— A bb o t ; Tho mas H . , b , 1787, mar- 
ried Betsey Kingsley of Utica, N. Y. ; 
Abel, b. 1789; Elijah, b. 1791 ; Eli- 
sha, b. 1793; im 1st. Sally Murdock 
of Town abend, 2d. Lucy — ; Reuben, 
b. 1794 ; John, b. 1797. 

SETH HUDSON 

was a Revolutionary soldier and pen- 
sioner, and was from Petersham, Mass, 
where he married Abigail — and where 
their first child, Polly, was born Jan* 
10, 1779. Betsey born in Bummers- 



DUMMERSTON. 



107 



on May 27, 1781 ; Rebecca, Susanna, 
Joel, and .Esther. 

Seth Hudson died Nov, 28, 1828. 

Enos, probably, a brother of Seth, 
married Patty — , and bad a son, Seth, 
born July 12, 1792. Betsey Hudson 
m. John Grout of N. Y. Samuel S. 
Hudson married Sally Field, of Brat- 
tieboro. 

DANIEL BELKNAP 

was born in Brattleboro, Sept, d, 1773, 
and first settled on the Rod place. He 
married Betsey Plummer and lived ma- 
ny years on the Reuben Walker farm. 
He cleared much of the laud wiijere he i 
first settled at the rate of K) acres a 
year for 6 years. 

His children were: Sally, b. May 14, 
1795, married Dr, Sewall Foster; Bet- 
sey, b. 1796, died 1798; Cyrus, born 
Apr, 8, 1798, m. Sally, dau. of John 
Lawton ; Asa, b. Mar. 8, 1801, mar- 
ried Ruth Greenwood ; 

Willard, b, June 20, 1803, married 
Amanda Kingsbury ; 

Betsey, b. Aug. 18, 1805, m. John 
Greenwood, brother of Asa’s wife ; John 
P., b. 1807. m. Harriet French, dau 
of Nathaniel French; Sewall married 
Juliette French, sister of John’s wife; 
Lucy m. Wm. Goss; Harriet married 
George Willard, and Daniel, Jr. died 
unmarried. 

Daniel Belkuap died Aug. 23, 1862, 
aged 89. 

Calvin Belknap, probably a relative 
of Daniel ra. Bathusa — , and had Ba- 
iliusa, born Nov. 1787 ; Asa, b. 1790 ; 
Daniel, b. 1792; Lucy, b 1794; Polly, 
b. 1797; Charles Belknap married Sa- 
rah Duncan, Aug. 10, 1795. 

THE OLDEST GRAND LIST. 

No grand lists can be found at the 
clerk’s office of an earlier date than 
about 1820. What became of them be- 



fore that date, no one knows. The (bl- 
owing rate bill will show what the grand 
list was for the year 1801. 

TAX BILL OF 1802. 

State Tax of oneceut on the Dollar on ttet 
Gramd List grouted at the October Session of 
1801. 



Also Town Tax of one cent on tho Dollar on 



ilie Grand List granted Dec. 


7 1801. 






STATE TOWN 


NAMES. 


TAX. TAX. 




$ CtS. £ 


CtS. 


Adams Nathan 


1 17 1 


17 


Allyn Charles 


86 l 


86 


Arnold Gamaliel 


07 I 


13 


Alvord Benjamin 


1 28 l 


2$ 


Ash Khenz. 


-24 


44 


Atridge Nathaniel 




20 


Allyw Josi&h 


a 


77 


Adams Samuel 


38 


38 


Bennett Samuel Jr- 


*20 


40 


Bemis David 


41 


41 


Bern is Benjamin 


69 


44 


Boy don William 


2 *37 -A 


27 


Bemis Elias 


9*2 1 


12 


Bigelow Isaac 


8S 1 


08 


Bemis Joseph 


2 20 2 


*30 


Butler Silas 


39 


67 


Boydcn Isaac 


94 


ftt 


Brown Elijah 


39 


27 


Butler Abel 


1 84 i 


W 


Barms Jonathan 


31 


81 


Butler ? John 


1 17 i 


17 


Boydeu Joalali 


82 


82 


Burritt Isaac 


l 14 a 


44 


Burnham John 


13 


33 


Barms John 


19 


19 


Boyden Asa 


47 


80 


Baldwiu John 


47 


47 


Bennet Samuel 


59 


76 


Butler Thomas 


25 


25 


Bennet Joseph 


99 


99 


Bemis Philip 


74 


94 


Belknap Charles 


40 


66 


Butterfield Luke 


r 26 1 


20 


Belknap Daniel 


80 l 


Black Steward 


40 


40 


Butterfield Ezra 


2 58 2 


5S 


Belkuap Calvin 


61 


81 


Bennet Stephen 


2 58 1 


58 


Boook Aaron Jr 


36 


39 


Briggs Seth 


1 63 1 


G3 


Buck Elijah 


21 


21 



108 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Be m is Benj am i n 2d , 






20 


Frost Jesae 




ID 




W 


Butterfield Ezra Jr 








French William* 




S3 




Stf 


Burnett Wilkins 




a* 


40 


Foster Barnard 




3S 




38 


Bailey Dudley 




m 


61 


Frost Benjamin 




20 




20 


Blxby Nathaniel 




7C 


70 


Guernsey SamueS 




39 




3ET* 


Banket Benjamin Jr 




m 


TO 


<Zom 2 e uulon 




19 




m 


Bitrrns Moses 






20 


Goss ifeury 




40 


1 


iw 


Bebee John 




45 


S3 


Gleason Joseph 




Sfl 




m 


Berm el John 




KT 


20 


GO Ming SamueJ 




58 




73" 


Bond Aaron 




61 


«1 


Goss Daijiel 


T 


47 


1 


67 


Clark Thomas 


>¥ 


03 ® 0 $ 


Griffith Ellis 




m 




®i 


Clark Thomas Jr: 






OD 


Gibbs El link 




18 




Tv 


Cblbey Simeon' 




63 


29 


Cates Darnel Jr. 




13 




33J 


Caryl Levi 




30 


4fi 


Graham Caleb 




EJS 


l 


16 


Cosset c BbswelT 




16 


66 


Gates Daniel LL 


t 


13 


2 


31 


Chamberlain Sola 




21 


21 


G&tm J. Shephard 




Q» 


2 


03 


Cook Enoch 


t 


W I 


SO 


Grout Ebonezer 




24 




U 


CresSy Henry 




SI 


71 


Graham Lemuel 


,1 


32 


1 


36 


Caiyl Asm. 




35 




Goddard Levi 




22 




43‘ 


Caiyl Abtjnfr 




2ff 


20 


Gibbs S£Ll*7Uaf 




7 




27 


Cook Nathan 




as 


3!? 


Gates? Rhine as 




39 




59 


ChoBby Timothy 




S3 


3* 


j Groves Reuben 




26 




2k 


Ci' esc y William 






20 


1 Hunt Jona. — Hinsdale 




70 




10 


Collins Sy Ivanna 








Hopkins Jeremiah 




72 




7% 


Cutt ing Joel 




:u 


33 


Hildreth Jesse 




65 




65 


Clark Thadeus 






21 


Hildreth Joseph 




05 




95' 


tioblelgh Jonathan Jr 






20 


Hildreth. EzeJriel 




51 




21 


Cambridge John- 






6T 


Higgins A 1 pliau a 




39 




m 


Ci'osby Eli 






50 


Hildreth Wilson 




13 




331 


Clap leb abort 




1 


24 


Haven Joseph 




15 




85 


Dean Richard 




69 


89 


Hartwell Oliver 


1 


57 


1 


ffi 


Dolton David 




67 


or 


Hadley Benjamin* 


1 


27 


1 


47 


Duncan Jason Esq, and Son* 


% 


09 2 


4a 


Haven Abel 


1 


n 


1 


65 


Dunean Abel 




77 


77 


Healey James 






10 


39 


Davenport Charles 




3* 


34 


Hudson Enos 




24 


U 


Davenport Charles Jr 




53 


95 


Hudson Seth 


1 


72 


1 


TH- 


Dutton Asa 


a 


23 3 


22 


Hill yard Joseph 




6 




IS 


Dutton Samuel 


4 


27 4 27 


Holton Arad 


I 


25 


1 


25 1 


Dutton Samuel Jr, 




33 


33 


Haven David 




55 




7S 


Dim can Samuel 


T'2 


1 1 


12 


Hadley Jesse 




21 




21 


Dickenson Paul 




54 


M 


Herrick Jonathan 


J 


24 


1 


24 


Efttabrook Benjamin 


1 


‘22 I 


22 


Hadley Ebeuezev 




10 




IG 


Ellis Benjamin and Sons 




33 


33 


Holton Ben ben 




44 




44 


Enos Joseph 




(13 


653 


Jeoke Obediah 




31 




31 


Fan 1 William 




14 


34 


Jill son Sylvester 1 




15 




35 


Fisher Ebeuezer 




17 


17 


Johnson James 




37 




7T 


Frith Abraham J r. 




m 


09 


Johnson Simeon 




m 




$6 


Fairchild Silas 




26 


26 


Johnson F, Edward 


I 


20 


1 


40 


French Joel 




ti 


20 


Johnson Ashbel 


2 


02 


2 


02 


Flority ( Florida ) James 


I 


30 1 


30 


Johnson William 










French Nathan 


2 


45 2 


40 


Jacobs Joseph 




10 




40 


French Johu 




14 


14 


Kathan John 




56 




56 


French Samuel 




51 


71 


Kathun Gardner 




41 




61 


Foster Skelton 




57 


57 


Knight Joel 


1 


11 


1 


31 



DUMMERSTON. 



100 



Knight Jesse 


I 


23 


l 


23 


Knight Samuel 


1 


n 


l 


31 


Kathau John 2d. 




IS 




75 


Kelley Alexander 


l 


51 


I 


51 


K&thmt Daniel 


1 


S3 


1 


33 


Kendall Luke 


1 


30 


2 




Kendall l$ni\Q 




ft 




0 


Knight -Jonathan Jr. 


1 


10 


1 


6(1 


Katlian Aleau k Thomas 


o 


AS 


<2 


55 


Kathim Daniel 2, 










Knapp Icbnbotl 


3 


03 


3 


03 


Kilbiny Richard A John 


1 


42 


l 


75 


Kelley Richard Jr. 




ni 




51 


Katli nn Day tel 




4.j 




65 


Knapp John 




20 




46 


Knceland Aimer 




31 




31 


Nathan. Daniel Jr. 




8s 




71 


Katlmn Prentice 




m 




66 


Kelley William 




& 




25 


Laughton Jacob 


1 


5? 


1 


70 


Leonard William 




06 




06 


Larrabee J, Widow 




37 




37 


Laughton Samuel Jr, 




65 




65 


Let, lighten 2* & Thomas 


1 


13 


J 


33 


Laughton David 




n 




m 


Lamb Peter 


1 


11 


1 


11 


Laughton John Lt„ 


1 


ia 


1 


19 


Lnrmbee John 




33 




33 


Miller Vespacieh 2tL 




33 




,53 


Morse John & Samuel 


1 


62 


I 


62 


Mann -James 




77 




77 


Miller John 


l 


2 


0! 


1 2 


Miller Vespaeian Gapt 


1 


31 


1 


31 


Miller Ho s ea 




65 




S5 


Mtuiley James 


1 


53 


1 


53 


Miller William 


1 


17 


1 


17 


31i Her Marshal 


1 


67 


1 


67 


Miller Sylvan as 


1 


43 


1 


46 


Manley Jesse 


2 


(19 


2 


00 


Merrick Kbenefcer 




64 




14 


Miller George 




40 




m 


Maun Nat h e l 




63 




S3 


Mann Stephen 




10 




30 


Manley Jesse Lt, 




42 




m 


Moore Jona. do. 




35 




S5 


Miller Joseph 




33 




33 


Merrick Moses 








20 


Negus William 




91 




01 


Negus John 




m 




56 


Noreross Nahum 




IS 




38 


Newton James 




33 




S3 


Nurse Joseph 


1 


42 


1 


42 


Or vis Widow Wm. 




13 




13 



Pierce Josifih 


40 


10 


Prouty Abel 


IS 


38 


Pierce Hen jam in 


73 


73 


Pressou Bcnja. k Stephen 


56 


78 


Porter Samuel Ekp 2 


07 2 


27 


Parish Asa. 1 


74 1 


74 


Prentiss Blkiumh 


W 


26 


Potter Reuben 


35 


35 


Pratt Asa 


m 


SI 


Pierce William 


22 


22 


Parker Elijah 


20 


20 


Pres son Samuel 


ft 


■26 


Pratt Jesse 




20 


Randall Elisha 


33 


33 


Rider David 


6 


6 


Rich Elijah 


26 


46 


Reed Isaac 


97 l 


17 


Rice Nath an t Eplihic & Elijah 


l 84 1 


-34 


Rice Amos & Gardner 


l 53 1 


73 


Streeter Samuel 


20 


20 


Sabin Elisha 


20 


■20 


Savgeaut Caleb 


20 


20 


Sargeant, Rufus 


1 63 1 


03 


Saygcrmt Thomas 


1 IS 1 


18 


Stockwell Joel 


31 1 


01 


Stimpsoii Amos 


20 


20 


Stoddard Samuel 


37 


*57 


Sergeant Calvin 


17 


17 


Stock well Jonas 1 


73 1 


78 


Stevens Henvy i 


10 1 


10 


Stmipson Simeon 1 




20 


Sargeant John 




20 


S tear ng Daniel 


26 


26 


Shaw Reis. 3 


21 2 


21 


Stickuey Peter 


158 




Swectaer William 


50 


S3 


Stone Nathaniel 


50 


5S 


Stimpson Charles 


20 


20 


Taylor Isaac 


50 


50 


Tan, Si hi s 


2 


3 


Taft Asabel 


60 


60 


Thompson Ben on i 


08 


98 


Town Pallia 


2S 


63 


Taylor Daniel & Luke 


1 50 


50 


Thayer Thacleus 


74 


74 


Temple Joseph 


1 17 1 


17 


Twitch ell Joshua 


85 


30 


Thompson Uriah 




20 


Turner John 


l 17 1 


17 


Turner Thomas 


63 


63 


Turner Elias 


20 


20 


Taylor Israel 


as 


33 


Viol Mason 


38 


53 


Wyman George 




13 



110 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



Williams Asa 


l 43 1 


41 


Walker Jonas 


l 7» 1 


70 


Wilder Joshua 


05 i 


23 


Wood Seth 


33 


53 


Whitney Benjamin 




26 


Woodbury Stephen 


1 Id 1 


16 


WaL Widow Ebcnezer 


23 1 


23 


Wilder Ellas 


3 m 2 


03 


Willard Henry 


2 36 2 


m 


Webster Asniiel 


51 


51 


Wilson Joseph 




so 


Wyman John Lieut. 


76 


76 


Wyman John Jr. 




53 


Wakefield Samuel 


\ 01 l 


04 


Wilson Ezekiel 


2ti 


20 


Warner Daniel 


t 04 1 


04 


Willard Peter 


13 1 


33 


Welch Silas 


20 


20 


Winslow Joseph 


36 


35 


Wool ay Asa 


39 


30 


Wilder Athol lab Jr. 


ifi 


46 


Wood . Jonas 


42 


42 


While Asa 


0 


so 


Whitney Henry 


30 


39 


Whipple John 


m 


69 


Ward Nahum 


93 


m 


Z>'oar Daniel 


S3 


05 




3200, 51 $235,70 


JQXAS WALKER* (selectmen 

Stephen woodsUhv, \ ™eoEiuen. 


Dum mors km* 


January 16* 


1802 



Note.— T his Tax BUI was found among the 
papers of John Miller, Collector, 1802. 



DISTRICTS AND INHABITANTS 
IN 1793. 

In connection with the old tax bill for 
1802, it will be interesting to know in 
what part of the town most of the fam- 
ilies lived near the close of the last cen- 
tury . From the report of a committee 
for dividing the town into school dis- 
tricts. Dee. 10, 1793, of whom Jona- 
than Knight was chairman, the follow- 
ing information is obtained ; The Centre 
School plot for the Town of Dummers- 
ton was 

DISTRICT ko, t, 

Samuel Dutton Jr Joseph B\ 11 yard .Tulin 
Wyman Jr,, Vesrpaelan Miller, Hose a Miller, 
Stephen Woodbury, David Leavitt, Thomas 
Clark, Simeon Colby, Ebeuezer Wait, Samuel 



Porter, David Gate a. Marshall <$ John Miller* 
Iclmbod Knapp, Abner Town, JouA Barms, 
Lemuel A Dau‘1 Davenport, Asa & Levi Caryl, 
Nathan Cook, Elkaruvh Prentiss* Beuj. Esta- 
brook Benja. Alvord* William & John Negus 
Jason Dm i can* Josiah Kellogg Solomon Cook, 
DISTRICT NO. Z. 

Jolm Baldwin. John KatlianSd., Oiwieb Gra- 
ham, Henry Steams, Richard Kelley, Samuel 
Wilder, Aaron Jones, Mr. Taylor, Oliver Hark 
weU, Alexander ICelley, Benjamin Jones Jr. 
Amos Itiee. Samuel Duncan* Dr. Haven, EUa$ 
Wilder, David A Asa Dutton, Joseph Bom Is 
Philip Bemls, Ephraim Ri.ee, Elias Burbank, 
Jotham Houghton* James Healey* Heniy W il- 
ia rd, Andrew Willard, N'utlian Balk 
DISTRICT VO- 3* 

John Fuller, James Nlcliols, Elihu Sargeant, 
Daniel Hath ah 2d. Uriah Hlggens, Rufus Sar- 
genet, Jonathan WtH&rd, Stephen Beal, Benj- 
amin Pierce. Mr. Bond. Bela Shaw, Benjamin- 
Wkitney, Levi Goddard, Jesse Hildreth* Jos. 
Hildreth, Jr. Capt. Jones, Jos. 4 IWi Ison Hil- 
dreth, William Miller, Cb aides Davenport, Jr. 
Mr. Webster, Charles Davenport, Jaboz Butler 
Aaron Brooks, John Kueeland, Wm. Middle - 
ditch t Benjamin, David* *£, Elios Bern is* Tsaac 
Bigelow and Samuel Nichols. 

DISTRICT NO* L 

John Kilbury, Daniel Nathan, Ebon ezer Ha- 
ven, Abel Haven, Alexander Katliau, John & 
Eleazer Rhoades* Elijah Brown, Gideon Bum 
ham, Abel Johnson* Joseph Haven, Widow 
Flavty {Florida)* Jolm Shephard Gates* Ash- 
bet Johnson, William Sargeant, Jolm Kathan, 
Gardner Katlian* Ephraim 

DISTRICT no. 5. 

Joseph Temple Isaac Boydeti, Jolm Me, wain * 
Isaac Reed, Jesse Knight* Thomas Laughton 
Joel Knight, John Butler, .Joseph Higgens, Eli- 
jah Town* Samuel & Jonu. Knight* Calvin Bu ti- 
er. Wm. Boydeu, Will lam Wyman, Samuel & 
Jacob Laughton, Abel Butler, Benjamin WitE, 
Arad Holton, Henry Crossey, Simeon Johnson 
Anthony Mason John Burnham, Asa White, 

.DISTRICT NO. 6, 

Jnslah Taft Enos Phillips, Jonas Livermore * 
Seth JSb Enos Hudson, Asaiiel Taft, Jonas Walk- 
er* Josiah Pierce, S&nVl NorCios&tNath-l French 
Solomon Nourse Seth Dtmcau* John LaiTRbee. 
Silas Taft, Jonathan Child. 

DISTRICT NO. 7. 

Abraham Filta, John Laughton, Jonathan > 
Johns & Thomas Fair. Jos Lull Spaulding, John 



DUMMERSTON. 



Ill 



Marsh, IUY, Cobl^igh, Mr, I > ftrmeter l JSatliajUel 
Holmes, MicfUi French. John Turner, Elijah 
JUemiugtoiTj Luther Butler, Mrs, Twitch ell, An- 
drew Cvowb Patrick Mc mania, Timothy Cros- 
by, John Smith, Simutel frowen T Bonj. JFVessom 
ArcMbaJd Woods, Rufus Fredma-n, Seth Smith 
James and Jesse Man ley. 

The oldest tax lull we have examined 
in this town, was for the year 1806. 
It contains a list of 295 £ ax- payers who 
were to pay a, tax of one cent on the 
“general list 1 * of said D rammers ton, and 
is signed by Samuel Porter and Seth 
Hudson, selectmen of the town. At 
that time there were eight tax -payers in 
town, by the name of Kathan, and 
twelve named Miller, The most sin- 
gular mime on the list is Z wears. Asa 
Dutton was the largest tax-payer, his 
tax being §4.65. The only man now 
living (1871) whose name is on this 
bill, is Jonas WaJkey who still resides 
in town at the venerable age of 96 years. 
The tax bill for 1807, show's that Henry 
Willard was the largest land holder at 
that time, and owned 418 acres. Thomas 
Clark stands next having 416 acres . 
The tax is an assessment of one cent on 
each acre of land for the purpose of 
building a State Prison. The lax for 
for 1808, was one cent on a dollar of 
the grand list, and it appears from the 
examination of other bills, that it was 
the general rate of taxation in those 
days. It was the custom also to make 
a new bill for each kind of tax assessed 
for the year \ and this plan was followed 
until sometime after Wm. O. Miller 
received the office of constable and col- 
lector, Mr. Miller was chosen in 1844, 
and has collected the taxes each year 
since, except two, making a service at 
the present time (1879) of 3S years. 
The tax- book now in use, of which 
Joseph Steen of BrattWboro has a copy- 
right or claim of some kind, and which 
Mr. Miller himself rased for sometime 



previous to the. year 1867, at which 
time lie suggested to Mr. Steen the 
method now usedj has the names and 
grand list written on the left hand page 
and exhibits on the right the different 
kinds of taxes, including town, state, 
school and county. The tax-book for 
1871, when this article was first written 
contains 380 names, and of this num- 
ber fourteen are Millers and but two 
Nathans. Among old deeds vve men- 
tion two that- are ancient; one is dated 
1739, the other 1754. 

ABRIDGED ANNALS. 

May 16tli, 1775, the town “Votid 
that the Selectmen Be the men to take 
C air o f th eves . V otide t ha t El ex a n de r 
Kill! ton Should have his gun. meeting 
Di solved By a grate meJority of votes.” 

Moody the twenty -second of may 
Enoch Cook & t booms Clark Chosen 
Dali gates to Set at westminesterj* 

L 1 til 1 1 rsd ay , the t w mi ty - seco n d of J u n e 
at won of the Clock in the after noou. 
Votid that the town Act a Cording to 
the County Con gras in thaer Resolves. 
Votid in By the melisha of the town 
Jonathan Knight Capt, Josiali Hoyden 
L ie u Le ri a n t an d th at xvilli a m N cagos Be 
the insien for the melisha of said town” 
At a town meetin Held the '22 of 
August At the meeting boras at fore of 
the Clock in the after Noon to acton the 
folding ar tickles Viz. Meeting open id. 
Enoch kook chosen moderator — Votid 
that ds the SeraCc of this town that the 
Letters that are in the hand of Doctr 
Solomon Harvy are Not any EvidanCe 
in the Case which the Com mite is Col- 
lect-in for the Rvidance which tha are 
to Col eel is the Bad Conduct of the Cor t 
from its fust Setting up the Cort Down 
to the fust of march Last and that those 
Letters only Shue that the Peple ware 
Displeaised at the Earbitary Conduct of 
the olhselrs of the Cort and ware Rady 
to Rise and stop the Cort before that 
time ; and those Letters Show Like wise 
the unity of the People and pur fix the 
time ; and we think it Best not to have 
those Letors goe to westm inester 



112 



YE R MO N T H I STOP I ( : A L M A G A ZI N E . 



P. G. Votid that Jolui Hooker Cari 
on the PubHek worship on the Lord's 
Day.” 

September lit li, 1 4 Vo tide in Lo the 
Cnmp ini of me Lisha of the town Dan- 
iel Kail: an second Lieut* William Nugos 
Axed a Dissmi shorn from said Comp ini 
as an in sine and it was gramted , Votid 
in to said Comp ini of me Lisha as an 
insian John Shepord gaits in tlje Room 
of wiljiam Negos." 

November 2<3d, £i At a town meeting 
held to act on the foloing artickils, viz : 
maid Choyce of John Hooker modera- 
tor. Vo tide not id Send D nilgais to 
nue york — -Vo tide that Enoch Cook 
Shu Id not Serve nor Stand as a Com- 
mity man for the town nor for the 
Cou n ty of Cn in be r 1 an 1 1 ( W i nd liam ) N o r 
act in this town in a pnbliek Station*" 

November 28 11 Voted to Reconsider 
the former Vo tid Not lo Send Daligaies 
to Nue yorke and V otidc to Send two 
Dali gates to New york, By being in- 
' form id that it was Nedftdl to send them 
Vofcid Unit John Hooker Shall Repre- 
sent this town to set at Westminister in 
the Room of Enoch Cook and that said 
hooker Shall Cary the town Votes to 
Westminister.’* 

December 14* The voters met accord- 
ing to adjournment and u a Join ed to 
the 21st of December instant at one of 
the Clock hi the after noon to rar Enoch 
Cooks and all so is a Joined to Said 
time*" “ Met at the hows of inr Enoch 
Cook the 2 id a Cording to a Jonrment 
meeting oppenid and proseedid to Bis- 
niss,” 

Vo tid to Rase the Sum often Dolors 
Ibr to Surport Daligats to Go to new 
york if nede be and for the Colee t tors 
to pay the sum of ten Dolors in to the 
hands of Jonathan Knight for to Ceep 
til furdor ordeas as the town chose him 
trash uevi for that End* 

VoticI that Jonathan Knight and Enoch 
Cook Joseph hildrith secuer the towns 
Records that are in Drt. Solomon liar- 
vys hand and transcribe it into a town 
Rook.” 

Feb it ary 2 ft, 1776, 14 after mo slum 
maid and seconded maid ehoise of mr* 
John Hooker Clark protemporara — 
Vo tid to send a man to Jine the County 
Coraitte on the twelfth of march at the 



hows of mr. John S&flg&qts at E rattle- 
bo rough at Nine of the Clock in the fore 
Noon to Draw up a Remonstrance to 
Send to the Contunatshull Ccmgraa at 
PhilcDaljdia Consamiug those tlrat per* 
patrated the Blody Masscnrec on the 
Thurteeinth of march Last, Secondly 
maid C hoist 1 of Decon Jonathan Cole of 
Westmoreland in the State of hampdiier 
to Re a i no m her to J o ine the o th cr n i < ? m - 
hers at time and p!asc Entor on the sd 
Bisness* Voted that tim would not Ex- 
cept of the plan the County s Committy 
Gave out as a Gin era 1 Rule to go By 
for a V a Uations of a States* Vo tid to 
ciiuse a Co mi tty of dire men to make a 
mending on the Couotys Comittys Gin- 
aral Ruele as tlm Shall think fit* maid 
Choke of mr. Enoch Coock and mr. 
thomos Clark and mr* william Neegofe 
to Be a Cornitty for the a Rove sd por- 
poss, John Hooker Clark protemp Feb- 
urawary ye 2ft. 1776." 

April lo, 4i Voted that lioggs Shall 
not Run at large. Voted to have a com - 
i ty t o ta ke G a re o f h oggs ~\y ill in m R o y - 
den mr. Haven mr, Hose^b miller Re 
the Committy to take Care ot' hooggs. 
Votid that, if any man Sustain Damage 
By tl ie C o m i tty s bongs t h a t tun oft ha t 
Committy has Libbarty to Chase the 
thurd man to prise the Dam megs that 
his hongs lias Dun. Votid that the 
Comitty for the year in Suing to take 
the Care of hooga uppone Complaint 
Being maid to them of Damige Being 
Dun, tley shall Go Immediately and 
prize the sd Damige according to th are 
judgment with hi fore Days from there 
Being Notified ami if Not Settelled 
the hogs Shall Be posted twenty -fore 
owers and then sele at puhlick Ven- 
due to the highest bider and if the 
Sale of sd hogs Exeedt the a Rove sd 
Damige Be Returned to the oner of sd 
hogs and if he Refuse to take this Said 
overplus it shall Rest in sd Committy s 
hands until furdor orders the man who 
surstains the Danaige shall first Notifie 
the oner of the hogs, Votid with a 
grail meJority in ye amnnitive 

June IS, 61 Voted that Lut* Ltmord 
Spalding Be a Commitey man in the 
Rooroe of Ebenezer haven to go to West- 
minister & set thar. Vol ed that the 
town will Bair tharc Equil purpovshon 



DUMMERSTON, 



118 



to semi ro the Contansmshal CongrasT 
[We have a ftrw more leaves of this 
old ms, we may use for on other gap,] 

ST All U BACH FALLS^ 

is a oew name fur a very beautiful fall 
near West river, in The Hague, on a 
stream called Fall brook, because the 
descent from its source is so precipitous. 
What i b now ea lied 8 fa ubbacli Fal Is lias 
long been known as “Fall Brook Falls. 11 
It is a charming retreat in the forest, 
and exceedingly romantic. A winding 
path, shaded by evergreen trees, leads 
up from the highway beside the brook, 
along the southern bank to the water- 
fall. The sleep, rugged banks, pros- 
trate, decaying old trees, projecting 
rocks, moss-grown and covered with 
ferns, give a primitive look to the local- 
ity* The ravine is deep and its north- 
ern bank just below the Falls rises to a 
height of more than a hundred leet. 
The brook runs over a ledge nearly per- 
pendicular and GO feet in height. Years 
ago the fall was 10 or Id feet more than 
it now is, as freshets have washed in a 
quantity of large stones at the foot of 
the ledge* The brook is three miles in 
length and lias its source on Putney 
West Hill. 

* Conclusion of Paver on the Hague- A 
leaf of ike Mb. overlooked of page 107 . 



WARNING OUT OF TOWN. 

The custom of warning persons out of 
town, who, in the opinion of the select- 
men, were liable to become a "Town 
charge ,** went into practice here soon 
after the organization of the township. 
The following warrant, copied from the 
old records, shows the kind of instruct- 
ions then issued to the constables by the 
selectmen ; 

“St ate of V er m out ~VV indha m Co uni- 
ty Du miners ton Apr. ye 2d, 1781 To 



Either of the Constables to the Town of 
Dnmmersion Greeting : In the Name & 
behalf of the freemen and by the Au- 
thority of the saiiiH we command you 
forthwith to Warn nil the r rune bent Per- 
sons that ia not Inhabitants in this Town 
that have not been in the Town one 
year from this Date that is liable to be 
a Town Charge to Depart forthwith out 
of the Town with their Families if any 
they have.* 1 

The order does not state what con sta- 
tutes- a freeman, or an inhabitant beyond 
one year's residence, In order to be 
exempt from being warned out, it was 
pro bah ly n ee e ssary to be “ n ati vc born, 11 
or the owner of some real estate. To 
the authorities there must be some vis- 
ible means of support, something exter- 
nal in the appearance of the new comer, 
or he must leave within a year from 
his time of advent. If he had “but a 
thousand a year,** known only to 1 him- 
self., he must go according to the warn- 
ing. Good habits, honesty, upright- 
ness. and educational aceomplisbments. 
would not qualify a man for citizenship. 

According to the order issued Apr. 2, 
1781, the families warned out, were 
J i dm an d S usan n a F u 1 1 ev ; hei rs , Ly - 
man and Ray maud Fuller ; Woods and 
family ; Nancy Woods ; Ebenezer How 
and Lucy, Patty, and Charity How; 
James Coals ; Israel Rich and family: 
Adam Flee man j Margaret, Solomon, 
Adam Jr*, Mary Magdalene, and Eu- 
nice Fleeman ; John Day i Anna and 
Margaret D**y ; David Russell : Caty 
Morse : Abner Bern is ; Cather ine Be- 
mis : Joseph and Jemima Bern is. Date 
of warnings Apr. 14, and 18, 1781. 

Very little js now remembered in re- 
gard to the condition of these families, 
warned out of town that year, except 
that of J osep h an d J era ima ( 8 to d d ard ) 
Bemis . Mr . Be m is was ah o u 1 2 4 yea rs 
old, had one child at that time and had 



IT4 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



served through the Revolutionary war, 
He must have been all right physically- 
He did not “depart immediately, M but 
remained to earn a living without v * Town 
charge,” bring up a family of six chil- 
dren, buy and pay for a good farm, in- 
herited by his children, ami died at the 
advanced age of 79 years, a respected, 
worthy citizen. His son, Joseph Jr., 
born in Dummersfcon, Aug. 5, 1786, is 
now living (1884) in New York State, 
in his 98th year. 



POVERTY YEAR. 

The year 1816, well remembered by 
the oldest citizens, as the cold season or 
“Poverty-year.” It was known in New 
England as eighteen-froze-to-death. 
There was frost every month in the year, 
though August was exempt from frost 
in some localities. The mean mercurial 
temperature that year was about 43 °, 
Snow fell in June and frost cut down 
the growing corn. The early frosts of 
September destroyed the unripe corn, 
which some farmers vainly tried to save 
by early basking and spreading. Fam- 
ine stared every one in the face and it 
was a hard year for all, though some of 
the river farmers had fair crops when 
all others failed. The crop of English 
grain was heavy and this saved the in- 
habitants from partial famine. The 
only field of corn that ripened in this 
town, that year, was on the “ Haven 
farm,” and the crop was raised by 
“uncle” Jairus Haven, *a man now 
[1S81] living at the age of 92 years. 
He is very deaf, but when he is made to 
understand that something is desired 
from him about 181 G, he is pleased to 
relate bis success in raising corn that 
year. Abeut 15 miles up the river on 
the New Hampshire side in Walpole 
was a wealthly farmer, Thomas Bellows 
Esq,, who had a good crop of corn. 



He had more than he needed for his 
own use, and what he had to spare was 
sold in small quantities at the price iis 
years of plenty to such men as needed 
it for their families and could pay for it 
only in day’s labor, and were obliged to 
carry it home in a bag on their backs. 
Speculators were hard hearted in those 
days, as now, and took advantage of 
the situation of affairs to speculate in 
corn. One such man called on the 
“Squire” to purchase corn and Inquired 
his price. He was much surprised to 
learn that It was no more than in years 
of plenty, and said lie would take the 
corn, “ How much would you like,” 
inquired Mr. Bellows? “I wifi take alf 
you have to spare,” said the speculator. 
“ You cannot have it,” stammered the 
the Squire, for he had an impediment 
in his speech. “ If you want a bushel 
for your family, you can have it at my 
price, but no man can buy of me to 
speculate in this year of scarcity.” The 
story was told to George B. Bartlett, a 
visitor in Walpole some years since, 
and it so impressed him that he embod- 
ied it in a little poem, we chrisen 

THE OLD SQUIRE. 

In the time of the sorrow ful famine year 
When crops were scanty amt bread was dear. 
The good Squire's fertile ami sheltered farm 
In the valley nestled secure from harm : 

For the Walpole hills, in their ragged might 
Softened the chill winds deathly blight, 

So the sweet Connecticut's peaceful stream 
Reflected the harvest's golden gleam: 

And the buyers gathered with eager greed 
To speculate on the poor man's need ; 

But the good Squire said "It is all in vain ; 

No one with money can buy my grain; 

Bnt he who is hungry may come and take 
An ample store for the giver's sake. 

The good old man to his rest has gone, 

But his fame still shines in the golden corn. 
For every year in its ripening grain, 

The grand old story was told again. 

Of him whose treasure was laid away 
In the banka that seven -fold interest pay ; 

For to feed the hnngry and clothe the poor 
Is a speculation that's always sure. 



mJMMKKSTflN. 



115 



EARLY MILITARY 
HISTORY, 

GOING TO WESTMINSTER. 

The early records erf this town fur- 
msh but little information of a. military 
character* The first warlike event in 
which the inhabitants manifested much 
excitement, was the light at Westmin- 
ster in 1775, when William French was 
killed, and Daniel Houghton mortally 
wounded* The company from B rattle - 
boro, including French, stopped on their 
way to tiie court-house, at Ebcraczer 
Haven's iti this to wo, and were quite 
merry and boisterous* T bey laughed 
and yoked about the grand time they 
should have in preventing the court par- 
ty from taking their seats* Mrs. Ha- 
ven thought they had cause to feel sober, 
and told them, their joy would be chang- 
ed to sadness before they returned, n 
prophecy that was indeed, verified* 

THE HUMMERS TON YORKER, 

Alexander K&than, was in the fight 
mi the side of the court party, or ii to- 
r|es/ p as they were called ; and so in- 
dignant were the citizens towards him, 
that he was arrested and sentenced to 
remain on bis Farm one year, and not 
step off from it under penalty of death* 
A neighbor on the farm joining his, 
watched him daily during the whole 
year, and always kept a loaded gun with 
him, while at work in the field, for the 
purpose of shooting him the moment 
that he should step over the boundary. 
u It was lucky for him/ 3 said the man, 
**that he strictly kept within his limit, 
for I should have shot him as quick as 
I would an Indian*” In July, 1777, 
as soon as the news of the battle of 
Hubbardtem reached here, a company of 
militia was sent from this town to Cas- 
tle ton where the main body of the army 



under Gen* St. Clair, was stationed, aim 
rem ai n ed inzUese r v ice till after,, t h e b at- 
tic ofBennington was fought in August* 

THE DUMMERSTON FRIGHT, 
About the year 1780, the inhabitants 
in the north western part of this town, 
an d a fe w la mihes living n ear them , in 
Brookline, became alarmed at sounds 
which they heard in the woods* They 
had. Occasionally, heard the firing of 
a gun in the morning and during the 
forenoon ; but they quieted their fears 
for a time. Towards night the sounds 
became more frequent, and a smoke 
having been seen in the forest, they felt 
sure that Indians were coming to mur- 
der them and destroy their property. 
They hastily gathered what few valua- 
bles they could carry, and with their 
families and teams fled to the older set- 
tlements a few miles farther to the south- 
east. All the inhabitants m the way 
were alarmed mad joined id the flight. 
When they reached the dwellings of 
those families living on the hills in the 
central part of the town, some were per- 
suaded to stop there, as it would be a 
good place for defence ; but several of 
the more timid ones, went, farther on 
towards Brat tiebo ro where there would 
be greater safety, for they declared the 
Indians would come beyond the top of 
the hills. A guard was stationed by 
those who remained on the hill, and ev- 
ery thing in readiness for an attack. The 
hours passed slowly during the night ; 
and to while away the time and keep 
awake, potatoes were roasted andeacen, 
the guard frequently visited and every 
precaution taken against surprise > 
Morning dawned at last, and still no 
signs of tile approaching enemy. Two 
brave men, well armed, were sent back 
towards the scenes of depredation to as- 
certain what damage had been done by 
the Indians* On their approach to the 
place, they saw the door of one house 



110 



V E RMO NT HISTO R JCA L MA G A Z 1 NE. 



standing open and also heard a noise 
inside- “There ! there !” exclaimed one 
“the Indians are here, they are plun- 
dering my house !” They went cau- 
tiously to the door, guns in hand, ready 
for an encounter, when suddenly a loud 
grunt was heard and out rushed an olcl 
porker, the only occupant of the build- 
ing. The men laughed heartily, went 
farther on. learned the causes of their 
alarm, and returned to the company. 

A heavy snow had fallen the day pre- 
vious to the alarm and continued to fall 
the next day. 

The weather being a little warm, the 
snow had lodged on the trees in large 
quantities, causingtbe limbs of some 
to break and fall. The inhabitants 
had mistaken these sounds for the 
report of guns. The smoke which 
was seen in the distance, was caused by 
a party of surveyors, who had stopped 
in the woods and built a fire ; and the 
hog had got access to the house after 
the wind had blown open the door. No 
lives were lost, and the inhabitants re- 
turned to their homes unmolested. 

FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 

WILLIAM NEGUS, 

who died about 1817, nearly 90 years 
of age, a soldier in the French and In- 
dian War, lived on a farm about one 
mile S. W. of where the old meeting- 
house stood. His orchard of apple-trees 
bore fruit first of any in that section. 
He owned the first cider-mill in town. 
The apparatus for the pressing consist 
ed of a large heavy timber fastened loose- 
ly at one end, between two posts, and 
free at the other, under which was the 
floor of the press ; above this was a 
windlass used for raising the end of the 
heavy timber. At first the timber was 
sufficiently heavy to press out the cider; 
afterwards, weights were added to fin- 
ish the work. The pomace was gen- 



erally ground a second time, and water 
sometimes hot, poured on. so that the 
last pressing would be sure to squeeze 
out all the cider. Whenever cider was 
made in the mill, Mr. Negus helped to 
do it, and the boys were not allowed to 
eat apples or drink cider, while he was 
present, for the reason that they were 
scarce in those times. 

He was muscular inform, quite tall, 
and much stronger than men in general. 
His chest and shoulders were very broad 
and his hands uncommonly large. He 
used to say very little about his fight with 
the Indians ; but many stories have been 
told of his great feats of strength. 

On one occasion, when he was haul- 
ing timber to build a house, the hired 
man was obliged to drive the team along 
the brow of a hill. There was danger 
of the log’s rolling downward and injur- 
ing the team ;so Mr. Negus took a large 
lever, stepped over on the lower side, 
placed one end on the ground near the 
log, and the other on his shoulder. 
“Drive on,” said he to the hired man ; 
but the log which was 20 feet long and 
large enough to make a stick of tim- 
ber 8 inches square, instead of going as 
he expected, rolled up on the lever close 
to his head. He stood firm, meanwhile, 
and straight up like a goose in a show- 
er, till the driver could stop the team 
and roll the log back again. % Did it 
hurt you” inquired the driver? “No.” 
said he, “but it pressed my bones pret- 
ty close together.* 1 ’ [See Negus, page 
69.] 

SAMUEL LAUGHTON 

was in the provincial army that formed 
a part of the British forces in the war 
against the French and Indians. He 
was in service from I7o9, till the treaty 
of peace in 1763, and served most ot 
the time in the state of New York, He 
moved into this town in 1768, and set- 



DUMMEKvSTON. 



117 



tied on the farm whore his grand-son 
now lives, — the nearest house being at 
that time, one mile distant. He was 
obliged to go three miles to get an axe 
ground ; and went to mill in North held, 
Mass. At the time of his death in 1814, 
he was Do years old. His son, Jacob 
Laughton, died in this town. Aug. 2D, 
1852, aged 91. 

MOSES ALVOUD, 

a French and Indian war soldier, died 
in 1S1G, aged 85 years. When he was 
in service in Francouia, N. II., both 
his feet were frozen, and amputation 
near the instep was necessary. Ever 
afterwards his walk was peculiar ; and 
from the circumstance that his footsteps 
seemed to imitate the sound of the voice 
in speaking the words, he received the 
title of “Four-pound-ten.” lie was a 
man of medium size aud height, very 
fond of story-telling, and a great hand 
to carry the news. A neighbor once 
told him that the minister, Mr. Beckley, 
had a negro working for him, — he saw 
him chopping wood near the house, as he 
came along that morning. “Has lie,” 
inquired the old man, and soon afte he 
started off, aud was gone all day, tell- 
ing the news that some benevolent man ( 
in Connecticut had sent Mr. Beckley a 
negro, that he had arrived, and some- ; 
body saw him at work there. When ' 
he returned home that night, the folks . 
told him that the story was an imposi- 
tion, and the next day, he again, went 
over the route, and corrected it. 

REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 

JOSEPH HILLIARD, 

one of the early settlers in town, was 
iu the army of the Revolution. He died 
before the government granted pensions 
to the soldiers, except those who were 
invalids. He was 82 years old at the 
time of his death iu 1815. 

He was a man of eccentric habits. 



rather witty in his sayings, and a socia- 
ble and agreeable citizen. He acquir- 
ed uo property, and depended npon char- 
ity and the labor of his hands for sup- 
port in his declining years. 

He was a member of the Congrega- 
tional church, was very constant in at- 
tendance upon the Sabbath, always 
watched the minister closely, and could 
make good criticisms of the sermons. 
Those persons who remember the old 
man like to tell the story of his writing 
texts on a post in the meeting-house. 
He occupied a seat in the gallery at the 
right of the pulpit and quite near to the 
minister. At the head of his pew was 
a column which supported that end of 
the gallery and extended to the upper 
part of the building. Whenever the 
minister read his text, he was always 
ready with a pin to scratch it down on 
the “post,” and so many times had he 
done so, that it was all written over 
with texts as high as he could reach. 
Often when he was in the act of writ- 
ing, the young folks would whisper to 
each other saying, 4 4 See there ! grand- 
pa Hilliard is treeing the text!” 
BENJAMIN GLEASON, 

a pensioner, served in the army 7 years, 
He was born in 1745, lived in this town 
many years, and died Oct. 23, 1823, 
aged 78. Nothing can be ascertained 
about his long experience in war ; but 
we met with one old gentleman, who 
told us the following story of his killing 
an Indian : 

The Indians had come down the Con- 
necticut valley, from Canada for the 
purpose of destroying the property of 
the whites and taking them prisoners. 
Gleason was an object of their search ; 
but he was vigilant, and managed to es- 
cape into the forest, on the approach of 
the savages. Ilis place of retreat was 
soon discovered ; and with the intention 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



of capturing him alive, an Indian came 
towards him looking very good naturcd, 
and for the purpose of deception, pre- 
tended that he was going to shake hands, 
saying, as he walked along, “Sagah?” 
u Sagah ?”in English, how are you ? how. 
are you? “1*11 Sagah you,” said Ben, 
and instantly shot him dead. The In- 
dians were greatly enraged, on finding 
their comrade dead ; but Gleason was 
too cunning for the red men, and was 
never made tlieir prisoner. 

JAMES HANLEY, 

an Irishman, and, a long time, resident 
of this town, was in the American ar- 
my, during the Revolution. In 1781, 
the town authorities deemed it necessa- 
ry to look after his interests aud, 
“According to an Act of the General 
Assembly of the State of Vermont made 
and Provided for Idle aud Impotent 
Persons, appointed Lieut. John Wyman 
to be his Overseer and take care of him 
and his Affects.” 

This provision was essential to pre- 
vent his family from coming to want. His 
army experience made him a brave sol- 
dier, but not an industrious and temper- 
ate citizen. He died before the govern- 
ment granted pensions, and was at the 
time of his death 80 years old. 

Hanley hated the “Yorkers” and nev- 
er spoke of them in very respectful terms. 
Whenever they caused any disturban- 
ces in the community, lie was always i 
ready with his old musket, to help keep 1 
the peace. 

In those times, a home guard was 
appointed to assist the inhabitants, in 
any emergency, and protect persons and 
property. Provision was made for the 
guard, whenever they should be called 
into the service ; and for that purpose, 
the town owned two or three cows 
which were kept for a time, on the farm 
af Ilosea Miller, and, for sale keeping, 
were always put into an inclosure dur- 



ing the night. Hanley got information 
one evening that some Yorkers had 
come into the neighborhood to drive off 
the cows ; and to frustrate their plan, he 
took his gun, hastened to the farm of 
Mr. Miller, roused him up, said that the 
Yorkers were coming to steal the cows, 
and he must help defend them. Miller 
thought he was more alarmed than need 
be, — there was no danger of their steal- 
ing the cows. Yes, there was, ^e was 
sure of it, and he must help, or let his 
hired man. They both refused to go 
out and help him ; and no choice re- 
mained. but to let the cows be stolen 
or defend them himself. Hanley’s cour- 
age was up ; he shouldered his musket 
and marched off to the yard to guard 
them alone. He was not long in wait- 
ing, when he heard the Yorkers tearing 
down the fence on the side opposite to 
him. Creeping cautiously up the yard, 
he suddenly, jumped upon the brush 
and rails, making a tremendous crash, 
fired his gun, and shouted “Surround 
them, brave boys ! we’ll have them 1 
Hurrah, brave boys !” The Yorkers 
fled instantly, — thinking, no doubt, 
they were greatly outnumbered. Han- 
ley remained master of the situation 
and guarded the cows till morning. 

JOHN NEGUS, 

a son of William Negus, went into the 
army at the age of twenty, and served 
through the war. lie died in 1810, 
aged GO years. He often related sto- 
ries of hardship and exposure that were 
endured by soldiers of the Revolution, 
Many a time had he lain, in a cold win- 
ter night, on fir-boughs, placed on the 
snow, and slept soundly. 

When they were discharged from ser- 
vice, the government paid no money ; 
and not being furnished with transpor- 
iation free, as the soldiers were in the 
late war, they were obliged to “foot 



119 



DUMMERSTON. 



it” home and beg their living on the 
way. At one phu e, where they called 
for food and lodgings, the man told them 
he had nothing but bean-porridge for 
them to eat, if they liked that, he could 
furnish them a supper. “It is just what 
we want” said Negus, u we don’t ask for 
anything better.” They ate a hearty 
meal, and, before retiring for the night, 
informed their host that they wanted to 
start on their journey before light ; “very 
well,” said he, “help yourselves to the 
porridge again before leaving,” which 
they did, and went on their way, feeling 
very grateful for their good entertain- 
ment. 

WILLIAM CUMMINGS, 
a Revolutionary pensioner, died April 
30, 1838, in the 77th year of his age. 
The government at first granted pensions 
only to those who were in poor circum- 
stances ; and Mr. Cummings, being in 
much need of assistance, received aid 
from the government for a considerable 
time before the law granting pensions 
to all the soldiers, that served in the 
Revolution, was established. 

He was a man of medium height, 
rather slim yet strong and very athletic. 
At the age of seventy, he was the cham- 
pion wrestler in this town, or as au old 
gentleman expressed it, “No one in 
town could handle him.” Of the nu- 
merous stories that he told, only one, 
that of his narrow escape from being 
taken prisoner, is remembered. 

During a skirmish with the British, 
our forces were overpowered and sought 
safety in flight. The enemy were atix- 
ious to secure all the prisoners they 
could, and followed our soldiers a long 
distance. Cummings, having run until 
he was quite exhausted, supposed that 
he was clear of the enemy ; but on look- 
ing back, he saw a British soldier 
climbing over the wall not far behind 



him. He quickly raised his gun, fired, 
and the soldier fell from sight. He nev- 
er ascertained whether he was killed or 
only wounded, but was sure that he did 
not capture him. 

benjamin estabhook, 
one of the early settlers, in this town 
and a soldier, during the first year of 
the Revolution, moved his family here, 
in the spring of 1778. The summer 
previous, he had spent in clearing up a 
piece of land and building a frame house 
on his new farm, which was situated 
in the central part of the town, about 
one-half mile east of Black Mountain. 
He brought with him, from home, four 
panes of glass which were put into the 
new house for windows to furnish what 
light it was necessary to admit. 

On account of bad roads and swollen 
streams without bridges, it occupied one 
week to perform the journey in moving 
his family and goods from Rutland, 
Mass., to his new home in the forest, 
distant 60 miles. 

In a few years he had cleared up sev- 
eral acres of woodland, and reserved a 
large lot for wood and timber. During 
the summer of 1788, his fine wood-lot 
was destroyed by 

THE GREAT HURRICANE. 

When the storm arose, dense black 
clouds rolled up from the north-west ; 
the tempest winds roared with fearful 
sounds of gathering power ; lightnings 
flashed vividly through the moist atmos- 
phere ; the thunder deepening and crash- 
ing as if it would rend a world ; then 
came the violent rain and the rushing 
hurricane with one full blast that swept 
whole forests to the ground. No sway- 
ing of trees, back and forth, but one 
continued rush of the mighty wind pros- 
trated every tree in its range for miles 
up the West River valley, and along 
the west side of the high range of hills 



120 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



in the central part of the town. Black 
Mountain was left bare of its vast for- 
est of large trees. Many cattle were 
killed, buildings unroofed, and one lit- 
tle child lost its life. The honse in 
which the parents lived was not consid- 
ered safe ; Mr. Jones, the father, was 
abseni from home ; and t he mother 
thought best to take her two children 
and go to some other place for better 
protection. She had not gone far from 
the house, when a tree fell and killed 
one of the children. After the storm, 
some one went in search of her husband 
and informed him that he had had news 
to tell. “What is it,” said lie, “are all 
my family killed ?'* “Not so had as 
that,” replied the man, “but your little 
child is dead.” 

People were greatly frightened dur- 
ing the tempest, and many went into 
the cellars for fear their houses would 
be blown dowu. Several men, the next 
day, took their axes and butcher-knives 
and went over the fields, and killed 
what cattle were living that were injur- 
ed beyond recovery. Mr. Estabrook 
was much surprised at having his wood- 
land cleared up so suddenly, and was 
anxious about his future supply of wood 
and timber. Mr. Negus, a neighbor, 
offered to exchange lots and let him 
have an equal number of acres covered 
with woods, which proposition was 
gladly accepted. He lived in town 
many years ; reared a family of six 
children, and all lived to be over fifty 
years old. 

During the year, 1775, he served 8 
months in the army, and was on duty 
near Boston, Mass. Ho received no 
pension; for the act, Mar. 18, 1818, 
excluded persons worth over $700. 

In 1781, he was “elected Ensign of 
the 4th Company in the 7th Regiment 
of the Militia of this State.” The com- 



mission is in possession of his son, Ben- 
jamin Estabrook, now living in this 
town, and was signed by Thomas Chit- 
tenden, Govenur of Vermont. 

He died May 24, 1834, aged 86 yrs, 
Abigail, his wife, died Aug. 2G, 1834. 
aged 82. 

COPY OF EBENEZER BROOKS DISCHARGE. 

papers — transcribed on the town rec- 
ords in 1 701. 

“Ticonderogn Oct. 10th. 1776. 

These certify that Ebenezer Brooks, 
soldier in Captain Hind’s Company of 
Col. Reed’s Regiment, is rendered un- 
fit tor future service this Campaign, by 
the loss of his right eye. aud is hereby 
receommended for a discharge. 

TO LT. COL. GILMAN of 2d Regl. 
e. green Su ’g’n to 2d Regt.” 
In consequence of the above certificate 
aud averment that the complaint of 
Ebenezer Brooks is not fictitious, I do 
reccommend the said Ebeuezer Brooks, 
soldier in CapL. Hind’s Company of the 
Regiment under uiy command; aged 20 
years, five feet three inches high, light 
hair, blue eyes, light complexion ; be- 
longing to the town of Fullam (now 
Dummerston) as a proper person to be 
discharged from the army of United 
States of America. 

ISRAEL GILMAN LT. COL. 
To the HONORABLE MAJ. GEN. GATES. 

Commander at Tieouderoga. 
Ebenezer Brooks in Capt. Hind’s Com- 
pany Col. Reed’s Rcgt. is for the reason 
above mentioned, discharged from the 
service of the United States of America. 
Given at Head Quarters the — of Oct. 
1776, by the General’s command. 
john Trumbull Dy. Adjutant General. 

JOEL KNIGHT 

was a private and drummer in the Ver- 
mont militia ; enlisted at the age of 18, 
and was in service near Lake Chain- 
plain. His name was placed on the 
pension roll Sept. 21, 1833, under the 
act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. 
He died in 1841, aged 79 years. 

He enlisted in 1780. The following 



DUMMERSTON. 



121 



winter, the cold was more intense than 
it had ever before been known to be in 
this climate i within the memory of the 
oldest inhabitant. The winter, to this 
day, bears the distinctive epithet of the 
•‘hard winter.” The army in encamp- 
ment its I'ar south as Morristown, N. 
«)., suffered extremely, and often had 
Washington the prospect before him of 
being obliged to disband his soldiers. 

In the early part of the winter, Mr. 
Knight with a company of soldiers 
marched over the. Green Mountains, 
from Bennington to some town in south- 
eastern Vermont. The snow was ^knee- 
deep” and the weather freezing cold. 
They made slow progress, had seamy 
rations, and not finding any habitations 
where they could stop and warm them- 
selves or obtain food, on the journey 
through the forests, their provisions, 
having become exhausted, were soon 
weary and suffering from hunger aud 
cold. One man finally gave out, refus- 
ed to go farther, and lay down to rest, 
and sleep on the snow. The men rous- 
ed him up, anoimated Ins flagging spir- 
its, and coaxed him again to march on 
in the hopes of soon finding relief. With 
much difficulty he travelled a few miles 
further through the sdow, and then 
said it was of no use, his strength was 
gone and he must stop. His comrades 
were impatient ; their urging and impor- 
tunity did no good, and, at last they 
left him behind, to slumber in his lone- 
ly bed of snow ; but a knowledge of his 
impending fate, that bis slumber would 
end in the sleep of death, and feelings 
of regard for their lost companion in 
arms, caused them to return again aud 
make him realize his dangerous situa- 
tion ; and this time they used no flatter- 
ing words, but cuffed his ears, kicked 
and rolled him about till his temper was 
roused aud a promise given that he 
would march on with the company. 

1G 



They sood afterwards mete farmer, 
reluming from mill with bags of meal. 
Being in a starving condition, they ask- 
ed him for food aud he told them they 
might have all the meal they could eat. 
They built a fire of dried sticks, bent 
their hats concave, and carried water 
-on them to make dough which they bak- 
ed on the. coals,- some, meanwhile, eat- 
ing handfuls of dry meal and wet dough 
so impatient were they to wait till the 
bread was baked. 

Having satisfied their craving hun- 
ger with the farmer’s generous treat, 
tiiey marched on with renewed vigor 
and firmer pace. They had escaped 
starvation for a time, had saved the life 
oi one comrade in rescuing him from a 
grave of freezing snow, only to meet 
with another still more perilous advent- 
ure, the crossing of West River. The 
river was full of floating anchor-ice ; 
the bottom was icy aud slippery, and 
there was no means of crossing, other, 
than to ford the stream. The swift run- 
ning water made it a difficult task ; but 
the Green Mountain boys, who had 
braved 50 mauy dangers, were not 
stopped by a stream of water, not waist 
deep. Reversing their guns and stick- 
ing the sharp bayonets into the icy bot- 
tom, us they walked cautiously along, 
they managed to reach the other side 
without accident; but, “after that/’ 
said Knight, “we had plenty of music 
from our rattling, icy pantaloons, the 
rest of the way, till we reached a house 
in Townshend where we found comfort- 
able quarters for the night, and a good 
fire by which to dry our clothing, and 
the family prepared us a good supper 
of boiled meat and vegetables such sis 
we had not enjoyed for mauy a day.” 

ELIJAH BROWN 

was a private in the Massachusetts con- 
tinental line troops. He served in Capt. 



it! 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



James FamivulVs Company, drafts! 
from General Warner 4 s Brigade* as a 
rnatross, a sort of soldier in the artille- 
ry, in the year 1777* His name was 
placed on the pension roll, July If), 
1818, under the act of Congress passed 
Mar- 18, 1818 ; was dropped from the 
roll underact passed May 1, 1820, and 
pensioned again under act passed June 
7, 1832, He died Oct. 5, 1840, agvri 
87 years. 

A little story, illustrative of army 
life* is still remembered. They had 
been sent oat in advance of the army, 
among - the skirmishers, previous ton 
battle. The British soon began firing 
briskly; the bullets 0ew thick and fast; 
and the soldiers were ordered to shield 
themselves behind rocks, stumps, or 
anything that afforded protection. Some 
of the men who were over anxious to 
see where the 4 Ted coats** were conceal- 
ed, frequently looked out from their 
hiding places. Brown thought- that was 
sheer recklessness. Be scolded them 
severely for needlessly exposing their 
Jives, and told them what the result 
would be. They heeded his warning 
for a time; but one of the men again 
looked over a stump, when a bullet 
quickly pierced his brain, and he roll- 
ed back on the ground, dead. “There,** 
said Brown, “I told you, you would 
get yovtr cl — d head shot off.*' 

JOHN HILL, 

an Englishman, an inhabitant of the 
town nearly 25 years, was a soldier in 
Burgoyne’s army, and was taken pris- 
oner in the battle of Bennington in 
1777. The prisoners, for a while, were 
kept in a stockade guarded by soldiers, 
in a town not far south of the battle- 
field. Hill with 12 others managed to 
escape one night, and was not exchang 
©d with the rest who were afterwards 
sent to Boston for that purpose. 

Several years before his death, he 



was obliged to cull on the town for sup- 
port. Mr. John Miller was selectman 
at the time, and said to him, when ask- 
ed for assistance, HTill. yoifre a Brit- 
ish soldier, You fought against this: 
country and would now take my heart’s 
blood, if you had a chance to do It. I 
will not give yon one cent.** “Mr. Mill- 
er, you are mistaken*” replied Hill, with 
a look of disappointment. “I never 
entered the British service willingly. I 
was pressed into it, and got away the 
first- chance I had. When I was in Eng- 
land, we were at a dance one night 
and on a sudden, the officers rushed in- 
to the room and shouted, 1 Soldiers, to 
your arms I and hurried as to the ves- 
sels. Where we were going, and what 
for, I never knew until we landed at 
Quebec. So quickly were wo hurried 
off that l left m\ girl standing on the 
floor,— and she may be there now ibr 
aught T know.” Mr. Miller was satis- 
fied that the man was sincere ; and he 
was supported by the town, during the 
remaining years of his life. 

JACOB LAUGHTON, 

born in 1780; enl i sted f ro m Con cord , 
N, H., as a private and drummer in the 
continental line troops, and remained 3 
years in service. His name was placed 
on the pension roll, Nov. 24, 1818, He 
lived in this town several years, where 
he has relatives now living. On train- 
ing days, be was some times employed 
as drummer Ibr the occasion, and being 
somewhat deaf, it was necessary that 
the flier should march quite close to him, 
so that “deaf Jake,” as be was often 
called, could hear the tone, (see pages 
o8“59 ) He removed to Oneida county 
N. Y*, where he died in J8GC, aged 100 
years. 

JOHN MILLER, 

son of Isaac Miller, [see page 43] en- 
listed from Worcester, and was in ser- 
vice in the State ofNewJersoy. About, 



DU MMEKSTON 



123 



1000 Hessians were captured at the bat- 
tle of Trenton, and lie was one of the 
soldiers that guarded the prisoners, dur- 
ing the winter of 1776 *77. Among 
the prisoners was a little drummer boy 
about twelve years of age, whose smil- 
ing face, sprightly manner and evident 
appearance of contentment, attracted 
file notice of the soldiers. When taken 
prisoner, all the food he had with him, 
was a small piece of raw pork in a lit- 
tle hag strapped to his shoulder. All 
the rest of his companions bore sad coun- 
tenances, were low spirited and seldom 
engaged iu conversation. The soldiers 
asked him why he could be so happy 
when among strangers, and far away 
from his home. “0,”said he, “father 
and mother are not far behind,”- mean- 
ing, probably, that they were already on 
their way to this country to make it 
their home. 

Mr. Miller married Mary Davenport, 
dau. of Charles Davenport, one of tne 
first settlers, [see page 35] He died 
Dec. 1$, 1334, aged 78 years. 

JOSEPH MILLER, 

who died in 1814, aged 63, entered the 
army at the beginning of the Revolution 
in 1775, and served till the close of the 
war in 1782. He assisted his father, 
Isaac Miller, in the survey of roads in 
this to'wn. After peace was declared, 
lie returned to Dummerston, where he 
made it his home whenever he was out 
of employment. He was never mar- 
ried, and spent a large share >f his time 
in travelling about the country. For a 
few years, he was out in the Western 
territory, now Ohio, surveying land. 
He Wits in New Orleans, La., in 1792, 
and received a passport from the Span- 
ish authorities, which is now in posses- 
sion of a relative, in this town. It is 
8x12 inches; dated June 19, 1792; 
printed, and part written, in the Span- 



ish language, and signed by “The Bar- 
on of Carondelet, Defender of the Relig- 
ion of S. Juan, Colonel of the Real 
Armies. Govenor. ‘Hntendete general, 91 
Vice-Patron of the provinces of Louis- 
iana, Florida occidental, and Inspector 
of their troops. 

When he was residing in this town, 
his brother, Hosea, built anew barn ou 
his farm. At the raiding, it was dis- 
covered, before the frame was all up. 
that there would not be rum enough to 
go round. People drank spirits in those 
days ; even the minister sipped the cup 
that Bacchus crowned ,* therefore, it was 
decided, w ith no reproachful feeling of 
conscience, that Joseph Miller should 
go to Putney a distance of 4 miles, for 
more rum. He was soon on his way 
with orders to “whip up the horse and 
go quick 99 Having purchased the liq- 
uor and tested its quality, he sat down 
quietly tc enjoy its effects and forgot to 
return home lill next day. Of course 
the raising >vas over and the men 
gone. His brother was u*>t pleased with 
such management, and told him plainly 
what he thought about his being absent 
so long. He bore it patiently for a 
while, but, at length, getting restless loa- 
der the keen reproofs, he spoke out 
sharply, “Do you think a man can go 
to Putney and back in a minute?” 
Another story is told about bis pre- 
venting on one occasion, Rev. Mr. Far- 
rar, the first settled minister, from get- 
ting a flogging. MosesJoy an old sea cap- 
tain, a rough, quick-tempered, savage 
old fellow, who cursed and sw ore about 
everything as sailors are notoriously 
capable of doing, not a sentence es- 
caping his lips without being tainted 
with profanity, was not on friendly terms 
with Mr. Farrar and did not reverence 
his profession, and, because he was 
lame, called him the three-legged miD- 



m 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



ister. He was one day going to the Hol- 
low for a load of boards, and when 
passing Mr, Farrar's Ilousg, on his way 
to the mill, Uo swore terribly at his 
team. He cursed the bad roads, and 
in some way managed to roll out a 
string of frightful oaths all the time he 
was within sight of the ministers resi- 
dence. 

Mr. arrar resented the insidt, and 
to punish his aggressor “felled’ 5 a tree 
across the road while he was absent at 
the mill. When the captain returned, 
the passage was effectually blocked up. 
Not knowing for a certainty who had 
cut down the tree, he went back to Mil- 
ler’s and made enquiry. He was in- 
formed that Mr, Farrar had felled the 
tree, but not that it was done intention- 
ally. 

Joy, full of rage* swore lie would 
make Mr. Farrar cut that tree away 
from the road or he would thrash him 
soundly. 

Miller knew the old sea-dog^s temper 
and nature too well to allow him the 
management of the affair alone, and so 
said he won Id take an axe and cut the 
tree away, and that the Captain had 
better no: have any trouble with the 
minister. 

Joy was so greatly enraged, he could 
not rest easy while Miller was cutting 
the tree, and went straight into the par- 
sonage, took Mr. Farrar by the collar 
and led him out to the tree, and, said 
Joy, “1 made that infernal three- -egged 
old cuss jump back a, id forth over that 
log till Joe Miller got it cut off.” 

DANIEL LESTER, 

an Englishman, deserted the British 
and, under an assumed name, joined the 
American army. He was In several 
important battles of the Revolution, and 
in one engagement was severely wound- 
ed and left for dead, on the battle-held. 



He revived sufficiently during the fol- 
lowing night, to crawl away from the 
field of carnage and avoid capture by 
the British and death for desertion. He 
was a resident of this town many years. 
When the pension act was passed by 
Congress, Mar* 18^ 1818,, he applied for 
a pension ; hut the destruction of the pa- 
pers of the War Office in 1801, and *14 T 
left do record of his service, and ha- 
had uo friend that could prove his iden- 
tity and enlistment. 

AH AIJ UOLTON 

was it private in the Vermont militia 
and received a pension for services in 
the Revolutionary war. His name was 
inscribed on the pension roll Aug. l5„ 
183 3-, under act passed June 7 n 1832. 
He died Oct. 8, 1841 , aged 89 years. 
He was one iff the first settlers in town. 
In person, be was tall am 7 commanding 
wore a broad -brimmed lot, hr. Mimmai 
a white linen frock, hill mg down to 
his boots and spurs, hair tied back 
in a cue wound with eel-skin, and a tin 
trumpet belted to his side, which he 
sounded loud and long, when he travel- 
led through villages and towns, as a far- 
rier, in this and neighboring states 
Rev. I lose a Beck ley and wife once 
visitedthe family by invitation of Mrs. 
Holton and were treated hospitably. 
At the supper table, without waiting for 
the customary blessing to be asked or 
requesting it done, lie took his seat with 
his head covered and persisted to wear 
his low crowned rimmer. his mortified 
wi fe remin de d him of the i m pro pr i ety , 
but the only answer or relief obtained 
by her was, “Madam, my hat is paid 
forV 

REV. JOSEFS FARRAR, 
son of George Farrar, born in Lincoln, 
Mass., June 30, 1744; graduated at 
I Lar v ard IT n i versi ty , 1 7 6 7 . Aftc. r pre <jtc h - 
mg 12 sabbaths in Dublin, N. H., as a 



DUMMERSTON, 



125 



candidate for settlement ; received a call 
from Stowe, Oct. 17, 1771 ; was ordain- 
ed pastor of the Congregational church 
June 10, 1775, the same day on which 
the church was organized. His useful- 
ness became impaired by disease, and 
still more by morbid fancies In which he 
indulged, and so much dissatisfaction 
arose that a council was called to inves- 
tigate the matter* The council advis- 
ed that he should be suspended from the 
ministry for 6 mouths, and that, if Ills 
health was not then restored, he should 
ask a dismission. He was dismissed 
J une 7 1 1775, an d becam e a C ha pi ain 
in the Revolutionary army. U (F. H. W* 
in the Vermont Record.) 11 

TOWN MEETING ABOUT THE MINISTER* 

At a town meeting legally warned 
and held Dec. 10, 1783, the town took 
into consideration the request of Mr. 
Farrar relative to his being dismissed 
from his pastoral relation to the church 
and congregation and 

“voted to dismiss the second article 
in the notification, winch was to see if 
the town would give the Rev, Mr. Far- 
rar a d Is mission or give hi m lihe rty to 
be absent two or three months for the 
recovery of his health. 1 ' 

Voted to choose a committee to hold, 
a conference with Mr. Farrar and make 
a report at the animal meeting in March 
n ex t ♦ Aceo v dl j \ gl y cl ) ose D eaco nAn ios 
Riee, Deacon Nathaniel Holmes, and 
Alexander Katluiu, Esq. for said com- 
mittee. 11 

“Mar. 15, 1784. A true copy of the 
report of the committee chosen in Dec. 
1783, to confer with the Rev. Mr. Far- 
rar relative lo his uneasiness. We, 
your committee appointed to hold a con- 
ference with the Rev* Mr. Farrar, on 
his letter dated November 26, 1783. 
and on his supplement to said letter da- 
ted Dec. 9, 1783, beg leave to report 
that on the 12th of December did begin 
said conference ; and from time to time 
have discoursed with him, and received 
the following answers. First with re- 



gard to Ills wood, we Imd Mr. Farrar 
to be mistaken, as there is no record to 
be found setting forth any length of 
wood whatever. With regard to the 
second complaint, Mr. Farrar declined 
calling the names of any persons that 
asked more for any articles than was 
agreed for in the settlement. With re- 
gard to the complaint of his being dis- 
tracted, he says he was informed of it 
by two persons whose names he men- 
tioned, viz., : Lieut. Daniel Gates and 
Mr, Lemuel Davenport. They inform- 
ed him the people had got such a notion ; 
and with regard to the Cruelty or bar- 
barity he is atfiietcd with, or complains 
of, he lays to the charge of the female 
sex, that they gave him Spanish dies 
and lave powder, with other things not 
by him mentioned, which he says is 
the main cause of his asking a dismis- 
sion ; and with regard to the scanty 
measure, he says that he received some 
grain of one or two persona, that was 
so damp that when it was dried, it fell 
short four quarts in one bushel and a 
half; and further, the Rev. Mr. Farrar 
still insists on being dismissed.” 

AMOS RICE FOR COMMITTEE, 
Mr, Farrar was dismissed May 12, 
1784, and for nearly 30 years after leav- 
ing this town, nothing is known of him* 
[see Church History, page 85.] He 
was a faithful minister, and a man of 
more than ordinary ability, but eccen- 
tric to a degree sometimes bordering up- 
on absolute insanity. He w T as almost 
the only minister in the State who was 
known to be tt Democrat of the old 
school/ 1 

LIEUT. JOHN wy M AN. 

(See b iograp hical s k ct c h p age 54.) In 
1772, was a citizen of B osto n , w hen an 
important measure was adopted by an 
assembly of its inhabitants to appoint 
committees of correspondence and inqui- 
ry for the purpose of ascertaining the 
sentiments and confidential opinions of 
prominent persons living in other parts 
of l he country, on all affairs of mutual 
interest. During these movements, a 



126 



V ERMONT II LSTO R I C A L MAGAZINE. 



plan was devised by the British Parlia- 
ment to introduce tea into the colonies ; 
but the Americans would not pay the 
small duty upon it, of only threepence. 

Several cargoes of tea arrived at Bos- 
ton. The captain of a vessel was de- 
spatched to the Govenor to request a 
passport, but he refused to grant it and 
a secret plan was formed to destroy the 
tea. Three different parties, Lieut. John 
Wyme.il being one of the men, sallied 
out, in the costume of Mohawk Indians, 
precipitately made their way to the 
wharves, and without noise and with- 
out tumult, the tea was taken from the 
vessels by the conspirators, and speed- 
ily emptied into the sea as an offering 
to the watery god. 

He was in the engagement at Bunker 
Hill, June 17, 1775, where 8000 Brit- 
ish under the command of General Howe 
were twice repulsed by the Americans ; 
till their ammunition failed, and on the 
third charge of the British, they were 
obliged to retire. Having served as a 
private in the early part of the war, he 
was soon afterwards promoted Lieuten- 
ant, for meritorious conduct in several 
battles, and was in service with the 
Rhode Island troops, during the last 
part of the Revolution. 

When living in this town, during the 
troublesome times with the “Yorkers,” 
he was very active in maintaining the 
rights of inhabitants to claims of land 
purchased from the Govenor of New 
Hampshire. The government of New 
York declared the titles of the land-grants 
good for nothing, and required the oc- 
cupants to purchase the lands a second 
time. Many refused to do this ; their 
lands were sold to other persons ; 
and the holders were sued and order- 
ed to leave. They would not do it; 
and roughly handled the sheriffs and 
others, who attempted to force them 
away. The people at length became so 



enraged that they would not allow any 
person who sympathized with the York- 
ers to remain at liberty, but arrested all 
such persons and put them injail at West- 
minster. Colonel Church, who lived 
in the edge of BratUeboro on the West 
river road was a “Yorker” in political 
sentiment, and to punish him for enter- 
taining such provocative opinions, the 
“committee of safely” were determined 
to “jug him.” Lieut. Wyman and 
Charles Davenport were the leaders of 
the party that proceeded to 'he house of 
the Colonel for the purpose of taking 
him prisoner. On their arrival, Wy- 
man knocked loudly for admittance; 
but no one answered the call, and the 
door was found to be securely fastened. 
He shook, pounded and kicked at the 
door making n tremendous noise, when 
it opened suddenly and a dish of hot 
porridge was thrown into his face. This 
unexpected calamity did not hinder the 
proceedings, — the men rushed in and 
searched the house thoroughly but could 
find nothing of the Colonel inside the 
building. Mr. Davenport in the mean 
time had searched the barn aud sheds ; 
but not finding him there ; looked around 
the outside of the house. He soon 
found a small opening through the un- 
derpinning and crawled in to reconnoi- 
tre the grounds. It was a difficult pas- 
sage ; hut he pushed on through the 
gloomy labyrinth of cobwebs till at last 
lie spied tile Colonel snugly tucked away 
in the remotest corner. Fearing lie 
might have a gun with him, he venture- 
ed no farther, but crawled back, went 
into the house and, going directly over 
the place, he jumped violently on the 
iloor, “There I” said he, “the Colonel 
is right under here.” All rushed to the 
hole, and Davenport again crawled 
through, and crept cautiously towards 
him till he was satisfied he had no gun 
then venturing quit< 4 near said, “Come. 



DUMMERSTON. 



127 



Colonel Church, come out, come — 
c om e o u t . ” He was ti n al 1 y persu ad ed . 
aud came out. The party imme- 
diately started with him towards 
Westminster. Just as they were 
going out of sight, the Colonels 
boys, who were hid behind the hill, 
fired a parting shot into the com- 
pany ; but no one was injured, and 
the Colonel was safely lodge in jail. 

JOSHUA WILDER 

was employed b} r a Commissary in 
the Revolutionary war, volunteered, 
with several laborers in the depart- 
ment, to perform guard duty and 
relieve a company of soldiers, who 
has been detached for that purpose, 
but whose service was then much 
needed in the army. He performed 
the duty 3 years, and for that ser- 
vice the government granted him a 
pension in 1833. Mr. Wilder moved 
into town in 1705, bringing with him 
a family of 9 children. He occupied 
a house, or rather a frame with one 
room loosely boarded up, the cracks 
left between the boards being “wide 
enough to stick your lingers through; 
and the cellar contained millions of 
fleas. ” The room was 60 on made 
comfortable and in a few days, a 
new comer increased the family of 
children one. 

Iu the summer of 1848, Mr, Wil- 
der, being then in his 87th year, 
concluded to have a family “ mow- 
ing bee.” On the day appointed, 
all things being in readiness, they 
commenced mowing in the following 
order: Father, sou, grandson, and 
great grandson ; namely, Joshua 
Wilder, Dan Wilder, Leroy Wilder, 
and Wallace Wilder ; four genera- 
tions ; and there was a boy for the 
5th generation, not present, large 



enough to spread the swaths. One 
of the spectators remarked, that the 
old man stood up the straightest of 
the lot. Only a fortnight before his 
i death, he was strong enough to 
spring from the ground into a Kiddle 
on the back of a horse, and rode 
j several miles. He died Mar. 4, 
1849, aged 89 years 10 months. 

JOSIAH DODGE 

was a private in the 13th Regiment 
of infantry, and died in the service 
Feb. 9, 1815. His heirs obtained a 
pension under act of Congress, 
passed April 1C, 181G. 

REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS, 

belonging to this town, on the pen- 
sion list under act passed Mar. 14, 
IBIS: 

Joshua Bemis ; John Burnham, 
died Dec. 25, 1829, aged 81 ; Elijah 
Gibbs, died 1838, aged 90 ; Seth 
Hudson, died Nov. 28, 1828, aged 
70 ; Josiah Kellogg, Elkanah Pren- 
tice. 

Isaac Taylor, transferred from 
Warren Co. N. Mar. 4, 1823; 
died Feb. 27, 1S28, aged 77. 

Names inscribed under act, June 
7, 1832. 

Nathan Adams, died June 5, 1835, 
Elijah Buck; David Bennett; Jo- 
seph Bemis, died August 16, 1837, 
aged 79 ; James Chase; John Gooid ; 
Asa Dutton, died Feb. 11, 1830, 
aged 70 ; Jonathan Huntly ; Benja- 
min Pierce ; Calvin Mann, pen- 
sioned first under act, March 18, 
1817, relinquished for benefit of act 
June 7, 1832: Joseph Gilbert and 
Stewart Black were pensioners, but 
were not paid at the agency in Bur- 
lington. 

DANIEL HATH AN, 

one of the first settlers, was ap- 
pointed “First Lieutenant of Cap- 
tain Alienas Company of Militia in 
the County of Cumberland, in the 
Regiment whereof Eleazer Patterson 
Esq., is Colonel.” His commission 



] 28 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



was dated Aug. 18, 1778, and signed 
by Geo Clinton, Governor of New 
York, It is now in possession of 
Joel Knight of this town. It is val- 
uable- txs a curious and ancient docu- 
ment, 

THE SCARE. 



the Indian war-whoop contrary to 
the laws of those times. This news 
relieved the fears of the inhabitants, 
and the little warlike company dis- 
banded their forces and returned to 
the peaceful occupation of farming 
again, 



[ Another version of the old story, page 
113, or a a o tker alarm . | 

Soon after the close of the Revo- 
lutionary war, some men were sur- 
veying land near Lient. Spaulding's 
house* one day, about noon, when 
they heard the Indian war-whoop on 
t lie distant hills in a northwesterly 
direction and supposed that Indians 
were approaching. The neighbors 
of Lk Spaulding also heard the 
alarming Kouiid and hastened to his 
house for consultation in regard to 
making preparations for defence. As 
lie had served in the French and In- 
dian war, his neighbors though t best 
to choose him to reconnoiter the 
situation, and ascertain, if possible, 
the number and w hereabouts of tire 
enemy. He was soon equipped and 
mounted on the old black horse, 
which he rode in the Revolution, 
hastened on Jus mission. 

During his absence, the people 
were so much alarmed that all the 
men, women, and children took re- 
fuge in a log building, suited in some 
respects for a place of defence, and 
located iu the valley east of Spauld- 
ing's house. Provisions, clothing, 
house li old utensils, valuables and 
keepsakes, which the children could 
well carry, were removed to the ex- 
temporized fort ; Pewter plates and 
basins were brought to be run into 
bullets. Those persons, who had no 
guns, were armed with clubs and 
stones, and all was in readiness for 
the emergency. 

Just at sundown, a gun and two 
pistol shots were heard at Spauld- 
ing's house, a signal of hie safe re- 
turn. No trace of Indians was found. 
It was ascertained that, probably, 
some hunters in the vicinity had 
given the false alarm and Bounded 



A REVOLUTIONARY RELIC, 

We have seen au old “Gin-Case" 
that was once the property of an 
officer who was one of the number 
on board the vessel from which the 
tea was thrown into Boston harbor 
tn 1773. It. was taken from the 
vessel by one (if the party of Amer- 
icans who, dressed in the costume 
of Mohawk Indians, went on board 
and destroyed the tea. The gin- 
case and its contents became the 
heir-loom of a Massachusetts family 
of wealth, arid was handed down 
from its original possessor to son 
I mid g ru n d son w h o d i ed in W est ft el d 
I of that state, a few years ago. and 
at Ids decease it became the proper- 
ty of a person who now resides in 
Du mm era toil! Tn form and size it 
is like a small trunk. Only for the 
name “gin-cnee/ 1 wo should call it 
a trunk.' Everything about it indi- 
I cates the age of a century. The red 
velvet lining is much faded. The 
lock is not like any of American 
I manufacture. The inside of the 
gin-case has several partitions each 
holding a square cornered bottle 
a tripod with gilt. The bottles con- 
[ tain several kinds of liquor affirmed 
to be the same that was in them 
when the. case was taken from the 
British vessel in 1773. There were 
in the case two glass goblets and a 
1 little taster-glass that was made in 
the style of a hundred years ago. 
One of our friends lias a similar 
glass-goblet that has been in the 
I family service more than a hundred 
years, We were informed that 
§500 was once ottered for this old 
i g 1 n -case, and reft* se d . The peop 1 c 

have not been as careful to preserve 
old relics as it is uow wished. 




CAPT. ISAAC MILLER. 



(Prom iv pon stud ink sketch from life. 1 ) 



DUMMEHSTOX. 



MILLER FAMILY. 

[ Continued from jjagi 51 . j 

'1 7 >>TKJ ULTJJ D 13 y 

ilAJOli CHARLES DANA -MILL Eli 
Ol* NEWARK OIIJO, 

Capt, Isaac Miller, the lifth son of the 
Isaac Miller who .settled in Hmnmers- 
fcoa : alter he had moved to the West, 
and ubo lit the years, 1811. to 1815, 
wrote a history of his lather’s family, 
giving a detailed account of the lives of 
each member of the family. The fol- 
lowing history of Isaac Miller, who set- 
tled in Duj tuners too, is taken verbatim 
from the old manuscript, written by 
Capt. Isaac Miller, Jr. 

“A cop3 r of the record of Isaac Mil- 
ler, who (lied in Cummers km in Ver- 
mont June 18, A. D. 1787, aged 79 
years, 5 months and 18 days, and his 
wife, Sarah, who died Oct. 11, 1797, 
aged, 07 years, 0 months mad 11 days. 

Few parents have a greater offspring. 
They had 12 children ; all lived to have 
families : ten of them not small families. 

This by his son, Isaac, now at Wil- 
link, Eric County, New York, August, 
18th. — ( Another date on the mauu- 
script is May 24, 1814.) 

Isaac Miller was born ou Saturday, 
May, 7th. 1708. at Concord in Massa- 
chusetts and died in Dummersfon in 
Vermont June. 18tli. 1787: where he 
liad moved xvitli his family in 1770, 
at the time of the massacre in Boston. 

No woman can boast of a more lov- 
ing and tender husband than my mother 
can ; and no children of a more allect- 
ionate father than can his. 

His grandfather came from Scotland 
and was a bilker in Charleston near 
Boston where he lived and died. My 
mother was born in Worcester, Mass- 
achusetts, was daughter of Joseph Cros- 
by of Worcester. They were married 
July 1 2, 1 739. She was bom May 5th, 
1719, [ We omit date of Mrs, Miller’s 
death, 2dly, here. — Kd.j 
17 



1*9 

She lived and died a Presbyterian. 
A better bouse wife and a more perscrv- 
iug mother, children don’t often have to 
educate them. They had to wade through 
all troubles that attend giving a good 
education to so large a family under 
Kingly Government. Notwithstanding 
they accomplished it to a considerable 
degree. 

Neither my Father nor my Mother 
did not give over the care they had so 
long endured in bringing up the family 
that was committed to their charge, but 
extended it to their grandchildren. In- 
deed, there was nothing that put. an end 
to their usefulness to those that came 
after them but death ; and if they had 
( followed their counsels it would have 
been much better for them. 

For my own part I must say that the 
greatest part of the evils that ever befell 
me came from disobedience to them, and 
leaves the most lasting repentance ; but 
the poignant guilt says they are gone, 
and it is not in my power now to hum- 
ble myself before them and as I would 
give much for an opportunity to do, 
But I was choleric and addicted to 
pleasure and disobedience. 

It is my oppinion had my Father 1x*en 
brought up where there had been Quak- 
ers he would have been one of that 
denomination. 

His neighborly conduct among his 
acquaintance and always enjoining it 
on his children, always to do as they 
would be done to. He was always un- 
willing to acknowledge any as 1] is Su- 
perior by any flattery or bows, which 
always to him appeared unnecessary. 
He was scrupulous in raking away the 
| life of auy creature to support our own 
life. He was a great friend to Repub- 
lican government, and in this differed 
from the Quakers. He was willing his 
sons should be soldiers and officers in 
the Revolutionary war that seperoted 
America from Great Britain ; and ever 
was as long as he retained his reason a 
good Republican and friend to his coun- 
try, and was greatly beloved therefor by 
his acquaintance, and had the satisfac- 
tion to know that all lvis sons in that 
particular were obedient to a punctillio. 
Ilis age lessened his usefulness in that 



130 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAG AZ INK, 



w ar but we all supposed that our pros- 
perity in that war lengthened his days. 

He lost jut Interest in Worcester by 
adhering strictly lo his political princi- 
ples, but regained a good one in Bum- 
mers ton, not only for himself but. for all 
his sons, which he lived to enjoy many 
years, and many of the inhabitants have 
to thank him for their interest, as he 
settled that town by a contract he made 
with the proprietors thereof, in which 
It was agreed that he should build a 
meeting-house, settle a Minister and 
bring 50 settlers and continue the settle- 
ment for 5000 acres, which he per- 
formed p hut soon after his death the 
settlers began? quarreling which lasts to 
this day autl has been the means of re- 
ducing many of them to poverty. Anti 
what is stranger than all the rest is that 
notwithstanding all the care he took not 
to have any that were friendly to Kingly 
or British Government as settlers ; at 
this day more than one half of the town 
are in the interests of Great Britain. 

In 1703, when I was 11 years old. 
Father was mined by the Tories io 
Worcester* Mass*, and some in New 
Hampshire in manner following. He 
and others got a giant of the town of 
Walpole in New Hampshire for 1 HO 
Dollars. Certain duties were to be per- 
formed in three years after the circum- 
stances if the then. French war would 
permit. 

The same town was petitioned for by 
Gen. Bellows’# Father who represent 
ed it to that General Court that the 
conditions of the former charter was 
not complied with according to the ten- 
or thereof, prayed that it might be re- 
granted to him : and the Gen. court of 
that then Province being much in favor 
of Kingly Government and hearing of 
the political principles of my Father 
were opposite, and they willing to get 
another fee of 1410 Boilers, gave it to 
Bellows ; which circumstance of wick- 
edness and fraud with many others, I 
have to accuse the British government 
with ; and hope that all the prosperity 
of Father will light them both by sea 
and hind till they have obtained a com- 
pensation for that fine town and all the 
Other property they have robbed the 



Americans of. His property all to a 
trifle was sold at vendue ; and I with 
most of the family that were able to 
earn our living were put to such places, 
where we could be well dealt with and 
educated/* 

ft will be seen by the above- that my 
authority, for the statement that Isaac 
Miller owned and lost an interest in the 
town of Walpole, Nh H M in the original 
manuscript (which I have seen and 
coppied) written by his son Cap t. Isaac 
Miller aboux the time of the war of 
1812. Capt. Isaac Miller would cer- 
tainly know of the financial misfortunes 
of his father as he states that he was 
then 11 years old and lie with others of 
the family haci to be put out to service 
owing to the impoverishment of his 
F ather. It ce rtai nJ y di ( l no t re Per t o the 
trouble in the title of the Dummerston 
lands, for that occurred years afterward. 

Capt. Isaac Miller does not state that 
the grant of Walpole was mH.dc in 17G3, 
but that was the date the court decided 
against his Father’s claim. It may 
have been granted as early as 1753, as 
it was theft the French war commenced, 
and the settlement was contingent upon 
cl reu instances connected with said war. 
The war lasted until about 1 7GB, I do 
not know the authority, m the history 
of Walpole, on which is based the state- 
ment that John Kdburn purchased t he 
township and was a settler there in 
174b, but it seems to conflict with strong 
evidence from other sources ; and yet, 
he might have been a settler there m 
1 74£), but neft a purchaser until later? 
and he may have been a joint, partner 
with MOler, as Miller says that 4 Hie 
and others were granted, etc/’ This 
last suggestion may account for the trou- 
ble with Bellows as both sides spoke of 
a contention with Bellows, 

A.s that pari of the history written by 
Capt. Isaac Miller which part aims to 



dpmmerston. 



m 



those of the family who resided afJQum- 
merston properly belongs to a history of 
th e to w i i 1 w 1 11 gj ve yon ex line I s fro m 
the manuscript He states that 
OAPT. VESPASIAN FILLER, 

the. oldest son, went into the French war 
in 1759, and afterwards became master 

a vessel M Boston and followed the 
sea until 1775, when he name to Dunv 
merston. Ills Father gave him 100 
acres of Juudunri in 1778, he moved his 
family upon it. He died in Du miners- 
ton, J nly 6 1 1815. [See p age 50.] 

Huska , the second son, was given by 
his Father the best loL in Dummerstou, 
where he lived until he died May 7, 
1790, H c 1 lad ool le cl ed tl \ e mos t prop- 
erty during lus life of any of the settlers. 

Tillotson, the third son, did not 
come to Diuum er&t on until about 1779, 
at which time there was a meeting held 
by the brothers, at the request of the 
Father, to nominate one of their num- 
ber to take, care of the old people dur- 
ing their declining days, Tiilotsou was 
selected, and I lose a wenL his security, 
but lie carried out his trust so badly that 
•the brothers deposed him and placed the 
youngest., William, in charge about the 
year 1785. He left Hummers ton soon 
-after this and never returned to stay, 
lie died in New York State in 18G4. 

Patience, the third daughter, came 
40 Dummersion with her Father, and 
soon after married Dr. Thomas Ams- 
den, of Petersham, Mass, by whom she 
had 1-3 children, (another record says 
twelve) She lived out of the town, 
however, during her husband's life ; but 
about the year 1811, she was living at 
Dunuuer.stou with her daughter, Patty, 
She di ©d Jan , 2 2 , 1 82 2 , a t C he s te vli el d . 

Joseph, the fourth son, went to sea 
with his brother Vespasian In 1784, 
when he was only 13 years old. He 



went to Dnmmersion with his Father 
in 1 77th He went to sea again hi 1 773. 
for Ids heal tli, and continued iu that life 
until 1 775, 

The Revolution at this time was break- 
ing out over the land and Joseph joined 
the Pa t riot forces and continued through 
until the end of the war. He won the 
confidence of Gen. Washington and 
with it the rank of Brigade Major, 
Soon after the dose of the war, he went 
on a whaling voyage to !S on Lh America, 
In 1790, he went to Ohio and took land 
near Marietta, hut gave it up and re- 
in mud to D vuneraton in 1 794 r H c w ent 
to New York State a few years after 
where lie remained until he died at 
Genoa, Sept. 26, 1814. 

Gatt. Isaac Miller, 
the fifth son says of himself, among 
other things : 

;t It) the same, year 1767 in Sept. I 
went to Dummerston, now in Vermont^ 
by Father's order, where 1 saw and 
went through several scenes that, were 
of can sequence, to none but myself,” 

“Father met with many troubles and 
disappointments in getting the town of 
Dummerstmi settled with such settlers, 
an d oic s u ch con di t i on s as wer e s tip u - 
late d h e tw eeo h i m and th e p ropr i et ors . 
“In 1769 I continued there nearly eight 
months and part of the time alone, and 
suffered much many ways ; hard labor, 
hunger, some sickness, goats, mosqui- 
toes and fleas in abundance.” “I finally 
left the place in Nov. much against 
Father’s will, but as we hurl sold all we 
could. 1 was so desirous to get to Wor- 
cester and eat apples and milk, and 
drink cider, it was impossible to keep 
me longer ; and in March 1770 at the 
time of the massacre by the British In 
Boston we moved to Du miner sfcon.” “I 
underwent much in that journey, and 
had it been undertaken by persons less 
persevering than brother Joseph and I 
were, we should June failed at last; 
but having the assistance of brothers 
Negus and Wheeler (after we arrived 
at Petersham) we got through,” 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



132 



The, summer that followed was a 
severe one to me as well as the rest o± 
the iamly." ^ I had to work for Daniel 
Kathern where I fared hard, and work* 
ed hard ; lmt blessed be God l l had my 
health and m the fall I went to Peters- 
ham/* 

4 L 1 11 1771. I returned hi March to 
Du m mors to n w he re hr o ther J osep li ea id 
I made a large quantity of sugar . r> 

1 6 It vv0,s this year that the title of 
onir land was like to fall through or be* 
eo me void. 1 * u It w a s firs tly p l; re h as ed 
of the Indians hy Massachusetts : sold 
by them at vendue to the then prop ac- 
tor, or their ancestor f granted to them 
(by their prayer) by New Hampshire ; 
and now was ceded by the King’s Proc- 
lamation to New York ; and they 
granted it Le Willard, Ivutheiiv and 
9 t he rs , a m3 tl i ey n n wi 1 1 i ug t he occ upa n ts 
should have any j as they knew they 
were unwilling as well as unable to pay 
the exorbitant price they demanded 1 4 
*" Many persons quit that had done but 
little labor/ 4 

Capt, Isaac Miller left Dummerstort 
m 1772 for Massachusetts. 

He had considerable military knowledge 
and kept a military school just before 
rhe war. In April 1775, lie went into 
the army at Cambridge. In May, 
he returned home and manned Lucretia 
Knapp. After settling his property 
affairs he returned to the army and 
joined Ids command the clay after Bunker 
Hill battle. 

On the 9 th of November, he was in 
the Leachmorc’s Point battle where he 
received a wound which was considered 
slight at the time, but in after life crip- 
pled him very much. 

At the end of the campaign of 1775, 
and in Oct. 177B, he moved Ins wife to 
Hummers ton , where he had purchased 
a farm with the proceeds of the sale of 
one in Massachusetts. At one time he 
was one of the proprietors and clerk of 
a grantof the Township of Jamiaca, Vt, 



Capt. Isaac Miller left DummcrsLoa 
for the west In L 795 ; first going to New 
York State, then to Ashtabula County 
Ohio, where he died Feb. 14th, 1820 - 

MarSHa L i., tire sixth sou, was born in 
W or ccs t er , Mass . , S ep t . 2 U , 1 754, ( o ne 
record says SepL. 4-th.) He also came 
toDumioerstoniu 1770, with Ids Father. 
He was in the war iu 1775, and in a 
few years after married Mrs. Abigial 
Boyd era They acquired n large prop- 
erty and gave two of their satis a lib- 
eral education. 

THE HISTORY OF THE MILLER FAMILY 
RSaiBIEB BY Mft. MANSFIELD. 

EPITAPH 

A l FMmtmrdon- 
“ Here Hex the remains o f 
3Iar shall Wilier ^ 

The Husband, The Parent , dL 
The Friend. 

lie exercised virtues*, in this aye, 
sufficient to have distinguished him 
in the best* 

Kind S. tender by Nature + 
Industrious by Habit y 
Professing {idly ion ; 

He departed this life , June 
10th. 1807 , 

Aged 53 years, 
lie died at Saratoga in the 
State of N, York . 

Hu death was occasioned by jumping 
from a Window in the 5th . dory of a 
Home which was on fired* 

MAJOR WILLIAM MILLER. 

Was the youngest uf 12 children. His 
father, Isaac Miller, was one of the first 
settlers in Dummerston ; and from his 
prudent deportment in life, obtained the 
confidence of all who knew him. He 
was a very worthy and respectable citi- 
zen ; a man of ability, probity anti sin 



DUMMERSTON. 



133 



verity, by which lie became introducer] 
to public characters, and frequently pro- 
moted to places of public trust. He 
was for a long season au agent for the 
original proprietors of the town of Dum- 
merston, and as such conducted himself 
with promptitude and fidelity. After 
his age had rendered him incapable of 
performing public services, lie retired to 
more private concerns. At length his 
bodily infirmity increased to that degree, 
that lie was utterly unable to attend to 
the ordinary concerns of' life, and he 
finally surrendered them together with 
a considerable estate, to his son, the 
Major, with whom he lived, and by 
whom he was kindly supported through 
the residue of his days. Early in life, 
removing into this new country, Major 
Miller, by the fatigues and hardships 
incident to new settlers, contracted hab- 
its of prudence, frugality, sobriety, and 
courage; And in, the late unhappy con- 
test, for liberty and independence, be- 
tween the United States and Great 
Britain, in which the State of Vermont, 
from its exposed situation, was obliged 
to take a vigorous and conspicuous part, 
the Major while very young voluntarily 
engaged in several expeditions to the 
northward and westward, always ex- 
pressing and manifesting the most un- 
daunted courage and unbounded zeal in 
the service of his country. Being early 
educated in the art of war, he became 
prepared to discharge, with accuracy 
and fidelity, the duties belonging to the 
several offices to which he has since 
been promoted and intrusted. At the 
age of 27, he was chosen and commis- 
sioned a subaltern in a company of light 
iufantry, which office he held with dis- 
tinguished reputation for several years. 
From his military conduct while a sub- 
altern, be attracted the attention of those 
who were acquainted wit h military oper- 
ations and warlike improvements. He 
was elecLed captain of the third company 
of the regiment to which he belonged ; 
and was afterwards unanimously elected 
second major in the regiment. In this 
office, he continued till, 1»y a vacancy, 
he was elected Lieut. Colonel Com- 
mander of said regiment, but saw fit 
to signify his uon-aceeptanee of the ap- 



pointment. He was then chosen First 
Major of said regiment ; which office 
lie accepted and held with honor during 
his life. He died Apr. 1C, 1802, in the 
41st year of Jits age. 

JUS FUNERAL* 

The Procession formed at the house 
of Mr. Sylvanus Miller where the hon- 
ored remains bad been previously, car- 
ried ; — from whence they moved to the 
meeting-house in the following order : 

Colonel Banister on horseback, — 
Maj. Jay and Col. Hoyden on foot, — 
Cupt. Leavitt with bis troops of horse, 
Carriers,— Hearse,— Mourners, 
Military Officer? of the First Regiment, 
Civil Officers, Non-commissioned Offi- 
cers. C-apt. Knight’s and Cupt. Shaw’s 
companies, - spectators. 

When they arrived at the meeting- 
house, the Colonel, alighting, was re- 
ceived by the Rev. H. Taylor of New- 
fane, who after the large procession 
had taken their seats, introduced the fu- 
neral worship. Tlie text was Ps. lo, 5. 

The services concluded by a funeral 
anthem, suited to the occasion. The 
procession then moved in regular order 
from the meeting-house to the grave, 
where the Last Remains of the luble 
Major, so affable and benevolent in life 
were interred with suitable religious and 
military ceremonial ; when the whole 
procession retired in beautiful and sol- 
emn order. The whole scene was con- 
ducted, by every person present, with 
that degree, of order solemnity and pro- 
priety as most express an unfeigned re- 
spect for the deceased. 

( ki Federal Galaxy , printed at Brattle - 
boro , May 3, 1802. ” ) 

ASA MILLER. 

was born in Dummerston, June 1.2, 
1797, son of William and Hannah 
(Worden) Miller* who were married 
Nov. 10, 1782. Ilis mother was a 
daughter of John Worden of Washing- 
ton county, Rhode Island. Mr. Mil- 
ler’s father was a son of Capl. Isaac 
Miller from Worcester, Mass., who 
settled in Dummerston in 1770. He 



134 



VE RMON T HI STO III c A L M AGAZINK 



had a family of 1 2 children, William, 
the youngest, was born Oct. 2,1761. 
He resided on the parental farm which 
had been well improved when he pur- 
chased it of his father, Apr. 29, 1785, 
for 81700. 

The children of William and Hannah 
Miller were Fanny, Isaac, Charles, 
Dolly, George Anson, William, Joel, 
Nathan, Asa, Catharine, and Maria. 
Fanny married Henry Whitney, Isaac 
married Polly Adams, Charles, Lucy 
Bruce, Dolly, Adin Hubbard, George 
Anson, Louisa Haven, William, Polly 
Willard, Nathan, Philinda, daughter of 
Elijah Buck. Asa m., October, 1819, 
Sally Bern is, dau. of Elias and grand- 
daughter of David and Mary (Dunster) 
Bemis. Catharine m. John Wheeler, 
and Maria m. Dca. Abel Haven. 

Sally, the wife of Asa, was horn 
Mar. 18, 1796, married Sept. 1820, died 
Feb. 14, 1870. They had two children : 

Catharine, m. 1st Orrin Slate, a mer- 
chant, who lost his life by a fall from a 
window in a public house at Winstead, 
Ct. Fom* years after his death, she m. 
2d, Rev. Alfred Stevens, D. D., — of 
Westminister West, a Congregationalist 
minister in that parish for 40 years. 

Sidney A. m. 1st, Emily, dau. of 
Asahel Dickinson, 2d, a daughter of 
Rev. W. S. Balch, a Universalist min- 
ister. 

Early in life, Mr. Miller learned the 
carriage-maker* 8 trade and was engaged 
in that business in Dummerston until 
his removal to Brattleboro in 1834. 
For several years in that place, his son, 
Sidney A. Miller, was associated with 
him in the manufacture of carriages. 
The last six years of his life were spent 
in Westminister West, in the family of 
Dr. Stevens, enjoying the tender care 
of his only daughter. He died Apr. 9, 
1883, aged 85 yrs. 10 mos. 



His last visit to Dummerston was 
about six months befoiv his death. He 
was greatly pleased to leam that a por- 
trait of his grandfather, Capt. Isaac 
Miller, would appear in the history of 
the town. His leisure hours were gen- 
erally spent in reading the daily news 
and very largely, for one of his age, the 
recent publications. He was a member 
of the Congregational church (or more 
than 40 years. His Christian spirit 
was manifested by sympathy for and 
efforts to relieve the poor and suffering. 

Mr. Miller expressed great affection 
for his mother, who was a very excel- 
lent woman and always kind to the poor. 
She was loved and esteemed by all who 
knew her, aud many were her deeds of 
kindness- She always fed the stranger 
who called at her door for food, and 
never refused when asked to keep even 
the poorest beggar over uight. She was 
told by ber friends that by so doing she 
would doubtless aid many who were not 
worthy. Her reply was that those whom 
she thus befriended were unknown to 
her, and she would rather feed ten un- 
worthy persons tlvan turn one who was 
worthy away. During the last sickness 
and shortly before her death, Mrs. Dav- 
enport, a near neighbor, called to ex- 
press gratitude for the many acts of kind- 
ness she had received from Mrs. Miller — 
but in relating the incident, “Uncle 
Asa” paused in the narration. [Tis 
voice trembled, his eyes tilled with tears, 
and turning his face away from the 
listener, he was silent for a moment, 
and the conversation was changed to 
some less affecting incident of his recol- 
lection. Tt was his last interview with 
the writer of this sketch, which is but 
a simple record of a few events in the 
long life of a worthy man. 

The portrait which accompanies this 
sketch was contributed by his children. 



D U M MERSTON . 



135 



JOSEPH MILLER, 

son of Joseph, Sen., and grandson of 
Capt. Vespasian, eldest son of Capt ' 
Isaac Miller, married, 1st, Eliza A., 
dan, of Isaac and Abigail (McWayne) 
Heed, Mar. 3, 1841. Her parents were 
married in Dnmmerston, Sep. 2, 1790. 
She died Nov. 26, 1843, and he mar* 
2d, Sophia, dau. of William and Polly 
(Frost) Arms, Dec. 25. 1844. They 
have three children. J.Arms, the eldest, 
married Sarah M. Reed of WArdsboro, 
and lives on a farm near his father’s 
place. Adin F. married Hattie A. Dut- 
on ; resides with his parents and helps 
manage the home farm. 

Ansel I., having a scholarly turn of 
mind, prepared for college at West 
Brattleboro and graduated from Wil- 
liams college in the class of 1881. He 
is at present, (1883,) studying medi- 
cine in New York city. Mr. Miller 
was town representative in 18G2 and 
63, has been justice of the peace many 
years and town clerk since 1849. He 
holds other offices of trust for the town, 
and his long experience in town business 
makes him a valuable officer and legal 
counsellor in matters pertaining to town 
affairs. His advice and help are often 
sought by his townsmen in the making 
of wills and the settlement of estates of 
deceased persons. With one exception 
from 1804 to 1807, the town has been 
very fortunate in the choice of town 
clerks and has made few changes in *he 
office. Mr. Miller, the present incum- 
bent, is a very efficient clerk, and keeps 
the records in a neat, legible, hand- 
writing. He was born and has always 
lived on the farm that he now owns. It 
has been in the Miller name more than 
a hundred years, and was the birth- 
place of his father in 1780. It is pleas- 
antly located in the eastern part of the 
town, produces excellent crops, and has 



a large orchard of maple trees from 
which the owner makes the best quality 
of sugar. The yearly product averages 
nearly 2800 lbs. The largest quantity 
made in any single year, was 3300 lbs. 
A large share of what he makes is sold 
yearly to merchants Ln the Western 
suites. His maple sugar on exhibition 
at the Centennial in Philadelphia, 1876, 
was specially noticed by the French 
Commissioners, who, on their return to 
France, wrote to Miller for a sample 
of maple sugar and a package of seed 
from the trees for planting. 

In return he received the Commiss- 
ioners report containing a very compli- 
mentary notice of the sugar. 

WILLIAM O, MILLER. 

His parents were William and Esther 
(Knight) Miller, whose children were 
William O. , Dana ; Esther, who ra. 
Winslow Dut.on ; Mary, who married 
Sumner Rust, and Lucretia. 

The grand-parents were Marshal and 
Abigail (Haven) Miller. At the time 
of their marriage, Nov. 17, 1778, she 
was the widow of Thomas Boydcn. 

William O. was born Jan. 31, 1816. 
His parents then resided in the north 
part of the town near Putney West hill. 
In 1835, they removed to the Hosea 
Miller farm, which his father bought of* 
Marshal Newton, who was owner at 
that time. It was previously owned by 
Dr. Abel Duncan, who died in I8l3 r 
and his widow, a daughter of Hosea 
Miller, held a claim on the estate dur- 
ing her life time. The farm has been 
kept in the Miller name or some rela- 
tive of the family, since It was pur- 
chased of the original proprietors in 
1770. The present chvelling-house on 
the place was once used for a tavern. 
Refugees from Shay’s Rebellion in 1787 
boarded there for a time, and some of 



136 



VERMONT HISTORICAL M AG AZI ML 



the apple trees now standing in the old 
orchard were set out by them to pay 
their expenses for board. 

William O., when not otherwise em- 
ployed, worked on the farm with liis 
father, who deeded the place to him sev- 
eral years before his death. Mr. Mil- 
ler’s school days began in the old brick 
school -house near the vSiuicon Reed 
place on Putney West hill, and were 
concluded at West Bvattlchoro in the 
academy under the instruction of Ros- 
well Harris. He taught school several 
winters in Duramerstou and surround- 
ing towns. A few years were spent in 
trade at the store of his uncle, Asa 
Knight. 

In 1846, and ’47, he was representa- 
tive of the towu at the state capital. 
He was chosen constable and collector 
in 1844, and with only two exceptions, 
has been annually chosen to that office 
for 48 years. He has been high bailiff 
of Windham county two years ; was 
appointed postmaster in 1862, and stills 
holds that office. He is a Congrega- 
tionalism and has been clerk of the reli- 
gious society 48 years — being cho&en 
first iu 1840. lie has been clerk of 
school district No. 1. east, since 1842. 
Iu all the offices which he has held and 
still holds, be has discharged his duties 
with fidelity and thoroughness. He is 
a prosperous fanner, and very helpful 
member of society, and a valuable citi- 
zen of the town. 

Nov. 26, 1856, he married Julia, 
dan. of Ira and Jemima (Ward] Haven, 
and their children are William D., a 
graduate from Williams College in the 
class of ’82 ; Mary L. and Freddie 0., 
died in childhood ; and Edwin H brother 
of Wm. O., graduated from Dartmouth 
college in the class of ’43. His ante- 
collegiate was in Townslieml, in West 



Brattleboro and Dummerston. As a 
scholar, he stood in the front rank of 
his class. After receiving his degree, 
he remained at home until the following 
December, when he went to Washing- 
ton, D. C., and was soon invited by 
Rev. Mr. Bui finch to take charge of the 
classical department of Ills school, which 
he did for two years. From the sum- 
mer of 1846, to 1850, he traveled for 
increase of knowledge in the West and 
South West taking agencies to pay ex- 
penses. In the spring of 1850, lie re- 
turned to Washington and v/as employed 
as a clerk in the Land Office. He soon 
received an appointment Li the Census 
Bureau, and at the time of his death 
held an appointment in the Treasury 
Department. He died Nov. 23, 1851. 
He Was much respected by all who 
knew him, for his manly bearing, solf- 
discipline, frank and candid friendship, 
aud unsullied life. 



JOS1AH DODGE, 
was a soldier in the war of 1SJ2, in 
the 13th regiment of infantry. He died 
Feb. 9, 1815, on board of a vessel at 
sea from the effects of a gun-shot wound 
in his hand which produced lock-jaw. 
He was born iu Westmoreland, N. H.. 
Mar. 19, 17"8, married. 1st. Ruth 
Plummer, had one child, Jared, married. 
2d, Pbebe, dan. of Lt. Daniel Kathan 
and formerly the wife of William Wilder. 

Children: Josiah. b. Nov. 15, 1808, 
in., 1st, Hannah C., who died Feb. 20. 
1848, aged 33 ; 2d, Eliza Jaue. Hews, 
who died Jan. 7. 1883, aged 60. He 
died Aug. 10, 1873. 

Thankful, b. about 1810, in. Lanson 
Stone of Chesterfield, N. H., d. Feh. 
1875 in her 65th year. 

Willard, b. Feb. 25, 1813, m. Sept. 
5, 1837, Zilpha Temple. Has six chil- 
dren living. 




I 



DUMMERSTON. 



137 



KNIGHT FAMILY. 

Tlie earliest representative of this fam- 
ily in town was 

JONATHAN KNIGHT, ESQ, 
who was resident in 1774, and came 
from Worcester, Mass. He was born 
Jan 3, 3 732, d. Mar. 13, 1819, aged 
87 years. 

His wife’s name was Tamar Rus- 
sel. He first settled on the litrm since 
owned by Asa Dutton, which lie bought 
of Artemas Knight in 1777, and sold 
not long afterwa ds to Samuel Dutton. 
He then bought land and settled where 
Simeon Reed lived many years. Tam- 
ar, his wife, died suddenly of apoplexy, 
June 27, 1803. aged 72. Their children 
were Samuel, Joel, Jesse, Betsey, Seth, 
Levi and Jonathan, Jr. 

Jonathan Knight was chosen one of 
the three selectmen, May 1G, 1775, — 
Enoch Cook and Joseph Hildreth were 
the other two selectmen. They were 
the first selectmen chosen in town and 
took the place of trustees and commis- 
sioners of highways, reported in the list 
*3f selectmen for the 3 years previous to 
1775. He was in the court-house fight 
at Westminster, and received a charge 
in the right shoulder, and carried the 
buck shot in his body for more than 
30 years. He died Mar. 13, 1S19, 
aged 87. 

SAMUEL KNIGHT. 

first son of Jonathan, settled on an 
adjoining farm, where Hoyt Spanlding 
uow lives. He was a prominent justice 
of the peace several years. 

He married Susanna Burge, Jan. 4, 
1781. He died July 2, 1817 aged 59 ; 
his wife, d. Feb. 4, 1837, aged 80. 
Their children were Tamar, b. Jan. 10, 
1783, did not marry ; Artemas, b. Mar. 
27, 1785, m. Oilve Bowen; Asa. born 
18 



July 25, 1787, d. June 1792 ; Eber, b. 
Jan. 23, 1790, d. June 1792; Samuel 
— .see separate sketch — ; Luke, b. May 
24, 1796, unmarried; Salley, b. Sept. 
5, 1799, m. Briggs. 

JOEL KNIGHT. 

second son of Jonathan, b. Nov. 11, 
1761, settled east from his brother Sam- 
uel’s farm. He married Esther Farr, 
Nov. 13, 1786 ; d. May 5, 1841, aged 
79. His wife d. May 20, 1851, aged 
83 years. 

Children: Rachel, b. Dec. 16, 1787, 
m. June 4, 1809, David Dickinson; 
Joel, b. Dec, 12, 1789, d. May 18, 
1790; Polly, b. Mar. 4, 1791; m. 
John Palmer of Williamstown : Asa 
b. Feb. 28, 1793, died July 20, 1851 ; 
Esther, b. Apr. 22, 1795, m. William 
Miller; Joel, b. July 18, 1799, died 
died Sept. 15, 1874, aged 75. 

JESSE KNJGJIT. 

third son of Jonathan, b. in 1763, m 
Bethany Perry, Nov. 6, 1783, and set- 
tled south from Joels, farm on which 
he built, in 1802, the house now stand- 
ing and owned by Sylvanus Kelley. 

Of Jesse’s children, Jesse, m. Betsey 
Dickinson ; Thany, m. Ashbel Johnson, 
son of Capt. Ashbel; Betsey, m. July 
24, 1S09, Benjamin Ware; Abel, m. 
Betsey lvathaa ; Lyman, m. Polly John- 
son ; Perry, m. Eliza Fairbanks ; Laura, 
m. Arba Clark, whose 2d wife was 
Catharine Black; Pliila, m. John B. 
Miller; Job, m. Sally Bemis ; David, 
m. Betsey Briggs ; Jonathan Russel, m. 
Fanny, sister of Joel Miller; Louisa, 
m. Daniel Taylor; Wilder, m. Louisa 
Katlmn ; Ootavia, m. Josiah Holton; 
Jesse, m. 2d. Polly Fairbanks, mother 
of the last three children. Fourteen 
children in this family grew to adult 
age. 

Betsey married Jesse Butterfield : 



VERMONT HRSTOR fOAL MAGAZINE. 



1 38 



Seth, m. Betsey Whitney. Aug. 30, 
1789. Levi, in. Anna Haskeb Oct. 
IT, 1790, Seth and Lev! removed to 
Thtitford- 

JONATHAN KNIGHT, JR- 

Hvefl on the parental farm with his 
father. The. site of the old buiklmgs 
is several rods farther south than the 
present location of the buildings on the 
farm, he married Amy Perry of Putney, 
Sept. 7, 1794. Mrs Aina (sometimes 
written Amy) Perry Knight died in 
Chicago, 111. Aug. 23, 1S35. 

Of Jonathan^ children, Clark, m. 
Lucy Davenport ; Mount Vernon, no 
record ; Emily, m. a Slmgley of Put- 
ney ; Minor, hl Lav Vila Gates. 

SAHUKL KNIGHT, ESQ. 

From an obiumi-y In the Rrattleboro paper. 

The death of Samuel Knight, at the 
venerable age of 84 years ; born in 
Dummerston, August, 21, 1793. 

He was the son of Samuel and S us- 
es aim a Knight, of whose family he was 
the Inst surviving member. In early 
life, he served for a considerable period 
as clerk and book-keeper in a Putney 
store, and for a time was a resident of 
New fane, where, in 1842, he married 
Eliza Memfield, by whom he had one 
son, Henry Samuel, who died in 1871. 
His first wife haying died, he married, 
in 1844, the widow of John Robinson, 
a well known hotel proprietor of Bellows 
Falls, who survived him at the age of 88, 

In 1833, he was a contributor to the 
columns of the Independent Inquirer,- ” 
a short-lived, semi-religious newspaper, 
published in Bruttleboro under the man- 
agement of the now venerable Wm, E. 
Ryther, of Bernardston, Mass. While 
in Newfarte, he furnished articles for the 
Green Mountain Democrat, published 
in that town, and when the Vermont 



Phoenix was started in 1834, lie became, 
a contribute to that paper and served 
mo re or less , as ed i to ri a] ass is tan t . He 
removed to Bruttleboro in the spring of 
1S45. 

He was a member of the old board of 
road commissioners for Windham coun- 
ty. which were appointed by the Legis- 
lature under the law passed in 1827, and 
was a clerk of the board until the repeat 
or the law in 1831 , having for bis asso 
dates such men as Hon. Phiueas White 
of Putney and Gen. Barney of Guilford. 
He was a de ligate of the State Consti- 
tutional Convention in 1813; and dur- 
j mg hb* residence in Bruttleboro was en- 
1 trusted very extensively with the town 
affairs, in which his skill as a practical 
surveyor added greatly to his usefulness. 

He joined ‘-The Blazing Star Lodge** 
of Masons at Townshend, at an early 
period, and was one of the charter 
members of Columbian Lodge in Brat- 
leboro. 

As a writer, he was noted lor his wit 
and sarcasm. He was a great lover of 
fun, whether in the shape of a witty 
anecdote or a practical joke ; but bis 
wit was never tinged with malice, He 
was always tender-hearted, good na Cur- 
ed, kind and obliging ; and however 
| situated, was the same quiet, unassum- 
ing man, of kindly face and genial pres- 
ence, such was u Uncle Sam Knight.*' 
To the foregoing, condensed from the 
4 Vermont Phoenix, 1877, the writer 
of Dummerston history makes addi- 
tional particulars : The widow of Mr. 
Knight is now living, (1882) at the age 
of 92. Her maiden name was Mary 
Clark, a daughter of Thomas Clark, one 
of the early settlers in Dummerston. 
She was born in this town in 1789. 
Her father died at the age of 91. her 
mother at 84, her brother Thomas at 88, 
and others in the family lived past 80, 



DOIMEBSTGN. 



130 



Mr, Knight resided in this town till 
nearly or quite oQ years old, It is true 
that he was a “ great lover of fun" and 
witty; hut some of his very i mini ate 
friends often overreached him in the 
p lay i ng o f p ra c ti c a I j ok es . M any s ton es 
are tokl il lustra ting his eccentric habits. 1 
One such was in public prim many years 
ago, and was written fora Boston news- j 
paper by Boll in Keyes, a resident of 
Putney and well know n throughout the 
county as a man of fine ability and very 
sehol a rly attai ij m en ts , T he pri u ted st o ry 
is not at baud, and the facts are given 
in the writer's own language, 

Mr, Knight, it appears, was at Put- 
ney, one day, in a store, when several 
persons were present with whom he 
was well acquainted. The conversation 
turned upon cleaning stove-pipes, how 
troublesome it was to do and how every- 
body disliked to do it. He remarked 
that he wished there was some better 
way of cleaning stove-pipes than the 
common method. 

One of the men said he knew a plan 
that was very effectual and required lit- 
tle time. It was simply to put a quan- 
tity of powder on some paper, place it 
inside the stove just under l lie pipe ; 
then light the paper with a match when 
the powder would soon flush all the soot 
and ashes out of the pipe into the 
chimney. 



things were scattered promiscuously 
about, A section of pipe smashed 
through the window, and through the 
opening, leaped the terrified dog and 
cat, and disappeared for several days, 
Mr. Knight., himself, was perfectly as- 
tounded, After recovering somewhat 
from his astonishment, he was heard to 
sa y A t A ny d — - d fo o 1 3 iii g h t li av e kno wn 
better than that." 

By request of his most intimate friends 
l wo papers, M Obituary Extraordinary 1 ' 
an d 4 4 T ban ksgi v i ng d i s a ppo i n t me nts J ' 
have been selected io illustrate Samuel 
Knight's sharp style of writing for the 
public prints. To the use of language 
he was as keen, witty and sarcastic as 
any man in the State, His genius for 
condensing was also, very remarkable. 

The editor of the Free Prcs t s, noticed 
in the obituary, was Zcbina Eastman. 
He died at Chicago in June 1883. He 
was one of the foremost abolitionists, 
a n <1 an assoc i a te o f Be nj a min L u n dy i n 
publishing 4 'The Genius of Universal 
Emancipation.” He was preparing a 
1 1 1 story o f u Tk e B1 a ck Code o f Illi i to is 
when he died.” 

OB1TUA RY EXTRAORDINARY - 
'‘Ttme cuts down elII 
Both great a ad small . 11 

Died of starvation at Fayettville, Yt. 
Feb. 14, 188o, * iJ 2 1 ha Vermont jPrve 



No one present east any doubts on 
the feasibility of the new method, and 
Mr. Knight, accordingly, purchased 
some powder with which to clear some 
pipe after he returned home, When he 
kadma.de ready lor the trial, he followed 
the directions of the Putney man implic- 
itly* an d a w ai led the res u 1 1 * I n stca d o f 
a u flush" and exit of soot and ashes 
as he expected, there was an explosion. 
The top of the stove was blown off. 
Stove-lids, soot and ashes, and other 



Press' 1 aged 87 weeks. 

Its death was occasioned by the neg- 
lect of its guardians to supply it with 
proper nourishment* Its exit from this 
mundane sphere was probably hastened 
by an unlucky leap, Sam Fateh like, 
made, some weeks ago, plump into the 
bowels of Anti- masonry, from which, 
like its living prototype, it never recov- 
ered. In the death of the Free Press, 
the craft has lost a staunch champion 
for the u supremacy of the laws, a patri- 



J40 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



otic dabbler in other people’s affairs, 
and a noble stickler for the truth. It 
was never known to utter an untruth 
out that it stuck to it with the greatest 
pertiuacity even to its dying hour, liter- 
ally fulfilling the maxim “that a lie 
well stuck to is as good as the truth.” 
It is said that its paternal guardian shed 
“hogsheads of tears” on the solemn 
occasion, and that the mourners, as is 
customary w he n great characters become 
defunct., will wear crape for the space 
of thirty days. The loss of the Free 
Press will be sensibly felt throughout 
the state. We join in the lamentations 
and erect this tablet to its memory : 
From nothing sprung, 

To nolhingrrose; 

On nothing linng’. 

To nothing goes; 

And nothing all its life it sought. 

And nothing now returns to naught. 

TH A NKSG I VING D ISA PPOLNTM ENTS . 

Disappointments are said to be the 
lot of all men and women kind. The 
old saying was verified in small degree 
on the morning of Thanksgiving day by 
sundry persons on looking for their 
slaughtered gobblers and roosters, which 
they had hung up in a cool place pre- 
paratory for a good Thanksgiving din- 
ner. But lo ! the fowls were minus — 
gone clean, smack, smooth ! By whose 
hands they had been spirited away was 
not quite so certain ; but, although a 
mystery, suspicions were rife as to the 
whereabouts some of them had skedad- 
dled. One man having his “eye peeled,” 
found by “prospecting” where one of 
his gobblers rested. He took a “bee 
line ” to one of his neighbors — rang the 
bell — very politely met by the man of 
the house, and ushered into his doinocil. 
The loser of the turkey walked straight 
into the kitchen, and lo ! there it hiy on 
the table, gutted, gizzarded and stuffed 
ready for the spit. “ You have a very 



fine turkey here,” said the gentleman, 
“ it will make a capital roast for din- 
ner and turning it over, he stepped 
back and viewing it through his half 
shut hand, exclaimed — “ Ho ! bo ! that 
is an old acquaintance of mine — where- 
did you get it? The man of the house 
was dumbfounded. He stammered and 
tried hard to say something ; but it was- 
no go — he couldn’t get it out. 

Shame gave his face a kind of thievish hue, 
His cheeks turned pale Ills nose turned blue. 

“ Now neighbor,” said the loser. 
“ this is ray turkey, and you, or some 
of your trade hooked it and deliber- 
ately putting the dead fowl under his 
arm. walked to the door,, and turning 
around, said very blandly — “ Now Mr. 

, we wont have any hard feelings 

about this business — please call at the 
dinner hour and dine with me ; be punct- 
ual. Good day, sir.” But he didn’t 
go. It is said the “ man of the house”* 
ou the morning of Thanksgiving day, 
feeling very thankful for the blessings 
received and to be received, and a little 
pious withal, scratched his head and 
scratched out the following, to be by hint 
delivered after eating, with other fixings, 
the stolen turkey, and here it is ; — 

For turkeys young and turkeys old, 

For turkeys hot and turkeys cold , 

For turkeys tender, turkeys tough, 

We thank the Lord, we’ve had enough? 

Alas ! for his disappointments. He, 
however, can keep the thanks, the next 
time be is more fortunate, when he ob- 
tains a turkey under similar circum- 
stances. 

JOEL KNIGHT JR. 

whose portrait has been contributed to 
this history, died Sept. 15, 1874. He 
spent his three score years and more on 
the old homestead, a slice from the 
paternal acres. He was nn industrious 
farmer, an upright man, a worthy cti- 




HON. ASA KNIGHT. 



DtJMMERSTON. 



141 



zeu. In early manhood, he spent his 
winters in teaching school. Six of his 
eight children were teachers. 

Sophia, the eldest, married Rev. S. 
H. McCollestcr, D. D., at one time 
president of a college in Akron, Ohio. 
Charles M. Knight, the youngest son, 
now [1882] is a professor in the same 
College. 

In 1829, Mr. Knight married Fanny 
daughter of Dr. Abel Duncan who died 
of spotted fever in 1813. Rev. Iiosea 
Beckley, the resident minister of this 
town at that time, wrote the epitaph on 
his grave-stone : 

He was sound in knowledge and in judg- 
ment, clear , 

With conduct open , and. with heart sin- 
cere. 

Of pmpose firm ; hut mild to reason’s 
sway. 

In public good was prompt to tend the 
way ; 

Pure in f riendship , and faithful to her 
laws , 

lie died in humanity’s sacred cause. 
HON. ASA 1CXIGHT, 

son of Joel and Esther and , grand-son 
of Jonathan, Sen., was born in Dum- 
merston, Feb. 28, 1793, and died July 
20, 1851. Mr. Knight was a promi- 
nent and leading citizen of this town. 
He acquired an extensive knowledge of 
the laws both of the state and nation ; 
and, as a counsellor, though not a law- 
yer by profession, his judgement was 
excellent in all business of a legal char- 
acter. 

In 1821, he was appointed deputy 
sheriff and retained the office 7 years. 
He removed to Newfane in 1824, and 
was keeper of the county jail 2 years ; 
and then returned to Dummerston, in 
1828, and began business as a merchant. 



In 1830, he was chosen representa- 
tive to the legislature of Vermont, and 
was re-elected the following year ; also, 
chosen again in 1834 and 1835. He 
was elected Judge of Probate for the 
District of Marlboro* in 1834, *35 and 
1830, and performed the duties of the 
various offices, which he held at differ- 
ent times, with marked ability and 
promptness. 

When liviugin Newfane. he received 
a large sum of money, late one after- 
noon, with the express command that it 
must be deposited in the bank at Brat- 
tleboro, that night without failure. To 
perform a journey of 12 miles down the 
West River valley, through thickly 
wooded forests and narrow defiles where 
robbers would have excellent chances 
to waylay the unsuspecting traveller in 
the hours of darkness, did not appear 
a pleasant undertaking. Thinking it 
would be prudeut, therefore, to prepare 
for this emergency, he obtained the nec- 
essary means for self-defence ; and with 
a swift horse and light sulky, started on 
his journey, tvusting that in case his 
weapons should fail of doing execution, 
his swift steed would bear him out of 
danger. The road in many places was 
uaiTow and dangerous, and the night 
dark as Erebus. 

He rode cautiously aloug, thinking 
that perhaps the darkness only, luxe! 
excited his fear, till at length he came 
to a narrow defile, made by the river on 
the north, and an almost inaccessible 
hill on the south, leaving only a narrow 
passway which, by one of the leaders 
in the early difficulties of this state, was 
called, the valley of the shadow of 
death ;** when, suddenly, a man sprung 
from a dense thicket and grabbed at the 
bridle of the horse. Luckily, the horse 
threw up his head, and the robber 
missed his object ; at the same time, 



142 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



being propelled across the mad by the tone d. Parks was soon discovered stand- 
force gained in springing down the steep ing near the window, and laughing at 
bank, lie did not recover himself in Knight’s inability to gain admittance. 



44 Let me in.” said Knight, 41 I want 
to nee you on business.” 



season to try the experiment again, be- 
fore Mr. Knight had whipped up the 
horse and was out oT his reach. The 
spirited horse took his master swiftly 
over the remaining route, and rescued 
him from the robber and, perhaps a vio- 
lent death. 

THE CAPTURE OP PARKS. 

G e n . M a rti 1 1 F i el d a la w ve r in N e w - 
fane came to Mr, Knight when he was 
sheriff, and requested him to take a writ 
and serve it upon Thomas Parks of 
West Brattleboro, for the purpose of 
collecting a debt of about 8500, 

44 It will be of no use,” said Knight, 
44 for me to take that execution, as you 
well know that Parks is a slippery fel- 
low and has evaded the officers for the 
past year; even Chase, the high sheriff, 
has failed to arrest him.” 

I know tha%” replied Field, 44 but 
I want that you should make a trial. 
Parks has caused trouble enough, and 
you are the mart to settle with him. I 
w ill give you 850. if you will collect, the 
debt.” 

44 1 cannot do it, General. If I take 
that execution, you will oblige me either 
to collect the debt, or pay it myself ; 
therefore, Fll have nothing to do about 
it.” 

4 4 Well, now," said Field, I will make 
you this promise. You may take the 
writ, and if you cannot serve h upon 
Parks, I will take it. back again, and 
cause yon no further trouble.” 

Knight accepted the proposal., took 
the writ, and at the earliest opportunity 
called one afternoon to see Parks. He 
knocked for admission, but no one ans- 
wered the call ; and, on his trying to 
open the door, he found it securely las- 



u No l won't, replied Parks, yon 
shall not come into my house.” 

Lk You had better,” said Knight- tl If 
you do not let me in now, l shall get in- 
to the house somehow* before morning/* 

4 4 Y o u can’t d o it,” r epl i ed Parks . 

4 Smarter men than you have tried that 
before and failed.” 

41 We will see what can be do ne,” 
responded Knight, as he got into his 
wagon and drove off 1 a few miles to the 
residence of Paul Chase, ihe high sher- 
iff. He told him his business and re- 
vested his aid in the work. 

4L You can’t do anything with the fel- 
low, Knight,” said Chase, 44 for 1 have 
tried times enough to satisfy anybody. 
Parks has been secluded for months, and 
will let no one into his house. 

u I do not dispute it, Chase, but you 
must go with me, l his time, and help 
arrest him.” 

M Well,” replied Chase I will not 
refuse to go where a jy of my deputies 
are willing ; but, if you will arrest 
Parks, I will give yob S3 5 and the half 
of my fees, for I have several writs that 
I would like to serve upon him.” 

Knight informed Chase of his plan 
which was to reach the house just before 
the time it would begin to grow light. 
Parks, by that time, would be tired of 
watching and conclude that he had given 
up the attempt to arrest him. 

At the appointed hour, they arrived 
on the premises and found everything 
quiet. Knight had, at hb first visit, 
got sight of a ladder under the shed, 
which he now took and set up near a 



DUMMERSTON. 



143 



back window in the second story of the 
building, and having ascertained the 
sash could be raised, u now,” said he to 
Chase, when there is light enough so 
that I can find my way out of the cham- 
ber, do you go round to the front door 
and make all the noise you can. Parks 
will soon be there ; and don’t you .stop 
rattling the door till you hear from me. 

When the first streak of dawn ap- 
peared, Knight pulled off his shoes, 
ascended the ladder, and at the same 
time. Chase hastened to the door and 
began a tremendous racket by pounding 
and shaking and calling for admittance. 
Knight, in the meanwhile, had got 
access to the chamber, and found a 
stairway which, lie concluded, led in 
the right direction ; he descended, aad, 
as luck would have it, entered the room 
right behind where Parks was standing 
and swearing at Chase for pounding the 
door. Knight tip-toed softly across the 
room and instantly grabbed him on both 
shoulders. Parks jumped as though he 
had been shot.” 

How came you here,” he exclaimed. 

il None of your business,” replied 
Knight,” I told you I should get in ; 
you are my prisoner.” The door was 
quickly unfastened ; Chase stepped in, 
and Parks surrendered without a fight. 
He settled the accounts before they left 
the house. For a long time after that, 
whenever he saw Knight, he would say 
44 Ah, had it not been for you, 1 might 
have been out West now, and owning a 
good farm, but you got all my money 
and I had to go to work again.” 

D. L. M. 



[We hold to read, a letter wo will print, ns it 
gives, beside, some additional information, a 
pleasant retrospective glance at a very honor- 
able and well-lniown group of Mr. Knight’s in- 
timate friends — Ed. ] 



MU. TYLER TO MB* KNIGHT, 

Bmtrieboro, May 13, 1882. 
Dr. Sir: 



The Records show Hon. Knight, 
Judge of this Probate District for 3 
years successively, 1835-6 and 7. Asa 
Keyes was his Register. 

It is a pity yon had uot begun seek- 
ing information sooner. Within a few 
years have died Wiu. C. Bradley, J. 
Dorr Bradley, .Judge Kellogg, Judge 
Keyes, Chas. Iv. Field, Joe Steen, 
any one of whom was full of informa- 
tion about .Judge Knight. 

You might get on the track of some- 
thing in Putney — in old times, Dum- 
merston, for this, had more to do with 
Putney than with Bmttleboro — perhaps 
they do still — I don’t know. The Mil- 
lers, Joe and W. O. ought to put you 
on the track of something, perhaps also 
Sam P, of Newfane, his father and 
yours were intimate. Austin Birchard, 
too, has lately died, he would have 
known all about him. I can think of 
nobody, now living. Should any one 
occur to me, I will write again. 

Truly yours, 

‘ R. TYLER. 

[ We shall next introduce two ladies of the 
Knight Family whose portraits have been 
contributed to the history of thi9 town, and a 
sister to one. We give Mrs. Esther Knight as 
the senior Mrs. Knight,, first, and also, that the 
two sisters be side by aide; these portraits, bo- 
ing the first of sisters in the history of any 
town thus far in the work. — Ed. } 

MRS. ESTHER (FARR) KNIGHT. 

From information obtained in the 
History of Chesterfield, N. H., published 
in 1882 by O. E. Randall, wc learn 
that the ancestors of Mrs. Knight came 
from Stowe, Mass. Samuel and Han- 
nah Farr of that town had, at least 
three children : Lydia, b. Mar. 29, 



144 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



1714, Elizabeth, b. Nov, 25, 1725, 
Abraham , b. Oct, 1, 1730. Samuel , the 
father, d. June 7, 1 754, Abraham Farr 
m. Rachel Foskett and settled in Ches- 
terfield, N ML , between 1770 and ’75. 
He d. Jan. 18, 1810, in his 80th year. 
His widow married William Crook who 
died in Westminister, VL She died in 
Chesterfield at a great age. Children ; 
Susannah, b. Apr. 14, 1755, d. 1756; 
Abigail, b, Nov- 20, 1756- m. 1777, 
Amos Smith, d. July 17, 1830 ; Abra- 
ham married, 17S4, Polly Harris and 
settled In Windham; Polly was sister of 
Mrs, Sally (Harris) Stock well now liv- 
ing, 1883, in West Brattlehoro at the 
great age of 104 years. [Deceased Nov. 
1883, — Ed.] Tabitha married, 1782, 
Eleazer Cobleigh : Thomas married and 
had children ; Abel married' Polly, dan. 
of Aaron Smith ; Hannah, b. about 
1774, m. 1st, 1790, Isaac, son of Sam- 
uel Hildreth, 2d, 1821 , Samuel Stearns ; 
Elen or, b. Nov, 3, 1777, m. — Gibbs ; 
Esther, Whose portrait appears in this 
history, married Joel Knight, [p* 137] 
MRS- SUSAN (milled) RNIGIIT, 

( cOntrihutKd nr Randolph a. KMour, ) 
wife of IJou. Asa Knight, whose maiden 
name was Susan Miller, daughter of 
John and Polly Davenport Miller, and 
gran d-d a ugh ter of CapL Isaac Miller, 
that sturdy pioneer, and settler of the 
town of Du miners to a, was born m this 
to w □ , O ctobe r 2 2 , 1796, an cl m a rr \ ed 
Asa Knight, May 1, 1822. Their chil- 
dren were : 

Susan IL b. May 19, 1828, married 
Lyman G. Bliss of Brattle boro. 

Mary E s t h c r , ho r u , J u ly 2 6 , 1826. 

Rose W. b. Oct- 81, 1828, married 
Lambert M. Maynard of Boston, Feb. 
17, 1852, lives in Somerville, Mass. 

Randolph A. b. Apr, 19,1831, mer 
chant, m. Ursula Longfellow a distant 



relative of the poet, H, W. Longfellow. 

Lovina L. b. Oct. 15, 1833. married 
Oliver Sprowl ; and is now a widow 
and a teacher in the graded schools of 
Chico, Cab 

John M., b. Aug. 28, 1836, mer- 
chant in Des Moines, Iowa, m. Frances, 
dau- of Dr. W. B. Rico, Niagara Falls. 

Fanny b. June 18. 184U- m. 
Riche rd L. Ogle of Callington, Co- of 
Prince George, McL, Sept. 10, 1863 

Her portrait was copied from an oil 
painting by Belknap and represents her 
as the age of thirty-six. In her youth, 
she was noted for her fair Saxon type of 
beauty, blue eyes, fair complexion, light 
gol den ha i r an d fine -cut tea Lures. Bright 
and cheerful In conversation, her pecu- 
liarly plea sent voice and Scotch wit im- 
pressed one as a lady of refinement and 
Culture. 

In childhood, she was trained in the 
strict discipline of her Puritan furthers 
an d p raetised ec on o my a n d ind n st ry : 
had a sacred regard for truth, which be- 
came ever after prominent in her char- 
acter ; and she was distinguished for her 
excellent judgment, good sense and her 
regard for the rights of others. Patient 
and positive in her opinion, she has been 
known as a true friend to the poor and 
friendless. 

She has been a great reader and long 
took a lively interest in all the events 
co u cem log tl i e we If h re o f on r c o u n try , 
the proceedings of Congress and news 
from abroad. 

The extensive acquaintance of her 
husband, brought within her doors a 
1 a rge number o f p vq m I n e n t p eopl e in th e 
county and state who remember, agree- 
ably, her sweet face, pleasant ways and 
gen e r ous h o sp it al i ty , 

The death of her husband in 1851 , 
left her alone with a large family and a 
large esta te to settle. 




SUSAN MILLER KNIGHT, 



Grand-daughter of Capt. Isaac Miller, and wife of Hon. Asa Knight. 




DUMMERSTCN. 



145 



Three old-time friends, Judge 
Newton, the Hon, C, K* Field and 
Wm. L, Williams^ Esq., came to her 
assistance in settling the estate, and 
took from her much of the care and 
trouble. 

Her husband was for many years, 
prior to hie death, a merchant, and 
lived where she now lives on the 
hill — her home for upward of fifty 
years. The grand old house and the 
store have many interesting associa- 
tions with prominent families and 
times long since passed away. 

My mother was generous and 
noble hearted. She has passed 
through life with that degree of for- 
t i tn A e sel d o m eq u al 1 ed , For n eaj 1 y 
three years past, she has been a 
great sufferer, occasioned by an ac- 
cident that has rendered her almost 
helpless and speechless. But pos- 
sessing a vigorous constitution and 
from a long lived race, she still lives 
and greets her friends and children 
with the same cordiality and smile j 
of recognition, and to wish them ] 
blessings and prosperity, 

MRS* ROSANNA (mILLKB) WILLIAMS | 

is a sister of Mrs. Asa Knight; was 
boro in Du turners ton. May 19, 1794; 
married Feb, 22, 1826, William II, 
Williams, of Nevyfaue, a wealthy 
and prominent citizen of that town. 
Her nor trait represents her at the 
age of 65. She wrote the signature 
when 38 years old, and is now living 
in Williamsville in her 90th year. 
She is a grand-daughter of Capt. 
Isaac Miller. 



STICKNEY FAMILY. 

Pjeter Stickney, ancestor of the 
family in Dummerstcn, was a de- 
scendant of William Stickney, the 
first settler in this country, and the 
ancestor of nearly all who havfe 
since borne that name in America* 
It is inferred from records procured 
in England, that he was the Wil- 
liam who is mentioned as baptised 



in St. Mary's Church, Frampton 
Lincolnshire, England, Sept. 6, 
1592, and the son of William Stick- 
ney of Frampton, who was baptised 
Dec, 30, 1553, and married June 10, 
1585, Margaret Pierson, and the 
grandson of Robert Stickney of 
Frampton, who made his will Oct. 

3, and was buried Oct. 18 ? 1582. 

William, the first settler In Amer- 
ica, m. Elizabeth , and had ten 

children. Amos, their second son, 
was horn in England about 1635, m, 
in Newbury, Maes,, June 24, 1663, 
Sarah Morse. After his death, she 
m, 2d, in Newbury, Dec, 17,. 1684, 
Stephen Ac re man. She died there, 
Dec. 7, 1711. Amos Stickney had 9 
children. 

Benjamin, 6th child, was b. Apr. 

4, 1673. He m. in Rowley, Mass., 
Jan,, 1700, 1st, Mary Palmer. She 
died 1747, aged 74, and was burled 
in Byfield. He m. 2d, widow Mary 
Morrison, Oct. 2, 1750, who sur- 
vived him, and m* Nov. 1757, Sam- 
uel Doty of Rowley* He had 11 
children* Jonathan, his 4th son, 
was born in Rowley, Mar. 7, 1706, 
published there Jan, 13, 1730-1; 
and m. Mary Fisk, They had 0 
children* Moses, the 5th son, b. in 
Rowley, bapt* in Byfield, May 31, 
1738; m. in Harvard, Nov* 20 1 1760, 
(when of Leominster), to Sybel 
Farnsworth of Harvard* He enlist- 
ed as a soldier in the expedition to 
Crown Point* 1756, and his death 
occurred in October, 1761* 

His only child was born Apr. 7, 
1761; m/ in 1782, widow Eunice 
(Willard) Carlton, who was sister 
of Henry Willard of Dummerstcn, 
He enlisted, Apr. 1, 1778, in Cob 
Jonathan Reed’s Reg,, Capt. Isaac 
Wood's Company; and afterwards 
in David Moore's Co,, Aug. 3, 1780, 
to re- inforce the Continental army 



146 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



in Rhode Island, [Mass. Archives.] 

Two of hie four children were 
probably bom in Harvard. He re- 
moved afterwards to Dnmmerston, 
where he died in March , 1315, aged 
52, His widow died in 1832, 

Sibyl, the eldest child of Peter, 
was born Feb. 13, 1783; m. Jan. 12, 
1802. Joseph Gleason, jr., had 11 
children; Sally, b. — ; m. Jan. 10, 
1800, Benj, Z wears; ha,d 11 child- 
ren. 

Benjamin, b. Mar. 15, 1785; m, 
Oct. 25, 1807^ Sally Betterley. 

Lois, b. Feb. 22, 1789; ra. Caleb 

Bu L'ban k, 

BENJAMIN STICKNEY 

was born in Leomister, Massachu- 
setts, and his wife was the sister of 
Samuel Betterley of Newfane, Vt. 
She was born, June 15, 178G, in 
New fane, and died there, Jan. 30, 
18G2, in the same room in which 
she was born. Benjamin came from 
Massachusetts to Ihimmerston about 
1300, and died in this town, May 
25, 1858. lie had 9 children, Ben- 
jamin, the eldest, b. Sept. 4, 1808; 
m. Betsey Tenny, b. September 10, 
1807, Both are now living, 1882; 
had five children ; reside in West 
Diunmerstom 

Sarah, b. Oct, 3, 1810; m. Reu- 
ben M. Call. 

William, b. Sept. 16, 1812; m, 
Emily L. Lanfair, who died. May 
16, 1854. He m. 2d, Judith W. 
Wait, Nov. 20, 1856, They reside 
in Greenfield, Mass. 

Eunice N., b. Oct 19, 1815; ill, 
Ira Barrett, Nov. 12, 1863. 

Lucy, b. Aug. 21, 1817; m. Seth 
B. Hudson, Sept, 23, 1838. 

Peter, b. July 21, 1820; m. Abi- 
gail Wei I inan of Brookline; had five 
children, 

Samuel, b. Jan. 10, 1823 ; m. 
Sibyl Hudson of Duramerston. 

Thomas, b. Nov. 18, 1824; d. 
Nov. S, 1842, 

Lydia W., b. Nov. 17, 1828; d. 
Nov. 7, 1842, 



BENJAMIN ESTABRGOK 
FAMILY. 

We give the family record begin- 
ning with his great-grandfather. 
Captain Daniel Estabrook of Sud- 
bury, Mass., who was born Feb, 10, 
1676, and married to Abigail Flint, 
Nov, 21, 1701. 

She was born Jan. 11, 1675, dan. 
of John and Mary (Oakes) Flint, 

The Flints came over from Eng- 
land in 1635. 11 is father Thomas 

Flint came that year from Mattock 
in Derbyshire by the river Darran, 
where he lived and his predecessors 
had dwelt for 800 years without any 
entailment. The children of Capfc. 
Daniel Es tab rook and his wife Abi- 
gail were: 

Abigail , b. Sept. 25, 1702; Daniel, 
b, June 14, 1705: Benjamin, b. May 
7, 1708, died Sept. 12, 1787; Sam- 
uel, b. Aug. 18, 1710, d. Sept. 1, 
1793; Mary, b. Nov. 2, 1712; Anna, 
b. Nov. 13, 1714, Capt. Daniel Seta- 
brook, d. Jan. 7, 1735; his wife d> 
Nov. 1770, aged 95 years, 

Samuel Estabrook and Abigail, hie 
wife's children, were Lucy, b. Feb. 

26, 1739; Jodediah, b. Soph 16, 
1740; Samuel, b, Feb. 3, 1742, d. 
Apr. 28, "1744; Benjamin, the sub- 
ject of our sketch, was b. May 21, 
1744. 

The remaining children were sev- 
en in number ; Samuel, father of 
Benjamin, d. 1793, in Massachu- 
setts. Abigail, his mother, d. Aug, 

27, 1804, aged 86. and was buried 
near the grave of Hannah Esta- 
brook, her grand-da ugh tor. 

Benjamin Estabrook married 
Abigail Gates, about 1776, and 
moved to this town from Old Rut- 
land* Mass, 



DFMMERSTGN. 



147 



He died, May 24, 1880, aged 86, his 
^vife, Aug. 26, 1824, aged 86- 

T heir eh il d reii w ere : Lydia, b. Nov . 
4>, 1778* ic- William French, Oct. 4, 
1801, d. May 21, 184$, aged 70. 

Abigail, b. Get. I, 1780. d- Nov, 8, 
1848, aged 68* 

Joel, b. Jan. 25, 1782, m . 1 $t Mary 
Sargeant, 2d, Anna Sargcsmt. d* Jan, 6, 
1872, aged nearly 00. 

Jeddiah, b. May 22, 1784, m. Persia 
Cutler, widow of Erast us Babcock ;-d 
Aug. 15, 1858. 

H ami ah, b* Dee* 20, 1788, d; Oct. 14, 
1843. 

Benjamin* b. Nov. 4, 1700, m. 1st, 
Clarissa, dan, of Abram Farr of Wind' 
Lain, Jan. 8, 18)7, 2d, Lydia Pratt of 
Newfane, Mar. 30, 184 IX d. Mar. 14, 
1770. II ia children by the first mar- 
riage were : 

Emeline, b. Dec. 4, 1817, m. Arbu 
Spaulding, great-grandson of Lt. Leo- 
nard Spaulding, d. Sept. 29, 1843. 

Alvin, b. Apr. 21, 1820, d. Nov, 22, 
1821. 

James M., b. Aug. 31, 1822, d.— 
infan t, 

Clarissa Amy, b. Nov, 6, 1823, m. 
Mar, 11 , 1373, David L, Mansfield.— 
[The writer of this History, whose in- 
terest in Dummerston, led him to fur* 
nish so much historical in formation. Ed] 

B en^ja m i n Esr au kook, 1 da c k strJ th , 
was born and always lived in Hummers- 
too. He learned his trade of Ebenezer 
MUter, who married A me Farr, sister 
of Mrs. Estabrook. After serving a 
few years as an apprentice, lie engaged 
in business for himself on the parental 
farm and rook care of his parents 
through life. In 1835, he purchased 
the black smith -s hop and dwelling-house 
of Royal Miller, where lie lived at the 
time of his death. lie worked at the 
blacksmith business 03 years ; was a 



man universally respected for his up- 
right Christian character; was always 
active in every good work, a kind- 
hearted and obliging neighbor, .and one 
of the oldest members of the Congrego- 
tional church at the time of his death. 
The writer is much Indebted to him for 
many interesting incidents connected 
with the early history of the town. 

WILDER FAMILY, 

.JOSHUA WILDES, 

removed from Gerry (now Phi Hips ton) 
Mass,, in 1 j 95, and settled on a farm 
in this town, now owned by Leroy 
Wilder, his grandson. Chi account of 
il! health, his son Frank lias the man- 
agement, making four generations, of 
the family that have lived on the place 
and cultivated the farm, which is o m of 
the largest in town. The grave -verd 
adjoins the farm and in it are buried in 
one lot five generations of the Wilder 
family. We have not ascertained who 
the ancestors of Joshua Wilder were, 
but the family name is found am ong the 
inhabitants of Lances tor, u town in the 
same County as Gerry, ami settled more 
than a century before the latter town, 
wh i e 1 1 was iucr> rp o rate d i □ 3 786 * Lieut. 
Natluin iel‘ Wilder was killed by the In- 
dians in Lances ter, July 31, 1704. 
Joshua was a Re volution ary soldier, 
and his service is reported elsewhere. 
He related an exploit of bis grandfather 
which has been handed down to the 
present time. 

It appears that his grandfather was 
fond of a good horse and rode much on 
horseback. One time he called at an 
inn to Stay over night and requested 
that, his horse might be turned out to 
pasture instead of being fed in the barn. 
When morning came and he was ready 
to start on his journey, he informed the 
landlord that he would go and catch his 



148 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



horse himself, as it was a young and 
spirited animal, and it was very difficult 
for a stranger to catch him. The land- 
lord objected, because he had a cross 
bull in the pasture and he was afraid he 
would endanger the life of Mr. Wilder. 
Nothing, however, would deter him 
from catching his own horse. Before 
venturing into the pasture, he used the 
precaution, however, to fasten on his 
feet a pair of large, heavy spurs which 
he was accustomed to wear sometimes, 
when riding horseback. The landlord 
watched his proceedings with consider- 
able anxiety. The horse and the bull 
were feeding near together, and Mr. 
Wilder could not catch his horse with- 
out attracting the attention of the bull. 
He fed quietly till he noticed a stranger 
approaching, when he suddenly turned 
and made a furious attack. Mr. Wilder 
equal to the emergency, dodging his 
enemy, caught him in such a manner as 
to land astride his back. He now had 
the advantage, and plunging the spurs 
deep into the sides of the bull, compelled 
him to run the course like a racehorse. 
The bull was conquered, and stopping 
shortly, bellowed for mercy. Mr. Wil- 
der dismounted, patted him gently and 
said, u you are a good fellow, I have 
had a nice ride.” The landlord was so 
much pleased with the brave exploit of 
Mr. Wilder that he -would accept no pay 
for his uight’s lodging, nor would he 
take any pay thereafter for his staying 
over night, though he stopped on several 
occasions. 

Joshua Wilder married Lois Hawes. 
Their children were : 

An.ia, b. 1782, m. Luke Kendal ; 
Betsey, b. 1783, m. Samuel Hadley ; 
Natt, b. 1784, m. Polly Warner ; Dan, 
b. 1786, m. Joanna Bemis ; Nabby, b. 
1788, m. Simon Hadley of Willi am s- 
town, N. Y. Clarissa, born, 1789, m. 



I Stephen Hadley ; Nixon, b. 1791, ra, 
; Lin dal, b. 1792, m. Betsey Had- 
ley ; Ruth, b. 1795, in. Ransom Covey ; 
Samuel, b. 179G,m. Olive Bemis ; Dan- 
iel, b. 1798, unmarried; Columbia, b. 
1800; Jefferson, b. 1802. All lived to 
be adult persons, and none died youuger 
than 25 years. 

Dun Wilder married, May 3, 1803. 
Joanna, dau of Joshua Bemis. Their 
children, were : Alfred, Leroy, Eliza, 
William, Lindall, Edmond, Betsey, El- 
vira, Horace, Jason II. 

Dan was a deacon of the Congrcga 
tlorral church, many years. His fath- 
er, Joshua, united vrirh the church in 
1842, when he was 84 years old. 

Leroy Wilder is deacon of the church 
at the present time. 

Dea. Dan Wilder now living in his 
84th year, (1869) on one occasion, 
when a young man, cut from a Lom- 
bardy poplar, a small sprout to use as a 
riding-whip, and on returning from his 
ride, stuck it into the ground. The soil 
being moist, that sprout grew to be a 
t*Il tree. It was cut. down a few years 
since, and measured across the stump, 
nearly 4 feet. 



KNAPP FAMILY 

OF DUMMERSTOM. 

Ichabod Knapp who married Cath- 
arine Miller, Dec. 10, 1780, is the an- 
cestor of this family name now living in 
town. Alvine, his eldest child, b. Feb. 
21, 1781, m. Mar. 24, 1808, Rinda 
Faller; had one child, Ichabod Milton, 
who m. Sarah Wheeler, Mar. 20, 1843. 

Gardner, b. Apr. 23, 1 783, m. Fanny, 
b. Jan. 14, 1801, dau. of Asahel Taft. 
Their children wore Hiram, b. Mar. 
30, 1825 ; Addison, b. July 30, 1827 ; 
Ichabod Leroy ; Joel Dexter ; Emily 
S. ; Mary E. ; John N. 



DU M MJERSTt ) N . 



14D 



Catherine. b. Mar. IS, 1785, m. 1st. 
Giles Alexander, May Id, 1800, 2d, 
John F, Stearns ; 

Luratrn, h. Aug. 3, 1787, in., 1808, 
Luther Miller ; 

Isaac N. (Dr.) b. Aug. 7, 1780, m. 
1st, Plulinda Dutton ; Children ; Isaac, 
(Dr.) b. Mar. 22. 1816; PhUmda D., 
b* Dee. 10, 1817; George II., b. Mar. 
21 , 1810, d. 1880 ; Samuel D*, b. 1882, 
d. 1816 ; Caroline, b* 1826, d. 1827 : 
Lucy, b. June 27, 1827; Ellen J-, b. 
May 2, 1832, The mother d. Jan. 15, 
1835, and Dr. Knapp nu 2d, Mrs, 
Maria [Nutting] Benham. Three chil- 
dren by 2d marriage ; 

Loviey and Polly, twins, Ik Feb, 20, 
1792* Polly, d. infant, and Loviey, m. 
July 25, 1813, Ephraim Laughton ; 
IchaboiL b. 1794, d* 1709 ; 

Rosanna, b. July 12, 1 706, m. Thomas 
Laughton ; 

George W. b. Dee, 19, 1799, m* 
Mrs, Eliza Williams ; 

William, b* Mar. 10, 1804, m. Lo- 
vinna Miller ; 

JONAS KNAPP ? 

a brother of lehabod, came from Orange, 
Mass, to Dummerston about 1803. 

The children of Jonah and Ann, Ills 
w i fe were, J o hn , b * in O ran ge , M ass . , 
Aug. 1, 1793, m. Jan. 81, 1822, Han- 
nah Adams ; Lucratia,!). July 31, 1795, 
m. Justin Sarge&nt ; 0mn, b* Mar. 18, 
1798 ; Caleb L., b. July 15, 1801, m. 
8ept. 12, 1831 n Linda Sargeant ; Sally, 
b, in Dummer&bon* 1804, <1. 1800 ; Hor- 
ace, 1). Mar. 12, 1808. 

Polly Knapp, a sister of Jonah, m. 
Benjamin Rider, Jan. 30, 1806. 

DU. ISAAC ICNA/PP 

died May 9, 1883, in Fort Wayne, hid. 
His parents were Dr. Isaac N. and 
Ph Hindu (Dutton) Knapp. His early 



education was obtained in the common 
schools of this town and at the academy 
in Brattle boro. At about 20, he went 
West, and supporting himself by teach- 
ing at intervals, completed a full course 
at Marietta college, O., graduating in 
1839. After teaching a year or two in 
the South and West, be returned to Ver- 
mont. He studied for the ministry, but 
gave it up on account of a throat dis- 
ease, which prevented his speaking in 
public, and studied medicine with his 
father, Dr. Isaac N. Knapp, a success- 
ful physician in Dummerston, and after- 
wards attended and graduated at the 
raedi cal ■ 1 ep ar tin en t of the Un I versi ty o f 
Vermont. He again went West, and 
practiced medicine several years, but his 
health proving inadequate, be turned his 
attention Uj dentistry, and took high 
rank in that profession, was thrice 
chosen president of the Indiana State 
Dental Association and a prominent 
officer in other dential societies, in the 
West. He contributed much to dental 
literature, corresponded with eminent 
men in the profession and delivered pub- 
ic addresses, one scries of which was 
be fo re 1 3 i e F or t W ay n e M e d i cal C o I lege . 
His views were pronounced and bis in- 
fluence positive, also, on all political, 
religious and social questions. He took 
an active part in the church and Sunday 
school work* He leaves a wife, Mrs. 
Roweua L. Knapp, one son, Win. B*, 
and a sister, Mrs* Lucy S afford, of 
Windsor, Conn* (The writer is In- 
debted to the Fort Wayne Gazette for 
many of the facts pertaining to the life 
d Dr. Knapp in the West. 

THE HOLTON FAMILY. 

William Holton, Ho niton, was born 
in England, 1611 ; came from Ipswich 
to America in ship Lt Francis,” 1634 ; 
original proprietor of Hartford, Ct. ; 



150 



VERMONTN H 18 TORI UAL MAG AZIN E. 



remove d th cd cu to N or till i am ] .1 to n , Ma^s . 
where lie was ordained deacon, 1063 ; 
representative to the general court 5 
years from North amp ton and 1 year 
from Hadley ; on committee for North- 
field at the second settlement, 167*2 ; 
died Aug, 12, 1661. His wife, Mary 
— died Nov, 10, 1631. 

Their children were John, Samuel, 
William, Mary, Sarah, Ruth, Rachel 
and Thomas, killed in the attack on 
Northampton, Mar. 14, 1676. Mary 
married David Burtj Nov. 18, 1650 ; 
Sarah married John King, Nov. J§ t 
1 G5G, — the first two marriages in North- 
ampton, Ruth married Joseph Baker, 
w 1 1 o was killed b y th e 1 n d ia n s , Ge t . 2 3 , 
1075. II ae hel m a i-riod T bom as 8 tro ug. 

John, son of William, died April 1G, 

1712, Abigail — , his wife, was 

living in 1718, Their children were 
Mary, Eleazer, Sarah, Abigail, Joshua, 
William and Thomas. 

Thomas, son of John, was born Oct. 
23, 1681; was in Nortbfiekl, 1718; 
killed by the Indians Aug. 23, 1723. 
He married Mind well, daughter of Sam- 
uel Allen of Northampton. After her 
husband was killed she married Daniel 
Chapin, She died Oct. 21, 1758, Chil- 
dren: Joshua, born 1703; Thomas, 
1 7 05 ; Han na b , 1707 ; M in dwell, ah out 
1712 : lihamer, who died Dec. 4, 713. 

THOMAS HOLTON, 

son of Thomas (1681) wns born about 
1705 ; carpenter by trade ; u dismissed 
from church in North field 1799, with 
wife and daughter Sarah, to be joined 
with others in a church in Fulham/* 
now Dummerston, where he settled after 

1771. Ha married Sarah ; died 

in this town Dee. 22, 1800, aged about 
95 years. 

Their children were Thomas Allen, 
born iu Northfidd, 1744 ; Sarah, Arad, 



Nov, 1752; Mind wall, Hannah, Olive 
a n d Obcdi cue e , \v ho w e re h n p ti zed Ap r . 
29, 1 764 ; Sarah married Elijah Town, 
jr., about 1776. Arad married Anna 
Haven, (1) ; Rebecca Houghton, (-) ; 
Mrs. Eunice Spaulding, (3). Minrlwcll 
married William Or vis, who died Jan. 
11* 1801, aged 41 years. A slate 
stone marks his resting-place in the 
cemetery, near the meeting-house. 

Hannah married Joseph Nurse ; Ol- 
ive married Henry Cressy ; Obedience 
mar Had Calvin Butler. Five of these 
families resided in school district No. 5 
in 1793. Calvin Butler lived on the 
farm now owned by I. M, Knapp. Win. 
Orris lived in a house that stood in the 
northwest corner of the u Or vis lot./ 7 
near the place where some twenty old 
apple trees arc now standing* n est of 
the school -house. Elijah Town, jr.. 
built the house and lived on the farm 
now owned by Howard Jones, 

W ra ns low H ol to n rem e mhe rs w el ] , a 
little incident that occurred at his Uncle 
Elijah’s when he was a small boy. He 
went there one day to visit his cousins. 
Young Elijah, his cousin, who was older 
than he, showed him the bees that were 
working busily about the hives. Sir. 
Holton says that the u little devil” gave 
him a piece of board and told him io go 
and scrape oil' the bees from the hive. 
Instead of scraping off tile bees he got 
himself into a scrape that he has never 
forgotten, 

A ra d H ol l o u w a s a fa it j.e r a n d so n i e- 
w ha t peculiar in his m an ner . W h e u h e 
was a young man he broke his leg be- 
low the knee, and wishing to have it set 
by a surgeon in North field, rode on 
horseback to that town, had the bone 
set, and returned on horseback next day. 
He always rode on horseback when 
traveling about the country. On one 
occasion be told some men that $300 



UUMMERSTUN. 



151 



had been offered him for the horse which 
he was riding. They looked much sur- 
prised. After a pause he added that it. 
was the amount of four or five offers. 

His North held friends told him, one 
time, that he was unwise to live up in 
Vermont ou land not so productive as 
t h ey ha d iji.No r tl i fi eld. His re ply w a s , 
vi You boast of your productive lands, 
but I raised ti pumpkin on my farm that 
you could not turn over with a hand- 
spike. They did not believe it till he 
added that it grew under a large root. 

He claimed that he once hauled the 
heaviest load with a single horse of any 
man in Vermont. He explained that it 
was himself and five children, which 
made six whol& fa as, (Hoi- tons) the 
largo load of which he boasted. 

THE CRESSEY JUMP. 

Henry Cressey lived on i\ farm cast 
of the “ Lyman Knight place , tr since 
divided up and sold in separate lots. 
He is known as the man who made the 
u Cressey jump.” The story goes that 
he was walking alone across a field and 
coming to a brook that was wide and 
deep, lie said to himself: u Cressy, J 
will bet you a dollar that you can’t jump 
across the brook. “Done,” said he, 
and back be went a few paces to get a 
good start. When at full speed he 
bounded like a deer across the brook. 
Elated by his success, be said, “ Now. 
Cressey, I will hot you another dollar 
that you can’t jump back again. — 
“ Agreed,” said he, and, starting ms be- 
fore, lie bounded, and missing a firm 
foothold, fell backwards, splash into the 
brook. Scrambling out of the water, he 
said : u It is a C ressey jump ; nothing 
gained, nothing lost,” and went on his 
way a wetter if not a wiser man. 

THE OLDEST PERSON 
that is now living in Dummerstcm, — 
in 1S82 — is Mr, Wranslow Holton, 



aged 94 years. He was born in this 
town, Jan* 11th, 1788, At that time 
there were only thirteen states in the 
the Union, and nof as many people as 
now live in the slate of New York. 
George Washington had not then been 
chosen President of the United Stares, 
and did not begin his first term of office 
as President till April 30, I7cS9, when 
Mr. Holton was more than a year old. 

Thomas Hoi ton, his grandfather, came 
from N orth field , Mass wil-h his family T 
and settled in this town previous to the 
beginning of the Revolutionary war. 

His journey in quest of a new home 
was made by following up the Connect- 
icut river till he reached “Canoe brook,” 
now called “ Murder Hollow brook f* 
and thence westerly about 2 miles from 
the river, where he selected 100 acres 
of good land for a farm which he pur- 
chased of the original proprietors. The 
site of the first house built on the farm' 
is N. E. of the present buildings, east 
of the brook at the foot of the hill. The 
land is now owned by Willard Dodge. 

Arad, manned about 1777, and set- 
tled west of the brook, taking one-half 
the farm and his father keeping the 
other half of 50 acres, now called the 
u O rv i s lo t/ J o w n ed by M r . Do d ge . A r ad 
Holton lived on the farm from the time 
of settlement til) his death in the 89 th 
year of Ids age. 

Wranslow. his son, was born in the 
old house that stood n short distance 
nortf i of the dwelling in which lie now 
lives, and which was built since his 
remain brance . E our generations of the 
Holton family now live in the same 
L ouse, father, son, grand daughter, and 
live great grand-children. There was 
1 3 children in his father’s family. Two 
of his half-brothers, Reuben and A rial, 
lived to be about 94 years of age. 
Others iu the family died much younger. 



lo'2 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



DYING FULL OF tBARS- 
Anna Spaulfliag, wife of Samuel Laughton, rt, 
Jan. 31, 1845?. aged* S] years. 

Mrs. Savab Negus (tab Jam 9* 3834, aged, S3. 
Hn-nimh Holton, wife of Joseph Non rse, died, 
Jan. 12, 3842, aged* 86 years. 

Sally Glynn Noarse, died. Sep. 11 , IK77, agetl*S 2 
years and 1 J months? 

Pea. Daniel Walker, died, June 24. 1875, aged 89 
years, 11 months, 

Nathan Cook died ,Jam il, 1837, aged, 82 years. 
John IplhiUT d, about 3820, over 00 years old. 
Rui da ( Fuller ) Knapp ch Jiin. ifi. 1873, re, 86 yrs, 
-Joseph Dix died, Jan, 24* JS75* aged. 84 years. 
Isaacs Reed died, June 23, 1854* aged, 87 years, 
Lucy Miller died, Aug, Hi, 1875, aged, 8 R* years. 
Joseph Crosby, died NOv. 7, 1861, aged 07 years. 
JWiofla Crosby died, Dee. 24. LS50, aged, SI yrs. 
John L«\ Stearns, died* Nov. 2,1. 1672, aged, 32 yrs. 
Folly Miller died, Feb. 2S* 18$4, aged, SO years. 
Abel Knight, died* Oet. 4,lH7l,aged, cSO years. 
Lneinda Joy, died. Fob. 21, 1853, aged, SO years. 
Sally Cary] died. May 8 , 1861, aged S5 years, 
Reuben Jo ties died, Apr. 17, 1875, siged, 93 yrs. 
Dea, David Bennett, tl, June, 9. 1847, aged, 87. 
Ben 1 uli ( B u rn hum ) Mil lei* , d . Aug. 28. 1877 , tn . 90. 
John Daugliton, died ,Feb. 36, 1799, a*, m years. 
Betsy Hill died, Jan. 1*1S71* aged* 84 years, 
Mary, wf, of Luther Allyn, d, Dec, 27, 1876, re. $ 2 . 
Hadftftsah Winn, died, OeL 27, 1 Stiff, aged , 87 . 
Shepherd Gales died, Apr. 8 , JS 69 , aged, SS yrs. 
Molly Kathauj wife of Eli I me Sergeant, died, 
Dec, 18, 1850, aged, ‘.W years. 

WEST DTJMMEliSTOX, 

Oapt. James Chase died, Jan. 30, 1871, re. Si yr 5 . 
Jan tea Chase died, May 28, 1844, aged, m yrs, 
Polly Chase died Sep. 4, l&TO, aged, S3 year*. 
w noa Leonard died Aug, 10,1806, aged, S 3 years. 
Matilda Leonard dfed.Ocl. pj ( [ 377 ( 83 yrs 

Samuel Miller died, Nov. 29. 1851, aged, 83. yrs. 
Sylvia Miller died. May S, 1866, aged, HS years. 
John Greenwood died, Jan. 29. 1843, re, 80 yi.s. 
Ruth Greenwood died, Apr. 5* )85fi, aged, 80 yrs 
Benja. Willard died, Aug, 5, ISTd, ag«d* S6 yrs. 
Lydia Willard died, May 0, LS74 aged* 85 years, 
Betsy Huntley died, Nov. 12, 4 SS 5 , aged, S5. yis. 
DaiPl Belknap died, Aug. 33, 1862, aged, 89 yrs. 
Wm, Robertson died. Oct. 17, 1841* aged, Si yrs. 
Mary Robertson died, Mat, 15, I842 r aged, S3 yrs. 
Zeraviah Stoddard died* Jan, 22, 1863 1 re. 92 y is. 
Raohul Wilson died, Jan. 1 , 1861, aged 82 years. 
David Liverraore d, Jau, 28, r$79, aged, SI yrs, 
Olive Livermore d. Ang. 81, 1875, aged, Si years. 



Jacob Prescott, d July 4. 3870, aged, :m yetim 
Wheal on Wilson, tl. Jan. £1 1874, aged, S7 years . 
David Bnlly d. Mur, 10, 18G7, aged, 81! years, 
John Whitney died, Oet, 13, 134S* age <1.89 yrs. 
Mary, \v. of Tilly Wilder, d. Apr, 15, 1832, a. ni. 
Tir&tyh, \v_ of Dan l Goss, d Apr, m t IMS , a. 81. 
Sully Wood \v. of Kuos Goss, Mar. 4. 38^, a. .IS. 
Henry Willard tiled, Aug. 16, 1859, aged, 84 yre- 
Sarali Gfeasou died, Oet. 31, 1849, aged, 92 yrs;. 
Lydia, w. of CapL Isaac Burnett, Jim. 1847, a. 88 
Abigail, \v f of Seth Hudson. Nov. 10, 1521, ti. 8L 
Phineas Pratt, died, June 0, 1831, nged, 90 yrs. 
L, Will. Leonard, died, Oet, 13, I $38, aged, 93. 
Mrs. Thomas Beirerly tl,,NoV,26, 1830, aged, 88. 
Thomas Bet ter ly died, June 25. 1836, aged, 85. 
Sebra KnigliL died, Nov, 8, 1817, agedp $1 years, 
Mrs. Samuel Betterly cl., Jan, 15* 1875, ogod, 84, 
Capi. .'ianiucl Betterly d., Apr. 1, 1870, aged, 77. 
Lincoln Bixby died, Get, E7* 1869 aged, 82 years, 
3li ». Lincoln Bixby d. Mar. H, 1669, aged* 73. 

IHvRSUSS LIVES G JS‘ TOWN — 1080- 
Grrtti L. Bennett, age* 87; Folly Bern is, 80 ; 
Sylvester G, Dewey, 61 1 Mrs. Lydia Estebraok, 
31 ; Mary Gleason, 31 ; Airs. Rebecca Gates, 80. 
Wransiow Holton, 92; Mrs. Sophia Haven, 85. 
Jiiirus Haven, 0ft; Mrs. Susan Knight, >J; Mis. 
Rosanna Laugbfijn, 84, Asa Laughton, &S; Airs. 
Fliila Miller, 80; George NlrUoIs L si: Jacob 
Pie roe ,87; Mrs. El an or B. Perry, 81; Mrs. 
Anna Stock well* 85, 

Mrs, Betsey J., wife of Simeon Reed, died, 
Mar. 3, 1881* aged S4. Simeon Reed died, in 1875, 
aged, 7$ years, 

SIMEON RELD AND WIFE. 

Simeon Reed was the son of Mr. John 
Hoed one of the first settlers in Putney, 
H e re m o ve d to t.li allow n fro m Dtgii to n . 
Mass*, settled on u Wo.st, Hill.” where 
there was good rocky soil, lived there 
many years, and died, 1840, aged 83. 
Simeon Reed bought the Reuben Sinead 
place lb this town in 1852 l where lie 
lived when he died. Mrs. Reed, liis 
wife, was the daughter of Caph Amos 
Joy, of Putney, She was born in that 
town in 1795, and belonged to a large 
family of children, only two of whom 
are now living— Rev. Ainariah Joy of 
Joy-field, Mich, and Thomas Joy of 
Woodstock, VL Before her marriage, 



DUMMEESTON. 



183 



Mrs. Keed was a school teacher. She 
taught the school m Dis, J\ T o. 1, Dum- 
merston Centre, in the cold summer of 
1816, and has often said in reference to 
the coldness of that season, that at times 
she was obliged to wear a shawl in the 
school-room and get into the sunshine 
to make herself comfortable. 



CHURCH HISTORY. 

CHAPTER I L 

[ Continued f r wn page 89- ] 

CONGREGATIONAL CH OUCH - 

After the dismission of Mr. Berkley, 
Rev. Eber Child supplied the pulpit 
most of the time until May 10, 1840, 
when 

REV. NELSON BARBOUR, 
w as i nstn lied. The coun cl 1 fo r Mr . B ur- 
hour's installation consisted of Rev. Mr. 
W alker, pastor of the church in East 
Brattl chore, Rev. C. Kidder in West 
Brattleboro, Rev. Calvin R. Bacheldor 
i n W estm i mter E ast , Rev . J u bi lee We 1 1 - 
man in Westminster W est ,Rev. Horatio 
N. Graves in Towns hen d, Rev. L. S, 
Co I bu r u in F ayettevi 1 1c , an d Re v , A mo s 
Foster in Putney ; Rev, Seth S, Arnold 
moderator ; Rev. C. Kidder, scribe ; 
invocation and reading the Scriptures, 
by Rev, C, R. Bach el dor ; introductory 
p rayer , Re v . H . N , G ra v es ; sermon, 
Rev, Charles Walker ; installing p ray er. 
Rev , C, Kidder ; charge to the pastor. 
Rev. S. S. Arnold; right hand of fel- 
ship, Rev , A m os F o ster ; ad d res s to th c 
people, Rev. J. Wellman; concluding 
prayer, Rev. L, S. Colburn, 

Mr. Barbour’s salary was §450, paid 
semi - au u u al ly . T 1 ie amo u n t was ra i sed 
by a tax made on the grand list of each 
member of the church, excepting what 
was obtained from others connected 
with the society. In 1842, a new 
meeting-house was built and the old 
20 



church was taken down. The first 
church was built about the year 1777. 
At the raising, the frame was so heavy 
that the carpenters were obliged to sus- 
pend operations a few hours until more 
men could be obtained from Putney to 
assist in raising the building. The 
church was not finished for several 
y e ars . At rs t, it was s h in gle d an d tl ie 
frame -covered with rough boards ; 
planks were used for sea,ts. Meetings 
were held about 2 years before the 
church was organised. Mr. Farrar 
may have preached that length of time 
previous to his Installation in 177th 

During Mr. Barbour’s ministry, 22 
persons joined the church by profession 
and 15 by letter. He was dismissed 
Apr. 6, 1846. The council for that 
p ur p ose co ns i ste d o f Re v . H , N . G rav es 
of Townshend, Rev. Alfred Stevens of 
Westminster West, Rev. Darwin Adam 
of Fayetteville, and Rev. Amos Foster 
of Putney, He died in Georgia, Vt, 
July 31, 1807, aged GO years, 9 months, 
23 days. He was born in Bridport, Vt., 
Oct. 8, 1805, son of James and Dorcas 
D. Barbour ; graduated at Middlebury, 
1831, at Andover 1834 ; for a year, he 
was agent of the American Sunday 
School Union; but near the close of 
1835, commenced preaching in Saxton’s 
River village, and was ordained pastor 
of the Congregational church in that 
place Dec. 15, 1836, Rev, Henry B, 
Homer of Springfield preached the ser- 
mon, His pastorate at Saxton’s River 
was quite successful, A house of wor- 
ship was built, a great revival took 
place, and the membership of the church 
was nearly doubled. He was dismissed 
Sept. 26, 1839. 

He was installed pastor of the church 
in Dunimerstoo, May 10, 1840. Rev. 
C h a v les W a I ker o f Br t ittlcb oro p r eac h - 
ed the sermon. A house of worship 



154 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAG AZIN E, 



was bn ilt, during ms pastorate and fif- 
teen or more conversions took place. 

He was dismissed Apr. 6, 1846. 

After leaving Dummerstou in 1846, 
he became agent of the Protestant So- 
ciety, in which service he continued 8 
years. From March 1S4U to March 
1852, he was acting pastor in Laugdon, 
N. IL ; installed in Wolfboro, Jtme 16. 
*52, Rev. B. P. Stone, D, D M preai.li- 
iug the sermon ; dismissed Nov. 27* *54 ; 
from Mar. 18 5 6 to Dec. IH5S. acting 
pastor in Cummingtou, Mass. ; tor a 
year or more .preached in Jamaica, Vt. ; 
early in 1861, became acting pastor in 
Sullivan, N. H>, for nearly 3 years; 
1st, Sabbath Oct. 4866 , p reached at 
West Fairlee, Vt. ; Nov. 1866, began 
preaching in Georgia, and there con- 
tinned till his death, preceded by a sick- 
ness of only a few days, after S3 years 
of ministerial service. He was a sound, 
earnest, self-denying home missionary, 
sometimes blunt, yet gentle to all. He 
loved music* loved Christ, and all good 
men. He married, lst, Aug. 24, 4835, 
Laura Ripley of Middlebury, who died 
May 8, 1846, aged 41 years ; 2d, Apr. 
25, J 849. Ruth Dunk lee of Rrattleboro, 
who died Oct. 20, 4854, aged 38 years ; 
3d, Oct. 15, 4855, Mary Willard of 
Rockingham. 

REV. 13 EK JAM Iff F> FOSTER 

was the fifth settled minister of this 
church; was born in Hanover, N. H,, 
June 16, 1803, and was the son of 
Richard and Esther (Jewell) Foster. 
He was early consecrated to God by Ids 
pious parents, and his youth was marked 
by a conscientious regard for everything 
of good report. One who knew him 
from c h i 1 dhoo d , s ays : “He was an 
honest child, and an honest youth/’ 
Those who knew him iu manhood can 
say he was an firmest man. He learned 



the trade of a tanner which occupation 
he felt it his duty to leave after lus con- 
version, at the age of seventeen and en- 
tered upon a course of study with the 
ministry in view. 

Hu united the same year with lU 
Congregational church in H. , . uvr. X- 
II.. n oder the pasi<<mto ufRev. Jostuh 
To vrne. 

He titled fur college at Kimball Union 
- 

Au&demy, Meriden, N. H., and was 
: graduated at Amherst in the class of 

i 

1829 ; after which he studied theology 
with the Rev. -Silas McKean, D. D.,of 
Bradford, and was licensed at Post 
Mills, Vt*,Aug. 2, 1831, by the Orange 
Association. 

For a few months, he preached iu 
Waterford afterwards in Amoskeag, 
(nou Manchester) N. H. , and was 
ordained there as an evangelist in Mar. 
1832. The Rev. Edward L. Parker of 
Londonderry preached the sermon. 

He was installed Nov. 13. 1833, 
pastor of the Congregational church iu 
Salisbury. The Rev. X. Bouton. I). 
D,, of Concord preached the sermon. 
During his ministry at Salisbury there 
occurred several seasons of special reli- 
gious interest, the most marked in the 
winter of 1 842-43 * when he admitted to 
the church forty by profession and forty 
by letter. He was dismissed July 23, 
1846, on account of ill health, and in- 
stalled at Hummer ston Sept. 30, 1846- 
The Rev. Amos Foster, his brother, 
preached the sermon. 

After a pastorate of more than 21 
years , he was dismi ssed Dec .18,1867, 
by the same council that installed his 
successor, he having been unable to 
preach only occasionally for more than 
a year, previous. During his ministry 
fifty four joined the church by profession 
and twenty- three by letter. 



M MMFRSTON. 



155 



Mr. Foster was a I mrd- working, cam- 1 
faithful preacher and pastor. Ilis 
sermons were plain, direct art! instruc- 
tive ; and iL was evident to hie lie are re 
that he sought only to do them good by 
his preaching. 

He was interested m ail movements 
for the good of the community * and 
v spe cial 1 y i n s c h o oks. H e. vv as fo r i na uy 
years superintendent of schools in Dum- 
merston* ami when suffering much was 
faithful to that trust. His health was 
always poor .; rarely was lie free from 
pain. Hence he was often greatly 
depressed under the caves of the minis- 
try, Vet there was a vein of cheerful- 
ness in his constitution that made him 
always companionable., his presence 
desirable, and his home ti welcome place 
to friends. He was, however, constitu- 
tionally desponding, and always thought 
little of himself and his attainments* 
while esteemed by his brethren in the 
ministry as an able divine and good 
critic. 

He loved revivals, and labored earn- 
estly to promote them, and mourned 
that be Imd not been able to win more 
souls to Christ. He died Nov. 2, 1868, 
aged ft 5 years, trusting iu i lie Saviour 
he had preached, as he had preached 
him for 37 years. Rev. A. Stevens of 
Westminster West, preached the funeral 
sermon, taking for Ids text Eph. 2: 8. 

Mr, Foster married Apr* 19, 1832, 
Ruth Hovey Kimball, of Hopki ntem, N, 
II. T who died June 3, 1845, aged 38 
years ; bv whom he had 5 children. 

Ed w a rd C Jo m el i us , b . Ja n . 17, 1 8 34 , 
<1. Main 31, 187ft, 

Benjamin, b. Sept, 11, I83ft,d, Sept. 
28, 1836. 

Frederick Webster, h. Sept. 1 0. 1837, 
ih July 1G, 1838. 

Will i am Henry , b . J uly 15, 1 839 ; 



| Ellen, b. Apr. ft, 1841, d. Oct, 9, 1841. 
In Aug. 184ft, he married Mrs. Mary 
Ferry of Manchester, N. H., now liv- 
ing, (1879) by whom he had Nellie F, 
born in May 1847. His oldest and 
youngest sons were soldiers in the army 
of the Union : (he former. 

ED WAX D t\ FOSTER, 

being connected at di11brei.it; times with 
three Wisconsin regiments, and the lat- 
ter, William II. being for three years a 
mej uber of Co, G. 3d Vt. lb gimoiU . 

HEV. AUGUSTUS CHANDLER 

was installed pastor, Dec, 18, 18ft 7 ; 
sermon by the Rev. Nathaniel Mighill 
of Brnttleboru, Vt, He was the 
sixth pastor of tins church and whs 
installed the same day that his prede- 
cessor, Ruv t Mr* Foster* was dismiss- 
ed, Aug. 24, 1870. He was born in 
Wo od s to ok, Ct. , Dec, 1 , 18 3 0 , m j d vv as 
l.l le youngest of nine brothers , all of 
whom grew to manhood and assumed 
prominent places in life. Two others 
are clergymen. He took his collegiate 
com sc at Williams college and was 
gm 0 1 j a Le d a t A nd o v ei - T h eo . S am .,18 59 ; 
ordained and pastor at. Saxton’s River 
1 year: m. Lucy L Lord, 1830 ; from 
1800, about three years preached in 
Lempster, N. H. ; often at Strafford, 
Vt., about 3 years, anti was settled over 
the church in Du mm ms ton in 1867* but 
after a year and a half was obliged by 
failing health to discontinue the minis- 
try but foUo wed t he occupation of book- 
agent until, In the spring of 1875, when 
he became proprietor of the Record and 
and Farmer, where Ids rare working 
powers, and ability as a writer, gave his 
journal a reputation nor often achieved 
by co u n try j o n n nils. Mr. Chacdl er was 
an energetic promoter of tempers nee 
principles, and gave many of his best 
efforts in favor of stringent liquor laws 



156 



VERMONT H-ISTO RIO A L MAG AZ 1 N E . 



and their enforcement, even to the sac- 
rifice of that business gain which all 
men seek. ' In private life* he was a 
good citizen, a kind husband and indul- 
gent father ; a wife and three children 
survive \ximS* 

We are indebted to n The Vermont 
Record ” for this account of the Rev. 
Mr. Chandler, condensed, mostly, from 
an obituary in that paper soon after his 
6 eatli . 

He resigned his charge iti this town 
July 10, 1869, and 

RET. LEVt G* CHASE 
preached during the remainder of the 
year. He completed Ids studies at An- 
dover during the winter and spring and 
received a call to become the pastor of 
this church June 24, 1870 ; was ordain- 
ed Aug. 24, same year. He was a 
faithful minister, a good preacher, and 
labored zealously for the welfare of the 
church during the 7 years, till failing 
health compelled him to resign the pas- 
torate, Sept. 10, 1877 ; much to the 
regr e t of his p e ople . T he acecp tan ce o f 
liis resignation was delayed more than 
a year, his congregation hoping hy rest 
he might regain his health, but their 
expectation failing, he was dismissed 
Mar. 5, 1879. 

REV. T-IENUY HARDEN 

of New Boston, N. H., became acting 
pastor during the winter of 1877 *78. 
He had been a miasionar&y at A intab, 
Turkey about 6 years, for the Missions, 
till the death of his wife in Aftintab, 
when lie returned to New Boston with 
his two small children. While preach- 
ing in Du mmer stem, he was again re- 
quested by the Board to resume his work 
in Turkey , and with his family, sailed 
from New York, Oct. 19, 1878, arrived 
at Harden, Turkey, Dec. 7th. His 
present field of labor is in Turkey. 



REV. JOS1AH MERRILL, 
succeeded Rev. Mr. Harden as acting 
pastor, Jan. 24, 1880. He was bora 
in Otisfield, Me., Jao. 13, 1819, sou of 
Rev. Jos i ah G. Merrill, then pastor of 
the Congregational church in that place T 
He united with the church at Cape Eliz- 
abeth, Me. ; fitted for college partly at 
the academy at North Bridgton, partly 
at Gorham academy, Me. ; graduated 
at Dartmouth in 1841 ; studied theology 
at Andover and Bangor ; graduated in 
1844 ; preached about 8 mos. at Rock- 
ville, Cl, abt, 18 mos* at Eastport,Me* v 
ordained over White River church, Vl, 
Mar. 1 1848, Kev. Dr. Haddock, Dart- 
mouth college, preaching the sermon. 
He was settled over the church at Wis- 
easset. Me. : in July J&57 ; sermon by 
Rev. Henry D, Moore of Portland. 
From the autumn of 1867 to the spring 
of 1877, he resided at Cambridge? Mass, 
and supplied during all that time a 
church at South Franklin, Mass, He 
was ptis tor of the church in Du miners- 
ton nearly 4 years and became pastor of 
the church in Troy, N. H., Nov. I* 
1883. II e w as a v ery acceptable p asto r 
during his stay in Duinmerston, and the 
people regretted very much that he 
should deem it necessary to resign and 
accept a n iw field of labor. Mr. Merrill 
had no family while here, his wife hav- 
ing died some years ago. He married 
Miss Philo media Henrietta Converse, of 
Portland, Me., Aug. 23, 1848 ; children ; 
Henrietta A., b. July 2, 1849, d. aged 
6 years ; Caroline Adelaide, b. Mar. 9 ? 
J851, m. Rev, Fred Lyman Allen, of 
Walpole, N. II . ; Henry F., b. June 
15, 1853, now in the revenue service at 
Shanghai, China; James C., b. Jan, 
15, 1856, now in business at Chicago ; 
Frederick J., b. Feb 22, 1859, now in 
Kansas ; Helen Isadore, b. Apr, 5,1860, 
m. Lawrence Mayo, of Boston ; Ida A. 



UUMMERSTON. 



] 57 



b* Jan. 5, 1865 s a graduate in 1883 
from the Framingham State Normal 
school, 

THE PARSONAGE* 

Rev* Joseph Farrar occupied the 
house, during his residence in town, 
where the Rev . Aaron Crosby lived on 
the Dr. Walker place. The house be- 
longing or standing on the minister’s lot* 
In 1789* the town voted to have a well 
dug on the town lot within 3 rods of the 
house in the most convenient place, and 
Abel Butler dug the well for $50 hard 
money. Rev. Mr. Crosby built in 1796, 
a well-curb, or more properly, a well- 
house with windows in it T for which be 
asked the town to pay ; but the town 
refused to pay for it* This well is on 
the place now owned by Dea* R. P* 
Pratt. Rev. Ho sea Beckley had for a 
residence the house now called the ^Ran- 
dall place/ 1 which then stood a few rods 
north of its present site. It was moved 
to its present location by Asa Dutton 
and med fox' a time as a store. Its 
former site was used for a situation on 
which to build a new house for Rev. 
Nelson Barbour, and which Rev. B. F. 
Foster afterwards purchased fora home- 
stead* The Randall house first stood 
on the hill near Clark Bacon’s, and a 
blacksmith, Ebenezer Wait, lived there* 

The buildings are on the south side 
of the common. In 1793, Enoch Cook 
was hired by the town to remove the 
fence on the old burying-ground south 
side of the common, and lay out the 
land into house lots and sell the same at 
,, Public Vendue. 1 Probably the build- 
ings thereon were built not long after 
they were sold at auction. 

POT-HOUSE AND PE ARE-ASH* 

In 1796, David Leavitt got a vote of 
the town to let him li mi up his pot- 
house on the east side of the common 



on the same conditions that Simeon 
Colby built his pearl ash and shed 
works in 1791. 

REV. ALVIN Dh FRENCH. 

i4 Rev. Alvin Duncan French died in 
Denmark, Town, Oct. 25, 1860, aged 
52. He was born in Bummers ton, a 
son of Ephraim and Priscilla ( Duncan ) 
French, and was nearly self-educated 
though he spent several terms at Brut- 
tleboro Academy , and during a part of 
the year 1836, was a student in the 
Teachers Seminary at Andover, Mass, 
in the full of 1837, he went to Borden- 
fcown, N. J. s opened a select school and 
conducted It very successfully nearly 4 
years ; then a similar school in Jackson, 
Mi ss . , for 1 8 mo n ths * W h i le a te acker 
ho pursued classical and theological 
studios, and in June 1842, was licensed 
to preach by the Susquehanna River, 
(Pa.) Association, thence to August 
1843, was acting pastor of the Congre- 
gational churches in Jackson and New 
Milford, Pa* and in connection with his 
labors, an interesting revival occurred 
in Mil ford : Receiving a call to Centre 
Lisle, N. Y., he commenced preaching 
there Apr* 1 * 1843 ; was ordained pas- 
tor, June 4, 1844, and during his min- 
istry there, a church was built and 
several revivals took place ; at his own 
request he was dismissed Dec. 1, 1855, 
to go West in the service of the Amer- 
ican Home Missionary society ; he went 
to Eddy vi lie, Iowa, early in January, 
185G; was installed pastor, Oct. 8, 
1858; t w o powerful re v i val s o eeur r ed 
rduing his ministry. lie remained till 
failing health compelled him to discon- 
tinue preaching. He married Sept. 25, 
1837, Caroline A. Clark, n native of 
Dummerston,", daughter of Amasn 
Clark. 

“F. EL W” in 4 4 The Ver- 
mont Record,” Deo* 19* 1866* 



158 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



The old well oh the common 

The okl well in the north-east comer 
of the common that supplies four fam- 
ilies with water constantly, also, the 
eli ureli' -going people Once ii week with 
clear, cold, sparkling water fresh from 
“ the moss-covered, iron-bound bucket 
that rose from the well/’ is the one dug 
by Eben Ash in 1801. 

THE OLD POUND* 

The old pound wall near the ledges* 
west of the common, a part of which is 
now standing, was built for the town by 
Benjamin Alvord in the full of 1796, for 
$36. The si^e of the wall was 4 feet 
at the base, 2 feet at the top, 6 ft. high, 
perpendicular inside, and 2 rods clear 
inside, Mr, Alvord was Ll not to go, 
for the stones, over 4 rods west from 
the top of the ledge, west of the pound 
spot, and as far north as the old pound.” 
The old pound built of round poles w as 
located at the foot of the ledge west of 
th e meeting -house, 

THE OLD NOYES & EAVES STORE 

occupied by the firm of Noyes & Hayes, 
afterwards by Noyes & Birchard, and 
now used for a dwelling-house and shoe- 
maker’s shop, was built by Simeon 
Colby for a store, and stood on the north 
side of the old meeting-house, west of 
the road. The town gave him permis- 
sion to build the store and where to 
locate* it, Scpr. G, 1 7!J1 . Mac, 16, 1 7b, 5, 
the town voted to have Jason Duncan 
move the store to its present site, and 
the town was to receive So a year, rent 
for the ground on which it stands so 
■long as the buiklmgwas used for a store. 

We have seen a few notes and receipts 
that were cornice ted with the business 
li e re bet w ee n the y ears 1 8 T2 and 1817, 
A promissory note given to the firm of 
Noyes & Mann, dated u Brattlehorougli 
July 28, 1813.” Two other notes, each 



given to the firm of Noyes & Hayes, 
dated in Hummers toil, one June 2G, 
1816, the oilier March G, 1817. A 
receipt for goods purchased at the store 
of ^ N oy es & Bi l v ch &r d T ' in Du mmc rs - 
ton, dated Apia l 2ft, 1818. These pa- 
rrs help confirm the statement, about 
the time when these parties were in 
trade here in Du mm era ton. and that 
John Noyes remained in town for a- 
while after the dissolution of the firm, 
N oy cs <k II a y e s * in 1817. T h e re cc ip t 
given hy Noyes & Birchard reads as 
follows : 

2 qts St. Bum (Saint Croix:,) - .75 

1-4 lb. Tobacco, - - - ,1ft 

] -4 lb. II. T, [Hyson Skin] Tea, .23 

81.17 

NoviSe* A BlItCHAHD. 

By Ii. Birchard. 

u Sir ; we shall have Bohea Tea, N. 
E, Hum and fish in a week,” 

The statement has been made that 
Noyes, Maim & Hayes were in trade in 
this town in 1812* To confirm the 
statement, we copy a note, 

t4 Dnmmersfon. Mar- ft, 1 8 1 "2 . 

For value ReuVl . of Noyes, Mann & 
Mayes We jointly and severally promise 
to pay them or their order filly-six 
Dollars upon demand with interest. 

Witness our hands, Samuel Dutton, 
Asa Dutton/ 1 

For 1817, we find the following re- 
ceipts : 

Dummerstoii, Ang, 20, 1817. 
Mr. Snrgemif Botof Noyes & Birchard, 
1 3-2 gal. W. I. Ruin, a 8 ets.. $2.00 
1 lb. Brown Sugar, a 17 cts., - .17 

J -2 lb. Loaf Sugar, - - ,10 

$2.33 

Charged to Mr. Samuel Dutton, Jr. 

Noyes & BmcHA.ni>. 



DUMMER3T0N. 



159 



In all these old receipts the ex- 
pense for rum generally exceeds that 
for groceries. 

RUTHERFORD HAYES. 

[Written during the preaid entifll campaign 
I67G, l>y the Dmttmerston correspondent of the 
‘‘Vermont Phoenix,”] 

William Miller, a life long resi- 
dent of Bummers ton, now living 
(187CS) at the age of 87 years, was 
well acquainted with Rutherford 
Hayes, father of Governor Mayes, 
who became and now is (1879) pres- 
ident of the United States, Mr, 
Hayes was a member of the firm, 
Noyes & Hayes, and Mr, Miller 
often traded at their store in this 
town. He now uses a very good 
razor which he bought of Mr. Hayes 
in 1814. 

During the autumn of 181$, or 
about a year before the marriage of 
Mr. Hayes to Miss Birchard of Wil- 
mington, a pleasing incident hap- 
pened to him, it may not be amiss 
here to relate. Jacob Laughton, 
grandfather of Austin Laughton 
who now lives on the same farm 
owned by his grandfather, then 
lived in the old house which was 
burned to the ground some twenty 
years ago, near the site of the new 
house. His family had a quilting 
party at which the ladies were in- 
vited to be present in the afternoon 
and the gentlemen in the evening. 
Among the latter was Rutherford 
Hayes, 

When the evening’s amusement 
had ended, the gentlemen wore ex- 
pected to escort the ladies home, 
Mr, Hayes being a young man of 
good character and position, was a 
very desirable escort for the ladies. 
But the most expectant ones for his 



company home, were doomed to be 
disappointed; for he made no choice 
among the anxious ones, but select- 
ed a very respectable, quiet appear- 
ing young lady, who had not the 
1 least thought of receiving an invita- 
tion from him- The night was 
very dark. It was about one mile 
to the lady's home. 

When Mr, Hayes and his lady- 
left the company amidst the frown- 
ing of the disappointed, they passed 
through the east door, supposing 
they could walk directly to the road. 
Much to their surprise, after walking 
a few feet, they stepped directly off 
a wharfing, throe or four feet high, 

; and fell plump into a mud-hole 
where the family were accustomed 
to throw waste- water. Neither of 
them were much hurt, but the 
lady's white dress was very much 
soiled. Mr. Hayes was exceedingly 
embarassed for fear that Miss Farr, 
[for that was the young lady's name] 
would think he had blundered on 
purpose; but he apologized for their 
mishap and assured Miss Farr that 
he was entirely ignorant of the situ- 
ation and supposed the path led di- 
rectly to the road. Fortunately no 
one observed them and they reached 
home without further misfortune," 

When Mr, Hayes was married to 
Miss Birchard, he first lived for a 
short time in the red house, after- 
wards owned and occupied many 
years by Benjamin Estabrook, whose 
first wife was the Mies Farr men- 
tioned. From that house lie moved 
into the large two-story residence 
now occupied by Mrs. Asa Knight, 
south of the common and very near 
to the store where the firm, Noyes, 
Mann & Hayes were doing business. 
When the firm dissolved partner- 



160 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ship, the profits of the last year in 
trade were 83000, which was shared 
equally amoug the partners. 

John Noyes, a member of the 
firm, m. Polly Hayes, a sister of 
Rutherford Hayes. Names of chil- 
dren recorded: 

Harriet Hayes, born July 5, 1817; 

Charlotte Augusta, born March 
2, 1819. 

Mr. Noyes was called at that time 
one of the richest men in Windham 
county. He moved to Putney from 
this town, about 1819, where he 
died in 1841, October 26, aged 78 
years. A daughter of his was mar- 
ried to Larken G. Mead, Esq., of 
Brattleboro, and thus his sod, Lark- 
in G. Mead, the sculptor, is a distant 
relative of President Hayes. 

When the father of President 
nayes left Dummerston in 1S17, 
and went to Ohio to seek a home 
there for himself and family, he left 
his wife and children with the fam- 
ily of Mr. Noyes in whose residence 
Mr. Hayes and family lived. 

Mrs. Hayes was very much op- 
posed to her husband’s going West 
and could not be persuaded to re- 
main long in the family of Mr. 
Noyes, but moved into a small 
building which then stood just east 
of the store where she and her chil- 
dren remained till her husband re- 
turned and took them to their West- 
ern home in Dcleware, Ohio. The 
building which she occupied for a 
time, was afterwards removed to a 
site opposite William Miller's, and 
used for many years as a work-shop 
by J. E. Worden. 

Sardis Birchard, the wealthy un- 
cle of President Hayes, was once a 
clerk in the store for Noyes & Hayes; 
and while visiting his relations 
in Fayetteville in 1871, he called 
with his brother, Hon. Austin Birch- 
ard, and examined the long two- 
story red building where he began 
his career as a clerk. The other 
brother, Roger Birchard, was also, 
at one time a clerk for the same firm. 

When President Hayes and his 
family came to Vermont and visited 



his uncle at Fayetteville, Aug. 17, 
1877, the following interesting rem- 
iniscences were printed in the Bos- 
ton Journal of Aug. 18, 1877: 

“In the town of Dummerston upon 
a plateau which commands a charm- 
ing view of the fertile valley, are 
several interesting mementoes of the 
Birchard and Hayes families. 

On the south side of the common, 
connected with a large, modern 
wooden structure, stands the little 
store in which Rutherford Hayes, 
fa ther of the President, first embark- 
ed in business as a member of the 
firm of Noyes, Mann and Hayes. 
The partners came from West Brat- 
tleboro and set up a country store, 
where they continued to do business 
for several years. The firm dissolved, 
and John Noyes and Rutherford 
Hayes united their fortunes and 
opened a store in a large two-story 
building, painted red, which still 
stands on the east side of the green, 
and is now occupied by a venerable 
cordwainer. A portion of the sec- 
ond story was fitted up as a ball- 
room, and here in ye olaeu time the 
rustic belles and beaus were wont to 
tip a light fantastic toe to the music 
of the violin. The ceiling, from 
which great patches of plaster have 
fallen, is arched, and along the sides 
of the hall are permanent seats, in- 
nocent of paint, which have grown 
brown with age. The place is des- 
titute of ornamentor furniture, con- 
tains a spinning-wheel and several 
old chests and trunks. In this build- 
ing Mr. Ilaycs carried on business 
between the years 1812 and 1817. 
The kitchen and porch of the house, 
now owned and occupied by Mrs. 
Asa Knight, were built by Mr. 
Hayes and are still in a good degree 
of preservation. One of his chil- 
dren, a son, born in this house, was 
drowned while skating on the Ohio 
river a few years after the family 
emigrated to Ohio." 

It was a little singular that 
while these facts were be- 
ing obtained at the house 
of Mrs. Knight, the photograph 



DUMMERSTON. 



1G1 



of Miss Mary Birchard, the cousin of 
President Hayes, who fell a victim 
to the Ashtabula disaster, should be 
presented. Traditions illustrative 
of the character of the father of the 
President who is pronounced a very 
*’ £ set ?> man, who had to be convinced 
that a thing was right before he 
would do it, are rife among the older 
residents, and to these the visit of 
the eon, with honor crowned, has an 
added interest. 

JONAS MANN 

who was in town with Noyes and 
Hayes, married Mary Negus, daugh- 
ter of Joseph Negus, who married 
Rosanna Miller, sister of John B. 
Miller's father. A daughter of Gen. 
Mann's married Col. wm t L. Marcy 
of New York, secretary of war under 
Polk's administration. Secretary 
Mar ay's daughter was married to 
Gen. George B, McClellan, making 
him a distant connection of the Mil- 
ler family in this town. 

BIOGRAPHY 

AND FAMILY MEMORIAL PAPERS OF 
SETTLERS BEFORE 1800, CONCLUDED. 

DIU THOMAS AM5DEN. 

[ Continued from page -95.] 

The following information, show- 
ing Dr, Amsden 3 s line of ancestry 
from the first emigrant ancestor 
down to his own family, has been 
furnished to the writer by W. IT, 
Amsden, of Lebanon, N. H., while 
this history was in press : 

Isaac Amsden came from England 
to America about 1654. He married 
Frances Pemman at Cambridge, 
Mass. , June 8. 1654. They had two 
children, Isaac and Jacob, Isaac 
married Jane Rutter of Sudbury, at 
Cambridge, May 17, 1677. They 
had six children. Abraham, the 
youngest, born Oct. 15, 169#, mar- 
ried Hannah Newton of Marlboro, 
Mass., Nov. #9, 17##. They hud six 
children. Jacob, the third child, was 
born May #8, 1728, and married 



Mary — , who diedat Dummers- 

ton (?) in 1797. Their children 
were Thomas, the subject of this 
sketch, born in Petersham, June 12, 
1752, married Patience, dau. of Capt 
Isaac Miller, in 1773 ; Bezalee], Ja- 
cob, and Joel. 

Dr. Thomas Amsden was a resi- 
dent of Dummerston during Revolu- 
tionary times. lie removed with his 
family to Dana, Mass., where he died 
in 1811. 

He was chosen with Capt. Leon- 
ard Spaulding to represent the town 
at the Legislature in 1778. 

His children were : Jacob, born 
June 1, 1774, married Lydia Rice; 
Polly, m. Joseph Smith ; Louisa, 
ni. Mr. Elliot ; Martha, m. Reuben 
Holton of Dummerston ; Justin ; 
Lewis M., m, Sophia I). Wellington ; 
Lyman fell overboard from the frig- 
ate Constitution; Roxaima, called 
Rosina, m. Benjamin Chamberlin of 
Dummerston; Amory, m. Mary 
Onnsbv; Fanny, in. “a Boston 
man Azubali, nr. Dca. Wood, of 
Brattleboro; Ira ; Reuben and Mar- 
tha Holton lived for a time in the 
old toll bridge house at West Dum- 
merston, where she d ied. II is daugh- 
ter, Fanny, married Luther Thayer, 
and Martha, her sister, married Al- 
vin Alexander. 

Benjamin and Roxanna (Amsden) 
Chamberlin lived where Fred Cros- 
by now resides, and their daughter. 
Rosing taught school in this town. 

Jacob Amsden, who married Lydia 
Rice, had three sons, Jacob, William 
H., and Thomas. 

Lewis M. Amsden had 8 children, 
one of whom/Thoinas 0., now resides 
in Brattleboro. 

Amory Amsden had six children. 
His son, Ira, is now living at Buf- 
falo, N. Y. 

SAM DSL WAKEFIELD 

removed from Newfane to this town 
in 1784. He married Olive — — 7 and 
was a resident of Guilford hi 1776, 
where Samuel, jr., was born, Oct. 25, 
1776, and m. Feb. 11, 1798, Sibyl 
Belknap of Dutninerston. 



163 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



Thomas, son of Samuel, b- in 1771), 
Obediali, 1781, and Folly, b. 1788, 
were natives oi Newfane. 

Olive was born in Dummerston, in 
1785, Benoni, in 1788, and by a 3d 
wife, Joseph, in 1790, Elizabeth, in 
1793, and Lyra an, in 1798. 

Olive, the wife of Samuel Wake- 
field, died 1788. 

Mr. Wakefield was a resident in 
the Hague, and first bought land of 
Daniel Taylor, and afterward made 
sales of land to Seth Briggs, Jesse 
Manley, and John Whitney. 

Mr, Whitney was a neighbor to 
Mr. Wakefield, and his son, John 
W h i tn ey , j r, T m and cd S ar ah 0 on to n t 
Wilson, May 28, 1S39. 

DEA. THABUE'US THAT EH 

married Rhobee Titus [ P] of Ches- 
terfield, N. I!., and had a family of 
12 children. Adin, the eldest, born 
Jan. 29, 1785, m. Mary Ball ; Otis, 
Hhobee, no record of marriage ; 
Lewis married Lueine, dam of Vea- 
pasi an M i lie r, 3d ; Tli a d d eu s : Jo n a - 
than m. Sally, dau. of Asa Dutton, 
Oct. 1S10 ; Ebenezer; Luther, mar- 
ried let, Fanny Holton, 2d, Polly 
Pierce; Martha; Lydia, married 
Frazier Campbell, of Westminster, 
Jan. 4 ? 1827 ; Hannah, m. Frederic 
Porter ; Betsey. 

Rhobee, wife of Dea. Thayer, died 
Oct 24, 1817, aged 58. 

The children of Jonathan and 
Sally Thayer were Asa, Stephen, 
Otis, Lorenzo D., Jonathan, Sarah 
A, Samuel C. , Martha A., Sarah 0., 
3d. 

The children of Luther and Fanny 
were Henry W., Charles H., and 
Fanny E. 

JOHN VhJLUlDA 

and family. The name is now writ- 
ten Florida, John Flarida, sen. 
died Nov. 11, 1785, aged 55. Hie 
widow. Silence FI arid a, married 
William Winn. She died Oct. 3, 
1817, aged 83. 

John and Silence Flarida came, to 
this town from Shrewsbury, Mass. 



It is not known how long he had 
been a resident when lie bought a 
farm in the northeast part of the 
town, containing 58 acres for Si 400. 

Their children were : John, jr., b. 
Dec. 5, 1775, d,Mai\ 11, 1811 ; James 
m. Arathusa Moore, Apr. 2, 1803 ; 
Sarah ; P arsis ; Betsey, m. Jonas 
Clark ; Ezra, m, Catharine Clark : 
Joel. 

The children of Ezra and Catha- 
rine Flarida were : Henrietta, Joel, 
Catharine, George, Augusta, and 
A dal in c, who married, 1st, George 
Norcross, of Chesterfield, N. H*, 2d, 
A] e x an d er Roc k we 1 1 . He n r i e t ta 

married Warren Bingham ; Catha- 
rine m. Reed Paine ; Augusta m. 
E. W, Hildreth. 

BEN J AH IN WHITNEY, 

was in town before 1781. His daugh- 
ter Eshter, married Washington 
Burnham, Apr. 21, 1799. Their 
daughter, Polly, married, let, James 
Sargeanfc, Jan. 18, 1817, who lived 
several years on the farm now owned 
by Lewis H. Lynde, and 2d, William 
Remis. 

Washington Burnham was 
drowned and his widow married a 
second time and removed from 
town. She had two sisters, Sally and 
Polly, Sally m. let, Wm. Kelley, 
Feb. 14, 1802 ; 2d, Wm. Crosby, 
Feb. 9, 1810. Polly m. 1st, Elijah 
W. Stearns, May 1, 1807 ; 2d, Na- 
than Adams. 

Henry Whitney, who married 
Fanny Miller, was a nephew oi Ben- 
jamin, Of their children, Betsey* 
born about 1802> m. Noble Holton, 
Jan. 34, 1821. Their children were 
Betsey, b. Feb. 6, 1832, Noble, b. 
May 23, 1823, Marion, b, Nov, 10, 
1824, Sarah, b. Apr. 21, 1835 ; Lydia 
nr Jerry Perry of Putney, Qct. 
23, 1828 ; Fanny married Worden 
Babcock, Jane 15, 1829; Mary 



DUMMIES TON. 



(Dolly) m. Wm. Rice ; Hannah mar. 
a Plyrapton The other children of 
Henry Whitney were Maria, Catharine 
Freedom. Lucy, William, Henry, and 
Charles. A daughter of Mr. Worden 
Babcock married Porter Spencer of 
Brattleboro. 

BENJAMIN HADLET. 

Resided in the south part of the town 
near Joshua Wilder’s and bought his 
farm of Wilder Rice, his deed being dated 
Feb. 12, 1791. Ho married Abigail 
Spaulding of Brattleboro. Their ehildren 
were ; 

Rufus b, Feb. 9, 1797 m. Joanna, 

dau. of Joseph Bemis. 

Lucinda, b. Apr. 21, 1798, married 
Daniel Attridge ; 

Benjamin, Jr., b. Mar. 8, 1800, in. 
Betsey, dau. of Joshua Bemis ; 

Sybil, b. July 31, 1802, died unmar- 
ried, aged 25 years. 

Elvira, b. Jan. 14, 1807, m. William 
Barrett. 

Wilson, b. Sept. 19, 1809, m. Olive 
Bryant ; 

Lewis, b. Jan. 1S1G, m. Maria T. 
Whipple. 

Beujamin Hadley, sen., died in 1833, 
aged 64, 

The children of Rufus were Lanrilla 
J., Edward, Charles, Laura Ann, 
Horace, Warren, and Eveline. Lewis 
Hadley resides on the parental farm. 

Ebenezer Hadley .brother to Benjamin, 
ni. Jemima. He bought a farm of 
Joshua Bemis in 1787 ; children : Eben- 
ezev, Jr., b. in Brattleboro, Mar. 2, 
1782, m. Sibyl Bemis, Oct. 6, 1814. 

Jonathan, b. in Dummerston, June 
3, 1784 ; Levi, 17SG ; Benjamin, 1788. 

Jacob Hadley, m. Molly Rice, Nov. 
20, 1788. 



lf>3 

Samuel Hadley, m. Betsey Wilder, 
Feb. 19, 1801. 

ASA WHITE- 

lived near the Joseph Temple place. 
He married Nov. 27, 1791, Martha 
How, and both came from Wardsboro. 
Their children were Ann is, Joanna, 
Ebenezcr, Asa, John, and Isaac, Annis 
married Justus Scott, of Westmoreland, 
N. II., and removed to that town where 
her husband tended for several years 
what is now called Putney lower ferry. 

The parents of Mrs. White were 
Benjamin and Zarviah How. Their 
children were Sarah, b. May 16, 17G6 ; 
Lydia, Zerviah, Alice, James. Molly, 
Patty (Martha), Daniel, and Betty. 

LEVI CARYL 

Married Lucy Alvord, May 26, 1791 . 
Children; Betty, C. Dec. 9, 1791; 
Levi, 1794 d. infant; Levi, Aug. 8, 
1798,* m. Betsey Bemis, Aug. 17, 1817. 
had Charles, Lucy Jane, Horace and 
Mary; Eli, b. June 17, 1800: Asa. 
1802; Syrene, 1803; Rebecca, 1805. 
Lucy Jane, m. Benjamin Ripley, Nov. 
6, 1825 

ABIJAH CARYL 

married Anna Warriner, Aug. 27 1792. 
Children: Polly, horn Nov. 6. 1793, 
Moses, Apr. 20, 1795 : Lydia. Jan. 24, 
1797 : Sally, May 4, 1799 ; Charlotte, 
June 13, 1801 ; Orin, 1803; Willard, 
1807 ; Melvina, 1811. Sally, in. A mini 
Fletcher of Westford, Mass., Mar. 5 
1818. 

ASA CARYL, 

brother of Abijah, had Asa, Jr., who 
m. Submit Pierce, Jan. 4, 1816. He 
d. Jan. 22. 1830. Asa Sen. d. Jan. 
9, 1820. Lydia Caryl, m. Nov. 3, 
1795, Nathaniel Mastick. Sally Caryl, 
sister of Asa senior, died May 8, 1861, 
aged 85. Her sister, Polly, married 
Mosas Cutter of New Braintree, Mass., 



Uli VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE # 



Oct. 30, 1781 : children: Ephraim, b. 
in White Creek, July 22, 1785 v Persis, 
b. in Marlboro, Mar. 8, 1787, m. 1st, 
Mr. Babcock, 2d, Jedediah Estabrook, 
Sept. 16, 1810; Polly, b. in Rocking- 
ham, Nov. 13, 1780 Patty, b. in Dum- 
my rston. Feb. 3, 1701 ; Loviee, b. Sept. 
80, 171)2, married Dec. 7, 1812, Lyman 
Walker. Moses Cutter died about 1802 
•and bis widow m. 2d, Jacob Town. 
May 19, 1803. 

SAMUEL PORTER, ESQ 

and Mehetabel, his wife ; children : 
Samuel Wadsworth, b. Nov. 4, 1792: 
Henry Lee, Dec. 28, 1794 ; Frederick 
Augustus, Sept. 5, 1796 : Sophia Char- 
lotte, Aug. *26. 1798 ; George Wash- 
ington, July 23, 1800; Serena Stella 
June 8, 1802; Aurelia Philinda, July 
25, 1804 ; Charles Edward, Sept. 2, 
1806. Samuel Porter, Esq., died Feb. 
19, 1810, aged 46 years. 

The wife of Hon. Samuel Porter was 
Mehctabel Fletcher, eldest daughter of 
Maj. Gen. Samuel Fletcher, and she 
was living in Springfield, about 1850 
aged 90 years. 

SAMUEL W. PORTER, ESQ. 

Samuel W. Porter, the eldest son of 
Judge Samuel Porter, removed from 
Dimunerston to Springfield about the 
year, 1822. He died in that town Aug. 
1882, io his 90th year. 

He had lived in Springfield 60 years, 
was in the Legislature in 1827-8, was 
County Judge from 1828 to 1838, and 
was a member of the Council of Censors 
and of the first Senate in 1836—7. He 
was Town Clerk 33 consecutive years, 
declining a re-election 18 months before 
his death. 

[ A more complete, history of Hon. 
Samuel W. Porter may be expected to 
appear with the history of Springfield 
when published.] 



POST-OFFICE BUSIN ESS. 

In. looking up the post-office history 
for this town, we supposed that a post- 
office record was kept by each post- 
master and handed down from one to 
another who succeeded to that olftce ; 
but upon inquiry we found no such con- 
tinuous record was kept. Previous to 
1811 or *12. the people of Dnramerstou 
and many other towns surrounding 
Brattieboro, got their mail at that post- 
office. Charles Miller was the first 
postmaster here and held the office at 
the time of his death , Apr. 2, 1820. 
Edwin Sargeant next held the office for 
a short time and was succeeded by 
Lewis Henry who held the place tilf 
1832, when Lather Afiyn was appointed, 
who held the office 21 years. In 1853, 
the post-office was removed from the 
tavern kept by Mr. Allyn near the 
Birchard place on the road from Brat- 
tieboro to Putney, to Slab Hollow, and 
was kept by Willard C. Wilkins two or 
three years until Randolph A. Knight 
was appointed. He remained in the 
office till Sept. 1st, 1861, at which time 
Win. O. Miller received the place and 
is the present postmaster in 1S79. At 
the time* Mr. Knight was appointed,, 
the post-office was removed to Duiumer- 
ston Centre. 

WEST DUMMERSTOX ROST- OF PICE* 
was first kept by Elder Ziba Howard, 
and lie had the following successors to 
that office: Dca. John Greenwood, 
Nelson W. Willard, David Aiken, 
Charles Taft, Elihu M. Wilson, John 
K. Leonard, and Noah B. Samson, 
who is the present postmaster. 

A record of the post-office business has 
to be kept and .sent to Washington every 
month, or, quarter, and a copy ought, 
in every town, to be filed with the 
Town Clerk. 



DU liMEftSTON. 



JG5 



SPELLI/Nti'-BOOlt MAKKR. 

1 ' i*niM brston . M ay 1 , . 1802 

** District of Vermont — 1 Tb wit: (L« 
iS , ) Be it remembered, that on the third 
day of April, in the twenty-sixth year 
year of the In dependence of the Y n ttecl 
Stales of America, Abner KnoelnmL of 
said District, both deposited in this 
Office the Title of h book, the right 
whereof he claims as Author; in the 
words following* to wit : * The Child's 
Spelling Book, containing Easy Words 
from one to four Syllables. intermixed 
with Lessons of Easy Words to teach 
Children to read anti to know their 
doty. By Abner Kueclund, School 
Master. — Lear*/ this book and you shall 
have one bigger.' 

Cephas Smith, Clerk. 

The above Work will be published 
immediately. Price 12 1-2 els. Also, 
The American Definition Spelling Book. 
Price 37 1-2 cts,’’ 

Probably these are the only books 
that havo ever been published by a 
DmumerstoTi author. 

biography concluded, 

so far as the writer has been able to 
obtain It from their desen d ants, of the 
families in Hummers ton, except, those 
in West Dammerstoo, that will be giv- 
en together in another chapter. 

WORDEN FAMILY. 

Petek Wooden was the emigrant 
a n ees tor of the W o r dens in this co u n try 
and from him have descended at the 
present time 11 generations in America. 
Li c ctv me , pro bably * fro m C 1 ay ton, Lan- 
cashire, iti England, and after a short 
re si den ee i u Ly n n , was am o n g t U e ear ly , 
if not the first settlers in Yarmouth, 
Mass, His will dated Feb, 9, 1G38, is 
on record at Plymouth, Mass. It was 
proved, Mar. 5, 1G38. He is called 
ih Peter ye ekDr ** in the record. It is 
supposed lie was bom about 1508 and 
died at the age of 7A 



Peter Worden, 2d, was Ids only son 
a n d w as m ade ex ee u tor o f t he will. 11 e 
inherited all his father's estate in Amer- 
ica. In 1 67G, he was one of the largest 
tax-payers in Yarmouth, Ills will is 
dated Jan, 9, 1080 and was proved 
Mar. 3^ 1681. Tic was born probably 
in England in 1609 and died at the. age 
of 72 y c . TI i s w i te, M ary Sea rs ? o r 
Winslow? died, 1087. 

Samuel, a son of Peter, 2d, was a 
physician ; was born 1040 ; ni, Hopes! ill 
Holley, 1G63 ; removed to Stoning ton, 
Ct* , before 1715 and died 1710, aged 7 L 
Peter, 3d, son of Samuel, was born in 
Yarmouth 1668, m.Mary Holley 1G93 ; 
d. Nov. 18, 1732, aged 04. One of 
his two sons named in his will was 
Peter Worden, Jr. ? 4th, a blacksmith. 
He married Rebecca Richmond, lived 
in Westerly, R, I. , and bad 10 children. 
His son, Jolm, born J 724? no. Dorothy 
S utterly, and they were the parents of 
John, 2d, Nh than, Joseph, and Hannah, 
boro 1761, who married Maj. William 
Miller, of DummersUm, the father of 
“ Unde Asa/ 1 

3TA TH EX WOE D KX 

whs a Baptist preacher and moved to 
Westmoreland, N. II., 1778, thence 10 
Chesterfield, 1780, whore he preached 
several years, extending bis labors 
to Keene, Dimnnerstou anti adjoining 
towns. Sylvester, another sou of Peter. 
4th, b 1735? m. Rebecca, daughter of 
I c ha bod Eecleslou. In May 1730. he 
came with his family to Halifax, where 
he died before 1818. 

Peter, son of Sylvester, born Feb, 
2G 7 1760, m. Sep. 17, 1788, Rachel 
Hale who lived to be 100 years old. He 
died in Halifax, aged 48 j J. Edaorg 
his son. b. 1808, attended the common 
and high schools of that town, and, for 
a time, the academy in West Brattle- 



VEEMO N T HIS TOE 1C A L MAGAZ IN E . 



1 GO 



boro ; taught school, successfully, for LG 
usurers, in Halifax. Lcydoru Mass., 
Guilford, Putney, and Bummers Lon, 

He became a resident of this town in 
1830, and married. M ay 27, 1834, Eliza 
B. n dan. of Ini and Jemima (Ward) 
Haven, They had three children of 
whom Gertrude E. and Gertrude L. E. 
died in childhood, and Eddie H. d. A tig, 
14. 1864, aged. 13 years. Mrs, Worden 
died Feb* 21, 1882, aged 67, and Mr, 
Wortfea is the only one left of a family 
of 12 children most of whom lived to be 
quite aged. 

His occupation has been farming, and 
the place which he now owns and culti- 
vates was settled by Thomas Clark in 
1 770. He lias been prominent in town 
business man}' years ; was selectman in 
1800 and *61, has served as deputy sher- 
iff, constable and collector, and lias been 
chosen many tira ss moderator of the an- 
nual town meetings ; and lias been many 
years, and still is, a justice of the peace. 

WILDER FAMILY, 

[ 0 on tii i u ed from page 248.] 

Additional information in regard to 
Joshua Wilder is that probably an an- 
cestor of Ids lived in Shrewsbury in 
1782. Ward m his history of Shrews- 
bury* Mass., says Joshua Wilder (prob- 
ably from Lances ter), m, Sarah, dan, 
of Maj. John Keyes, Dec. 21, 1731. 
a j d was then called of Shrewsbury. 
She was added to the church in 1728. 
The children were Rosin all, b. July 1, 
1732, the only one whose birth Is on 
rec o rd h ere ; J o h u . b ap ti y e d Dec . 4 T 
1748, As there is no other record of 
John than that he was baptized here, it 
Is not probable that he was born in 
town. Joshua Wilder was one of the 
first settlers hi Princeton* Mass* This 
town joins Rutland from which several 
families removed to Du miner Eton. 



Some writer in a brat tie boro paper 
in 1848, reports having seen u four gen- 
erations in the field f ’ and writes of the 
mowing-hoe. briefly mentioned in the 
notice of Mr. Wilder in the chapter of 
the old military men of Diunmcrstou. 

Says the writer in the paper uaniid- 
we witnessed a scene a few days since 
on the 'arm of Messrs* Wilder in Dum 
merston, which illustrates in a marked 
degree, the health -giving, and life pro- 
longing tendency of the farming occupa- 
tion in New England when pursued 
with industry, frugality, and temperate 
habits. It was a mowing match par- 
ticipated in by four distinct generations. 
The mowers took their places it} the 
held, and Joshua Wilder, a patriarch of 
ninety summers, after examining with 
a practiced eye the hanging and the 
edge of tils scythe, led off with his usual 
quick and easy stroke, followed in suc- 
cession by his son, Bea. Dan Wilder - 
his grandson, Leroy Wilder, Esq., and 
his great-grandson, Wallace Wilder. 
If his great-great-grandson , living in 
another part of the country had been 
on the ground to spread the swathes, as 
Tie could have done, it would have added 
to the novelty and interest of the scene. 
A d Is tail ce o f t w c n ty -five ro d$ an d bn ok 
was mowed, the vener&bb leader keep - 
ing his place in front* with little or no 
apparent fatigue. All reside cm the 
same farm and cultivate it in common. 
They carry on the tunning business an t 
perform other mechanical labor, also 
produce all the necessaries of life. At 
88 years of age, Joshua Wilder built a 
covered wagon in which representatives 
of the four generations on pleasant Sab- 
bath mornings, may be seen wending 
their way to church/* 

ELIAS WIL'D EE 

lived on the Stephen Dutton place not 
far from Joshua Wilder’s, but was nor 



DUMMERSTQN. 



un 



related to him as far as we are Informed. 
His eldest daughter, Dolly, h. 1773* m. 
George Miller. The youngest of his 
ten children, Abigail, Ik 17%, married 
Solomon Lawton, brother of Asa Law- 
ton, now 87 years old and the only per- 
son living iu town who remembered 
EHae Wilder, who died Jan. 14, 1808. 
aged 58. 

SAMUEL WILDER 

and Hu hi all his wile were the parents 
of Joel, b. 1770, Ephraim, Calvin* 
Joel, m* Roxauy Prior. Feb. 19, 1801. 

Aaron Wilder, m. widow Joanna 
Cm w ford, Dee* 26, 1784* 

Charles Wilder, m. Sarah Spaulding, 
Oct* 27, 1782, 

TILLY WILDER 

lived sixty years ago near the old bridge 
place jest east of the school house now 
standing in Ills* No. 6. He married, 
probably, Mary Livermore, who died 
Apr. 15, 1832, aged 80* They had 
three daughters : Maty, m. an Allen 
and had three children, Ebcnezer- Amos 
and Fanny ; Lucinda, unmarried ; Re- 
becca, m. Ebenezer Sparks, whose first 
wife was a Hodgkins* Tilly Wilder 
died Nov. 3, 1824, aged 74. 

His name does not, appear in the tax 
list of 1810, bnt Lucinda is taxed that 
year, probably for the house in which 
they lived. She and Rebecca were 
tall ore sses, and are remembered by aged 
persons as occupying a room in which 
the windows were oiled paper instead of 
glass end required lo be changed or 
renewed several times a year. 

ZEN AS WILLIS, 

Mr. Willis wad a clothier and lived 
in the house which stood near the bridge 
that crosses Salmon brook east of the 
house now owned by William Wheeler, 
II is wife was Dorcas Peterson ? and 



they bad two children, Samuel P., b 
1810. and Dorcas S-, 1818, both of 
whom died young* 

Chinery Puffer boarded with Sir. 
Willis and studied medicine with Dr. 
Isaac Knapp, Joseph Duncan, Jr. m* 
Man all Blake, an adopted daughter of 
Mr. Willis. 

w i n slo w o u rrox * 

M r D li t to n wa s bo in Sept 12, 1 8 05 , 
in New fane, to which place his parents, 
Samuel and Abigail (Hodgkins) Dutton 
removed from D uni m era Lon in 1804 and 
returned In 1820, He worked on affirm 
until lie was of age, and spent the fol- 
lowing winter lumbering In the forests 
of Hinsdale, N.H. Failing health re- 
quired a change of employment* He 
returned to Duvmnerstou and derided ns 
he a iv heel w right , a u d became an uppren- 
ice to Asa Miller, Dec, HJ 1827, whose 
shop and dwelling-house were located 
at Slab Hollow, a small village on Sal- 
mon brook. 

In 1820, he bought the canling-ma- 
cbine and carded wool in connection 
with o Lli e r wo r k to r d ye ars * H e beg a n 
business for himself at carriage-making 
Jan. 1, 1830, and during the following 
summer * built the carriage-shop In which 
he lias worked at la is trade 52 years* 
The old sign on the shop was painted 
by John Woodbury, and exhibits In 
addition to Mr. Dutton's mime. an anti- 
que, high-back sleigh, an old- fashioned 
w ago n in u so be fo re the tlx o res ugl i -b race , 
and a wheel that reminds l observer 
of a velocipede wit liout a rider. 

In 1835. he bought Asa Miller's 
carriage-shop which was pulled down 
and on the site built the dwelling-house 
in which he now resides. In 1841, he 
i built the house now owned and occupied 
by Manor Smith, who married Mr. 
Dutton's sister, Linda* The house now 



168 



VERMONT HI STOP ! C A L M AG A ZINK. 



occupied by Charles Dutton, his son, 
was built by Mr. Dutton in 1842, and 
is within a few rods of the parental 
homestead. 

Mr. Dutton was representative for 
the town at the State capital in 1848 
and in J849: lie was n good citizen, 
and a good mechanic and an indus- 
trious man. When customers called at 
his shop, they always (blind him busy 
at the work-bench, and ever ready to 
welcome his many friends. 

He was twice married, 1st to Lavilla 
Holton. Jan. 27, 1830, 2d to Esther 
Miller, dan of Win, and Esther Knight 
Miller, with whom he is now living. 
He had 7 children, all by the first mar- 
riage — Amandarm, Barney, Charles, 
Daniel K., Eunice L., Helen Maria, 
Henry Marshall. The mother of these 
children died Jan. 22, 1854. Only two 
of them are now living, Charles, who 
married Sophia Sargeant, Oct. 3, I860, 
and Helen M , who married Henry H 
Miller, June 5, 1861. 

STEPHEN DUTTON, 

son of Asa and Polly (Tarble) Dutton 
b. June 24, 1801, m. Electa, dau. of 
Calvin Sargent of Brattleboro, Apr. 16, 
1826, died Oct. 29, 1876 ; children: 
Stephen L., b. June 8, 1827 ; Carolina 
b. Nov. 24. 1837 ; Emeline, b. Aug. 
10, 1843, in. H. E. Taylor, d. Feb. 8 
1877. 

ELIJAH GIBBS 

married Hephzibah, dau. of Capt. John 
Wyman, Children : 

Sally, b. Dec. 24, 1791, m. and re- 
moved to Windham. 

Sophronia, born Apr. 22, 1797, m. 
Lyman French, Jan. 1, 1821 ; 

Larkin, b. Aug. 23,1805, m. Laura 
Wellman of Brookline, Oct. 14, 1827. 

The children of Larkin and Laura 



Gibbs were Alanson, who married Lucy 
Bingham ; Loisa, m, Anson S. Spencer : 
Walter, m. Helen Rice: Don Carlos, 
married Eliza Bugbee ; Frank : Henri : 
Hester, m. George S. Cook : Lucv. m. 
Frank Knight ; Helen ; Sarah. 

SAMUEL GIBUS. 

probably a brother of Elijah, m. Lucy 
Cutter. Nov. 25, 1790 ; children : Sam- 
uel Jr. b. 1791. d. 1792; James; b. 
Nov. 9, 1792 ; Samuel ; Joseph ; Han- 
nah ; Benjamin ; Lucy ; Elijah ; Mary 
The mother of whom died July 5. 1805, 

WILLIAM WHEELER. 

married Sarah Smith. Their children 
were : 

Francis D.. b. Feb. 19, 1811, mar- 
ried Abigail, dau. of Luther Miller ; 

William, b. Mar. 5, 1813, married 
Philinda,dau. of Dr Isaac Knapp ; 
Sarah, b. May 27. 1816. m. I. Milton 
Knapp ; 

Joel S., b. Apr. 22, 1818, m. Phila. 
dau. of John Miller. 

JOHN F. STEARNS. 

came to this town from West Brsttlebo- 
ro and was. for a time, a clerk in the 
store of Noyes and Hayes He married 
Widow Catharine [Knapp] Alexander. 
Children : 

Susan, b. Oct. 24. 1820, m. Hon* 
George Sheldon of Deerfield, Mass. 

Frances W., b. Nov. 11, 1822. m. 
1st, Jonathan R. Childs of Springfield, 
Mass. Jan. 1, 1846, 2d, Geo. A. Arms ; 

Sarah, b. Aug. 9, 1824. m. Luther* 
Dustin of Brattleboro, Jan. 31, 1865 

I.OVAL SMITH. 

married, 1st, Nov. 13, 1827. Nancy 
Pierce; 2d. Mary, dau. of Jonas and 
Polly Walker, Jan. 15, 1844. Children : 
dementia, b. Feb. 22, 1831, married 
George Cook ; 



DU MMERSTO N. 



169 



Nancy L. b. Sept 11, 1834; Ceylon, 
b. Mar. 6, I83S; Loyal, l>* July 27 f 
. 1S40 ; Sidney* b* May 1, 1843* 
Dwight T,, b. Feb, 14, 1845* m. 
Emogene Boyce of Faye ton and re- 
sides in Dubuque, Iowa, He holds 
a colonel's commission and is (1883) 
a member of the Governor's staff. 

MILLER FAMILY. 

[ Cotitimietf from page. 13 (k j 

AON. THOMAS MILLER, 

son of Marshal and Abigail (Haven) 
Miller, was born Apr. 12, 1783* All 
liis life, except the last few years, 
was spent in Diunmerston. Ho was 
a laborious and successful citizen, a 
prominent actor in matters pertain- 
ing to the welfare of his native town, 
as lister, selectman and town agent. 
He was chosen associate judge of 
the Windham County Court in 1S47 
and 1848, 

He was among the first of his 
townsmen to advocate temperance 
and was a firm friend of the tem- 
perance cause as long as he lived,— 
his oft repeated counsel to his boys, 
b ei n g, ■" s T o u c h n o t> tas te n o t , h an - 
die not." He died in Brattleboro, 
Mar* 25, 1805, aged nearly 82. His 
widow is still living (1884) in the 
94th year of her age* She was Har- 
riet Moore and married Mr* Miller 
in the spring of 1S1G* 

Their children were Chester, a 
teacher, m. 1st, Caroline Eaton, 2d, 
Mary Cune ; Lydia L* 3 died young ; 
Harriet Marcia, m. Chamberlin 
Wilder; Lucy L,, m. Horace Cate; 
James Monroe, a teacher, went south 
and married a lady in Tennessee ; 
Lovinia, a teacher, married John 
D win ell ; Lcstina, a teacher, m* 
James Reed of Brattleboro ; Robert 
Dexter ; Ozro, a soldier, m. Ellen, 
dan* of Jacob Laughton ; Walter 



m. 1st, a lady in California, 2d, a 
widow in Halifax, Vt.; Julia, ro, 
Newell Walker ■ Electa, a teacher, 
m. let. Rev. C. D. Jeffords, 2d, a 
Mr. Woodburn ; Celia died about 
the agfe of 14 years* 

KEY. ROBERT DEXTER MILLER, 

sou of Hon* Thomas Miller was born 
in Durum ersfcon, September 23, 
1824 ; prepared for college at the 
Ellington High School, CL, and 
Brattleboro Academy ; graduated 
from Amherst College in 1848, and 
from the Theological institute of 
Connecticut in 1852* He was prin- 
cipal of Purdy Academy in Tennes- 
see, in 1849 and 1850 ; was ordained 
to the ministry at North Wardsboro 
in 1856. Hie work in the ministry 
has been chiefly in Vermont, one 
year in New Hampshire, and a few 
years in Massachusetts. Ho is now, 
1884, preaching in West Hartford, 
Vt, The writer heard Mr. Miller 
preach in Dummerston when vis ting 
liis relatives and the old homestead, 
andean say that Ins sermons were 
ably written, well delivered, sound 
in doctrine, instructive and inter- 
esting to his hearers, Mr. Miller 
published a book several years ago, 
containing a life sketch of Ins 
brother-in-law. Rev. C. D* Jeil'erds 
with many selections from his ser- 
mons, and essays written while in 
college* He also published a ser- 
mon, written by himself, on The 
Great Rebellion, 

Mr, Miller has been twice mar- 
ried, His 1st wife was Sarah Lucre- 
tia Dutton of Brattleboro, the 3d, 
Eliza Chamberlain Cook of Gill, 
Mass. He has had six children, only 
two living. 

A son of his prepared for college 
at Kimball Union Academy, N. ft*, 
and was graduated from Middlebury 
College in 1882. 



170 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



I 

MAJOR OZEO MHXm, 

a brother of Rev* XL D. Miller 3 
was born Dee. 7* 1826 ; enlisted in 
the army against the Great Rebel- 
lion and was chosen captain of the 
Shelburne Falls, Mass, Co* He was 
a resident of Shelburne Falls at that 
time, and had a wife and three small 
children. His partners in business 
presented him a rifle which he used 
wbth good effect while commanding 
Iub men in the battle of Fair Oaks 
before Richmond. For gallantry in 
that battle, he received a major’s 
commission. While in command of 
his regiment, the Mass. 10th, soon 
afterward, he received a mortal 
wound through the lungs, was left 
on the field, taken prisoner and car- 
ried to Libby Prison in Richmond. 
He was wounded, July 2 , 1862, and 
died in the prison, July 15, 1SG2. 
One of the men in his company, im- 
prisoned with him, ministered to 
his relief, and aware that hie life 
would soon close, inquired whether 
he had any word to leave for his 
friends, lie replied : 

ff Tell them 1 died like a true sob 
flier, for my country/ 5 

He once wrote to his brother, 
while in camp : 

** My country called for able-bod- 
ied men of whom i was one. It was 
doubtless my duty to enlist, and if 1 
may but be assured of leaving my 
children as good an inheritance as 1 
have received t 1 shall be satisfied 
whatever my lot may be/’ 

DAN'A MILLER, 

a son of Wm. and ( Esther) Knight 
Miller, was a college graduate. His 
n a i n e eh ou 1 d ap p e ar o u pag e 135 i m - 
mediately after the name ol Edwin 
H.j sou of Win, 0. Miller, not 
brother as there printed. Dana 
Miller graduated from Dartmouth 
college in 1843. His ante-collegiate 
studies were in Townshend and 
what follows this statement in that 
sketch is descriptive of him. Wm. 
0. was constable and collector 40 
not 48 years. His parents were 
married Sept. 11 * 1814. 



WILLIAM DANA MILLER, 

a so n of W m . 0 . , gr ad u a ted f r o i n 
Williams college in 1882, and is now, 
1884, principal of the graded echoo] 
in W'eat Stock bridge, Mass. 

ANSEL imvm MILLER, 

son of Joseph and Sophia (Arms) 
Miller, graduated from Williams col- 
lege in the class of 1SS1 and chose 
medicine as his profession. He en- 
tered the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons irj New York City, from 
which he graduated. May 1, 1884. 

Following the advice of his in- 
structors, he sought and obtained a 
situation in a large hospital on 
Blackwell's Island near the city. 
Among the 19 applicants for the 
eight vacancies at the time, he 
ranked No. 2 in the competitive ex- 
amination. 

JOHN MILLER. 

John Miller mar. Polly Daven- 
port, Apr, 1, 1781* Children ; Lew- 
is, b. Nov, 19, 1781, m. Jerusha 
Farr ; James, b. Dec. 10, 1783, m. 
Surah Warner ; Levi, b. July IS, 
1786, died young ; Sally, b. Oct. 17, 
1788, in. Mar, 22, 1810, Cromwell 
Joy ; Polly, b. Mar, 15, 1702, m. 
J an. 16, 1814, W ate r m an J oy . Iio - 
sauna, b. May 19, 1794, in. William 
H. Williams; Susan, b. Dot 22, 
1790, m. Asa Knight; John B., b. 
Nov. 12, 1798, m* Sept. 12, 1821, 
Phila Knight, died Mar 13, 1876. 

She died . Their children 

were : James, Phila N.j Rose M. , 
Ellen J., Henry C. ? Mary M., John, 
Jane, H, Harry, Delia A. 

Royal and Betsey ( Cook ) Miller 
had children ; Norman, Catherine, 
Seneca and Sarah, Lorenzo, Eliza- 
beth, Ransom, Cyrus, Webster, 
Caroline. 

Marshall and Elizabeth ( Camp- 
bell) Miller had one child, Eliza C-. 
born Oct. D, 1811. His wife died, 
1813, and he m. 2d, Sophia O. Por- 
ter, July 9, 1815. Children: Charles, 
Sophia, Samuel R, Morris, Maria, 
F r ed eri ck , 1 1 en ry, M ary. 



OUMMERSTQN. 



171 



KEY, ABNER KNEEL AND 

was a resident of Durum era ton in 
1707. He married Waitstill - — — 
One child, Waits till, recorded, born 
-N ov_ W y 1707. Mr. Kneel and was 
married four times and had ten 
children. He became a minister 
and was the author of several vol- 
umes. He was horn in Gardiner, 
Mass., Apr. 7, 1774, and died in 
Farmington, Van .Buren Go. Iowa, 
Aug. 37, 1844. 

He began his ministerial career, 
as a Baptist in 1801, after his re- 
moving from this town. 

THOMAS S ARCUS ANT, 

a brother of the Colonel, married 
Anna Stebbins and their children 
were Elilm, born May 3, 1758; An- 
na, born June 18, 1760; Calvin, 
born Nov. 9, 1763 ; Electa, born 
Oct. 31, 1765 ; Luther, born May 
15, 1768; Susanna, born Jan. 5, 
1770; Erast us, born Nov. 10, 1771; 
Roxana; Roswell, born Nov. 37, 
1776 ; Henry. 

ELIHUE SAJtGEANT. 

married Mary Rath an and their 
children were Elilm, b, Nov. 13, 
1730; Mollv; Clarissa; Thomas; Al- 
exander ; Chester ; George. The 
father died Dec. 1, 1833. 

Charles G. Frost, the owner of 
the old Bible, printed in 1731, con- 
taining the Kafctum and Sargeant 
family record, mentioned on page 
13, died Mar. 16, 1880. Since his 
death, no trace of the old Bible can 
be found. 



TUB WESTERN BOUND A HX LINE OF 
DUMMER8TON. 

In the plan of survey made in 
1767, page 4, the western boundary 
line, as then surveyed, was a straight 
line running north by east 26 de- 
grees. At the present day the lino 
runs northerly about miles, east- 
erly Lj- miles, then northeasterly to 
Putney line. When was the change 
of western boundary made P The 



town records are silent on this point. 
May 25, 1885, Judge M. II. Wheeler 
of Brattleboro, sent the writer the 
following information *on the sub- 
ject : A certain witness testified in 

W i n dl i am C oi i n ty C ou r t ab out! S 60, 
that lie was born in tl No town/ 3 
He explained that the place was not 
iu any town, but was a gore next to 
New fane and Marlboro. Judging 
from his age then, he was born 
about 1790. 1 understood from 

others at the time that there was a 
gore there not in any town for a 
while. The original west line, of 
Hummers ton was in the west line 
of the '■ Equivalent lands/* which 
would leave a gore next to Marlboro. 
The equivalent lands were laid out 
Nov. 10, 1715, long before there 
were any other grants in the neigh- 
borhood on the west or north. 
The south line of Brattleboro and 
the north line of Putney are now al- 
most, if not exactly identical with 
the north and south lines of the 
equivalent lands. The west line of 
the eq u i v al en fc I an d s j o in ed fch e w es t- 
eru extremities of those lines. It 
was called 12 miles long, but overran, 
as m os t al I o Id 1 i ues d id . The equ i v- 
alent lauds were laid out for Connec- 
ticut under the authority of Massa- 
c b u se t -ts, which grun ted W e s tm i ns te r 
on the north, and whose grants were 
respected by New Hampshire when 
the lands were found to lie within 
that Province. I have no doubt that 
it was intended to have Nuwfane and 
Townsheud join the equivalent lands 
on the west, but the north and south 
lines of those lands were 64 miles 
long, extending W. N. from the 
river, and the west line would be 
parallel to the direction of the river 
between the lines. They were prob- 
ably deceived by that direction and 
made the east and west lines of those 
towns too nearly north and south, 
which left a gore at the north end 
which became Brookline. The di- 
rection of the east line of Marlboro 
left a gore there which was put on 
to Brattleboro and Dummerston, 

The equivalent lands here were 
laid out by Matthew Aliya, Ebenezer 



172 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Pumry, and Roger Walcott, corn- 1 
inisBioners appointed for that pur- 
pose. Judge Wheeler further states 
that he has s*een the original docu- 
ment signed by them, laying out the 
land, at the office of the Secretary 
of State at Hartford. 

CHURCH HISTORY. 
CHAPTER III. 

CONGREGATIONAL CHl r KCn. 
[Continued from page 15 7 , concluded.] 
CONGREGATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL. 

The earliest history of the Sun- 
day school in this town dates back 
to about 1820. Soon after that date 
Miss Hannah Wells of Brattleboro 
held meetings in several of the 
school-houses in the east part of the 
town, changing about in the differ- 
ent districts as required for the ac- 
commodation of the pupils, who 
were formed into classes to study 
the catechism, recite verses from the 
Bible, memorize hymns, and learn 
the morning and evening prayer. 

These meetings, or schools, led to 
the organization of a Sunday school 
at the church during the ministry 
of Rev. Hosea Beckley. Dea. Abel 
: Haven was probably the first Sun- 
day school superintendent Dea. 
Asa Burnap, Rev. Nelson Barbour, 
Asa Lawton, Rev. Augustus Chan- 
dler and Leavitt E. Bond have held 
the same position in the order 
named. Mr. Bond is the superin- 
tendent for 1884 and lias served 
since May 1872. The number of 
teachers and officers, June 1, 1881, 
was 13; scholars over 20 years of 
age, 33; under 20 years, 28; tofal 
01 ; total membership 74 ; average 
attendance about 50. 

T1IE LIBRARY 

contains about 400 volumes. Jon-* 
athan French was the first librarian 
and had charge of a small collection 
of books kept in a trunk and lo- 
cated in the deacon's seat. J. Ed- 
son Worden succeeded Mr. French 
and served forty years. — Myron F. 
Dutton is the present librarian and 
was chosen in 1883. 



CHURCH STATISTICS- 

The average attendance on public 
worship is about SO, — the maxi- 
mum, 130. The number of male 
members in the church is 23, female 
06, total 89. The deacons at the 
present time are Leroy Wilder, 
Adin A. Dutton and Richard P. 
Pratt. 

THE CHURCH CHOIR. 

It is said that Judge Jason Duncan 
wjts the first leader of the choir. He 
was succeeded by his son, Joseph 
Duncan, Esq. The principal load- 
ers since his time arc William 
Knapp, Cliinery Puffer, Jonas Ben- 
nett, and Joseph Miller, Esq., who 
is the present leader and lias served 
many years. During the leader- 
ship of Joseph Duncan, the key was 
sounded with a wooden pitch-pipe. 
The first instrumental music was 
furbished by four musicians, Asa 
and Sylvester Dutton, violinists, 
Franklin Dix, cornet or post-horn, 
and Joseph Miller, bass-viol. The 
iseraphine was first used in the choir 
about 1S50. An Estey orgau was 
bought a few years ago, and in the 
spring of 1884, a new Estey organ 
of superior tone and quality took its 
place. Mrs. William O. Miller is 
the organist for the present year, 
1S84, and has served very accepta- 
bly as organist for 28 years. Others 
have rendered good service at timeR 
when she could not be present. All 
the members of the choir, whether 
of long or short service, arc entitled 
to much credit for the important 
part they perform in public wor- 
ship. 

Previous to the use of the violin 
and cornet in the choir, the follow- 
ing persons at different times played 
the bass viol, Oscar Cooledge, who 
was a merchant in Slab Hollow 
about 55 years ago, Joel Knight, jr. 
Samuel G. Duncan, and Nelson 
French. 

THE OLD MEETING-HOUSE. — PAGE S3. 

Put a period in place of the comma 
after in, 6th line* 2d column, and 
let July, 1783, be the date for finish- 
ing the porch. 



DU MM ER8T0N . 



L 73 



Omit GOxGO, as no size is stated except 
for the second porch* The house was 
plastered in 1794 at an expense of 8100. 
Apr. 25, 1G76, should read 1 776* When 
the pews were built, the board -seat 5 
were hung on hinges so as to turn up 
against the side of the pew for conven- 
ience in standing during prayer-time ; 
and as the congregation resumed their 
seats, these were let down with a zeal 
that betokened some Interest in this part, 
of the ceremony. 

The following stanza from a poem 
read by Samuel Burnham at the centen- 
nial celebration of the town of Rindge, 
N H M will describe the scene : 

11 And when at last the loud Amen 
Fell from aloft* how qutokly then 
The scats came down with heavy rattle* 
Like musketry in fiercest battle. M 
REV. MOSES H. WELLS 
came from Claremont, N, H. to T)nnv 
merston and began to supply the church, 
April 1, 1884 and is the active pastor, 
He was born in Deerfield, N* H M Aug, 
27,1814 ; fitted for college at Pembroke, 
N. H. , and graduated at Dartmouth col- 
lege in 1839. He graduated at the The- 
ol o gic al semin ary at A □ do ver , M a es , , 
in 1845 ; was ordained at Pittsfield, N. 

H. , Nov, 19, 1845 and dismissed Dec. 
1853. He taught in the academy at 
South Berwick, Me., 2 years ; became 
pastor of the church in Hinsdale, N. H. 
in Oct. 1855 where he was a successful 
pastor for 10 years. He supplied the 
church at Lyndon, Vt. for 5 years from 
Apr. 1, I860 ; began his pastoral care 
of the church at Waterford, Vt., July 

I, 1871, and remained 7 years. Begin- 
ning Mar. 1, 1880, he preached three 
years at Ascutneyville, Vt. 

Rev. Alfred Stevens, D, D., a class 
mate of BIr. Wells, recommended him 
to the church in D um merston , that had 
been without a pastor from the time 



Rev. Blr, Merrill left till the time when 
BIl\ Wells came and preached a few 
Sabbaths before accepting a call to be- 
come the resident pastor of the church, 

'The people were very fortunate in 
securing the services of so able and ex- 
cellent a minister as Bir. Wells, He 
mid his family will add much to all the 
influences that work for good in every 
community. 

Mr. Wells married 1st, Miss Ann R, 
Vo tee, of New York City ; 2d, Bliss 
Emily M. Taylor, of Hinsdale, N. H., 
His children are Annie M., Charles V., 
and Julia Ellen. 

Annie graduated from Bit. Holyoke 
Seminary ; taught iu the Seminary 4 
years, and is now a teacher in the Hu- 
guenot Female Seminary at Wellington, 
South Africa, where she has taught 9 
years, 

Charles is a farmer and manages the 
farm which his father purchased in 
D u m m ers to n fo r h I m s el f and fa m i ly - 

Julia Ellen, graduated from the Stev- 
ens High School at Claremont, N. H., 
and is now a pupil in Bit . Holyoke Sem- 
inary for 1883 and 84, 



OUR PHYSCIANS* 

PR. BEAK 

who came here about 1809, had an ex- 
tensive practice for some years, but 
broke down at length and left for his 
native place in Massachusetts. 

DR. DAVIDSON 

who was here in 1 81 7 and remained 
one or two years. 

PR. JOHN WILSON 

believed by many to be Captain Thun- 
derbolt, who died in Brat tic boro, 1847. 
He came to Dmn merston in 1819, and 
lived in what is now called the Samuel 
Wheeler district. He was a teacher in 



174 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



the school there for one or two terms, 
and also taught one term in district No. 
1. He was a peculiar school-master 
and used the u rod of correction” rather 
than the ferule. It was not a short 
stick, as many teachers used in those 
days rather than let school children be 
spoiled, but a long sweeping rod with 
which he could reach from his desk and 
switch the unruly urchins into obedience 
without leaving his seat. 

DR. JONATHAN MOORE 
will be remembered for a time, at least., 
on account of his Essence of Life” 
which he made by the barrel. Eben- 
ezer Miller who, oftentimes, had serious 
attacks of asthma, sent for medicine, on 
one occasion, to Dr. Moore, who sent 
to him a bottle full of the Essence of 
Life, which, on being handed to him, 
he drank the contents off at one dose 
and felt no bad effects afterwards. 

Dr, ISAAC BOYDEN, 

also, should be remembered here, who 
died Nov. 25, 1837, aged 52 years. — 
See Boyden family papers, pp. 37-40. 

DR. CHINERY PUFFER. 

also who died at iShellmrne Falls, Mas- 
sachusetts, Mar. 6. 1877, aged 73. 

Dr. Cyrus Butterfield and Dr. W, R. 
Woodard were resident physicians here 
for a time. 

Dr. S. N. Bemis was the only resident 
physiesain in 1879. 

SCHOOL SUPERVISION. 

The practice of choosing a committee 
of several persons to visit the schools, 
began here in 1828, and the first chosen 
were Rev. Hosea Beckley, Marshall 
Miller, Asa Boyden, Josiah Taft, and 
Jotham Burnett. It continued 6 years, 
when it came into disrepute, because 
the towns were not always careful to 
choose suitable persons. In most towns 



in the state it was easier to find one 
competent person for school supervision 
than to find so many as the law in force 
required. 

The law was changed and in 1846, 
Rev. William N. Barber was chosen 
town superintendent; also in 1848. 

Rev. B. F. Foster was chosen in 
1849 and served 16 years and a few 
months in 1868, when he resigned on 
account of ill health and Rev. Augustus 
Chandler was appointed by the select- 
men to 'fill the vacancy that year. 

No superintendent was chosen in 1852 
53, *54. 

Joseph Miller, Esq., served one year, 
bcir.g chosen in 1857. 

David L. Mansfield was chosen in 
1869; continued in service 15 years, 
and still (1884) holds tl e office of town 
superintendent. 

THE HAGUE SCHOOL-HOUSE 

now stands near the old bridge-place 
across West river, Districts No. 2 West 
and No. 7 East, united with No. 6 and 
a new school-house was built about 
1850. The school-house for No. 6 
formerly stood near the Reuben Walker 
place at the foot of the hill near where 
the roads unite. The first school-house 
built in the district stood on the rocks 
in the southeast corner of a pasture near 
Jonas Walker’s farm, north of the road 
leading to West Dummerston. 

FATAL ACCIDENTS. 

Henry Stevens, son of Henry and 
Relief, aged 5 years, was killed by the 
fall of a fence, July 20, 1796. 

Denison, son of Riclard and Beda 
Kilbury, about two years old, drowned 
June 24, 1810. 

W. II. Pierce, age 33 years, was 
drowned in West river April 11, 1825. 

Nathaniel French, born 1789, ovas 



DUMMERSTON. 



175 



killed by the fall of a tree, aged about 
60 years, 

Ebenezer Randall was so injured, 
while at work with a team, as to cause 
his death i 

Dorcas Eemis, 7 years old, d&u. of 
Alanson Beniis, was burned to death by 
her cl o toes taking tire while standing 
near a stove one morning in the school- 
house in Dis. No, 1 East, about 1842, 

Mrs* Lydia Walker, wife of Reuben 
Walker, was killed in 1860* She was 
riding in a wagon, and by the breaking 
of the king-bolt, was thrown out, caus- 
ing instant death ; aged 66 years. 

Daniel Rem is was instantly killed by 
the fall o f a tree , Jan, 18, 1864, aged 
44 years, 

Alfred Reel, 14 years old, son of 
Charles G. Roei, was killed Mar. 20, 
1H£?6, by tlie fall of a tree. He was 
not hit by the tree, but it fell so near to 
him, while he was lying on the ground, 
as to cause his death. 

Oscar J Herrick, aged about 2 years, 
sou ol J, T, Herrick 4 was drowned 
May 3, 1868. This cl did was one of 
a family of ten children,, all boys, Niue 
are now living. They have been the 
main stay in school Dm* No. 3 west, 
For several years. Such a family of 
children reminds us of the good old days 
of the forefathers when a few families 
furnished many children for the schools, 
Instead of many families furnishing only 
a few children, as at the present day. 

Mrs. Mary M. Leonard, widow of 
the late John K. Leonard, Esq*, was 
instantly, killed Aug. 19* 1881, by being 
thrown from a wagon ; age 47 years. 

James McMullen died Mar, 28, 1861, 
from his neck being broken by the fall- 
ing limb of a tree, while chopping in 
tin woods. 



BORN I KG OF ROGER BIRCHARD 
AND HIS HOUSE, 

For many years, Mr. Birchard owned 
and occupied a store situated about 6 
miles north of Brattle boro on the road 
leading from that place up the Connec- 
ticut valley to Dummerston. It was on 
the main line of travel to Bellows Falls. 
His store was a large two-story building, 
painted white, nearly square, with a 
roof of fore sides, meeting at the ridge. 
There were several rooms in the store ; 
and the whole building was filled from 
cellar to garret with all kinds of goods, 
ancient and modern, old style and new 
style, that nny merchant could conceive 
of making not only a place for business 
with but what may be called a curiosity 
store* In fact many persons (tailed there 
more to see what Mr. Birchard had m 
his store more than for purposes of trade. 

Here was Mr, Birchard's home. He 
lived a frugal life. Sometimes he got 
his meals for a season away from his 
store ; but for many years he boarded 
himself. He lived t\ single life, and sel- 
dom did more business than what he 
could manage himself. At times, he 
may have had some help in his store. 
When he became old and somewhat in- 
firm, his niece. Miss Mary Birchard, of 
Fayetteville, would sometimes come 
over to Dummerston arid help her uncle 
a few days about making out his ac 
counts with customers. She was there 
only a short time before Uis death. He 
was unwilling l hat she should remain 
long ; but she had so much anxiety 
about him on account of the dangers to 
which he was exposed, that s lie remain- 
ed in to t wn visiting with friends nearly 
two weeks* 

All were afraid that he would be 
burned in his store, as all the rooms 
w ere m nch c m w de d with box es , barrel s 



176 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



and goods, so much so that it was very 
di Hi cult to get about, even, to get arouod 
the little stove which the customers 
tried to approach that they might warm 
themselves when the weather was cold* 
Wood and kindlings were piled high un 
tier and around the stove. Customers 
hud called his attention to smoking wood 
under the stove, but he was not pleased 
with their meddling with bis affairs. A 
lady customer only a day or tw T o before 
the store was burned, snatched some 
wood from under the stove that was all 
a -blaze, Others had done the same 
thing. 

On Sunday, Feb. 13, 1870, about 2 
o’clock in the night, his store was dis- 
covered on fire, and the fire had made 
such progress all efforts to save even 
Mr. Birchard were unavailing. 

A large number of persons soon gath- 
ered to fight the flames. Their object- 
ive point was the room where he slept, 
which was just over the one in which 
the little stove stood surrounded by its 
inflammable material. Their utmost 
endeavor was made to secure even his 
body from the devouring element. Not 
until the morning dawned, did they suc- 
ceed in raking the charred remains from 
the deep bed of burning embers and red 
hot coals. It was carried into a little 
shop near by where we saw it that 
morning. Nothing but a blackened, 
charred trunk and bare skull remained 
of the unfortunate man. All his limbs 
were burned off' close to the body. 

He was born at Wilmington, Aug. 2, 
1797, and at the time of his death was 
in his 73d year. 

He had mauy peculiarities, but was 
honest in all his dealings. We have 
heard him say that he would give a poor 
man a debt rather than make lum pay 
it when it would oppress him or his 
family . 



The funeral services of Mr. Birchard 
were held in the Congregational church 
the following Sunday afternoon. A 
large number of persons, including 
many from Putney , New fane and Brat- 
tle boro were in attendance. Rev. J. C. 
Houghton of Burlington, who was sup- 
plying the pulpit a few Sabbaths in this 
place, preached the funeral sermon , He 
mentioned the circumstance of bis call- 
ing to see Mr. Birchard for the first 
time a few days before his death ; that 
Mr. Birchard received him kindly, open- 
ed the way for him to speak of religious 
matters, and informed him that he read 
the Bible and worshipped God daily in 
his chamber. He thanked the minister 
for his visit, and invited him to cull 
again; 11 and I should have done so, 1 * 
he remarked, 4 4 had I known that bis 
spirit would have been called home in a 
chariot of fire within six days from that 
time/ 1 

During Mr- Birchard's career as a 
merchant, his store and goods were 
burned three times, once at Westmim 
ster West, and twice in Dummerston. 
On each occasion the fire was discovered 
on Sunday morning. The first store 
that was bulged stood just south of the 
buildings which he last occupied. Very 
l i ttle prope r ty was s aved . A 1 arge q u a n - 
tity of cheese was destroyed and men 
now living, who were hoys then, and 
present at the conflagration, remem- 
ber of getting a good square meal of 
toasted cheese. 

The third store was once a large 
dwelling-house. After Mr. Birchard 
bought it, he purchased the old store 
that stood, up in town, on the old Dr, 
Moore place, and had it moved down 
and set up as an ell part on the south 
side of the main building. Both build* 
ings were filled to their utmost capacity 
at the time of their destruction. 



DUMMERSTON. 



Of the few goods saved from tJie 
fire were 36 1-3 barrels of flour- In 
United States bonds, $7,000, with 
some railroad bonds, passed through 
the flames, but not unharmed. It 
was a xoere accident that they were 
saved for redemption, A short time 
before the fire, Mr. Birchard had 
sonic railroad bonds which lie kept 
in an aid earthen jar covered witli 
tea-lead and secreted in an old brick ' 
oven, destroyed by mice, The rail- 
road company promised to give him 
new bonds in place of the ones des- 
troyed , p vo v i d ed h e w on 1 d get & o m e 
person to sign a paper with him to 
the effect that said bonds should 
never be paid for but once. He ask- 
ed a ne ar n eigh b or, Alonso D i ttto 1 i, 
to sign the paper. He refused to 
do so, knowing that Mr- Birchard 
was oftentimes quite careless about 
his affairs and that goods were fre- 
quently stolen from his store. At 
the time of the fire, as soon as Mr. 
Birchard s body was secured from 
the flames, Mr Dutton, remember- 
ing about the bonds which the mice 
destroyed and where they were kept, 
planned a means of getting to the 
okl brick oven across a bed of burn- 
ing coals and flaming brands, A i 
quantity of snow was thrown upon j 
the coals, a ladder quickly put across I 
to the oven, some planks laid on for 
greater safety, and a resolute man 
wad k ed tli e b n r n i n g track , w re n ch od 
off the iron-door, shoveled out the 
old treasure- vault- jar and returned 
without injury. The large jar had 
inside two flower-pots, one turned 
over on to the other, forming a place, 
within which was a glass Dandy-jar, 
wrapped about with matting. Inside 
the glass jar were the bonds which 
the (ire had burned so that they be- 



177 

I gan to fall in pieces on being expos- 
! ed to the air. Discovering this, Mr. 

Dutton quickly wrapped them in 

cloth. Next day, Austin Birchard 
requested them to be left at Waite's 
| bank in Brattle bo roj and in n few 
months they were redeemed in 
Washington. 



LIEUT. LEONA UD SPAULUINO 

whoso record begins on page 34 was 
commissioned captain during the 
Revolutionary war, as we have learn- 
ed since the printing of his record, 
and he was not a citizen of the town 
as stated on p. 36, when it was or- 
ganized. His okl account book dates 
back to 1766* not 1779. 

A HAPPY FACE. — an extract. 

t; A happy face with, cheerful look, 

An influence round it throws, 

That acts upon us as the euu 
Docs on the blooming rose. 

It wakes to life those happy smiles 
That coldness ne'er can bring. 

And casts a hallowed beauty on 
The plainest, simplest thing. 

Be prudent in affairs of life. 

Be kind to every friend; 

So live that you will never fear 
The trial of lifcb end. 

Then wear the happy, cheerful face 
The influence round it throws. 

That acts upon us as the auu 
Does on the blooming' rose, 

J. C, M.* 

In Waverley Magazine. 

*J. 0. Mansfield, a soldier of Diun- 
merston. 

Robert Liston, mentioned cm page 
04, was British Minister from Eng- 
land to the United States, hence 
the title, his excellency. 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



178 



The Sumuel Duncan mentioned 
on page 92 as a die taut relative of 
Dr. Abel I) mi can, had the following 
children! Lucretia. born in Wor- 
cester , Mass,,— — — , 1773; Jonas; 
Betsey, horn in Guilford in 17S1; 
Simeon, b. in Dummerston, July 
2b, 1782: Amthnsa; Fanny; Azubah; 
Electa; Samuel ; Rebecca and Nancy. 

Samuel G., son of Joseph Dun- 
can, Esr|._, married Sophia Hoyt — 
see page 93. 

On page 94 read Dr. Sewn 11 Walk- 
er not Sewell, and Emily, dan. of 
Jona& Walker, was born 182b. Sam- 
uel Newell Walker., bom Apr. la, 
IB24, died in Feb. 1884. Marshall 
^ton of lieu ben. was born in 1833, ami 
Snytiii R. in ISStt, not 1339. Lyman 
W al ke r j i la r j 1 i ed Lo vice Out t.e r : 
William m* Juliet Pa mb. 

In the old tux bill, page 107, read 
Aaron Brooks, Jr., for Aaron Brook. 
Jr., and Samuel Duncan's state tax 
should read *1.1$, John Miller's 
3 2.no ; for Moore Jona. do. rend 
Dr, Include Asu French in the list : 
tax II state. II town. 

Page J 10, in Dis. No. 1, for David 
Gate* read Daniel: in No* 2, for 
iloTiry Steams read Stevens; for Dr. 
Haven rend Ihmn ; iu No. 5., for 
Galvin Bn ter read Butler. 

In the Stickney family record. 
Samuel Doty should read Duty, 

Siineon Reed, mentioned on page j 
J m t was born Jan- 25* 1791, died 
Oct, 1S75, aged 84. Hiy wife 
died Mar. 3, 1S$L aged 35. They 
wore married Dec. VZ } 1819. Ohil- 
d ren : Betsey* b. Apr. 9, 1821, m. 

Ezekiel B, Campbell* died June $3, 
I8fi4; Simeon H,, horn July 23, 



1823, died very suddenly May 20, 
1849; Martha Ann, b. July 16, 1820, 
m. Mason Higginsj died Oct 1, 1863; 
Thomas N r ., b. Aug. 2l, 1838, m. 
Ellen Miller; Mary. b. Oct. 5. 1331. 
died 1833. 

W in alow Holden died December 
10, 1 8S2, aged 94 years, II months- 
Benjamin E&tab rook/s house, page 
72,. was not the old store sold by 
Ga.pt. John Metcalf. That store was 
removed and formed the north put 
of the old red store, east side of the 
common, once owned by Rutherford 
Hayes. The Hayes store was pulled 
down Dec. 26, 188S, 



GKNtfrS OF DO! It ERST OX IN 
1 Ml. 

A [nil 17, 1?7L there were 44 
, heads of families in town, as follows: 

' Asa Hoi gate, Caps. John Cat ban, 
John Kathun, J j'., Bumuel Allen* 
Alexanders Nathan, I Ami el Katlian* 
Charles Davenport, Isaac Miller, 
Hosea Miller, Bbenezrer Haven, 
Josiah Boyclen, John Scott, Joseph 
Hildreth, Aaron Brooks, Rufus 
Sargeant Daniel Sargent, Jacob 
Thompson, Joseph Temple. John 

Fmwc)l ? Bara 1 ill Rico, Samuel 
Laughton, Enoch Cook. Samuel 
WUwell, Samuel Dutton, .lr. ; E zra 
Robinson, Samuel Dutton, Emery 
Robinson, Bon jam in Gould, Thomas 
Hoyden, Charles Hart, Gyrus Hough- 
ton, Shepard Gates, John Killbury, 
William Miller, Thomas Clark, 

| Joseph Hildreth, Jr. 3 Aaron Brooks, 
|Jr.^ Jonas Du naan, Seth Dutton, 

| Nathaniel French, Joshua Walton, 
1 Joseph Herrick, Benjamin Jo nee, 

I Silas Rogers, Cornelius Jones, 



DUMMEIISTON. 



179 



WEST DUMMERSTON IN 1810. 

West Dummcratou includes all that, 
part of’ the town lying west of West 1 
river. Not until the summer of 1882, 
did wc find a record of families as they 
were divided into school districts in 1810 
by a committee composed of Rufus 
Moore, Ezra Butterfield and Jotham 
Burnett. 

DISTRICT NO. 1, WEST 

comprised 31 families in 1 8 1 0 and were 
located, beginning at Brattleboro line : 
Henry Willard, David Bailey, Voraaus 
Larrabec, Charles Bennett, dames A. 
Chase, Wilkins Burnett, J-oel French, 
Dudley Bailey, Roswell Beebee, Sam- 
uel Bennett, Jesse Bennett, Joseph Blye, 
Joseph Gleason, Samuel Bennett, Ji\, 
David Darling. Skelton Foster, Isaac 
Burnett, Aarou Bond, Lemuel Barrett, 
Ezra Butterfield. Zen as Butterfield, 
James Chase, Henry Z wears, Peter 
Stickncy, Daniel Z wears, Benjamin 
Z wears, Samuel Guernsey, Timothy 
Lewis, Benjamin Willard, Jotham Bur- 
nett, Benjamin Stickucy. 

DUDLEY UAILKY 

married Ruhamah Dunster, daughter of 
David Dunster, who was son of Jona- 
than, whose father was Henry Dunster, 
the first president of Harvard College. 
Mr. Bailey removed from Westminster, j 
Mass., to Brattleboro about the year 
1786. In 1798, he came to Dummcrs- 
ton and bought a farm of Jouathan 
Barrus near West river, where his 
grandson, Silas A. Bailey now lives. 

Dudley and Ruhamah Bailey had five 
children. Polly, the eldest, m. Joel 
French, Oct. 29, 1794, and both lived 
and died in this town. 

Levi, unmarried, died Mar. 13, 1851 ; 
was insane over 50 years and supported 
by his brother David, who was born 



Sept. 9, 1780, m. Lydia, dau. of Solo- 
mon Allen of Marlboro. 

Ephriam died young, and Henry re- 
moved to New York. 

Dudley Bailey died Mar. 8, 1812. 
and Ruhamah his wife. Mar. 8, 1835, 
just 23 years from the date of her hus- 
band’s dehtk. 

David and Lydia (Allen) Bailey lived 
and died on the old homestead of Dud- 
ley Bailey. Their children were : Electa 
m. Wm. H. Merriam and removed to 
Peterborough , N. H. ; Anna, m. Daniel 
Baldwin of Wardsboro ; Levi, married 
Elizabeth Bryant of Brattleboro ; Jason 
R., m. Emily Bryant of Brattleboro: 
removed to Stukely, C. E. ; Silas A., 
married Arvilla Jackson of New fane; 
Chester W., in. Benleth Gove of Straf- 
ford ; lives in Brattleboro; Abner A., 
m. Caroline A. Huntley, dau. of Lyman 
Huntley. 

John L. and Wm, D., twins. John 
was killed, at the age of 20 years, by 
fulling on a pitch-fork. William, m. 
1st, Lois Gould, of Dover, 2d, Kather- 
ine Smith of Wilmington. 

Lawson died aged 5 years. 

Orra. in. Julia M. Patter; removed 
to Massachusetts. 

David Bailey died Mar. 19. 1867 
aged 8G. 

THE WILLARD FAMILY. 

The earliest settler in Dummerston 
by the name of Willard, was 
HENRY WILLARD 

from Ashlmrnbam, Massachusetts. In 
J 785, he lived where Lewis Hadley now 
lives in the south part of the town, and 
remained on that farm till he sold it to 
Benjamin Hadley, father of Lewis. He 
married about 1785. Sarah Wilder, 
sister of Solomon Wilder of Brattleboro, 
father of Marshall, Anson, and Joseph 



180 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Marshall now lives on the old home- 
stead where Henry Willard courted Miss 
Wilder. People in those days often 
went barefoot as long as the ground was 
not covered with snow, and Mr. Willard 
was uot an exception to the custom. He 
used to go courting barefoot, and late in 
the fall of the year, the neiglibors often 
tracked him home, when he returned 
late in the night., from such visits, by 
his foot-prints left on the frosty ground. 
When he sold his farm, he bought again 
in West Du nun erst on where four gener- 
ations of the family have lived, the 
place being now in the possession of 
Nelson W. Willard. 

He was a man of property and bought 
and sold other farms in town. He kept 
a large stock of cattle, raised consider- 
able grain, but was careful to keep his 
granaries locked. A friend once in- 
quired of him why he kept his graiu 
under lock and key. 4 * Your neigbors,” 
said he, are all honest.” 14 1 know 
it, replied Mr. Willard, “ but l want to 
keep them so.” 

In our study of New England history, 
we often find the name Willard associ- 
ated with the early settlers, especially, 
that of Col. Josinh Willard as an orig- 
inal proprietor of several townships. 
For instance, the nam.es of the proprie- 
tors of Westminster, Vt., on the 11th 
of Juue 1760, when the time for fulfil- 
ing the charter was extended, included 
twelve Willards, viz : Josiali, William, 
Nathan, Oliver, Wilder, William, ,Jr., 
Prentice, Nathan, Jr., Solomon, Billey, 
Josiah, Jr., and Jonathau. Eight of 
these names appear on the charter of 
July *26, 1753. Nearly all the families 
of New England by this name, are de- 
scended from Major Simou Willard, 
who emigrated to this country from the 
county of Kent in England. He is first 
mentioned as residing at Newton (now 



Cambridge, Mass.) in 1634, where he 
became acquainted with the situation of 
Concord, Mass., by trading with the 
Indians. He was one of the original 
purchasers of Concord and removed to 
that place as early as 1635, and became 
by his influence and the offices to which 
he was elected, the chief citizen of the 
town. In 1654, he received the com- 
mission of Major and was commander- 
in-chief of the forces of Massachusetts* 
in Niiiigret and Philip's wars. In 1660. 
he removed to Lane ester and was at 
Groton in 1672. He died in Charles- 
town, Mass., April 24,1676. lie was? 
a brave commander, a wise statesman, 
and a trustworthy man, retaining the 
confidence of his fellow citizens undi- 
minished till the close of life. 

Major Willard had three wives, 1st, 
Mary Sharp, 2d, Elizabeth, sister of 
President Duuster, of Harvard college, 
3d, Mary Dunster, a relative of the sec- 
ond wife. By the first and third marri- 
ages, he had 17 children, 9 sons and 8 
daughters, most of whom lived to marry 
and have families. 

Heury, the 4th sou, born at Concord, 
Mass., June 4, 165-5; married Mary 
Laken of Groton. Mass., July 18, 1674 ; 
settled in Lancaster ; after the death of 
his wife in 1688, married, about 1689. 
Dorcas Cutler, who survived her hus- 
band and afterwards became the wife of 
Benjamin Bellows, of Laneester, and 
ancestor of the Bellows family in Wal- 
pole, N , H. — by these two wives had 
children : Henry, Simou, born Oct. 8, 
1678, Mary, John, Hezekiah, Joseph, 
Samuel, James, Josiah, Jonathan, Sa- 
rah, Abigail, Susanna, and Tabitha. 

Josiah son of Henry, bom about 1693. 
isknowoasCol. Josiah Willard, com- 
mander of Fort Dummer from 1740 to 
1750. He married Hannah Wilder, of 
Lancaster, where he was born, and was 



DUMMERSTQN* 



181 



among the first settlers of Lmienburgli, 
founded in 1719. His uncle, the Rev* 
Samuel Willard, was for a time Vice 
President of Harvard College. Col. 
J o si ah died D ec. ti , 1 7 0 0 . 11 e 1 >o re t h e 

character of a faith ful and intelligent 
public officer, and was without reproach 
in the relations of private and domestic 
life, 

JoSIah* J k. Jiisson, was born in Jan- 
uary 1716, and married Hannah Hub- 
bard of Groton. For several years lie 
iv as intrusted with the charge of a gar- 
rison at Ashuelot (now Keene*) N. H.. 
and in 1749 removed to Winchester in 
that Province* On the death of his 
father he was promoted to the station 
he had held, Notice of this appoint- 
ment was conveyed by another Josiah 
Willard, a cousin, who for 39 years was 
secretary of the Province of Masaueh- 
u se tts b \ a roy « 1 con ) m isSioti * 4 ¥ I li ear t- 
ily join with you and your family,” 
wrote the secretary in his letter, dated 
Dee* 18, 1 700, in your mourning for 
the death of your father, esteeming it a 
great publlck loss*” Josiali, Jr., died 
in Winchester, Nov. 19, 1786, in the 
lid year of his age. 

Henry Willard of I Jammers ton whs a 
descendant of the Willards about whom 
av e have wri l te n . Helm d t vv o sous and 
siv daughters, Benjamin, l>. 1787, in* 
Lydia Bemieit ; bally, b. 1789, m* Wm. 
Barnes; Mary, b» 1792, married Isaac 
Cutler; Margaret, b* 1794, m* John 
Whipple ; Eunice, b* 1794, m. Josiah 
G odda rtl ; 0 1 i v c , m . N ail i an i e ! T alt ; 
Nancy, married Davis Rand; Lewis, 
unmarried. 

Mr* Willard was heard to say that 
most parents married off their daugh- 
ters, but he married them on, as lie 
furnished a home for some of them 
much of the time after marriage. His 
sons-in-law did not particularly please 



him, and iu remarking about it, some- 
times be would say that he believed the 
devil owed him a spite and paid him off 
in son-in-laws 

T he chi ldr e n o f Be 1 i j am i n a nd Ly d ia 
Will ard w e i -e : Lou Isa, b , 1 807, E mily , 
Lydia, George, Nelson W, , Benjamin 
F., Henry, Mary A., Harriet V*, and 
Marshall, tea in number. 

Peter Willard of this town was a 
cousin to Benjamin, bom 1787* Hem. 
Olive Frost, of Brattlcboro, Jan. 11, 
1802* Their children were : Jesse, 
Marin da* Ephraim, Nelson. 



JAMES CHASE 

was father of Capt. James A. Chase. 
They removed from Dis* No. 1 to No. 
3 on West llill, arid the farm they 
owned many years is still called the 
u J i m C h use pi ace , 1 5 J a rues C h as e d ied 
May 28, 1844, aged 1)3. Capt* Janies 
died Jan 30, 1871. aged 83. Samuel 
Chase m. Cloe Dunklee, Apr* 3* 1808. 
Polly Chase died Sept. 4, I860, aged 83. 

DR, ISAAC BURNETT 

was the father of Wilkins and Jot ham, 

anti by a 2d wife, Lydia who 

died Jan. 2, 1847* aged 88, bad Mary, 
b. May I, 1801, now living; married 
1st. Caleb Taft* son of Josiah ; 2d, Asa 
Dutton* 

WilJdns. m. Abigail Mim&m, Sept, 
10, 1799. 

Jot harm married Abigail Pratt* Their 
child r en av ere : Is aac , h ♦ N o v ,23, 18 Go , 
married Hannah Fisher, of Newfane. 
Stephen P., b* Mar* 27, 1808, married 
Emily* cl air. of Samuel French ; Fhebe 
Phileua, 1811. m* Daniel Taylor; Ly- 
sander, 181 4, m* Esther Fisher, of New- 
fane; Mary, b. 1816, m. Geo* Rodney 
Miller ; Foma b* 1 819, a photographer, 
m Ne>v York, died unmarried, aged 
about 30 years. 



L82 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



JOSEPH GLEASON 

married Sarah Ball : children Deborah. 
l>. Aug. 15, 1786 ; Patty, 17S9 ; Jacob, 
1791, died young; Susanna, 1793 ; 
Jacob, 2d, 1796: Mary, Feb. 8, 1799. 

One Joseph Gleason, Jr., married 
Sibyl Stickney, Jan. 12, 1802; Chi 1 
drcu *. Sally, b. 1802; Louis, 1803; 
Lydia, 1805; Deborah, 1807; Jacob 
1809. 



THE MILLER FAMILY 
OF WEST DUMMERSTON, 
This is a distinct family from Isaac 
Miller, resident in the east part of the 
town. The progenitor of this family 
was Samuel, son of Robert Miller oue 
of the first settlers of Londonerry, N. H. 
His name appears on a tax-list of that 
town of Nov. 9, 1750. He probably 
continued his residence in Londonderry 
and died there. His wife died in New 
Boston, N. H., with her daughter Mrs. 
Patterson. Their children were: 
Matthew, b. June 15, 1730 ; m. Mary 
Morrison, and died in Pomfret, Vt., 
May 30, 1824, aged 94 years. 

James and William, twins, b. 1738 ; 

Samuel, John, and Susanna who m. 
Dea. Patterson. ; 

William, married Jane Todd, dan. of 
Col. Andrew Todd ; 

James, married Catherine Gregg, who 
d. May 23, 1833, aged 89 years. He 
died Nov. 21, 1825, aged 87 years. 
They resided in Peterborough, N. II., 
and reared up a large and important 
family. Their children were: Hugh, 
b. Oct. 1768 ; m. Anna Templeton ; d. 
Dec. 10, 1847, aged 79 years. 

Samuel, b. 1772; m. Sylvia Keep: 
removed to Dummerston. 

Jenny, born 1774; married .Samuel 
Templeton. 



James, b. April 25, 1776 ; m. 1st 
wife, Marl ha Ferguson ; 2d, wife Ruth 
Flint, Lincoln, Mass. 

Polly, b. 1777, d. Dec. 28, 1796. 

Catherine, b. ; rn. Daniel Mc- 

Farland, tl. in Antrim, N. H. ; 

Jacob, 5. ; m. Jane Popkins ; 

d. in Arkansas, 1822. 

William, b. . 

GENERAL JAMES MlLLEK 
bas a distinguished record. He became 
a lawyer; was Major, of the 4th. Uni- 
ted States Infantry, 1808 ; Lt. Colonel, 
5th Infantry, 1810; Brevet Col. 1812; 
Col., 21st Infantry 1814: Brevet Brig- 
adier-General, 1814. when Congress 
presented him a gold medal for gallantry 
on tire Canadian frontier ; was governor 
of Arkansas Territory 1819—25; Col- 
lector of Salem, Mass., 1825—49 ; died 
at Temple, N. II., July 7,1851. He 
was father of Commodore James F. 
Miller, U. S. N. 1803-68. 

It is stated in the history of Peter- 
borough N. H., that Geu. James Miller 
was of Scotch -Irish descent. This would 
make the connection that Robert Miller, 
bom about 1664. was brother to Isaac 
Miller, b. about 1070, and father of 
Isaac Miller. Jr., h, 1708, a first settler 
in Dummerston. Therefore the chil- 
dren of John Miller, b. 1756 were third 
cousins to Samuel Miller, b. 1772. 

Gen. James Miller immortalized 
his name, however, in the Battle of 
Niagara, or Lundy’s Lane, in 1814. 
When, in the course of the battle, it was 
necessary that a certain British battery 
should be eari ied, Gen. Brown, address- 
ing Colonel Miller said, Colonel, take 
your regiment, storm that work and 
1 take it.” 41 I ’ll try sir,*’ responded the 
brave Miller promptly and immediately 
moved forward to the perilous task. A 
letter of his written to his wife gives a 



DUMMERSTON 



183 



graphic description of this adventure. 
!l whs dated Fort Erie, July 28, 181-4, 
the battle having been fought on the 
"2 5 tli, iust. Tlie letter is published in 
full in the history of Peterborough. 
When the order was given him to take 
the battery, he says : 

*■ 1 had short of three hundred men 
with me, 1, however, immediately obey- 
ed the order. The enemy had got their 
artillery posted on a height m a, very 
commanding position, where they could 
rake our columns in every part of the 
field, and prevented their advancing. 
We could see their slow matches and 
po rt - fi res l ► u r n i ng an d re ady . I did no t 
know what side of the work was most, 
favorable to approach, but happened to 
hit upon a very favorable place, notwith- 
standing we advanced upon the mouths 
of th e ir cannon. It a pp eared t h at 1 1 ierc 
was an old rail-fence on the side where 
we approached, with a small growth of 
shrubbery by the fence and within less 
than two rods of the camion's mouth, 
undiscovered by the enemy. I then 
very cautiously ordered my men to rest 
across the fence, take good aim, fire, 
mid rush, which was done in style. Not 
one man at the cannon was left to put 
fire to them. We got into the centre of 
their park before they had time to oppose 
us. A British line was formed, and 
lying in a strong position ro protect I heir 
artillery. The moment we got to the 
centre, they opened a most destructive 
flank fire on us, killed a great many, 
and attempted to charge with the bay- 
onets. We returned the fire so warrulv 
they were compelled to stand ; we fought 
hand to hand for some time, so cl se 
that the blaze of our guns crossed each 
other ; but we compelled them to aban- 
doned their whole artillery , ammunition- 
wagons and all, amounting to seven 
pieces of elegant brass cannon, one of 
which was a 24 pounder, with eight 
horses and harness, though some of 
them were killed. The British made 
two more attempts to charge us at close 
quarters, both of which I repulsed be- 
fore I was reinforced, after which the 
1st and 23d Regs, came to my relief. 
And e v en a f te r tl la r , the 0 r i U sli c b a rgecl 



with their whole line there several times, 
and after getting within half pistol-shot 
of m were compelled to give way. 1 
took, with my regiment, between thirty 
and forty prisoners, while taking and 
(lefe n din g th e a r till cry. * 4 

After Generals Brown, Scott, and others 
were wounded, we were ordered to re- 
turn back to our camp, about three 
miles, and preparations had not been 
made for taking off the cannon, as It 
was impossible for me. to defend them 
and make preparations for that too. anti 
they were all left on the ground except 
one beautiful six-pounder, which was 
presented to my regiment m testimony 
of their distinguished gallantry. The 
officers of this anny all say, who saw 
it, that it was one of the mot t desperate 
things they ever saw or heard of. Gen. 
B r o w n tol d me, the m o mei 1 1 he s a w m e , 
that 1 had immortalized myself. * But/ 
said he, 1 my dear fellow, my heart 
ached for you when I gave you the or- 
der, but I knew it was the only thing 
that would save us. 

Samuel Miller 

came from Dover In this County, to 
Du niu^ers ton in 1813, and bought tlm 
farm owned by James Mumi for $2600 
He resided there till the time of his 
death in 1855. The buildings on 
the farm were all burned by an inceu- 
d la ry Fe I j . 14, 1377. It is ai i ex ct ■ 1 Ic n t 
hill farm, but is located so far back, on 
West hill that no one has cared ro pur- 
chase and rebuild. 

Mr. Miller had two sons and five 
d a ugl i te rs , J ame s jn . E I v i ra W ] 1 1 pple , 
and w as t he fit th er of M a ry Mi Her, w i le 
of John K. Leonard, Esq. , killed in- 
stantly Aug. 10, 1881. 

Geo. Rodney, represented the town 
in the legislature In 1850, 

The. other children were Mary, Char- 
lotte, Catherine, Jane, and Sophia. 

The wife of Enos Leonard and mother 
of John K. was Matilda Keep, sister to 
Sylvia Keep, wife of Samuel Miller. 



184 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Sophia Miller married John W. Cook 
and they are living in West Brattle boro. 
Jane died aged 1G years. Catherine, 
unmarried. Charlotte married Austin 
Wheeler, Mary m. Nathaniel Parish. 
Geo. Rodney married Mary Burnett, 
daughter of Jotham Burnett. 

DAVID DARLING 

one of the first settlers in this section of 
the town, cleared up the land, which 
Asa Whitney now owns, and on the 
place, built and lived in a small house 
long since gone. He lived to be quite 
aged, and (bed suddenly of heart disease 
about 1820, while out in the forest gath- 
ering the honey of wild bees. Old lady 
Darling, his wife, was known as an ex- 
cellent cook in those days, and a favor- 
ite dish, which she prepared, so as to 
make it very palatable, was fish and 
pot-fttoe. “Fish,” she said to her guests, 
“had to swim three times — once in 
water, once in butter and once in cider. 
“This was quite evident, as she poured 
in a large quantity of melted butter while 
cooking and furnished plenty of cider 
for the table. 

Abigail Darling, m. Jonathan Bump, 
April 7, 1805. 

SKELTON FOSTER 

was, probably, a brother of John Foster 
who lived across the river in Dis. No. 
6. John, m. Abigail Sanderson, Jan. 
25, 1801, and their children were Joel 
S., b. Oct. 31, 1805; Samuel W., 
Maria, and Spencer. 

LEMUEL BARRETT 

manned Hannah Dvmklee, Sept. 20, 
1801. Their children were Humphrey, 
bom in Brattleboro, married Arozinn, 
dati.of Joseph Hildreth ; Linda, born 
in Dummerston, 1803, Lysia. Pardon, 
Mickajah. 

Sidney H. Barrett, son of Humph- 
rey lives on the parental farm. 



DANIEL Z WEARS 

was one of the first settlers in this sec- 
tion of the town. His wife was a sister 
of Henry Willard. Their children were : 
Hannah, b. Aug. 8, 1772; Lois, born 
Sept. 15, 1774; Daniel, 1777 ; Benja- 
min, 1779 ; Peter, 1783 ; Henry, 1785. 
Benjamin, m. Sally Stickney, Jan. 10. 
1800. Lois, m. Darius Mann, Jan. 
12. 1792. Hannah, married Thomas 
Betterley, Jr., of Newfane. 

SAMUEL GUERNSEY 

and Jerusha Darling his wife, were from 
“Belcher,” Mass., as recorded, and 
their first child, Samuel, Jr., was born 
June 1. 1784. in that town. John, 
Joseph, Levi, Darling, Jerusha and 
Lydia were born in Brattleboro. Esther, 
in. 1801, and David 1805, were born in 
this town. Mr. Guernsey lived near 
neighbor to Humphrey Barrett, across 
the brook south from his residence, in 
buildings long since gone to decay, 
DISTRICT NO. 2. 

contained in 1810, nine families, “ all 
the inhabitants from Newfane line to 
the Baptist meeLing-house on West river 
road, and west from said road so as to 
include Elisha Randall and Moses Row- 
ell (Roel)” The other families were 
Willarrl Foster, Joseph Dunklee, Seth 
Briggs, Daniel Peters, Moody Tenney. 
Luke Taylor and Joel Cutting. 

ELISHA RANDALL 

married Lydia Merrick, daughter ot 
Capt. Ebenezer Merrick. Dec. 25, 1 799. 
The family lived near Moses Roe! on 
the road leading to the Emersou place. 

Children ; Lewis, Ebenezer, Leonard. 
Emily, Eveline. Harriet, and Elizabeth. 

Ebenezer m. Sally Brown ; Leonard 
mar. Lois Bird, and removed to Gran- 
ville, Mass. ; Emily married 1st, Sam. 
Dike, 2d, — Roland ; Harriet married 
a Mr. Woodcock. 



DU MM HESTON - 



185 



MOSES RQ EL. 

was born in Oxford, Mass, His pur- 
suits died when he. was quite young* 
Soon after their death, he went to live 
with Dr, Baker of Guilford, who was 
mi uncle of Ids* His sister, Zurviah.* 
also went there to live. When he was 
about 8 years of age, he came to Dum- 
merston and lived during his minority 
with Samuel Go wen* who owned wliat 
Is now called the Huntley place* He 
had no brother-, and his only sister, Zur* 
viah* was a resident of this town at the 
lime she married Nahum Norcross* Jan, 
17, 1796. Moses married Oily, dan* 
of Nathaniel French, Nov- 22* 1807* 
He bought a farm of Nathaniel Mann, 
formerly owned by Daniel B el knap p, 
and occupied It the same year lie was 
married* They had a family of 10 
children ; Almira m* Almond Butter- 
held ; removed to Mexico, N. Y. ; died 
in June 1854, leaving a family of 11 
children* 

Nathaniel F * * m . Nancy H er rick and 
removed to Randolph* Mass, ; died in 
July 1878. 

Orrllla in. Harvey Greenwood ; died 
in 1835* 

Alfred removed to Randolph, Mass., 
m* Mary Ann Hollis ; died June 1860, 
leaving 4 children. 



of his death was a member of the senior 
class at Andover Seminary. He died 
of typhoid fever, in Holden, Mass. Sept. 
1854* aged 2G years, and was at that 
time in charge of a select school. His 
pupils erected a monument over his 
remains* 

Mary E. died in Randolph in 1848* 
Charles G. Roel now lives on the par- 
ental farm. 

CaPT. SETH BRIGGS 

born Nov. 7* 1760 ; m. Hannah, dau, 
of Capt. Ebenez.er Merrick who was b* 
in 1722 and died 1819. Capfc. Briggs 
died Mar* 21 * 1824, Hannah, his wife, 
born Nov. 25, 1762* died Dec. 6* 1838. 
— children : 

Hannah, b. Dec. 22* 1785, married 
Willard Foster and lived near Branch 
Bridge. 

Sarah, born Nov. 10, 1788, m. Joel 
Hudson, d. Mar* 5, 1878 ; 

Mary,b. Dec. 4, 1700* married Wm. 
Spaulding ; 

Patty, b. 1793, m, Henry Goddard, 
d. 1 819. 

Lucinda, b. Mar. 9* 1795, married 
Thompson Kingsbury, d. July 11, 1865. 

Elizabeth, b* Mar. 27, 1797, married 
Corn el us Hadley, 

Eleanor, h* May 18, 1799, married 
Samuel Perry. 



Austin, m. in Randolph, 1st* Joanna 
White, 2d, Abby Bigelow ; died Jan. 
27* 1878, leaving ~2 children. 

Eds on M*, unmarried and resides In 
Randolph . 

Charles G . * m . 1st, Julia Ward ; had 
four children ; m* 2d* Maria Wellman, 
mother of one child. 

Betsey B. * d. suddenly, in Randolph, 
Oct. 1845. 

Sylvan us B , w as n grad ua te o f Am - 
herst College, in 1852. and at the time 
24 



Abigail* h. 1802* d. 1811 ; 

Harriet, b. Apr. 29, 1804, m* Robert 
Lyndscy* d* Feb. 1 , 1881 ; 

Fanny* b. May 26* 1806, unmarried* 
d. 1882. 

Laura, born May 27, 1809, m. Silas 
Ashley, d. June 11. 1843. It is some- 
what remarkable that in this family 
there were 11 daughters and no sons. 

JOSEPH DUNCKLEY JR, 

m. Ruth Field, Nov. 22, 1801, lived at 
one time in the West village and tended 
the grist mill, Joseph Dunklee. Sen*, 



186 



VER MONT H rSTOR ICA L MAGAZINE. 



supposed to be the father of Joseph Jr., 
married the mother of Hannah, sister to 
Jacob Pierce and wife of Orrasbee But- 
terfield. Benjamin, son probably of 
Joseph. Jr., m. Ruth Sargeant; was a 
blacksmith and had a shop many years 
ago, just below the Josiah Dodge place, 
where Benjamin Ks tab rook worked as 
an apprentice about l BOG. 

MOODT TENNEY, 

a half brother of Josiah, m. Arathusa 
Underwood ; children : Reuben, born 
1800, Daniel and Bennett. The young- 
est son was killed in Massachusetts by 
a large rock which fell oi. him. Mr. 
Tenney lived in the old toll-house, tended 
the bridge and worked at the trade of 
making saddle-tacks. 



Goss’s house, wherein a school was 
kept a few years. Afterwards, a part 
of the store, then standing just south of 
Taft’s tavern, was fitted up and used for 
the school a long time. In 18*20, the 
number of scholars was 52, as officially 
reported by Elder Levi Dunham. Joel 
Chandler was a teacher in that district 
several years, and also Rufus Hadley. 
Hannah Est&brook, a sister of Benja- 
min, taught there in the summer of 1822. 
Anthony Jones was the store-keeper in 
1820. Josiah Taft, the tavern-keeper. 
Taft married Anna Rice, of Uxbridge, 
Mass., children : Nancy, b. 1793, Caleb, 
1795, Nathaniel, 1797, Reuben. The 
old tavern is uow a dwelling house, and 
a part of the old store forms an addition 
to it. 



LUKE TAYLOR 

deacon of the Baptist church \u the 

West village, m. Mary , and their 

children were John, b. 1795, Darnel, b. 
1797, Elizabeth L., born 1800, Polly, 
1802. Luke, Jr., 1804, Charles W., 
1806, Rachel, 1809, and Elhanau, 1812. 
Daniel, married 1st, Harriet, dau. of 
Zebulon Goss, 2d, Philena Burnett, dau. 
of Jotham. George, a sou of Daniel 
lives in the Hague. 

Moses Taylor, one of the first settlers 

in this part of the town, m. Sarah , 

whose children were : Terzah, b. Aug. 
7, 1777, Rebecca, b. May *26, 1779, 
Job. b. Sept. 20, 1 783, Martha, b. Feb. 
7. 1 787. Isaac Taylor, who married 

Elizabeth . had Sarah, b. Nov. 27, 

1786. m. Joseph Bruce 1807. 

There was an Isaac Taylor also, who 
used to make potash some GO years ago, 
near the old bridge-place. Israel Taylor 
and Betsey, his wife, had twins, Hu Id ah 
and Sally, b. Nov. 11, 1800. 

No school-house was built for the use 
of the school in this district. At first 
the district rented a part of Zebulon 



DISTRICT NO. 3, WEST 
on the hill comprised in 1810, nine fam- 
ilies, James Mann, Josiah Ward, Nath- 
aniel Bixby, Stephen Munn, Samuel 
Stoddard, Jonathan Tenney, Ainasa 
Child, Jonathan Tenney, Jr., Samuel 
Laughton. 

JAMES MUNN, 

known as Elder James Munn, though 
he was not a licensed preacher, yet, ns 
he preached several years. Elder Munn 
m. Anna Rogers. Sept. 3. 1789. Their 
children were : James, b. 1 790, Abijah, 
1792, George, 1793, Betsey, 1796, 
Sally, 1798, Hosea, 1801. William R., 
J806. 

Stephen Muun, who married Naomi 
Pcrhani, Oct. 4, 1798, had a family of 
10 children. 

Darius Munn, m. Lois Z wears had 
Daniel, Jr. b. 1795. 

SAMUEL STODDARD. 

David, the father of Samuel, was 
from Massachusetts and settled in Ches- 
terfield, N. H, lie married Joanna 
Kingsly and they had 9 children, — 



DUMMERKTON. 



187 



Thomas, David, Eleazer, Lemuel, Asa, 
Samuel, Joseph, Jemima* and Abigail. 
He was a commissioned officer, Lieu- 
tenant? m the Revolutionary army, and 
died in the service - 

Samuel was born in Chesterfield. May 
IK 1767; came to Du miners ton about 
179 5 au d p u r c h a se <1 1 a n d on w h a t is n o w 
called Stoddard II ill. When he had 
made a clearing and was ready to bum 
his first piece, he notified friends in 
Chesterfield, and they witnessed the co n - 
fla greet ion 10 miles a- way in plain sight 
of the old homestead. He m. Zuruiah 
Richmond, Mar, 7, 1798 ; their children 
were: Samuel, Jr,, b. 1798, Anna, b. 
1801, Lydia, b. 1803, Levi, h , June 
30. 1 806, William, b, 3808, Sibyl, 

The children of Levi, who m. Ermine, 
grand- daughter of Capt. John Wyman, 
a Revolutionary soldier, are Alonzo TL, 
Horace R., Ephraim S., Eliza L,, Rose 
A,, and Anna C, Horace resides on 
the parental form, 

DISTRICT TO. 4, WEST 
had ten families in 1810, as follows: 
8 top hen Ben nett, D an i el G oss t R ich arc! 
Dean, Joseph Bennett, Asa Parish, 
Luke Butterfield, Zebulon Goss, Jona- 
than Child, John Whipple, Pain P, 
Brown, 

LT. STEPHEN UENNETT 

was the son of Stephen Bennett who 
m. Hannah Turner, His parents came 
from Mansfield, Ct, He died Apr. 19, 
1807 aged 70, and was buried In the 
gr a ve -y a r d u e a r t.l i c ol d dm rcl i on West 
hill. The children were : John, Uriah 
who was a physician ; Eunice, married 
Nathaniel Muni] : Serna, m* K leaser 
Chur eh ; Meh i tab le , i n . II o race T u r n e r ; 
Polly , who m, u Capt/' Wm. Holton. 

Stephen Bonnet t removed with his 
family from Mansfield, Ct. T to a farm 
in Brut tie boro near the Samuel Martin 



place, formerly owned by Mr. Muim. 
IT is son, Lt. Stephen, bought a farm in 
Dimunersion in 1780, made a clearing 
and built a house near where the sugar- 
house now stands and not, far from the 
site of the present buildings ou the place. 
He m Ruth Fellows and their children 
were t 

Serna, b. Mar. 9, 1791, unmarried 
and now living in Brattle boro at the age 
of 91 in the enjoyment of good health 
and strength and a competence for her 
declining years. 

QrrenL., now living, b.ScpL 15, 1792, 
lives on the parental arm where lie has 
resided 00 years ; Olive, l>. 5 Aug, 4, 
1794, m. Reuben Thayer and removed 
1 0 N e w Y l ) rk ; L u ci n da , b . M ay % 3 4 
1796, ni, David Merrick, half brother 
to Re n 1 k j n 1 f h ay or an d re mo v ed to N c w 
York; Almira, b. July 31, 1800, un- 
married, lived with her sister, Serna, in 
Brattleboro, and died in 1880. 

Lt, Stephen sold his farm to his son. 
Or mu and went back to the old home- 
stead in Brattleboro where he died and 
was buried in that town. Onvn m. 
Sarah, daughter of Stephen Bowker, of 
Walpole, N. H. She was born in West- 
moreland, N, II., in 1800, and is now 
living. Her father was uncle to the late 
S. Wright B&wker, of Ncwiaue, The 
children of Orron vvere ; Stephen 1L, 
Oscar L. F., Henry C., George R. and 
Sarah Jane, 

Samuel Bennett, Sen., was uncle to 
Lt. Stephen, and his children were: 
Samuel, Jr., Emery, Charles, Jesse, 
Lydia, and Lucy, who m. James Lur 
rabee. Samuel* Jr., m, Hephzibah 
Foster, Mar. 1G, 1800. Charles, m* 
Sally Graves, Dec. 6, 1805. Jesse, m. 
Tryphenia Black of Putney, July 14, 
1805, J u 1 i a Ben u e tt , mar i i ed Yo rai 1 li s 
Larrabee, Mar, 20, 1808, probably sis- 



188 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



ter to Lydia who m. Benjamin Willard. 
Joseph Bennett, a brother of Samuel, 
married a Whipple and settled where! 
Lyman Dean has since lived. 

DANIEL GOSS 

was bom in Mendon, Mass. Nov. 23, 
1764. His parents were Zebulon and 
Mary Goss, whose children were : Dan- 
iel, Henry, Zebulon, William, Enos. 
Hannah, Clarissa, Sally and Priscilla. 

Daniel, m. Tirzah Prouty, born in 
Mendon, Mass., Feb. 15, 1769, died 
1843, aged 84; children: Clarissa, b. 
in Dummerston, Mar. 8, 1 793, married 
James Eastman, of Newfane ; 

Zebulon, b. Sept. 12, 1794, married 
Betsey Chamberlain ; 

Amanda, b. Dec. 9, 1795 ; Polly, b. 
Sept. 27, 1797, mar. Samuel Morse; 
Cynthia, b. July 13, 1799, m. a Prouty. 
Nancy, 1807 ; William, 1809, m. Lucy 
Belknap ; Lovinia, iu. Edson Whipple. 
Henry Goss, m. Polly Wood of Men- 
don. Zebulon, m. Delany Prouty, sis- 
ter of Daniel’s wife. William, married 
Eunice Wood. Enos, m. Sally Wood. 
Hannah, m. Richard Dean. Clarrisa, 
married Henry Walker, of Rutland. 
Pricilla, m. John Saddler of Upton. 
Mass. 

Zebulon and Delana Goss’s children 
were : Irena, b. Feb. 17. 1801, ra. John 
Manley ; Orra, Aug. 25, 1802, married 
Frances, dau. of Col. Rawson of Men- 
don ; Harriet, May 25, 1804, married 
Daniel, son of Dea. Luke Taylor, of 
Newfane; Henry, Jan. 20, 1806, m. 
Betsey, dau. of Luke Kendall ; 

Dec. 19, 1807 ; Roswell, Oct 
d. unmarried ; Chester, Aug. 27, 1811. 
died a sea-faring man ; Emery, March 
28, 1813, m. Mary Wood of Boston; 
Melinda, Jan. 8, 1815, married Joseph 
Tilden of Boston ; Daniel, Jan. 25, 
1817,, lived in Boston ; Hannah, Aug. 



12, 1819, and Lydia, July 17, 1821, cL 
young. 

The children of Enos and Sally Goss 
were : Austin who m. Deborah Newton, 
of Newfane ; Mary, ra. David Murphy, 
of Boston ; Harriet, m. Alouzo Dutton ; 
Charlotte, ra. Sumner Ballou, of Men- 
don ; Elizabeth and Adelia, not. mar- 
ried ; Sarah, married Kbenezer Taft, of 
Mendon; George W., in. M eh i table 
Hitchcock, of Westminster ; Laura Ann 
remaned single; Charles E., married 
Mclvina, dau. of Dr. Cyrus Butterfield. 
S>dly, wife of Enos Goss, d. Mar. 4 ? 
1865, aged 83. 

RICHARD DEAN 

and Hannah Goss, his wife, uere the 
parents of Henry, b. Aug. 17. 1800, 
married in Boston and became wealthy ; 
Dolly, b. 1803, married Martin, sou of 
Rufus Moore ; Lyman, born 1807, m. 
Olive Salisbury ; Mary, married Orra 
Johnson ; Austin married a Thayer and 
had a family of 13 children. 

ASA parish 

married Lovina Cary, Apr. 29, 1791 ; 
children : Anson, C.,b. July 18, 1792, 
m. Sarah Chamberlain, 1816 ; Juljaetta, 
b. Jan. 20, 1795, m. Capt. William 
Walker, a brother of Dr. Sewail Walk- 
er ; Nathaniel, m, Mary, daughter of 
; Samuel Miller. Asa Parish died Feb. 
1, 1830, aged 61. He built the two 
story brick house iu. which he lived 
mauy years. The school was kept iu 
his house before the first school-house 
in the district was built. Orren L. 
Bennett went to school there when he 
Five dwelling houses 
this neighborhood were built of brick, 
made iu that vicinity. The brick-yard 
was located about 100 rods south from 
the James Chase place, and was owned 
by Lt. Steplieu Benuett and Zebulou 
Goss. Mr. Goss had charge of the 
work in the brick-yard. 



Mary, was a small boy. 
17, 1809, | i n 



DUMMEttSTON. 



189 



LUKE BUTT Eft FIELD 

lived near where the school-house now 
stands and which first stood at the top 
of the hill south from its present situa- 
tion, He married, 1st, Polly Farr, of 
Chesterfield, N. H . , had one sou Alpha, 
lame, and a tailor by trade ; 2d wife, 
Mercy Field ; children : Mary, married 
James Lamb, of Halifax ; Susanna died 
aged 18 ; Luke, Jr-, manned Sophronia 
Kellogg, of Mexico, N. Y. ; Zen as, m. 
Mercy Ware, sister of Dr, Cyrus Bub- 
terfleld’s wife ; Fanny, m. Obcd, son of 
Cupt. Ellis Griffith ; Sophia, m. Vfm. 
Huntley of Mexico, N. Y. ; Almond* 
m- Aimyra, da u, of Moses Roel and 
removed to Mexico, N. Y, ; Emily, 
m. Thomas, son of Gamaliel Arnold ; 
Franklin, married Mary, dan, of Lot 
Holland, and lived during his life on the 
old homestead, which is owned and 
occupied by John F. Butterfield, his 
son, 

CAFT. EZRA BUTTERFIELD, 

a brother of Luke, resided in Dis. No, 

l, West, on the road leading south to 
Wiekopee 1-Iill. He was born Oct- 21, 
1719, m. Martini Hadley, b. Jan. 29, 
1780. She was, probably, a sister of 
Benjamin Hadley ; children : Ezra, Jr, 
b. Apr, 19, 1778; Ebmieser, Feb. 1, 
1780; Zen as, Feb- 22, 1782, m. Sally 
Turner, of Putney, Dec. 1, 1803 ; Su- 
sanna, Aug, 2, 1785, m. Seth Woods. 
1805; Samuel, July 17, 1787, married 
Polly Miller, May 8, 1805 ; Martha- 
May 22, 1790 ; Cyrus, Mar. 15, 1791 ; 
N abby , 1793; Levi ,1794; Be njam in , 
1 79 7 Ebe n o z t r , in. M art ha T 1 1 o m pso n , 
Dec. 4, 1803; children; Aimyra and 
Jesse. The children of Zcnas and Sally 
were; Alanson, born Oct, 20, 1804, 
D i an tl i a, Z cn as , J I an n ah , S avu h , Ezra , 
Betsey and Lucy, Polly Butterfield, 

m. James Lamb, Jan. 1C, 1811. 



DR, CVRUg BUTTERFIELD 

was not a physician in the regular prac- 
tice, having made no special preparation 
for his profession. He married Lucy 
Ware and their children were : Diana 
who m. Alfred Pi'outy, of Brattleboro ; 
Harriet, m. Charles Harris ; Sylvia, m. 
Wilder Hudson ; Philena, m. Elijah 
Reed ; Melvina, m. 1st, Charles E. 
Goss, 2d, Henry Aldrich. 

JONATHAN CHILD 

married Abiah Larrabce, Feb. 1 1 , 1788, 
both of Dummerston ; childr.n : Jona- 
than, Jr., b. Oct. 30, 1788; Abiah, 
Dec, 28, 1790. 

JOHN WHIPPLE, 

He married, it is supposed, B&fchusa 
Eleanor Hutchins ; children ; Betsey, 
b. 1790, married Daniel Aldrich ; John, 
1791, m. Margaret Willard ; I) humus, 
1792* m. George Better ley of New Fane ; 
Folly, 1794, married a Howe ; Samuel, 
Alfred, Laura, Edson, Elvira, Maria. 

DISTRICT NO, V, WEST. 

A new school-house was built in this 
district* on the site of the old one, iu 
1880. The first school- house stood some 
40 rods farther south than the new one, 
and opposite where the road leading 
from the Moore place joins the main 
road to B rat tl chore, Calvin Hal lad ay 
reported, officially, 32 scholars in the 
district in 1820. The following famil- 
ies resided here in 1 S 1 U : John Morse, 
Samuel Morse* Ellis Griffith, Asaph 
Pelt ingill, Gamaliel Arnold, Lemuel 
Graham, Joel Stock well, Jonas Stoek- 
well and Rufus Moore. 

CAPT. ELLIS GRIFFITH 

m a r y \ ed El i zab eth , abou t. 1787; 

children : Betsey, b. Sept. 7, 1789, m. 
Albert Burgess of Providence, R, I, ; 
WaitstilL Nov. 2, 1791 ; Obetl, Jan. 5, 
1793, married Fanny Butterfield and 



100 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



removed to Mexico* N. Y. ; Mary, 
Nov. 12, 1704, m. Calvin Halladay ; 
Lydia, Sep! 10, 1798, unmarried ; Ru- 
by H., Nov. 3. 1807, m. Abel Moore. 

GAMALIEL ARNOLD 

married Catherine, daughter of John 
Wheeler, of Newfane. She was born 
in 1771; children: Mary, b. 1792; 
Darius, 1 793, d. 1795 ; Catherine, 1790 ; 
Gamaliel, Jr., 1797 ; Thomas. 1798, 
m. Emily Butterfield, Feb. 28, 1827 ; 
Clark, 1801; Betty, 1802; Serena, 
1S04; George, 1808; Wheeler, 1810. 
Sally Aruold m. Henry Holland, Jan. 
28, 1827. 



j she was sick several months and died 
Dec. 10, 1837, aged 36. Elder Win. 
II. Hodges, a Methodist preacher for 
20 years on Dnmiuerston West Hill, 
preached her funeral sermon. 

The children of Rufus and Anna 
Stoekwell were: Jonas F. b, 1812. m. 
Lucinda Jillson of Newfane; Caroline, 
b. 1814, ni. Charles Tracy, of Vernon, 
Ct. ; Adnline, b. 181 7, m. Hiram Rowe 
of New Haven, Ct. : Rufus, D. born 
1821, d. 1828 ; Lucy, b. 1823. unmar- 
ried. Dcnslow M. Stoekwell, son of 
Jonas F., lives on the parental farm. 

LliMl'EL GRAHAM 



JONAS STOCK WELL 

married Susanna Wheeler, dau. of John 
Wheeler, of Newfane. She was born 
in 1762, and her sister Mary, b. 1767, 
m. Joel Stoekwell, brother of Jonas. 
The children of Jonas and Susanna 
were; Anson, b. Aug. 26, 1783 ; 

Rufus, b. Nov. 3, 1785, m. Anna 
Halladay, of Marlboro ; 

Luciuda, born Mar. 21, 1788, mar- 
ried April 20, 1815, John Estabrook 
of Brattleboro ; 

Luke, b. Dec. 11, 1789, lived on the 
parental farm after the death of his 
father, m. Anna Nichols still living at 
the age of 87 ; 

Susanna, b. 1793, d. 1796 ; 

Sarah Jedidah, b. Sept. 23, 1794, m. 
John Clark, sou of Thomas Clark, Mar. 
8 1 1 1818 ; 

Susanna, 2d, b. Sept. 29, 1799, m. 
George Nichols still, living at 85 years 
and son of James who died Mar. 30, 
1863 aged 98. 

John W. b. Sept. 29, 1799 ; 

Melinda, b. Oct. 26, 1801, unmar- 
ried. She was a school teacher many 
years, taught in the summer of 1835 in 
district No. 1, East near the home of 
her brother-in-law, John Clark, where 



married Eunice Burnham, Aug. 12, 
1784 ; children ; Luke, 1). Feb. 10, 1785, 
m. Mary ? Lamb ; Eunice, b. April 
29, 1788, m. Joseph Coughlin, who re- 
sided near the central part of the town 
where B. F. Willard now lives ; Caleb, 
b. Sept. 16, 1789, m. Mercy Burnham, 
Nov 18, 1813; Anna, b. Sept. 6, 
1791 ; Samuel, b. Oct. 1793 ; Lemuel. 
Jr., July 16, 1795; Betsey, b. April 1, 
1800; Sophia, b. Feb. 11, 1802, m. 
Win. Roekwood ; Theda, b. April 11, 
1804, m. a Comstock ; Alanson and 
Lyman, twins, born Mar. 31, 1806; 
Carter, b. July 8, 1808 ; Andrew horn 
1811. 

Andrew Graham, brother of Lemuel, 
died Mar. 26, 1807. His wife, Submit, 
died Feb. 13, 1803. Molly Graham, 
in. John Hill, Mar. 8, 1786. Lieut. 
Richard Coughlin, the father of Joseph, 
was a resident of Chesterfield. N. II.. 
where his children were born. His wife 
was Sarah . He was a Revolution- 

ary soldier arid died in the service. His 
children were : Thomas. Joseph, George, 
Richard, Sally, Melinda, Susan and 
Eunice. 

George married a Wait ; Melinda, m. 
Seth Herrick of Brattleboro ; Sally, m. 



DUMM ERSTON. 



191 



Henry Potter, Mar. 10, 1807 ; Susan, 
m. a Jndson ; Eunice, married Joseph 
Herrick of Brattloboro. 

The children of Joseph Coughlin 
were : Merritt, who married Mary Ann 
Tenney ; Obcd G., Alary Ami, Lemuel 
G., Julia Ann, and Charles H. 

RUFUS MOORE 

married Rachel Moore and their child- 
ren were : Martin, b. Feb. 11, 1804; 
Abel, b. Jan* 24, 1806; Emily, Jao. 
26, 1808. 

Martin married Dolly Dean and had 
Martin H., Rufus A., Laura and George 
D. Abel, in. Ruby II., daughter of 
Capt. Ellis Griffith. 

Abel Moore, .a resident of the town, 

m. Lois , and their children were: 

Mary Ann, b. Aug. 6 1809 ; Betsey 
1\, Lucy w., John W., Abe! H., 
Gardner M., and Dana R., b. 1820. 

JOHN FOSTER 

married Abigail Hudson. Children : 
Joel 8., b. Oct. 31, 1805 ; Samuel W., 
b. June 26, 1806 ; Maria, b. Feb. 12, 
ISOS'! Spcucer F.. b. Mar. bo, 1810; 
Mary, b. , ra. Chester French. 

Skeltou Foster may have been a bro- 
ther of John Foster. 

Willard Foster married Hannah, dau. 
of Capt. Sttth Briggs. She was born 
Dec. 22, 1785. 

Dr. Stephen Sewn.ll Foster married 
Sally, dau. of Daniel Belknap. She 
was born, May 14, 1795. No ivcord 
of children. 

COL. A. b. FOSTER, 
f Burungton Free Press. 1 
whose sudden death, at Montreal, -has 
so shocked his numerous friends, was 
born in Dummerston, in 1817, but re- 
moved with his father, the late Dr. 
Stephen Sowell Foster, to F rostvillage, 
2 miles from Waterloo, P. Q., when he 



was 4 years old. He was educated in 
Canada, until twenty, when he joined 
his uncle, S. F. Belknap, the celebrated 
railroad contractor, with whom he was 
extensively engaged in constructing rail- 
roads iu Massachusetts, Maine, and 
V ermont. After fi fteen successful years 
he returned from the United States to 
Canada, and launched into railway en- 
terprises of magnitude. Ilis first con- 
tract was on the Grand Trunk from 
Richmond to Quebec. This was fol- 
lowed by the Stanstead, ShetFord and 
Chambly, connecting St. Johns with 
Waterloo. He next built the South- 
eastern, from West Farnham to New- 
port, and made the extension of the 
Canada Central from Sand Point to 
Pembroke. He also received the con 
tvact from the Canada Central from 
Nipissing. He was elected in 1858 
member for She (Ford in the Canada 
Assembly. After 2 years, he resigned 
and was returned by acclamation to the 
Legislative Council for the district of 
Bedford. On the accomplishment of 
confederation he was appointed to the 
Senate of the Dominion, from which he 
retired 2 years since on receiving a con- 
tract for the construction of the Geor- 
gian Bay Branch of the Pacific Rail 
way. He has lately been actively en- 
gaged in making arrangements to com- 
plete his contract. Financial troubles 
overtook him sometime ago, but he was 
hoping aud laboring with energy to re- 
lieve himself. He had long been afflicted 
with heart disease, which is hereditary 
in his family. Last June, in Saratoga, 
he sulFered severely, and after his incar- 
ceration, two weeks ago, in Irasburgh 
jail, he had another attack. His phy- 
sicians prescribed rest for him, and 
counselled him to beware of excitement. 
The recent trouble which lie lias had, 
no doubt, hastened his death. Mr. 



102 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Foster had a mania for building roads, 
and he not only invested all his own 
money in them, but induced his friends 
likewise to embark in such speculations* 
The result of his almost herculean labors 
lms been to serve the Dominion rather 
than to bring any substantial reward to 
his own family* His remains were re- 
moved to Waterloo for interment. 



Elder Stone who resigned in 1789, be- 
cause his mind was much troubled about 
the u perplexing necessities” of life. 
When the record (doses for that year, 
the church was unwilling to accept Elder 
Stone’s resignation* 

Jesse Manley was church clerk in 
1791 and held the position. Sept, 17, 
1794, when the old record closes, which 
is a book of 75 pages. 



CHURCH HISTORY. 

CHAPTER IV, 

THE BAPTIST CHURCH OF WEST 
DUMMERSTON 

According to the minutes of the gen- 
eral convention of Baptist churches iu 
Vermont, this church was organized in 
1783. The earliest record of the church, 
recently found, begins Apr. 12, 1789. 
On that day the church voted to adopt 
the new articles of faith and covenant* 
They had no place for public worship 
other than to meet at private dwellings. 
The locality where the meetings were 
then held, is now school district No. 6, 
Instead of No. 1 West, whore the meet- 
ing-house now stands. At that time 
meetings were held mostly at the houses 
of Samuel Wakefield and Jesse Manley. 
Elder Joel Butler was invited to assist 
in one of those meetings, but it is not 
certain that he had previously been their 
pastor, John Manly, Jr., and Jesse 
Manley had been serving the church as 
deacons, but were released Aug. 9, 
1 7 8 9 * At that time tli e ch u rcb a s aessed 
and collected u sums to support the 
gospel.” 

ELDER STOKE 

had the pastoral care of the church for 
a short time, but asked a dismission 
that year* No record for 1790. The 
church in Jamaica sent a letter Mur. 13, 
1791, asking that Isaiah Stone be dis- 
missed to their church* May be this is 



Feb. 18, 1792. The church voted 
that it was the deacons’ work io take 
care of the poor of the church and pro- 
vide for the coin ni union. 

J a ue 1 , 1792, El e ven pe r so ns we re 
admitted to the church. On the same 
day it was voted that u our brethren in 
the south part of Marlboro should be. a 
branch of our church with full power to 
r ec civ e m em hers * 1 ' John Mu n 1 ey , J r . , 
was chosen clerk of that branch. 

Nino persons were admitted to the 
church, July 22, 1792, and the same 
number, Aug, 26, 1792. 

It was voted that Brother Wakefield 
should improve his gift steady for fur- 
ther satisfaction ; and it was the opinion 
of the church that Rr* Beriah Willis 
u has a gift that may be proftehell in 
Zion.’* 

Sept. 13, 1792, the church met at the 
house of Abel Rugbee in Putney and 
admitted to the church 13 persons, who 
were residents of that locality. Jesse 
Manly was chosen deacon that year. 
Elder Isaac Kenney, of Richmond, N. 
IL, preached several times during the 
year, for which he received £10 from 
individ u als. 

Dec. 8, 1792. The church voted to 
act on a request from a society on the 
west side of West river, which is the 
first evidence on record that a society 
existed iu that locality* The request 
was that Dr* Samuel Wakefield should 



DTTMM ERSTO X . 



193 



be permitted to preach to them* He 
had recently been urged to improve liis 
gift with a view to preaching : also the 
church had asked him to serve them as 
deacon. Br. Wakefield received u lib- 
erty to improve his gift where he should 
judge duty/’ Micah French, Jr., was 
chosen deacon. 

Aug. 20, 1792. The church voted 
that Bro. Micah French, ,Tr., Samuel 
Manley, James Mann, Enos Philips, 
and Luke Taylor should take the lead 
•of singing in public meeting. 

BR. RUFUS FR REMAIN 
was requested to come and see the 
church. May 3, 1793, he received 4 ‘a 
call to take the pastoral cane of this 
church.’* 

Jan. 26, 1793. The church met at 
Putney West Hill and admitted to the 
church nine persons. Bro. Stehbcns was 
chosen to take the lead on the Sabbath 
of the brethren in Putney. 

Rufus Freeman and Phehc, his wife 
were admitted by letter from the church 
in Fitz william, N. If. He was ordained 
over the church in West Dummerston, 
Sept. 4, 1793. The ordination took 
place at the house of James Mauley. 
The churches invited were Richmond, 
N. H., Marlboro, Royalston, Mass., 
Guilford [west part under Elder Jacobs], 
Fitz william, and Putney. 

The place where Jesse Mauley lived 
in 1793, was bought by the church for 
£58 [Si 93 1 3] as a home for Elder 
Freeman. For a time he preached 
every third Sabbath at Grassy Brook in 
Putney. 

Oct. 20, 1793. The church voted to 
assist the brethren in Putney to ordain 
them an elder- Elder Freeman, Jesse 
Manley, Micah French, Jr., Ezekiel 
Wilson, Seth Hudson and Samuel 
Wakefield were sent for that purpose. 

25 



Apr. 24, 1 794. The brethren at Marl- 
boro sent a letter requesting to be set otf, 
and Elder Freeman, Samuel Wakefield, 
Micah French, Seth Hudson were sent 
by the church to aid m the exercises. 

Aug. 2, 1794, Dea. Jesse Manley, 
who was in trouble with the church 
about a trade with a brother member, 
was called on and requested c< to take 
his place and travel with the church. 

No orber record of the early church 
has been found at the time of this 
writing. 

In 1811, Seth Hudson and Jotham 
Burnett were a committee to revise the 
names on the church record. They 
reported 103 resident members. The 
whole number recorded at that time was 
215. It is not certain when the first 
meeting-house was built in West Dum- 
merston. The first building occupied 
by the church was purchased in Guil- 
ford, taken down and erected on the site 
of the church now occupied by the so- 
ciety. When it became unserviceable, 
it was removed a few rods south from 
its old foundation and converted into a 
store and dwelling-house. The post- 
office is now kept in this store which is 
owned and occupied by John E. Town- 
send as merchant and post-master. 

THE LATE RECORDS 

of the church begin Nov. 29, 1827, 
when the First and Second Baptist 
Church were united. A division in the 
church had existed for a long time ; but 
it does not appear expedient to write up 
the causes of separation. At the time 
of the union, Elder Jonathan Huntley 
was pastor, and Jesse Manley, Luke 
Taylor, and Oliver Carpenter, Jr., were 
deacons. 

Elder Jerome Packer was pastor, aud 
Oliver Carpenter and Daniel Jones were 
deacons in IS40. Joel Chandler was 
church clerk many years. S. W. Wil- 



104 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



sou held the place a long time* aud for 
the last few years George Everleth has 
been clerk of the church. 

ADDITIONAL STATISTICS 

That have been furnished to the wri- 
ter since the above was written : 

In L818 and 1819* Elder Mansfield 
Bruce was pastor of one divisiou of the 
church aud Elder Huntley of the other. 

Elder Ziba Howard was pastor in 
1834, and remained with the church till 
1840. 

After Elder Jerome Packer’s pastor- 
ate ended, Elder Pliineas Howe became 
preacher, Aug. 27, 1842. 

In 1859, H. B. Streeter was their 
minister. 

F. M. Mace was resident pastor in 

1863. 

Rev. Mark Carpenter, of Townshend 
preached for the church in 1866 and 
again in 1879 when he was 78 years 
of age. 

Rev. Jonas G. Bennett was pastor 
in 1869. 

Rev. A. N. Woodruff had the pastoral 
care in 1875, and Rev. C. J. Wilson 
in 1881. 

Rev. €. R. Powers is pastor for 1884. 

The oldest deacons of the church 
now living, are Dea. John Greenwood 
and Dea. J. Bartlett Estey. 

John K. Leonard was deacon in 1867 
and served till his death in 1875. 

Sidney II. Barrett was chosen dea- 
con, Apr. 5, 1884. 

The church uow occupied by the so- 
ciety, was built in 1859. James A. 
Chase was chosen clerk in 1843, Benja- 
miu Stiekney in 1858, S. W. Wilson in 

1864, and George Everleth in 1879. 

DIVIDEND OF SCHOOL MONEY, 
to the town treasurer of Dummerston 
for the year 1820 : 

( This report was found among the old 
papers of John B. Miller. ) 



School Districts ; By whom returned ; 
Number of scholars. 

District 1 returned by Austin Birchard* 
80 scholars and $21,20. 

District 2 returned by Joseph Bemis ; 

54 scholars and $14,31. 

District 3 returned by John Sargcant; 

45 scholars and $11,93. 

District 4 returned by Elder Allen ; 33 
scholars and $8,74. 

District 5 returned by Asa Boy den ; 11 
scholars and $10,865. 

District 6 returned by Samuel Frencli ; 
63 scholars and $16,695. 

District 7 returned by Lyman Walker; 
28 scholars and 87,42. 

District 8 returned by Doctor Boyden ; 

75 scholars and $19,875. 

William Wheeler and others, 9 schol- 
ars and 82, 3S5. 

WEST SIDE OF WEST BIYER. 

Distrct 1 returned by Jotiinm Burner. ; 
89 scholars and $23,585. 

District. 2 returned by Elder Levi Dun- 
ham ; 52 scholars and $13,78. 
District 3 returned by James A. Chase ; 

35 scholars and 89,275. 

District 4 returned by Richard Dean ; 

20 scholars and $5, 30. 

District 5 returned by Calvin Holiday ; 

32 scholars and 88,48. 

Total No. of scholars 656 aud $173,84. 

James A. Chase, i 
AlVINE KNAPr, J' TRUSTEES. 
Peter Willard, ) 

Dummerston, April 3d, A. D. 1820, 

The population of the town in 1820 
was 1658. In 1880, the population was 
816. The number of scholars attend- 
ing school was 183 ; between the ages 
of 5 and 20 years, 177. The public 
money divided in 1880 was $360,52. 



DUMMERSTON. 



H)5 



ROI+L OP HONOR. 

OIJB SOLlMER.Sf 18G1-JMG5. 

VOLUNTEERS FOR THREE YEARS, 

Credited previous to the call for 
Three Hundred Thousand Volunteers, 

Oct 47, 1863- 
William H. foster, 
the first, soldier from this town in the 
late war, enlisted May 1, 1861, in Go. 
C, 2d* Regiment ; He was promoted 
Sergeant, and must* ml out of service 
June 29, 1864. 

WILLIAM S* JUDD* 

enlisted Oct* 24, 1861, in Co* F, 1st 
I teg. Cav* ; discharged Dec. *28, 1863; 
re-enlisted Jan. 2, 1864 ; promoted cor- 
poral , Sept. 11, sergeant;, May l, ana 
mustered out of service July 31st, 1865. 

FREDERICK A. RICE, 

enlisted, Sept. 4* 1861. us a musician * 
Co. F, 4th Reg. ; sick in hospital near 
Washington ; died Jan. 29, 1862, aged 
J 9 years. 

SYLVESTER C, BURLINGAME, 

enlisted Aug. 27, 1861, Co. F, 4th 
Reg.; discharged Mar. 5, 1862; re- 
eu listed May 27 ; promoted sergeant, 
July 9 ; wounded severely at the battle 
of Chapin's Pam. Sept. 29. 1864; pro- 
moted 2d Lieut*, Dec* 30 : mustered out 
June 18, 1865, 

CHARLES W. U A NS FIELD, 

enlisted May 28 , 1862; Co*K* 9th. 
Reg. ; taken prisoner at Harper’s Perry, 
Sept. 15 ; soon after paroled ; sent to 
Chicago, afterwards exchanged ; re- 
lumed io Newbcrn, j>$* C. ; sick in hos- 
pital nt Mo rebead City ; sent to the hos- 
pital at Brattle boro, Vt. , Jan* 1864 ; 
returned to his Reg, at Newbern, Apr* 
22 ; died in the hospital Apr. 29, 1864. 
in his 18tb year. \ 



JOSEPH 0, MANSFIELD 
enlisted, Aug. 11, 1862 in Company K 
llth* Regiment, While in Fort Slo- 
cum, near Washington, he wa# taken 
sick with typhoid fever which terminat- 
ed fatally, Ger. 1 Uli., 1863. He was 
in the 25th year of his age at the time 
of his death. 

WILLIAM IJ. MANSFIELD 
enlisted. Aug. 11, 1862, in Company 
E, 11th, Regiment, promoted corporal, 
Sept, ] st, discharged on account of sick- 
ness* July 30. 1863, and died Mar. 11. 
1867, aged 26 years. 

DANIEL G. OKMSBEE 

enlisted, Aug. 11th. 1863, in Company 
E, 11 tli Regiment, was promoted corp- 
oral, Dac. 28, 1863, and died at Alex- 
andria, Va*, June 11th 1864, of wounds 
received in buttle at Cold Harbor June 
1, 1864, aged 23 years, 

HERBERT J. K NIGHT 

enlisted, Aug* 1 1 , 1862 in Company E 
11th Regiment and was discharged Jan* 
20, 1865. 

FRANK UN W. KNIGHT 

enlisted, Ang. 11, 1862 ; was wounded 
in battle; had one of his feet amputa- 
ted; was discharged, Aug. Jl, 1865, 

ISAAC EL SIBLEY 

enlisted, Aug. U, 1362. hi Company 
E 11th Regiment; wounded in action 
and mustered out of service, June 21, 
1865. 

JAMES B* MACK LIT 

enlisted July 21, 1862, in Company E 
1 Itk. Reg i m en t , an d w as j n us te red out 
of service, June 20, 1865. 

DEXTER B. DEAN 

enlisted, Aug, 11, 1862, in Company E 
lltli Regiment. fie was discharged, 
Dec* 31. 1362, and died in 1863, aged 
19 years* 



196 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



FRANCIS H. MORSE 

enlisted in Company E 11th Regiment, 
Aug. 11th, 18G2; was promoted corpor- 
al, Oet. 11th 1864 and mustered out of 
service, June 4, 1865. 

CHARLES R. CHAMBERLAIN 

enlisted, Aug. 23, 1861 in Co. F, 4th 
Reg., disced, Apr, 3, 1862, aged 19. 

JAMES P. U. RAN DOLL 

enlisted. May 28, 1862, in Company 
K, 9th Regiment, and was in the ser- 
vice three years. 

JOHN F. MORSE 

enlisted Aug. 11, 1862, in Company ,E 
11th., Regiment, and died, Feb. 17, 
1863 r aged 19 years. 

FRANKLIN STOCKVTELL 
enlisted Sept. 6, 1861, was musician 
in Co. F, 4th Reg. ; re-enlisted, Dec. 
15, 1863 ; transferred from Co. F, to 
Co. B, Feb. 25, 1865; mustered out 
July 13, 1865. 

LOTAL SMITH. 

Loyal Smith, Jr., enlisted Aug. 20. 
1861, Co. G, 4 th Reg, ; died at Hagers- 
town, Md., Nov. 25, 1862, aged 22. 

ANDREW J. HOWE 

enlisted, in Co. F, Sept. 28, 186J, 1st. 
Cavalry Regiment, and mustered out 
Nov. 18, 1864. 

JOHN S. JILLSON 

enlisted in Company F Sept. 12, 1861, 
1st. Cavalry Regiment; mustered out* 
Nov. 18, 1864. 

SAMUEL W. ESTEY 

enlisted, Aug. 24, 1861, in Co. F, 4th. 
Reg. ; promoted corporal ; mustered oat 
Sept. 30, 1864. 

ZELOTES BURLINGAME 

enlisted, Nov. 23, 1861, in Co. H, 2d. 
Reg. U. S. Sharp Shooters ; died Oct. 
7, 1862, aged 43 years. 



ABNER L, BUTTERFIELD 

enlisted, Dec. 5, 1861, in Co. H, 2d* 
Reg. U. S. S. S. ; discharged in 1862. 

WALTER ELMER 

enlisted, Aug. 11, 1862, in Co. E, 11th. 
Reg. ; promoted corporal, July 1, 1863, 
sergeant, Oct. 2, 1 864 ; and mustered 
out of service, June, 24, 1865. 

GEORGE H. KNIGHT 

enlisted, Aug. 16, 1862, in Co. C. 2d. 
Reg. ; wounded in action ; discharged. 
May 3d, 1863. 

WARREN HERSEY 

enlisted, in Company F, First Cavalry 
Regiment. 

HENRY D. EVERLETH 

enlisted, Nov. 19, 1861, in 2d. Reg. 
Co. II, U. S. S. S. ; discharged March 
24, 1863 ; died in 1863, aged 20. 

Anson Buxton and Hosea Stone en- 
listed from other towns and are credited 
to Durnnierston. 

The following names are credits un- 
der the call of Oct. 17, 1863, for 300. 
000 volunteers, and subsequent calls. 

Volunteers For Three Years, 

WILLIAM D. AIKEN 

enlisted, Jan. 2, 1864, in Co. K, 9th. 
Reg. ; transferred to Co. C, June 13, 

1864 ; promoted corporal, July 22d., 

1865 ; mustered out Dec. 1, 1865. 

HARRISON K. BACON 

enlisted Jan. 2*, 1864, in Co. K, 7th. 
Regiment ; wounded at Chapin’s Farm, 
Sept. 29, 1864 ; transferred to Co. C, 
by reason of consolidation of regiment 
June 1, 1865 ; promoted corporal June 
15; 2d. Lieut. Co, C, July 3; 1st 
Lieut. Nov. 17 ; mustered out, Dec. 1, 
1865 ; died July 22, 1866, aged 24. 
CHARLES L. DODGE 

enlisted Dec.. 4, 1863, in Co. K, 9th. 



DUMMERSTON. 



197 



Reg. ; (lied at Brattlehoro, Vt., Deo. 5, 
1861 ; aged 17. 

WLLLIAM H. MARSH A LI. 

enlisted Dec. 24, 1863, First Vt. Bat- 
tery Light Artillery ; transferred to 2d 
Vt. Battery, July 13, 1864; to First 
Vt. Heavy Artillery, March 1, 1865; 
mustered out July 28, 186*5. 

MARSHALL B. HOLTON 

enlisted Jan. 2, 1861, Co. K, 9th Reg- 
imeut ; transferred to Co. C, June 13, 
1865 ; promoted corporal, Aug. 24th; 
died at Norfolk, Va., Nov. 13, 1865, 
aged 20 years. 

JOHN MILLER 

euiisted, Jan. 2, 1864, iu Co. K, 9th. 
Regiment ; transferred to Co. C, June 
13, 186*5 ; promoted corporal July 22 ; 
sergeant, Sept. 21st. aud mustered out, 
Dee. 1, 1865. 

AUREL1TJS TETEE 

enlisted, Dec. 17, 1863, in Co. K, 9th. 
Regiment; transferred to Co. C, June 
13, 1865 ; mustered out, Dec. 1, 1865. 

WM. L. G. WHITNEY 

enlisted, Aug. 28, 1862, Co. B, 16th, 
Reg. ; mustered out with the regiment, 
Aug. 10. 1863; re-enlisted for 9 mos. 
Dec. 14, 1863 ; sick in Gen. Hospital ; 
died, Dec. 11, 1864, aged 21. 

JOHN L. WILLARD 

enlisted, Jan. 2, 1864, in Co. K, 9th . 
Regiment; transferred to Co. C, June 
13, 1865; mustered out Dec. 1, 1865. 

Lyman J. Brown, David Crocker, 
David H. Davis, Edward 8. Gilman, 
Michael Kelly, Bradbury A. Hunt, 
John Hawley. Austin Loverin, Eli M. 
Quirnby, Frank King, James Thomp- 
son, John M. Welch, and Harris B. 
Mitchell enlisted from other towns in 
Vt. and credited to Dummerston. 



Volunteers For One Year. 

GEORGE II. WHIPPLE 

enlisted, Aug. 23, 1864 ; was not as- 
signed to any regiment ; and discharged 
Oet. 11, 1864. 

GEORGE V. WHITNEY 

enlisted, 8ept. 2, 1864; Co. K. 9th. 
Reg. ; sick in Gen. Hospital,. Dec, 1, 
1864; died during the same month, 
aged 23 years. 

EAliL P. WILLARD 

enlisted, Aug. 23, 1864, Co. K, 9th. 
Reg. ; mustered out May 22, 1865. 

ENROLLED MEN WRO FURNISHED 
SUBSTITUTES. 

Asa Dutton, William H. Frost, Jer- 
ome W. Knight, Henry FI. Miller, and 
Joseph R. Nourse. 



Volunteers For Nine Months : 
Herbert G. Bond, Leroy L. Bond, 
Mansel H. Bush, George A. Ellis, 
Fredrick G. Smith, Wallace W. Wilson 
enlisted, Sept. 20, 1862, iu Company 
I, 16th. Regiment, and were mustered 
out of service, Aug. 10 1863. 

ASAHEL E. ELLIS 

enlisted Sept. 20, 1862, in Company I, 
16th. Reg. ; died at Union Mills, Va., 
Apr. 9, 1863, aged 20. 

PASCHAL S. LAUGHTON 

i enlisted, Sep. 20, 1S62, in Co. I, 16th 
Reg. ; promoted 1st Sergi., Oct. 23, 2d 
Lieut. Co. B, Mar. 17, ’63 ; died Aug. 
6, 1863, aged 29 years. 

ORMANDO E. NORCROSS, ASA D. GATES, 

promoted Sergt. ; urn an prescott jr., 

FRED’K S STEWART, EDWIN R. WILLARD 

enlisted, Aug. 28, 1862, in Company 
B 16th Regiment* and were mustered 
out of service, Aug 10, 1863. 



198 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Furnished Under Draft And 
Paid Commutation : 

Ripley C. Bennett* John F. Butter- 
field. Stephen L. Dutton, Lucian A. 
Elmer, Harlan W. Holton, Anthony 
L. Huntley. Leroy I. Knapp, Morris 
E. Lawton, and Atherton Prescott. 
Procured Substitute : 

George R. Bennett, Hardin W. Ben- 
nett, Alonzo Bradley. Daniel W. Gates, 
Jason C. Knight, Charles Ormsbee, 
and James H. Sargeant. 

ABEL D. I3ROWN 

was drafted July 13, 1863 ; assigned to 
Co. K, 6th Reg. ; mustered out June 

26. 1865. 

Volunteers For One Year, 
ira o. haven, promoted Com. Sergt. 
and david m. estey enlisted, January 

30. 1865, in Company F, 1st Regiment 
Frontier Cavalry ; mustered out of ser- 
vice, June 27, 1865. 

Austin laugbton, furnished a sub- 
stitute , and John M. Montgomery 
and John Cashier entered the United 
States Navy. 

A FAMILY OF SOLDIERS. 

Three sons of Jesse J. Mansfield, of 
Dummerston, were in the army during 
the late war for the Union . All enlisted 
for three years. Charles W. Mansfield 
enlisted in May IS62, and was at that 
time not quite 1 6 years of age. He wat 
a member of Company K, 9th Vt. Vols. 
About the middle of July the regiment 
was sent to Washington. From that 



place they marched to Winchester, Va. , 
where they remained till a few days be- 
fore the battle of Antictam, where they 
were ordered to march in quick time to 
Harper’s Ferry. Sept. 15th they were 
made prisoners of war by the enemy 
immediately paroled, and soon after, 



marched to Baltimore. From that place 
they were sent to Camp Douglas, Chica- 
gOAvherethey remained several months. 
Charles was sick at this place for the 
first time after leaving Vermont. While 
on duty with the regiment at Suffolk, 
Va., in the Fall of 1863, he was again 
sick. He was considered able to go 
with life regiment when it left this place 
for Newbern N. C. ; but it proved oth- 
erwise, and he was sent to the hospital 
in Morehead City. Having regained 
sufficient strength, he received a fur- 
lough, came home Dec. 5th, and was in 
the hospital at Brattleboro, when, with 
a few other soldiers, he w r as sent back 
to his regiment, Apr. 12, 1864. He 
arrived at Newbern on the 22d, and 
died Apr. 29, in the 18th year of his 
age. 

Joseph C. and William H. Mansfield 
joined the army in August, 1862, and 
both were members of Battery E, 1st 
Artillery, 1 1th Vt. Regt. This battery 
was stationed at Fort Slocum, near 
Washington, during the memorable bat- 
tle at Gettysburg. While in this fort, 
Joseph was sick with typhoid fever, 
which terminated fatally Oct. 11, 1863. 
He was in his 25th year and left a wife 
and one child, who survived her father’s 
death only one year, dying Oct. 30, 
1863, age, 3 years, 

William was in the army about one 
year. On account of ill health, ne re- 
ceived a discharge from service, and 
returned to Vermont. When he was 
again able to labor, he went, to Boston, 
Mass., where he worked as a mechanic 
nearly two years. During that time he 
had much sickness, finally gave up busi- 
ness, and came back to Dummerston, 
where lie died of consumption, March 
11, 1867, aged 26 years. 

Mrs. Hannah Mansfield, the mother 
of these soldiers, died Feb. 14, 1875, 





ts-zS-zy-tf' 



DUMMEBSTON 



199 



agea 65 years. She was the youngest 
of a family of II children , eight sons 
and three daughters* Her father, Ben- 
jamin Lufkin, was one of the first set- 
tlers in the town of Ru inford, Me*, 
where site was bom in 1809. Her 
brother Joseph, the eldest of the family, 
was a minister for nearly GO years and 
preached his last sermon only a few 
Sabbaths before his death, which occurs 
red in 1872 in the 86 year of his age. 
Two other brothers were also ministers. 

COL. WILLIAM HENRY GKEENWOOU* 

During the last years of his life, the 
home of Cob Groan wood was in Dum- 
merston. Here also was the birth-place 
of his wife, Eva Duncan Knight, dau. 
of Joel and Fannie (Duncan) Knight. 
Mrs. Knight was the dau. of Dr. Abel 
Duncan, second cousin of Judge Jason 
Duncan. Cob Greenwood purchased 
in 1873, the farm, which has been the 
homestead of the Joel Knight family 
for three generations, but his profession 
as a civil and mining engineer, called 
him from home nearly the whole time 
after the purchase was made, Never- 
theless, he counted that it would afford 
him a place of' rest from the hardships 
of bis professional life whenever oppor- 
tunity should favor ; but rest came not 
as anticipated. The man who seemed 
to have a charmed life, escaping the 
bullets of the enemy on many hard- 
fought battle-fields of the late war fpr 
the Dn Ion, passing nuh armed numerous 
attacks, of lindens which he encountered 
during his surveys on the plains ol the 
West in 1867-68 an d 69, en du ring h a r d- 
ships from cold and hunger which few 
men have ever experienced, was killed 
by a faial shot from a gang of robbers 
and murderers in ambush, and the ca- 
reer of a busy life instantly terminated. 



The sad event occurred in Aug. 1880, 
and in the spring of 1882, his remains 
were brought from Mexico to their final 
resting place in the cemetery at Dmn- 
merston. 

W i 11 i am G rcen woo d. Ins gr ea t-gran d- 
fat h e r , ea m e fro no S h cr b or n , M ass . , an d 
settled in Dublin, X. R., in 1765. He 
was a carpenter by trade and was killed 
at the raising of a barn, June 28, 1782, 
aged 61. He married Abigail Death of 
Skerborn, who d. Oct 1,1814 aged 91. 

Joshua Greenwood, grandfather of 
the Colonel, married Hannah T witch- 
ell of Dublin, Aug. 22, 1779. 

Asa, his father, was born in Dublin, 
July 1, 1797, married Dec. 31, 1821, 
Mrs. Lucy Evens, who died in Marl- 
boro, N. H., Feb- 20, 1852, He mar- 
ried 2d, Mary Minot, and removed to 
Illinois m 1853 ; returning East in the 
summer of 1877, to visit friends, he 
died at the house of his son in Dnni- 
merston, July 16, 1877. 

Col. Green w ood was born in Dublin, 
X. H, March, 27, 1832, and married 
Miss Knight. May 19, 1857. He was 
the youngest son of the family and spent 
his early years, for the most part in the 
public schools of Marlboro, N. H., 
where his parents removed in 1834. 
Mathematics were his favorite studies 
and came easily to him. It was his 
ambition in youth to become a thorough 
and accomplished engineer, and that 
object was fulfilled* lie remained in 
Marlboro until 1850, when he entered 
N or w i c h U niversi ty , ( V t , , ) grad u a ti n g 
in 1852. From a report of the Twelfth 
Reunion of the Society of the Army of 
the Cumberland,” we subjoin : 

FjiQH THE VJGlttlOXT PllceNJX. 

“in 1852, be went to Illinois and 
engaged in the survey of railroads till 



200 



VERMONT HISTORIC L MAGAZINE. 



the war of the rebellion broke out. He 
enlisted in the 51st Reg. 111. Vols., Jan. 
17, 1862, and was commissioned after- 
wards 1st Lieut* Co. H, ot that regi- 
ment. IPs commission as captain of 
the same company is dated May 9, 1803 , 
Soon after the battle of Stone River, 
Gen. Roseerans selected Greenwood tor 
a competent engineer to organize a topo- 
graphical service, and he was directed 
to report to Gen. Stanley, at that time 
chief of cavalry for the Army of the 
Cumberland with whom he remained till 
the. fall of 1 865 , when the 4 th Corps of 
that division was mustered out in Texas. 
No officer served in the Army of the 
Cumberland who was present at and 
participated in more battles* actions, 
affairs, skirmishes, than Col. Green- 
wood. Always Strong and well, though 
slender of form, he was always ready 
lor duty, day and night. The great 
battles in which he was a most active 
participant embrace such names as Per- 
ryville, Stone River, Hoover’s Gap, 
Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, three 
months of Atlanta campaign, an almost 
continuous fight, including Peach Tree 
Creek, the assault on Kenesaw ; finally, 
in the last great service of the 4th Corps, 
the action at Spring Hill, next day the 
battle of Franklin, and very soon the 
battle of Nashville, which ended the 
mission of the Army of the Cumberland, 
in the destruction of Hood's army, In 
only, 1864 , when Gen. Stanley was 
appointed to the command of the 4th . 
Corps, Greenwood was commissioned 
by the President, Lt. Col. and Inspector, 
to date July 28, 1864. In July, I860, 
the 4th Corps landed in Texas., and was 
ported at Victoria, Lavacca, and San 
Antonio. Col* Greenwood was put in 
charge of the Gulf and San Antonio 
Railroad which had been completely 
destroyed, by the rebel general, John 



Magnifier. With the burned and bended 
railroad iron, and such timber as could 
be gathered out of the Guadeloupe low- 
lands, he soon had the cars running to 
Victoria. Having finished his work in 
Texas, he returned to Vermont and soon 
afterwards went West, where lie was 
employed upon the Kansas Pacific Rail 
ro ad . I Ic w a s a ppoiu ted chief en gi n eer 
of this road, and whilst holding this 
position, he made surveys 011 the 3 2d. 
and 35th parallels, through to San 
Francisco. During his service for the 
company, he contracted 150 miles of 
railroad in 10Q working days and the 
last day laid ten and one- quarter miles 
in ten hours, a feat, perhaps, never 
equalled in railroad construction. In 
1870, he made the first general report 
in favor of three feet narrow gauge rail 
roads, and was appointed general man- 
ager of construction of the Denver and 
Rio Grande Railroad. Upon comple- 
tion of the first division of this road, he 
was appointed General Sn pen ten dent, 
and remained till the road was finished 
to Canon City. He next went to Mex- 
ico in company with Gen. \Y W S. Rose- 
erans and Gen. W. J. Palmer with a 
view to constructing a national railroad 
in that country* Whilst engaged in this 
service, he visited England and the con- 
tinent, in the interest of his road, but 
failing to get the concessions asked for 
from the Mexican government, he re- 
turned to New York and established 
himself os a civil engineer. In May, 
1878, he took charge of the construction 
of the Pueblo and Arkansas Valley 
Railroad for the Atchison, Topeka and 
Santo Fe Company ; and March, 1879, 
took charge of the Marion and McPer- 
son Railroad. This is the last public 
work with which he was connected un- 
til he went to Mexico upon his last and 
fatal engagement. As an engineer, lie 



DUMMEKSTON. 



2D l 



had few peers in the profession. No 
obstacle that nature had interposed, as 
if were* in frolicsome mood, in the can- 
tons and mountains of the West, deterred 
this engineer of science, of skill, and 
daring, and railroad trains now run 
securely, where before the wild moun- 
tain sheep feared to climb, The skill* 
fill capitalists who built these wonderful 
railroads of Colorado, well appreciated 
the worth of Col, Greenwood, and when 
the Sullivan and Palmer Companies 
undertook the International and Inter- 
■oceanic railroads from the. city of Mex- 
ico to the Pacific coast. Greenwood was 
called, as he had been before, as the 
most reliable man to locate the work. 
Whilst so employed, he was murdered 
near Rio Hondo 18 miles from the city 
of Mexico, Aug, 20, 1880. He was on 
bis way from Hondo to the city of Mex- 
ico, accompanied by Mr, Miller, an 
assistant engineer, and a servant, where, 
as was his custom, lie expected to spend 
the Sabbath with his family. When 
within some 9 miles of the city, He 
stopped at a wayside inn for the pur- 
pose of taking refreshments. Here there 
were a number of men, who, seeing his 
horse, laid a plot by which they were to 
obtain possession of it. They accord- 
ingly rode ahead some distance, where 
they remained ambushed. Cot- Green* 
wood upon arriving at a barranca, or 
ravine, separated from his companions 
and proceeded ahead of them at an in- 
creased pace, with the object of examin- 
ing the locality. His companions saw 
him as he came from the barranca and 
descended upon the opposite aide of the 
hill. They hastened In a gallop lo join 
him, when, in ft short time, they came 
upon hiis dead body lying ia the road, 
perforated by two bullets, one through 
the breast and left hand* another through 
the right hand. A letter from P, H. 
2G 



Morgan dated United States Legation, 
Mexico, Nov, 23, 1880, to Gen. D. S. 
Stanley, states that when Col, Green- 
wood approached where the robbers 
were in ambush, they rushed out upon 
him* hoping that the frightened horse 
would throw his rider, and in that way 
they might obtain possession of him, 
and, as in this, they failed, they to 
make sure of the Horse murdered Col. 
Greenwood. His horse, carbine, and 
revolver were taken, but his watch, pa- 
pers, and money were untouched. It 
is believed that the assassins were dis- 
turbed and only had time to make off 
with the articles mentioned. His body 
was brought to the capital and buried iu 
the American Cemetery Sept. 1, 1880* 
The unfortunate occurrence created a 
sensation in the capital and the loss of 
Col, Greenwood was deeply felt., The 
funeral procession was attended by the 
whole of the Americans and English- 
men, Germans and Frenchmen and 
many of the representative Mexicans, 
Over GO conches formed the funeral cor- 
tege, and 159 persons followed in the 
sad possession. Before Mrs. Green- 
wood 1 eft on her return to this country 
she was presented with a me mortal 
sigued by forty leading Mexicans, resi- 
dents of the City of Mexico. The me- 
morial closes as follows : 4 When you 
return to your lonely home, tell those 
who will come to mourn with you that 
if Mexico, as all the other nations of 
the earth, unfortunately has her crim- 
inals, she has also, honest hearts that 
repel them, and authorities to prosecute 
them i tell your friends that if there aTC 
vile men in our society* as there are in 
all human societies, there are also thou- 
ands of souls that worship the good 
and sec a brother in every woithy man. 
And tell them, too, that, amongst ns not 
a single tear of the widow- or the orpha n 



202 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



fails to find a friendly hand exte ndud to 
wipe it away.* ” 

DECORATION DAY. 

During the years that have passed 
since the dose of the war in 1865, the 
graves of soldiers in this town have not 
been visited by any considerable num- 
ber of persons at one time, except on 
one occasion. May 30, 1879 ; yet, we 
do not feel that the graves of the hon- 
ored dead are neglected in our cemeter- 
ies. Marble tablets have been erected 
to their memory and flowers are yearly 
scattered upon the green hillocks raised 
over their remains by kindred friends 
and others who cherish their memory. 
Perhaps some grave, or graves may not 
receive the floral tribute yearly, but in 
the absence of cut flowers, the coldness 
and silence of the graves are relieved by 
the shades and blooming plants that 
adorn them. Nineteen soldiers of the 
lata war, who were citizens of Dum- 
merstou lie buried in the cemeteries of 
this town. How long the memory of 
their names and deeds will last we can- 
not tell, but the Grand Army of the 
Republic of which they were a consti- 
tuent part, made an honorable record 
which the world cannot forget. These 
are their names : Fred H. Rice, Daniel 
G. Ormsbee, Lieut. Paschal 8. Laugh- 
ton, Lieut. Harrison K. Bacon, Loyal 
8 mi th, Asahcl E. Ellis, Charles L. 
Dodge, Frank L. Gibbs, William Betnis, 
Henry D. Everleth, Zenas Butterfield, 
Waitstill Pettee, ffra. L. G. Whitney, 
George S. Whitney, Marshal B. Hol- 
ton, Edward C. Foster, Joseph G\ 
Mansfield, William H. Mansfield and 
Charles W. Mansfield who died and was 
buried in Newbern, N. C., but a record 
of his death is on the gravestone of his 
brother Wm. H. Mansfield. 



CHURCH HISTORY 
CHAPTER V. 

THE METHODIST CHURCH. 

The only church of this denomina- 
tion was located on West Dummerstoo 
hill, about three miles from the valley 
of West River and onc-4th. -mile from 
Marlboro boundary line. According 
to the best information obtained, the 
meeting-house was built about 1812. 
Mrs. Orrin L Bennett, a resident in 
that part of the town, now living, came 
there in 1820 and the meeting-house 
was built some years before that time. 

The society was small but the attend- 
ance at church was very good for many 
y cal's. 

The society near the closing years of 
its existence found it quite difficult to 
sustain public worship and. keep the 
house in repair, and therefore it was 
left a few years unoccupied, and was 
pulled down in 1866. The timber was 
sold to Edwin and Fayette Miller. 

ELDER WILLIAM HENRY IIODGES 
of Dover, appears to have been the first 
pastor of the society. He was their 
minister so early as 1823 and 24. Other 
ministers, remembered at the present 
day, are Elders Harris, House, John 
Prouty, Spencer, and Houghton. 

THE ONIVERSALIST CHUKCH. 

This society had stated preaching as 
early as 1833, and possibly before that 
date. A library of moral and religious 
books had been organized by this society 
sometime previous, but the time of 
organization is not stated, though books 
were drawn in 1833. Preaching for 
the society was supplied occasionally 
by different ministers. 

The first resident minister was Rev. 
Freeman Loril?g. After him came Rev. 
J. Britton. The non-resident ministers, 



DUMMERSTON. 



203 



who preached at stated times, were 
Rev. Charles Woodhouse, Rev. 
Aurin Bugbee and Rev. Otis War- 



ren. 



After the Union Church was built 
in 1842, this society settled Rev. 
Wdi, N. Barber, that year, and bis 
pastorate over them continued 5 
years. The church was organized 
with about 25 members, Dec. 25, 
1842. and Joel Knight was chosen 
deacon. That Christmas day was a 
notable time, it being not only the 
date of organizing the Universalist 
church, but the first time that 
Christmas was publicly observed iu 
this town. After Mr. Barber J s re- 
moval in 1847, the society lan- 
guished, and no society of that de- 
nomination now exists in town. 

THE U2TOON CHURCH. 



were chosen to draft a plan of the 
building. The committee recom- 
mended a plan presented by Lewis 
Holton and Winslow Dutton, who 
made with the committee a contract 
to build the meeting-house for $20 
for each pew, or slip. Number of 
pews 38; cost $760. The piazza in 
front cost $81, additional. 

The meeting house was finished 
I according to contract in June and 
I, accepted by the committee, July 2, 
1842, and the. society voted to dedi- 
cate the house, July 1st, the same 
year. No record was made of the 
dedication ou the record book. 
Samuel Knight made a present of a 
Bible to the society. 

It does not appear on the record 



The earliest record of this society 
reads as follows: 

“We the subscribers hereby asso- 
ciate ourselves together for the pur- 
pose of building a Union Meeting 
house for religions worship, to be 
erected on the common near the 
east, Meeting house in Dummeraton 
for all religious denominations, to 
be used for religions purposes as 
long as a majority of said association 
shall direct, and each religious de- 
nomination shall have the use of 
said house in proportion to what 
interest they may own in said 
house. 

The first meeting of said associa- 
tion shall be holden on the 16tli day 
of March, 1842, and said Association 
to be known and called the Union 
Meeting house association/ 1 

At the first meeting, Mar. 16, 
1842, Amasa Clark was chosen mod- 
erator, and Asa Knight, clerk. Ros- 
well Sargeant, Stephen Dutton, 
Joel Knight and Wm. Bernis were 
chosen a committee to superintend 
the building of a meeting house and 
locate the same. Epa Cone, Steph- 
en Dutton and Roswell Sargeant 



at what time Rev. William N. Bar- 
ber, a Universalist minister from 
Alstead, N. H., became pastor of 
the society, but it was probably 
soon after the house was dedicated. 
He was pastor as late as 1846, at 
which time he was superintendent 
of schools. The annual meeting of 
the association was Aug. 28, 1846, as 
shown by the record. Mr. Barber 
probably removed from town the 
following year. Since that time the 
society has had no regular preacher 
and meetings were not long con- 
tinued after that date. 

In 1858 a meeting was called to 
see if the society would sell their 
meeting-house ; but no sale of the 
building was made till 1872, when 
it was sold and removed to its pres- 
ent site. It was converted into a 
dwelling-house which is now, 1884, 
owned and occupied by Thomas N. 
Reed. 



OUR COLLEGIATES. 

So far as can be ascertained, the 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



504 



following persons born in Dummers- 
ton have had the advantage of a 
collegiate course of education: Eli 
French, Ozro French, James Her- 
rick, Ephriam Tenney, R. Dexter 
Miller, Sylvan us Baker Reel, Nor- 
man Miller, Isaac Knapp, Charles 
Miller, William Boy den, Dana Mil- 
ler and Charles M, Knight. Ansel 
Irwin Miller graduated at Williams 
College 18S1. William Dana Miller 
graduated in the class of 1SS2. 

Laura Belle Haven graduated at 
Smith College, Northampton, Mass., 
in June I SSL 



BRIEFS AND CORRIGENDA. 

On page 14S add to the family of 
Gardner Knapp, Fanny M., b. Feb, 
10, 1830, married 1st, Elisha W. 
Field, 2d, Morris E. Laughton, 

THE LAUGHTON FAMILY- 

[ Continued from page 01. j 

Ephraim Laughton married Lev- 
icy Knapp, July 55, 1813, Children; 
Eveline; Rosanna; Morris E. ; Les- 
tina; Warren; Francis; Mary. 

Thomas Laughton, married Ros- 
anna Knapp, Jan, 31, 1819, Chil- 
dren: Chae. J.; Aurilla; I. Agos- 
tine; Catherine; Sarah; Diantha; 
William; Paschal; Fred IT. Mrs. 
Laughton is living (1884), in her 
89 tb year. 

Jacob Laughton m. Lydia Bos- 
worth about 1854, Children: Ma- 
ria, married Leavitt Savgeant; Ellen, 
married Ozro Miller; Ransom; Aus- 
tin, m, Fausta M. Wheeler, 

ASA LAUGHTON. 

Asa Laughton m. Lucy Dutton, 



Dec. 54, 1818. He was twice mar- 
ried and by the first marriage had a 
family of nine children that lived to 
adult age. He died in March, 1883, 
aged 87^ having outlived all his 
large family* No family record 
could be found after his death, but 
the dates of his children's birth have 
been ascertained as nearly as can be 
from reliable sources and are given 
in parentheses. Children: George 
XL (1819); Lacy L- (1821); Asa E. 
(1853); Charles D. (1S5(J); Mary T. 
(1828); Sarah J* (1331); John W. 
(1833); Martha M* (1833); Ellen 
(1840). 

JOHN MIL LEU. 

[ Continued from page J83. J 

John Miller m, Polly Davenport, 
Apr* 1, 1781. Children: Lewis, b. 
Nov. 19, 1782, m. Jerueha Farr; 
James m. Sarah Warner; Levi; 
Sally, b. Oct. 17, 1788, m. Cromwell 
Joy; Polly, K Mar, 15, 1792, m. 
Waterman Joy; Rosanna, see page 
145; Susan, seepage 144; John 
b. Nov. 15, 1798, m. Fhik Knight, 
Sept* 15, 1821. Children: James; 
Phlla N. ; Rose M. ; Ellen J. ; Henry 
0. d. 1833 ; Mary M. ; John; 
Jane; H. Harry; Delia A* John 
B. died Mar. 13, 1876, aged 76. 
His widow is living (1384) in her 
85th year. She has had 34 grand 
children of whom 29 are living. 
Her great-grand children are 12 in 
number. A large number of friends 
and relatives attended the golden 
wedding of Mr* and Mrs* Miller, 
Sept 12, 1871. Royal, son of Mar- 
shal Miller, page 97/had children: 
Norman ; Catherine ; Seneca and 
Sarah; Lorenzo; Elisabeth; Ran- 
som; Cyrus; Webster; Caroline* 



DHMMERSTON. 



Catherine, daughter of Charles 
Davenport, who married Benjamin 
Alvord, died in 1856, 

Asa French married Mercy Bice. 

Dolly Rice was born 1790. Simeon 
Rice, 1802. 

Candace Norcross was born 1707. 

Lieut. John Wyman, not Wymen, 
helped tip the tea into Boston har- 
bor, 

Joeiah Dodge, the pensioner, died 
Feb. 9, 1815, 

Key. Josiah Merrill settled at Wis- 
casaet, Me., in 1857. 

Rev. Henry Marden returned to 
Marash, Turkey, in 1878. 

The parsonage buildings were on 
the east side of the common, except 
the house of Rev. Joseph Farrar. 

REPRESENTATIVES 

TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 

Leonard Spaulding, Mar. 12, 1778, 
I7S1, ’84, J S6, ’87. 

Thomas Amsben, Mar. 12, 1778. 

Jonathan Knight, October, 177S, 
J 79, 3 S0, *83. 

Alexander Kuthan, 1782, ’83. 

Hosea Miller, 1785. 

William Sargeant, 1788. 

Thomas Clark, 1789, ’90. 

Jason Duncan, 1791, ’92, ’98, ’98, 
'99, 1806, ’7, ’8, ’9, TO, Tl. 

Daniel Taylor, 1794, ’95, ’90, ’97, 
1801. 

Jonas Walker 1800. 

Samuel Porter, 1802, % % ’5 

Jonathan Huntley, 1812, T 3, T4, 
To, T6, T7, ’22, ? 23. 

Thomas Boyden, ISIS to 1822. 

Marshall Miller, 1824, ’25. 

Josiah Taft, 1S26, ’27* 

Joseph Duncan, 1828, ’29, ’36, ’87. 

Asa Knight, 1830, ’31, ’34, ’35, 

Enos Leonard, 1832/ ’33. 



205 



Clark Rice, 1838. 

Samuel French, 1830, ’40, ’41. 
Reuben Smead, 1842, ’43. 

None in 1S44 and in 1845. 

Wm, O. Miller, 1846, ’47. 
Winslow Dutton, 1848, ’49. 
George R. Miller, 1850. 

Asa Dutton, 1851. 

Not represented in 1852, ’53. 
Alonzo Dutton, 1854. 

Not represented in 1S55. 

Asa I jaw ton, 1856, ’57. 

Not represented in 1858, ’59. 
Simeon Reed. 1860, ’61. 

Joseph Miller, 1862, ’63. 

Leroy Wilder, 1804. 

George W. Walker, 1865, ’GO. 
John 1C Leonard, 1867, ’68. 
Stephen L. Dutton, 1869, ’70, ’72, 
’80* 

Samuel N. Bern is, 1874. 

Thomas N. Reed, 1876. 

Horace R. Stoddard, 1878. 

TOWN REPRESENTATIVES SINCE 1878. 

Stephen L. Dutton, 1S80. 

Lewis H. Lynde, 1SS2. 

S. W. Estej, 1884. 

J. C. Newton, 1886. 

Adin F. Miller, 1888. 

J. Arms Miller, 1830. 

Joseph Miller is town clerk for 
1890, and has served since 1849, or 
nearly 42 years. 



NOTES AND BRIEF HISTORI- 
CAL SKETCHES. 



The incident about the Spaulding 
family, page 27, was done by the ad- 
vice of a physician. The sick 
daughter was Anna Spaulding. She 
recovered and became the wife of 
Samuel Laughton. 

Nathan Cook, page 36, married 
Leviuah Parmeter. Children: Pol- 



206 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ly, b. Jan. 27, 1789; Caty, b. Aug. 
20, 1791. His We died Apr. 8, 
1792, aged 38. He married, 2d, 
Susanna Davenport, Oct. 6, 1805. 

Sylvan us Ballad, page 38, built 
the west room of the old house, not 
the one now standing, which was 
built in 1852 by John Bradley 
Beinis. 

Col. Wm. Boyden and Thomas 
Boyden, page 10, were cousins and 
not brothers as stated. 

HILDRETH FAMILY. 

Jesse Hildreth lived near the fer- 
ry in 1783, then known as Hild- 
reth’s ferry. His parents were Jos- 
eph and Lydia Hildreth, page 51, 
who lived on what is called the Mor- 
ris Lawton place, half a mile west 
from the ferry. They were resi- 
dents of the town before 1772. when 
Mr. Hildreth was one of the com- 
mittee to locate the first burial 
ground and forward the building of 
the first meeting house. He settled 
near Putney West Hill, on land 
since owned by Wm. Wheeler and 
once the home of Lieut. Spaulding. 
He was born in 1724 and was son of 
Joseph Hildreth, from Petersham, 
Mass. He died July 4, 1796, aged 
72. Lydia, bis wife, died May 26, 
1799, aged 6S. Their children were 
Joseph, Anna, D. Stephens, Sally, 
Ezekiel, Jesse, Wilson, Lucy, Polly. 

Joseph m. Submit about 

1775. He died May 22, 1812, aged 
64, and his wife died Aug. 6, 1829, 
aged 72. They had 16 children — 
one boy and 15 girls. Hannah, the 
eldest, married James Johnson in 
1792; Phoebe married Alpheus Hig- 
gins in 1797; Joseph married Abi- 
gail Bemis. No record of the other 
children. Joseph and Abigail’s 
children were: Joseph, John, and 
George who married Mary Clark. 

Jesse Hildreth married Lucy Sev- 
ery, Sept. 10, 17S7, and his brother 
Wilson married Lucy Hudson, Sept. 
28, L790. His sister Lucy married 
Caleb Higgins in 179G,and after her 



death in 1797 he married her sister 
Polly the following year. 

Lt. Daniel Gates, page 56, died at 
the house of James Piper in Oak- 
ham, Mass. 



BEGINNING OF THE REVO- 
LUTION. 

The first meeting to organize 
resistance to the King's author- 
ity, took place on the 29th of Octo- 
ber, 1774, when a majority of the 
inhabitants of Dummerston met 
near the house of Charles Davenport 
on the “green.” The first shot of 
the Revolution, “heard around the 
world,*' was fired April 19, 1775, at 
Lexington. The blood of William 
French and Daniel Houghton was 
shed at Westminster, Mar. 13, 1775; 
but organized and effective defiance 
was not anywhere used previous to 
the release of Lieut. Spuulding who 
was committed to the common goal 
Oct. 28, 1774. 

SAMUEL PORTER, ESQ. 

The name of Samuel Porter should 
appear on page 209 among the coun- 
ty officers, as chief judge of the 
County Court. His ancestors are in 
the following line : John Porter ( b. 
1596); Joseph ( b. 1638); Dea. 
Wiliam ( b. 1674 ); Jabez ( b 1723 ) 
wtis a graduate of Harvard in 1743. 
Samuel, son of Jabez, was bom Ap- 
ril 10, 1763 and became a resident of 
Dummerston about 1794. He pre- 
pared for college at his father's Lat- 
in school in Braintree, Mass., and 
graduated from Dartmouth in 1790. 
He studied law with Stephen R. 
Bradley of Westminster, Vt., and 
was admitted to the practice of law 
in Windham county, Aug. 7, 1797 ; 
was commissioned captain of the 1st 
Co. 1st Reg. 1st Division of militia 
of this State, June 1, 1802; was 
elected chief judge of Windham 
County court for 1803-4-5; was judge 
of Probate for 1804^5. All his eight 
children were horn in Dummerston, 



DUMMERSTON. 



30? 



except the oldest, wlio was born in 
Townshend, Yt. Samuel W* m. 
Fanny, dan. of Hon. Mark and Ann 
( Haggles) Eichardeof Westminster; 
Henry L. m* 1st, Betsey, dan. of 
M ar t i n and Reb eec a ( J ac o b s ) M i 1 - 
ler, 2d, Ann, dau. of Vespasian and 
Nabby Miller; Frederick A. m. 
Hannah, dan, of Dea. Tbaddens 
Thayer of Dnmmevston ; Sophia C. 
m. Hon. Marshall Miller ; George 
W. Lucre ti a II. Budurtha of Ware, 
Mass. ; Serena S. m. Philip Goss of 
Amherst, Mass.; Amelia F- m. Da- 
vid Goss, a brother of Philip ; Oh as. 
E. m. Lydia Ann Emerson of New- 
bury port, xMaes. 

JUDGE JASON DUNCAN. 

His ancestors prior to John Dun- 
can, page 03, were as follows : John, 
eon of Samuel Duncan of Newbury, 
Mass. He was granted land in Bil- 
lerica, Mass., 1670, and wae married 
Feb. S3, 167A-5, to Joanna, dan. of 
Henry Jefts. Ho died of small pox, 
Dec. 19, 1690;, and his widow, Joan- 
na Duncan, married Benjamin Dut- 
ton, and on Aug. 1, 1692, was killed 
with two of her children by the In- 
dians. At the time she was killed, 
her ago was 36, her daughter, Mary, 
16, and son, Benoni, less than two 
years. 

The children of John and Joanna 
Duncan were: Mary, b, Mar, 35, 
1676, killed by the Indians in 1692 ; 
John, jr,, b. Oct, 28, 1678 ; Johan- 
na, b. Apr. 9, 1681 ; Hannah, b. 
Nov. 21, 1683 ; Samuel, b. Jan. 1, 
1G86; Deliverance, b. Aug. 21, 16SS; 
Benoni, b. Feb. 1, 1690-1, killed by 
the Indians in 1693. John, jr., ( b. 
1G7S ) m. June 16, 1701. Sarah Dut- 
ton. His son Simeon was born in 
Worcester Mass, in 1725 and mar- 
ried Aug. 22, 1743, Bridget Rich- 
ardson of Bilim ica, Mass. Their 
children were, Jonah, b, Jan. 13, 



1714, died Aug. 3, 1773 ; Samuel, 
b. Jan, 9, 1747, d. July 28, 1820 ; 
Jason > b* Jan. 10, 1750, d. Dec. 15, 
1839, Rehekah, b. Apr. 23, 1753, (L 
1795 ; Simeon, b. Oct. 23, 1755, d. 
1836 ; Joanna, b. Feb. 8, 1758, d. 
Mar. 29, 1832; Per sis, b. Nov S, 
1760; Sarah, b. Oct. 4, 1763; Azu- 
bah, b. May 30, 1766. 

Jason ( b, 1750) married Oct. 16, 
1775, Sarah Gates of Rutland, Mass, 
Their children were, Joseph; Jonas 
m. Feb, 27, 1799, Clarissa Howe; 
Jason m. 1st, Lucy, sister of Dr. 
Abel Duncan ; 2d, Beulah Duncan, 
a sister of Zur villa who m. Levi 
Goddard; Priscilla m. Oct. 11,1804, 
Ephraim French; Samuel m. Anna 
S a rgea n t ; Tyler m . P ol ly Ben tl ey ; 
Sarah m. Elias Hadley. Jonas died, 
and Clarissa, bis widow, m. Feb. 7, 
1816, Elias Wilder of Ellisburgh, 
N. Y. 

Samuel Duncan ( b. 1747) m. 1st, 
Betsey Stevens, and their children 
were; Lucre tia, b. in Worcester, 
Mass,, Aug. 3, 1773, m. Dec. 3, 
1802, Noah Hill of Stratton, Yt. ; 
Jonas, b. Sept 0, 1775, in Worces- 
ter, Samuel m, 2d, in 1780, Pa- 
tience, dau. of Stephen Choate. 
Children: Betsey, b, in Guilford, 
Vtj m. Oct. 14, 1800, James Clark 
of Dummmton; Simeon, b. in 
Dummerston, July 36, 1782 ; Ara- 
thusa m. Aug. 3, 1806, Barnard Sal- 
isbury of Dummarston; Fanny m. 
1810, James Salisbury, jr., of Guil- 
ford; Aaubah m. Nathan Salisbury ; 
Electa m. Jan. 20, 1814, Ansun 
Maltby of Richland, N. Y,; Samuel 
m. Betsey Marsh; Rebecca, unmar- 
ried; Nancy. 

diuef, 

Miranda, dau. of Joseph Duncan, 
esq., page 93, m. about 1816 Ben- 
jamin lladley. 

Simeon, the father of Judge Jason, 
died Jan, 19, 1781. Bridget, his 
wife, died Oct. 4, 1807. Samuel, 
( b. 1747 ) died in Townshend, Yt. ; 
Patience, his wife, d. Nov. 9, 1325, 
in Du miners ton. 

Jason Duncan came to this town 
soon after hie marriage in the fall of 



208 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



1775, His father was a farmer and 
lie followed the same occupation ♦ 
learning in addition the coopers 
trade. He taught school in Doni- 
merston and was known as a strict 
disciplinarian. Whether he or Chas. 
Davenport was the first school teach- 
er in town, page 93, must he decided 
in favor of Davenport, for the reason 
that Mr. Davenport was an inhabi- 
tant of the town ten years before 
Mr. Duncan. 

He was a Revolutionary soldier 
and enlisted in 1777 in the war 
against Great Britain ; was with a 
detachment of the American army 
at Manchester, Vt; became lieuten- 
ant ; was in the campaign against 
General Burgoyne ; was" wi th the 
army at Bennington till within a 
few days of the battle when he was 
sent home on account of sickness. 



DELEGATES 

TO TEE COUNTY CONFESS, 

AND 

COMMITTEE OF INSPECTION, 

From a paper read before the V er- 
mont Historical Society at Montpel- 
ier; Oct 15, 1&7S, we obtain the in- 
formation that Lieut. Leonard 
Spaulding was representative from 
this town to the first General Assem- 
bly which met at Windsor, Mar. 19* 
1778* 

The first legislature resulted from 
the constitution of July, 1777; and 
the constitution was the result of 
the general conventions, to wiucli, 
from 1771 until 1777, the care of 
the most important interests of the 
people had been committed* 

The first record of delegates from 
this town was in 1774, Nov. 38, 
when Solomon Harvey, Ebenezer 
Haven and Hosea Miller were chosen 
“to set as delegates in the County 
Congress at Westminster on the 
80th hist/’ Jan. 3, 1775, Solomon 
Harvey, Jonathan Knight, William 
Boy den, Enoch Cook, Leonard 



Spaulding, Josiah Boyden and E1> 
enezer Haven were chosen as a com- 
mittee of inspection or safety to in- 
spect the conduct of the inhabitants 
agreeable to an order of the Rt* 
Hon. Continental Congress* Feb. 
3, and May 23, 1779, Enoch Cook, 
Richard Kelly at the former date, 
Enoch Cook and Thomas Clark at 
the latter date, were chosen, dele- 
gates to “set” at "Westminster. 

John Hooker was chosen delegate, 
Nov. 28, 1775, also again chosen 
with Josiah Boyden, Dec* 31. 1775. 
Dea. Jonathan Cole of Westmore- 
land, N* H., was chosen Feb* 29, 
1776, to meet with the county com- 
mittee to meet at John Sargents in 
Brattlcboro, to draw up a remon- 
strance to send to the Continental 
Congress at Philadelphia, concern- 
ing the bloody massacre on the 13 th 
of March last. June 8, 1776, Joseph 
Hildreth and Leonard Spaulding 
were chosen delegates to “set” ut 
Westminster, and on Aug* 15, 1776, 
the same persons were chosen to 
“ set” at Dorset* They were in- 
structed by a committee chosen for 
that purpose to appear at Dorset, 
Sept. 35th, 1779, and what course 
to follow in the convention. 

Hon* E. P* Walton says in an ad- 
dress given before the Vt. His. Soc., 
that on “Mar. 26, 1778, Doct. 
Thomas Amsdeii was appointed on a 
committee with two known mem- 
bers, to copy acts of the legislature 
for the information of the people* 
Thomas Amsden rendered an ac- 
count for that service, dated at 
Dummersfcon, which was allowed by 
the governor to f Doct. Amedeo/ 
Dummerston w r as probably entitled 
to two members in March, 1?7S, and 
had but one in Deming's list.” 

MEMBERS OF THE 

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. 

Jason Duncan, 1791 ; Alexander 
Kathan, 1793; Jonathan Huntley, 
1814 T8, J 3S; Marshall Miller, 1822; 
Samuel Knight, 1S36: John Clark, 
11843; Asa Dutton, 1850. 



DUMMERSTON. 



209 



COUNTY OFFICERS. 

The following persons from Dum* 
merston have served in County offices : 

Assistant Judges ; Jason Duncan, 
in 1801. '02. '06, '08 ; Thomas Miller 
in 1847. 

Judges of thou ate : Dana Miller, 
1823 ; Marshall Miller, 1831, '32, '40, 
'41, *42 ; Asa Knight, 1834, '35, ‘36. 

Clerk ok the County Court, 
Marshall Miller, 1841, ‘42, '43, 44, 
'45. 46, 47, '48, '49, '50. 

THE FIRST TOWN OFFICERS, 

chosen at the organization of the town, 
were: Joseph Hildreth, moderator; 

Enoch Cook, town clerk ; Ebenezcr 
Haven, supervisor. ; Alexander Katkan 
and Benjamin Jones assessors ; Rufus 
Sargeant and Cyrus Houghton collect- 
ors ; Joseph Hildreth, Benjamin Jones 
and Charles Davenport, surveyors of 
highways; Isaac Miller, Samuel Wis- 
well and Cyrus Houghton commision- 
ers to lay out highways ; Shepard Gates 
and Barzillai Rice, fence-viewers ; Rufus 
Sargeant, Barzillai Rice, Ebenezer Ha- 
ven and Daniel Kathan constables ; 
Alexander Kathan and William Boy den 
overseers of the poor. 

TOWN CLERKS. 

The settlers’ first meeting was March 
4, 1771, at which time Enoch Cook was 
chosen " settlers’ clerk.” The town was 
organized May 19, 1772, and he was 
chosen at that time, " Towu clerk ” and 
remained in office till May 18, 1773, 
when Solomon Harvey was chosen as 
his successor. He resigned in April 
1775, and on May 16th, the same year, 
Jonathan Knight was chosen in his 
place, and was clerk till 1780. Jason 
Duncan, from 1780 to 1804, and from 
1807 to 1812, in all 29 years. Samuel 
Porter, from 1804 to 1807 ; Joseph I 
27 1 



Duncan, son of the former town clerk, 
'* Judge Duncan,” served from 1812 to 
1849, 37 years ; Joseph Miller, from 

1849, and is still in office, 1879. 

POPULATION, 

There were 19 heads of families in 
1761, and a population of about 75. 
The number of white males under 16, 
in 1771, was 54; above 16 and under 
60 years, 54 ; 60 and upwards 3 ; 
Females under 16 years, 37 ; above 16 
years, 40 ; black males, 1 ; total popu- 
lation in 1771 was 189; heads of* fam- 
ilies, 44. The population in 1791, was 
1501 ; in 1800, 1692; in 1810, 1704 ; 
in 1820, 1658 ; in 1830, 1592 ; in 1840, 
1203; in 1850, 1645 ; in i860, 1022; 
1870, 916. The rank in population of 
the towns in Windham County in 1791, 
makes this town fifth in number. In 

1850, the rank was three. The value 
of ratable property in 1781 was 82970 : 
in 1791, 84978. 

OUR CEMETERIES. 

These little landscapes of the dead in 
Duinmerston are six in number, three 
in the west part and three in the east 
part of the town. All of them are 
simply old-fashioned grave- yards. — 
There is very little about them like what 
we see in the village cemeteries of large 
places. They are not so neat and beau- 
tiful as many would like to have them, 
and yet when the visitor calls there, it 
will be seen that evergreen trees and 
shrubbery shade the graves of departed 
generations, that the grass is left to grow 
green, then to wither and die on these 
hillocks, that the leaves fall just as au- 
tumn scatters them and lie close-folded 
over the uplifted turf ; and he will not 
fail to notice that a sacredncss is present 
in the still air — present in the sod as his 
' foot gently touches it, that is in holy 
| unisou with death and the grave. The 



210 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



whispers of watching angels arc these 
for the seal r>F God T s Acre is not over- 
laid by the devices of mao’s hand. 

The settlers at their ftm meeting in 
1771, not only chose a committee to 
select a spot for the meeting-house, but 
chose Daniel Kathan, Charles Daven- 
port and Joseph Hildreth to look out a 
burying place.” A spot on the com- 
mon south of the meeting-house was 
selected for that purpose* 

In 1702, the town voted to remove 
the burying-ground, and a new lot was 
selected on the land of Hosea Miller. 
Daniel Gates, Seth Hudson and Col. 
Wm. Roydcn were chosen a committee 
to receive subscriptions for fencing the 
new lot, superintending the building of 
the fence and to contract with Ho sea 
Millet for the land. They vvere not 
successful in obtaining subscriptions ; 
and the town voted Dee* 10, 17 93, to 
raise the money, $105, 111 for fencing the 
new burying ground. The remains of 
the (lead in the old lot were probably 
moved to the new ground that year. 

We are not certain when toe other 
b u ri al -J o ts w e re 1 oc at ed . Th e fi rst p e r- 
son, buried in the grave-yard east of the 
Hollow, was a negro* and sard to be 
buried on the brow of the hill on the 
east side* At the time the yard was 
fenced, tlie wall was laid over the foot 
of the grave* 

The oldest gravestone in that yard is 
one erected : 

u In memory of Sally daughter of 
Tilotson Miller and Mrs* Hannah his 
wife, died Sept* 26, 1785* aged 3 years.” 

In the graveyard near the Centre, the 
oldest gravestone has the following in- 
scription : 

Mary daughter of David and Mary 
Laughton, died Oct. 10, 1782* aged 8 
mos* 6 days* These at the cost of Mrs* 
Margaret Spaulding. 



Mrs. Spaulding was the mother of 
Mrs* Mary Laughton and grandmother 
of the child. 

The first white marble grave-stone 
erected in this yard, is that of Mrs. 
Hannah Knowles who died Mar. 9. 1805. 
aged 59, L * Erected by John Knowles as 
a tribute of respect to a kind mother. 
This memorial was erected by her sou,** 



CAPT. EZEKIEL WILSON 

Was the ancestor of the Wilson fam- 
ilies that settled in Hammers tom lie 
was one of the first settlers on Putney 
West Hill, but living very near to Dum- 
merstOD line, was much associated with 
the affairs in the west part of this towr^ 
in early times* When the Baptist church 
was organized in West Hummers ton, 

3 788, he was oix oi the original mem- 
b ers He was b o rn in Re h oboth , Mass.* 
and settled on Putney West Hill prob- 
ably about 1780. In early life* he was 
a sailor on board of whaling vessels, 
mostly in northern seas. During the 
Revolutionary war, he enlisted in the 
expedition to Montreal and Quebec un- 
der General Montgomery in December 
1775, and suffered extreme hardship 
from cold and hunger, being at one time 
without food for three days. He was a 
volunteer soldier in the battle of Ben- 
nington and fought with distinction* 
He joined in the raid under Eatharr 
Allen against the ^Yorkers” in Guil- 
ford. His title of captain eame from 
the circumstance of his being chosen 
commander of it militia company m 
Putney. Captain Wilson was a man of 
strong mind and had a good faculty for 
settling neighborhood troubles without 
recourse to law. He died in 1830, and 
must have been 85 or more years of 
age. His wife was Sarah Turner, of 
Re li oboth, Mass. They were married 



DU MM ERSTON . 



211 



about 1766 or *67. Children ; Han- 
nah , til Luther Bn tier, Aug. 25, 
1790 ; 

Fairing* b* 1770, married let, 
Molly (Folly) Manley, and by this 
marriage had Abel, Rnfne, Hannah, 
who married Gideon Cud worth, 
Thomas, 2d, Rachel Joy, who died 
Jan. 1361, aged 82; and had two 
more children — Sanford W* and 
Ad aline who m. Levi M, W alker ; 

Abel, b. 1772, m* Betsey Taft. 

Reuben, b, 1774, in. Mercy Man- 
ley* Children : Sally, Mercy, Mary, 
Lucy, Seneca R. Ohloe, James M*, 
Marshall R. f and Abram B. 

Joseph, born 1777, m* Abigail 
Cud worth ; children : Gideon II., 
Abigail, ShepardS., Sarah G*, George 
F., and Elilui M. 

Abram, the schoolmaster and 
qnaker, h* 1780, went to New York 
state* 

Sally, m. a minister by the name 
of Smith and removed to Sherbrooke 
in Canada. 

Betsey, m. Ben j. Campbell* father 
of E B* Campbell, Esq., of Brattle- 
boro* 

Wheaton, b, 1788, m. 1st, Rachel 
Taft, 2d, Sally Taft, Mar. 5, ISIS, a 
sister of the first wife. 

Ghloe m* John Turner. 

Fairing Wilson and his brothers, 
Reuben, Joseph and Wheaton, set- 
tled in Bummers ton. Fairing died 
in 1842, aged 72* Reuben removed 
in 1835 with his family to Cattarau- 
gus Co., 1ST* Y., where he died in 
1863, aged about 90. His daughter, 
Lucy,' married Oh as. Blaoh* and 
Chloe married Zenas Butterfield, 
brother of Hon* E* T* Butterfield, 
of Wilmington. 

Abram married his wife, Abigail, 
in Rochester, N. Y y and had two 
children, Isaac and Sarah. He died 
iu 1866, aged 86. 

Joseph Wilson died iu 1864, aged 
87, His son, Gideon II. , m. Lydia, 
dam of Dea, Jesse and Betsey 
(French) Manley and removed to 
Weston, Hew York. 

Abigail Wilson, m. John Manley. 

Sarah 0. m. John Witney „ 



Abel and Betsey Wilson's children 
were : Angeline, John, Ezekiel, 

Waits till, Harriet, Mary, George, 
Abel, Sarah, Daniel and Sophia* 
Wheat on WileoiFs child red by the 
1st marriage were ; Albert and 
Wheaton : by the 2d, Laura J. f 
Mary, Mraia F M Alonzo, Emily, 
Sophia, Caroline L., John, William 
Walter and Wallace W. 



MANSFIELD FAMILY. 

Andrew Mansfield, with his wife 
Elizabeth, darn of Rev, Win. Wal- 
ton, came to America from Exeter, 
in Devonshire, England, and was 
in Boston in 1630 and Lynn in 1639. 
John, probably a brother of An- 
drew, came in the ship Susan and 
Ellen from London in 1635, aged 
34, and was freeman in 1643. Rob- 
ert Mansfield, who died in Lynn, 
Dec* 16, 1666, was, doubtless, the 
father of Andrew and John* He 
came to Lynn about a year after his 
sons settled in that town, Andrew's 
children, order uncertain, were John, 
Joseph, Elizabeth, Andrew, Robert, 
who died young, and Samuel, all 
born in England. Andrew, sou of 
Andrew, was born in 1630, was town 
clerk iu Lynn several years and a 
prominent man iu town affairs* He 

married, 1st, Bethiah ; 2d Mrs. 

Mary Neale, widow of John Neale 
and daughter of Francis La wee; 3d, 
Mrs. Elizabeth Conan t* Joseph, 

son of Andrew, had wife Eliza and 
had so?} Joseph, born Mar. 20, 1661, 
and may have had other children* 
His wife died in 1662, and his son 
married, Apr. 1, 1768, Eliza, daugh- 
ter of Isaac Williams of Salem* and 
h ad El i z a , J o sepl i an d S arah * S am - 
u el, son of Andrew, married Mar* 
3, 1674, Sarah Karsh aw, and had 
Andrew, Sarah and Bethiah* An- 
drew, born in 1630, had bv the first 
marriage* Andrew, Samuel, Hannah* 
Bethiah, Mary, Lydia, Deborah, 
Daniel and Rebecca. Daniel was 
born June 9, 1669; married, 1st, 

Hannah ; 2d, Mrs. Margaret 

Bur rill; had children Samuel* Dan- 



212 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



iel, Andrew, Bethiah, and Hannah. 
He was a deacon of Lynn church. 
His son Andrew has born Apr. 24, 
1692, married Dec. 13, 1712, Sarah 
Breed and lived in Lyunfield. Pie 
was killed, Aug. 28, 1730, by a stone 
falling on him in a well. He had 
children, Andrew and Daniel. Dan- 
iel was born Nov. 24, 1717, married, 
1st, Lydia Newhall, who died May 

18, 1776; 2d, Ruth . He was a l 

farmer and a deacon of Lynn field 
church, and died in Lynnfield, Apr. 
2, 1797. He had children, Lydia, b. 
Sept. 16, 1739, m. Allen Breed and 
resided in New Ipswick, N. H. ; Dan- 
iel, b. Dec. 27, 1741, m. Nov. 5, 
1765, Lydia Norwood; Ezra, b. June 
11, 1745, m. Feb. 21, 1769, Rebecca, 
dau. of Samuel Kinney; Elijah, b. 
June 22, 1747, m. in Chelmsford, 
Mass , May 18, 1769, died May 18, 
1778; William, b. May 20, 1749, ra. 
Aug. 31, 1790, Betty TWnsend; 
Love, b. Apr. 25, 1751, m. in Lynn, 
Jan. 15, 1767, Ezekiel Newhall, and 
she died May 12, 1775, Susannah, 
b. Apr. 28, 1753, m. a Walton; Levi, 
b. Mar, 31, 1755, m. Jan. 29, 1781; 
Andrew, b. Sept. 21, 1757, m. Jane 
Breed, who died July 25, 1778; 

Jacob; and Sarah. This brings the 
record on pages 211 and 212 down 
to Dea. Ezra Mansfield. 

THE HISTORIAN'S BIOGRAPHY. 

For which ourselves and others asked. 
—Ed. 

D. L. Mansfield, was born in Sa- 
lisbury, N. H., Sept. 17, 1837, and 
is the eldest and only one living of 
six children, sons of Jesse J. and 
Hannah (Lufkin) Mansfield, viz : 
David L., Joseph C., William H., 
Charles W. 2d, and Hollis C. Three 
were soldiers in the late war for the 
Union. The youngest died of fever 
at the age of 20. His mother died 
Feb. 14, 1875, aged G5, His father 
is still living and receives a pension 
from the U. S, government. 

His grand-parents were Aaron and 



Betsey (Jaquith) Mansfield, married, 
in Alstead, N. H., in 1805, and 
whose children were : Aaron, Jesse 
J., Hollis, Emery, Keziah B., and 
Lewis H. 

The great-grand-parents were : 
Deacon Ezra and Rebecca (Kenney) 
Mansfield, married in New Ipswich, 
N. H., Feb. 21, 1769, whose chil- 
dren were; Ezra, jr., Rebecca, Azu- 
ba, Aaron, Elijah, Barach and Asa. 

Deacon. Ezra Mansfield was a res- 
ident of Lynn, Mass., in 1766, 
where two of his brothers, Daniel 
and William, and a sister Lydia, 
were married. He died in Alstead, 
N. H., Feb. 5, 1838, aged 92 years. 

The subject of this sketch bad 
few advantages for schooling until 
after fourteen years of age. Begin- 
ning in lS52,'he worked on a farm 
during the greater portion of each 
year and attended school for three 
winters in the village of Walpole, N. 
H., where he had the advantages of 
a high school. Six terms of school 
under the instruction of Prof. L. F. 
Ward at Westminster, two at Paper- 
mill Village, N. H., and one at 
Power's Institute, Bernardston, 
Mass., concluded his academical 
course of study. Money enough was 
saved from his wages to meet all the 
expenses of his education and also 
pay a considerable sum to his parents 
for time purchased before he was of 
age. The misfortune of ill health, 
caused by rheumatism, changed his 
course of life at the age of 22 years. 
Instead of being a farmer, as antic- 
ipated, he engaged in school teach- 
ing, which, thus far in life, has been 
his principal occupation. 

In 1861 he became a resident of 
Dummerston. March 11, 1873, be 
married Clarissa Amy, dau. of Ben- 
jamin and Clarissa (Farr) Estabrook, 
Beginning in 1857, he taught dis- 
trict schools four successive winters 
in Walpole, N. H., where he was a 
resident from 1852 till he removed 
to Dummerston. Since that time he 
has been connected with the schools 
of this town, 21 years as teacher, 
and 15 years as town superintendent. 



DTTMKJSBSTOWi 



213 



DUTTON. 

John 1 Dutton came to this coun- 
try from England, probably, with 
Governor Win throp, in 1630. Thom- 
as’ * son of John 1 was born in Eng- 
land, in 1621 ; came to America 
with liis Father. Thomas 11 , son of 
Thomas 3 , born Sept. 14, 1648, was a 
resident of Billerica, Mass,* where 
Job b 1 * son of T b o mas 3 , was p ro bab - 
ly born about 1670. Samuel/' son of 
John/ b. about 1691, married about 
1713, Hannah Hill. Samuel* (Sam- 
uel *), born about 1718, married 
Aug. 19* 1740. Martha Lane. Sam- 
uel 7 ( Samuel* \ born July 11, 1743, 
married about 1768, Rebecca French* 
sister of Wm. French, killed in the, 
Westminster massacre, March 13, 
1775. See page 41. 



in Towmhend, now owned by Riley 
H, Austin and A. A, Nason, 

FItENOH FAMILY. 

Nathaniel French, page 42, de- 
scended from William/ John/ Wil- 
liam/ born in Halstead, Essex Co., 
England, Mar. 13, 1603; Thomas/ 
Thomas/ Thomas. 1 The name of 
French lias been traced back to its 
origin in 910, and is of Norman de- 
scent. 

Joanna French, page 43, who died 
Sept. 9, 1800, aged 72, was the sec- 
ond wife of Nathaniel French. Her 
maiden name was Kingsley and she 
was born Sept. 3, 1729. Her first 
husband was David Stoddard. See 



ASA AND POLLY ( TAKBEL) DUTTON. 

For children's births gee page 41. 
They married as follows : Folly 

married Dec. 27, 1807, Shepard I 
Gates ; Patty married Abraham, eon 
of Rev. Abraham Wood, of Chester-! 
field, N. IT., and brother of Alphon- 
20 Wood, the botanist ; Susan mar- 
ried, Mar 6, 1828, Joel Gates; Asa 
married, 1819, Mary Day; Sibyl died 
in 1808 ; Sally married Jonathan 
Thayer; Lucy married, Dec. 4, 1818, 
Asa Lawton; Stephen married Electa 
Sargcaot. 

Capt. Timothy Lull came to Du Tu- 
rners too in 1703 from Ipswich, Mass. 
His wife died and was buried in thief 
town. He afterwards removed to 
HartlaUd, Vt. 

SAMUEL W IS WELL. 

The census of Dummerston, taken 
Apr. 17, 177J, contains the name of; 
Samuel Wi swell, page 37, and no i 
trace of him could be found up to 1 
1884, when the history of this town 
was first published. Since then we 
learned that he removed to Towns- 
hend, Vt. He was known as Ensign i 
Samuel Wiswcll, and his sister Mary 
married Lieut. Asa Austin. They 
made the first settlement on a farm 



page 186. 

Asa French, page 42, m. Mercy 
Rice, He was born Jan. 31, 1760, 
d. Qet. 16, 1839. She was boro 
Aug. 14, 1760, d. June 20, 1847* 
Their children were J esse, b. Nov. 
12, 1783: Asa, jr. ; Stephen, b.June 
27, 1788, m. Polly Pierce, born Jan, 

l, 1790, and is now living in her 
102d year; Jonathan, b, Jan. 19, 
1791; Mercy; Lyman; Asa 2d; 
Betsey; Chester. 

Ephraim French, page 43, d, 
Dec, 3, 1848. Priscilla, his 

wife, b. Feb. 1, 1785, d. Oct. 31. 
1844. Their children, born in 
Dummereton, were Nelson, b. Feb. 
16, 1806, m, Mary Kendall; Louisa 

m. Luke Norcross; Charles m. Eliza 
Wilder; Sally D, m. Sheldon G. 
H ail cl rick ; Mary ; A 1 van m . Caroline 
A. Clark: Horace m. Lucy Hall: 
Lucy Priscilla m. Cephtis Dwight 
Corse; Ephraim S, died young, 

WARNING PERSONS OUT OF TOWN. 

The practice began in the spring 
of 1807. Among the prominent 
f am i 1 1 e s w ar ned ou t of town in t he 



214 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



course of a few years, were Ruther- 
ford Hayes, father of Ex-President 
Rutherford B. Hayes, Oct. 14, lfill; 
Sardis Birchard, Aug. 31, IS 15; 
Austin Birchard, Aug 9, 1817, both 
men licit uncles of the Ex-Presi- 
dent ; also John Noyes who married 
Polly Hayes, a sister of Rutherford 
Hayes, was warned out, Aug. 9, 1817, 

EARLY SETTLEMENTS NORTH FROM 

THE COMMON IN LOTS NOS. 65 AND 

84. 

Lieut. Daniel Oates purchased lot 
No. 65, Dec. 2G, 1774, for 877. At 
that, time he was 23 years of age. 
How soon lie made a clearing and 
built, a house is not known. He was 
in the Revolutionary war and was an 
officer under Gen. Horatio Gates at 
the battle of Saratoga in 1777, when 
Gen. B u r go y n e su v ren d e red his a r my 
of S000 British soldiers to the vic- 
torious American general. Lieut, 
Gates built at first a one-story house 
on liis new land and encouraged 
o tli e r s to b u i 1 d n ear h i e re si d e n c e by 
selling them house lots on hie farm. 
May 19, 1788, he sold Silas Pair- 
child, joiner and cabinet maker, £ 
acre of land for $24, on which he 
built a house that is now, with sev- 
eral acres of adjoining land, the 
property of Rev. M. H. Wells. 
Fairchild built a house costing $113, 
and sold his place Dec. G, 1789 to 
Capt. John Metcalf for $137. The 
captain probably fitted up the house 
for liis approaching marriage. Mar. 
9, 1791, he married Sally Taylor of 
Hinsdale, N. H. He bought of 
Pea. Simeon Colby a store standing 
on the north side of the common and 
in the southwest corner of land now 
belonging to the Benjamin Esta- 
brook place. Dec. 19, 1791 , he sold 
his homestead and store toCoLWm. 
Moore of Greenfield, Mass., for $5G7. 
He probably disposed of his real es- 
tate on account of ill health, as hie 
death occurred in about two months 
from the time of the sale. A large 
slate stone marks the place of his 
bn rial in the cemetery east of the 



common. A portion of the stone 
has been broken into fragments, but 
the following epitaph on the tomb- 
stone has been made out after care- 
ful study: 

Mo men to Mori. 

Sacred to the Memory of Mr. John 
Metcalf, Capt, of a Company of 
light horsemen, in the Militia of this 
State; whom he served with Repu- 
tation; and who honored his Re- 
mains by burying them under Arms. 

Death, the King of Terrors, 

After a long Conflict, 

Dismounted and triumphed over 
This brave Captain of Dragoons: 
Who, in the 29th Year of his age. 
Much lamented by his friends, 

Fell, a victim to this last enemy, 
Feb. 13, 1793. 

Col. Moore sold the homestead, 
which he bought of Capt. Metcalf 
to Samuel Porter, Esq., April 5, 
1797. In June, 1791, Mr, Gates 
sold 4 acre of laud just south of his 
house to Cotton Skinner, a shoe- 
maker, for $27, on which he erected 
a small house, and on Nov. 13, 1793, 
sold out to Nathan Cook for $200. 
Mr. Cook was a son of Enoch Cook, 
sen., an d m a r r i ed Levina Par m e te r 
of New fane. He sold to Seth Kel- 
logg, a cabinet maker, from South 
Hadley, Mass., of whom Samuel 
Porter purchased the place. The 
building at one time was used for a 
store by Mr. Gates a few years be- 
fore- his death in 1807. Nathan 
; Cook lived before 1793 in a house 
near the top of Prospect bill west of 
Gates' farm in lot No. 83, It was 
sold by him to Jonathan Barms, a 
bricklayer, who sold it, with 25 
acres of land, to Ebenezer Wait in 
1796, who sold it no Enoch Cook, 
from whom Porter bought it in 1798 
for $400. At that time a house and 
bar a), a good orchard and well were 
on the place. The apple orchard, 
which is a century old, still bears 
considerable fruit. Mr. Wait was a 
blacksmith from South Hadley, 



DUMMEESTON. 



215 



Mass.; and bought live acres of land 
in 1784 on which he built a shop, 
the site of which is near a butternut 
tree just north of the gate on the 
road leading up to Clark Bacon's 
house. He bought a house which 
stood opposite the shop, of Mrs. Sar- 
ah Cutler, wife of Seth Cutler, 
Wait also o \v ued a piece of land 
south of his dwelling, which once I 
belonged to the minister lot. 

He sold the whole of his real estate 
in 1800 to Stephen Woodbury, who 
in a few days sold it to Ebcnezer 
Haven for 8 1000, and shortly trans- 
ferred by Haven to Porter. These 
several purchases made by Judge 
Porter secured to him a farm in oue 
of the pleasantest localities in Du Tu- 
rners ton. On this farm he built one 
of the largest residences in town, 
Mr. Wait died in 1801, and his 
widow, Cloe Wait, married Thomas 
Turner, Aug. 26, 1802. 

Lieut. Gates built some years be- 
fore his death a two-story addition 
to his house. He died ^ery sudden- 
ly in 1807 while absent from home. 
His estate was sold to John Laugh- 
ton in 1810. He was the grand- 
father of Augustine Laughton and 
was sometimes called Cfi Pea.” John 
to distinguish him from John Laugh- 
ton, the father of Capt, Asa, then 
living iu town. John the father of 
Asa. was a good mathematician. His 
name appears on the records as a 
county surveyor of lands and roads. 
After 1812 his surname was spelled 
Lawton. He died in 1817. * * Ilea . ” 
John lived on the Gates farm 43 
years. 

John Miller, brother of Marshall, 
both of whom were Revolutionary 
soldiers, bought one-half of lot Ho. 
84 west of No, 65, in 1782, and Dan- 
iel Gates purchased the other half 
the same year. The northern half 
was settled by Miller, on which he 
built a house where the Miller fam- 
ily resided about 10U years. 

CAPT. ISAAC MILLER'S FAMILY 
RECORD. 

His children, 12 in number, were 
all born in Worcester, Mass, They 



were Vespasian, born June 2, 1740; 
died July 6, 1812; Hosea, bom 
April 1, 1742, died May 7, 1795; 
Rosanna, born May 19, 1744, died 
June 28, 1794; Sarah, born Oct. 22, 
1745, died Nov. 27, 1821; TiUotson, 
born Aug. 25. 1747, died Aug, 0, 
1804; Patience, born June 4, 1749, 
died Jam 22, 1822; Isaac, born Nov. 
12, 1752, died Feb. 14, 1826; Mar- 
shall, born Sept. 20, 1754, died June 
10, 1807; John, born Doc. 20, 1756, 
died Dec. 19, 1834; Joseph, born 
Feb. 21, 1758, died Sept. 26, 1814; 
Catharine, born June 13, 1759, died 
Jan. 2, 1838; William, born Oct, 2, 
1761, died April 16, 1802. 



Add to the family of Gardner 
Knapp, page 148, Fanny Maria)), b. 
Feb. 10, 1830, m., 1st, Elisha W. 
Fi cl d ? 2 d , Mo r r i s E . La w ton . 

Joel Knights, jr., pages 140 and 
141, was the son of Joel and Esther 
(Farr) Knight. He married Jan. 1, 
1829, Fanny M, t dan. of Dr. Abel 
and Lydia Duncan. , Children: Fan- 
ny Sophia, b. Oct. 12, 1829, m. Rev. 
S. II. Me Colies ter, I). D., Nov. 23, 
1852; Celia Maria, b. Nov. 22, 1831, 
d. Aug. 31, 1846; E valine Duncan, 
b. Apr. iOj 1834, m. May 19, 1857, 
Col. Win. H. Greenwood; Esther 
Lydia, b. Aug. 29, 1836, m. Oct. 
12, 1858, Edwin Guild; Mary Lucin- 
da, b, Feb. 1, 1839, m. June 18, 
1863. Asa Dutton; Joel Murry, b. 
April 10, 1342, d. July 22, 3845; 
Susan Helen, b Feb. L 1848, d. Apr. 
9, 1876; Charles Mel len, b. Feb. 1, 
1848, m. Aug. 31, 1882, May 

Acorn b. 

LEVI WHITNEY, 

son of John and Hannah Whit- 
ney, resided in Durnmerston from 
1804, till his death in April, 1861, at 
the age of about 60. 

BRIEFS. 

Abbie G. and Ada E. were the 
youngest children of David and 
Betsey Reed. 



216 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



John French, jr., page 105, was a 
son of John French on page 96. 

The rnan from whom the town 
took away his gun, because they sus- 
pected it contained a ball more 
friendly to the King than Congress, 
was Alexander Kathan, Esq., pages 
13,111,115. His brother, Daniel 
Kathan, was the neighbor who j 
watched him during his year of ban- 
ishment. 

Alexander Kelley was born in 
Hoplduton, Mass., Apr. 21, 1755, 
m. Elizabeth — about 1773. Chil- 
dren : Mary, 1775 ; Sarah ; Nancy ; 
Elizabeth, Alexander, jr.; Lucinda; 
Lawson. 

William Kelley m. Lucy — about 
1772. Children : James ; Amos ; 
Samuel ; William, jr., John ; Lucy. 

Nathan Adams m. Ruth Kend- 
rick about 1782. Children : Ethyl- 
inda ; Polly; Clarissa; Ruth; Han- 
uah ; Nathan ; Clark ; Fanny ; 
Sophia ; Betsey ; Lovinia ; Milo K. 

Lt. Josiah J.* Allen ra. Desire 
Jones (?) about 1777. Children:! 
Phebe ; Sarah ; Johnson ; Desire ; 
Jo6iah, jr. 

Charles Allen m. Elizabeth Gil- 
man, Nov. 3, 1786. Children : 
Charles; William ; Eliphlet ; Harry, 
Harriet ; Emelia. 

Thomas Sargeant, page 23, mar- 
ried AnnaS tcbbins. Children, Eli hu,b. 
May 3,1758; Anna.b. June 18, 1760; 
Calvin, b. Nov. 9, 1763; Electa, b. 
Oct. 31, 1765; Luther, b. May 15, 
1786; Susanna, b. Jan. 5, 1770; 
Erastus, b Nov. 16, 1771; Roxauna; 
Roswell, b. Nov. 27, 1776; Henry. 
Elisha, son of Thomas, married 
Mary Kathan. Children: Elihu, b. 
Nov. 13,17S0; Molly; Clarisa; Thom- 
as; Alexander; Chester; George, 
The father died Dec. 1, 1833. 



PORTRAITS AND DONORS 

TO THE DUMMKRSTON ROOK. 

Capt. Isaac Miller, presented by 
the artist, Leslie Miller of Philadel- 
phia. Joseph Duncan, Esq., Joel 
Knight and Mrs. Esther Farr 
Knigiit, from paintings by Bel- 
knapp in 1832, Mrs. Eva D. Green- 
wood. 

Joel Knight Junior, by Mrs. 
Fanny (Duncan) Knight. 

Col. War. H. Greenwood — steel 
engraving by Mrs. Eva D. Green- 
wood. 

Mrs. Rosanna M. Williams, by 
Mrs. Williams and grand-son, J. H. 
Merrifield. 

Elijah and Anna(Millbr)Rice 
and Clare. Rice, by Mt 6. Milton 
Miller, grand-daughter and daugh- 
ter. 

Hon. Asa and Mrs. Susan M. 
Knight, by their children. 

Asa Miller, bv his children. 

Alonzo Dutton, by Myron F. 
Dutton aud Mrs. Adin F. Miller, 
grand children. 

Joseph Miller, by Mrs. Sophia 
Arms Miller. 

J. Edson Worden, by Mr. Wor- 
den. 

Wm. 0. MiL7.BR, by Mr. Miller. 

David L. Mansfield, by his 
friends. 

Miller Family Coat of Arms, 
by Col. Clias. D. Miller of New- 
ark, 0. 



PUTNEY 



BY REV. AMOS FOSTER, 



A pe&CL'lut town wJtl) rural svauery fair 
As p lut Lima on tUe pointed ciinYims are; 
Tlm( has It* 1 i i tie luxury to be inki 
tjpcm rhHSCpuge&i choicely litre* unroll v.A 
By rtiio. it* JPiistor forty ywua, uVtt Juki 



RUT NET. 

ltOCH'DAttriSt EXTENT AND 
NATURAL HISTORY. 

T his Low a i s I > t > u q ded n o r t h by VV e*t- 
yin lister, east by Conner lieu t River, sep^ 
a ^ Ling it from Westmoreland ; south by 
Dtimmmton, and west by Brookline, 
it is 13 miles south of Bellows Falls, 
& n d 1 0 u u r t It of B rat 1 1 e ! >o r o * The V or - 
moot Valley Rail Road passes through 
the eastern border, there being two sta- 
tions, one called Putney., the other* 
East Putney. 

It extends on the Connecticut River 
from north to south about 5 miles, and 
from the eastern to the western bound- 
ary between 6 and 7 miles, and contains, 
as reported by Asa Washburn* P^sq., 
Vt. State's Assessor ill 1814 15,70 J 

acres and 70 rods. In variety and beauty 
of scenery, it is surpassed by few coun- 
try places. In the easterly part of the 
town is the 

GREAT MEADOWS, 

so called from its earliest history, formed 
by a large bend in the river. The 
meadow comprises not far from 500 
acres. The soil is rich, easy of culti- 
vation, and yields abundant crops of 



grass, corn, and other kinds of grain. 
The Great Meadow is seen to good 
advantage in passing through West- 
mo relnnd on the Cheshire Rail Road : 
and in midsummer, the prospect from 
that point is most enchanting. It is 
said* that the Hon. Edward Everett, 
once passing over that road, was so 
delighted with the prospect that he could 
not suppress his emotions. He broke 
forth in a strain of eloquence to the great 
a dm i rati o n o fh i s fe 1 1 o w p ass en gers . 

Back from the river, the town is 
agreeably diversified with swells of land 
and intervals, susceptible of high culti- 
vation an d very productive. 

SAGKett’s BROOK 

presents a distinguishing feature in the 
physical aspect of the town. This is a 
never-failing stream flowing from the 
west part of Westminster, receiving in 
its passage many tributary streams, and 
emptying into the Connecticut about a 
mile east of the village. This brook 
runs through a large meadow, at the 
lower end of which is The Village ot 
Putney, The meadow is enriched by its 
frequent overflowings, and from year 
to year yields abundant crops ot grass. 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



■MS 



The Street (so called) passes from the 
village in a northerly direction, west of 
the meadow, for the ^distance of two 
miles and is lined with comfortable res- 
idences the whole distance. The trav- 
eler going north is delighted with the 
abundant verdure of the meadow and 
with Rare Hill crowned with pines and 
other evergreens, on the right ; and he 
is no less pleased with the majestic 
swells of land and flourishing and pro- 
ductive fields, on the left. 

Leaving the street, and taking a 
westerly course on what was formerly 
called the k County Road.” leading to 
New fane and Townshcnd, the traveler 
passes over West Hill, easy of ascent, 
presenting a varied aspect of beauty and 
fertility. The writer has ever consid- 
ered the soil in this part of the town of 
a superior quality, and the advantages 
to the agriculturest of the first- order. 
Vet for some reason, tl ere has for forty 
years past, been a gradual decrease in 
the number of inhabitants ; and many 
of the farms have been appropriated to 
grazing purposes. Cattle, and sheep 
now occupy those fields which were 
once cultivated by the hand of man. 

But the physical aspect at West Hill, 
and the magnificent prospect there pre- 
sented still remain. As the traveler 
passes on to the summit, he is struck 
with wonder and delight. Beckley in 
his history of Vermont thus graphically 
describes the scene : 

Beck ley's Description. 

“ The view from this eminence is rich 
and majestic. Few places are more 
enchanting. As you face the south, 
you have on your right the narrow and 
deep valley of West River; and on 
your left the somewhat broader one of 
the Connecticut, some two thousand feet 
below you. Then the whole compass 
of the horizon to a great extent opens 
to your view, excepting a few degrees 



on the north being intercepted by a 
clump of trees. A large portion of the 
south west of New Hampshire, the 
north western of Massachusetts, ami the 
southern section of Vermont is before 
you. From the Connecticut valley* 
your eye goes over hill and dale, clear- 
ings and wood lands, villages, hamlets 
and cottages, till it reaches the summit 
of the Monaduock, and thence north on 
the blue highlands towards the White 
Hills* The silvery surface of the Con- 
ucctic t below Brattleboro, distant 10 
or 15 miles, >Mi<l the irregular and brok- 
en ridges of Southern Vermont and 
Fruuklin County in Massachusetts, come 
iu sight ; and the summit of the Green 
Mountains far to the north with their 
endless variety of shapes, with the Hay- 
stack, ami Saddle-back, and Stratton 
cliffs, limits your view on the right, but 
fixes your attention in silent admiration. 

The original growth of forest trees - 
consisted of beech, birch, oak, maple, 
butternut ami elm . The G rent. Meadow 
abounded with yellow piue ; while the 
Higher flats or plains w ere covered with 
white pines of majestic growth. In the 
valley through which Sackett’s brook 
flows was one of the noblest groves of 
pines anywhere to be found. They 
lifted their heads to a vast height, the 
boughs closing over the traveler, ren- 
dering it dark, even at mid-day. 

THE ROCK FORMATIONS 
on the cast side of Sackett's brook, are 
mostly mica slate, abounding with gar- 
nets and staurctide. Through the cen- 
tre of the town run the extensive strata 
of argilite or roof slate. West of this 
range comes the mica slate again, inter- 
spersed with a hard, black lime-stone. 
In the east part of the town is found a 
very rare mineral, kuown by the name 
of fluate of lime, or fluor-spar, of a 
beautiful, emerald green. Specimens 
of this have been sent to the most dis- 
tinguished mineralogists in this country 
and in Europe. 



CIVIL HISTORY - 



NKHEMlAH HOWK. 



This lown whs early inhabited by the 
aborigines of nttr country, as appears 
from the discovery of arrows, spears, 
hoes, and broken pots. In several plaees 
•on the intervals, when the settlements 
of the whites began. I hey found heaps 
of stones, evidently brought by hand 
from the high lands, bearing the marks 
of fire, and supposed to have constituted 
the fire-places of the Indian wigwams. 
But, what were the names or the num- 
ber of the natives who occupied these 
grounds, or whether they had a perma- 
nent, or only an occasional residence, is 
not known. Previous to the 



cutting wood one fourth of a mile from 
the fort, was captured. At this junct- 
ure, two men David Rugg and Robert 
Baker, were descending the river in a 
canoe; when perceived by the Indians, 
they were fired upon ; Rugg was killed, 
while Baker gained the opposite shore 
and escaped. Ilowe was carried to 
Canada, where he died. During this 
war, which began in 1744, and ended 
with the treaty of Aix la C hapelie, in 
Oct. 1747, the settlement was broken 
up, the fort destroyed and the people tied 
to places of greater safety. 

THE FIRST SETTLERS. 



FIRST FRENCH WAR, 

or the Cape Breton War, 1744, a set- 
tlement by whites was commenced on 
the Great Meadows, and a fort was 
built near the centre, called Fort Hill. 
The first attack made on the Fort by | 
the Indians was on July 5. 1745 The 
sad fate of one of these settlers is wor- 
thy to he recorded ; it is that of 
0 

WILLIAM PHIPPS. 

He was captured by the Indians, 
-while hoeing corn, near the south west 
corner of the meadow ; was carried into i 
the woods, and left, in the care of one of 
the Indians, while the other was absent. ■ 
Pliipps watched his opportunity, and 
with characteristic intrepidity, with his 
hoe struck down the Indian in whose 
keeping he was ; and seizing the gun of 
his fallen enemy, he gave the other who 
was returning, a fatal shot. He then 
attempted to seek refuge in the fort ; but 
before reaching it, be was met by three 
other Indians who took his life. In the 
October following, the enemy again ap- 
peared at the Great Meadow and made 
an attack upon the garrison. An effectu- 
al resistancewas made, one Indian kill- 
ed, and the fort remained uninjured. 



j In February 1755, a family l>y the 
name of Averill removed from West- 
minster to the Great Meadow. This 
family originally came from Shirley, 
Mass, to Charlestown, N. H., or No. 
4. as it was then called. This was in 
1744. The Cape Breton war coming 
on they fled to Northfield, Mass. Af- 
ter thr close of the war, in 1751, they 
removed to Westminster, and trom 
Westminster they came to Putney, as 
above slated. Here, they found Philip 
Alexander and John Perry with their 
families; also Michael Gilson, unmar- 
ried, with his mother and two sisters. 
These were from Massachusetts and 
were the first permanent settlers in town, 
and were the only white persons known 
within its limits. 

Early in 1755, hostilities again com- 
menced, and for their safety, the few 
inhabitants built another fort, in the 
south east part of the Meadow. In 
this enterprize they were joined by a 
considerable number from Westmore- 
land ; among whom was Mr. Aldrich, 
the father of General Aldrich, Daniel 
Howe, Thomas Chamberlain, Joshua 
• Warner, Daniel Warner, Harradon 



220 

I2CT* 



V m M 0 NT niSTO R 1 c A L M A G AZ N h 



f 



W heeler, and vSumuel Minotr. Ac the 
close of the war, they all returned to 
Westmoreland, except Sum it el Minotl, 
who became ei permanent citizen. Dr* 
Joseph Lord and William Willard joined 
the garrison during the French war. 

The fort was of an oblong form, 120 
feet in length, by 8Q iu width, arm 17 
feet high. It was constructed of hewn 
* pine timber 6 inches thick. Some 16 
houses were built within this fort ; the 
back walls of the houses being formed 
by the wall of the fort, each with a 
single roof slanting up to the top of the 
wait. The houses fronted the hollow 
square in the centre* A great gate 
opened towards the east, and a small 
one towards the south. Here was a 
garrison of 12 men during the summer* 
A guard was kept while the men were 
at work, and they usually canned their 
arms into the field with them. No open 
attack was made upon the fort ; though 
the Indians occasionally came shouting 
around ir 7 rendering the night hideous. 

The Meadow was now mostly in a 
rude state, being covered with yellow 
pine ; with here and there a white pine 
and white oak, stretching their lofty 
b o u gh s to w a rd s th e he a vans. C o l . Wi I - 
lard, who owned the land, it is said, 
gave the use of It as a consideration for 
building the fort and defending it during 
the war, 

LIEUT. JOSHUA HYDE. 

I n th e si mime r of 1 7 6 2 * E heut J os h ua 
I-Iyde made a purchase of a large tract 
of land in the east, part of the town, 
and in the same year, he removed his 
family to a house near the river, about 
50 rods south of the old Westmoreland 
bridge. Previous to this j there were 
but two families in town, except those 
in the Great Meadow, viz : the family 
of John Perry and that of Philip Alex- 
ander. Their residences were about a 



ra vie so ui h of the Meadow. Both had 
been inhabitants of the 1 ort. There 
were now no mills and the people were 
subjected to the inconvenience ♦d'.Vurry- 
ing their grain tor grinding to North- 
field, Mass and Cl ester field, N. IL 
In 1764, Benjamin Hutchins and 
Samuel Skinner settled in the east part 
of the town near the great bridge. The 
same year 

JOSHUA FARKIAK 

came fmm ( l anterbury. Ct. , and pin- 
ch used a farm on S ache It's brook, at the 
north end of the street. During the? 
year* he was engaged in making pre- 
p a ra i ro n s \ a re mo v e 1 1 is \i±m il y , a n d w a s 
the first man who drove n team through 
the street. In the Spring of 1765, he 
commenced keeping house in the place 
vf h 0 rc lie a f Lc r w ar d a di e d . By this time, 
Henry Wall on, James Cummings, and 
Moses Johnson had taken up residences 
on the street. In the year 1768, 

HON, noah Sabin 

o f Re ho both. Mass . , rem o v e d ft i s fa m i Ly 
to town. Hia residence was near that 
o f J osh ua Park er . T h e re w as n o w > in 
addhlon to those already named, ou the 
Street, the families of William Wymp, 
an d C h arl e s K a i li a u , W es l o f t h e s tree l 
were the families of John Butler, An- 
d re w Gra 1 1 am , M i c h ael J ai w . an d Den - 
nis Lochim. Cast of the mouth of 
Saekett’s Brook were the la mi lies of 
Jonas Moore, Leonard Spaulding. Fair- 
bank Moore, and Samuel Allen. By 
this time, mills were erected, roads to 
some extent constructed, and eouven- 
i e n ees for living mu 1 ti pi ie d ; the d i v ers - 
ity of scenery and soil was Inviting, and 
the population rapidly increased. 

THE FIRST CHARTER 

of the town was from the State of New 
Hampshire, and bears date, Dec. 26, 
1753. It was given to Josmh Willard 



PUTNEY. 



221 



and others, whoso names are not known. 
A f Lur N e w Y or k l 1 aimed Uie to it i to ry A a 
charter was ob Lurried from that state 
bearing i late 4 Nov - fb 1766. 

trial] tees tun lei' the Charter Irom New 
V ork a re t h e lb llo w i ng : J os In h ’W 1 1 1 art! 
Joshua Hide. Dan id Hubbard, 4 os mb 
Willard, Junior, Lois Butler, Thomas 
Frink, Jeremiah Hall , Joseph Hum- 
ukiiuL Thomas Hill, Eunice Willard, 
Elijah Alexander, Sampson Willard, 
John Ellis, Henry Foster, Thomas Lee, 
Mioali Lawrence, John Gould, James 
Scott, and Nehemi&h Houghton, 

The town was organized, and the 
hrst town officers chosen, May 8, J 770. 

The record of this date is as follo ws : 

u At a meeting oT (he Freeholders 
and ( > 1 1 ie r 1 1 il iab ita nt s o f the Town of 1 
Putney on the second Tuesday of May, 
According to Charter, Capt. William 
Perce was Chosen Moderator for said 
Meeting , and the following persons was 
chosen to serve the Town in their re- 
spective Offices lor the Ensuing year, 
["viz. ] Supper visor, Noah Hub in ; Town 
Clark, Noah Sabin; Assessors, Capt. 
Alii jali Moor and Samuel Minot l ; 
Treasurer, Sept. Joshua Hide ; Survey- 
ors of the Highways, Benjamin Wilson 
an d John W ur u c. r ; 0 v er sc e rs o f the 
Poor, Joshua Parker and Samuel Min- 
ot! ; Colector T James Coinings ; Consta- 
bles, Amos Hulk, Jonathan Houghton, 
and John Perry — and the said meeting 
was adjorned to the Second Tuesday of 
July at the house of Ensign Comings in 
sa id Putney at One of the Clock on said 
da y/ J 

By subsequent records, it. seems that 
other necessary officers of the town were 
chosen from time to time, such as se- 
lectmen, listers, grand and petit jurors, 
leather scalers, tithing -men, hay ward, 
brain levs of horses, sealers of horses, 
sealers of weights and measures, pound- 
keepers, fence viewers, 'These officers 
all had their appropriate duties to per- 
form, at once suggested to the minds 



of those in advanced years, however 
strangely the names of sonic of them 
may sound in the ears of the young. 

At a regular town meeting held Mar. 
15, 1784, it was voted to, f 

Ui Choose a committee of seven to 
divide the town into districts for the 
benefit of school Hug. 1 " 

At another meeting it was voted to 
4 * except of the report of ihe committee 
for dividing the town into school dis- 
tricts . ! " 1 1 w as a Iso v o t ed t o 4 4 C h o use 
one or more meet persons in each school 
districts as trustees of school affairs as 
the law directs.” Accordingly twelve 
4 mieet persons/' whose names are given, 
were chosen for the above purpose ; 
fi ■<> n i w hirh it i n a y b u it i fb r rc d , th at. the 
town was originally divided into 12 
school districts* 

A change, however, w as afterwards 
made. Originally, a part of what is 
now Brookline belonged to Putney, 
embracing the somewhat abrupt descent 
on the west side of the Hill, as far as 
b 4 Gh-assy brook. The vote ot the town, 
passed Oct. 6, 1794, in reference to the 
excision was as follows : 

4< V oted to set off 1 the westerly part 
of this town to join the south part of 
Athens, or some other town, as the 
General Assembly of this State may 
think fit; the bounds of said west pan 
he as follows : (viz) 4 Beginning onr 
Westminster line at the north east corner 
of lot No. 1, in the 13th range, and 
running southerly to the south west 
corner of lot No. 8, in the 14th range ; 
from thence to the north west corner of 
Samuel Bennet, Jr's, lot t then on the 
west line of said Rennet's lot, and the 
west line of Capt. Ezekiel Wilson's lot 
to Dimmers ton line. 

According to the charter from New 
York, 19360 acres of land were origin- 
ally comprised within the limits of Put- 
ney. By this action, some 3569 acres 



V E R MO N T HISTORICAL M A G AZIN K 



222 

were cut off; leaving 15791, as reported 
by assessor Washburn in 1814. 

In consequence of tins action, a new 
arrangement in regard to school districts 
became necessary. At a meeting called 
Oct. 15, 171)5, to act on the subject, a 
committee previously appointed made 
report that the town be divided into 8 
school districts ; which report was adopt- 
ed, and the dividing lines were particu- 
larly described. Other changes were 
a iter wards made, and the number of 
school districts at the present time is 10. 

From the organization of the town in 
1770, the population continued in in- 
crease by immigration and otherwise* 
so that, according to Thompson, in 
1791, the number of inhabitants was 
1848, Subsequently, the population 
began to decrees , and in IfrfiO, it was 
only 1163, Emigration has had its in- 
flu eu(ie» Hut other causes have had 
their effects. Once it was common to 
find large families, consisting, in many 
oases, of eight, ten, twelve, and more 
children, There are those now living 
who distinctly remember three families 
dwelling near each other in which were 
42 children ; in one there were 13, in 
another, 14, and in another, 16. Now, 
as we pass from house to house, we hud 
one, two, three, and sometimes more 
children ; but quite commonly none at 
all. And in school districts, where once 
there were 40 or 50 scholars, we now 
find but 15 or 20. And in two locali- 
ties* where formerly there were schools 
of a respectable number of scholars, no 
schools are now supported. These 
changes are common to our rural towns, 
and they afford matter for reflection to 
thinking minds. 

The early inhabitants were social in 
their habits* kind and genial in their 
intercourse with each other and sym- 
pathetic in seasons of sickness and 



bereavement. A record is now in ex- 
i s ten ee s 1 i o w in g th e ac ti on of i b e unvn 
70 ye'ars ago in reference to tin* con- 
ducting of funerals, which is highly 
creditable to their moral sense and 
Chris ti &t . sy n i p a t h y . 

Til ft OLD LTRRARW 

' n ( ey w c re a re ad in g p eo pie. Ala rgt 1 
social library was for many years in 
existence, consisting of the standing 
authors of that period ; and although 
the advantages for an each education 
were limited % yet the people generally 
were well informed. The writer was 
intimately acquainted with one far ad- 
van o ed in 1 i fe . 5 0 y e a rs a go who. in lie r 
youth, had enjoved but three weeks' 
schooling : yet. in point of general m- 
f exigence, it would be difficult to find 
her superior. With civil and ecclesias- 
tical history, the biographies of distin- 
guished individuals, and religious treat- 
ises then extant, she was familiar, and 
her conversation on these subjects could 
not fail of being eddying to any one. 

In general, those who succeeded Lhe 
early inhabitants have been intelligent, 
moral, and industrious. As a conse- 
quence, the common comforts of life 
h a v e no t b eei i vv a n t i n g. The v i ces that 
have existed are such as may be found 
elsewhere ; and there has always been 
a conservative influence operating which 
has held in check those disposed to do 
w r o ng . O u t b re ak i 1 1 g cr i n i es 1 1 aw b ee n 
very few. 

BUSINESS, 

&GRI CULTURAL PURSUITS 
have engaged attention generally, and 
in these the people have been successful. 
Few towns afford greater facilities for 
the farmer. The soil is rich and pro- 
du e ti ve . The u G rea t Meade w " has 
ever been proverbial tor its heavy crops 
of grain. The farms back from the 



PITNEY. 



223 



river are excellent for grazing purposes, 
and the herds of cattle aud sheep have 
yielded profitable returns to their own- 
ers. The reports of the annual County 
and State fairs have borne testimony to 
the superior quality of the horses, cattle 
and sheep which the town has produced. 

For a number of years past A. M. 
Winslow and sons have been extensively 
engaged in the raising and sale of the 
short horn Durhams. As a specimen 
of the size and weight of these animals, 

* k THE DUKE OK PUTNEY M 
may be named, less than two years old, 
weighing 1600 pounds. These cattle 
are sold in various parts of New Eng- 
land at very high prices. 

Considerable attention is also paid to 
manufacturing and mechanical opera- 
tions. On Nackett's brook which, in 
the distance of 80 rods, falls 180 feet, 
is a woolen-mill, owned by the 

PUTNEY WOOLEN COMPANY, 

George 8. Coffin, Agent, doing a very ! 
considerable business in the manufact- 
ure of mixed flannels. The factory is 
80 feet long by 32 wide, and *1 stories 
high . Adjoining this is a weaving-room 
100 feet long, by 25 feet wide. A very 
commodious boarding-house belongs to 
the company. 

[Since the foregoing account of the 
Woolen Mill was written the whole 
establishment has been sold. The large 
building is taken down and the mater- 
ials removed. The hoarding-house is 
owned by Mr. Lewis, aud is fitted up in 
beautiful style for the accommodation of 
boarders for a longer or shorter period.] 

PAPER MILL. 

Next is a paper mill owned by John 
Robertson, in which $7000 is invested 
aside from the real estate. Stock from 
150 to 200 tons is annually worked up, 



yielding from $30,000 to $40,000 worth 
of paper. Auother paper-mill is owned 
by William Robertson, doing a busiuess 
of some $20,000, annually. 

There are also, a saw and grist-mill, 
ft furniture-shop, a chair-shop, a black- 
smith-shop, and a harness-shop, and 
Clark Roberts is largely engaged in the 
business of carriage-making. Messrs. 
George L. Piorc and Herbert L. Wheat 
arc the two Merchants. Mr. Wheat is 
Postmaster. 

THE VILLAGE OF PUTNEY 
is pleasantly situated in the valley of 
Sackett's brook, containing within its 
limits, besides the buildings already 
referred to, 75 dwelling-houses, two 
churches, 1 hotel, 2 school-houses, a 
beautifully constructed Masonic hall, 
and a very commodious Town House. 
The latter was built in the summer of 
1871, at an expense of some $11,000. 

It contaius a spacious Towq Hall, 
a large room fora High School, and 
• four smaller rooms, for various useful 
purposes. 

Since the opening of the Vermont 
Rail Road, a Post Office has been estab- 
lished in East Putney, named by the 
Post Office Department, 
cornton : 

A lively business is here carried on, in 
the lumber trade and the manufacture of 
horse-rakes, by Franklin L. Pierce and 
Warren Parker. 

In addition to the residences pre- 
viously standing, several new ones of 
taste and beauty have recently been 
erected, rendering this section of the 
town inviting. 

TOWN CLERKS. 

Noah Sabin, Sen., Amos, Haile, 

Matthew, Cushing, Daniel Sabin, 

John Talbut, William Stephenson, 
to 1796 : 



224 



VERMO NT HI STORICA L U A GAZIN K. 



17^7 — 98 : Noah Salmi, Jr. 
1790 — 09 : Daniel Sabin. 

IS 00 — u3 ; Medad Combs r 
1804 — 27 i Noah Sabin, Jr. 
1828 — 29 ; Asa Houghton. 
1830 ’ — 04 : James Lowe. 

IKJfr — 43 : William Houghton. 

1844 : William Wilder. 

1845 — 07 : William Hough ton. 
1808 — : A. JL HewetL 



EDUCATION. 

The primary schools have compared 
Favorably with the same order oF seh oola 
in other towns. Well qualified teachers 
lmve generally been employed ; and it 
could be said oF nearly all our youth, 
that they possessed a good common ed- 
ucation . Besides the school s j list named , 
u select, schools +J were For many years 
sustained, in which the higher English 
branches, and the languages preparatory 
to admission to college, were taught. 
Instructors oF superior qualifications 
were employed, and many youth were 
enabled to make those attainments in 
useful knowledge, by which they were 
prepared For the stations in life which 
they were called to fill* Others have 
beeu sent abroad to enjoy advantages 
still greater than any that could be Found 
at home. 

COIXBGE GRAD OATES , 

Luk e Bowen, L u t h er J e w ett , Samuel 
B. Goodhue, Reuben Washburn, Asa 
Keyes, Henry Crawford, Samuel Fletch- 
er, John H. Noyes, Horatio Noyes, 
William White, George Ash, Jerome 
Allen, Henry D. Foster, and Wilder 
Harding. 

NATIVE MIS? EST EliS , 

Those who have entered the ministry 
from Putney are l he following r Luke 
Bowen, Luther Jewett, Samuel Fletcher 



George Ash, Jerome Alien, Cuiigre- 
ga t finalists : 

Nathaniel Cu I worth, and Farris 
Moore, Baptists ; 

C h a r 1 us H a rd i n g at n 1 Sm n u e 1 A . 
Cushing, Methodist. 

PHYSICIANS* 

Elisha Rood* Josiah Good lute, John 
Campbell, 1st. Luther Jewett, Alex- 
ander Campbell, Nathaniel C li amber- 
lain, John Complied l . 2d, David Allen. 
S. N Be mis, G us lav us H. Loomis. E. 
W. Morse, LL D, Holton, 1). P. Web- 
steic (4, S. Foster, E, .8, M uugcr* 
lawyers. 

John Griffin, Phi liens White, (sec 
Biographical Sketch ) . 

ASA KEYES, 

b orn in P uti i ey M a y 3 0 , 1787, g rn d u n - 
ted at Dartmouth college in 1810. after 
teaching 2 years in Chesterfield, N, H - 
studied law and was admitted to the bar 
iu 18 M, He immediately commenced 
practice in Pulney and continued it till 
1833. Since which he lias resided in 
Brattleboro, pursuing his profession to 
the present time, (ISGCb) He has held 
the office of judge of probate and justice 
of the peace ; lias been a mem bar of the 
house of Representatives for 3 years, n 
member of the Senate 2 years, and a 
Trustee of the Vermont Asylum for the 
Insane for about 20 years. 

[Judge Keyes has since deceased. See 
History of Brattleboro. this volume for 
a b i o gr a pk ical sk etch * E d . ] . 

NATHANIEL GOODHUE 

commenced the practice of law iu Put- 
ney, where he remained a few years, 
and then removed to Ohio. 

JOSHUA LEAVITT 

after a short practice of the legal pro- 
fessio n , cm e red th e minis try . F o v m a n y 
years past, he has been connected with 



PUTNEY. 






tlie religious press in the city of New 
York. 

JOHN KIMBALL 

was a native of Haverhill, N. H. ; grad- 
uated at Dartmouth College in 1622. 
sand studied law with I he Him. Moses 
P* Pays on of Bath, N, IL 

In 1828, tie commenced hi* profes- 
sion in Claremont/ N* H** where he re- 
sided 10 years and was twice elected to 
the legislature. Sept* 2, 18 34, he mar- 
ried Frances Mary, daughter of the 
Ho a* Phiaeas White of Putney, to which 
place he removed in 1830* and contin- 
ued the practice of his profession. He 
.served 3 years in the office of States 
Attorney, and has been a member of the 
Senate and of the house of Representa- 
tives 6 years. For the past 6 or 8 years 
he has turned his attention principally 
to farming. 

The preceding statements having 
been made by Mr, Kimball himself, it 
is due to him that some additional re- 
marks bo made. For more than sixty 
years the writer has enjoyed his acquain- 
tance. and during this whole, period it 
may be truly said he sustained an irre- 
proachable character. In college, though 
not a professor of religion, he strictly 
observed the rules of the Institution ; 
*and in point of scholarship, he was 
among the first in his class. While in 
the practice of law at Claremont* he 
made a profession of religion, and soon 
after his removal to Putney in 1839, he 
united with the Congregational church 
in this place, and during the more than 
forty years of his residence here, his life 
was beautifully adorned by the Chris- 
tian graces. His social qualities were 
of a high order, and his agreeable and 
instructive interviews endeared him to 
all classes, both old and young. Ilis 
place in the house of God was seldom 
29 



vacant on the Sabbath, and he was usu- 
ally present at the meetings during the 
week. He always manifested a deep 
interest in the cause of religion* and its 
prosperity was an object of his efforts 
and his prayers. The sufferings of Ids 
last sickness were borne with sweet sub- 
mission, and his hope of final acceptance 
was in the mercy of God through Jesus 
Christ. He died Feb. 25, 1884, aged 
87 years and nearly 5 months, leaving 
mi afflicted widow* and only son. and h 
large circle of other friends to mourn 
their loss. 



REPRKs EN TATIVES 
TO TUB GENERAL ASSEMBLY- 

From 1 777 to 1862, reported by the 
Secretary of State : 

1777 : Dennis Lochlin* 

Iff 78 ; Abner Miles. 

1779: ,, ,, and Amos Haile- 

1780 : Am pis Haile, Daniel Martin. 
17K1 : Daniel Jewett, Lucius Wilson* 
1782 : Noah Sabin, Lucius Wilson* 
1763 1 ,, ,, „ 

1784: Lucas, Wilson, James Haile 
1785: Lucas WiLon* 

1786: Daniel Jewett* 

1 787 : Noah Sabin. 

1788, 1789: Daniel Jewett* 

1790 — *96 : John Campbell. 

1797 — 4 800 : Daniel Jewett. 

1801 : Josiah Goodhue* 

1802 : James Fitch. 

1808 — ‘07* Daniel Jewett* 

1808 — *09 : David Leavitt* 

1810, *11 > Willard Taft* 

1812, *13 : Nathaniel Chamberlain. 
1814 : David Leavitt* 

1815, — *20 : Phineas White* 

1821* 4 22 : Joseph Winslow. 

1823 : Theophilus Crawford* 

1824, 1825 ; None* 

1826 — ‘27 : Asa Keyes. 



VERMONT HfST 

1828, *29 : David Crawford. 

1830 — *&i : John. Campbell, 

1832 *33 : David Crawford, 

2834, -35 - 86 : Alex. Crawford* 
1831 : None. 

1838 i Foma Moore 
1839, —40.; Jo h ii Smitriv 
1841 — 42 : Henry 1L Baitom 
1843 — 44 ; Joseph T\ Had way, 

1 8 4 5 : J a qi ea K cy e s . 
i 840. — - 47 : Walter Pi Richardson. 
1848 — 49 , Warren B Richardson* 
i860— 51 ■ Mark Crawford. 

1852 — 53 - Charles Blood* 

1854; 55: Pliineas D. Keyes. 

185(1, 57 : John KimbalL 
1858, — - 59 ; Aaron Hitchcock* 
I860— 64 : James J. Johnson. 

1862 — G3 : Char cs Shrigley, 

18G4: John Kimball. 

J 865 - — 60 : David R. Cobb- 
1867 — 68 r Julio Robertsons 
4869 — 70 Samuel E* Wheat- 
1872 — 74 ; Dan P, - Webster. 

1876 : Sterne O. Parker, 

1878 : William Kobvrtsou, 

1880 : Denison Davis* 

1882. George H, Phillips* 

T884: ? 



MILITARY, 

MILITIA COMPANIES. 

In early days, considerable attention 
was paid to Military affairs. There 
was a large company of militia in the 
West part ; and another in the East 
part of the Town. Besides these, there 
was a company of light, infantry and 
one of cavalry or troops, as they were 
then called* These companies frequently 
met for the purpose of drilling ; the an- 
nual meeting was the first Tuesday of 
June. These occasions drew together 
a large number of persons of all ages. 



JfilCAL MAGAZINE, 

and they were seasons of hilarity an J: 
mirth* The system was at length broken: 
up by legislative enactment* 

rf^voujtk > s a ay .so lu ikes. 

Irr our Revolutionary struggle, Put- 
ney bore an honorable part* Twenty- 
four of her sons were in the war, vis: 
Daniel Adams, Samuel Bennett,* Daniel' 
Brown, Seth Carey, Abram Houghton, 
David Foster, Caleb Houghton, Elijah 
Houghton* Joshua Hyde, *Zenas Hyde, 
Daniel Jewett, Elisha Johnson, * Moses 

Johnson, Katharu Daniel Maria, 

Aaron M. Martin. Isaac Palmer. *Johi* 
Smith, * Ezekiel Pierre, *Jolvn Stowers- 
James LTpImin, George Ware, *Luke 
Wilson, Ezekiel Wilson, 

DAVID rUAWKUKD. 

It? the war of 1812, Was David 
Crawford, concerning whom to Gard- 
ner's Dictionary of the army of the 
United States, is the following record u 

Lk David Crawford, Vi. Second Lieut.. 
7 May 1812, First Lieut, June 1813* 
Adjutant 1J Regt. Infantry- 1 8)4. Dis- 
tinguished in the. buttle of Niagara Falls, 
Brigadier Major, distinguished is GenL 
Brown's Sortie at Fort Erie, Sept. 17* 
1814, in which he was wounded. Capt** 
Sept* 17, 1814. 

In 1815, at the dose of the war* he 
was retained in Ins full rank, the army 
being reduced to a peace establishment 
of 10,006 ; but not intending to spend 
his days in the army, tie declined the 
honor. 

He afterwards held various civil oifi- 
ces ; was representati ve from 1828 — 
1833 ; a member of the hist executive 
council in 1835 ; elector of president and 
vice president in 1836 ; senator from 
Windham County iu 1840—4 1 ; member 
of convention to act upon proposed arti- 
cles in altering the State constitution In 
1843 ; member of the council of censors 
♦Pensioner. 



PUTNKY. 



227 



m J 84 8 ; a justice of Lite peace for 25 


Rufus Fur u am, 


9 




D 


years. 


Horace, E* Roberts. 


4 




F 


Samuel ReunetU Jr. Wilder Brown, 


•William H. Roberts, 




Do 




Herbert C. Darning* Walernmii Joy, 


f Samuel. 0. Robertson 




Do 




Comfort Joy, Abet Steele, Jolm Brown, 


John Rowe 




Do 




Asa W ash burn, Jr*, were also m the 


Arba N, Sampson, 


:2 




C 


war of 1ft 1 2, 


Willard, W, Sawyer* 


8 




l 




Leroy 8 better* 




Do 





PUTNEYLS ROLL OF HONOR ; 


Charles, S, Smith, 


Do 


1861 — 1865 




Henry J. Smith, 


Do 






Jeremiah Spear, 


11 


G 


VOLUNTEERS FOR TRUER 


TEAKS 


John A. T hewing. 


Oav* 


F 


Credited previous to the call for 300, 


Charles L White, 


*2 S 8 


H 


000. Get 17, 1863. 




James D. Willard* 


4 


F 


NAWCttS, 


fUift. CO. 


William F, Willard. 


2 


C 


Henry II. Black. 


8 I. 


t Andrew J. Wood, 


8 


H 


James FL Black 


Do 


t William R. Underwood 


. U 


G 


Rtmj. It, Blair* 


11- G* 


Charles II. Up ham* 


Do 


John Blake* 


4* F. 








Doit Blood. 


2, C. 


saLtiXKR.s"owni«t call of 




Geo. D* Brown, 


8, L 


Get 18, 1868 






Otis L. Brown, 


Do 


tor JOO.OUb* and credits 


under subse- 


Roswell Burnham* 


11 E 


qmmt calls. 






Wm, <_;. Butler } 


Cav* F 








Henry 0. Campbell* 


2 C 


NAMES* 


keo. (_ 


■ 0 . 


-Simeon CL Clark, 


11 E 


John Blanchard, 


8 


I 


Ebenezer F. Cross, 


Do 


•Charles J. Blood, 


-Do 




Seymour N. Crouch, 


4 F 


William Burton, 


Cav, I 


Calvin W. Daggett, 


1 1 E 1 


# Jolin R. Campbell. 


4 


I 


* William, H. Haradau, 


4 F 


• Edwin G. Carpemer, 


Lki 




t James, Houghton. 


Do 


Gregory Daggett, 


1 S 8 F 


Jen me M. Houghton, 


Do 


John Fackney, 


7 




* Warren V. Houghton, 


4 C 


Charles H* Elliot* 


4 




Alonzo, D. Kerr, 


8 I 


Barney Fl'ieu, 


Cav. 




Horatio Knight, 


4 F 


Albro V. Ford, 


8 




Charles, Knox, 


8 I 


Daniel W. Hagar, 


Do 




Lewis Lane, 


6 A 


f George W. ll&rad&n. 


8 


D 


f William E* Morse* 


4 I 


James Jackson, 


10 




George Maude!!. 


11 G 


Lorenzo P* Joy, 


4 


V 


Walter J, Parker, 


8 I 


Warner W. Kerr, 


8 


I 


Charles F. Phillips, 


Do 


George Matthews* 


Cav, 




Franklin C\ Pierce, 


2 C 


Patrick Mooney. 


4 


G 


John T* Pierce, 


Cav. F 


Samuel S. Pend eld 


8 


K 


* Edward R. Pratt, 


8 I 


t Hi ram O. Phillips, 


8 


I 


Edwin A. Puffer, 


Cav. F 


•John C. Pierce, 


Cav. 


F 


♦Pensioner, 




Lewis J. Townsbend. 


8 


I 



228 



VER M 0 N r H 1STO K l C A L M A G A 1 1 N E . 



•James K. Whitney, 


10 




Martin Wilson, 


Oky, 




Ephraim Wood. 


8 


K 


VOLUNTEER FOR ONE TEAR, 




William Kurd 1 mm. 




enrolled men who furnished* 




SUBSTITUTES - 


Albert Abbott, John 


Robertson 




James P. Whitney. 


8 


r 


VOLUNTEERS FOR NINE 


MONTHS. 




names. 


REG. CO, 


Ira S. Blanchard. 


1ft 


I 


Henry J. Burnham. 


16 


B 


f Watson C. Burnham* 


Do 




AVplionzo C. Cobb. 


Do 




Henry H. Holland, 


Do 




George A. Houghton. 


Do 




| Charles II. Pierce, 


Do 




John D. Pierce* 


/f* 


I 


K W i 1 1 ar d M . Vi c r ce , 


Do 




Bichard Dennis, 


16 


B 


Lyman B. Wood, 


Do 




FURNISHED UNDER DRAFT AND PAID 



COMMUTATION : 

John P- Austin, Norman Cobb, Jr., 
Warren Davis, Albert Glynn, 

Lewi a F. Holbrook, Peleg Winslow, 
Lever ett K. Wellman, C. V- Wood, 

PROCURED SUBSTITUTES : 

Josiah H. Bntfvnn, Henry D. Holton, 
Henry H. Laughton, .John A. Moore, 
Frederick H. Wilson. 

ENTERED SERVICE, REG- CO- 

Hugh C- Campbell, 6 I 

Charles B. Daggett, 6 B 

*Kii leU , jDifeO of disetiae , 

MISCELLANEOUS 

the worms of *70, 

In 1770, immense number of worms 
overspread the ground, like the worms 
of Egypt, by which the corn and grass 
were very much destroyed. But the 



corn so far recovered as to produce a 
tolerable crop In 179$, the canker 
w or m d e& t ro y ed all t he Iv \n t . T li e le are& 
of the trees were so tar devoured, that 
nothing but the steins were left. In 
1823, ui certain groves in the west part 
of the town for a mile or two in extent* 
a worm resembling the caterpillar that, 
i n fes ts tb e n p p 1 e- tr ee n a p p care d a u d eo n - 
sumed entirely the leaves of the maple* 
ash, beech, anti some other trees- so 
that many of them died. 

A VIOLENT TEMPEST. 

In Aug, 19, 1788 a violent tempest 
swept over the country and prostrated a 
large portion of the forest trees whose 
decaying trunks long remained as a 
monument of the violence of the storm. 
The sugar maple Was so far destroyed, 
that but little sugar was made for many 
years 

FRESHETS. 

There have been a number of severe 
freshets iu Connecticut River by which 
more or less damage was done on the 
Great Meadow, In some cases the 
water lias risen so high as to oblige the 
people to leave their houses, 

In 1828, there w as a freshet on Sack- 
etifs brook- which swept oil most of' the 
mills and bridges. Tie woolen-mill, 
paper-mill* black -snulh-shop and other 
property was destroyed. 

THE SPOTTED FEVER. 

la 1813, the s potte d fe ver p re vul !e d lo- 
an alarming extent Bev. M r . Andrews 
left a record descriptive of Che epidemic, 
as follows : 

u T1ig fall of the year, 1812, was 
steadily, hut not severely cold. On the 
last of November there fell about 4 
baches of snow, which a few hour s of 
sun would have carried off. But the 
cold was so uniform, that the snow lay 
without Increasing or diminishing till 



PUTNEY. 229 



t lie fi rff t o T J a n u a r y , T h e re t hen e am e 
considerable snows ; bat the cold was 
for the most part not severe* but very 
uniform. The weather was dry imd 
dear, such as lias generally teen deemed 
most conducive to health. The fever 
began to rage the first week in January 
and continued with violence till the last 
of March * and did not wholly subside 
ti 1 1 M ay . The re w ere bet w ee n 2 0 0 an d 
300 rases of the epidemic, called the 
spotted fever. It was generally a very 
malignant typhus. From the bth of 
January to the 13th of April, there were 
38 deaths. When the thaws and rains 
commenced in March, the sickness abat- 
ed ; and the return of cold days never 
failed of producing new cases of the 
fever. So general and distressing a 
disease had never been known in this 
section of country. 

fires. 

Some 15 houses of more or less value 
have been destroyed by fire since the 
settlement of the town. In 1772, a log- 
house, standing near the centre of the 
street, belonging to Michael Law was 
burned* and three children perished in 
the flames ; a daughter aged about IB 
years, a sou aged 10. and another son 
aged 7, The oldest son* aged IS years 
had rescued two of the family from the 
flames, and in attempting to rescue a 
third, was so burned, that he died in 
about ten days. 

In 1731, a house in the cast part of 
the town, 50 or 60 rods east of Minott’s 
Mills, was struck with lightning. Two 
persons were instantly killed ; Mrs. 
Warner, the wife of Daniel Warner, and 
a girl by the name of Nancy Franklin. 

In 1831, a house, standing near the 
old grave-yard on the street was burned, 
and an aged lady, the wife of Mr. Paul 
Moore, perished in the flames. 

PERSONS DROWNED. 

Seven persons have been drowned \ 
Patience Wilson and Janies M Hinny, 



both in Connecticut river ; Thomas Min- 
ott, at Minott’a mills ; Jethro Brown, 
Archibald Allen, a child of Newell 
Moore, and another of Thomas Church, 
in Tackett's brook, near the village. 

As illustrative of the resolution and 
courage of the wives and mothers m the 
early days of the town, it may be stated 
that the wife of Lieut. Joshua Hyde 
thrice narrowly escaped drowning in 
Connecticut river. Once she run her 
canoe against a snag under water by 
which means she was pitched into the 
river and sunk . She rose with the pad- 
dle in her hand, at some distance from 
the boat. Rut the currant brought her 
near it again, so that her daughter 10 
years old, was enabled to reach her 
Hand as she was sinking the second 
time. But, notwithstanding her peril- 
ous situation, she had the presence of 
mind to give directions by which she 
was safely conducted to the shore. 

At another time, as she was passing 
between a high bank of the river and 
the water's edge, in stepping round a 
cake of ice, she was plunged Into deep 
w ate r . The weath er w as in ten s ely co Id . 
She had the fortitude and strength to 
gain the shore, and by the help of her 
husband, she reached home,but not till 
she had almost perished with cold. 

At still another time, as she was pass- 
ing the river on the ice, she stepped up- 
on a board laid on a weak place in the 
ice, which gave way, and she was sup- 
ported only by the board. Her danger 
was imminent. But using her remark- 
able discretion, she succeeded iu keep- 
ing herself out of water, till a man came 
to her rescue. 

Also, Philip Black, aged 17 years, 
was drowned in the Connecticut river, 
at Ware’s ferry, Putney, while bathing 
one day in July 1882. 



230 



VERMONT HISTOR I C A L M A GAZ INK. 



PUTNEY LONGEVITY . 

Within the period of 30 year?, 47 
persons have diet! between 80 and 00 < 
years of age. In the same period 15 
persons died whose united ages amount 
to 14J1 years. The average is 94 years. 
The oldest person who 1ms died in town 
was Mrs. Susanna Gould. She dud 
Sept. 12, 1885, aged J04 years and 5 
months. 



Names and ages of persons hi 


Put- 


ney, who have died from 


1834 to 


1884. 


NAMES 


YEAR, 


AGE. 


Asa Washburn. 


1834, 


77. 


Mrs. Lamb. 


D 


75. 


Benjamin Reed. 


1835, 


82. 


Susanna Gould, 


11 


J 04. 


Ruth Adams* 


* t 


84. 


Mrs . Radway, 


1836. 


81. 


Hannah Snow, 


1 1 


81, 


Mary Alpin, 


11 


85. 


Wilmot Rad way. 


1837 


82. 


Gideon Moore, 


it 


77. 


Mrs. Asa Washburn, 




77, 


John Weir, 


1 1 


89. 


Jedediah Sabin, 


n 


77. 


Daniel Martin, 


n 


86. 


Addington Daniels, 


1838, 


86. 


Daniel Adams, 


11 


82* 


Lydia Jones, 


1839, 


91. 


George Metcalf, 




79. 


Lydia Fitch, 


i » 


85. 


Eunice Me.Clellan, 


n 


89* 


A1 ex an dcr C ampb el 1 , 


1' 


90. 


Bridget Keyes, 


H 


77* 


John Reed, 


1840, 


83* 


Caleb Harding, 


ii 


76. 


Jonas Keyes, 


ji 


80, 


Bethana Clay , 


i* 


98. 


Samuel Cud worth, 




70. 


Jephtha Moore, 


51 


77. 


Widow Miles, 


11 


83. 


Zen as Hyde, 


1841 


82. 


Sally Lowell, 


i» 


71. 


John Noyes, 




78. 



Timothy Reed, 


pi 


77. 


Ruth Pierce, 


• * 


8J . 


Hammh Joy* 


1842, 


85. 


Huldah Reed* 




82. 


Elen or Perry* 


,v 


79. 


Polly Houghton, 


, * 


76. 


Sarah Whitney . 


1843 


79* 


Jane Hyde, 


,, 


77. 


Mrs. Josiah White, 


* , 


78. 


Ebcnozcr Ash, 




77. 


51 rs* Blandon, 


1 1 


73. 


Widow Lord, 


* * 


84. 


Elisabeth Aiken, 


1 1 


78. 


Mr. Turner, 


■ , 


93. 


Beth i ah Martin, 


yy 


86. 


Willard Tenney, 


1844 


72. 


Widow Moore, 


1 1 


82. 


Elijah Houghton, 


11 


83, 


Thomas Campbell* 


11 


86. 


Jusiah White, 


-.1 


83. 


Susanna Foster, 


1 4 


89, 


Roswell Parker, 


11 


83, 


John Smith. 


1845, 


85* 


John Snow, 


'1 


79. 


Ezekiel Pierce, 


1 1 


91. 


Rufus Pierce, 


11 


76. 


Willard Taft , 


11 


79. 


Isaac Palmer, 


1846 


94. 


Dyer Joy, 


11 


79, 


Sally Allen, 


1 1 


76. 


Betsey Atwood, 


1847, 


73. 


Benjamin Reynolds, 


ii 


84. 


Widow Palmer 


1 1 


80* 


Mary Edwards, 


1 1 


80. 


Delira Frcemau, 


ii 


81, 


Freelove Burr, 


ii 


76. 


Phineas White, 


>i 


76. 


Widow Goodridge, 


n 


89. 


Elizabeth Barton, 


1848, 


.61* 


Anna Wilcox, 


1849, 


, 78, 


Thankful Pierce, 


1 1 


78* 


Timothy Rice, 


I860 


, 70* 


Peter Hubert, 


1 1 


81. 


Sarah Hodgkin, 


1 1 


86. 


Elizabeth Reed, 


19 


88- 


Charles Cudworth, 


1851, 


86* 



PUTNEY. 



231 



Arm is Craw lord. 


84. 


Harriet Morse, 


i * 


80- 


Samuel Lord, 


„ 84. 


tHruftha Taft, 


1363 


85', 


Susa.ii Moore,, 


„ 78. 


Benjamin Allen, 




88. 


Abijah Moore, 


1852, 94. 


Melinda R. Whitney, 


i ' 


74. 


Betsey Houghton, 


.. 76. 


Norman S, Whitney* 


n 


71. 


As libel Johnson, 


„ 70. 


Louis Wood, 


1 1 


74. 


Susan Hobert, 


„ 81. 


Abner Bacon * 


1864 


95, 


.Josiah Hatch ins. 


„ 74. 


Jane Blood, 




88. 


Rebecca Reed, 


1853. 86. 


Mrs, Mundell, 


17 


75, 


Abigail Keyes, 


95. 


Trefosa Roberts, 


1865 


81; 


Ruth Sahiu White, 


„ 81. 


James Black, 


1866 


79. 


Sally IIo ugh ion, 


„ 72. 


Daniel Joy, 


31 


73, 


T ho m a s Ilo ugh ton, 


1654, 75, 


Mrs, A. Ho s ford, 


i i 


70. 


Mrs, Packer, 


„ 84. 


John Campbell, M. D- 




73. 


Mrs. Robertson, 


„ 88. 


Epa Cone, 


71 


72, 


Elizabeth Buvdett, 


1855, 84. 


Joseph Pish, 


71 


72. 


Newell Moore, 


„ 88. 


Mary Under wood* 


3 1 


72, 


Mrs, Joslyn, 


n 80* 


Sally Joy, 


1867 


73, 


Mrs. Zeniiali Washburn. 


1850, 90. 


Mary Puffer, 


■*7 


78, 


f J od u thi a u Bald W i n , 


„ 90. 


Hannah Keyes, 


ms 


90. 


The op hi 1 us C 1 r a w lord T 


„ 92. 


Thomas White, 


3 7 


76. 


Joshua Fuller, 


,i 70. 


Luther Alvord, 


* 7 


78. 


Sarah Davis, 


„ 97. 


William Bennett, 


t* 


74. 


Esther Allen, 


1857, 75. 


Mrs. Luke Baker, 


13 


85. 


Cromwell Joy 


» 78. 


Joseph Metcalf, 


1869 


94. 


Amasa Washburn f 


„ 89. 


William M, Clough, 


7 7 


81. 


Frank Lovell, 


1858, 74. 


Samuel Wheat, 


71 


81, 


Esther White, 


„ 82. 


William Houghton, 


?? 


75. 


Alan sod Davis, 


1859, 7J . 


Charlotte Jones* 


11 


89. 


Thomas Apiin, 


„ 79. 


Jemima Sabiu, 


3 J 


91. 


Samuel Clark, 


„ 88. 


Polly Moore, 


7 7 


82. 


Charles Stewart Houghton, ,, 70. 


Mrs. Lovell, 


1 1 


79. 


Asa Keyes, 


„ 94. 


Jabez Miller, 


11 


83. 


Eunice Campbell, 


„ 81 . 


Rufus Fitts, 


1370, 


34, 


Y r ol online Kerr, 


i, 71, 


Newell Osgood, 


71 


70, 


Amos Jones, 


h 87. 


Louisa Shaw, 


J 7 


73, 


Oliver Blood, 


1860, 90. 


Electa Johnson* 


77 


78. 


Eunice Reynolds, 


» 96. 


Loudon Holton, 


11 


si- 


Katherine Bacon, 


1861, 83. 


Lydia Wilson* 


1871, 


va. 


Bethiah Mason, 


„ 87. 


Mary Black, 


ii 


30, 


Anna Foster, 


„ 96. 


David Crawford, 


ii 


81. 


Susan ua Fuller, 


n 94. 


Jane Procter, 


ii 


82. 


Susan Reynolds, 


„ 85. 


William W. Howard, 


n 


76- 


Tryphosa Whitney, 


1862 72. 


Herbert Deming, 


71 


75, 


Nancy Pierce, 


81. 


Isaac Palmer, 


11 


82, 


Russell Perry, 


» 70. 


Hannah B, Houghton, 


11 


80, 



232 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Mary 8. Ryan, 


1872, 


79. 


George Lane, 


ii 


74. 


Rodney Laughton, 


15- 


81. 


Franklin Houghton. 


» i 


75. 


Mary R. Alpin, 


n 


94. 


Josiah Burdett, 


1 9 


78, 


Mrs. Artemas Knight, 


,, 


81. 


AbDer Walton, 


11 


78. 


Nancy Joslyn. 


• 1 


75. 


Eunice Campbell Cone 


> 99 


79. 


Joel Willard, 


* « 


74. 


Caroline Joslyn, 


1879, 


82. 


David B. Johnson, 




75, 


Lucy B. Harding, 


11 


80, 


Lydia Wheat Miller, 


1873, 


78. 


Benjamin Joslyn, 


19 


84. 


Zenas Smith, 




76. , 


Alexander Edwards, 


1 1 


71. 


Betsey Cummings, 


11 


SJ. 


Eliza K. Underwood, 


it 


74. 


Wealthy Sinead Clough, 


1* 




John R. Harding, % 


1 9 


'81. 


Daniel Walker, 


9* 


89. 


Saloma Sabin, 


*1 


92, 


Martha Tail, 


19 


74. 


Mary M. Adams. 


91 


71, 


Jerusha Hitchcock, 


M 


71. * 


Sarah Jane Bruce, 


1880, 


81. 


Israel Keyes, 


11 


89. ] 


Experience Davis, 


11 


92. 


Polly Houghton. 


99 


81. 


Daniel Campbell, 


1 1 


77. 


Alfred White, 


1874* 


86. . 


Isaac Leach, 


1 « 


79. 


Betsey Boydeu, 


19 


71. 


Charles Campbell, 


»5 


70. 


David Foster, 


99 


77. 


John Biildw'n, 


1881, 


82. 


Mr. Kerr, 


99 


79. 


Ira Cummings, 


91 


84. 


Joseph Fuller, 


1875, 


79. 


Mary B. Adams, 


,, 


82. 


Asa Houghton., 


91 


80. 


Russell Lamb, 


11 


86. 


Mrs. Procter, 


99 


94. 


Lovisa Darby, 


1882, 


82. 


Aaron M. Winslow, 


19 


77. 


Warren Parker, 


ii 


60. 


Mrs. Alfred White, 


99 


84. 


1 Sarah Booth, 


19 


74. 


Lucinda Towers, 


91 


77. 


Reuben G. Page. 


11 


75. 


Reuben Smead, 


99 


77. 


Horace Reynolds, 


1 1 


79. 


Bersheha Wheeler, 


11 


74. 


Charles Blood, 


>' 


80. 


Isaac Procter, 


ii 


94. 


Mrs. Newton, 


1* 


72. 


Mary Cummings Smith, 


ii 


86. 


Electa Laughton, 


91 


89. 


Mary Martin, 


1876, 


74. 


Harriet Amelia Foster 


1 99 


SO. 


Mrs. Thompson, 


91 


73. 


Eliza Knight, 


11 


80. 


Cloe Kidder, 


91 


80. 


Martha C. Washburn, 


1883 


84. 


Elen or Blanchard, 


91 


76. 


Patty Church, 


ii 


82. 


David Allen M. D., 


71 


79. 


Polly Smith, 


99 


80. 


Jacob Keyes, 


19 


70. 


Nelson Crouch, 


11 


70. 


Mark Pierce, 


>1 


82. 


Sophia C. Haven, 


11 


09. 


Melinda Stoddard, 


1877, 


82. 


Mary Hull Hard, 


99 


76, 


Artemas Knight, 


19 


91. 








Rebecca B. Smith, 


9 > 


74. 


EAR-MARKS 




Fanny Sabin, 


19 


85. 


Many of the customs of the 


fathers 


Sopkronia Allen, 


91 


71. 


are doubtless looked upon by those in 


Aaron Hitchcock, 


19 


86. 


modern times as curiosities ; but to them 


Rebecca Aplin, 


>1 


91. 


they had their importance. 


One of 


Thursa W. Deming, 


1878 


78. 


these customs is that of 


marking their 


Allen Newell, 


•19 


85. 


sheep. Each one had his peculiar mark, 



PUTNEY. 



233 



which was u matter of record io the 
town books ; so that it one of his sheep 
strayed away the owner could easily 
distinguish his own among jmtmy oth- 
ar s . He re i s & sp cc i m e n . 

“ John Talbert’s Ear mark is a squar 
-crop off the left Ear and Hole through 
Bight/ 1 

“Samuel Wheel's Ear mark is a 
Squar troop of the Bight Ear. And Two 
Svvol lows Tales in the End of the Same. 11 

“ Joseph C us h 1 11 g ’s Ea r m a r k is a 
-Skew troop the uptir Side of the Eight. 
Ear/' 

“ Daniel Mar tiffs Ear mark is a 
.squar Crop of the Eight Ear and Slit 
in the End of the Same.” 

“John Perry's Ear mark is a Squair 
Troop off each Pair.” 

“ Lucas Wilson's Ear Mark is a 
Square Crop off the Eight Ear* and 
Two Swallows tales in said Crop and a 
Slit in the top of the Left/* 

Suicide, 

Several instances of suicide have oe- 
c u r red John H en ry , J uly, 7, 1818 , in 
xl tit of insanity drew oui his tongue with 
^ pair of pin cliers and cut it off with a 
rax or. But finding the process of dying 
too slow in this way., with a Stick, he 
twisted his cravat around his neck and 
thus effected his object. 

Daniel Davis, Mar. 21 1 1-834, ascend- 
ed the great beams in his ham and with 
xx ham mar fractured his skull. He ibll 
So the Boor fatally injured. He survived 
-a few days, expressing regret, for his 
j-ash act. 

Lucia Roberts, Nov. 13, 1836, took 
a large dose of opium, of which she 
died. 

Mrs. Persia Knight, Dec. 3, 1836. cut 
her throat with a razor. For some 
month!: , she had exhibited signs of men- 
tal derangement. 

Mr, Warren B. Richardson and Val- 
entine A. Kerr both hung themselves ; 

30 



Mr. R< April 27, 185SL and Mr. K- 
May 27, 1850. 



FIRST THINGS. 

FlUSTBOUK. 

The first child boro in town was 
Aaron, son of Philip Alexander, who 
lived on the Meadow. His birth was 
before the building of the Fort. Tra- 
dition says Col. Willard gav.- him 100 
acres of land hi com me rat ion of the 
even ! , Se v oral o th er ch ikl ren were boru 
in the Fork 

The first child born off the Great 
Meadow was Lucy, daughter of Lieut. 
Joshua Hyde ; and the first- bora on the 
street was Nathan T son of Joshua Par- 
ker, Oct. 30, 1765. 

FIRST DEATHS, 

The first natural deaths known to 
have occurred were those of a Mr. Howe 
and a Mr. Wheeler, on the Meadow, 
and they were buried in "Westmoreland, 
N. H. 

The first death on the Street was that 
of Jemima, daughter- of Joshua Parker, 
fSept. J3 t 1777. 

FIRST I- HA MED HOUSES* 

In 1 768 , Hon, Noah Sabin, Jr., built 
the first framed house, towards the up- 
per part of the Street. The same year 
Mr. Amos il&ile built one a little north 
west, near where the Hon. Theophilus 
Crawford afterwards lived. Not long 
after Mr, Moses Johnson built the first 
two-story-house in town. The house 
still remains* though not without having 
u udergon e al te ra t i o n 3 an cl repa i rs , Af- 
ter having stood a century the frame 
may be found “as good as new.” 

THE FIRST GRIST MILL 

was built in the East part by Dea. 
Miivott in 1765. The second was built 
by Jonathan Houghton a little below the 



V E RMONT H IKTORI C A L MAG A Z IN E. 



234 

village on Sackett’s brook ; and very 
near it was to the first saw-mill, built 
in 1796. 

* THU FIRST CLOTHING WORKS 
were established by Capt. Roswell Par- 
ker in 1765, in the East part. 

TDE FIRST STORE., 

opened, was by Peter Wilson in 1770. 
It stood a little west of the house of 
Dea. S. W. Houghton.. Here, also, 
was the first tavern. 

The second store Wits kept by Charles 
Chandler. It stood a few rods north of 
where James Crawford now lives, and 
was opened in 1 783. 

The paper-mill was originally built 
by Stimpson, Green, and Fairbanks, in 
the year 1822. 



ECCLESIASTICAL. 
congregational ciicrch. 

Religious services were held in the 
Fort on the Great Meadow for two or 
three years during the French war, con- 
ducted by Rev. Andrew Gardner, who 
had previously been chaplain at Fort 
Dummer. 

The first settlers on the Street were 
those who loved the institutions of reli- 
gion ; and though few iu number, they 
did not neglect to assemble together for 
divine worship. For a considerable time 
meetings were held in private houses or 
barns, as circumstances might be, gen- 
erally conducted by Noah Sabin and 
Joshua Parker, the latter of whom was 
afterwards a deacon of the church. 

The first sermon preached on the 
Street was by Rev. Mr. Goddard of 
Westmoreland, N. H-, in the house of 
Mr. Moses Johnson, now owned by Mr. 
Geo. Hooper. Others were employed 
to preach for a longer or shorter time, 
till they were enabled to procure a pas- 



tor. Still they were without a liou^e of 
worship. A meeting was at length 
called with a view to securing such an 
object. This meeting was held Jan. 13 r 
1773. It was voted that the house to* 
be built should be forty feet long, and 
ihirty-five feet wide, and forty feet post. 
It was also voted : 

14 That the spot of ground for the said 
building to be erected and seton.be up- 
on the north ly side of the road leading 
westward towards Townsheml, and iu 
the most convenient spot within twenty 
five rods of the main road (or Brook- 
road so called), leading through said 
Town of Putney.” 

A committee to superintend the business 
was chosen and the house erected ac- 
cording to the votes here recorded. 

The way was now open to take meas- 
ures for securing a pastor. Two or 
three ineffectual attempts having been 
made, the Rev. Josiah Goodhue was 
employed to preach in the summer of 
1776. 

The first action taken in reference to* 
the settlement of Mr. Goodhue was as 
follows : 

u Putney July 1 5, 1 776. At a meet- 
ing of the inhabitants of this town legal- 
ly notified and warned agreeable to cov- 
enant, first, Voted that Left- Joshua 
Hyde, be the moderator of this present 
meeting ; 21y voted to give Mr. Goodhue 
a call to settle with us in the work of the 
gospel ministry ; Sly voted to give Mr. 
Goodhue fifty pounds settlement Lawful 
money of the Hay province; 41y voted 
to give Mr. Goodhue fifty pounds sala- 
ry for the first year, and rise five pounds 
a year till it gets to sixty pounds and then 
stop. 51y voted that Mr Lucas Wilson 
and Mr Jonathan Houghton and Capt. 
John Kerthan, and Left. Joshua Hyde 
and Joshua Parker and Mr Grindal Rey- 
nolds and Mr Miclial Law, he a Com- 
mittee to wait npon Mr. Goodhue and 
make known the proposals to him. 

And then said meeting was dissolved- 
M Ami kw Cosh eng , Clerk . ’ * 



PUTNEY . 



235 



HIE RESPONSE OF MR* GOODHUE- 
To the call extended to Mr. Goodhue 
in pursuance of the above action, here- 
turned an affirmative answer. As yet 
j.o church had been organized, and a 
council was called for the two fold pur- 
pose of organizing a church and instal- 
ling the pastor. The council commenced 
Oct. 10, 1776, on which day the Con* 
Rational church whs organized, consist- 
ing of four male members, viz : Rev. Jo* 
si&h Goodhue, Joshua Parker, John 
Wilson and Joshua Hyde* On the next 
day, Thursday, Oct. 17, 177G, 
rev. josiah QQomnm 
was installed first pastor of the church. 
Rev. Mr. Reeve of Br&ttl&boro began 
the public and solemn exercises of the 
■day with prayer. Rev. Mr. Farrar of 
New Ipswich preached the sermon from 
1, Tina. 111,1 i a man desire the of- 
ifice of a Bishop, he desireth a good 
work/* Rev. Mr. Emerson of Hollis 
made the prayer before, and gave the 
charge. Rev. Mr. Bullen of Westmin- 
ster gave the right hand of fellowship , 
and Rev. Mr. Webster of Temple made 
the prayer after the charge, and the 
whole was conducted and attended with 
great solemnity and decency. 

Mr- Goodhue remained pastor till his 
death, Nov, 14, 1797, During his 
ministry ad were added to the church. 
After the death of Mr. Goodhue for 
more than two years, the dmrch was 
destitute of a pastor ; when a call for 
settlement was extended to 

MR. JAIRUS REMINGTON, 

He was ordained. Feb. 12, 1800 and 
dismissed, Feb. 15, 1803. Tvro were 
added to the church under his ministry, 
REV. ELISHA D* ANDREWS 

was the third pastor. Ho was ordained 
June 25, 1817, and after a happy and 
useful ministry he was dismissed, May 



27, 1827 During this pastorate several 
seasons of religious interest were enjoy- 
ed ; but in 1S17 si powerful revival Look 
place, the influence of which pervaded 
e v o ry p a r t of the eo mm u n i ty , p r o due - 
ing a most happy effect upon the morals 
and 1 mb its of the people. As the direct 
result of this revival, 150 persons Were 
added to the church. The whole num- 
ber added unto the church during Mr. 
Andrews’ ministry was *242, 

REV. BENJAMIN H. PITMAN 
w as t he $ u cce sso r of M r , A n d re w s . lit 
was installed March 3, 1830, and dts* 
missed, Nov. 1,1832. Under his mi n- 
i h try 7 0 pe r so ns we re r ece \ vod i a to t 1 ie 
church. I n December 1852, a call was 
extended to 

REV. AMOS FOSTER 

of Canaan, N. H. to take the pastoral 
charge of the church and sociely. He 
accepted the call, and was installed. Feb 
13, 1833. This relation continued 
till Sept, 2ft, 1853. During th : s pas- 
to rate four seasons of special religious 
a wake n i 1 1 g w e re e nj oy ed , and 107 mem- 
ber? were admitted to the church* 

H E V . JAMES AIKEN 

was the next pastor. His ins taxation 
took place, Jan. 1 1 , 1854. He was dis- 
missed, Dec. 0, 1857. 

REV. HENRY M, GRQOT 
was Mr. Aiken's successor. He was 
ordained, Sept. 1, 1858, and dismissed, 
Feb. 20, 1861. During these two last 
pastorates, 24 members were added to 
the church. 

For several years alter Mr. Grout's 
dismission, the church was without a 
settled pastor ; but enjoyed the labors 
of slated supplies. 

REV. THEODORE M. DWIGHT 
was employed for four years ; during 
which time 18 members were added to 
the church. On his retirement, by re- 



V E RMONT II rSTOR TCAL M A G A Z I NK. 



-m 



quest of the Church and Society the 
REV. MR. FOSTER 

resumed his labors us acting pastor on 
the first Sabbath in February 1866 and 
closed them Dee. [5, 1872. During 
this period 45 members were admitted 
to the church here. 

Following Mr. Foster as stated sup- 
pries, were Rev. Jehial Clafiin. Mr. 
•Tames Mason and John E. Russell, 
licendatcs, and Rev. Aust n Dodge, by 
which gentlemen, the pulpit was sup- 
plied till Apr. 24, 1881, when 

REV. 1 rKCOtN HARLOW 

commenced his labors as candidate for 
settlement ; and having received a call 
from the Church and Society, on the 
1 4th of September lie was installed as 
pastor. Reckoning the number since 
Mr. Harlow’s settlement, the whole 
number received to its membership is so 
far as can be ascertained, 752. 

DEACONS. 

The following persons have held the 
office of deacons : 

Samuel Minott, elected, .Tune 10, 1778. 
Joshua Parker, 4V 

Grindall Reynolds, “ 

Matthew Cushing, 44 
Israel Keyes, wl 

Willard Taft, u 

Jonas Keyes, u 

Joshua Leavitt, 44 

BenjaminReynolds. 14 
Nathaniel Chamberlain, Oct. 30, 1823 . 
David Crawford, 44 Mar. 13, 1834. 
John Gray, ** January, 1835. 

David Allen, 44 Sept. 3, 1846. 

Simon W. Houghton, Feb. 15, 1851. 
Alvin G. Keyes, 4 4 4 4 4 4 

Franklin L. Pierce, 44 Aug. 30, 1872. 
Frederick R. Cobb, “ 1883. 

[The Pastor and deacons of 1884, 
are we understand, thesameasin 1883.] 



THE FIRST HOUSE OF WORSHIP 

erected in 1773, contiunedto be occupi- 
ed until 1803 ; when a now one more 
commodious was built on a gentle emi- 
nence about midway of the street. It 
was dedicated Now. 29, 1803, was con- 
tinued to be used for public worship till 
the spring of 484 1 . a period of 38 years. 
It was then taken down and a new house 
built in a more central parr of the village. 
In the summer of 1867, this house was 
thoroughly repaired and fitted up in a 
style of beauty and convenience which 
does credit to the society. The audience 
room is m the upper story. In the low- 
er are the vestries ; one Targe for social 
meetiugs ; the other smaller for the 
meetings of the Ladies Society. 

MODERN PERFECTIONISM 

Tht introduction oi Modern Perfection- 
ism in the year 1834, under the leader- 
ship of John H. Noyes, a member of the 
church, exerted a blighting influence up- 
on the cause of good morals and religion. 

This sect, while they held to the doc- 
trine of sinless perfection, at the same 
time embraced sentiments of a most 
licentious tendency. They enjoyed ap- 
parent prosperity for a few years, until 
their Leader was arrested for a high 
misdemeanor, and was put under heavy 
bonds for his appearance for trial at the 
superior court. He immediately left 
the state, his bonds were forfeited, and 
the community broken up. In all meas- 
ures relative to the offending members, 
the church acted in perfect harmony, 
but the deleterious influence of the doc- 
trines and practices of the sect long re- 
mained in the community. 

[Noyes went from here to Oneida, N. 
Y., where he established his communi- 
ty. A book entitled 44 Noyesism Unveil- 
ed” by Rev. H. Eastman, a Methodist 
clergyman and ex-presiding elder, give£ 
a more extensive account than here.] 



44 19, 1778. 
Apr. 20, 1786. 

It Li 

Aug. 14. 1805. 
May 9, 1811. 

it u 

Feb. 11,18*23 

44 44 



PUTNEY. 



237 



THE BAPTIST CHURCH, 

By Rev. tititfRY C. Bacon. 

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF PUTNEY 

was organised, Nov. 12, ] 787, consist* 
ing of about 40 members, and compos- 
ed of person* residing in the West part 
of the town, — an industrious, thrifty 
people i mostly farmers. 

In the year 1790, a house of worship 
was erected on the heights near w here 
Oliver Wood now lives, and in 1793 

KEY, ASA HIBBARD. 

was ordained pastor, who labored with 
this church several years. In 1818, 

REV. ASM EL WOOD 

was $ g ttl cd a s p asto r, He wa s a fa i t h fu I 
and highly useful minister. He labored 
with the church six. years, when lie laid 
down his armor to enter into rest. 

A NEW MEETING-HOUSE- 
In l83(b the old meeting-house was 
taken down and the following year u new 
house of worship was erected on anew 
site, far more convenient than the for- 
mer one. 

THE PASTORS* 

whose labors this church have enjoyed 
were Revs. Jonathan Wilson, Lewis 
Allen, Nathaniel Cud worth, Zibba How- 
ard, Ferris Moore, Caleb Smith, and 
Calvin Baker. 

Many years of spiritual prosperity 
were enjoyed by the church and goodly 
numbers were occasionally added to its 
membership until it became one of the 
largest and most prosperous of the Bap- 
tist churches in the Windham County 
Association. 

Rev. Elisha I). Andrews in Ms ac- 
count of the interesting revival of 1816, 
states that 30 persons united with this 
church as the fruit of that revival. It 
may be said of this church that it was 



“ a living branch of the Living Vine, 15 
At this period a large proportion of the 
inhabitants of the town resided in the 
! west part of the town ; were a church* 
going people, their congregations were 
l large ou the Sabbath. The church was 
prosperous until about 1840 or 1845 
when in consequence of the large emi- 
gration and death of its members the 
society began to decline and became ex- 
tinct about i860 and their house of wor- 
ship was sold, taken down and the ma- 
terial used for other purposes. 

In 1877, what few members of the 
old church were still living, together 
with others who had moved into the 
town during the interval from 1860 to 
1877, connected themselves with the 
First Baptist Church of Braitleboro and 
in 1879, were organised as a branch- 
ehureh with 18 members. In Decem- 
ber 1879, this Branch Church called 

BUG, N,D. FAUSONS 

of Hartford, Gt., to labor with them, 
[n October 1880, Brother Parsons was 
ordained and became pastor of the 
Branch Church and is its present pastor. 
Success has crowned the labors of Pas- 
tor and people, the members have in- 
creased and Jan. 25, 1883, 

THE BRANCH CHURCH 

withdrew from the Brattleboro church 
anti became an 

independent baptist church. 

Having no house of worship, they 
hold their services in the Town Hall. 

During the 4 years of this Church’s 
labors, there has been 54 added to Its 
membership, making its present mem- 
bers, 54 ; and during the past year a site 
has been purchased and the funds solic- 
ited and arrangements made to build a 
house of worship during the coming 
season. 



238 



V ERMONT 1 1 1STORIC A L M A GAZIN E . 



THE METHODIST CHURCH. 

Although some individuals of this 
persuasion previously resided in towu, 
yet they were not embodied till about 
the year 1820, when a class was form- 
ed and soon after a church was organ- 
ize^. The first circuit preacher labored 
in 1869. Considerable additions were 
made to the church and in 1832 a com- 
modious house was erected in the East 
part of the. town The society increased 
in numbers and embraced persons living 
in different parts of the town and it was 
at lengtii thought expedient that another 
house be built in the village. Accord- 
ingly, in about 10 years after the first 
house of worship another was erected 
In 1842, and from that time to the pres- 
ent, public religious services have been 
regularly maintained in the latter house 
while the former has been converted in- 
to a hall, and appropriated to various 
other purposes. 

The Methodist society here has been 
favored with a succession of faithful and 
devoted preachers, and frequent addi- 
tions have been made to the church. 

FR031INENT MEMBERS. 

Among those whose names are held 
in grateful remembrance as having been 
especially active in promoting the inter- 
ests of the church are Mason Drown 
and Timothy Underwood. They were 
among the original members and took a 
leading part in whatever promised to ad- 
vance its welfare. Mr. Drown was 
humble and devoted as a Christian and 
adorned the religion that he professed. 
Mr. Underwood was an efficient worker 
in the cause, not only devoting his time 
and energies to its advajcement, but 
giving liberally for the support of re- 
ligious institutions. 

For several years after the organiza- 
tion of the church ministerial labor was 



enjoyed in connection with other towns . 

The following are the names of those 
who supplied the Methodist Church of 
Putney in the manner above stated. 

METHODISTS PREACHERS AT FCTSKY 
Revs. Messrs Edward A. Rice, George 
Putnam, E. Marble, II. J. Wooley, K 
B. Morgan, R. Putnam, F. Nutter. H. 
Webster, W. T. Locke, J. 8. Love- 
and, John L. Smith, N. llowe and F. 
Guernsey. From 1846, the church has 
had its regular stated supply, m : 

1846 — ‘4 7, Hubbard Eastman ; 

1848, Harvey Webster ; 

1849, Spencer Tileslon ; 

1850 — '51, L. C. Dickenson; 

1852 — ,53, J. L. Roberts ; 

1854, A. L. Pratt; 

1855, N. Webster ; 

1826, J. A. Sherburne ; 

1857 — ‘58, H. T. Jones ; 

1859 — ‘60, E. J. Moore ; 

1861, H. B, Sawyer; 

1862, Zcnas Kingsbury; 

1863 — ‘64, A. C. Stevens: 

1865— ‘66, N. W. Wilder; 

1867 — ‘68, R. W. Harlow ; 

1869, A. M. Wheeler; 

1870 — ‘71, L. Dodd; 

1872— ‘73, C. S. Buswell ; 

1874— ‘75, J. H. Gaylord; 

1876— ‘77, P. M. Frost; 

1878 — ‘79, S. B. Currier ; 

1880— .‘81, W. H. Higbt: 

1882 — ‘83, F. H. Knight ; 



THE. UNIVERSALISTS. 

Of this denomination, there has ever 
been a considerable number in town. In 
1833, a Society was formed and they 
had preaching for a few years. For a 
long time past until recently they have 
been destitute of preaching of their or- 
der. Some two years ago they organ- 
ized a new Society and employed a min- 



PUTNEY, 



239 



is ter. Rev* B. Smiley, He has re- 
ceived a call from another place and will 
soon leave town. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 

HEV. J 051 AH GOODHUE. 

THE FIRST FASTQE OH PUTNEY. 

He was the third son of Dea, Samuel 
Goodhue, and was boro in Strath am, 
N* H, t July 1729. His mother’s fam- 
ily name was Bartlett* He fitted for 
college under the instruction of Rev, 
Daniel Emerson of Hollis, N, H., and 
graduated at Harvard college in 1755, 
being a classmate of President John 
Adams, the cider. He was ordained 
over the Congregational church in Duns- 
table, Mass, where he remained about 
15 years. Being dismissed from Duns- 
table at his own request, he came to 
Putney, where he was installed first 
pastor of Putney and the. fourth settled 
in the County, Oct. 17, 1776. He re- 
mained in this pastorate 20 years ; but 
was released from Ms public official 
duties for a year before his death T on 
account of ill health. 

He married for his first wife, Eliza- 
beth Fletcher, daughter of Dea. Fletcher 
of Dunstable. Mr. and Mrs. Goodhue 
were the parents of 7 children . One died 
in its infancy. 

Josiith Jr. was for many years a phy- 
sician, and stood high among the mem- 
bers of Ms profess io u. 

Joseph was also, a physician, and 
for a considerable time held the position 
of a surgeon at Fort Constitution, in 
New Hampshire. 

Elizabeth, the only daughter, mar- 
ried Dea. Peter Aiken of Windham, 

Ebenezer was a highly respected 
deacon of the church in Westminster 
West. 



8 am a el B ai t 1 e 1 1 gr ad u ate d at D art- 
mouth College* but never entered any 
profession. 

Nathaniel became a lawyer and set- 
tled iu the Suite of Ohio. 

Mrs, Goodhue died Oct, 21, 1793* 
He afterwards married the widow of 
Mr* Joshua Hyde. She died Feb* 8, 
1806. Both these women were persons 
of high respectability and moral worth. 
Mr. Goodhue died before his last wife, 
Nov, 14, 1797s aged 68 years. Many 
of his posterity are now living and are 
among the most useful citizens and 
members of the ehnreh of Christ. 

At Ilfs funeral, a sermon was preached 
by the Rev. William Wells of Brattle- 
boro, from Job 1G, 22, which was pub- 
lished. As a preacher, Mr* Goodhne- 
was strictly evangelical and impressive. 
As a pastor, he was devoted to the inter- 
ests of his people, in Ms visits among 
them, always malting religion some part 
of the topic of conversation. He was a 
man of ari amiable and kind disposition ; 
prudent and discreet in his conversation, 
and exemplary in his conduct* Rev, 
Mr. Wells in his Funeral sermon beai's 
the following testimony to his worth : 

u I believe you will all agree with me 
in asserting* piety to God and benevo- 
lence to men were leading features in 
his character. The great object of his 
life was to be useful in bis station as a 
minister of Christ, and to exemplify in 
his own conduct those virtues and graces 
which, with the greatest sincerity, he 
recommended to others. His end, like 
that of the godly man, was peace.” 

DEA. JOSHUA FAttKER, 

was born in S touch am, Mass., June 4, 
1720. He married March 7, 1745, 
Jemima Davenport of Charlestown. 
They resided in Boston till 1747 ; thence 
removed to Needham ; afterwards to 
Canterbury, Ct*, and in 1764 they came 



240 



VERMONT 1 1 1 HT ORICA J , MAGAZINE. 



to Putney* In 1778 be was chosen 
deacon of the Congregational church, 
the duties of which office ho discharged 
with p multitude and fidelity. He was 
a man of devoted piety } highly respected 
by those who knew him, and greatly 
useful as a Christian. Before the set- 
tlement of the first pastor, he usually 
conducted the exercises when the people 
were assembled for religious purposes. 
In his intercourse with others f he made 
religion the theme of conversation, and 
this was the source of h is greatest com- 
fort in life and in death. lie died Feb. 
21, 1813, aged 92years. He was the 
father of six children, some of whose 
descendants are ornaments in the com- 
munities in which they live- 

DU. ,/GSJSPH LORD 

was the son of Rev* Joseph Lord of 
Charlestown, Mass*, and was born un 
the year 1 704. He was a graduate at 
Harvard College where his father had 
been educated, in 1724. He entered 
the medical profession and commenced 
practice in Sunderland, Mass* In 1734, 
he removed to Athol with the hrst set- 
tlers of that town. Here he took a 
leading position among the people ; was 
their physician, religious teacher, mag- 
istrate, proprietors 1 eierk, treasurer, tax 
gatherer and surveyor* A misunder- 
standing at length arose between him 
and the Proprietors, wh’ch led to an 
unhappy legal controversy* In conse- 
quence of these difficulties, in 17511, Dr. 
Lord left Athol and came to Putney. 
Here his abilities were appreciated. By 
commissions dated the 16 of July 176G, 
he was appointed second Judge of the 
Court of common Pleas and a Justice 
of the Peace for Cumberland, now 
W i nd h ai n County* T hese c omm i s s i on* 
were renewed on two subsequent occas- 
ions, and he was continued In office till 
the Revolution . 



As the infirmities of age came upon 
him he desired to be released from pub- 
lic service* that he might, to use his own 
language, Li spend the remainder of his 
days in calm retirement, and concern 
himself* in noth ng else but doing good 
and preparing for a glorious i minor tab 
ity. ,: The Courts, however, were so 

modified as to continue him in t lie Judge - 
ship ; but to take 4 *■ as little share of the 
burden of office upon himself, as should 
be agreeable to him, This was highly 
complimentary to the worthy magistrate* 
He was a man of intelligence, of an 
upright moral and Christian character, 
and was highly respected by all who 
knew him* He bud six sous and several 
daughters. His last years were spent 
with his soo Jotham in Westmoreland, 
where he died in 1788, aged 84 years. 
Many of Ins descendants survive and 
fill respectable positions in society* 

capt* benjamin page, 

A grandson of the preceding, was born 
in Putney m 1709. His advantages for 
an early education were not superior. 
But by observation and self- culture he 
became intelligent and especially was 
he highly skilled in the science of arch - 
i lecture. In this department of business, 
he was uncommonly enterprising and 
useful* His last labor was the building 
of the first Presbyterian meeting house 
in New Orleans. He drew his plan, 
prepared the materials, took them by 
ship to that city and completed the build- 
ing to the satisfaction of his employers* 
Before he left the city, he took the yel- 
low fever and died on his passage home, 
Aug. 11, 1819, aged 50 years* 

It is an interesting fact, that the house 
built by Cspt, Lord was the same in 
which the lamented Sylvester Larned 
officiated as the first pastor of the lirst. 
Presbyterian church in New Orleans. 



PUTNEY. 



241 



He was a graduate of Middle bury Col- 
lege in LSI 3, and died id New Orleans 
of yellow fever i on his birth day, Aug, 
31, 1820. aged 24, about one year after 
Cap U Lord. 

HOE. NOAH SABIN. 

i?nOM H Ann's LItjsTOhv o* tSASTKax vrusiOEt- 

“He was born at Rehohotb, Mass., 
Nov. 10, 1714. and was the only son of 
Noah S ab iu of tl lat p I aee . Be ! ng re 11 g - 
iously disposed in early life, he was de- 
signed by his father for the ministry* 
But to this profession tie was not in- 
clined. In the year 17(S8,a,t the age of 
fifty- four, he removed to Putney, and 
at the firs t el e efu a i o l to w n o tft < :e rs , M a y 
8, 1770, was chosen town clerk. Ou 
the 14 of April* 1 772 T he was appointed 
Judge of the Inferior Court of common 
Pleas of Cumberland County, and Jus- 
tice of the Peace. Previous to the^afiray 
at. Westminster on the 13 of March, 
1775, Judge -Sabin opposed in every 
practicable manner the attempts of the 
people to interfere with the management 
of the courts, ffis extreme conscien- 
tiousness led him to adopt this course, 
for he knew that he had received a com- 
mission from the Crown, and felt that 
his oath bound him, at the least, not to 
offer resistance to the mother country. 
Alter being taken prisoner on this occas- 
ion, he was confined in the Court-house 
at Westminster fora few days, was then 
carried to Northampton- afterwards to 
New York city, where he was iui pris- 
oned. Being subsequently tried mid 
honorably acquitted* he was supplied by 
Governor Try on with clothing and am- 
ple means to return home, lie was 
absent more than a year. 

Regarded as a Tory in principle and 
as a secret favorer of the court of Great 
Britain, lie was for a time subjected o 
many annoyances. Soon after his re- 
turn, William Moore, Daniel Jewett, 
and Moses Johnson, committee men of 
Putney, accompanied by a party of their 
friends, armed with swords, went to his 
house, ordered him to mount his horse 
and follow them. Obeying their com- 
mands, he was conducted to Westmin- 
ster, w here he was placed in jail. 

31 



Many were the threats used to intim- 
idate him during this transaction. His 
imprisonment, however* lasted but a 
day. In the evening, the door of his 
cell was opened* and Le was allowed to 
return home. On his dea th bed, Moore, 
who had been the principal actor on this 
o eeas ion, sen t fo r J u d go S a b i n , co n fess - 
ed with tears the abuses of which he 
had been guilty, and besought forgive- 
ness. On being assured that his request 
was granted,— 1 lL Now/ 1 said he, “ I 
can die in peace/ 1 Fearing that Judge 
Sabin might be in communication with 
the enemy, he was confined to his farm 
by an order of the committee of safety, 
passed in the year 1776, and permission 
was given to any one to shoot, him, 
whenever he should be found beyond its 
limits. So bitter was the hatred towards 
him at this time, that one of his neigh- 
bors, a man steal on s for the liberty of 
the colonies, and for the destruction of 
their foes, watched for him with a loaded 
rifle as he afterwords acknowledged, in 
the woods adjoining the Judge's house, 
prepared to shoot, the despised Loyalist, 
should he venture beyond the prescribed 
lines. 

Even the members of the church in 
Pu tuey shared in these prej u dices . Not 
being an original member, he was re- 
fused the privilege of occasional com- 
munion with them. This fact appears 
by the annexed extract from the church 
record : r 

“Putney, Dec, 7, 1778. 

The church met and took under con- 
sideration the request of Noah Sabin, 
Esq.* of occasional communion with 
his church, and came to the following 
vote, That it was best* all things consid- 
ered, not to receive him at present. 

J. GqOpwin, Moderator. 

He was afterwards on the 29th of 
April, 1781, admitted by vote to full 
communion* and was known as a “most 
stable* useful, and consistent member.” 

In 1781 he was elected Judge of Pro- 
bate for Windham County, but oh the 
12th of April, in the same year, was 
suspended from office in order to satisfy 
the complaints of many who believed 
him to be dangerous os a Loyalist. He 



242 



V HR MO N T II 18 TO R IC AL MAGA2NE. 



was reinstated on the 25 of October fol- 
lowing, and It Is believed continued in 
office until the year 1801. Judge Sabin 
was a mao of uncommon powers of 
mind. He was cool and considerate in 
his purposes, sound and discriminating 
in his judgment. His counsels were 
often sought, and were generally safely 
followed. 

For the period in which he lived, his 
education was superior. It is asserted 
with confidence that when the charter 
for Putney was obtained, he was the 
only person in the town possessed of 
sufficient skill to decipher the peculiar 
chirograpliy in which the instrument 
wa s w r i tie n. I n h i s re 1 igi o u s c ha ranter , 
foe was upright, sincere, and conscien- 
tiously true to his professions. It might 
be said of him that he was* active as a 
Christian, for when the people were des- 
titute of a minister, the duty of conduct- 
ing the exercises of thei r religions assem- 
blies often devolved on him. Although 
at first strongly attached to the Crown, 
and for some time after the commence- 
ment of the Revolution, undecided as to 
the course lie should take in the struggle 
between the colonies anti the mother 
noun try, his sympathies were subse- 
quently enlisted on the side of the former, 
and no truer patriot was to be found 
than he. Upon retiring from office and 
active life, the remainder of his days 
was marked by acts of piety towards 
God and beneficence to mankind. He 
died on the 10th of March, 181 1 , at the 
advanced age of ninety-six years. 11 * 

In illustration of the character of 
Judge Sabin, it may be added, while 
some sportsmen were hunting on West 
Hill, one of them attempted to imitate 
the Indian war-whoop. The people in 
Brookline were alarmed by the appre- 
hension that the Indians were about to 
fall upon them. The consternation 
spread into Athens and other towns. 
Large numbers, men, women and chil- 
dren instantly left their homes and made 
a hasty flight to escape the ferocity of 

•MS. Letter from Rev, A. Foster of Putney, 
Apr. 6, IS5B. Doe. Hist. N\ y , IV. 10W. 



the savage foe. Passing by the house 
of Judge Sabin in Putney, they found 
him quietly engaged in his accustomed 
occupations. They related to him the 
cause of their alarm ; but foe remained 
unmoved. They at once supposed him 
to be in alliance with the enemy, and 
the bitterest maledictions wore heaped 
upon him. They pursued their flight as 
far as Westmoreland, and on the follow- 
ing day when their fears were dissipated* 
they attempted to return. Bui a severe 
snow storm, (it being about the 1st of 
Nov. 1780,) blocked .the roads and 
greatly impeded their progress. Arriv- 
ing at the house of Judge Sabin cold* 
weary and hungry . they were invited to 
enter his hospitable dwelling. Here 
they were furnished with food and cloth- 
ing and every comfort the house afford- 
ed ; in short, were treated in the kiudest 
possible manner; Their prejudices were 
all removed, and the man who, the day 
before, had been so bitterly cursed, now 
received their most hearty thanks. 

HON. NOAH SABIN JR. 
son of Noah Sabin, was born atRelio- 
botii. Mass., April 20, 1750, and re- 
moved with his fa ther to Putney, when 
lie was about eighteen years old. He 
held the office of Register of Probate of 
Windham County, from 1791 to 1801. 
and from the latter year until 1808, was 
was Judge of Probate, in which station 
he succeeded his father. He was early 
elected a Justice of tile Peace, mid filled 
the office for nearly half a century . He 
represented the town of Putney in the 
General Assembly during the years 
1782, 88, and 87. His death occurred 
at Putney, Dec. 5, 1827, in the 78th 
year of his age. In an obi tn ary notice 
written soon after his decease, it is 
said : 

u Judge Sabin was a man of sound 
mind, of a placid temper, and mam- 



PUTNEY. 



243 



fested upon all occasions that urbanity 
of deportment which commanded the 
love and respect of his acquaintance. 
He was an early settler of the town, 
and ever took an active interest m its 
civil and religious concerns . He was 
more than forty -seven years a magis- 
trate, and sustained for many years the 
office of Judge of Probate and other 
office with honor to himself and useful- 
ness to the public. Ho discharged the 
duties of office with such firmness and 
fidelity as to escape with a much less 
share of censure than is common in like 
cases. 

As a Christian, he appeared humble 
and unostentatious, steady and uniform 
in his principles and practices. He 
seemed always to love religion, and to 
be governed by a sacred regard for its 
doc trin es and d u ti cs. 1 t ap peared to be 
his stay in the closing scenes of life. He 
was resigned to the will of God, and 
ready to depart at his bidding. He was 
willing to be absent from the body, and 
to go and be present with the Lord.' 7 * 

CAPT. DANIEL JEWETT, 
was born in Manchester-, Mass,, Mar, 
7, 1744. At the age of 20 n he married 
Zilpah Hibbard and settled in Canter- 
bury, Ct, He soon removed to Putney, 
-and is said to have beeen the first black- 
smith in town, commencing business in 
1773. Residing 2 or 3 miles north- 
west. from the street, he was connected 
with the Baptist congregation on West 
Hill, and for many years a leading mem- 
ber of that church. He was a man of 
firm religious principle, of unbending 
integrity, and of an irreproachable moral 
character. In all town matters and in 
every thing which concerned the public 
welfare, he exerted a great influence, as 
is evident from the fart that he repre- 
sented the town in the State Legislature 
IS years, He died March 28, 1823, 
aged 85, He whs the father of Drs. 

♦From Hall's History of Eastern Vermont. 



Luther and Calvin Jewett of St. Johns- 
bury, both distinguished physicians, and 
the former lor some years pastor of the 
Congregational church in Newbury ; and 
the grand father of Rev. Milo P. Jewett, 
L. L. D. , President of the Vassar Fe- 
male College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y, 

REV. ELISHA D. ANDREWS 
was born in Southington, Ct., in 1788. 
In the year 180.3, be graduated at Yale 
College, and afterwards read theology 
with the Rev, Joseph Lath r op of West 
Springfield* Mass. The first Sabbath 
he. preached in Putney was Nov, 2, 

1806, In April following, he received 
a call to settle In the ministry, and was 
ordained the third pastor of the Congre- 
gational church and Society June 25, 

1807. Rev. Dr. Lathrop, his theolog- 
ical teacher, preached the sermon, on 
the occasion. 

And now commenced a scene of 
peace, harmony, and religious prosper- 
ity, which it is a pleasure to recall. In 
the early part of his ministry, there 
were two or three seasons of more than 
usual religious interest, and a goodly 
number were added to the church. But 
not till the year 1816, was there a gen- 
eral revival of religion. To use his own 
language : 

u During this season there was a deep 
impression of the importance of religion 
and of the worth of the soul ; a deep 
conviction of sin and an anxious inquiry 
after the way of salvation. With the 
youth generally and to a considerable 
extent with others, the salvation of the 
soul was the v one thing need fit]/ The 
vanities of life were laid aside and reli- 
gion was the great concern. The house 
of worship was thronged and the Sab- 
bath religiously observed. Other places 
of worship were gladly attended. Mul- 
titudes came and confessed Christ be- 
fore men. In about a year 150 were 
added to the church, Eighty were ad- 
ded In one day.” 



2 44 



V ERMONT HiSTO RIG AL MAG A Z 1 N E . 



Mr* A ndrtwa J pastorate continued till 
May 57, 1829, a period of twenty-two ^ 
years , T lie d i a i niss i ng Co unc il left the 
tail lowing testimony ; 

k 4 Fro ra 1 1> i ig licq um n ta rtce a Lid c h r is - 
tian intercourse witJi Mr. Andrews, the 
Council are constrained to express their 
regret and sorrow at this separation, 
and thou- approbation of the spirit man- 
Uestediby the people towards their bite 
pastor, particularly in their generous 
subscriptions paid in defraying the ex- 
penses of his removal/ 1 

He went first to Bloom field* N. Y„, 
and then to Michigan , where \ * died 
in 1852* 

lie married Mbs Betsey Lathrop of 
* West Springfield, Mass** grain] -da ligh- 
ter of Rev, Dt + Lathrop. 

THE DR* CAMFBETJ> 

OF PUTNEY 

OK. JOHN CAlIFBELi 1 & 1 . 

was born in Oxford Mass*, in 1754. 
In early life* he came to Putney and com- 
menced the practice of medicine* He 
was a man of intelligence, energy and 
mor4 worth* and exerted a wide fofhir 
ence in bis profession and in civil life. 
The confidence reposed in him by his 
fellow -citizens is indicated by the fact 
that lie was chosen to represent the town 
from 1 7 DO to 1796 inclusive* He died 
Jan* 15, 1820, aged GO years. Hia 
pastor gave the following testimony con- 
cerning him : t4 He had been for 87 
years a useful physician in the place.” 

DR. ALEX, ANPFJt CAMPBELL* 

Brother of the preceding, was born in 
Oxford, Mass., in 17 GO, and was for 
many years a successful practitioner in 
medicine* He died, Dec* 15, 1839, ae 
70 years. 

dr. john Campbell, 2d, 
was a son of the above, tie was a na- 
tive of Putney and here spent his life 



in th e med i oa ( p ro fe i on . He acq 11 ir etl 
an extensive practice, was a physician 
of superior judgment in the treatment 
of diseases, and was often called to it 
distance in consultation upon difficult 
eases* He died June 4, 186ft* aged 73 
years. 

HON. RHINE AS WHITE 

BV JOHN KIMBALL, EBgk 

He vrat tl.L sou of Dea* Enoch White, 
arm was born in South Hadley, Mass. 
Oct. Bf>, 1770. He graduated at Dart- 
mouth college in 1797, and studied law 
with the Hon. Chariest Marsh. of Wood- 
stock, Vc, amt Judge Samuel Porter of 
Dummerstou, Vt* In 1800, he com- 
menced the practice of his profession in 
Putney* where lie resided through life* 
lie was called to many positions of 
honor and responsibility. He was Post- 
master of Putney from 1 802 to 1 809 ; 
was for several years State's Attorney 
for the County of Wiudhann, was Judge 
of the Probate Court, and from 1818 
to 1820, was chief Judge of the Comity 
Court. 

In 1820. be was elected a Represent- 
ative to Congress and served one term. 
In 183l>, he was a member of the Con- 
vention for revisi ug the Constitution of 
Vermont, and from 1838 lo 1810, was 
a Senator in the State Legislature : hav- 
ing previously been several times a Rep- 
resentative from the town of Putney* 
He belonged to the Masonic Order and 
was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge 
of Vermont, 

Alter bis election to Congress, he 
almost wholly abandoned his law busi- 
ness, engaging extensively, and with 
go < )d sueee ss , in far m i n g * The co I leges 
of the State, and .Various benevolent 
institutions shared largely in bis coun- 
sels and liberality. He was one of the 
trustees of Middlebury College, and was 



PUTNEY. 



245 



for several years President of the Ver- 
mont Bible Society, and of the Vermont 
Colonization Society, He was also, an 
active member of the Congregational 
church in Putney, with which he and 
his wife united in 1815. He (lied July 
6 t 1847, aged 76. 

1 le u iart i e tl , J uly 5 , 18 0 1 , Eat her 
Stevens of Plainfield, CL, daughter of 
Neteminh Stevens and Hep rib ah Hel- 
ium. She was bom Jan. 1777, and 
died Sep. 25, 1858, ag^d 81. 



THE CRAWFORDS OF PUTNEY. 

M OUt. THEOPHILUS CRAWFOUD. 
was bom in Union, Ct. , Apr. 25, 1764. 
He removed to Putney in 1799, having 
been for tt number of years an inhabi- 
tant of Westminster. He purchased 
the farm originally owned by Mr. Amos 
Haile. Though engaged in agricultural 
pursuits, he was distinguished for his 
extensive reading, bis retentive memory, 
his knowledge of the political history of 
the country, his keen observation of 
men and things, and his correct discrim- 
ination of diameter, tlis life was 
marked by uprightness and integrity. 
He enjoyed the confidence of his fellow 
citizens to a great degree. From 1816 
to 1819, he was in the Executive Conn 
eil i was Delegate to the Constitutional 
Convention in 1822 ; and was also rep- 
resentative of the town and justice of 
the peace. He died Jan. 10, 185f>, 
aged 95, 

DEACON DAVID CRAWFORD. 

He was the son of the Hon. Theophilus 
Cra w fo r d , an d was b or n i n W estmi n s t e r 
West, Aug. 1789. When he was about 
ten years of age his parents removed to 
Putney, and this was ever after the 
place of his residence. From his youth 
he sustained a good moral character. 



He was a regular attendant upon public 
worship and a generous supporter of the 
gospel. His attention was especially 
called to the subject of religion in the 
summer of 1833, and on the first .Sab- 
bath of November Following, he entered 
into covenant with die Congregational 
church. In March 1834 he was ap- 
pointed Deacon of the church, the duties 
of which he continued to discharge till 
advancing age rendered it expedient for 
him to retire. 

Deacon Crawford was a man of a 
sound and discriminating mind and of 
correct moral principles. He was not 
hasfy hi forming Ins opinions, but when 
1 1 is mind was made up, lie exhibited 
great firmness and decision. His read- 
ing was extensive and his kno wledge on 
subjects of general interest was beyond 
what we generally find. By his fellow - 
citizens he was honored with various 
civil offices, the duties of which he dis- 
charged with credit to himself and to 
the satisfaction of his constituents, 

Jn his Christian life he maintained a 
consistent walk and conversation before 
the world. He felt that the vows of 
God were upon him. and it was his 
endeavor so to live as not to dishonor 
the Christian name, He loved the house 
of God and the meeting for prayer, and 
on all occasions he was present unless 
providentially detained. To him the 
truths of the gospel were precious, and 
by these his soul was refreshed and his 
hope strengthened. During the last 
months of his life, his thoughts seemed 
to be more conversant with spiritual 
subjects. The prosperity of religion 
was an object of his ardent desires. In 
his last sickness he suffered much ; yet 
patience and submission to the Divine 
will marked his Spirit. His end was 
peace. He died March 1, 1871, aged 
81 years and 6 months. 



246 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



WARREN PARKER 

was born in Putney, July 15, 1791. 
He was son of Capt. Roswell Parker, 
who was a son of Joshua Parker, one 
of the first settlers on the street, and one 
of the original members of the Con gre- 
getional church. A daughter of Joshua 
Parker and sister of Roswell Parker, 
married Mr. John Adams of Canter- 
bury, Ct., and they were the parents of 
Mr. John Adams, Jr., for many years 
the distinguished Principal of Andover 
Academy, Mass. Warren Parker and 
John Adams, Jr., were, of course, own 
cousins. 

Mr. Parker spent about 12 years of 
In* 8 early manhood in Lyndon and Rock- 
ingham doing thebusiness of a clothier. 
He at length returned to Pntuey where 
he spent the remainder of his days. For 
nearly forty years he* was employed in 
manufacturing the horse-hay-rake, an 
employment which proved highly profit- 
able. Hut at length it was his misfor- 
tuna to lose a large share of his property 
in the failure of the First National Hank 
of Brattleboro. Still he had a eompet- 
ancy left and he did not suffer for a 
want of the necessaries of life. For 
several of his last years, he was deprived 
of the use of his limbs, which, with 
other infirmities rendered his situation 
very uncomfortable. Yet he was a 
patient sufferer and was not kuown to 
complain of the dealings of his Heavenly 
Father. I-Ie died Jan 14, 1882, in his 
91st year. 

Descending Irom an ancestry of great 
intellectual and moral worth, lie inher- 
ited traits of character which contrib- 
uted largely to his usefulness as a 
member of civil society and secured for 
him the respect and good will of his fel- 
low-citizens. The cause of Temperance, 
Moral Reform, and Human Rights en- 
joyed his approval, and his patronage. 



He was ever ready to lend a helping 
hand to relieve the neady and destitute, 
and whatever objects of public weltare 
called attention, he was one of the first 
to proffer his influence and means for 
their promotion. Although nota mem- 
ber of the church, to sustain the Instit 
utions of religion was a leading object 
of bis desires and efforts. N ot only was 
he a liberal supporter of the gospel 
pecuniarly, but during the years of his 
health and bodily activity, his place in 
the Sanctuary was usually occupied. 
Hut he has left us, and although missed 
in his family, in the social circle, and in 
the house of prayer, he will long be 
remembered with affection and high re- 
pect by all who knew him. 

HON NATHAN SARGENT. 

was a son of Samuel and Mary (Wash- 
burn) Sargent and was born in Putney, 
May 5, 1794. [An anonymous sketch 
of Mr. Sargent sent in since the death 
of Mr. Foster gives the date of his 
birth May 17, 1794.] His parents had 
been early residents of Leicester, Mass, 
but removed to Putney in 1790. Of the 
grandfather of Nathan Sargent, it is 
said u he was a stanch patriot, and is 
mentioned, in connection with the march 
of the Leicest:r troops at the time of 
the Lexington battle, as having melted 
his clock-weights to provide bullets for 
the soldiers/* 

Samuel Sargent, the father of Nathan, 
married Mary, the daughter of Seth 
Washburn of Leicester and sister of Asa 
Washburn, an early inhabitant of Put- 
ney, who sustained through a long life 
a worthy reputation as a Christian and 
a civil magistrate. lie died in 1825. 
aged 71 and his wife in 1848, aged 89. 
The subject of this notice, therefore was 
a cousin of the late Judge Washburn, 
many years a citizen of Ludlow, Vt. 



PUTNEY. 



247 



An account of the public life of Mr. 
Sargent is given in Johnson’s Cyclopse- 
(31 & t probably being as correct as any 
that can be given , is here inserted : 

“ He received a good education ; 
studied law ; settled in Cahawba, Ala. 
in 1816, where he became County and 
Probate Judge ; resided at Buffalo, N. 
Y>, 1826 — 1830 ; established a Whig 
newspaper at Philadelphia, 1830 ; was 
after w ard s W as h i n gtoo cor respo n den t 
of the i United States Gazette** becom- 
ing widely known under his nom de 
plume of u Oliver Old School was 
Sergeant at Arms at the IT. S. House 
of Representatives 1849 — -hi ; Register 
of the Treasury 1851 — 55 ; Commis- 
sioner of Customs 1861 — 71 ; and was 
for some years A resident of the Wash- 
ington Reform School. He was author 
of a Life of Henry Clay (1844) and 
Public Men and Events (2 vtds. 1872) 
issued but a F«w days before his death. 
R contains many interesting reminis- 
cences of the days of Jackson, Clay, 
and Oa 1 Vi o u n . He d i ed i n W ashing to n . 
D. C. Feb. 2, 1875.** 

The few survivors who knew Mr. 
Sargent speak of him in high terms as 
an agreeable and Intelligent gentleman j 
and a warm friend of all good and wor- 
thy objects \ and as one whose endeavor 
was. to be faithful in all his official and 
private duties, and to be useful to his 
country and the world. 

[Here the Ms. of Mr. Foster doses. 
We have received from Rev. Or. Grout 
the following additional paper for Mr. 
Sargent, since the death of Mr. Foster. 
We understand it comes from the fami- 
ly of Mr, Sargent.] 

Before Nathan was fifteen he had 
read Rollins Ancient History and other 
histories. His fondness lor reading, 
created the desire for a good education, 
but his father was blessed with more 
children than means, of whom two 
only were boys, and Nathan had to de- 
pend upon himself to carry out. bis de- 



sires ; but. he saved every penny he 
could earn until he bad $10 when he 
went to Br Attleboro* (March 1811,) 
and bought at Fessenden s book-store a 
Latin dictionary, $4.50 ; a Virgil, $4.50 
and Adams* Latin grammar, $L0G r 
(total $10,) and with these studied 
Latin, occasionally reciting to his pas- 
tor, Rev. Elisha D> Andrews. Two 
years after, he taught school in Putney, 
having in the mean time attended the 
academy at West Brattleboro, pa) ing 
his own way, by working on a farm 
during August and September. The fol- 
lowing spring, he entered Judge Phincas 
White's office as a student at law. Dur- 
ing the winter of 1813-14, be taught 
school in the East Parish of Westmore- 
land, N. H., and in the spring, went 
bar It to J u dge W h i te f s offie e . The fol - 
lowing winter he taught school at Brat- 
tle boro. 

June 1, 1816, he went to Troy, N. 
Y. t and entered the office of Stephen 
Ross as a law student, teaching school 
at the same time. He was admitted to 
rbe Bar Nov. 1818, and immediately 
went to Alabama, settling at Cahawba* 
then the seat of government of the 
future stare. 

In Alabama he was very successful 
as a lawyer, and was appointed Judge 
of the Court of Common Pleas and 
-Judge of Probate iu 1822, and after- 
wards elected by both Houses of Legis- 
lature. But, finding the climate un- 
healthy for one born on northern soil, 
he returned to New York, May 1824. 

In 1830, he removed to Philadelphia, 
Pa., and became Editor and Proprietor 
o f th e C omm ere i al H c r al d . In th e N ew 
Year's address of the Public Ledger of 
Jan. 1837, Nathan Sargent is thus 
alluded to :* In 1842, he sold the 1 4 Her- 
ald ” and became the correspondent of 
the IT. S> Gazette and other papers, 



US 



V ERMONT II 1 STORIC A L MAG AZIN E . 



over the signature ot' 44 Oliver Old 
School. ? 

Ben Perley Poore, in his 44 Reminis- 
cences of Washington’’ published in 
the Atlantic Monthly for Sept. J.S80, 
says, writing of Oliver Old School : 

“His carefully written letters gave a 
continuous narrative of all important 
events, as they occurred at the National 
Metropolis, and he was one of those who 
aided in makiug the Whig party, like 
the Federal party which had preceeded 
it, eminently respectable,’ 1 

He held successively the offices of 
Sergeant-at-arms of the U. S. House of 
Representatives, Recorder of the Land 
Office, Register of the Treasury and 
Commissioner of Customs. The last 
named position, he resigned about two 
years before his death. He was also 
the chief agent in establishing the Re- 
form School for juvenile delinquents in 
Washington, and at the time of his death 
was President of the Board of Trustees 
of that institution. 

His last literary labor, a book entitled 
44 Public Meu and Events/’ was highly 
commended by the press throughout 
the country- 

His widow survived him two years, 
dying in 1877. He left but one child, 
a daughter, the widow of* the Rev. M. 
L. Olds of Washington, D. C. He was 
a man of whose memory his daughter 
and grand-children may be proud ; an 
honest politician, a good man in every 
relation of life. 

Who is that snarler, Cassius like and loan 
With humor caustic and with satire keen; 
Who drubs the drones, the foplings and the 
fools, 

Who dings at fasliion lead by folly's rules? 
Who while his trampling heels around he 
throws, 

Cares not how hard he treads on others toes ; 
Who dares be just, nor fears to say the right. 
Who will not flatter, but will sometimes bite : 



Who makes e’en scoundrels sometimes suy 
their prayers : 

Commercial Herald is the name he hears. >J 



PUTNEY WEST MILL.* 

A BRIEF SKETCH OF ITS SETTLEMENT, 

By David L. Mansfield. 

The writer accepted an invitation to 
spend the 4th of July, 1882, with a 
party' on Putney west hill, and view the 
landscape o’er, as seen from that ele- 
vated situation. The particular spot 
visited from which the prospect appeared 
most pleasing, was the height of' land 
just north of the Simeon Reed place. 
The first settlements in that vicinity 
were made soon after 1780, by persons 
from the southeastern part of Massa- 
chusetts. Mr. Reed’s father, John 
Reed, came from Dighton, Mass. 

Near Mr. Reed were located Samuel 
Bennett, Capt. Ezekiel Wilson, with a 
family of ten children, Thomas Turner, 
the Kerrs, the JohnsoDs, Moses Joy, 
and Charles Cudworth, Sen., who was 
the father of Charles, Jr., and grand- 
father of Gideon, the father of T. J. B. 
Cudworth of Brattleboro ; South of 
where Mr. Cudworth lived was the 
Allyn family. Near the site of the old 
homestead iD a pasture by the roadside 
were seen lying on the ground two slate 
stone slabs, on which were inscribed the 
names of u Joseph Allyn died Dec, 16. 
1797, agsa 77,” and “ Mary, wife of 
Joseph Allyn, died May 18, 1802, aged 
78. Others were buried there, but no 
stone marks their lowly bed. Joseph 
Allyn was the father of Rev. Lewis 
Allyn, known as Elder Allyn, who 
preached many years in the Baptist 

♦The Writer is indebted to Hall's History oi 
Eastern Vermont, and Temple and Sheldon’s 
History of Novthfleld. Mass, for much of the 
information given in this article 



PUTNEY 



249 



•church on Putney hill, and several years 
in Hinesburgh. Joseph Aliya came 
with liis family from Rehobo th, Mass., 
Avest of Digh ton, in which place the 
Aliya family were among the first set- 
ders iu 1G44. Luther Allyn who was 
Postmaster in Dummerston many years 
ago, was a son of Lewis and grandson 
of Joseph Allyn. 

Just eafct of the Reed place stood the 
old brick school house, that was pulled 
down some years ago ; its foundation is 
overgrown witli briers. About 1830, 
•eighty scholars attended this school, and 
from it went out several who became 
(professiooal men . 



J. Wheeler Turner . Esq., 

•one of the prominent lawyers iu Branch 
County, Michigan, and a native of Put- 
ney West Hill, sent to the Writer a 
hook of poems of which he was the a u- 
thor, from which is taken the follow- 
ing, relating to the home of his youth. 
putney west hill. 

Oh may I once again with arms exteuded 
wide, 

Embrace my sacred Muse upon that mount- 
ain side ! 

And sing ond evening hymn where star-lit 
lulls arise 

And cloud their Alpine tops, high reaching 
to the skies. 

And may I view again some autumn even- 
ing. bright, 

The friendly harvest moon in cloudless 
chrysolite, 

Move o‘ev those lofty peaks, lamp-like as 
they do stand. 

The sentinels of garth, set by the great 
Command. 

And in the troubled storm when ocean heaves 
her waves, 

And pent up raging winds howl from tlieir 
mountain caves, 

While lightnings boltthe sky and strike from 
hill to hill, 

as through! the hollow glens at darkened 
interval, 

32 



The mountain-shaking thvinders roll, subdued 
by roll, 

Iu death’s sepulchral toner, resound from 
pole to pole. 

Oh? let roe be there then, the darkest mid - 
night hour, 

For there my soul received its spirit-stirring 
power. 

“HOME” 

The reflection or a Native of Putney in the 
far distant West. 

When night her dark mantle 
Hath spread o’er the earth, 

And hushed in sweet slumber 
The sougsters of mirth; 

When those wlw are weeping 
And pining by day, 
iu the kindly embrace 
Of forgetfulness lay, 

When naught but the phantoms 
And visions of night, 

Deluding my fancy 
With scenes of delight 
Are floating around me 
Bewildering the view 
With things that deceive me, 

So false, so untrue; 

Yet let me bo sleeping 
When far from my home 
When far from my kindred, 

A stranger I roam ; 

For in dreams I revisit 
Wy own native land, 

In dreams see my father, 

Extending his hand , 

Dear mother and sisters 
Come circling around] 

My brothers I see them 
And bear the glad sound 
Of voices familiar 
That oft times before 
I’ve heard when awake, 

Hut shall hear them no more. 

Oh! let me while sleeping 
Be welcomed to-night 
At the home of my childhood. 

That laud of delight. 

[ Mr. Turner’s book, is a brochure of 
74 pages : poems by J. w. turner ded- 
icated to the people of Branch County, 
Cold water, Mich. A. J. Aldrich & Co. 
Printers. 1880. 



-250 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAG AZIN PL 



putney west hilt., 

Continued f ram page 249 . 

The soil in this locality, though rocky, 
is very good, and such as those farmers 
preferred to cultivate, ft produced abun- 
dant crops of hay and grain which ena- 
bled them to keep a large stock of cattle. 
They supported large f miltcs and man- 
aged to accumulate property. They 
were hard working people ; heavy stone 
walls enclose the fields and pastures on 
each farm which must have cost them 
much labor. As we looked clown from 
our place of observation on these once 
cultivated farms, we were reminded of 
the following lines, so illustrative of the 
labors performed by those early settlers, 
" Oit tlut tae barvk-at t& tluur fields viUrf; 

Their furrow oft. the stubborn glebe has 
broke ; 

Howjoeund rlief they drive tiUitirtenTn 
*MIe kit 

tfrnv bfiwv»vl the wcnxU bc(ie:iU; [.heir 
sturdy stroke.*' 

The height of this hill as shown by 
barometer from each place indicated, is 
1 2 2 5 fee t above the v a! ley in Brook! i ne 
find 1325 above the valley in Brattle- 
boro. Prom West Hill may be seen not 
less than fifty townships lying in Ver- 
mont, New Hampshire, an rfjilassaoh Li- 
se tts ; ami the view in midsummer is 
unsurpassed by any in New England. 
On the west you can trace ihe Line ol 
the Or eon Mountains from Florida, 
Mass., on the south to Mt. Holly on 
the north, Saddleback, Haystack in 
Wilmington, Munieknuug in Stratton, 
and Shatterack, tower up above the 
Green Mountain ridge on the western 
boundary. The eye takes in the entire 
space of the Connecticut valley from 
Ascutney Mountain in Windsor on the 
north, to Mount Holyoke in Hadley, 
Mass, on the south. Farthest to the 
east is the majestic Monad nock. The 



highlands of New Hampshire arc dis- 
tinctly visible from Sunapee to Mount 
Holyoke, a distance of move than 80 
miles. Wacimset in Princeton, Mass, 
with its cloud capped summit, may be 
seen far to the south east, and mountain 
tops and fertile valleys arc visible all 
along the southern horizon. Connecti- 
cut river is plainly seen for 10 miles be- 
low BmtUeboro*, and West river is in 
sight winding its course past Black 
Mountain which rises 1150 feet above 
the surface of the water. The pen fail & 
Lo describe the beauty of the landscape 
in every direction ; and this article is 
brought to a close with the feeling that 
the reader has been given after all, but 
a vague idea of the view from the sum- 
rn i t ot' P u I. n e y Wes ! H il 1 . 



THE GREAT MEADOWS. 
written roe putney history 

IN THE VT- FI IS. GAZ. 

By David L. Mansfield. 

Ten y^ars of the Writer’s early life 
were spent near the ^ Great Meadows 
In East Putney, which will account for 
the interest manifested by him in its his- 
tory and settlement The Meadow is 
located in the Connecticut River Valley 
and is overlooked from the east by a 
long range of high hills in Westmore- 
land., N. H. A similar range of Ver- 
mont hills extends along the western 
border, at the foot of which runs the 
highway in a northerly and southerly 
direction. A great bend in the river, 
beginning at Taylor's island on the 
northwest corner of the meadow, forms 
its boundary line, which is completed 
on the west side by the highway. The 
Vermont Valley Railroad passes across 
it in the west part parallel with the 
tra veled r o ad , an d the C h esh i re r ai l ro ad 
is in plain view on the New Hampshire 
side. The meadow is about one mile 



PUTNEY. 



251 



across in a direct line from the west side 
to the eastern limit at the river, and 
contains 500 acres of rich alluvial soil 
which produces excellent ciops. Its 
waving fields of corn and luxuriant veg- 
etation, in midsummer, afford a fine 
view to the lover of natural scenery. 
Tn early times the lowest meadow lands 
were covered with a tangled growth of 
yellow pine, elm and butternut trees. 
This will explain why the fishing ground 
at the north end of the meadow is called 
‘ 4 Butternut orchard/' although no such 
trees are now standing near. The range 
of steep hills on the west was formerly 
covered with a fine growth of majestic 
white pines, nearly all of which have 
disappeared, and they are succeeded by 
a younger growth of the same kind. 
The lofty white pine is the glory of the 
American forest, yet the woodman spares 
it not. Here and there a tall pine or a 
stately elm may he seen standing alone 
and reminding us of the grandeur of the 
primeval forest. The first settlement in 
the town of Putney was made on the 
Great Meadow in 1742 or *43. Nehe- 
miah IIow of Grafton, Mass., William 
Phipps, David Rugg of Lancaster and 
their families, with Robert Baker and 
others, made a clearing and built a fort 
in the central part of the meadow called 
Fort Hill. A settlement was also made 
on the opposite side of the river at No. 
2, Westmoreland, during the same year. 
Daniel How, Thomas Crisson and oth- 
ers from Rutland, Mass., made a clear- 
ing and built log huts. As far back as 
1736, Massachusetts held an undisputed 
right to the territory as far north as the 
present south line of Westmoreland, N. 
H., and claimed a good tide to the coun- 
try about 30 miles to the northward and 
to the east as far as the Merrimack 
river. Many persons were desirous of 
securing *.he rich meadow lands in that 



region, and accordingly petitioned the 
General Court, which voted Jan. 15, 
1736, 44 That it was expedient to lay 
out four townships to he of the contents 
of 6 miles square, and not to extend 
more than 6 miles from the river.” The 
grants lying on the east side of the river 
were numbered going up stream, as fol- 
lows : No. 1, Chester held ; No. 2, West- 
moreland ; No. 3, Walpole; No. 4, 
Charlestown. Those on the west side 
were numbered coming down the stream 
as follows : No. 1, Westminster; No. 
2, Putney; No. 3, Dummerston ; No. 
4, Brattleboro. The township south of 
Brattleboro was called Hinsdale until 
1802, when the name was changed to 
Vernon. Both Vernon and Hinsdale, 
N. 11., formed one township when fust 
chartered, Sept. 3, 1753. The charter 
was altered the same year, Sept. 26, 
and the grant was divided into two 
towns, both called Hinsdale. The line 
of separation was the west bank of Con- 
necticut river. Previous to 1753 this 
tract of land was regarded as part of 
Northfield, but when the new state line 
was surveyed in March, 1741, it was 
cut oft’, and subsequently called the cut- 
off* territory. Till the incorporation of 
Hinsdale in 1753, the people living on 
the cut oft* territory were styled in deeds 
and official documents, - 4 of the north- 
erly part of Northfield township above 
the line of the Massachusetts govern- 
ment.” At the same session of the 
court, Jan. 15, 1736, two townships 
were laid out on the west side of the 
river south of the 4 ‘Great Falls/* Joseph 
Tisdale of Taunton was empowered to 
call a meeting of the proprietors of No. 

1 , Westminster ; and Palmer Goulding 
of Worcester to call together the propri- 
etors of No. 2, Putney. The first set- 
tlement in Westminster was made in 
1731). During that year Richard Ellis 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



'252 



and his son Reuben built a dwell iug 
house (log hut) and broke up live or six 
acres of laud. Seth Tisdale and John 
Barney were with them. John Kilburn, 
the first settler in Walpole, N. H., 
started from Weathersfield, Conn., in 
1 740, stopped in North field. Mass , with 
his family, where he was taxed in 1741, 
and then moved on to No. 3, Walpole. 
The settlers on the Great Meadow pros- 
pered well and in three years’ time had 
gathered quite a stock of cattle. There 
is evidence to show that this settlement 
was not abandoned at the beginning of 
the French and Indian war in 1744, or 
during its progress. The General Court 
in Massachusetts passed an order April 
’23d, 1746, for raising 171 men to be 
sent to the western frontiers, and 93 
more to be apportioned to various forts, 
the one at u Great Meadow ” receiving 
two men. The first violence occasioned 
by the Indians in the Connecticut valley, 
in this war, was on the Great Meadow, 
July 5th, 1745. A party of Indians 
captured William Phipps, who was hoe- 
ing in his cornfield at the southwest 
corner of the meadow. He was taken 
about half a mile into the. woods on the 
west by two Indians. One of them 
went back down the hill for something 
which he had leti, trusting the prisoner 
in care of his comrade during his ab- 
sence. Phipps, with a determination 
characteristic of early settlers, watched 
his chance, struck down his keeper with 
his hoe, snatched away his gun and shot 
dead the other Indian as he came back 
up the hill on his return. Having disa- 
bled the one he struck by chopping him 
with his hoe, he then started for the fort, 
but unfortunately met three other In- 
dians who shot, killed and scalped him 
and otherwise mangled his body. Rev. 
Benjamin Doolittle, to whom the In- 
dians gave an account of the attack, 



says in a pamphlet printed in 1750, that 
the Indian who was struck down by- 
Phipps afterwards died of his wounds. 
He also states in his narrative ot mis- 
chief done by the Indians in the French 
war, that the same, or some other party 
of Indians, came to a pl«ce called Upper 
Asbuelot, (Keene, N. H.) killed and 
scalped Dea. Josi&h Fisher, as he w as. 
driving his cows to pasture, about half 
a mile from the garrison. This event 
happened July 10th, five days after the 
killing of Mr. Phipps, The French 
and Indians assaulted the fort on Great 
Meadow Oct. 1 1th, the same year. The 
party numbered about 80. They took 
Nchemiab How captive and killed David 
Rugg, both residents of Putney. How 
had been cutting wood about 40 rods 
from the fort, and was on his way back 
when he was seized, hurried off into a 
swamp, probably where the creek now* 
is, and bound by his captors. They 
were seen and fired upon from the I’oit. 
One Indian was killed, another mortally 
wounded, nud a third, who had hold of 
Mr. How, had a bullet shot through his 
powder horn. The guard at the fort., 
who was on the lookout at the time, 
told Deft. Noah Wright, he thought the 
number of the enemy that came in sight 
of the fort was about 50 : when he first 
saw them there were eight of them strip- 
ped and without their gnus, in pursuit 
of Mr. How. When he saw they would 
catch him, he turned, and with hand* 
lifted up resigned himself into their 
hands. The enemy were in the meadow' 
scarce an hour, including the attack on 
the fort and killing the cattle.” The 
fort w r aa not much damaged. The cat- 
tle were all killed and their hides and 
the best pnrts of the flesh carried away 
by the Indians. Rugg and Thomas 
Baker were coming down the river in a 
canoe and were met by the Indians just 



PUTNEY. 



253 



below ** Taylor* s island/* Bugg was 
shot and scalped , but Baker escaped. 
As soon as thn assault on the fort was 
known at Northfield, Ensign Stratton 
Started with ten meo for FortDummer. 
They were joined by others, and under 
command of Col, Josia h Willard started 
late at night tor t lie Great Meadow, 
which they reached at 2 o’clock next 
morning. This was on .Sunday. After 
gaining what information they could of 
the soldiers at the for L they followed the 
enemy’s track till near sunset, when 
they came to a place where the Indians 
had scattered in different directions. 
Next day they made further pursuit, but 
the enemy had disappeared, and Col. 
Willard returned with his company to 
Northfield, having indicted no punish- 
ment upon the Indians, 

Capt. Phineas Stevens of No, 4, 
[Charlestown, N, H.] marched at the 
head of GO men, to the Great Meadow 
in Putney, A tig, 5, 1710, and remained 
during the Gth and 7 th, guarding the 
people while they were reaping their 
grain. On the 8th, lie returned with 
his men to No, 4, to find that the cattle, 
horses and most of the hogs of the set- 
tlers had been killed by the Indians dur- 
ing Ids absence. All the houses outside 
the fort were burned except one near 
the stockade, and 10 horses were killed 
that belonged to Capt, How’s force. 

The fort built on the site of the Col. 
White place, inclosed 15 dwellings. The 
great gate of the fort was on the south 
side toward Connecticut river, On the 
N. B. and the S, W , corners of the 
fort, watch-towers were placed. In the 
summer time during the I udian war, the 
garrison besides the inhabitants usually 
consisted of ten or twelve men from 
New Hampshire, During the year 
1755, Philip Alexander, John Perry, 



John Ayer ill, their wives and families, 
and Capt, Michael Gilson, a bachelor, 
Ins mother aod bis two sisters, were the 
only inhabitants, John Avon 11 belonged 
to Westminster, but the place was so 
poorly protected at the beginning of the 
French and Indian war that he removed 
to Walpole with the other inhabitants of 
the town. There they remained with 
Col, Benjamin Bellows until October, 
following when they returned to West- 
minster. Id February, following, the 
Averill family moved to Putney. The 
inhabitants of Westminster and West- 
mo r elat id, N . H , , aid ed in bu i l d in g t b e 
fort for their mutual protection. When 
it was completed, Capt. David How, 
Thomas and Isaac Chamberlain. Joshua 
Warner and son, Daniel Warner wife 
and son, Harrison Wheeler, Deacon 
S amu el M in o t , wit o after w ar d s m a rr i ed 
C up t . G i 1 a on's mother , a n d M v . A 1 d rich 
and son joined the garrison from West- 
mo rcUi ad. The son of Mr, Aldrich 
was afterwards Gen. George Aldrich. 
He died at Westmoreland in 1807. At 
the close of the French war, all who 
had removed from Westmoreland, re- 
turned, with the exception of Dea, 
Minot. William Willard joined the. gar- 
rison iu 1755. The father of Capt. 
Daniel How and the father of Harrison 
Wheeler died in the fort. Both were 
buried in Westmoreland. Religious ser- 
vices were held at the fort for a long 
time, and there Rev . Andrew Gardner, 
who had previously been chaplain and 
surgeon at Fort I)u turner, preached 
nearly three years. Col. Josiah Wil- 
lard owned the meadow, which was not 
more than half cleared at this time, apd 
gave the use of the laud as a consider- 
ation for building the fort and defending 
it during the war. The land was por- 
tioned out to each family and the inhab- 
itants were accustomed to work m com- 



254. 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



pany for better protection in case of an 
attack from the enemy. 

The widow of William Phipps mar- 
ried again in 1746. She was Jemima 
Sartwcll, daughter of Josiah S art well, 
who built in 1739, Port Sartwcll. Her 
second husband w as Caleb How, one of 
the grantees of Westmoreland when 
that town was chartered in 1752, and 
sod of Nehemiah How, whose wife was 
Margaret Willard, daughter of Benja- 
min Willard. When Fort Bridgman 
was taken June 27, 1755, Caleb How 
was mortally wounded by the Indians 
and died next morning at Hinsdale fort, 
and was buried a short distance to the 
northeast of it, where his gravestones 
are still to be seen. His wife was cap- 
tured when the fort was taken, aud with 
her seven children carried to Canada. 
She was redeemed and brought home 
with three of her children by Col. 
Schuyler before 1760. Afterwards she 
weut agaiD to Canada and obtained her 
second daughter Submit Phipps, who 
married Nathan Willard, Nov. 22,1775. 
Nehemiah How, Caleb’s father, who 
was taken prisoner on the Great Mead- 
ow, was carried to Canada by way of 
Lake George and Crown PoiDt, and 
died at Quebec May 25, 1747, leaving 
a journal of his captivity, which was 
printed, 1748. The town of Putney was 
chartered by New Hampshire Dec. 26, 
1753, to Col. Josiah Willard and others, 
aod rechartered by New York Nov. 6, 
1766. South of the central part of the 
Great Meadow stands a marble monu- 
ment erected to the memory of Prentice 
Willard, who died March 25, 1796, 
aged 47 years. He was probably u de- 
scendant of Col. Josiah Willard, aud at 
one time was the owner of all the Great 
Meadow. By his own request he was 
buried on the spot where his lone mon- 
ument now stands, which may be plain- 



ly seen by the traveller passing the 
meadow in the cars. In 1754, John 
Perry, Philip Alexander and Michael 
Gilson removed from Massachusetts and 
settled on the Great Meadow as their 
predectssors had done, and in the follow- 
ing year, 1755, in company with others 
who had lately arrived, built a fort in 
the southeast part of the meadow on 
the site of the house now standing and 
once occupied by Col. Thomas White. 
The fort was built of yellow pine tim- 
ber, hewed six inches thick, and was 
about 16 feet high, 120 feet long and 80 
wide. The houses were built within 
the enclosure against the wall of the fort 
with a roof 9laDting down from the top 
of this wall which formed the back ot 
the houses, all of which fronted the 
hollow square in the centre of the fort. 
Philip Alexander did not move from 
Massachusetts directly to Putney. He 
belonged to a family of nine children, 
five sons and four daughters, and was 
born in Deerfield Sept. 29, 1712. He 
lived in Winchester, N. H., in 1743. 
and removed thence to Putney. It is 
stated that he lived in Westmoreland in 
1755, which is doubtless a mistake. He 
was one of the grantees of that town 
when it was chartered Feb. 12, 1752. 
Michael Gilson, Jonathan Cole and 
John Rugg were among the number of 
grantees. Mr. Alexander had a family 
of six children of whom Philip, the 
youngest, was born Oet. 26. 1755, and 
was probably the first white child born 
in Putney. Joseph Alexander, [father 
of Philip, born 17L2,J was horn Oct. 
16, 1681. He removed from Deerfield 
to Northfield about 1716 ; resided a few 
years in Winchester, N. H., 1737-43; 
again in Northfield 1748-58 ; soon after 
removed to Hadley, where he died Sept. 
30, 1761. He was a soldier and cap- 
tain at the sacking of Deerfield, Feb. 



PUTNEY. 



255 



29, 1704, but made his escape the first 
night. His father had uine children, 
five sons and four daughters. John 
Alexander, the grandfather of Philip, 
was born July 25, 1045 ; was a settler 
in Northfield in 1073 ; returned to North- 
hampton, where he died Dec. 31, 1733. 
His father, George Alexander, who also 
had a tamily of nine children, making 
three families of nine children each in 
as many successive generations, was 
boru in Scotland, from which country 
his father, John Alexander, emigrated 
before 1044, and settled with his family 
in Windsor, Conn. George Alexander 
removed from Windsor to Northampton 
in 1055 ; was a settler in Northfield in 
1G73, and died May 5, 1703. 

Probably R§v. Joseph Lord was the 
first resident preacher in Putney and 
lived in the east part of the town on the 
Great Meadow, as the place where Put- 
ney street now stands was not settled 
till 1704, when Joshua Parker made a 
settlement there on S&ckett’s brook, 
which passes through the village. Rev. 
Joseph Lord was born about *704; 
graduated at Harvard College, 1726; 
lived in Hatfield 1733 ; was one of the 
original settlers of Athol, ki who sat 
down in the forest there,” Sept. 1735. 
He was for many years the leading man 
in the settlement ; being the first preach- 
er, first magistrate, first proprietor's 
clerk, first treasurer, first surveyor, and 
first tax-gatherer. In 1755, Col, Eben- 
ezer Hinsdale paid him £3. 6s. lOd. 
(11.07 par value) for preaching four 
Sundays at Hinsdale. In 1759, he re- 
moved to Putney, and later to West- 
moreland ; wa9 judge of the Court of 
Common Pleas for Cumberland county 
(which includes what is now Windham 
county) and in high favor with the 
king’s party before the Revolution. He 
died Dec. 7, 1778. There were seven 



children in his family. Sarah Lord, 
the youngest, married July 21, 1763, 
Judge Thomas Chandler of Vermont, 
who was elected to the bench of the 
Supreme Court in October, 1778. Jos- 
eph Lord, (the father of Joseph, horn 
about 1704,) was also a minister. He 
was born June 23, 1672 ; graduated at 
Harvard College 1691 ; was a preacher 
at Dorchester, S C., for 20 years ; was 
the first minister of Chatham, Mass., 
where he was ordained and the church 
organized 1720, and where he remained 
till his death in 1748. Thomas Lord, 
the grandfather, was horn in 1633 ; a 
resident of Charlestown ; died June d y 
1713. The great grandfather, Robert 
Lord, lived in Ipswich, Mass. ; was 
representative in 1638; town clerk, 
clerk ol the coarts and register of deeds. 
He died in 1658. 

Dummerston, Aug. 1881. 



REV. AMOS FOSTER. 

BY HENRY M. GROUT, D.D. 

Ol' CONCORD, MASS. 

Amos Foster, the son of Richard ami 
Esther Jewell, was born in Salisbury, 
N. IL, March 30, 1797, fifteen years 
after the birth of Daniel Webster in the 
same town. Richard Jr., an elder half- 
brother, was remarkable for mental vig- 
or and moral worth, and as an old time 
farmer who, with limited means, raised 
a family of wide awake boys, seven of 
whom graduated from Dartmouth Col- 
lege, and six of whom — Eden Bur- 
roughs 1 William Cowper, Daniel, Da- 
vis, Roswell and Richard Baxter — found 
their way into the Christian Ministry, 
as in turn have several of their sons. A 
younger brother, Benjamin F, gradu- 
ated from Amherst College, entered the 
ministry, and had useful settlements in 
Salisbury, N. H., and Dummerston, 



256 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Vt., where he is still remembered as an 
unassuming and genial man, a writer of 
unusual felicity and force, and a preacher 
and pastor always faithful, sympathetic 
and beloved. 

Amos was about a year old when his 
parents removed to Hanover in the same 
state. And it was there, not far dis- 
tant from Dartmouth College, that he 
grew up. Baptized in infancy and reli- 
giously trained at home, he was con- 
verted during a religious revival at the 
age of eighteen ; aud soon after, the 
first Sabbath in January 1816, connected 
himself with the Congregational church 
at Hanover Center. 

The next two years were spent at 
Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, 
whence lie went to Dartmouth College 
to graduate in 1822. With the minis- 
try in view, he had no sooner graduated 
than he gave himself to the study of 
theology ; retaining for that purpose his [ 
connection with the College, and to 
gether with a number of other gradua- 
tes enjoying the instruction of President 
Tyler and Professor Shurtleff. Two 
years were thus consumed, though he 
was licensed to preach, by the Windsor 
Association at Norwich. Vt., February 
1824. His first sermon was preached, 
the very Sabbath after receiving license, 
in his own church at Hanover. 

His first settlement was at Canaan, 
which joins Hanover on the east, and 
was at that time a thriving center of 
trade for the surrounding country. Dur- 
ing the twenty-two years of its previous 
history the Congregational church in 
that place had never had a settled pas- 
tor ; and the people gave to him a cor- 
dial welcome. He was ordained Mar. 
2, 1825, the sermon being preached by 
President Tyler, very soou after his 
ordination, June 29, 1825, he was uni- 



ed in marriage to Harriet Amelia, 
daughter of Rev. Bronghton aud Ruth 
Sabin White, then of Washington in 
the same state. His ministry in Canaan 
was happy and prosperous ; lasting near- 
ly 8 years, or nearly 9, counting from 
the time of his first preaching there. 
But his salary was meager, §400 and 
no parsonage, and that was not always 
fully paid. Accordingly, when the 
church in Putney invited him to its pas- 
torate, with an offer of a salary of § 150. 
and parsonage, the invitation was inter- 
preted as a call of Providence, and in 
due time accepted. 

His installation in Putney occurred Feb. 
13, 1833. The sermon was preached 
by Rev. Phi neb as Cooke, then of Leb- 
anon, N. H., on account of his influence 
and stature, known as the nigh priest of 
New Hampshire. At that time Putney 
had a larger population t han it now has ; 
and much of this was on its greatly 
deserted hillsides. The Meeting-house 
stood at the upper end of the village, 
half a mile north of the present edifice ; 
and the house, into which he soon 
moved, was a few rods north of that, 
and has continued to be his home dur- 
ing all the subsequent years of liis resi- 
dence in the town. 

The first months of his ministry in 
Putney were marked by revival, and a 
number of similar seasons were enjoyed 
during the years which followed. At 
the time of his installation, such men 
as Judge White, Dea. Reynolds and 
Dea. Taft, were leaders in the church. 
James aud Mark Crawford and Isaac 
Grout were among the subjects of the 
first revival . The church was oue of the 
strongest in the couuty, having a mem- 
bership of not less than two hundred. 

To the duties of this new field, he 
gave himself with ardor, teaching in 



PUTNEY. 



'257 



the Sunday School as well as preaching 
in the pulpit and visiting the people at 
their homes. lie loved h s people, and 
his affection for them was warmly recip- 
rocated. Soon after his settlement the 
meeting-house was removed to its prescut 
location ; a change which naturally in- 
volved discussion and differences of opin- 
ion ; but he had the somewhat rare 
wisdom and grace to leave all that to 
the wise heads of the leaders of the 
flock. Then came the demoralizing 
movement of 80 called perfectionism, 
under the leadership of Mr. John Noyes. 
A graduate from Dartmouth College, 
Mr. Noyes had studied theology at An- 
dover and New Haven ; hut the opin- 
ions he adopted and taught ., and the 
practices he defended, were not simply 
fanatical but grossly immoral. Arrested 
for a high misdemeanor and put under 
heavy bonds, he confessed the crime 
charged against him by forfeiting his 
bonds and fleeing the state. Of his 
subsequent career at Oneida, N. Y., 
the world has sufficient knowledge. 
Through all, Mr. Foster was the wise 
leader and counsellor of the church in 
its prompt and firm treatment of this 
most blighting heresy. 

At the end of tweuty years, Mr. 
Foster was called to the church in Lud- 
low, Yt. ; a call which was supported 
by such good reasons, having to do with 
his health and the pecuniary needs of 
agrowing family, it seemed to be his 
duty to accept it. His stay in Ludlow 
was, however, not long. The business 
failure of his largest supporters soon 
compelled another removal ; which this 
time was to Acworth N. H. His min 
istry at Ludlow lasted about three years, 
and that at Acworth about Line. At 
Ludlow the little church on the bill was 
always filled, the prayer-meeting foil of 
life, and his work most happy, and not 
33 



unfruitful. At Acworth he had a people 
staunch in principle and forcible in char- 
acter. The church has been one of the 
strongest in the state. It gave to him 
a better support than he had ever before 
received. He was never happier, nor 
did he ever anywhere form warmer 
attachments, then at these two places. 
But the field al Acworth was wide, and 
demanded physical vigor lor its proper 
cultivation which, at sixty-eight, he felt 
that he did uot enjoy. And having a 
home in Putney, he decided that it was 
best to return to the place where it had 
always been his desire to end his days. 

His return to Putney was in the au- 
tumn of 1805. During the eleven and 
a half years of his absence from them, 
his former flock in that plaee had had a 
succession of short pastorates, and was 
now without a shepherd, fie was at 
once asked to resume labor among them. 
To this he consented, but was never 
again installed. For seven years he 
served them as their kt stated supply 
doing the work and taking all the inter- 
est of a state pastor. He was never 
more earnest or useful than during these 
last years. Two seasons of revival 
renewed the courage and increased the 
strength of the church. Old and young 
gathered about him with the old time 
confidence and affection. But in J 872 
it seemed to be time to lay off the har- 
ness, and retire from active responsible 
service ; and to this the people gave re- 
luctunt consent. He was now in the 
7Gth year of his age, and had wrought 
in the ministry 40 years. Of these 
nearly 28 years haJ been spent in the 
service of the church in Putney. 

In ceasing from his stated ministry, 
Mr. Foster did not cease to be interested 
A n the work to which his life had been 
given. Several of his last winters were 
spent with his youngest daughter, in 



V ER MONT H 1STOR l C A L SI AG A £ l NE . 



258 



C o ncord , M ass . B ut w h e l i 1 e v there * or 
among his own former people in Putney, 
lie was always welcome m the pulpit, 
and loved to be there* More than once 
after ht- had reached his 87th year lie 
was invited to preach, and performed 
the service with remarkable animation 
and ease, 

Mr* Foster was la the Lest sense a 
successful minister* During his rum 
iatry in Caiman 67 person were re- 
ceived into the church and 197 members 
to the church m Putney during his first 
settlement there, at Ludlow- 15 and 30 
ut Ac- worth, arrd 45 during his second 
ministry m Putney ; in all, 347, He 
He never made a large use of the press ; 
hut was an occasional contributor to 
secular at id religions newspapers* and 
published three sermons : A Thanks- 
orvrxG discourse, preached at Canaan 
Nov. -29, 1827 ; A Sermon to Young 
Men* preached at Putney Fell* 28, 

1 8 3 f> ; and An Or d in a r ro sSer m on a t 
the ordination of tire late Itev. Dr. K* 
B. Foster* his nephew* at Hen rriker, N, 
H, He also preached on six other 
erdi nation and installation occasions, 
and the Commission sermon at the Gen- 
eral C o nv e ot i on o f th e ch u rehe a o f Ver- 
mont, at Manchester, in 1842. 

Mr- Foster's worth and power for 
usefulness did not center in any single 
talent or quality, towering above the 
rest* but rather in an admirable balance 
of mauy in which few surpassed him. 
More, than some others he was an ethi- 
cal preacher, dwelling much on religious 
ditties and Christian graces ; but, in the 
best sense, he was also a doctrinal 
preacher, delighting to emphasize the 
truth of God's free grace to perishing 
men. He had a remarkably pleasing 
voice ; clear, mellow and musical. His 
manner was animated, by turns solemn 



and tender He withheld no part of the 
truth : when he warned men, it was with 
tears. 

Hit? sympathetic nature made his ser- 
vices specially acceptable on occasions 
either of sorrow or of joy* The whole 
number of fu ncra. . s at wbh b he officia ted 
was 739 ; and of weddings 378. 

An old Indy once paid him the com- 
pi im etrl of being “ dreadful neat at fun- 
era Ts A II e ne v e r excu se d him sel fi fro nx 
any kind of service because of the labor 
.or the expense it might involve- When 
he was sent for to go some miles out of 
the state to conduct a funeral he went ; 
and when the man who had sent lor him T 
instead of offering to pay for the con- 
veyance which had brought him, said, 
u I thank you for coaaing so far to bury 
my wife* arrd should be glad to return 
the favor*” Mr. Foster ans wered that 
the man was welcome lo the service* 
and need not trouble himself to return 
the favor. 

One secret of his success in his work 
was his interest in the young. Among 
them he was always happy* and to them 
he gave much of his best thought and 
1 strength. They were never repelled by 
any coldness in his manner, but were 
drawn by Ills cordial tones and kindly 
words, 

Mr- Foster was happy in his home r 
and loved by his children. He owed’ 
much to his wife, who did him good 
and not evil all the days of her life* 
She was a descendant of Judge Sabin* 
a prominent figure in the exciting scenes 
of early Vermont history. From both 
her parents she inherited energy, firm- 
ness, mental quickness, and expert ness 
at whatever she had occasion to put her 
hands. But for her wisdom, skill and 
ordinarily good health, the family could 
never have thriven as it did. She was 



PUTNEY. 



259 



a model minister's wife; a wise, patient 
affectionate mother. Her children 
arise up, and call her blessed : her hus- 
band also, he praisetli her.” 

THEIR GOLDEN WEDDING* 

In June 1875, Mr. and Mrs. Foster 
kept their golden wedding. It was a 

ala day for the town, as well as the 
family; for it was first of all a town 
celebration, though all the churches with 
which Mr. Foster had been connected 
participated in it. The town hall, where 
public exarch es were held, was decora- 
ted with wreaths and flowers, the village 
band discoursed lively music, neighbor- 
ing ministers and friends from a distance 
helped at the speech-making, and there 
were poems and songs and laughter and 
tears, and gifts in gold and silver 
amounting to more than he had ever 
received for any single year’s salary, 
and last of all the banquet for which 
the good ladies of Putney had done 
their best, and that was well indeed. 

Mrs. Foster survived the scenes of 
tli is day 7 years and 4 montlis. She 
passed peacefully away, Oct. 13, 1882. 
At the time of this writing Mr. Foster 
still waits in the now lonely house, into 
which they moved fifty years ago, in se- 
a*ene anticipation of the time when he 
shall be permitted to follow on. 

Jan. 1884. 

[During the. last sickness of Rev. Mr. 
Foster, Dr. Grout, kindly volunteered 
to finish reading the proof of Mr. Fos- 
ter's papers in this work, which he has 
done. The above, we have thought well 
to give as written, so little time before 
Mr. Foster's death. At our request, to 
Dr. Grout, first, as the biographist of 
Mr. Foster, for the completion of his 
sketch, he thus completed the paper he 
had already given, -next column : We 
have also, a few papers from others we 



will add after we have closed the Doc- 
ter's paper: — Ed.] 

Mr. Foster lived nearly two years 
Longer. His last months were spent in 
reviewing and completing his history of 
Putney for the Gazetteer. But he was 
not permtted to see more than its first 
pages in its priuted form. He died in 
Putney, Sept. *22, 1884, aged 89 y cat's, 
5 months and 22 days. 

A biographicalsketeh of his life, writ- 
ten by the author of this article appear- 
ed a few weeks after. 

October. 1884- 

[ We will open our additional papers 
for Mr. Foster with a selection from his 
manuscript sermons. In over 4000pp. 
of the work now printed, we. have giv- 
eu but three sermons : The Ox Ser- 

mon* of Mr. Merrill, Peach am, the fa- 
mous temperance tract — made into - — 
of which more than 2,000^000 copies 
were published; Mr. Lord's dedication 
sermon of Bethany church, his crown- 
ing life work in the history of Montpe- 
lier, and Dr. Shelton's Historical Ser- 
rnou in the same ; but when any of our 
town historians has been a minister fif- 
ty years, we will give a specimen from 
Ids sermons. We have selected the 
funeral sermon of the Hon. Reuben 
Washburn who was raised 'in Putney, 
a copy of which has been furnished by 
Miss Hannah Maria Washburn.] 

THE SERMON OF MR. FOSTER 
at the funeral of judge Washburn, 
atr. 26, 1860. 

u i pray not that thou shouRl&t take them 
out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep 
them from the evil.” John xvn. J5. 

This is a part of the prayer which 
our Lord offered for his disciples just 
before his crucifixion. No language 
could better express his concern for them 
than that which he uses on this occasion, 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



2f>0 



They vr< re about to be thrown depen- 
dent aud helpless into the midst of their 
enemies. Every kind of opposition 
would be raised against them. Various 
means would be resorted to and persev- 
eringly used to destroy their influence 
and bring ruin upon tht cause they had 
espoused. 

Therefore, to prepare them for the 
bitterness of separation, and to meet the 
various evils winch awaited them, Christ 
gave them his parting counsels, and 
affectionately commended them to the 
care and protection of their Heavenly 
Father. They would greatly need Di- 
vine support; for the world had already 
begun to hate them on account of* their 
attachment to Christ and their zeal in 
defending his religion ; and they would 
be still more persecuted, because they 
were no longer of the character or party 
of the rest of the world svho rejected 
and despised their Savior. 



which ihey were afterwards eommis- 
oned to preach to all nations might be- 
spread abroad. 

!t is doubtless true, that if* each Chris- 
tian successively as he is converted were 
at once taken lo heaven, it would be to 
his individual advantage. He would! 
escape many evils which he is otherwise 
called to meet. Bat, as regards the 
general interests of religion and the 
welfare of mankind, it is of importance 
for Christians to remain a time in this 
world. Their own final salvation is not 
the only end of their conversion. Oth ?r 
important purposes are to be accom- 
plished in connection therewith. They 
are brought into the kingdom to be the 
means of good to their fellow-men ; to 
be no -workers with God in promoting 
the interests of his kingdom. 

Without pretending to exhaust the 
subject, I propose to state some of the 
reasons why the continuance of good 
men in this world is desirable. 



It is to be noticed, Christ did not pray 
that his followers might be taken out of 
the world, although this would have 
been much better for them as individuals. 
Immediately to be delivered from the 
trials and persecutions which awaited 
them and ascend to glory with their 
Lord, would have been a great privilege. 
But there were important reasons why 
it was desirable for them to remain a 
while longer in this world. Their res- 
idence on earth was connected with a 
system of means by which the purposes 
of Infinite Benevolence were to be ac- 
complished. The gospel was not yet 
promulgated ; its efficacy not yet tasted ; 
its benefits not largely enjoyed. It was 
needful, therefore, that they should re- 
main longer on earth, that the influence 
of their pious example might be felt ; 
the efficacy of their prayers experienced ; 
and that, by their means the holy gospel 



1. That vita* godliness may be main- 
tained. Mankind have ever been prone 
to degeneracy. This was the case with 
God’s ancient people. How did he 
throw up entrenchments on every side 
to preserve the true religion among 
them. What vigilance on the part of 
their Prophets was necessary to keep 
them from the contaminating influence 
of the surrounding nations. And yet, 
how often did they depart from God- 
in to what degeneracy did they at length 
fall. 

The same propensity is characteristic 
of every age. And to what result would 
it lead, were none of the truly pions left 
on earth to counteract it? True religion 
would soon die away ; its doctrines 
would lose their hold on the affections 
of men ; the bible itself would be thrust 
aside ; and the last gleam of its light 
would be extinguished. 



PUTNEY. 



'261 



To the church Is committed in a pecu- 
liar sense the responsible trust of pre- 
serving the word of God, — the record 
of his dealings vrtfch men the source 
whence we derive our knowledge con- 
cerning the way of salvation y — the chart 
of the Christian's hope, — ■ the Fountain 
from which he draws his sweetest con- 
solations. Let the church become ex- 
tinct, or, let all good men be removed 
out of the world, and what would be- 
come of this sacred deposit? Who would 
give the scriptures circulation ? Who 
would advocate the doctrines of the 
bible? Who would observe the ordin- 
ances of Divine Worship ? Who would 
pray? Who would perform deeds of 
active piety? These things would not be 
done. The bible would become an obso- 
lete, neglected book. The Sabbath and 
all outward religious observances would 
cease. The doctrines of religion would 
be exploded, and vital piety entirely 
disappear ! 

2. The continuances of good men in 
this world is desirable, because of the 
influence arising from a pious example. 
Men are creatures of imitation ; and it 
is impossible for us to estimate the moral 
power they exert, over each other in the 
v ari o u s re 1 a ti on s of life. They are thus 
mutually helping form each other's t har- 
aet.ee, making each other more intelli- 
gent, virtuous, and useful, or the re- 
verse . What an i n flu en ee goes out fro m 
the daily and hourly example of parents. 
How strong the impressions which chil- 
dren early receive from that example. 
If it be radiant with deeds of piety, 
those impressions are favorable to the 
formation of a similar character in them. 
Let us acquaint ourselves with the early 
life of the most pious and useful men 
w h o a do r n the Christian eh ur c 1 1 , an d we 
s h all fi 1 1 d th at th e i no ral i n fl uc n ce exe r ted 
on them under the paternal roof was, in 



most cases j of the best kind. They 
w ere taught their relations to God, as 
moral and accountable beings. The 
importance of religion was urged upon 
their attention, and its excellences por- 
trayed by an example corresponding 
with its precepts. 

Such an influence as this must be 
felt ; and it is felt, whether we consider 
its operations as confined to the family, 
or extended to the neighborhood or of 
the town. 

It is sometimes the case, that a Chris- 
tian example borrows power from the 
position of him who exhibits it. The 
consideration that men of high position 
and commanding influence in society 
have embraced religion has, doubtless, 
led others to examine its claims, and 
been th e m eat \ s o f th ei r eo n v era i on . If 
the child who is accustomed to look up 
to a parent with confidence and respect, 
Is influenced by that parent in regard to 
his opinions and practices ; so will those 
be influenced by the religious example 
of men of high standing to whom they 
are accustomed to look with deference. 

On this principle, therefore, Christians 
by the exhibition of a pious example 
will exert a favorable influence on those 
around them. Others will read the 
bible* because their Christian friends 
read it; they will attend public worship, 
because their pious neighbors go ; they 
will sympathize in a certain degree with 
serious people with whom they converse 
and are on terms of friendly intercourse. 
Thus ’ on the mere principle of imitation 
men receive many important shades to 
their moral character from the example 
of piety which they daily behold. 

Such au example, however, w ill oper- 
ate still more favorably to religion 
through the lovely traits of character 
which it exhibits. The attributes of 



262 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the Christian fully and clearly developed 
present the most interesting character 
that can be exhibited. For proof of 
this, I need only ask you to look at the 
character of Jesus Christ. That was 
a perfect character, — the model of every 
excellence, — the pattern of every virtue. 
Contemplate the beautiful moral traits 
exhibited by him. Behold the assem- 
blage of virtues that shone forth from 
his life. What eye is so blind as not to 
see them? 

In the same degree in which those 
straits are exhibited by the humblest and 
most obscure of his disciples, will they 
now be admired by all who behold them. 
The exhibition of moral excellences, 
seen and admired as they appear in the 
life of any one of the followers of Jesus, 
must carry conviction to the mind of the 
beholder of the value of the principles 
from which they spring, and which, in 
their practical tendency, produce effects 
so desirable. 

Such an example will, moreover, 
operate as a restraint upon the wicked. 
The consistent Christian wil lcoinmand 
respect. As much as wicked men some- 
times slander and abuse him ; as much 
as they profess to despise him ; — if his 
deportment is such as it should be, — if 
he lives agreeably with his holy pro- 
fession, always exhibiting the spirit of 
the gospel in his conduct and conversa- 
tion, they will honor and respect him. 
Their judgment and conscience are on 
his side. The very presence of such a 
man strikes the mind of the wicked with 
a kind of awe. The mouth oV the 
blasphemer is closed before him. The 
drunkard and reveller shrink away from 
his sight. The despiser of religion is 
abashed in his presence ; for in him its 
excellency is seen. The life and con- 
versation of the devoted Christian is a 
standing reproof to wicked' men. 



3. The continuance of good men in 
this world is desirable, in order that, by 
their piety, they may save it from the 
judgment of heaven. ‘These have been 
sent upon communities and nations ac- 
cording as wickedness has prvailed, 
where that wickedness has not been 
counteracted in its effects by the piety 
of good men. Why was the old world 
destroyed by a flood ! Because the wick- 
edness of men became so great, and 
there was not piety enough to avert that 
terrible calamity. Why were Sodom 
and Gomorrah destroyed by fire and 
brimstone from the Lord out of heaven? 
Because the cry of their siu came up be- 
fore God, and there were not ten right- 
eous persons whose prayers might have 
saved them from the impending de- 
struction. 

History records the infliction of severe 
judgments upon nations and communi- 
ties in more modern times. We are 
not warranted in scripture that they 
were sent with a special design to pun- 
ish those nations and communities for 
their sins, because there was Dot moral 
goodness enough to prevent it. But, 
from the analogy of God’s dealings with 
nations in other times, we may thus 
judge. 

The principles, by which God regu- 
lates his dealings with mankind are the 
same in every age. Formerly, He pun- 
ished nations for their wickedness, when 
there were not righteous men enough 
to avert the evil, and spared them when 
there were. Why then may we not 
conclude it is so now ? 

There is wickedness enough in the 
world to procure, its destruction. Why 
has it not been destroyed ? Why has not 
God poured out upon the earth the vial 
of his wrath ? Because the cries of his 
people have come up before him, and 
prevented. Were the last saint of God 



PUTNEY. 



263 



removed to heaven, and the last breath 
of prayer spent, it seems to me, the 
w or 1 d w ould no t i o ng s u vx i ve . It must 
sink beneath the weight of its own 
iniquities - 

We sometimes read of battles and 
victories, and like others often ascribe 
them to the superior valor and general- 
ship of those in whose favor the tide of 
battle turns. But we are liable to mis- 
judge. The race is not always to the 
swift, nor the battle to the strong. 
More commonly, the cause of success 
lies out of view* God is always the 
di rec t con tro 1 U n g Age n t. Ho w o fteu is 
this forgotten. There are other seem 
agencies and influences such as the 
piety, and prayers, and faith of Chris- 
tians. To these God has respect; and 
for the sake of the sixty, the tony, the 
thirty, the twenty, and even the ten, 
lie spares the city otherwise doomed to 
destr notion. 

Alarming apprehensions sometimes 
come over us, in regard to the future of 
our own country, and in view of the 
u impending crisis/* we look around in 
amazement, and inquire, “Whence will 
help come T* 

Talk we of patriotism — of wise leg- 
islation— of the expedients of states- 
men — of the intelligence of the people? 
Do we put our trust in wealth ? the num- 
ber of our people, and our power, both 
by land and by sea? What is patriotism? 
What is wise legislation? What, the 
expedients of statement What, intelli- 
gence? What is wealth and power? 
What are all of them combined without 
religion ? Of one thing we may be sure 
—If religious principle goes clown in 
our country, our free Institutions will 
go down with it. If the judgments of 
heaven are averted from our land, we 
shall owe it under God, to the faith, the 
piety and prayers of good men. 



4* The continuance of good men in 
this world is desirable, that they may 
exert an agency in promoting the inter- 
ests of Christ's kingdom, God has re- 
vealed to us the fact, that He 1ms great 
and glorious purposes to be accom- 
plished ; certain plans to be carried out, 
involving the highest Interest of his peo- 
ple. But ho\; is this to he done? We 
know how it might be done. God, of 
his own pleasure, independent of any 
human agency* would with perfect ease 
accomplish nil his stupendous designs. 

But he does not see fit to take this 
course. He chooses to make use of 
human ins tr u men ta 1 i ty for th i s pu up ose . 
He calls men into his service, and per- 
mits them to be co- workers with him- 
self in the upbuilding of Zion. How- 
ever desirable it might be for them to 
go at once to Heaven, and be with 
Christ; yet to the benevolent mind, it 
is also desirable to do something for the 
promotion of Christ’s kingdom and the 
welfare of mem Although God could 
accomplish all his purposes without the 
use of means, yet lie never will. It 
should never be forgotten, that It is thro’ 
human means this work is to be done. 
And who are to be employed as Instru- 
ments? Are they those who have no 
heart for the work of the Lord. Some- 
times they are made the indirect means 
of promoting the interests of religion. 
But this is not the object of their labors 
and efforts. It does not absorb their 
desires and urge them ou to action. 

We might ask here, where are those 
great plans originated which contem- 
plate the conversion and salvation of the 
world? Who are they, that contribute 
of their substance for the spread of the 
gospel? Who are they, that use a direct 
influence to bring men to a knowledge 
of the truth ? Are we not to seek an 
answer to these questions by a reference 



2U 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



to Christians ? Are they not the agents 
by whom the wheels of benevolent, effort 
and Christian enterprise are rolled for- 
ward ? 

Let every good man, therefore, l>e 
taken from this world, and the moral 
machinery now in operation, by which 
so much has been done and more is 
promised, towards the conversion of the 
whole world to Christ, would at once 
stop. Whu would be left to keep alive 
tlve benevolent societies now in exis- 
tence? Who would sustain the Christian 
seminaries of learning in our land ? 
Who would give circulation to the bib le? 
Who would distribute tracts? Who 
would maintain tile Sabbath school,— 
that institution , blessed of heaven , which 
has done so much for the rising genera- 
tion, and for the world? Whose heart, 
burning with love for souls, and with 
strong desires for the salvation of the 
heathen, would lead him to sacrifice 
home and country, and much else that 
is dear of an earthly nature, that lie 
might carry the light of the gospel to 
those who “ sit in darkness and in the 
shadow of death !” Who would pray for 
the success of missions, and by other 
means urge on the work of the world’s 
conversion? Who would there be to 
promote the cause of temperance, or 
any of those objects of moral reform, 
so dear to the Christian heart? These 
things would not be done, were there no 
good men on earth to do them I 

F rom the p re cod i ng v lew s we learn, 
1st, What is the true mission of Chris- 
tians to th is wo r 1 d . T 1 1 ei r own ul ti mate 
salvation is not the only object for which 
they were brought into the kingdom, 
and for which they should labor. Other 
interests of vast moment are to be pro- 
moted in connection with that work of 
the spirit of God. Our Saviour has 
denominated his disciples the “salt of 



the earth, and the light of the world.** 
And he prayed that they “ might not be 
taken out of the world, but that they 
might be kept from the evil,’ intimating, 
that for some important purpose, it was 
necessary they should have a dwelling- 
place cm earth. If valuable purposes 
were to he answered by the continuance 
of the early disciples in this world, val- 
uable pur poses are to be answered by 
the continuance of Christiana in the 
world now. 

And the same reasons which render 
it needful why any Christians should 
live, render it needful for you to live. 
As Christians, you have much to do. H 
is for yon to maintain the worship of 
God pure, to preserve true religion, to 
exhibit a pious example before men, one 
worthy of their imitation. It is for you 
to illustrate before the world by a holy 
conversation the principles of the relig- 
ion you profess, so to live as to make 
its excellence appear. It is for you to 
offer prayer to God for ike conversion 
of your fellow men. It is for you to 
maintain the institutions of the gospel ; 
to sustain and carry forward those plans 
of benevolence which contemplate the 
removal of the moral darkness which 
overshadows the earth, and the ushering 
in of the light of day upon the world I 
How great the work before yon. IIow 
important the mission of Christians lo 
this world, 

2. The weakest and most obscure 
may be exert lug an influence lor good 
of which they are not aware. We 
sometimes hear Christians who think 
they have outlived their usefulness, won- 
dering why they are spared ; and seeing 
nothing in this world which should cre- 
ate a wish In them to remain, they 
choose rather to depart. 

Now such may altogether misjudge. 
It is certain, that if it were not needful 



PUTNEY. 



265 



for them to remain in the world, God 
would take them out of it ; for, when 
he has nothing more for his children to 
•do here, he removes them to another 
sphere of activity. And besides ; they 
may not be aware of the good of which 
they are instrumental. Have they piety 
at heart? Are they the lovers of God? 
Do they fear and worship Him? Do 
they pray? Then, they are doing good. 
They are exerting a healthful moral 
influence on ail about them. No mat- 
ter how obscure, how unknown they are 
to men. God regards their piety and 
their prayers, and on their account he 
averts his judgments and sends down 
blessings upon men. 

3. It is not intended, however, by 
anything said in this discourse, that this 
world is to be the everhtsting home of 
good men. God has prepared better 
tilings for them than can be found on 
•earth. Their eternal inheritance lies 
beyond the limits of mortality. In or- 
der, therefore, to enter upon the posses- 
sion of it, they must pass through the 
change which wc call 14 death.” And, 
from the beginning, God has thus been 
takiug them away from the world, and 
introducing them to the realities of 
another, transferring them from earth 
to heaven. It is interesting to trace the 
long line of worthies who have lived 
and acted their several parts in the cause 
of truth and righteousness, and, at 
length, been dismissed from service here, 
and gone up to receive their reward on 
high. This process is agreeable to the 
Divine plan, and will continue to go on 
till the whole company of the redeemed 
shall be gathered into heaven. Our 
blessed Lord said to the sorrowing dis- 
ciples, and the same is true in respect 
to every good man, 44 1 go to prepare a 
place for you ; And if I go and prepare 
a place for you. I will come, again and 
38 



receive you to myself that where I am, 
there ye may be also.” This is said of 
the very men, concerning whom Christ 
prayed, that they might not be taken 
out of the world. Tho’ they were to 
remain here awhile, they were not to 
remain always. There is a moral fit- 
ness in the Divine arrangement in this 
regard. Pious men art the subjects of 
Christ's kingdom, and it is suitable that 
they should be near him, and behold 
his glory. So then alter havingpassed 
through their term of service and of 
discipline He, their Lord, comes and 
transfers them to that blissful state, 
where they find every thing adapted to 
their purified and exalted natures. 

One by one, they are called for ; and 
at Christ’s bidding, go from earth and 
enter upon their reward in heaven. This 
is according to the design of God in 
their conversion. They arc to be made 
meet, that is, qualified or prepared, to 
become partakers of the inheritance of 
the saints in light. There is a sense in 
which that inheritance is to be possessed 
by Christ and his people in common. 
They enjoy a joint heirship to it. He 
is the first born among many brethren^ 
and is not ashamed to call them breth- 
ren. Having had fellowship in suffer- 
ing, they will have fellowship in glory. 

4. The subject suggests the chief 
reason for mourning, when good men 
die. It is not on their own accouut. 
They make a happy exchange. They 
make a blessed exchange. They go to 
be with Christ in Heaven ; and 

"We should ill requite them to constrain 

Their unbound spirits Into bonds again” 

It is not merely on account of Chris- 
tian friends who survive. I do not 
mean that such may not mourn, when 
loved ones bid them adieu. How can 
it be otherwise. We should be want- 
ing in the common sensibilities of our 



266 



VERMONT HISTORIC A L MAGAZINE. 



nature, were nil tender emotions sup- 
pressed, when called to close the eyes 
of those who had been our bosom com- 
panions, the guardians and counsellors 
of our youth, qu r d n I ly a 3 $ ociates i n t he 
common pursuits of lifr, in religious- 
duty, in those domestic and social joys 
which had gladdened our hearts by the 
way. It would not be well to suppress 
chent. Jesus mingled his tears with the 
tears of the mourning sisters at Beth- 
n tty . And then, Loo , th e cl ue 1 n d 1 dgenee 
of such emotions has a good moral 
effect* 1,1 By the. sadness of the coun- 
tenance: the heart is made better/ 1 We 
learn how to sympathise with the suf- 
fering and are more ready to relieve 
them. And yet, as deeply as we may 
feel the temporary separation, we need 
not regret it over-much, for it is but/ 
temporary. Soon indeed, will our work 
on earth be ended ; and if found ready, 
we shall then enjoy a happy re-union 
with those who have preceded ms, on 
the shores of a blessed eternity 3 

Rut. the chief reason fbi mourning 
when good men die is the fact, that their 
direct influence for good ceases to be 
felt. Their removal is a loss to the 
world, God has, indeed, a service for 
them in heaven ; they move, no doubt, 
in an enlarged sphere of usefulness, 
But their labors on earth have ended/ 
The light of their example is extin- 
guished. Their prayers have ceased. 
Their endeavors to suppress vice, to 
promote intelligence, morality and piety 
among men have closed. They are not. 
here, as once they were, to encourage 
by their counsels, their prayers, and 
their active co-operation, those pious 
and benevolent enterprises which con- 
template he removal of all those evils 
that afflict our race, and the establish- 
ment of righteousness and peace through 
die world - 



It is true, their memories do not perish 
with their bodies. They are cherished 
in the affectiouate recollection of the 
living. Thus., tiny exert an post-hum- 
in*s influence beneficial to survivors. 

But their presence is not felt in the- 
domestic and social circles* and in the 
still wider re hi lions in which they had. 
moved- We hear not their voice lifted 
up in prayer, or their pious export illa- 
tion with wrong-doers, or in tones of 
approval and encouragement to those- 
who do well. They mingle not 'with 
us in the devotions of tbe Sanctuary. 
The places which once knew them know 
thcwi no more. Look for them which 
w ay w e vv iJ L we iim! th m not* A sense 
of vacancy, of a loss, comes over 1 m r 
painful to the heart. 

Truly, In view of the removal of 
| such, we may say, “Help, Lord, for 
the godly man cease t,h ; for the faithful 
full from among the children of men / 3 
Such cause of mourning have this com- 
munity in view of the death of some 
whose names are fragrant with worthy 
deeds, and win long live in the grateful 
fee ol laefi on 0 f t h o s e w h o su rv i v e . T hey 
were such as could ill be spared ; for 
they were the friends and patrons of 
learning, morality ami religion. We 
might have prayed that. It it could have 
so pleased God, He would not take them 
out of the world, but permit them still 
longer to remain among 115. not for their 
own sake, but for the sake of society, 
the church, and the world. 

Among the men whose influence for 
good has long been felt m this place, and 
whose removal must be deemed a public 
loss, is the venerable man who has just 
bidden us adieu- 

Judge Washburn was a descendant 
of a pious ancestry, and was early in- 
structed in the doctrines and precepts of 



MJTKEY, 



2G7 



our holy religion. He was horn in 
Leicester, Mass., Dec. 30 t 1781, was 
graduated at Dartmouth College m 1808, 
.Studied law in Boston, ami admitted to 
the Bar at the age of ^8. In early life 
lie math, a public profession of faith m 
Christ, and was ever the steaufksr friend 
of Religious institutions, Ue was an as- 
sociate and lover of wise and good mm 

His ideas of a civil government 
were those entertained by Washington, 
Adams, and other political worthies 
whose memory posterity will never 
Cease to honor. Of the grand princi- 
ples which form the basis of our free 
institutions, be was aim nlHneidng advo- 
cate, To show the confidence reposed 
in him by the public, 1 need only refer 
£0 tlie fact, tli&t he occupied a place on 
ihe Bench and in the Halls of Legisla- 
tion* Various other offices of trust 
-were at. different times committed to bis 
hands by Ids fellow citizens ; in all 
which relations he demeaned himself 
with uprightness and integrity. He was 
a friend and patron of learning; and to 
him this community owe a debt of grat- 
itude, as Lhe principal agent in procur- 
ing the chartering and establishment of 
Black River Academy ; an institution 
Hint has done much in training the 
young for positions of usefulness and 
respectability. 

From my first acquaintance with the 
deceased more than twenty years ago, 1 
have ranked him among my true friends. 
And I regard it as a singular coinci- 
dence, that I officiated at the funeral of 
his father, step-mother, two aunts, two 
cousins, and a broth or- in 4 aw — -all, par- 
ishioners of my own ; also* at the fun- 
eral of a brother, in Proetorsville ; and 
now at his own ; and I feel a melan- 
choly pleasure in being present, at his 
0 w n pa r ti cu l a r req uesL on t hi s occas ion, 



and paying this feeble tribute to his 
memory* 



TO TJI E MOOKN EttS : 




dieted relatives, it was with deep sorrow 
I received toe intelligence of the removal 
i of this Husband, Far her, and Friend* 
The sympathies of my heart at once 
clustered around you. and my prayer 
was, and is, that you may enjoy the 
sustaining grace of God« Precious 
promises arc to those who like you arc 
called to drill U the cup of sorrow. Ac- 
cept these promises, and derive from 
them the comfort they are designed to 
impart, God spared your friend to a 
good old age ; and the Providence that 
took him away is as wise, and as much 
to be adored, as the Providence that 
continued him to you so long. You 
mourn his removal ; but not as those 
who mourn without hope. 

If he had accomplished his mission to 
this world, it was as fit that he should 
leave it, as it was that he should remain 
in it , during the will of the Master ; and 
the Christian spirit teaches you to say, 
in view of the loss you sustain, i4 The 
will of the Lord be done/* 

May the good Lord support you un- 
der your bereavement, and prepare you 
for your own departure hence. 

This providence impresses a lesson on 
all our hearts, which alas, we are too 
slow to learn. 

May we not turn a deal' ear to the 
voice which now admonishes us. 

My beloved Friends— I need not re- 
mind you that we live In a world of 
change, of sorrow, and of death. This 
truth has often been Illustrated in your 
own experience ; and it has found a 
lodging in the deep places of your own 
hearts ; aud scarcely ever did I feci it 
more sensibly than to-day. 



i 



268 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



I. behold affecting manifestations ot u 
in the tears of sorrow -stricken surviv- 
ors. who can tell of sons and daughters, 
brothers and sisters, fathers and moth- 
ers, husbands and wives, whose pres- 
ence but lately blessed their domestic 
circles. 

Hat, alas, their sun has found its set- 
ting; and what a shadow has it cast 
around those hearth-stones once made 
cheerful by their presence. 

When you recar to them now, your 
thoughts do not take you to their own 
once happy homes on earth ; but they 
gather around the gloomy grave, where 
your own hands have laid them, and 
where you have shed your tears, and 
sent forth yourr prayers. 

But I come not to open anew the 
wound which affliction hat made ; but 
rather to apply, if I may, the soothing 
balm. I come as a brother and a friend 
to express the sympathy l feel in your 
sorrows, and to re-assure you, that how- 
ever other relations call me away, I am 
still one of you, taking a part both in 
your joys and in your griefs , and to 
speak to you those words of holy com- 
fort with which the blessed Master has 
taught us to comfort one another in our 
distress. 

Let me say, then, though the loved 
ones who were once with you are now 
sleeping the sleep of death, they have 
not lost their conscious being. It is the 
body only that dies. The spirit lives 
in its disembodied state, far beyond the 
ills of mortality ; awaiting the resur- 
rection morn, when their now lifeless 
forms shall be restored and reproduced, 
and made spiritual and immortal, like 
unto Christ's glorious body. 

And to you, in this time of your sor- 
row, God says, U I am thy shield, and 
thy exceeding great reward.” 

Although beloved friends leave you, 
He never does. How much reason. 



therefore, have you to trust in him. 
For, 44 He maketli sore, and biodetb 
up ; He woundeth, and Ilis hands make 
whole.” fcfc He shall deliver thee in six 
troubles yea, in seven, there shall no 
evil touch thee.” ‘’lie knovveth the 
way that you take ; and when He hath 
tried you, you shall come forth as golo.”' 

rev. hr. becklev's funeral okrmon. 

Mr. Foster preached the funeral ser- 
mon of Rev. Hosea Beckley, the early 
historian of Vermont. c ee Berkley N 
Mansfield’s History of Dammevston. 

MR Foster’s history of putney 

was written some 12 years since. He 
reviewed it during rhe past year. Re- 
turning the Ms. r Apr. 10, 1884, he, in 
his letter, states : 

44 It is mostly the same as J had be- 
fore sent you. There are some changes 
and additions, you will understand. It 
is your privilige to make any corrections 
you please ” 

An admission which comes so grace- 
fully from a good writer, an editor can 
hardly find it in his heart to cut that 
man’s paper down. Mr. Foster’s histo- 
ry, as the Writer every way merited* 
has been as fully given as it came. 

One of the chief additions in the re- 
vision was the extensive list of deaths' 
of the old people, of Putney, which is- 
we believe, the largest one any histori- 
an for his town in the State, has furn- 
ished, as yet: and he had the satisfac- 
tion before his death, at least to know 
his Town had given for their History 
to the Gazetter the largest subscription 
that has ever been given by any town, 
exceeding even that of Montpelier for her 
History. We are proud of Putney ; he 
must have been, more than we. 

A FEW NOTES FROM LAST LETTERS : 

May 19th. 

* * # * As I was expecting to leave 
town for the summer, I was desirous of 
expressing my heartfelt thankfulness for 
the many manifestations of your kind- 
ness and good-will during the years of 
our acquaintance, and also, my earnest 



PUTNEY, 



269 



desires for your prosperity in complete- 
lug the worthy object you have in view. 
* * Mr, Mansfield [Emery] informs me 
fie has obtained 300 names. [Since Mr. 
Foster's death the list has risen to 350,] 
** Be assured of my kind regards and 
best wishes. I h a v e al w ay s been in t ere st .* 
ed in the work on your hands, 1 ' 

June, 11th. * * * thank you for some 
of the Du miners ton prtPs, It would be a 
real pleasure to me if I could help you as 
Mr. Mansfield does, inform me 1 if I can 
be of any help to you in your impor- 
tant work, 1 * 

July loth. * * * Perhaps you consid- 
er it not necessary to send the proofs ; if 
so all right." [All was right with him.] 
Later, on his last finished paper — of 
Nathan Sargeaat, u It, is very difficult 
gathering facts > concerning former gen- 
tions ; the early acquaintances are near- 
ly all gone. ,J 

Aug, 18th. * * * After my return to 
Putney, I will have ample time to assist 
you all that will be necessary, * * The 
Lord bless you and give you health and 
strength for the work in your hands. ” 
Sept. 8th, : Still at work. “ I will 
soon send a short account of the Hon. 
John Noyes, who for several years was 
a prominent citizen of Putney/’ This, 
he proposed for his last paper ; but did 
not live to finish and send it. 

Two more letters ; the next is touch- 
ing, He was gratified at last to see his 
town entered in press. He read, correct- 
ed well, and returned the first 8 pages, 
the second 8, corrected, but did not. re- 
turn as the first \ calling for them, we 
received them and the following letter : 

* ** I ought to have sent the inclos- 
ed before ; but T had put them away in 
a safe place, and they were entirely for- 
gotten. Please, pan Ion my neglect and 
other faults of my old age." 

Mr. Foster's last letter, probably, he 
ever penned, just a week before he died : 
u Friday morning — Please excuse, 
my neglect. I have been quite unwell, 
most of the week, and unable to attend 
to any secular business. I now sit up, 
but little. — A, F* " 

THE FUNERAL 

was from the church, where he had 



preached so many times ; a town was 
his mourners ; the church was draped ; 
the services impressive ; among the re!* 
alive mourners were Rev. Dr, Grout, 
liis son-in-law, and Rev. Mr, Foster, 
his nephew, whose installation sermon 
he had preached. Rev. Dr Stevens 
of West Westminster, whose parish 
and Mr, Foster’s had lain so many years 
side by side* spoke very feelingly in the 
funeral. Mr. Mansfield of Dummerston, 
first to give us an account of the funer- 
al, Historian of the Town where Mr. 
Foster's brother preached twenty years, 
says : ‘‘Mr. Foster was a beloved friend 
of the people here in Dummerston, as 
well as in Putney, lie was one of the 
best men I ever knew. It is certainty to 
be lamented, he did not live to see the 
Putney History printed * * The last in- 
terview I had with him was in reference 
to Putney History. He spoke highly of 
you, and w as con fident Putn ey H i s to ry 
would certainly be printed, I mention, 
this, so many despaired of ever seeing 
either Du miners tor or Putney printed." 

And, it had been doubtful, but for the 
happy faith and help of these two most, 
firm friends, in the two last, hard years 
for our local history and us : Mr Foster 
was a personal and literary friend of 25 
years standing, or more; when the loss- 
es on V oh IV. came upon us, be doub- 
led his own subscription and bent, to the 
work of completing his history ; — **died 
in the harness, 1 ' past the middle line of 
his 88 th year . Id is d a ugh ters w ri te , - 

Mrs. Grout : “ I write in behalf of my 
Father, sitting by his sick-bed. lie wish- 
se ine to say to you he has looked over 
the Ms. and finds you have already cor- 
rected the few errors, he found. * * * I 
regret to say Father is very sick, and 
we fear, failing fast, * * He wishes me 
to say it will be useless for you to de- 
pend upon him any longer as his health 
is so poor. This is how he puts it, [It 
was the first time be ever said he could 
nothelp, i days before he died, Mrs. G. 
co n ti n ue s ; ] Th e d ear man is * 4 all rip e 
for the harvest, and I think that he longs 
to join our precious Mother in that bet- 
ter world, ** If there are auy questions 
you wish to ask Father in regard to the 
. history, I will endeavor to get as satis- 



270 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



factory answers as possable in his weak 
state, 11 Such were this kind family, 
LETTER OF MRS, JONES, 
who being requested has also sent a me- 
morial record of Rev. Mr. Foster v s 
family which follows the letter for w T ch 
we have only room now For extracts- 
8 pea k iti g of h i s 1 1 ea th - b ed ; ^ 1 1 sh aJ 1 
never Forget the sweet smile that light- 
ed his countenance, as he called us each 
by name and gave ns a parting kiss, and 
said * 4 I love you all alike/ 7 Tins was 
a few moments before he passed away. 1 
Dear precious Father 1 with his sweet 
and loving life, much of brightness has 
gone from our lives. But, he had his 
heart’s desire — he died in the home he 
so dearly loved, and has found our dear 
Mother, whom lie so tenderly loved and 
deeply mourned. * * * I love to think 
of them in that bright world. ** A pre- 
cious legacy they have left us in their 
pure lives, their love and their prayers. 
When I wrote you from Putney, I did 
not think that Father would pass away 
SO soon, * * His interest in the Gazet- 
teer continued to the last. He often ask- 
ed if I had written to you and told you 
why he did not write. It would have 
been an unspeakable pleasure to him to 
have seen your work completed ; espec- 
ially to have seen the History of Pm- 
ncy ; for everything however trifling, 
cf miceted with that place, touched a ten- 
der coni in his kind and loving heart, ” 

MEMORIAL RECORD 
children : Of Rev* Am os and 

Harriet Amelia Foster. 

Harriet Eliza, born, May, 27, 1826, 
married James Crawford, In Putney by 
Rev, A. Foster, July 17, 1852; five 
cb i Id re n * two living; res i d en ce , Put n ey 
Broughton White, born Sept. 7, 1828 
married Mary S. Sutton, m Columbia 
N* C., May 3, 1852. live children ; three 
living: died in Plymouth. N. C. Nov. 
26, 1867. 

Ellen Maria, bom Oct, 1, 1880* mar- 
ried Simon Jones of Boston, in Lud low, 
by Rev. A, Foster, Nov. 3. 1853, one 
son (with Jordan, Marsh &Co. Boston) 
re s i den ce , N at i ek , Blass . M r .Jon es d i ed 
May 17, 1864. 



Frances Jane, born May 3, 1832, mar- 
ried Rev. H. M. Grout in Ludlow by 
Rev. A. Foster, Sept. 7, 1854. three 
children* two living ; residence Concord, 
Mass. 

Henry Dwight, born April 4, 1834, 
married Luvia L. Carpenter in Paw let, 
by Rev. Leri II. Stone, Apr. 16* 1866. 
No children ; died in Grafton, Oct. 5. 
186 $. 

George Champion, born Apr. 1*0,1836, 
married Teresa M . Howe, in Ac worth, 
by Rev th L. Merrill, June 20, ; 18G6, 
four children, three living; residence, 
West Medford, Mass. 

Charles Samuel* born Sept. 25, 1838 ; 
married Hannah M. Black in Mendota, 
111,* by Rev. H. 8. Weller, Jan. 11, 
1872 ; two children ; residence, Erie, Pa. 

HENRY l). FOSTER- - LUDLOW QAfrKTTE. 

* * * Young Foster, although always 
of a Innl constitution was fitted for eol- 
1 ege and en tei ed at M i dd le b u ry in 1852, 
and graduated 185G, being a classmate 
of Rev, C, W, Wheaton, D. I)., now 
Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal 
church of Nevada anti Hon, Allen 
Tenney, late Secretary of the State of 
New Hampshire, and Rev, ( diaries N. 
M cad of A n d o ver T he ol 0 gie al S cm i u ary , 

He maintained an honorary position 
in his class and graduated with honor. 
His social qualities made him a great 
favorite with Ins fellow students and all 
who Lad the pleasure of his acquaint- 
ance, After his graduation he taught 
for a short time but finally settled in fcnil- 
livan County, New Hampshire, where 
he held the office of County Register 
for about five years* and w as a very 
popular officer. He also had the office 
of Trial Justice in said County for sev-* 
oral years and tried a large number of 
cases displaying much clearness of judg- 
ment and a great love of Justice ; after 
retiring from the office of Register in 
8 Lilli van county* he removed to Ver- 
mont and became for a time the editor 
of the G azette , ( pub 1 i s It e d at Ludlow .) 

[We regre to retrench, a tribute to his 
talent as a writer* but we wish to close 
on this page, also, he and the Gazette 
will re-appe a r in t he Ludlow Hi s to ry , 
How beautiful ! that they who ure dead 
may re-appear in history. 



VERNON. 



BY A. H. WASHBURN, ESQ., 

AND His WIFE, 

LUCINDA W. B. WASHBURN. 



The Town that Claims the Oldest Charter in the State— Whose Second 
Centennial Anniversary was Aug, 13, 1872. 



VERNON* 

SQUAKHEAQ PROVINCE. 

A township, including a part of 
Vernon named Squakheag, Prov- 
ince of Massachusetts Bay, was 
granted in the year 1672. A deed 
was given* by four Indians of the 
place to William Clark and John 
King, agents for the proprietors of 
Northfield, Aug* 13, 1687. 

FALL TOWN; 

was granted, t June, 1736, by the 
Provincial Legislature of Massachu- 
setts, on petition of Samuel Hunt 
(son of Samuel Hunt who was in the 
Palis fight) and others of Billerica, 
Mass,, for services rendered at the 
battle and sixty years after the bat- 
tle of Turner's Falls* 

On surveying the north line of 
Massachusetts in 1763* it was found, 
about half a mile in width belonged 
to New Hampshire, now Vernon, 
taking about 3 miles from the own- 
ers of Pall Town township. 

VERNON INCLUDED 12? HINSDALE* 

Hinsdale, Cheshire Oo* was charter- 
ed Sept. 5, 1753, by Penning Went- 
worth, Provincial Governor, which 

* See .Burlier 's Historical Collections, p. 3G5* 
t$ec Centennial Addresses by Lt. Got. Henry 
W. Cushman at Barnard sum, Mass. 



included a part o! Vernon. The 
charter was altered, or another issu- 
ed, Sept, 26*1753. The inhabitants 
manifested their disapprobation and 
the King, on the 19th of March, 
1768, re-established the County of 
C u m be rl an d b y le t te r s p a te n t, n n d e r 
the great seal of the Province of 
New York, again changing i ts limits. 
By act of Legislature of New York, 
passed Mar 24, 1772, the boundaries 
we re agai 3 1 eh a 1 1 ged * 

UNITY COUNTY — C U JJ REEL AND. 

April 1* 1776, other alterations 
were made. At the first session of 
th e G e n era 1 Ass embl y of Y e r m o 11 1 , 
Mar. 4, 1778, divided into two 
counties, that on the east side of the 
Green Mountains caked Unity 
county, being Gloucester and Cum- 
berland counties. This latter name 
was changed on the 21&t of the 
same month, and that of Cumber- 
land was subs ti tiled* 

EG UK CLAIMS BEFORE CONGRESS* 

In 1776, four different claims 
were before Congress, to the same 
tract of eou n try (now V ernon) V er- 
monfc, New Hampshire, Massachu- 
setts and New York* Sept. 27, 
1780, Congress took under considera- 
tion the settlement of the Noty 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



$74 



Hampshire grants. The inhabitants 
residing in the western portion of 
New Hampshire expressed a wish to 
be received into Vermont. Another 
jpropoeifcion was at the same time re- 
reived frarn them which made the 
land into towns, rendering this 
Hinsdale, Cumberland Co,, Ver- 
mont, although still claimed by New 
York. 

Vermont 46 was claimed, anciently, 
both by the Province of New Hamp- 
shire and that of New York. The 
Governor of New Hampshire be- 
gan to make grants in 1749, A 
violent contest ensued between the 
two Provinces, witch was not settled 
till 1764, when it was decided by 
the King of England in favor of 
New York, Connecticut river west 
bank to be the western boundary of 1 
New Hampshire,! Decree of George 
the llh 3 July 20, 1704. So Hins- 
dale west part was Hinsdale, Ver- 
mont, and so remained until 1802, 
when it was Vernon, 

By act of Legislature]; of New 
York, the boundaries of Cumber- 
land Go. were established July 3, 
1766, including a part of Vernon* 
Juue 26, 1767, the King disallowed 
and declared void, the previously 
established boundaries, and the 
Governor of New York was ordered 
to act in accordance with the decis- 
ion ; New York adherents, residing 
an Cumberland and Gloucester 
Counties. Oct. 1, 1780, a union 
was effected, and again dissolved, 
Feb. 23, 1782, 

WINDHAM COUNTY FORMED. 

By act of General Assembly of 
Vermont, Feb. 1781, the county of 
Cumberland was subdivided into 
Bounties of Windham, Windsor and 
Orange. Feb. 19, 1781, by act of 
Gene r al Asse m bl y * "W i n d h am Conn ty 
was divided into half shires called 
Westminster and Marlborough, and 
the courts were held alternately in 
the shire towns of the same name. 

^Halt's History of Vermont. 

tThompson's Vermont, 

t See Hall's History of Eastern Vermont. 



Vernon ie situated in the south- 
east corner of the state. 

PHINEAS MUNNS* SURVEY. 

The boundary of the town from 
Pliineaa Munn's survey, 1777., Fall 
Town Gore being on parchment: 
Beginning at the northeast corner 
on the west bank of Connecticut 
river at the mouth of a small brook, 
called Venter's brook, near the south 
end of Bummer meadow, about one- 
half mile south of Mr. Brooks^ 
house, the site of old Fort Duramer; 
thence, W, 10 deg. NL on Brattle- 
boro 5 south line, 224 4-10 rods to 
the northwest corner: thence S. 10 
deg. W. on Guilford east line 1972 
3-10 rods to the southwest corner : 
thence E. 10 deg, S. on Massachu- 
setts state line and N'. line of Bern- 
ardston and North field 1692 rode 
to the southeast corner on the 
west bank of Connecticut river : 
thence northerly following the west 
bank of the river and west line of 
Hinsdale, N. H T> to the place of be- 
ginning. 

The average width of the town Is 
about three miles and it contains 18 
square miles and 108 acres. 

It joins Bernards ton 792 rods aud 
North held 900 rods. A straight 
line drawn from the southeast to 
the northeast corner, is 2404 rods or 
7 1-2 miles ; 4 rods in length, and 
crosses the river 4 times and divides 
the land into two nearly equal parts 
between the two towns, giving to 
Vernon all south of Stebbins (form- 
erly Carey's) island and nearly all 
n o r til to H I n sd al e . Ri ell ar d H azerds 
survey in February and March, 1741, 
cut it oil after remaining a part of 
North field 69 or 81 years, till char- 
tered by New Hampshire, Sept. 6, 
1753. 

It was called North field 69 years ; 
Bridgman's Fort 12 years : Hinsdale 
49 years : then Vernon to the pres- 
ent time. 

By diversity of claims and lines, 
Vernon has successively been in 
Northfield, Hampshire Oo., Mass*, 
Hinsdale, Cheshire Go,,N. tL,Hine- 



VERNON. 



275 



dale, Cumberland Co., N. Y., Hins- 
dale, Windham Co., Vt., and since 
1802, it has been called Vernon, 
Windam Co., Vt. In that year the 
voters in town instructed their rep- 
resentative, Jonathan Hunt, to name 
this town Huntstown ; but at the 
suggestion of his wife it was incor- 
porated by the name of Vernon. * 

PYNCHON — SQUAKHBAG. 

In 1672, a township was granted to 
John Pvnchon.a Mr. Pearson and 
other associates at Squakheag, now 
Northfield, Mass., and the following 
year a few people from Northamp- 
ton, Hadley and Hatfield commenced 
a plantation at that place. 

The township was laid out on both 
sides of the river and included an 
area of 6 miles by 12, extending sev- 
eral miles into the present States of 
New Hampshire and Vermont, in- 
cluding a valuable tract of interval 
land. The northern boundary of 
Massachusetts was then unknown, 
but the grant was supposed to be 
within the limits of the Province. 
A deed to William Clark and John 
King of Northampton, agents for 
the proprietors of Northfield, cover- 
ing the grant, was made Aug. 13, 
1687, by Nawelct Gonge^ua, As- 
piambelet Addarawansetand Megau- 
ichcha — Indians of the place, in con- 
sideration of 200 fathoms of Wam- 
pum and £57 value of trading goods. 
It was signed with the marks of the 
grantors and witnessed by Jonathan 
Hunt ( Grandfather of Lieut. Gov. 
Hunt of Vermont) Preserved Clap, 
William Clark, Jr., Peter Jethro, 
Joseph Atherton and Israel Chaun- 
cy.f 

In June, 1736, the General Court 
of Massachusetts, J. Belcher, Gov- 
ernor, granted Fall Town to the sol- 
diers and their descendants, who 
fought the Indians May 18, 1676, at 
Turner's Falls, Gill, Mass.; hence its 
name. It extended north into Ver- 
non as far as Northfield did. 

♦a pleasant change to a very fair name ; and 
tbe only town in the State, wc now remember, 
named by a lady.— Ed. 

iSee Barber’s Historical collections. 



The name of Fall Town was 
changed to Bernard stown, Mass., in 
1764. The part in Vernon, west of 
Northfield old line, was called Fall 
Town Gore, and north of this was 
called Hinsdale Gore. Fall Town, 
Fall Town Gore and Hinsdale Gore 
were all allotted and surveyed by 
Phineas Munn. 

ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS 

OF THE WEST PART OF VERNON. 

“ Know all men by these presents, 
that I, Orlando Bridgman of Hins- 
dale in the County of Cumberland 
and State of New York, Gent'm, for 
and in consideration of the sum of 
five pounds current money of said 
New York to me in hand paid before 
the delivery hereof, by Jonathan 
Hunt and Arad Hunt both of Hins- 
dale aforesaid Husbandmen, have 
remised released and forever quit 
claim and hereby remise release and 
forever quit claim unto the said Jon- 
athan and Arad their heirs and as- 
signs forever, all my right, title 
claim, interest, property, estate and 
demand of in and unto the said Jon- 
athan and Arad their heirs and as- 
signs forever all my right title claim 
interest property estate and demand 
of in and unto all that tract or par- 
cel of land lying in said Hinsdale 
(now Vernon ) on the west side of 
Connecticut river which was granted 
by the charter of said Hinsdale Sept. 
5, 1753, under the seal of the Prov- 
ince of New Hampshire to Fourteen 
Proprietors who lived within the 
Province of New Hampshire at the 
time said charter was given, viz : 
Ebenezer Hinsdale, Orlando Bridg- 
man, Benoni Wright, Robert Cooper, 
Caleb Howe, Daniel Shattnck (now 
deceased ) John Sargent’s Heirs, Pe- 
ter Evans, Samuel Burr, John Evans, 
Hezekiah Elmore, Joseph Stebbins 
and Moses Belding, which land has 
since been surveyed and allotted and 
planned by Phineas Munn, Survey- 
or. To have and to hold the said 
remised and released premises with 
all the appurtenances to them the 



m 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



said Jonathan Hunt and Arad Hunt 
their Heirs and assigns forever to 
their sole use, benefit and behoof, 
so that I the said Orlando Bridgman 
from my right, title, interest re- 
claims* challenge or demand of or 
unto the premises shall hereby for- 
ever be excluded, precluded and de- 
barred- And I the said Orlando 
Bridgman do covenant to and with 
the said Jonathan and Arad Hunt, 
their heirs and assigns, against the 
lawful claims of any person or per- 
sons, claiming under me, my heirs, 
or Samuel Barr, one of the fourteen 
Proprietors before mentioned* In 
witness whereof, I the said Orlando 
Bridgman have hereunto set ruy 
hand an d seal t h is t w en ty-s i z fch d ay 
of May 5 in the year of our Lord one 
thousand seven hundred and seven- 
ty-seven. 

ORLANDO BRIDGMAN, [L. S.] 

Signed^ sealed and delivered in the 
presence of 

DAN’L JONES, 
CALEB LYMAN. 

Windham Go., sb. J-June 16, 1700. 

Personally appeared Orlando 
Bridgman, subscribed to the within 
written instrument and acknowl- 
edged the same to be his free act and 
deed, before me, 

John Bridgman, Justice Peace. 

The above is a true copy taken 
from the original and recorded De- 
cember ye 25, 1705. 

Attest. John Bridgman, 

Town Clerk. 

(Copy from Vernon Town Records*) 

This township contains some good 
alluvial meadows, a proportion of 
pine, plain land, and some rough 
and rooky mountains. Some of the 
hillsides arc susceptible of high cul- 
tivation and upon them are some 
line farms. There was originally, a 
heavy growth of timber, a large part 
of which lias been cut down, and in 
many places a second growth lias 
sprung up. 



MINERALS. 

In the west part of the town, there 
are large quantities of argillite slate, 
though it has not been extensively 
quarried. In the northwest part, 
glass sandstone abounds ; large 
quantities of which have been car- 
ried to Warwick^ Mass., and Keene, 
N. EL 

W ATE E-MARKS. 

The Connecticut River (tlieQuon- 
ektieut of the Indians and which in 
their language means long river) 
forms the eastern boundary. At 
the spring freshets it frequently rises 
30 feet above low water-mark. In 
1763 it was 37 L2 feet. At this 
time. Lower Salmon Brook was 
higher than ever known, and the 
embankment od the north side of 
the mill-pond gave way beside two 
dams above, and thousands of tons 
of earth were washed through the 
meadow below. Sept, 6, 1828, it 
was 32 feet, G inches. In April 27, 
1854 ? the Connecticut River was 34 
I feet above low water- mark after a 
four days 1 rain, Feb. 20, 1857, the 
! ice dammed the river at Rock Island, 
and the water stood 35 feet. Apr. 
12i 1862, no rain had fallen, but 
from 3 to 4 feet of snow melting by 
the aiiiij the river reached the same 
height as 99 years before, 37 1-2 feet. 
Oct, 4, 1869, 8 1-3 inches of rain had 
fallen and the river was 35 feet from 
low water mark. In Bcpt* 1870, it 
was 37 1-2 feet below high water 
mark, 2 feet more than usual, being 
2 feet, 2 inches, below the top of a 
boulder with a fissure in it, lying in 
the small eddy a few rods below the 
mouth of Lower Salmon Brook. 

The reason for the great rise of 
the river in Vernon, more Than above 
i or below, is* undoubtedly, that it is 
at the foot of swift water. Between 
Brattle boro and Vernon* a. distance 
of 7 miles, the river has a fall of 13 
feet, and yet the track of the rail- 
road that passes through Vernon is 
j 70 feet higher at the middle of the 
i town than at Brattleboro. 



VERNOtf, 



jm 



OLD FISHING-PLACES- 

Salmon and shad were formerly 
abundant in the waters of the Con- 
necticut River in this vicinity, and 
furnished food to the early settlers. 
The two best fishing places were at 
Rock Island and at the foot of Steb- 
bins Island. 

COOESflfe POINT. 

Connection t River for about three- 
fourths of a mile above and below 
the middle of the town has been 
forming almost a complete circle of 
70 or 80 rods in diameter, called 
Cooper's Point, winch belongs to 
Hinsdale, N, H. According to a , 
recent survey by John Stebbms, 
Esq., the river on the west side of 
this Point iu high water, is only 1# 
rods 6 feet distance across the pen- 
insular at the narrowest place, where 
for several rods the current of the 
river runs almost exactly north and 
then resumes its general southerly 
direction . 

PRINCIPAL STREAMS, 

Broad Brook, Upper and Lower, 
Salmon Brook, Island Meadow 
Brook, and Bel ding's Brook are the 
principal streams, and all are small. 

LILT POMD, 

in the westerly part of the town, i 
covers about 100 acres* Pickerel, 
pout and some other fish are found 
m its waters. 

THE POOL. 

(so called) is a mineral spring, on 
the land of Alonzo Stebbins, form- 
erly owned by Ensign Samuel Strat- 
ton, was occasionally used by some 
of the early inhabitants, and consid- 
ered beneficial in scrofulous and 
cutaneous diseases. By request of 
John Stebbins, Esq., some of its 
w a tors w e re an a ) y zed in 1 8 5 1 , b y C . 
H. Hitchcock, Vermont State Chem- 
ist. He called it a compound chaly- 
beate, containing carbonic acid, sul- 
phuretted hydrogen, per oxide of 
iron and a bare trace of lime. The 
spring is of tbe same nature as the 



noted springs of Newburg,"Williams- 
town, and in other parts of the state. 



forts. 

Sartwell's Fort was built in 1737, 
by Josiah Sartwelh It was situated 
nearly opposite Fort Hinsdale in 
Hinsdale, 1ST. H. ? about two miles 
south of Port Dimmer in the south- 
east part of Draft t labor o, and about 
three miles north of the present cen- 
tre of the town of Vernon. Its walls 
were of hewn timber with a hewn 
plank outside door (the door is still 
preserved ). It covered an area of 
almost 38x20 feet and was a story 
and a half high. At the top of the 
first story, the timbers projected 
about three-fourths of their thi ch- 
eese, so that port-holes, over the 
door and elsewhere, were convenient- 
ly made from which those within 
w ere on &bl ed to fi r e d o w n u p oi ) fcb ei r 
ass ail an ts. 

The public road ran east of it. It 
was taken down in 1837, having 
stood 90 years. Some- of the tim- 
bers, being sound, were put into a 
now house, erected on the site of the 
old fort, and occupied by the late 
Hon. Ebenezer Howe, (a greats 
great, grandson of Josiah S art well 
and a great grandson of Caleb Howe 
who was killed by the Indians in 
1755,) and which is still occupied by 
descendants of Mrs, Jemima Howe 
and owned by two young men, 
George Ebenezcr (son of George) 
and Warren Maynard (son of Arad) 
grandsons of Hon. Ebenezcr Howe, 
and great, great, great, great, grand- 
sons of Josiah Sartwell, or the 7th 
generation. 

Bridgman's Port was of similar 
construction and was probably built 
the same year by Orlando Bridg- 
man. It was situated on the east 
side of the road, one-half mile south 
of SartwelFs Fort, and with the ex- 
ception of Fort Du mmer was the 
only place picketed and considered 
secure in that vicinity. June 24, 
1746, a party of 20 Indians burned 
the fort and killed* "William Rob- 

*Sec Hoyt's Indian Wars, page 330, 



278 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



bins and James Parker while work- chose a favorable spot on the west 
ing in a meadow near Bridgman's bank of the river, within the pres- 
Fort; wounded Michael Gilson and i ent town of Vernon. Here they lay 
Patrick Roy and took John Beeman until morning when they discovered 



and Daniel Howe prisoners* but not 
until the latter had killed one of his 
captors. It was soon afterward re- 
built and strongly picketed. 

In 1755 another attack was made 
by the Indians, who killed several, 
and captured three families, viz: 
Mrs. Jemima Howe and her 7 child- 
ren, Mrs. Submit Grout and her 3 
children and Mrs. Eunice Gaftield 
and her daughter, 14 persons in all. 
After plundering and liring the 
place, they proceeded north with 
their captives. 

Aug. 20, 1756, Capt. Joseph Steb- 
bins of Hinsdale (now Vernon^ and 
two children, Tabitha anti Elijah, 
were harvesting wheat upon his 
farm on the plain above the meadow, 
when they were surprised by the 
Indians and would have been taken, 
had not his brother Zebediah and 
Reuben Wright come along and dis- 
covered the savages. The Indians 
fired upon the two men, wounding 
Wright, and the party at work fled. 
An Indian skeleton was found, Aug, 
1SC9, buried near the side of the old 
Stebbins road on the border of the ( 
brook on land of Geo. M. Lee, and 
from its near proximity to the place 
where the Indian fell, and at the 
time as they tracked the Indian by, 
blood a short distance, it is probably j 
the one shot by Zebediah Stebbins. 
The bones immediately crumbled on 
exposure to the air, having been 
buried 115 years. Several bushels 
of stones were used in walling the 
sides of the resting place where the 
skeleton was found deposited. 

In July, 1698, a small party of In- 
dians killed a man and a boy in Hat- 
field meadow on Connecticut River, 
and captured two lads, Samuel Dick- j 
inson and Charley. They put them ‘ 
on board of canoes and proceeded 
up the river. The intelligence there- 
of being received at Deerfield, 13 
miles above, 12 men were detached 
from that place to intercept them. 
Advancing about 20 miles, they 



the Indians coming up the river 
near the opposite bank with the cap- 
tured lads in two canoes. The 
whole party gave the Indians an un- 
expected fire, by which one was 
wounded. The others with one of 
the lads leaped from the canoes and 
gained the snore. The Indians theu 
attempted to kill the lads, blit re- 
ceiving another well-directed fire, 
they fell back, and the lad on the 
shore joined his companion in the 
canoe and both escaped aevoss the 
river to their deliverers. Five or six 
of the party then embarked with the 
design of seizing the other canoe 
which had lodged on an island a lit- 
tle below. Two Indians, who lay se- 
creted below, fired and killed 
Nathaniel Pomeroy, one of the 
party. The Indians then retired 
into the woods and the English re- 
turned to Deerfield. The island was 
called Pomeroy's Island. 

The first settlers of Vernon were 
from Northampton and North field, 
Mass. They suffered all the discour- 
agements and horrors incident to 
frontier location and Indian wars 
and barbarities. For many years the 
inhabitants resided in forts and 
labored in armed companies from 
farm to farm. But with all their 
care and prudence they were sub- 
ject to frequent incursions of the 
Indians and were several times 
driven back with the settlers of 
Hinsdale and Northfield, alarmed 
by the fight at Beers Plain, in the 
destruction at Deerfield, and Tur- 
ner's contest with the Indians at the 
Falls which bear his name. 



MEETING HOUSES. 



The first church was built in 1802, 
tor the use of the Congregational ists 
and Baptists, each society to have 
the privilege of occupying at altern- 
ate months. It was situated on a 
hill between Upper and Lower Sal- 
mon brooks, and from it there was a 



VERNON. 



279 



fine view of the river, islands and 
adjacent country for many miles. 
To defray the expense of building, a 
tax of 10 cents on a dollar on the 
grand list of the town was assessed. 
The building committee were Arad 
Hunt, Timothy Bascom, Isaac John- 
son, Isaac Pratt and Daniel Goss. 
Total cost of building and painting 
was about $1050. The dedication 
sermon was written by Rev. Bunker 
Gay of Hinsdale, N. PL., but owing 
to necessary absence, it was deliver- 
ed by Rev. Mr. Wood of Chester- 
field, N. H. In 1844, the house 
was sold at auction for $160. 

A second church was built about 
one-fourth of a mile east of the first 
by the Unitarian and Universal si 
societies, each to have the privilege 
of occupying it one-half of the time. 
Building committee .‘Marshall Whit- 
tled, Jarus F. Burrows, A. H. Wash- 
burn a] id Elijah Stebbins. It was 
raised in 1844, finished in 1845, and 
cost 83300. Capt. Elijah Stebbins, 
Marshall Whithed, and Mrs. Sally 
Hunt, widow of Arad Hunt, Esq., 
gave a bell. The names of the don- 
ors are east upon it. 

THIS ADVENT CHAPEL 

was built in I860. Located about 
one mile south of the middle of the 
town on the south or city road. 
Funds were raised by subscription 
and it cosl about $1000. Preaching 
has been held there most of the time 
with a good attendance. 

CLERG YMEN. 

Rev. Bunker Gay (England) 
Trinitarian,began to preach in 17C3, 
and continued about 40 years. 

Elder Simeon Combs began to 
preach in 1804. 

Elder Choate began to preach in 
1804. 

Eld. Snow began to preach in 1805. 
“ Levi Hodge is 1805. 

ci David Newman t€ 1800. 

“ Moses Goodwin “ 1809. 

“ Wm. Riddle “ 1810. 

Eld. David Newman began to at- 



tend duties statedly in 1815, and re- 
sided in the town until Jan. 1825. 

Rev. T. F., Unitarian Congrega- 
tional, began to preach one-fourth 
of the time in 1825, and afterward 
by himself or others, half of the 
time for about 20 years. 

Rev. Charles Woodhouse began to 
preach in 1836, and preached a 
fourth of the time for 7 years. Rev. 
Mr. W\, Universalist. Eld. David 
Newman was Baptist. 

Rev. Wm. S. Ballou, Universalist, 
began to preach in 1845. 

Rev. John H. Willis, Univei*6al- 
isfc. began to preach in 1848. 

Rev. John Smith, Methodist, 
preached here from 1852 to *54, 

Rev. Edwin Davis of Hinsdale, N. 
H., Universalist, preached in 1853, 
54. 

Rev. H. B. Butler, Universalist, 
preached from 1856 to ’60. 

Rev. Wm. T. Stowe has preach- 
ed here. Rev. Mr. Dauforth and 
Revs. M. H. Harris, E. W. Whit- 
ney, all Universalists. 

Rev. John S. Lee, Univ., preach- 
ed his first sermon here, Feb. 22, 
1846. 

Rev. E.^ Davis preached his first 
sermon here, also Rev. JosiahMason, 
Universalist clergymen. 

UNITARIAN CHURCH. 

Organized, Apr. 10, 1827, with 25 
i members. A Sabbath school was 
founded, previously, by Miss Han- 
nah Wells, daughter of John Wells, 
I). D., of Brattleboro, formerly 
from Liverpool, England, she leav- 
ing books in each'school district. 
Twenty-seven children were bap- 
tized. 

This church has been supplied by 
Rev. T. F. Rogers and by exchang- 
es or otherwise, by Rev. Messrs. 
Thomas Mason, Daniel Huntington, 
Addison Brown, Preserved Smith, 
E. 8. Gannet, Mr. Bailey, Samuel 
Willard, George C. Channing, Mr. 
Field, Alplieus Harding, Dr. Thomp- 
son, Mr. Moore, A. M. Bridge, 
George Hosmer and O. C. Everett, 
up to 1845. 



2S0 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



The church has been assisted from preached here occasionally. There 
the first by the American Unitarian has been Methodist preaching in 
Association of Boston. Some few town a considerable portion of the 
years after 1845, it was supplied by time and the denomination has reg- 
Rev. Addison Brown of Brat Lleboro. ularly received its portion of the 

I Marsh fund, 

THE "FIRST UiHLVERSAUST SOCIETY" 



was organized May 8, 1858, with 
about 85 members. Eev. H. B, 
Butler supplied the desk a portion 
of the time during the next 4 years. 
Rev. D. H. Ranuey, Win. T. Stone 
and others received what money the 
society could raise for preaching. 

In May, 1 866, the services of Rev, 
N. C. Hodgdon were secured at an 
annual salary of $700, which was 
raised by the aid of a general sub- 
scription. 

Air. Hodgdon resided in town nine 
years and preached most of the 
time. 

There ie a Sunday school of about 
75 members connected with the so- 
ciety and a library of 400 volumes, 

THE MARSH FUND. 

Anna Marsh, daughter of Lieut. 
Gov. Hunt, and widow of Dr. Par- 
ley Marsh of Hinsdale, N. H., be- 
queathed by her last will $$000 to 
Vernon, her native town, the annu- 
al interest to be expended for public 
preaching of the gospel in Vernon. 
Three agents received this fund in 
1835, 

The interest has been divided 
among the different denominations 
according to the number of legal 
voters who signify their choice by 
subscribing to a paper annually for 
that purpose. 

METHODISTS. 

The Methodists held meetings in 
their dwellings and at the scliool- 
houses in various parts of the town. 

There never was a regular Metho- 
dist church organized, but Metho- 
dists here connected themsel ves with 
the church at Br&ttleboro. 

Rev. Ebenezer Washburn, a broth- 
er of Dr. W ashb u r n , d i d m u c h to aid 
the denomination in Vermont and 



THE YERNQN JUVENILE LIBRARY, 

The Vernon Juvenile Library 
commenced in 1827, and from that 
time to 1848 there was raised by 
subscription ill 00, and expended for 
400 volumes. 

A G RIC U LTU RA L LIBRA RY. 

Cost $105; purchased by 21 mem- 
bers or shareholders, about 1S05, 



DR. CYRUS WASHBURN 

was born Nov. 5, 1774, in Hardwick, 
Mass, He was the fifth of a family 
[of seven children, three sous and 
four daughters, all of whom he sur- 
vived. One of hie brothers, Artc- 
m as, died while a member of the 
senior class in Harvard College, in 
1792. The other brother, Ebenezer, 
died iu Wisconsin in 1857, having 
been for more than sixty years an 
able minister of the gospel, Two of 
his sisters, Susan and Hannah, died 
young. Another either, Dolly, was 
for many years a successful teacher, 
and died in Hardwick, Mass., in 
1835. The other sister, Clarissa, 
married and had a large family of 
children, and died in Bangor, Me., 
in 1S4S. 

The Doctor’s ancestry may be 
traced back to John Washburn, who 
se ttle cl in Du xb u vy , M as&, , p re v i ou s 
to 1633, and from him through suc- 
ceeding generations of the Wash- 
burn family, to the Doctor's grand- 
father, Joseph Washburn of Bridge- 
water, Mass., who married Mary, 
the daughter of Ben Johnson of that 
town, a relative of Ben John son, the 
celebrated English poet and dram- 
atist. They had five children, viz: 
Joseph, jn, Seth, Ebenezer, (the 
Doctor's father,) Abiah and Sarah; 
and with their family, they moved 



VERNON, 



281 



in 1749, to Middletown, Ot. A few 
years subsequently, they, with the 
exception or their oldest aon Joseph, 
jr., Vho remained at Middletown, 
Oh, removed to Leicester, Mass., 
where at an advanced age, they died 
in 1780, 

WASELBUKK, 

the father of the Doctor, married 
Dorothy New hall, daughter of Jon- 
athan New hall. Esq., of Leicester, 
Mass,, in 1757; lived for a short 
time in Spencer, and then moved to 
Hard wi c k. lie was a teacher for more 
than forty years. 

He served in the expedition to 
Crown Point, and, subsequently, in 
the army of the Revolution. 

He died in 1795, and his wife in 

1807 . 

Cyjiijs Washburn, the subject 
of this memoir, remained at home, 
assisting his parents till he was lb 
or 17 years of ago, and was trained 
to habits of industry and economy. 
He enjoyed the advantages of the 
common schools of those days. He 
was fond of books and study, and 
eagerly sought for knowledge. 

His parents being in limited cir- 
cu instances, he immediately engaged 
in school- teaching, to procure the 
means of prosecuting Ids studies. 
He taught in several places in Mass- 
achusetts and pursued hie academic 
studies at Leicester Academy in the 
same state. 

Dr. Wftslibum studied medicine 
three years with Dr. Spencer Field, 
of Oakham, Mass. Medical schools 
were rare in those days, and he re- 
ceived his Medical Diploma in Ver- 
mont. 

He was thrice married. His first 
wife was Electa Stratton, daughter 
of John Stratton, of Hinsdale, Vh, 
whom he married in 1800, She 
was a niece of Dr. Field, with whom 
he was pursuing his medical studies. 
By her he had two children, who 
died young. She died suddenly in 
Vernon. His second wife was Rboda 
Field, daughter of Henry Field, of 
North field. Mass., with whom he 



lived. £0 years. She died in 1826. 
They had six children, four are now 
living. His third wife was Lucy 
Hathaway, daughter of Timothy 
Hathaway, of Hardwick, Mass. She 
died In 1837. 

But he was not left alone, — an 
affectionate and self- forget ting 
daughter was ready arid willing to 
devote the best years of her life to 
the comfort and happiness of his 
old age. 

He did not forget his obligations 
to society, but met and performed 
every duty, professional, or other- 
wise. 

After completing Ms medical stud- 
ies, he settled in Hard wick Ids na- 
tive town, in 1800, and practiced 
medicine successfully for about three 
years. 

In 1803, yielding to the solicita- 
tion of the people of Vernon., he re- 
moved to that town, and a cordial 
reception greeted his coming 

When he removed no Vernon a 
church edifice had just been erected, 
but there was no settled minister, 
and no organised society of church 
members. At the time of the Doc- 
tor's death, March 2, I860, there 
were living in the town only a few 
(32) persons who were residents 
when he came there 57 years be- 
fore. And it is a fact worthy 
of notice that Dr. Washburn per- 
formed professional business in five 
generations in five families, and 
in one other family of six genera* 
lions. 

As a physician he had a long and 
successful career. He was fond of 
his profession, and pursued it with 
energy unci untiring industry. In a 
few years, he became the leading 
physician of the town. He prac- 
ticed not only hi Vernon , but more 
or less in all the adjoining towns; 
his practice extended many miles in 
all directions. He was frequently 
called to advise with other physi- 
cians in dangerous and difficult 
cases. 

Dr. Washburn was for several 
years President and a censor of the 



2S2 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE* 



Medical Society of Vermont, lie 
was also appointed? by that society, 
a delegate to the American Medical 
Association, whose first meeting was 
held at Boston. 

Dr. Wash barn continued in the 
full and successful practice of bis 
profession till age and infirmities 
compelled him to resign the field to 
younger hands. 

Jo addition to his labors as a 
physician, he took a lively interest 
in the affairs of the town, and bore 
an active and prominent part in 
town offices. The office of town 
clerk fie held 28 years; and with but 
few exceptions, he was superintend- 
ent of schools, or erne of the school 
trustees, for a period of over 50 
years. 

In 1810 lie was elected to the fol- 
lowing town offices : town clerk: 
first selectman ; lister ; overseer of 
the poor; and one of a committee to 
report on the subject of establishing 
a House of Correction. 

In 1812, in 1831, and in 1840, he 
was elected representative to the 
General Assembly of Vermont. 

In 1814, he was chosen delegate 
to the Convention at Montpelier, 
for revising the State Constitution. 

In 1824, he was chosen delegate to 
the Convention at Newfanc, for lo- 
cating the shire town of the county. 
In addition to these offices and 
trusts, the Doctor held a commis- 
sion as justice of the peace every 
year but one from 1805 to 1BG1. 

“THE GRETNA GREEN OF VERMONT. 7 ’ 

Among the duties which he per- 
formed as justice of the peace, there 
was none more agreeable to him, 
and we may also, presume, to the 
other parties concerned, than that 
of performing the marriage cere- 
mony. He joined in marriage 853 
eon pies, a larger number than any 
other man in that part of the conn- 

try* 

His manner of performing the 
ceremony was characteristic and 
somewhat peculiar. It was almost 
as varied as the appearance of the 
candidates for marriage* Of the 



many forms of ceremony vised by the 
Doctor the following may serve as 
a specimen: 

MARRIAGE CEREMONY 
By Dr. Cyrus Washed rn, Esq* 
Parties and relatives, being agreed. 

To solemn joyous rites we will proceed. 
Worthy and much respected Groom and 
Bride, 

That you by nuptial ties may be allied, 

Tn preparation for the endearing bands,. 
In token of united hearts; join hands* 

Considering this union of hands 
expressive of a reciprocal inter- 
change of heart and affection, do 
you mutually espouse and avouch, 
each the other, to be your betrothed,, 
your married companion for life,^- 
solemnly promising, covenanting 
aud engaging that you will, forever 
hereafter, according to the best of 
your powers and abilities, whether 
in the pleasing scenes of health and 
prosperity, or the more trying ones 
of sickness and adversity, provide 
for, support, comfort, nourish, and 
sustain each other, as a kind, pro vi- 
olent, indulgent husband and as a 
i loving, prudent, submissive wife 
ought to conduct toward each other 
in the marriage relation; and that 
you will ever with trust and fidelity 
demean yourself each to the other, 
and to all else in reference to this 
your marriage covenant, by the 
known strict rules of duty, law, and 
love to each other so long as you 
shall both live P Do you thus prom- 
ise and engage ? 

Then by authority as Jaw requires, 

And in accordance with your just de- 
sires, 

I pronounce you married— Husband and 
wife. 

Be each to each a loyal spouse through 
life : 

May smiles from Heaven and men on 
you await, 

And may your joys be numerous, pure 
and great. 

While these fond subjects through your 
bosoms move? 



VERNON. 



283 



And you resolve to please and live, in 
love. 

Your friend will now in simple verse 
draw near 

And wish you joy through many «* hap- 
py year. 

Let no discordant jai*s your bliss de- 
stroy, 

But virtue, peace and love your lives 
employ. 

May Gospel faith and works be well 
combined, 

Adorn your lives and regulate your 
mind. 

Where'er you dwell, let virtue be your 
guide, 

And God, above, will bless both Groom 
and Bride. 

To good old age may Heaven protract 
your span. 

The kind assuagersof each other’s pain. 
Remember, too, all earthly joys must 
end, 

And each be severed from your dearest 
friend; 

But death, itself which earthly joys re- 
moves 

Still heightens virtue and true love im- 
proves. 

Then keep the goal of happiness in mind, 
And what you lack on earth in Heaven 
you’ll find; 

Where none are married, none in mar- 
riage given, 

But are, as are the angels, pure in 
Heaven. 

LECTURES AND ADDRESSES. 

In addition to his professional and 
official duties, the Doctor was fre- 
quently summoned to other labors. 
He was invited to give orations on 
the 4th of July, lectures before 
lyceurns, and addresses on various 
occasions. 

During his long practice, riding 
by day and by night, lie was exposed 
to accidents, aud experienced many 
hair-breadth escapes. In 1817, while 
riding in a chaise, his horse became 
unmanageable and ran off a steep 
embankment. His escape was con- 
sidered as almost miraculous ; but 
he crept from the wreck with only 
slight bruises, and with a new out- 



fit, was soon on his way to visit his 
patient. 

In 1818, during a severe rain 
storm he mounted his horse, and 
suddenly raising his umbrella, his 
horse reared and fell over backwards 
upon him, severely injuring one of 
his legs, from the effects of which 
he never fully recovered, 

In February, 1S2G, while he was 
rapidly driving, the king-bolt to his 
carriage broke, and he was thrown 
violently to the ground, breaking his 
left shoulder, which confined him to 
his house for several weeks. 

In 1841, after visiting a patient, 
he stepped into his gig, when his 
horse, a high spirited animal, started 
off upon a run. The horse took the 
road to Brattleboro, and after run- 
ning about a mile the Doctor was 
thrown from his gig a distance of 
about twenty feet, striking upon the 
right side of his head and shoulder. 
He was taken up insensible. He im- 
mediately received medical aid from 
Doctors Dickennan, Hyde and Rock- 
well of Brattleboro, and Dr. T wick- 
ed of Keene, N. H. The deltoid 
muscle of his right shoulder was 
severed from the bone, and he never 
recovered the free use of his right 
arm. 

In all relations of life, private aud 
public, Dr. VVashbdrn had the con- 
fidence and respect of those who 
knew him. A prominent trait of 
his character was hospitality. He 
received his friends, and also stran- 
gers, with frank cordiality. His 
power of interesting his visitors by 
wit and anecdote was quite uncom- 
mon. 

He was not wanting in the higher 
sentiments of religion. His seat at 
church was never vacant except at 
the call of duty, and he contributed 
cheerfully, his full share to the sup- 
port of public worship. 

Dr. Washburn was not wanting in 
a clear and earnest faith ; faith in 
God, in duty, in immortality, in the 
great truths of religion, aud the vital 
truths of Christianity. This faith 
was vividly portrayed in the last. 



284 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



days of his earthly existence. He 
died in 1359, aged 85. 

NOYES BARSTOW, M. D. 

moved into town in 1846 ; married 
Mary Caldwell of North field, Uass, ? 
had two sons and two daughters;' 
resided here 14 years and was sue- 1 
cessful in the practice of medicine ; I 
mo v cd to B ern ar dst o n t M ass . , 1 1 1 e n ce 1 
to Chicopee, thence to Indian Or- 
chard, 



animation and graduated at Dart- 
mouth Medical College in May , 1365; 
practiced his profession at Fayette- 
ville, this county, till the fall of 1865, 
and then returned to New York and 
attended a second course, of lectures 
at the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons, 1865 and 1866 ; came to 
Vernon, June, 1866, where lie has 
since resided and practiced medi- 
cine. (188i*) 

TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES. 



L. H, TUTTLE, M. D. 

came to Vernon in the spring of I860; 
enlisted in the war as assistant sur- 
geon in 1862 ; afterward resided in 
Springfield, Vt, then in Holyoke, 
Mass. 

Wtf. S. 3JGTBZUNCS, 

eclectic physician from Shelburne 
Falls ; married Martha Lyman of 
Vernon ; moved here In 1862 ; after 
a few years of successful practice i 
moved to Greenfield, Mass, where! 
be continues his profess! oil 



A society was organized, Jan. 
1836, and two years afterward it 
numbered 101 members. Another 
society was formed in Aug. 1841* 
consisting of 69 members, and still 
another organ/ ied m 1849, with 110 
members. 

A society of Y r oung Temperance 
Volunteers was formed in 1865, con- 
sisting of 155 members- The Order 
of Good Templars established a 
lodge here known as Mfc, Vernon, 
No. 60, Sept 9, 1867. 

MILLS AND MANUFACTURES, 



JOHN LEARNED, M. D. 

a young physician, came to town 
next; his wife died within a year 
and he moved to Reads boro, Vt, 
thence to Florence, Northampton, 
Mass. 

THOMAS GGOmVILLIE, A. M., M. D. 

born at Barnet, Caledonia Co , Vt., 
June 2S, 1840 ; fitted for college at 
Caledonia Co T Academy, Peacham ; 
entered Dartmouth College, Sept. 
1S59 ; graduated in 1863; studied 
medicine with Prof. Dixi Crosby and 
his son Prof. A. B, Crosby at Han- 
over, N. H. ; attended two courses 
lectures at Dartmouth Medical Col- 
lege, 1863 and 1864 ; went to New 
York City and attended a course of 
lectures at the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons, 126th St. and 4th 
Ave., during winters of 1864 and 
1865 ; returned to Hanover and 
having studied medicine during the 
last year of his college course with 
Prof, Crosby, he was admitted to ex> 



There have been several steam 
mills in town. The first one was 
built about 1852, near Vernon depot, 
by a company known as Messrs. My, 
Newkirk & Frink, who did an exten- 
sive business in clearing up land and 
manufacturing lumber. Their mill 
was burned about 1864, and the 
company dissolved. Another was 
erected on the same site and burned, 
and yet another was built and is now 
standing. 

A steam saw and £rist mill at 
South Vernon, also did a thriving 
business until burned about 1874. 
There is now a saw and grist mill near 
South Vernon depot on Be id mg’s 
brook., also one at the centre of the 
town, built by Messrs. Whittled and 
Ball at a cost of $7000. It lias a 
stone dam and wheel-pit and a 25 
feet overshot wheel. There are two 
other saw mills in the west part of 
the town ; one on a tributary of Fall 
River does some business. In former 
years, over a million feet of lumber 
have been shipped from Vernon 



VERNON. 



285 



depot, annually. Matches and chair 
stuff have also been manufactured 
quite extensively. 

There are three hotels and two 
stores in town. 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

• 

Col.Eleazer Patterson appointed by 
Governor Clinton of New York, June 
5, 1788. Johu Bridgman, 1805, 27 
years ; Abner Harris, 1803, 3 years ; 
Cyrus Washburn, 1S04, do years ; 
Jonathan Hunt, jr., 181 J, 1 year; 
Zadock Wright, 1813, 1 year ; Arad 1 
Hunt, 2d, 1814, 2 years ; Israel John- 1 
son, 1816, 1 year ; Isaac Johnson, 
1827, 1 year ; Samuel Sykes, 1817, 10 
years ; Levi Stoddard, 1S22, 2 years ; 
Nathan Wood, 1829, 25 years ; Jesse 
Lee, 1830, 5 years ; Joseph Franklin, 
1830, 8 years ; Elijah Stebbins, 1830, 
9 years ; Ebenezer Howe, jr., 1832. 
14 years; John Stebbins, 1832, 14 
years ; Eli Lee, 1832, 12 years ; Sum- 
ner Titus, 1838, 9 years ; Artemus 
H. Washburn, 1S38, 32 years ; Lo- 
renzo Brown, 1S39, 46 years ; Jo- 
seph E. Franklin, 1S43, 38 years; 
Thomas Johnson, 1844, 2 years ; 
Jarvis F. Burrows, 1842, 10 years ; 
Noyes Barstow, 1851, 8 years ; R. S. 
Wood, 1860, 20 years ; Ashly Bart- 
lett, 1832, 1 year ; Timothy Bascom, 
1832,1 year; Isaiah W. Johnson, 
1833, 2 years; Willard Johnson, 1839, 
1 year ; Yinal Thayer, 1840, 1 year ; 
Alfred Alford, 1840, 2 years ; Wil- 
liam Johnson, 1842, 7 years; Wil- 
liam Heard, 1842,1 year; Chester 
Lee, 1842, 4 years ; Asa Peeler, 1842, 
4 years; J. 13. Green, 1842, 4 years; 
Alonzo Newton, 1843, 4 years ; Fran- 
cis N. Snow, 1844, 4 years ; Alexan- 
der Perry, 1844, 3 years ; Horace 
Wood, 1S50, 3 years; George W. 
Kenedy, 1853, 3 years ; Israel John- 
son, 1857, 3 years ; Porter Adams, 
1853, 3 years; Wilder H. Fairmun, 
1S58, 3 years: E. O. Lee, 1862, 18 
years; Win. S. Severance, 1863, 2 
years; John Hunt, 1801, 3 years; 
Thomas Goodwillie, 1872, 13 years ; 
M. I. Reed, 1880, 5 years ; J. C. Al- 
leu, 18S2, 3 years. 



TOWN CLERKS. 

John Bridgman was town clerk to 
March, 1804 ; Cyrus Washburn from 
1804 to 1S17, 1818 to T9, 1823 to ’31, 
1834 to ’37, 1839 to 42 ; Levi Stod- 
dard, 1817 to T8 ; Samuel Sykes, 
1819 to *23 ; M. Whithed, 1831 to 
*34, 1837 to ’39, 1842 to ’48, 1856 to 
’57 ; Addison Whithed, 1857 to the 
present time, Dec. 1884. 

TOWN REPRESENTATIVES. 

Arad Hunt, 1804 to 1810, inclu- 
sive; Jonathan Hunt, jr., 1811 ; 
Cyrus Washburn, 1812, *31, ? 40; Zad- 
ock AY right, 1813 ; Arad Hunt, 1814,. 
*15, T9 ; Israel Johnson, 1816 ; Isaac 
Johnson, 1817 ; Samuel Sykes, 1818, 
’20, ’22, *23, ’25 ; Elijah Stebbins, 
1821 ; Benj. Lee, 1824 ; Nathan 
Wood, 1826, ’27, ’29 ; Joseph Frank- 
lin, 1S28 ; Eli Lee, 1830, '34, ’35, 
To, *46, ’48 ; John Stebbins, 1832, 
’33, '39, 41 ; Ebeuezer Howe, jr., 
1836, ’37, ’38, ’42, ’50, ’51, '60, *61 ; 
J. F. Burrows, 3 843, *44, ’52, ’53, 
’62, ’63 ; Joseph E. Franklin, 1847, 
*49, ’58, *59 ; Wm. Johnson, 1854, 
’55, ’68, 69; John Hunt, 1856, ’57, 
'70, *71 ; Lorenzo Brown, 1864, ’65 ; 
Wilder H. Fairmau, 1866, ’67. Ad- 
dison AY hi died, 1872 to ’75. Dwight 
Johnson, 1876 to ’77. R. S. AYood, 
1878 to ’79. J. M. Morrill, 1880 to 
*81. F. AY. Johnson, 1882 to’83. M. 

I. Reed, 1884, to ’85. 

POSTMASTERS. 

Appolas Root, appointed January,. 
1821, resigned July 1, 1824. 

Cyru8 AATishburn, appointed July 
1, resigned Apr. 1, 1828. 

I Marshall Whithed, appointed Apr. 

II, 1828; Amos AVashburn, Jan. 
1852, the 14th; Marshall Whithed 
re-appointed Sept. 3, 1852, died in 
February, 1860. 

Addison AYhithed, appointed 
February 29, I860, is yet in the 
office, 1891. 



286 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



SOLDIERS OF VERNON 



VOLUNTEERS FOR THREE YEARS. 



IN THE WAR OF 1861-65. 

THREE YEARS MEN. 

Credited previous to the call for 
three hundred thousand men: 



Oct. 17, 1S63. 



VOLUNTEERS. 



REG. CO. AGE. 

11 E 36 



Bemis, Warren S. 

Blanchard, Abner L. 44 

Brooks, Uriel, Vt. Cav. F 

Burrows, Hunt, W. 11 Adj. 

Clark, Herbert S. 44 E 

Colgrove, George, ** 41 2] 

(killed at Petersburg, June 23, 1864.) 
Dickenson, Wm. O. 11 E 26 

Doolittle, Charles 44 E k’ld. 

Fairman, Edward J. E 

(died in hospital.) 

Field, George A. 9 K 

Graves, Albert L. 2 C 

(taken prisoner at Bull Run. In prison 
5 months, 14 days at Richmond.) 



Harris, Austin A. 


Vt. Cav. 


F 




Heath, Jesse S. 




Cav. 


F 




Holton, Chester, 




11 


E 


16 


Hubbard, Geo. H. 




u 


E 


19 


(Corp. Sergt.) 
Hunt, John (Capt.) 




11 


E 


32 


Jackson, Charles (Sergt.) 


9 


K 


26 


Johnson, Charles S. 




11 


E 


9* 


Lee, Geo. M. 




<< 


“ 


86 


Marsh, Evander G. 




9 


K 


44 


Newton, Edward E. 




11 


E 


18 


(Died at Fort Slocum, 1864.1 






Newton, Wm. E. 




11 


E 


20 


(Prisoner 4 mos. in 


Libbey prison.) 




Peeler, Geo. A. 




11 


E 


19 


(Killed at Winchester, 


Va., 


Sept. 


19, 


1864.) 








Peeler, James M. (Corp.) 


11 


E 


21 


Pike, John W. 






cl 


18 


Sartwell. John H. 




9 


K 


18 


(Died Feb. L 1863.) 
Stanford George W. 




11 


E 


26 


Stebbins, Elijah, Jr.,lstSergt.9 


K 


42 


Stoddard, Levi A. 




u 


u 


20 


Streeter, Daniel G. 




11 


E 


20 


Streeter, Densil M. 




(1 


it 


35 


Streeter, Esmond, 




9 


K 


18 


Streeter, Philander 




2 


C 


20 



(Prisoner 1st Bull Run battle 5iu. 14d.) 

Streeter, Seymour D. 11 E 21 

Sweetland Enoch, 4 4 4 4 40 

Tuttle, Lyman M. 6 Asst Sur. 

Tyler, John E. 11 E 

Witt, Theodore Cav. F 

(Died in prison.) 

Wood, Mason 11 E 18 

Wright, Rcnsalaer “ 44 

Credits under call Oct. 17, 1863, 
for 300,000 volunteers, and subse- 
quent calls: 



VOLUNTEERS. 


REG. CO. AGE, 


Braynard, Joseph A. 


10 K 


18 


Bunker, Clark 


4 D 




Cobleigh. Solomon W. 
Elgar, William H 


It A 
7 E 


18 


Foster Edwin 


10 K 




Grtfifu, John D. 


10 K 


32 


Harris, l^ntworth N. 
Suglaud, John H. Col. 


11 E 


24 


54 Mass. 




Vorce, William H. 


11 H 


21 


VOLUNTEERS FOR 


ONE YEAR. 




Chase, Wm. S. 


Cav. 




Cook, F. F 


9 B 


31 


Holton, Chester A. 


9 K 




Lawson, Alfred N. 


9 K 


27 


Peeler, Albert S. 


9 


24 


Streeter, Uriel 


9 




Streeter, Lucie n 


9 




Moody, Charles E. 


1 S. S. 


F. 



RE-ENLISTED. 



Heath, Jesse S. Cav. F 

Jones, William B. 4 F 

ENROLLED MEN WHO FURNISHED 

SUBSTITUTES. 

Brooks, George M. 

Dickinson, Henry H. 

Gould, Gilbert F. 

Johnson, Dwight. 

Scott, Alvah E. 

Not credited by name, three men. 

UNDER DRAFT, PAID COMMUTATION. 

Allen, Clark R. 

Johnson, Lewis J. 

Brown, F. P. 

Stone, Calvin. 

Goodenough, Hubbard. 

Tyler, Edson O. 

PROCURED SUBSTITUTES. 

Johnson, Fred W. 

W hi tiled, Clinton S. 



CREDITS REPORTED SINCE SEPT. 30, 

1864. 

Volunteers for one year. 

Merrill, Ira 2 F. C. 

Newton, Harvey F. 2 F. C. 

Nutting, William 1st Corps. 

Rice, George W. 2nd F. C. 

Volunteers for three years. 

Norton Elliott, Vet. Reserve Corps. 
Hannaford, Benj. F. 



VERNON. 



287 



OFFICERS. 

Hunt, John, Capt* Co, E. 11th 
Regfc., Com, Aug, 14, 1863- resigned 
Aug. 10, 1363. 

Burrows, Hunt W. Adj. 11th 
Regt Com- Aug* 23, 1862; trans- 
ferred 1st Lieut, of Co. B., Dec* 10, 
1862; promoted Capt. Co. M., Jan, 
%l } 1864; resigned Sept. 1, 1864, 
Dickinson, Win. O* 1st Lieut. Co. 
LL; Com, Dec. 2 ? 1S64; wounded 
Mar. 25, 1S65; mustered out of ser- 
vice June 34, 1865, 

Be mis, Warren S> 2nd Lieut 11th 
RegL, Co. E*; Com, Dec. 28, 1863; 
resigned June 11, 1864. 

Wright, Rensalaer, 2nd Lieut.; 
Com. Aug. 1.1, 1863; honorably, dls- 
‘Charged, Dec 15, 1864, for disabil- 
ity. 

Hubbard, Geo. IL promoted Cor, 
Jan. 11, 1864; promoted Sergt. June 
•8, 1864. 

STATE MILITIA, 13tH HE&IMENT. 

Hunt, John, Goh, Com. Feb. 0, ! 
1865. 

Stebbins, John, jr., Capt., Com, 
Apr. 29, 1865. 

Hubbard, John E., 2nd Lieut., 
Oom. Dec, 31, 1864. 

RESIDENTS OF TEEN ON ENLISTED IN 
OTHER PLACES. 

Aldrich, James Dwight, enlisted 
Sept, 8, 1861; mustered out Nov. 
18, 1863; age 21, 

Aldrich, Henry, enlisted Sept. 8 ? 
1861; mustered out Nov, 18* 1864; 
age 37, 

Aldrich, Leonard J. , enlisted Sept, 
8, 1861; age 35. 

Sweetland, Arfcemw. enlisted from 
Marlboro; died in service, 

Cooley, Henry G, enlisted from 
■Brattleboro, May 1 ? 1861. 

Lee, Henry G., enlisted from 
Michigan, 1864, Vet. Vols* B, S. S, 
Peeler, David L. jr., enlisted from 
Northampton, Mass. 

Peeler, Albert S. enlisted from 
Northampton , Mass. 

WHOLE EXPENSES PAID BY VERNON 

for War of the Rebellion, exclusive 
-of State taxes, $17,396.64. 



Whole number of soldiers furnish- 
ed as above record, 77. 

IN THE FLORIDA WAR* 

Clark Sweetl&nd went from Ver- 
non and Chester Holton from North- 
field, since a resident of Vernon. 

In the war of 1812, Oliver Cook, 
jr,, Salem Streeter, Alpheus Tay- 
lor and Chester Wright went from 
Vernon* Elmer Wait from North- 
field has since resided in Vernon. 

WAR OP THE RETOLD Tt ON.* 

Jerijah Thayer, Jabez Clark, 
Jacob Law ton 3 John Jacob Peeler, 
John Williams, taken prisoner but 
released; John Dresser, Andrew 
Parsons* Sylvan us Harris, Stephen 
Johnson, David Lee, Isaac Pratt, 
Ebenezer Scott, was taken prisoner 
in French war, released and served 
in the Revolutionary war; Isaac 
Johnson, John Fai r man, Thomas 
Sweetland. 

VERNON TOWN RECORDS. 

were burned Sunday* June 11, 1797- 
Book let, p. 138. The oldest deed 
recorded and re-recorded Mar. 16, 
1790, by John Bridgman, first Town 
Clerk in Vernon (or Hinsdale), 
County of Cumberland, Province of 
New York, was dated May 31* 1749, 
to Joseph Stubbing jr. by the Mer- 
rimaus and acknowledged (in the 
22 d year of his Majesty's reign King 
George the 2d) by Seth Field, Justice 
of the Peace; whose commission 
\ from King George II, is now in the 
possession of his great nephew, A. 
H. Washburn* 2nd deed on record, 
Mattoon and Field deed to Ensign 
Samuel Stratton, June 39, 1749, 
page 80* 3d oldest deed dated 26th 
year of his Majesty's reign (George 
2d) Titus Bel ding to Joseph Stub- 
bing Feb. 2, 1753, p. 286* Three 
Strattons of Nortbfield, June 7, 
1756, sell to Samuel Stratton of this 
town their right to land called Strat- 
' ton field— given by will of Hezekiah 
Stratton, the father of Samuel and 
his three brothers, for £600, Aug* 
33, 1757. Book 1st, p 54, 




Lieutenant Governor Jonathan Hunt. 



Boin at North fid d, Sept, sj, 173.& 
Died at Vernon, June tc, iSsj. 




VERNON. 



289 



merchant; resides at Fitchburg; 2 
children. 

Calista m. Charles Lyman, North- 
field, Mass., resides at Petaluma, 
Cal. 

Alfred, b. Sept. 4, 1834, graduat- 
ed at Amher8tCollege, Aug. 9, 1860; 
spent several years teaching at the 
South and West; went to Califor- 
nia, 1863; was employed in custom 
house; afterward deputy collector of 
internal revenue; was afterward a 
mounted rifleman in frontier ser- 
vice; has traveled many thousand 
miles; married Edith P. Large of 
Dubuque, la. He was also, when in 
California, librarian of the Mercan- 
tile Library at San Francisco. 

Melissa, born July 29, 1837, m. 
; resides at Stock ton, Cal. 

Lydia H., born July 14, 1839, m. 
Lambert J. Bristol of New Haven; 
has 4 children. 

Elijah, son of Joseph, died Jan. 
3, 1821, age 70; was nearly suffocat- 
ed when his son’s house burned and 
died 12 days later. lie m. Beulah 
Dickinson of Hatfield, Mass.; had 
11 children: Mary 1st, Mary 2d, 
Thankful, Rcbekati 1st, Rebecca 2d, 
Elijah, Gideon D., George R., Har- 
riet, Samuel and Williams. 

Mary died Apr. 8, 1841, aged 63 
years. Zadoc \Y right, her husband, 
died Sept, 14, 1839, aged 70 years, 
children: Ahimaz, Osmond, and 

Beulah Minerva, who married Col. J. 
F. Burrows of Bernardston, Mass., 
Mar. 31, 1830. They lived on the 
Wright farm in Vernon; built a 
large hotel and marie extensive ad- 
ditions to the real estate of the Gov. 
Hunt farm. They had two children. 
A daughter died young, and a sou, 
Hunt \Y., married Isabelle Warner 
of Bernardston, had 4 sons, -2 dead; 
was Capt. in the War of the Rebel- 
lion, who was drowned July 2, 
1874. 

J. F. Burrows died Oct. 1875. 

Thankful, daughter of Joseph aud 
Thankful, died Nov. 11, 1798, aged 
18 years. Rebecca 2d, daughter of 
Joseph and Thaukful, married J udge 
Louewell Johnson. He died Aug. 
12, 1859, age 76, and Rebecca died 



Aug. 14, 1859, age 75; his estate was 
valued at $150,000. 

Capt. Elijah Stebbins, born May 
30, 1786, died Sept. 10, 1868, age 
82; m. Roxana Parmenter, who died 
Aug. 28, 18 48, age 59 years. Their 
children were: Valonia, Roxana, 
Mary, Charlotte, Elijah, Joseph, 
Thankful, Laverna and George Par- 
menter. 

Capt. Stebbins’ 2d wife, Abigail 
Elmer, died Sept. 4, 1856, age 67. 
Valonia married Thos. W. Titus; 
had S children. Roxana m. Lea- 
vitt Hall; both dead; had 8 chil- 
dren. Mary died, age 20. Charlotte 
married McNeil; resides at Hinsdale, 
N. H. Elijah, born Oct. 9, 1819, 
married Bathana Knight, two chil- 
dren, Ella and Elijah, — Ella dead; 
Elijah, merchant at Fitchburg. 

Joseph married Lucy Bond of 
Guilford; had one daughter, Lucy. 
Joseph died. Thankful in. Frank- 
lin Streeter. She is dead. 

Laverna, unmarried; George P. 
m. Caroline Severance; has 3 chil- 
dren. 

Gideon D. Stebbins married Bet- 
sey Dickinson; both dead; left a 
family of daughters. 

Geo. R., brother of Gideon, mar- 
ried Sarah Perry; both dead; had 11 
children; Chandler H., eldest, re- 
sides in Vernon, (1884). Harriet m. 
Stephen Perry; both dead; had 4 
children. Williams m. NancyNew- 
ell; both dead; had 4 sons. 

HUNT GEXEOLOGY. 

.Jonathan Hunt, born 1637, mar- 
ried Sept. 3, 1662, Clemence nos- 
mer. Jonathan, (3d sou of Jona- 
than,) born June 20, 1639, died July 
1, 1738. He married Martha Wil- 
liams, then 5th child, born 1703, 
was Samuel, who died Feb. 1770; he 
married Ann Ellsworth. Their chil- 
dren were: Samuel, Anne, Jona- 
than, Elisha, Arad, Sarah, Martha. 

Jonathan, 3d child of Samuel and 
Lieut. Gov. of Vermont, was born 
Sept. 12, 1738; married July 15, 
1779, Lavinia Swan of Boston. 
Their children were: Anne (who 



2 



290 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



married Dr. Marsh), Jonathan, 
Helen, Fanny, Jonathan 2d, Arad. 

OBITUARY OF ARAD HUNT. 

Arad, Gen. (son of Samuel) born 
July 31, 1743, died Feb. 18, 1825* He 
was the youngest of four brothers, 
all men of superior abilities. He 
took a prominent position in any 
business pertaining to the welfare of 
his neighbors and the early settlers, 
gradually accelerating the growth of 
the southern part of Vermont to 
what it has now become. The en- 
hanced value of 5000 acres of land 
in Albany, Vt., which he donated to 
Middlebury College has proved a 
substantial testimonial of his wisdom 
and liberality. 

General Hunt was courier from a 
convention in Vermont to the Gen- 
eral Assembly in New York in 1775, 
also was a delegate from Hindsdale 
to a Convention called at Westmins- 
ter, June, 1776. At his death, he 
was buried in the Hunt cemetery in 
this town. 

Arab, (son of Jonathan) born 
Sept. 22, 1790, married Sally Newell ; 
children : Arab, Frances, Levinah, 
Martha, Sarah N., Roswell, John, 
John 2d, Rowland. Mrs. Hunt, born 
at Coleraine, Mass., died Sept. 15, | 
1846, aged 52. 1st daughter mar- 
ried Goveneur Morris ; 2nd daugh- 
ter m. Henry Seymour of Litchfield, 
Conn. ; 3d daughter rn. George Sey- 
mour, M. D., of Litchfield, Conn.; 
Roswell died at Elmira, unmarried ; 
Rowland died at Brattleboro, un- 
married ; John 2dra. Leonora John- 
son, Mar. 10, 1851. 

DEATH OF HR. HUNT. 
OBITUARY BY CYRUS WASHBURN, M. D. 

Died at Vernon, Vt., Aug. 30, 
1833, Arad Hunt, Esq., aged 43. 
While in the first bloom of manhood, 
he was assailed by a disease, which 
neither admitted of cure, nor scarce- 
ly the hope of mitigation. During 
the last 8 years of his life he was 
confined almost exclusively to his 
bed. He possessed intellectual 

powe which, if developed under 



happy auspices, would probably have 
led to distinction in any congenial 
walk of life. A love of books 
solaced him in the tranquil hours of 
his confinement. His reading was 
various, and in some departments of 
knowledge, his information was ex- 
tensive and accurate. In the edu- 
cation and welfare of his family, his 
abundant means was liberally and 
judiciously dispersed. 

Upon the final settlement of his 
estate, his residence, with a large 
share of his lands, passed into the 
possession of his son. This place, 
situated a short distance north of 
Vernon depot, was long famed for 
| its good cheer and the antique domi- 
I cile was always welcome to the way- 
' farer and its many visitors. Col. 
Hunt retained possession of the 
| place until 1S71, when he sold it to 
Hon. E. L. Norton of Boston, 
Mass., and Mr. Hunt removed 
to Brattleboro and finally bought 
the Du miner farm (so called) where 
he now lives ; his children : Ellen 
Morris married C. W. Hubbard of 
Vermon ; Arad ; Leonora, married 
C. M. C. Richardson, Brattleboro. 

HON. JONATHAN HUNT, M. C. 

IIon. Jonathan Hunt, (son of 
Gov. Jonathan) born Aug. 12, 1780, 
married Jane Maria Leavitt; his 
children were: Jane, William Mor- 
ris, Jonathan, Richard, Leavitt. 

He graduated at Dartmouth Col- 
lege, iS07, studied law and engaged 
extensively in practice at Brattle- 
boro, was member of Congress 1827- 
32. lie died at Washington, D. C., 
May 15, 1832. 

OBITUARY. 

House of Representatives. Mr. 
Everett, of Vermont, addressed the 
House as follows : 

“ Mr. Speaker : It has become my 
painful duty on behalf of ray col- 
leagues to announce to this House 
the death of one of their number, 
the lion. Jonathan Hunt. On this 
occasion I may be permitted to say 
that he has long been a member of 
this House and that the talents and 



VERNON. 



m 



assiduity with which he executed 
his duties ia this place wore alike 
honorable to himself, to this House 
and to his constituents. I hare 
known him long, I have known him 
well, and a purer spirit never inhab- 
ited mortality. His place in this 
House may indeed be filled, but the 
void in the affections of his family 
and friends can never he filled. 

Mr. Everett then submitted the, 
following resolution : 

“ Resolved, That the members of 
this House will testify their respect 
for the memory of Jonathan Hunt, 
deceased, late a member of this 
House from the State of Vermont, 
by wearing crape on the left arm for 
the remainder of the present session 
of Congress. *’ 

A resolution was subsequently 
adopted by which Messrs. H, Eve- 
rett, Choon, Slade, E. Everett, Tay- 
lor, Choate and Candisb were ap- 
pointed to superintend the ceremo- 
nies at the funeral , which should be 
attended on Wednesday by the 
Speaker, officers and members* ac- 
cording to usage. The House then 
adjourned to Thursday. 

“The news of the death of the 
Hon. Jonathan Hunt, which took 
place in Washington City, on the 
morning of the 15th insfc., will prob- 
ably have been generally known 
among the readers, ere the reception 
of this paper. By this sudden and 
un looked for event the state has 
been deprived of an able and faith- 
ful representative in the National 
Legislature, and our community of 
a member who was very generally 
and very highly esteemed m all the 
relations of social life. We speak 
to those who .knew him well, when 
we say that the character of Mr. 
Hunt for professional uprightness, 
political independence and unsullied 
integrity in his private affairs was 
not surpassed by that of any man in 
the community. Attended from 
early youth by all the allurement 
which wealth can furnish, few men 
have arrived at the meridian of life 



through a course of more uniform 
industry and perseverance. 

LIEUT. OOV. .TO NATHAN HUNT. 

EY CYRUS WASHBURN, *T. D. 

Lieut. Grov. Jonathan Hunt was 
born at Northfield, Mass., Sept. 12, 
1738, died in Vernon Vt,, Jane 1* 
1823, in his 85th year. In early life he 
shared in the fatigues and anxieties 
incident to the perilous state of 
those who plant themselves in the 
wilderness, liable to the depredations, 
of savages. Persevering in d ns try, and 
well deserved promotion to many 
honorable offices, civil and military, 
to that of Lieut. Governor of the 
state, rendered him a distinguished 
character during the struggle of the 
New Hampshire Grantees and the 
New York claimants during the liev- 
I olutionary war, the formation of 
this State, its union with tbeUuited 
States, and the foundation of our 
State Government, 

LOYLNA SWAN HUNT, 

widow of Lieut. Gov. Hunt, was 
born at Boston, Mass., Aug. 12, 
1749 ; died at Vernon, June 29, 
1834, aged 85 years. In her youth 
she attended school at Worcester* 
under the tuition of the Jute Presi- 
dent John Adams. She early at- 
tained, and through life possessed 
superior intellectual endowments. 
Juue 1, 1823, after a happy union 
of 50 years, her husband died, and 
since, both of her sons, the Hon. 
Jonathan Hunt, M. C., at Washing- 
ton, and Arad Hunt, Esq., at Ver- 
non. Both were gentlemen of supe- 
rior attainments and great mental 
powers, often promoted to posts of 
public trust. 

Gov. Hunt and his ladjq with 
ample pecuniary means, with social 
and cordial manners, animated and 
sweetened with pleasantry, were en- 
tertaining and delightful companions 
with their numerous friends and ac- 
quaintances, among whom I should 
name Rev. Bunker Gay, the philan- 
thropic Wells, the devout Hubbard, 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



293 



the Hon. Messrs. Bridgman* Jones, 
K now 1 ton, Bradley, and their ladies* 
with hosts of other worthies from 
Massachusetts, New Hampshire and 
young Vermont, As a wife* mother* 
friend and Christian* she was a pat- 
tern worthy of commendation, illus- 
trating the happy effects even in this 
life* of that gospel which she long 
ago professed. 

EPITAPH 

Of Mrs . A bijail P., wife of Rev. 
Bunker Gay, who died July 15 7 
1702, JE, 52 years. 

To visa again the sun goes down, 

Anti in the furrows grain is smcn, 
Beauties that sleep through winter's 
reign , 

When spring returns revive again. 

Shall then the friend for whom we 
mourn , 

Never again to life return f 

Great source of light , life, love and joy. 

Let no such thought our hope destroy ; 

Our lively hope that sometime hence 
Through the Redeemer 7 s influence, 

Shall burst the tomb in sweet surprise. 
And in our Saviour's image rise. 

Ascend to where God holds his throne t 
And immortality put on. 

REV, BUNKER GAT, 

Trinitarian Congregational iet was 
ordained over Hindsdale, including I 
Vernon* in 17M, and remained pas- 
tor until 1803 ; he died Oct. 20* 
1815* aged SO years. His text on 
the Sabbath following the death of 
bis wife is recorded in Ps. 88 — -18- 

" EPITAPH ” 

TO MRS. URIEL EVANS. 

BY REV. BUNKER GAT. 

Throughout the world it is not common 
To find so great and good a woman, 
Bldmtriom, temperate, frugal, just : 

In God through Christ she put her trust 
And kept habitually in view 
His precepts and example too, 

TO URIEL EVANS 

ON THE DEATH OF HIS WIFE. 

BY REV, BUNKER GAT, 

(aged eighty years . 

Long since I felt the fatal stroke, 

That cleft in twain the nuptial yoke, 
And my yoke-fellow from me Bed , 



Gut down and numbered with the dead, 
And now* alas t it ia your turn, 

A loss akin to mine to mourn. 

Can it be greater? Yea ’tis true, 

*Tis greater far ; that is to you ; 

For so our own experience shows, 

We can't sustain each other’s woes ; 

But every mortal everywhere 
Must his "own destined burden bear. 

Pity from all you now bespeak, 

For God has touched you to the quick. 
My cordial pity sure you have, 

I almost chide the cruel grave 
That tore from your unfolding arms 
Your virtuous spouse in all her charms 
And in its rough and cold embrace 
Ha tli thus usurped her bed -room-place r 
Still you’r not left devoid of props. 

Your cup retains some precious drops, 
Better than wealth or golden mines 
The mother in her offspring shines. 

The Rev. Bunker Gay wrote some 
rather famous poetry P— Ed. 



NARRATIVE 
by Rev. Bunker Gat* 
of the 
CAPTIVITY 
of Mrs, Jemima Howe, 

TAKEN BY THE INDIANS AT HINSDALE. 

N, H. .ILLY 27, 1775. 

As Caleb Howe, Hilkiah Grout 
and Benjamin Gaffield, who had been 
hoeing com in the meadow* west of 
the river, were returning home a 
little before sunset* to a place called 
Bridgman's Port* they were fired 
upon by 13 Indians who had ambush- 
ed their path. Howe was on horse- 
back with two young lads, his child- 
ren, behind him. A ball which 
broke his thigh* brought him to the 
ground : his horse ran a few rode 
and fell likewise, and both the lads 
were taken. The indians in their 
savage manner* coming up to Howe, 
pierced his body with a spear, tore 
off his scalp and left him in this for- 
lorn condition. He was found alive 
I the next morning* by a party of 
men from Port Ilmdsdale and being 
asked by one of the party if he knew 
him, he answered* fr yes I know you 
all.” These were his last words, 
though he did not expire until his 
friends had arrived with him at 
Port Hindsdale. Grout was so for- 



VERNON. 



293 : 



tunate as to escape unhurt. But 
Gaffield in attempting" to wade 
through the river at a place which 
was indeed fordable at that time, 
was unfortunately drowned. Flush- 
ed with the success they had met 
with here, the savages went directly 
to Bridgman’s Fort. There was no 
man in it and only three women and 
some children — Mrs. Jemima Howe, 
Mrs. Submit Grout and Mrs. Eunice 
Gaffield. — their husbands I need not 
meution agaiu; and their feelings at 
this junction I will not attempt to 
describe. They had heard the guns 
of the enemy but knew not what had 1 
happened to their friends. Extreme - 1 
ly anxious for their safety they 
stood longing to embrace them, until 
at length, concluding from the noise 
they heard without, that some of 
them were come, they unbarred the 
gate in a hurry to receive them, 
when lo ! to their inexpressible disap- 
pointment and surprise, instead of 
their husbands, in rushed a number 
of hideous Indians to whom, they 
and their tender offspring became an 
easy prey, aud from whom they had 
nothing to expect but either an im- 
mediate death or a long and doleful 
captivity. The latter of these, by 
the favor of Providence, turned out 
to be the lot of these unhappy wo- 
men, and their still more unhappy, 
because more helpless, children. 
Mrs. Gaffield had but one, Mrs. 
Grout three, and Mrs. Howe seven. 
The eldest of Mrs. Howe’s was 11 
yrs. old aud the youngest but six 
months. The two eldest were daugh- 
ters which she had by her first hus- 
band, Mr. William Phipps, who was 
also slain by the Indians, an account 
of which is given in Mr. Doolittle’s 
liistory. 

It was from this woman that I 
lately received the foregoing account. 
She also gave me, I doubt not, a 
true, though to be sure a very brief 
and imperfect history of her captiv- 
ity, which I here insert for your 
perusal : The Indians, she says, hav- 
ing plundered and put fire to the 
fort, we marched, as near as I could 



| judge a mile and a half into the 
' woods where we encamped that 
night. When the morning came 
and we had advanced as much fur- 
ther, six Indians were sent back to 
the place of our abode, who collected 
a little more plunder, and destroyed 
6oma other effects that had been left 
behind, but they did not return until 
the day was so far spent that it. was 
judged best to continue where we 
were through the night. Early 
the next morning, we set off' for 
Canada, and continued our march 
8 days successively until we reached 
the place where the Indians had left 
their canoes, about 15 miles from 
Crown Point. This was a long and 
tedious march, but the captives, by 
divine assistance were enabled to 
endure it with less trouble and diffi- 
culty than they had reason to expect. 
From such savage masters in such 
indigent circumstances, we could not 
rationally hope for kinder treatment 
than we received. Some of us, it is 
true, had a harder lot than others, 
and among the children, I thought 
my son. Squire, had the hardest 
of any. He was then only 4 years 
old and when we stopped to rest our 
weary limbs, and he sat down on his 
master’s pack, the savage monster 
would often knock him off, and 
sometimes with the handle of his 
hatchet. Several ugly marks, in- 
dented in his head by the cruel In- 
dians, at that tender age, are still 
plainly to be seen. At length we 
arrived at Crown Point and took up 
our quarters there for the space of 
near a week. In the meantime some 
of the Indians went to Montreal, and 
took some of the weary captives 
along with them with a view of sell- 
ing them to the French. They did 
not succeed, however, in finding a 
market for any of them. They gave 
my youngest daughter to the Gov- 
ernor DeVandreuil ; had a drunken 
frolic, and returned again to Crown 
Point with the rest of the prisoners. 
From hence we setoff for St. Johns 
in four or five canoes, just as night 
was coming on, and were soon sur- 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



2U 



rounded with darkness. A heavy' 
storm hung over us, the sound of 
the rolling thunder was very terrible 
upon the waters, which at every flash 
-of lightning seemed to be all in a 
blaze, Yet to this we were indebted 
for all the light we enjoyed. No ob~ ' 
ject could we discern any longer 
than the flashes lasted. In this pos- 
ture we sailed in our open tottering 
canoes almost the whole of that 
dreary night. The morning indeed 
had not yet began to dawn when 
we all went ashore, and having col- 
lected a heap of sand and gravel for 
a pilow ? I laid myself down, with my 
te n d e r i nf an t by my si de T no t k n o w - 
ing where any of my other children 
were, or what a miserable condition 
they might be in. The next day, 
however, under the wing of that 
ever present and all powerful Prov- 
idence which had preserved us 
through the darkness and imminent 
dangers of the preceding night, we 
all arrived in safety at St, Johns. 
Our next movement was to St. Fran- 
cois, the metropolis, if 1 may call it, 
to which the Indians who led us 
captive, belonged. Soon after our 
arrival at that wretched capital, a 
eon noil consisting of the chief Sa- 
chem and some principal warriors 
of the St. Francois tribe was con- 
vened, and after the ceremonies 
usual on such occasions were over, I 
was conducted and delivered to an 
old squaw whom the Indians told 
me I must call my mother. My in- 
fant still continued to be the proper- 
ty of its original Indian owners. I 
was nevertheless permitted to keep 
it with me a while longer for the sake 
of saving them the trouble of look- 
ing after it. When the weather be- 
gan to grow cold, shuddering at the 
prospect of approaching winter* I 
told my new mother that I did 
not think it would be possible for me 
to endure it, if I must spend it with 
her, and fare as the Indians did. 
Listening to my repeated and earnest 
solicitations, that I might be dispos- 
ed of among some of the French in- 
habitants of Canada, she at length 



set oS with me and my infant, at- 
tended by some male Indians, to 
Montreal, in hopes of finding u market 
for me there. But the attempt 
proved imsuccessfulj and the jour- 
ney tedious indeed. Our provision 
was so scanty as well as insipid and 
unsavory, the weather so cold, and 
the traveling so very bad that it often 
seemed as if I must have perished 
on the way. While we were at Mon- 
treal, we went into the house of a 
certain French gentleman* whose 
lady being sent for and coming into 
the room, where I was, to examine 
me, seeing that I had an infant, ex- 
claimed with an oath, 1 will not buy 
a woman with a child to look after. 
There was a swill pail standing near 
me in which I observed some crusts 
and crumbs of bread swimming on 
the surface of the greasy liquor it 
contained. Sorely pinched with hun- 
ger I skimmed them off with ray 
hands and ate them and this was all 
the refreshment which the house af- 
forded me. Somewhere in the course 
of this visit to Montreal my Indian 
mother was bo unfortunate as to 
catch the small pox* of which dis- 
temper she died soon after our return, 
which was by water to St, Francois. 

And now came on the season when 
the Indians began to prepare for a 
winters hunt I was ordered to re- 
turn my poor child to those who still 
claimed it as their property. This 
was a severe trial. The babe clung 
to my bosom with all its might, but 
I was obliged to pluck it thence, and 
deliver it shrieking and screaming 
enough to penetrate a heart of stone, 
into the hands of those unfeel- 
ing wretches whose tender mer- 
cies may be termed cruel. It was 
soon carried off by a hunting party 
of those Indians to a place called 
Messiskon,* at the lower end of Lake 

♦Missisquoi, probably. There was an 
Indian village by that name on both sides 
of the river and small bay of Missisquoi, 
in Swan ton at the foot of Canada, next 
north of St. Albans, See in Vol. iv. this 
work, page ABO. Mr. Ferry who gives 
the Indian History of this vicinity states 
that one of the children of Mrs. Howe 
lived here. 



VERNON. 



£95 



Champlain, whither, in about a 
month after, it was my fortune to 
follow them, and here I found it, if 
is true, but in a condition that 
afforded me no groat satisfaction, it 
being greatly emaciated and almost 
starved. I took it in my arms, put 
its face to mine, and it instantly bit 
me with such violence that it seemed 
as if I must have parted with apiece 
of my cheek. I was permitted to 
lodge with it, that and the two fol- 
lowing nights, but every morning 
that intervened, the Indians, I sup- 
pose on purpose to torment me, sent 
me away to another wigwam which 
stood at a little distance, though not 
bo far from the one in which my dis- 
tressed infant was confined but that 
I could plainly hear its incessant 
cries and heartrending lamentations. 
In this deplorable condition I was 
obliged to take my leave of it, on the 
morning of the third day after my 
arrival at the place. We moved 
down the lake several miles the same 
day, and the night following was re- 
markable on account of the great 
earthquake which terribly shook that 
howling wilderness. Among the 
islands hereabouts we spent the win- 
ter season, often sin f ting our quar- 
ters, and roving about from one place 
to another, our family consisting of 
three persons only beside myself, via : 
my late mother's daughter, her sail- 
hop and a papoose. 

They once left me alone two dis- 
mal nights and when they returned 
to me again, perceiving them smile 
to each other, I asked them what is 
the matter? They replied that two 
of my children were no more, one of 
which, they said, died a natural death 
and the other was knocked on the 
head. I did not utter many words, 
but my heart was sorely pained 
within me, and my mind ex- 
ceedingly troubled with strange and 
awful ideas. I often imagined, for 
instance, that I plainly saw r the 
naked bodies of my deceased chil- 
dren hanging upon the limbs of tlie 
trees, as the Indians are wont to hang 
the rawhides of those beasts which 
they take in hunting. It was not 



long, however, before it was so 
ordered by kind Providence that I 
should be relieved in a good measure 
from those horrid imaginations, for 
as I was walking one day upon the 
ice, observing asmoke at some dis- 
tance upon the land, it must pro- 
ceed, thought 1, from the fire of 
some Indian hut, and who knows 
but that some of my poor children 
may be there. My curiosity thus 
excited, led me to the place, and 
there I found my son Caleb, a little 
boy between two and three years old, 
whom I had lately buried in senti- 
ment, at least, or rather imagined 
to have been deprived of life and 
perhaps denied a decent grave. I 
found him likewise in tolerable 
health and circumstances, under the 
protection of a fond Indian mother, 
and moreover had the happiness of 
lodging with him in my arms one 
joyful night. 

Again we shipped our quarters, 
and when we had traveled 8 or 10 
miles upon the snow and ice, came 
to a pi ace w 1 1 e re th e Indians m an u - 
factored sugar, winch they extracted 
from maple trees. 

Here an Indian came to visit us 
whom I knew and who could speak 
English, He asked me why 1 did 
not go to visit my son Squire. I re- 
plied that I had la tely been informed 
that lie was dead. He assured me 
that lie was yet alive and but two or 
three miles off, on the opposite side 
of the lake. At my request, he 
gave me the beet directions he could 
to the place of his abode. I re- 
solved to embrace the first opportu- 
nity that offered, of endeavoring to 
search it out. While I was busy in 
contemplating this affair the Indians 
obtained a little bread, of which 
they gavd me a small share. I did 
not take a morsel of it myself, but 
saved it all for my poor child, if I 
should be so lucky as to find him. 

At length, having obtained of my 
keepers leave to be absent for one 
day, I set off early in the morning, 
and steering as well as I could ac- 
cording to the directions the Indian 



296 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



gave me, I soon found the place he 
had so accurately marked out. 

I beheld, as I drew nigh, my little 
son without the camp, but he looked, 
thought I, like a starved and mangy 
puppy, that had been wallowing in 
the as lies. I took him in my arms, and 
he, spoke to me these words : "Moth- 
er are you come!” I took him into the 
wigwam with me, and observing a 
number of Indian children in it, I 
distributed all the bread, which I 
had reserved for my own child, 
among them all, otherwise I should 
have given them great offence. 

My little boy appeared to be not 
very fond of his new mother ; kept 
as near me as possible while I stayed, 
and when I told him I must go he 
fell as though he had been knocked 
with a club. But having recom- 
mended him to the care of Him who 
made him, when the day was far 
spent, and the time would permit 
me to stay no longer, I departed, 
you may well suppose, with a heavy 
load at my heart. 

The tidings 1 had received of the 
death of my youngest child had a 
little before" been confirmed beyond 
a doubt, but I could not mourn so 
heartily for the deceased as for the 
living child. 

When the winter broke up we re- 
moved to St. Johns, and through the 
ensuing summer our principal resi- 
dence was at no great distance from 
the fort at that place. In the mean 
time, however, my sister's husband, 
having gone with a scouting party 
to some of the English settlements, 
had a drunken frolic at the fort. When 
he returned his wife who never 
got drunk, but had often experi- 
enced the ill effects of her husband's 
intemperance, fearing what the con- 
sequences might be if he should 
come home in a morose and turbu- 
lent humor, to avoid his insolence 
proposed that we should both retire 
and keep out the reach of it, until 
the storm abated. We absconded 
accordingly, but it so happened that 
I returned and ventured into 
his presence before his wife had pre- 
sumed to come nigh him. I found 



him in his wigwam, and in a surly 
mood, and not being able to revenge 
upon his wife because she was not at 
home, he laid hold of me and hur- 
ried me to the fort, and fora trifling 
consideration sold me to a French 

f entleman whose name was Saccapee. 
t is an ill wind certainly that blows 
nobody any good. 

I had been with the Indians a 
year lacking 14 days, and if not for 
my sister, yet for me it was a lucky 
circumstance indeed which thus at 
last snatched, in an unexpected mo- 
ment, out of their hands and placed 
me beyond the reach of their inso- 
lent power. 

After my Indian master bad dis- 
posed of me in this manner, and the 
moment of sober reflection had ar- 
rived, perceiving that the man who 
bought me had taken the advantage 
of him in an unguarded hour, his re- 
sentment began to kindle, and his 
indignation rose so high that he 
threatened to kill me if he should 
meet me alone, or if he could not re- 
venge himself thus that he would set 
fire to the fort. I was therefore se- 
creted in an upper chamber and the 
fort carefully guarded until his 
wrath had time to cool. 

My service in the family to which 
I was advanced was perfect freedom 
in comparison with what it had been 
among the barbarous Indians. My 
new master and mistress were both 
as kind and generous toward me as 
I could reasonably expect. I seldom 
asked a favor of either of them but 
that it was readily granted. In con- 
sequence of which I had it in my 
power in many instances to adminis- 
ter aid and refreshment to the poor 
prisoners of my own nation, who were 
brought into St. Johns during my 
abode in the family of the benevolent 
and hospitable Saccapee. Yet even in 
thi6 family difficulties awaited me 
I had little reason to expect, and I 
stood in need of a large stock of pru- 
dence to enable me to encounter 
them. In this I was greatly assisted 
by the governor and Col. Schuyler, 
who was then a prisoner. I was 
moreover under unspeakable obliga- 



VERNON. 



297 



tions to the governor on another ac- 
count; I had received intelligence 
from my daughter Mary, the purport 
of which was that there was a pros- 
pect of her being shortly married to 
a young Indian of the tribe of St. 
Francois, with which tribe she had 
continued from the beginning of her 
captivity. These were heavy tidings 
and added greatly to the poignancy 
of my other afflictions. However, not 
long after I had heard this melan- 
choly news, an opportunity presented 
of acquainting that humane and 
ge n e r o us gen t le man 3 1 h e go m ni an d er- 
in -chief and my illustrious benefac- 
tor, with this affair also, who, in 
compassion for my sufferings and to 
mitigate my sorrows, issued his or- 
ders m good time and had my 
daughter taken away from the Indi- 
ans and conveyed to the same nun- 
nery where her sister was then 
lodged, with his express injunction 
that they should both be well looked 
after and carefully educated as bis 
adopted children. In this school 
they continued, while the war, in 
those days between France and Great 
Britain, lasted. 

At the conclusion of which war, 
the Governor went home to France, 
took my oldest daughter along with 
him and married Iier there to a 
French gentleman whose name was 
Cron Lewis, He svas at Boston with 
the fleet under Count de Estang 
(177S) and was one of his clerics. 

Mv other daughter continuing in 
the nunnery. A considerable time 
after my return from captivity bad 
elapsed, when I made a journey to 
Canada, resolving to use my best en- 
deavors not to return without her, 
I arrived just in time to prevent her 
being sent to France. She was to 
have gone in the next vessel that 
sailed for that place. And T found 
it extremely difficult to prevail with 
her to quit the nunnery and go home 
with me. Tea, she absolutely re- 
fused, and all the persuasions and 
arguments I could use with her were 
to no effect, until after I had been 
to the Governor and obtained a letter 
from him to the superintendent of 



the nuns, in which he threatened, if 
mv daughter should not be delivered 
immediately into my hands, or could 
not be prevailed with to submit to 
my parental authority, that he would 
send a baud of soldiers to assist me 
in bringing her away. But so ex- 
tremely bigoted was she to the cus- 
toms and religion of the place, that, 
after all, she left it with the greatest 
reluctuancfe, and the most bitter 
lamentation, which she continued as 
we passed the streets and wholly re- 
fused to be comforted. My good 
friend, Major Small, whom we met 
with on the way, tried all he could 
to console her, and was so very kind 
and obliging as to bear us company 
I an d ca rry m y d au gh ter be h i n d him 
on horseback. But I have run on a 
little before my story, for I have not 
1 yet informed you of the means and 
manner of my own redemption, to 
the accomplishing of which, the re- 
covery of my daughter, just men- 
tioned, and the ransoming of some 
of my other children, several gentle- 
men of note contributed not a little, 
to whose goodness therefore I am 
reatly indebted, and sincerely hope 
shall never be so ungrateful as to 
forget it. Col. Schuyler, in partic- 
ular, was so very kind and generous 
as to ad vance $2700 1 ivies to procure 
a ransom for myself and three of my 
children. He accompanied and con- 
ducted us from Montreal to Albany 
and entertained us in the most 
friendly and hospitable manner a 
considerable time, at his own house,- 
and I believe entirely at his own ex- 
pense. 



ELEGY 

ON THE DEATH OF 

Ensign Bah u el Stratton, 

By the Reverend Bunker Gat. 

Would you on aural date ties fatten, 

Be surer to pattern Ensign Stratton : 

Of those who on earth s surface dwell. 
Few lived so long and lived so well. 
Placed in that class that props the nation,. 
(For farming was bis occupation) 

In this ’tis owned by those who knew him. 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Bat few could equal, none outdo him. 
Health/ and strong the tools to wield 
To clear and cultivate the field. 

He, by the vigor of his arm* 

Soon realized a fertile farm. 

With good success furnished his house, 
Fust with a virtuous, loving spouse, 
Then with a likely, sturdy son. 

Greatly beloved; they had but one— 

He in due time procured a wife, 

The crown and comfort of his life: 

In course three lovely daughters came, 
For each a sacred love the same. 

Thus did this family increase; 

All lived together aud in peace. 

With this fond group encompassed round, 
The good man felt his joys abound, 

And cheerfully his toil pursued, 

Inspired with love and gratitude. 

A hunter bred he loved to run. 

Equipped with powder-horn and gun, 
When he'd return with a huge pack 
Enough to break another’s back; 

Tea, oft from hunting the wild bees 
Come laden from the honey'd trees. 

In such amusing hunting tours, 

He only spent his leisure hours, 

So that in this there was no harm, 

Since in good time he kept his farm 
And raised enough of farmer's fare, 

Both for his own and some to spare- 
He kept a hospitable hall, 

Free to refresh and comfort all 
Who visited his friendly dwelling, 

If rich, or if not worth a shilling; 

His liberal heart and bounteous hands 
Were always open to his friends. 

Thus uniformly kind and steady, 

To every social duty ready, 

They took delight in doing good 
As every honest Christ! on should t 
Of pure religion ne'er thought lightly; 
Chose wisdom's ways and walked up- 
rightly. 

But hitherto my pen displays 
Only his bright and happy days. 

Others replete with clustering woes, 

As we proceed we shall disclose. 

This world wherever fancy ranges 
Is liable to frequent changes. 

Grief may endure a night, forlorn, 

And gladuess crown returning morn; 
Joy reign to-day and yet to-morrow 
Be dashed with overwhelming sorrow; 
This latter mortals not a few 
By sad experience find too true; 

Thus was our hero often tried; 

In him this truth was verified : 

Who without weeping can relate 
The story of his dismal fate; 

A train of evils then begun 

When death deprived him of his son, 

H i s o n 1 y son , his A bso lorn , 

The joy and sunshine of his home. 

One woe is passed, another comes; 

No flower on earth for ages blooms; 
Many still fade in every clime, 

Cut down and withered in their prime. 



And so it fares in every place 
With many of the human race: 

So to be. sure it fared with one, 

Who tasted death as has been shown 
So too with his all lovely widow, 

Ah! what is life? a fleeting shadow, 

As sketched above you’ve seen the end 
Of her unhappy bosom friend ; 

The tears for him were scarcely dried. 
Death took and lodged her by his side; 
And by this sudden } awful stroke, 

Their parents hearts were almost broke: 
And thus he twice severely tried, 

Still other trials had to abide: 

For soon the Almighty with a stroke 
His wife, his long loved object took. 
From his dim eyes and withered arms. 
This world appeared to have no charms, 
But though of almost all bereft, 

He'd still one precious comfort left, 

His Roxalana, lovely one! 

Daughter of his deceased son. 

But, Oh! what earthly joys abide? 

To him this comfort was denied. 

The seasons oft grow dark and rainy, 

A las l the lovely Roxalana 

Came like a flower that blooms in May 

And like a shadow passed away. 

Of this sweet comfort thus bereft. 

No brother dear or sister left. 

The world's enjoyments fast decrease, 
Death's harbingers alone increase. 

When nearly a'U earth's joys had fled 
In death he bowed his hoary head, 

1 To him a crown of glory here, 

No friend for him need drop a tear. 



RE 7, T. P. ROGERS. 

A full biographical notice of this 
worthy minister was written soon 
after his decease by one who knew 
him well and appreciated him truly , 
Rev. A, M. Bridge. From his ac- 
count we sh all make some extracts, 
and speak of Mr. Rogers more par- 
| tieulaiiy in connection with Ins 
labors in Vernon, He was born in 
Tewksbury, Mass, Mar. 18, 1781. 
In childhood he was surrounded by 
circumstances favorable to forming 
a character of virtue and goodness. 
He was not a strong child, and per- 
haps for that reason was more under 
the care of his mother (who was 
many years a widow) of whose good- 
ness and counsel he ever spoke in 
terms of grateful remembrance- He 
attended the common schools; fitted 
for college at Phillips Academy, 



VERNON. 



299 



Andover, Mass., and entered the 
university at Cambridge in 1798. 

A classmate and intimate friend 
speaks in high terms of the rare pu- 
rity of his character. He had been 
brought up in the orthodox faith, in 
the most rigid forms, but by further 
inquiry and closer examinations of 
religious subjects, he was lead to 
adopt a more liberal faith. At the 
close of his collegiate course he 
studied theology, a profession that 
had always been his aim and choice. 

He preached acceptably inBern- 
ardstou, Mass., and was ordained 
pastor of the society there Sept. 20, 
1809. 

In May, 1810, he married Miss 
Mary Pierce of Woburn, Mass. For 
several j r ears his ministry was pros- 
perous, and his home the abode of 
quiet aud happiness. Then he was 
called to endure severe trials. His 
wife was afflicted with mental de- 
rangement, more or less severe for 
30 years, up to the time of her death 
in 1846. 

In 1822, the spirit of division, 
then so general, entered his society 
and Mr. Rogers was charged with 
having changed his sentiments and 
not preaching the gospel. He met 
this charge in his customary calm, 
forbearing manner, being conscious 
of having preached the same gospel 
he ever did. But all were not satis- 
fied, eleven families withdrew and 
formed themselves into a new so- 
ciety. 

It was found necessary to remove 
their meeting-house and build it 
anew. It was dedicated Jan 12, 
1828. The old society became too 
enfeebled to give their pastor an ad- 
equate support, therefore he cheer- 
fully sought employment for a part 
of the time elsewhere, and went 
forth a welcome missionary to many 
destitute places within twenty miles. 
He was also employed more than six- 
teen years by the Massachusetts 
Evangelical Missionary Society and 
by the Society for propagating the 
gospel among the Indians and 
others in North America. 

In 1825, lie commenced preaching 



in Vernon; his services were contin- 
ued many years. His pastoral con- 
nection and labors in Bernardston 
remained unchanged. 

In the autumn of 1843, an attack 
of paralysis compelled him to relin- 
quish his labors. His life of devot- 
edness cast a radiance of glory on 
the clouded days of debility and 
pain. He died Jan. 26, 1S47. 

AMOS TUTE 

was born Apr. 17, 1730, and died 
aged 60 years. He was a man 6 feet, 
7 in. in height, broad shoulders and 
of well developed form, athletic and 
of strong mind and good features. 
He married Mrs. Jemima Howe on 
her return from captivit}*, who re- 
tained her youthful beauty to so 
great an extent that she received the 
appelation of the fair captive. They 
had two chilren whom they buried. 
Mr. Tute belonged to a company of 
rangers stationed at Hinsdale Fort 
in 1757. In 1768, he was appointed 
coroner for Cumberland County bv 
a commission from Cadwallader Col- 
den, Lieut. Gov. of the Province of 
New York, which office he held until 
the breaking out of the War of the 
Revolution. He is said to have 
shouldered 44 bushels of salt, stand- 
ing in a half bushel, to show his 
strength. 

EPITAPH 
In Memcrt'y of 
Hr. Amos Tide 
Who died April 17th 
1700 in the GOtli 
year of his 
Age. 

Were I so tall to Reach the Pole 
Or grasp the ocean with my span: 

I must be measured by my soul, 

The mind’s the standard of the man. 



MBS. JEMIMA TUTE 
Successively relict of Messrs. 
William Phipps y Caleb Iloive & Amos 
Tute. 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



The two first were killed by the Indians 
Phipps July 5th 1743 
Howe July 27th 1755 
When Howe was killed she <St her children 
Then seven in number 
Were carried into captivity 
The oldest, a daughter , went to France 
And was married to a French Gentleman 
The youngest teas torn from her Breast 
And perished with hunger 
By the aid of some benevolent Gentlemen 
And her own personal Heroism 
She recovered the rest 
She had two by her last Husband 
Outlived both him and them 



Hinsdale in 1755, they were attacked 
by the Indians, one man was cap- 
tured. two killed and scalped, and 
two reached the fort, and Mr. Wright 
and his companion saved themselves 
by flight. At another time, Mr. 
Wright was surprised by Indians 
while at work in Re Chague meadow; 
both running at full speed, the fore- 
most Indian said, “ me got you this 
time.” Mr. Wright, reaching the 
gate of the fort, placed his hand on 
the top, and cleared it at one leap, 
but tlie Indians could not do it. 
Abishai, his son, died in 1S60, aged 
SS years. 

JOHN JACOB PEELER 



And died March 7th 1805 aged 82 
Having passed through more vicissitudes 
And endured more hardships 
Than any of her cotemporaries 
No more can Savage foes annoy 
Nor aught her ivide spread fame destroy 



EBENEZER SCOTT. 

The first white male child born in 
Bernardsfcon (now Vernon) Sept. 
18, 1742, was takeu by the Indians 
when 3 years old, together with his 
mother and three brothers ( one an 
infant ), carried to Montreal and sold 
to the French, and was taken from 
there to Quebec jail, where his 
mother and brothers died, prisoners 
of the French. 

He returned to his father in Ber- 
nardston when 8 years old and had 
lost our language and spoke French. 
He married Miss Love Fair man, from 
Conu., Mar. 12,1772; served in the 
Wav of the Revolution, and drew a 
pension therefor. He settled, lived, 
and died Mar. 4, 1826, on the place 
now occupied by his grandson. 

AMASA WRIGHT, 

one of the early early settlers, lived 
in the west part of Vernon. He was 
a tall, athletic man. The Indians 
had many times chased him, with 
the hope of getting him alive, to tor- 
ture, according to their custom. 
While men were picketing Fort 



died Mar. 24, 1815, iu his 70th year. 
He enlisted in the British army for 
5 years. He and two others left the 
fort commanded by Gen. Campbell, 
without receiving their discharge; 
were pursued by John Hare, cap- 
tured, brought back, tried by court 
martial, and sentenced, each, to re- 
ceive 999 lashes upon the naked 
back, with a cat-o-nine tails, and 
after a blow the lashes were staight- 
ened before another was given. 

One of the three died before he 
had received the complement and 
the rest were inflicted afterward ; 
the other died three days after his 
chastisement. 

Mr. Peeler said he should have 
' died, if he had not crawled from his 
bunk around the floor. His com- 
rade said he could not do it. Mr. 
Peeler told them he should desert 
when he recovered, and when he 
was sent to a swamp with a bog- 
hoe, he left again and was not again 
found. He then enlisted in the 
American army in the Revolutionary 
War. At the battle of Bunker 
Hill, he took a powder-horn from a 
British soldier, which is now in the 
possession of A. H. Washburn. His 
daughter said his back was one solid 
; scar. 

CAPT. JERIJAH THAYER, 

born in Bolton, Conn., Apr. 22, 
1762, came to Vernon in 1787. Dur- 
ing the Revolution, when his elder 



VERNGH, 



301 



brother enlisted in the American 
army, he was but 14 years old, and 
being short and small of his age 
■could not be accepted. He was 
much disappointed and impatiently 
waited two years when they could 
not refuse him. On his 16th birth- 
day, his weight being but 90 lbs, lie 
left home for camp, joined the army 
-and served his country three years, 
until it was freed from British rule. 
When twenty -two, he married Cyn- 
thia Case of Coventry, Oonu., and 
moved to Grill, Maas*, and three 
Tears after to Vernon; stopping at a 
little clearing in the Basin,” 
among the hills, where he built him 
a framed house. He lived here and 
reared a family of seven childreu 
-and died June 15, 1857, aged 95 
years. He was for some time the 
only surviving Revolutionary pen- 
sioner in Windham county* 

DBA. JOHN LEE 

was born in Ki Hi ugly, Conn,, dur- 
ing the reign of George 3d, in 1771; 
died Feb. 13, 1S0H, aged 96 years 8 
months. He came to Vernon with 
Ids parents when eight years old, 
Polly Peeler (daughter of John 
Jacob Peeler) was born in Walpole, 
M. H. , in 1777; whence she removed 
to Greenfield in early life; thence 
to Vernon, Vt; was married to Mr. 
Lee, March 9, 1798, by Judge 
Bridgman; had 12 children,— three 
died in infancy; one went to Michi- 
gan; one to Connecticut; two to 
Massachusetts and four lived in 
Vermont; one, Eli, while traveling 
in Wisconsin was murdered. There 
were 46 grandchildren and 23 great- 
grandchildren (1869), 

Mr. Lee resided most of his life- 
on the homestead now owned by his 
son, George W. For 20 years he 
followed boating on the Connecticut 
River and voted at every presidential 
election except the first, until his 
death. When Mrs* Lee was 83 
years old, she went to the residence 
of her youngest daughter, then 40 
years old, and taught her to spin. 
March 9, 1864, the 66 th an ui vers ary 



of their wedding-day was celebrated 
by the assembling of 150 persons, 
mostly relatives, at the homestead. 
Mr, Lee wished for death, made ar- 
rangements for his funerals and 
quietly passed away. Mrs. Lee died 
a few years after. 

JUDGE LOYEWELL JOHNSON. 

Love well Johnson, son of Isaac 
and Dinah Johnson of Vernon, re- 
sided in town until about 1812, 
when he went to Hew York. He 
married Rebecca Stubbing of this 
town, daughter of Elijah and sister 
of Gapt. Elijah. 

Judge Johnson and wife, Rebec- 
ca, spent most of their time in Ver- 
non for several years previous to 
their deaths in 1859. The follow- 
ing was taken from a central Hew 
York paper; 

“Died at Vernon, August 12, 
Love well Johnson, aged 76 years, 5 
months. Thus has suddenly passed 
from our midst one of the most tal- 
ented, wealthiest, and most remark- 
able men in Central Hew York. 
His immense estate accumulated by 
his frugality, energy and sagacity, 
without the aid of ancestral wealth 
or lucky ^peculation, affords the 
most positive proof that he was no 
ordinary man. Judge Johnson re- 
moved from Hoosie to Palermo at so 
early a day as to be ranked among 
the early settlers of that town. He 
located upon a farm, but studied 
and engaged in the practice of law. 
His previous studies, though prose- 
cuted mainly without a teacher, 
embraced those branches usually 
pursued in an academic education. 
His acquaintance with them was 
distinguished for its thoroughness 
and qualified him well for tlic work 
of teaching, which he for a time 
pursued. As a lawyer, he mani- 
fested clearness of perception, sound 
common sense, and indefatigable 
perseverance. For several years he 
held the office of county judge and 
discharged its duties with ability. 
He would unquestionably have at- 
tained a wide celebrity as a lawyer 



302 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



had not his increasing property de- 
manded his principal attention. 
The later years of liis life were 
given to the management of his es- 
tate, to the entire abandonment of 
all legal practice. His business ac- 
curacy and integrity we never heard 
questioned, and lie certainly mani- 
fested a commendable lenity to his 
debtors, so long as he was satisfied 
of their disposition fairly to ac- 
knowledge and discharge their ob- 
ligations. He abhorred laziness and 
was intolerant of fraud; was himself 
simple in habits, unobtrusive in 
manners, energetic in business, 
prompt and remarkably exact in the 
performance of his slightest prom- 
ises as well as his obligations, was 
scrupulously honest, kind in his 
feelings and actively sympathetic 
with those in distress The day of 
his death afforded us a striking il- 
lustration of the frailty of man 
and the sudden vicissitudes of life. 
On Friday morning, we took from 
the postoffice a letter from Judge 
Johnson indicating his usual health, 
and while we were reading it a tele- 
gram announcing his dangerous ill- 
ness was received, and yet later, Ave 
learned of his death the same day. 
Willard, his only surviving son, 
reached the bedside of his father on 
the morning of his death. His wife 
died two days after, August 14th, 
aged 75 years, 4 months. 

. RUFUS ELMER, 

son of Rufus, grandson of Reuben 
and great-grandson of Jacob Elmer, 
one of the early settlers of Vernon, 
died at San Francisco, Jan. 8, 1870, 
of heart disease. A letter states 
that he was conscious to the last; 
said he was prepared to die. No 
man has lived in this city for the 
last generation who was more widely 
known, or that had the confidence 
of tlie community to a greater de- 
gree than Rufus Elmer. He was 
emphatically a radical on all sub- 
jects, generally living ahead of his 
age and always ready to defend his 
cause. Those who did not agree 



with him, could but respect his 
earnestness and integrity to what 
be believed right. He was born in 
Vernon, moved in early life to Wood- 
stock, Coun., where he engaged in 
shoo manufacturing. 

GEORGE HOWE, 

eldest son of Hon. Ebenezer Howe, 
jr., and great-grand-son of Capt. 
Moses Ilowe, who was taken bv the 
Indians when a lad, and great-great- 
grandson of Caleb Howe, killed by 
Indians, July 27, 1755, and the hus- 
band of the' “fair captive,” and great, 
great-great-grandson of Josiah Sart- 
well (the builder of SartwelFs Fort, 
1737) was born in Vernon, July 4, 
1824. 

In 1S45 he entered the law de- 
partment of Harvard University aud 
graduated in 1847, with the degree 
of Bachelor of laws; closed his pre- 
paratory studies as a law student in 
the office of Hon. W. 0. Bradley at 
Westminster; was admitted to the 
bar of Windham county, 1847; spent 
several years in California ; on his 
return located at Brattleboro and 
commenced the practice of law in 
1853; was admitted to the bar of the 
supreme court of the United States 
in 1856; was States Attorney, 1S5S- 
59; was appointed U. S. Attorney 
for the district of Vermont by Pres- 
ident Lincoln in 1S61; has also held 
many other offices and positions of 
trust; succeeded in obtaining an ap- 
pointment in the Pension Depart- 
ment of the Government, and re- 
moved from Brattleboro about 1880. 

EBENEZER MILLER, M. D., 

born in Vernon, Oct. 4, 1822, son of 
Ebenezer and Ama Miller, and the 
youngest of eight children. Hi6 
great-grandfather was Isaac Miller, 
one of the early settlers of Dum- 
merstou, Vt. His father died when 
he was seven years of age. He ob- 
tained a good scientific and classical 
education, attending the academies 
at West Brattleboro, North field and 
Shelburne Falls, obtaining means to 



VERNON. 



303 



pursue his education by teaching, 
which he successfully did in the 
towns of Guilford, Vernon and 
Hinsdale. N. II. He commenced 
the study of medicine in 1838, with 
Dr. Cyrus Washburn; attended med- 
ical lectures at Hanover, N. II,, 
New York City and Castleton, Vt.; 
graduated from Castleton Medical 
College in 1843; married Lucia A. 
Whitned of Vernon, and commenc- 
ed the practice of medicine in Guil- 
ford in 1844; removed to Halifax 
soon after and remained 11 years; 
removed to St. Paul, Minn. Oct. 
1857. He opened a drug store in 
Hatches, Miss., in 18(53; after the 
close of the wav, left his store in care 
of his eldest son; went to New Or- 
leans, and thence with a large stock 
of goods to Homer City, on a branch 
of the Red river, where in a few 
weeks he was taken with a disease 
ecu liar to that climate and died 
nly 21, 1865, l'ar from home and 
relatives, yet his last hours were 
cheered by the presence of friends 
and bis wants ministered to by 
members of the Masonic order to 
which he belonged. Ilis widow and 
four children still reside at St. Paul; 
his sons, Nelson D. and Charles M. 
are civil engineers. Clinton C., a 
physician in the city, and his daugh- 
ter principal of one of the city 
schools. 

SAMUEL LUKE PARSONS, 

born Oct. 30, 1831; his grandfather, 
Andrew Parsons, the son of a Brit- 
ish sea captain, and a nephew of 
Chief Justice Theopihilus Parsons, 
was an early settler of Vernon; com- 
ing from Connecticut at the close of 
the war of the Revolution, in which 
he was a soldier, he purchased a 
portion of the Howe grant and clear- 
ed himself a home. He there reared 
a large family of children, the 
youngest of four sons, Samuel being 
the subject of this sketch. His 
children were Hannah, Samuel, Luke 
and John. At 15 years of age, Luke 
went to the academy at Bernard- 
ston, Mass. He also attended school 



at West Brattleboro, teaching school 
winters; at twenty lie was prepared 
to enter the Sophomore class at 
Amherst; receiving an offer from 
his cousin, Andrew Parsons, acting 
governor of Michigan, to become his 
successor in legal practice, when ad- 
i mitted, he commenced the study of 
1 law and did not go to Amherst. At 
| twenty-three he was admitted to the 
i bar, and the following year elected 
Circuit Court Commissioner, an 
office having the powers and duties 
I of Judge at Chambers and Master in 
Chancery. At this time be was mar- 
ried to Miss Sarah Cook, daughter 
i of Madison Cook of Ypsilanti, Miss. 
In 1858, Mr. Cook died, leaving a 
large property in Detroit. Mr. Par- 
sons was made attorney of the es- 
tate and resigned his office and went 
to Detroit where he was attacked 
with a disease common to that clim- 
ate. He then returned to Vermont 
to regain his health, and resided 
with his father until the outbreak 
of the war of the Rebellion. lie 
first enlisted in the 16th Vt. Vols. 
and was immediately promoted to 
Sergeant, and afterwards to 1st Ser- 
geant for meritorious conduct at the 
battle of Gettysburg. When this 
regiment was disbanded, he entered 
I the service in the Gulf Department 
at Quartermaster Sergeant. He 
went to New Orleans, touching at 
Cuba. He met Senor Don Bernards, 
Master of the Knights of Freedom 
(or defenders of the Monroe doc- 
trine). He wrote at this time an 
epic poem, entitled, lc Atlantis on the 
Heiress/’ in ten cantos, being a story 
of the island of Cuba and tropical 
America, which he has read in sev- 
eral cities and been very favorably 
mentioned by the press. His corps was 
then transferred to the Shenandoah 
valley. He was disabled at Cedar 
Creek and conveyed to Annapolis, 
where on his recovery, he was given 
charge of a ward at the Navy Yard 
Hospital; having care of the sick 
and wounded Boldiers from Libby 
and Anderson ville. He remained 
here until the expiration of his term 
of service and the war closed, when 



304 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



he returned to Michigan, purchased 
a farm near Detroit and resumed his 
practice at the Detroit bar. 

HIRAM E. JOHNSON, 

son of Hiram Johnson, born at Ver- 
non, Dec. 17, 1834; fitted for college 
under the instruction of Prof. L. E. 
Ward at Saxtons River and West- 
minster; began the study of medi- 
cine with Dr. E. C. Cross at Brat- 
tleboro in 1854; attended medical 
lectures at Berkshire Medical Col- 
lege, Pittsfield, Mass.; graduated at 
Castieton Medical College, June 
17, 1857; began the practice of 
medicine at Halifax where he 
remained eight years, (excepting 
some time which he spent in hos- 
pitals in vicinity of Washington, D. 
C., also at Belleuve Hospital, N. Y. 
City, where he gained a thorough 
knowledge of practical surgery ); in 
spring of 1865, removed to Hale, 111; 
two years later went to Weston, 111. ; j 
built the first house in town ; opened | 
a drug-store and had a remunerative 1 
practice, also held the office of post- 
master and land agent. 

SOLOMON THAYER STREETER, 

born May 28, 1841, in Vernon, son 
of Noyes Streeter, who has always 
lived in Vernon, fitted for college at 
Bcrnardston, Mass., and Exeter, N. 
H ; entered Amherst College in 1863, 
and graduated, 1867 ; having paid 
his way chiefly by his own labors. 
His health failed and he immediate- 
ly went to Europe to regain, if pos- 
sible, in travel, his failing health. 
He visited Scotland, England, 
France, Switzerland and Germany, 
and returned in the autumn, re- 
stored to health ; began the study of 
law at the Columbia College Law 
School and was admitted to the New 
York bar the following May. He | 
graduated from the Law School, , 
1869, and began the practice of his 
profession in New York City, and 
still continues at the same place. 



EDWARD EASTMAN FROST, D. M. D., 

born at Vernon, Nov. 8, 1849. In 
1864, he went to New York and at- 
I tended Thomson's Business College 
one year, and the 13th St. High School 
two years. In 1869 be commenced the 
study of dentistry with Dr. J. B. 

I Walker, at Worcester, Mass. ; entered 
Harvard Dental School 1870 ; grad- 
uated, 1874 ; returned to Worcester 
and practiced one year with Dr. 
Gould; opened an office, Mar. 18, 
1875, himself, and is still practicing 
his profession at Worcester. 

He traveled in Europe extensively 
in 1878, visiting the most noted 
places of interest in England, Ire- 
land, Switzerland, Germany and 
France. 

HAMILTON LEE WHITHED, A. B., 

born at Vernon, Mar. 6, 1854; fitted 
for college at Dean Academy, Frank- 
lin, Mass.; entered Tuft’s College at 
Medford, Mass., 1873, and graduated 
1877 ; entered Boston Law school, 
1877, and graduated therefrom, 1880; 
admitted to Suffolk bar, Nov. 1880; 
practiced his profession till March 
1883, when he went to Grand Forks, 
Dakota, and entered the office of the 
Vermont Loan and Trust Company 
at that place. 



GEO. F. BARBER, D. D. 8., 

born at WestNorthfield, Mass., Dec. 
1, 1854, came to Vernon in 1S65 ; 
attended school at Power's Institute, 
Bernardston, Mass., and Goddard 
Seminary, Barre, Vt. ne entered 
the Philadelphia Dental College, 
Cor. 10th and Arch Sts., and gradu- 
ated therefrom 1881 ; commenced 
the practice of his profession at 
Fitchburg, Mass., May, 1881, and 
remained till Nov. 1883, when his 
health failing him, he came to Ver- 
non, an now, 1885, is in successful 
practice of his profession here. 

SWIFT WATERMAN. 

A large portion of the merchan- 
dise and productions of the eastern 
part of the State were formerly 



VERNON. 



305 



transported in Oat bottomed boats 
upon the Connecticut river from 
Hartford, Conn., to the northern 
part of Vermont. Their capacity 
for many years was from 10 to 20 
tons, until they were increased in 
size to carry from 30 to 40 tons. 
Three men would take the boat from 
Hartford to the foot of swift water, 
at the foot of Clary's Island, then it 
required 10 extra men to take the 
boat the next 10 miles over swift 
water. These swift- water-men were 
a hardy, energetic, jolly set of men, 
ready at a moment's warning, and 
each received for pay $1.50 to Brat- 
tleboro, or $2,00 up to Leavitt's Rock, 
except during a few years just before 
the cars began to do business, when 
the pay was increased 50 cents to 
each place. They used white ash 
setting-poles with a heavy spike in 
the end, and when there was a strong 
south wind they could sail a large 
part of the way. At if Brattleboro 
tunnel" they drew the boat with a 
windlass, and at Leavitt's Rock with 
oxen. The pay was al ways the sai n e, 
and when the wind was favorable, 
they could make two trips a day to 
B r a t tl e bo ro . T b e re w as also an o th e r 
set of men on the New Hampshire 
side of the river. They usually re- 
turned in a skiff loaded to its full 
capacity. Erring brothers were often 
tried by a court of swift watermen, 
in the usual form of sheriff, judge 
and jury, and the charge to the jury 
was sometimes given in this way : 

Gentlemen of the jury— You 
have heard the testimony of the wit- 
nesses and the pleading of the coun- 
sel on both sides. You will retire 
to your room, and after due eonsitL 
oration if you find the accused guil- 
ty, say guilty, and say no more, and 
on the other hand if you find him not 
g u il ty , say g u i 1 ty an cl say n 0 m o ro . ** 

So the accused was brought in 
guilty, and fined one gallon, and his 
accomplice, as appeared by the testi- 
mony having a hand in the offense, 
would be fined two gallons, xAsthis 
town is the only one in this state 
having need of the services of swift 



watermen, we append a list of those 
who served during the last years of 
flat-boating. 

Capt. Moses Howe ; Ebenezer 
Howe ; Ebcnezcr Howe, J r. ; Josiah 
Howe ; Samuel Brooks ; Samuel 
Brooke, Jr.; Capt. Rufus Brooks; 
Simeon Bishop ; Capt. Renj. Bishop ; 
Ezra Clark ; Hosea Clark ; Samuel 
Clark, Jr. ; Zen as Cutler ; Rufus 
Elmer ; Slide Fair man ; Zerah K, 
Fair man ; Asa E airman ; Elijah 
Fairman ; Jonathan B. Green ; Syl- 
vester Hynes ; Austin Harris; Syl- 
van us Harris, Jr, ; Charles S. Har- 
ris ; L W. Joh nson j Esq. ; W on 
Johnson, Esq. ; Willard Johnson, 
Esq.; Dca. John Lee; Jesse Lee, 
Esq. ; Eli Lee, Esq. ; Joel Noyes; 
Levi Ray ; Luther Streeter ; B. A. 
Streeter ; P. H. Streeter ; James 
Streeter ; Wm. Stebbins; Barney 
Smith; Capt. Sumner Titus: Erastus 
Tyler; Abishai Wright. 

STEAMBOATS. 

The first steamboat, culled the 
Barnet , ( R.uf us Rob i nson , Pilot) was 
built in 1827 ; wm 75 feet long, 
14 1-2 feet wide and waste run from 
Hartford, Conn., to Bellows Falls, 
ft ran only about 2 years. The John 
Ledyard was built in 1830, of still 
i greater power, and next the William 
Holmes, Capt. James Davenport of 
Hinsdale, N. H, Rufus Robinson 
pilot the first year and Capt. Sum- 
ner Titus the second year—it ran in 
1831 and 1832. About the same 
time Capt. Blanchard built a steam- 
boat to run from Bellows Fails to 
Me Indoes Falls, called the Vermont. 

1 It was 80 feet long, and 14 wide and 
drawing only 12 or 15 inches of 
water. The stroke of the piston 
was horizontal and the pow er of the 
engine 120 horse. These steamboats 
were intended to tow the fall boats, 
where the water was not too swiff ; 
and they would take along three at 
once, 

STAGE LINE. 

Hon. Ginery Twichell of Massa- 
chusetts was proprietor of the stage 



300 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



route through this town and from 
Worcester, Mass., to Greenfield, 
Keene, N. II., and to Brattleboro, 
from 1837 until the Vt. and Mass. 
It. R. came into operation, and about 
12 years after. 

RAIL ROAD. 



i by fishermen, attached to their seine 
while lishing for shad, having lain 
in the river through the winter. The 
bills were all correct, but no money 
was found. Quin immediately dis- 
appeared and absented himself for 
, many years. 



The first ground broke in Vernon 
for the Vt. and Mass. R. R. was 
Nov. 12, 1817, on the Col. Patterson 
farm now owned by Nathaniel 
Brooks, Jan. 1, 1819. Three engines 
and cars came to South Vernon on 
the Conn. R. R. R from Greenfield, 
the first in town. Jail. 16, 1819. An 
engine crossed Northhcld bridge to 
South Vernon on the Vt. and Mass. 
R. R., Jan. 30. An engine came to 
Vernon Center, Feb. 12, then went 
to Brattleboro, and the 20th was 
the opening celebration of the road. 
Two engines and fifteen cars came 1 
from Boston, and one engine and 
three cars from Greenfield. Three 
or four thousand people came from 
adjoining towns, making five or six 
thousand people in all. 

A REMARKABLE INCIDENT. 

A few years previous to the run- 
ning of the Vt. and Mass. R. R. 
through Vernon, Marshall Whithed, 
merchant of this place, in company 
with a Hartford, Conn., man and 
another at White River, Vt., did 
most of the boating upon the Con- 
necticut river for several years. The 
proprietor at Hartford furnished one 
Quin, a skipper of one of the com- 
pany boats, money sufficient to bear 
the expenses, lockage, etc., to Ver- 1 
non. When he was crossing the 
fishing-ground near Suffield, Conn., 
he reported to hie comrade that he 
had lost his pocket-book overboard, ' 
money and bills of goods. When | 
Mr. Whithed settled with him, he 
paid him minus the amount paid 
him at Hartford. Quin then sued 
Whithed, and the court was in ses- 
sion when a messenger brought into 
court the identical pocket book tied 
with a string and a stone tied to the 
end of the string. It was discovered 



TIIE WOLF. 

In May, 1808, a wolf was discover- 
ed in Vernon, by the havoc he made 
among sheep. One Saturday night 
he killed and wounded 11 sheep. 
Sunday morning he was seen by 
Wm. Newhall in the edge of a for- 
est two or three miles from where he 
killed the sheep. Newhall gave the 
alarm, and by two o'clock he was 
surrounded by the people of Y eruon 
and vicinity. Dr. Washburn and 
Gen. Hunt rode around the ring and 
gave the orders to march and each 
man to keep his right and left com- 
rades in view. The circle grew rap- 
idly smaller and three shots hit him. 
John Chase and Jonathan Parks of 
Gill, secured the skin and it was 
made into two drum heads. After 
the hunt, the people gathered at Dr. 
Washburn's and partook of a sub- 
stantial collation. 

A HEMLOCK TREE. 

In 1809 or 1810, Eli Lee cut a 
hemlock tree and in felling it dis- 
covered within three or four inches 
of the heart that the bark had been 
hewed off and the wound closed over 
it. Outside of the wound be count- 
ed 190 rings. 

THE VERNON CANNON 

was a twenty four cylinder revolver 
invented by Cyrus Dodge of Dum- 
merston The proprietors were Col. 
J. F. Burrows of Vernon, Col. Geo. 
B. Kellogg and Col. S. M. Wait of 
Brattleboro. It was cast by Cyrus 
Alger of Boston, Mass., and made at 
the machine shop of Geo. Newman 
and son of Brattleboro, under the 
supervision of Jacob Marsh, and put 
together at Vernon in 1859. It was 
tested by a committee of investiga- 
tion, (sent by Congress under the 



VERNON. 



307 



direction of Jefferson Davis, chair- 
man of the Military, Committee of 
the Senate of the U. S. and Gov. 
Floyd, Secretary of War), consisting 
of Maj. Thornton, Gapt. Manerdin, 
and Lieuteuant Balcli. It cost 
&6,000 aud weighed over twenty 
tons. 



FALLS FIGHT TOWNSHIP 



ANDLY UEAR INISTERS. 



si on;” but it was decided not to ex- 
cuse him, so he officiated and took 
for his text: “There is death in the 
pot,” II KingB, 40, (presumably on 
account of an acquaintance with Mr. 
Cook). 

When Mr. Cook had officiated un- 
til the people were satisfied of his 
general habits and character, they 
convened a council for his dismis- 
sion. Mr. Wright, still a resident 
and present at the council, and in 
minister of Fall company with some of his former 
brethren of the clergy who were ac- 
quainted with the circumstances of 
his separation from his people, en- 
quired if, in their opinion, he ought, 
with other members of this church 
and congregation, to clothe himself 
in sackcloth and sprinkle ashes on 
his head, in mourning, at the pros- 
pect of their being left destitute of 
a minister, or whether he was not 
rather entitled to a song of exulta- 
tion over his neighbors, in remem- 
brance of the circumstances of his 
separation from them. 

Kev. Bunker Gay replied, “Sing, 
Sing” 

Mr. Wright observed that he was 
t ti i. no singer; but only spoke metaphor- 

A prepJi tor 

the occasion. 

Mr. Gay said, “then sing this and 
we will assist you:” 

Reduced to want with lantern jaws, 

My people, I forsook, 

And to avenge my righteous cause, 

God sent them Parson Cook: 



The first settled 
Town was the 



REV. JOHN NORTON, 

from Windham, Conn , ordained in 
1741, and on account of the unset- 
tled state of the times, was dismiss- 
ed 1745 While afterwards, acting 
as chaplain at a fort near Hoosic, he 
was taken captive by the French 
and Indians and carried into Can- 

The French war began in 1755 
and as the inhabitants raided most- 
ly in Burke's Fort, there 
minister until 1761, when 

REV. JOB WRIGHT 



was uo 



was settled, 
incorporated Bernardston. During 
the Revolutionary war the town fur- 
nished its full quota of men and Mr. 
Wright’s salary was much neglected. 
A tax was raised, and the constable 
paid off Mr. Wright in continental 
bills depreciated in value to nearly 
0. Mr. Wright asked compensation 
for this depreciated value of his 
salary during seven years of hard 
labor as pastor, and the town refused 
and by his own request he was 
dismissed. 

In December 1783, 



ANCIENT RELICS. 



REV. AMASA COOK 

was ordained; when the ministers 
were assembled in session the even- 
ing previous to the ordination, it 
was ascertained the minister selected 
to preach the ordination sermon was 
absent. This duty was placed upon 
Rev. Bunker Gay; said he: “I have 
made no preparation for thi6 occa- 



Chest and Drawers:— This old 
relic was probably made in England, 
of English oak, the grain being finer 
than American. It was split and 
shaved and the outside elaborately 
carved and fastened together with 
wooden pins. It was repaired by Mr. 
Dwinnell of Brattleboro, who said 
he thought it to be 200 years old. 
The letters, J. E. N. are carved 
upon the center panel (for John 
and Elizabeth Nims). They being 
the great-grand-parents of the late 
John Stebbins, Esq., who owned it 



308 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



and to whom it was given by his 
mother (daughter of Col. Hawks of 
Deerfield) and to her by John and 
Elizabeth Nims. Mr, Stebbinsg&ve 
it to his son on his 38tli birth-day — 
the late John Stebbins, Jr, John 
Stebbins, Esq-, also Jmd in his pos- 
session, two testaments; the oldest 
has on its title page the following: 

£t The New Testament of our Lord 
and Savior Jesus Christ., by Wm. 
Tyndale, the Martyr. 

The original edition 1526, 

being the first vernacular transla- 
tion from the Greek with a memoir 
of his life and early writings, to 
which are annexed the essential 
variation of Coverdale ; Thomas 
Mathews; Oran mere the Genevan, 
and the Bishops’ bible as marginal 
readings. By J. P. Dabney/’ 

It is divided into chapters, but 
mot in verses. 

MBS. LUCY PATTERSON PEELER, 



her memory, six of whom and Mrs. 
Brooks were present at her funeral., 
which was attended by Rev, M. H. 
Harris of Brattleboro. She has 33 
living grand-children and 16 de- 
ceased; 24 greatgrandchildren and 
8 deceased; 1 great-great-grandchild 
and 1 deceased, making 97 lineal 
descendants, 65 now living. George 
A., son of George, was killed at the 
battle of Winchester, and Dims, A. } 
son of Alleuder, was killed one 
month after at Cedar Creek, in the 
war of the rebellion. From the 
home experience of Mrs. Peeler in 
caring for the sick, her presence 
was always sought and freely given 
among her neighbors, anti many re- 
member her acts of kindness with 
gratitude. Much tender care was 
bestowed upon her declining days by 
i her son, A1 lender and bis wife, 
where she resided, and all her de- 
scendants are worthy, industrious, 
citizens, and respected in the com- 
munity where they reside/' 



daughter of Eleazer Patterson and 
grand-daughter of Col. Eleazer Pat- 
terson, who received the appoint- . 
ment of Colonel in the Southern 
Regiment in Cumberland count} 7 
from the council of appointment of , 
the State of New York, Aug. IS, | 
1778, and also received a commis- 
sion as assistant justice at the same 
time by virtue of the constitution of 
the State of New York; also ap- 
pointed justice of the quorum and 
also of the Court of Oyer and Term- 
iner, June 5, 1782. 

Col. Patterson's first wife died 
Apr. 14, 1761, aged 47; liar's being 
the first lettered gravestone in town. 

Mrs. Peeler was the wife of Al- 
lender Peeler, son of John Jacob, 
and the mother of 16 children. She 
died Apr. 21, 1871, aged 91 years. 

From an obituary in the “ Ver- 
mont Phoenix/' Brattleboro, we 
add: 

ff SIx of lier children were twins; 
thirteen lived to an advanced age. 
There is now living a daughter, Mrs. 
Lucretia Brooks, who is over 70, 
and nine sons yet remain to cherish 



MRS. POLLY LEE, 

wife of John Lee and daughter of 
John Jacob Peeler, was the oldest 
person in town at the time of her 
death and for some years previous. 
She lived, with her son, George W, 
Lee, spending her time knitting and 
by her cheerful conversation en- 
livening all with whom she asso- 
ciated. She died 187D, aged 92. 

SIX GRANDFATHERS, 

Lillian E. and Franeilia A. , child- 
ren of C. E. Davis, born 1S59 and 
1861, had six living grandfathers, 
viz; Amos Davis, L W, Johnson, 
Jr. The great-grandfathers were 
I, W* Johnson, Taylor Briggs, 
Amos Davis and Anthony Combs. 

SIX GRANDMOTHERS. 

Isa, daughter of Wm. A. Newton, * 
horn 1356, had six grandmothers, 
viz: Mrs. Lavinia Newton, Mrs. 

Lydia Tyler, grandmothers, and 
g r eat- gran d mot he rs , M r s. Sab r a 

Newton, Mrs. Harriet Tyler, Mrs, 
i Willard and Mrs. Dolly Frost. 



VERNON. 



309 



NECROLOGY. 

Taken from the day-book of the 
late Dr. Cyrus Washburn during 14 
years from and after Jan. 1, 1826: 
whole number of deaths 140. Just 
one-half (70) died passing their 20th 
year ; 30 between the ages of 20 and 
50, of whom 16 were males and 14 
females. The remaining 40, of 

whom 22 were males and IS females, 
lived to an average age of 70 years. 
Five of them, two males and three 
females, averaged 90 years, 7 

months; the oldest, Mrs. Mary Har- 
ris, being 95 years old. The largest 
number of deaths in one year (1826) 
was 15; seven being adults and eight 
infants. The smallest number in 
one year was five in 1830; one adult 
and four infants. The last year, 
1839, ten died, seven males and 
three females; eight adults and two 
minors. The average number of 
deaths per year being ten. The 
census of the town in 1840 was 681; 
therefore the ratio of deaths was one 
in sixty-eight per annum. 

No prevailing epidemic afflicted 
the town during this period. These 
facts give the probabilities of life as 
follows: Of those who are born one- 
half die in infancy, or before 20 
years of age, three-fourths during 
the next 30 years; the remaining 
two-sevenths live to be 50 years old 
and upwards and to an average age 
of ** three score and ten.” 

EXOSTOSIS. 

Reuben Elmer died May 9, 1841, 
aged 87 years, of exostosis of the 
ring-finger. It was caused by an 
injury received on his finger while 
sculling a boat in his youth, making 
a bunch the size of a chestnut be- 
tween the second and third joint, 
which gave him no trouble until 
about a year before his death, when 
it increased rapidly in size and for 
some day 8 previous to his death was 
larger than liis head. He was the 
son of Jacob Elmer, who died Nov. 
11, 1815, aged 87 years. 



SPOTTED FEVER. 

This epidemic, in 1813, was very 
distressing in this town, about one- 
fifth of the inhabitants were afflicted 
with it and about one-thirtieth part 
died. There were 21 deaths, mostly 
of children, in the course of a few 
weeks; four died in the course of 24 
hours. 

BURYING GROUNDS. 

There are three public burial- 
grounds; one at South Vernon, one 
in the vicinity of the Lilly Pond and 
one two miles north of Vernon Cen- 
tre, called the Hunt burial ground. 
There is a family burying- ground 
on the Col. Patterson place (so 
called). Another oo the Ensign 
Samuel Stratton place, a mile and a 
half below the center of the town, 
and the Stebbins burial-ground in 
the bow of the river. There are 
many quaint epitaphs found upon 
the more ancient tombstones in 
these grounds, some of which we 
give. Rev. Mr. Gay was the author 
of most of them. 

INSCRIPTION (OF MRS. ROBINSON.) 

The unfortunate Miranda, daughter of 
John and Ruth Bridgman, whose re- 
mains are here interred, fell a prey to 
the flames that consumed her fathers 
house on ye 11th of June, 1797. Aged 
29. 

The room heloxc flamed like a stove 

Anxious for those who slept above 

She ven tured on ye trembling floor 

And fell. She sunk and rose no more. 

DJLL ELMER 
died , Jan. 11, 1804 
JE o7. 

Tranquil and silent here lies Dill, 

What gifts he had he managed welL 

He dirt his best to merit fame 

And left behind him a good name. 

Remember Dill and do the same. 

ANOTHER EPITAPH. 

Upon a tomb-stone in the old yard 
at Hinsdale, N. II., near the former 
residence of Rev. Bunker Gay, is the 
following inscription : 

n Underneath Deposited is the body of 
Col. Ebenezer Hinsdale, who for his su- 



310 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



pernatural endowments, extensive learn- 
ing and usefulness, not only in private . 
life but in various important public 
offices he sustained was far known and 
admired. After a long illness, he died, 
Jan 6, 1763. There also lies buried the i 
body of Mrs. Mary Beal, the mother of 
Coi. Ebenezer Hinsdale, who was home 
on her return from captivity in Canada, 
with whom she lived a widow at the 
time of his death, which is thought to 
have brought on hers, the morning after 
she died Anno A£tatis83. Her husbands 
were Lieut. Mehutnan and George Beal. 
By the first she had two sons, Samuel 
and John— after this, whose only child, 
Mrs. Abigail Hinsdale, died at Hinsdale, 
Aug. 10, 1739 — was interred at Deerfield. 
His still surviving partner, Mrs. Abigail 
Hinsdale, daughter of Rev. John Wil- 
liams of Deerfield and worthy relict of 
Coi. Ebenezer Hinsdale now mourning 
the absence or her dear deceased relatives 
has caused their names and destinies to 
be recorded together on this stone, June 
2, 1764. 

FROM THE HUNT BURYING GROUND. 

Ill Memory of Mr. 

Caleb Howe a very 
Kind companion who 
wan killed by the Indea 
ns June ye 27th 

1755 in ye 32 year 
Of his age . his wif e Mrs. 

Jemima Howe with 7 
Children taken captive 
at the same time. 



BELDING GENEOLOGY. 

The family descends in a direct 
line from, — 1st, Richard Belding, 
England, and one of the founders of 
We th ; 2d, Samuel, son of Richard, 
who was killed by Indians in the at- 
tack ou Hatfield, Sept. 19, 1677 ; 
3d, Stephen, son of Samuel, born in 
1658, died Oct. 6, 1720; 4th, Jona- 
than, son of Stephen, born in 1691, 
in Hadley, and a lieutenant in Rnl- 
le's war iu 1724, He received a 
grant of 12 acres of land, on condi- 
tion of building a saw-mill at North- 
field, in 1717. He died July 6, 1778. 
5th, Jonathan, son of the preced- 
ing, born in 1729, in Northfield. 
This gentleman was an invalid for 
years. He was careful of his health, 
methodical in his habits, and was 
never known to run. No emergency 
could hasten his regular pace. Of 



imposing appearance, in the cocked- 
1 hat and careful costume of a gentle- 
man of the olden time, with his de- 
liberate movements on the street, he 
i is remembered as a striking figure by 
the boys of his day. Gth, Elijah, 
son of Jonathan, bom in 1774, 
married Mar. 18, 1810, to Lois 
S. Stevens, of Warwick. Their 
children were Lois S., born May 2, 
1811, died Sept. 23, 1S14; Elijah 
£. , subject of this sketch; Jona- 
than, born Aug. 16, 1815, a large 
owner of real estate in Fitchburg, 
Mass. ; Lois S., born Sept. 15, 1818, 
died Dec. 13, 1862 ; Maria A., born 
Oct. 2, 1820, married June 1, 1843, 
to Elijah M. Dickinson, a large real 
estate owner and manufacturer in 
Fitchburg. 

ELIJAH E. BELDIHG 

was born in the town of Vernon, 
Vt., Apr. 18, 1813, the 2d child of 
Elijah and Lois S. Belding. 

He passed his minority at home, 
workiug on his fathers farms in 
Vernon" and Northfield. His educa- 
tion was received in the district 
school of the neighborhood, sup- 
plemented by an attendance at 
the academy schools of West Brattle- 
boro \ Vt., and Westfield, Mass. He 
was married, Mar. 22, 1836, to Eliza, 
daughter of Jacob and Dolly Frost, 
of Vernon. At the time of his mar- 
riage, his father gave him about 50 
acres of land, upon which he settled 
i at that time. Mr. Belding still 
points with pride to the little old 
house still standing near his fine res- 
idence in which he and Mrs. Bel- 
ding commenced “keeping house.” 
From the first Mr. Belaing devoted 
particular attention to the growth of 
hops, and has raised altogether 41 
successive crops. He has also dealt 
largely in cattle. To the original 50 
acres given him by his father he has 
added other lands, until at the pres- 
ent time his farm comprises 270 
acres. In addition to carrying on 
the farm, he established in West 
Northfield a general store, which 
was the only store for many years in 




S , jtyje/cZ&n 



VERNON. 



311 



that portion of the town. By care- 
ful and prudent management in all 
liia undertakings, seconded by the 
efforts of his excellent wife, who has 
been truly a helpmeet, Mr. Belding 
has been enabled to build one of the 
most convenient and comfortable 
farm houses of Northfield, to furnish 
his children with an education the 
best the schools of the country afford, 
to render them all needed assistance 
in the start in life, and has, moreover, 
ample means left for the comforts of 
old age. 

lie ha6 filled variousoffices of pub- 
lic trust. Was selectman 11 years, 
justice of the peace 5 years, and post- 
master at West Northfield 23 years. 
Was elected a representative to the 
Legislature for the session of 1873, 
and served on the committee of agri- 
culture. For many years he was a 
trustee of Power's Institute, of Bern- 
ardston, and is at present a trustee 
of the Greeufield Savings Bank. In 
politics he is a Republican, and in 
religious belief a Unitarian. 

Mr. and Mrs. Belding have chil- 
dren as follows : Edward E., born 
Jan. .2, 1837, married, Oct. 15, 1861, 
to Mary A., daughter of Pkineas 
Steadman, of Chicopee, Mass., agent 
at Chicopee Junction of the Con- 
necticut River railroad; Eliza E., 
born May 11, 1842, died Apr. 3, 
1849 ; Elijah, born Apr. 1847, mar- 
ried, June 14, 1870, to Hattie E. 
Overhiser, of Hudson, N. Y. ? edu- 
cated at Powers' Instituts, Bernard- 
ston, and graduated at Eastman's 
Business College, New York. He 
is now one of the proprietors in the 
firm of McIntosh & Co., boot and 
shoe jobbers, in Springfield, Mass. 
He has for the last two years been a 
member of the common council of 
Springfield. Has two children, John 
Eastman and an infant. 

Edgar F., born Jan, 17, 1850, 
graduated at Yale College in 1872, 
and is now a member of the firm of 
E. M. Dickinson & Co., boot and 
shoe manufacturers, at Fitchburg, 
Mass. ; Everett E., born May 25, 
1854, died Oct. 9, 1854. 



JARVIS F. BURROWS. 

Mr. B. was no ordinary man. By 
nature he was gifted with a keen per- 
ception, a great memory and a pow- 
er of attraction, the equal of which, 
but few men can boast. He was a 
stong, whole souled man, contact 
with him always left a strong im- 
pression. Men who knew him in 
prosperity, who were the recipients 
of his lavish purse in former years, 
who date their start in life — their 
position — to his advice, are not a 
few. His acquantance was large, 
and he made himself known wherever 
he was. His loss will be greatly 
felt — none more so in the town. His 
funeral was largely attended. Peace 
to his memory. 

The Vermont Phccnix, 

BRATTLEBORO : 

Friday Evening, Feb. #4, 1871. 

SURPRISE PARTY. 

About a score of the friends of 
Lafayette Whittled, and Mr. and 
Mrs. Hale of Bernardston, Mass., 
the parents of Mrs. Whithed, gave 
them an agreeable surprise on the 
occasion of the 33d anniversary of his 
birthday, last Monday evening. 
After exchanging greetings, he was 
presented with a nice carriage 
blanket, and a copy of Prof. J. S. 
Lee's new book, then each guest pre- 
sented him a pipe, being considered 
by the aborgines an emblem of peace, 
and one coining in late presented 
him a pipe in duo form, not know- 
ing that lie had received any. A 
sumptuous feast added to the enjoy- 
ments of the evening. The great- 
great-grandfather of Mr. Whithed, 
Ensign Samuel Stratton, purchased 
of Westmoreland Field, the farm of 
Mr. Whithed, 122 years since, and 
seven years after, in addition, three 
Strattons of Northfield sold to En- 
sign Stratton their right to land 
called Strattonfield, given by will of 
Hezekiah Stratton, the father of 
Samuel, and his three brothers, for 
£600. Said farm has been in the 



312 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



possession of his lineal descendants 
to the sixth generation. There was 
read for the entertainment of the 
quests, an elegy on the death of En- 
sig Samuel Stratton, written by 
Rev* Bunker Gay, the first settled 
minister of Vernon.* 

TheVeemo nt Record andFarmbr. 

Jan. 10, 1873. 

A WOODEN WEDDING, 

On Wednesday evening, Jan. 1st, 
the house of Mr. and Mrs, George 
H. Hubbard of this place suddenly 
became filled with their relatives and 
many friends, who, wishing to 
give them a New Year's call, had 
come to offer congratulations and 
celebrate the fifth anniversary of 
tlieir marriage. After the company 
had been assembled about an hour, 
an d the man y gi f ts f ro m t h e i r f ri end s 
had been displayed, Rev. N. G. 
Hodgdon, in behalf of those present, 
made a short presentation speech, 
and remarks were called for from 
Roswell Wood, Esq., M. I. Read, 
Wm. F. Johnson, Chester Lee, Hen- 
ry Trask and E. F. Bel ding. Then 
Miss Hattie Wood read beautifully 
a very interesting epistle written by 
Arte runs Washburn, Esq. : 

An Epistle of Artemus the Scribe 
from the Book of Chronicles, to 
George su r named Hubbard. 

And it came to pass in the year 1737, 
in the county Hampshire, Province 
of Massachusetts Bay, town of ftquak- 
heag, iu the valley of the Fresh, or 
Quon-ek-ticut river was built a fort 
by Orlando of the tribe of Bridgman. 
Now this fort was considered a safe 
protection for the inhabitants there- 
of against Indian and French invad- 
ers. And men who feared the Lord 
and kept his commandments, came 
from other Provinces and dwelt in 
the fort and in its vicinity, and had 
great possessions. And after many 
years it became the possession of 
George of the tribe of Hubbard, 
which was the sou of Erast us the 
Colonel, which was the son of John, 

*See page 30ft. 



a devout man, and a Ruler of the 
House of God, who married Anne, 
a sister of Jonathan the Lieut Gow- 
er nor who was of the tribe of Hunt. 
Now Erastus the Colonel had a broth- 
er, a governor in the Province of 
New Hampshire, who ruled wisely 
and well. 

And behold theory of war resound- 
ed through the land, and George, a 
valiant man, able to bear buckler 
and sword, skillful in war, went out 
to the war of the Rebellion. And 
the enemy were beaten and driven 
back, for the Lord was an our side. 
And it came to pass when he return- 
ed, there were great rejoicings 
among hie brethren and kinsfolk. 
Now Fanny, the mother of George, 
(which was the daughter of Dolly 
and Jacob of the tribe of Frost) 
spake unto her son; hearken now 
unto my voice, and choose thee a wife 
from among the fair damsels. Now 
this son behaved himself wisely, and 
departed unto the town of Ethan 
Alleu notoriety, where dwelt the 
French, and although in the habit of 
taking prisoners, was himself capti- 
vated by Hattie Maria, which was the 
daughter of Mary Foster and Chester 
W. of the tribe of French, which 
was the son of Nathaniel the Captain, 
which was the son of Nathaniel, 
which was the brother of “William 
who was shot by the hands of Cruel 
Ministerial tools of George ye 3d, 
at Westminster, March ye 13th, 1775. " 
And I found a register of the gen- 
ealogy of them which came at first 
to defend the principles of freedom, 
and found written therein the name 
of William of the tribe ol French, 
the first victim who fell a sacrifice 
for American Liberty. 

Now George made peace with the 
fair maiden aud took her to wife, 
and she abode with him for the space 
of five years, and he dealt wisely. 

Now Hattie was found by him, 
his kindred and neighbors, to excel in 
wisdom and knowledge and in un- 
der standing. 

Now these friends took counsel 
together and with one consent 
brought them gifts of household 



VERNON. 



313 



utensils, of the wood of the trees of 
Lebanon, of locust, of sycamore and 
a great variety of “not walnuts 5 * 
carved by cunning artificers. And 
when they bad made an end of ex- 
amining the presents they gave 
thanks unto the Lord. And they 
took a Psalm, and brought the tim- 
brel, the pleasant harp with the 
psaltery. And on this day of feast- 
ing they blew the trumpet, and joy 
and harmony prevailed, and none 
were silent. And it came to pass 
that the day advanced far into the 
eve, when the people gathered to- 
gether, and returned thanks. 



MEMENTO MORI 

Here lies cut down like unripe fruity 
.4 soft of Mr Amos Tate 
And Mrs. Jemima Tide his wife 
Called Jonathan of whose frail life 
The days all si arid {how short the account) 
Scarcely to fourteen years amount 
Born on the 12th of May was he 
In 1763 

To Death he fell a helpless Prey 
April the five and. twentieth Day 
In seventeen hundred seventy-seven 
Quitting this World, we hope for Heaven 
But tho J his Spirit's fled on High 
His moulder ing body here mu st lie . 
Behold the amazing alteration 
Effected by imwesdation 
The means employed his Ufa to save 
Hurned him headlong to the grave 
Full in the bloom of youth he fell 
Alas l what human tongue can tell 
The MotherS Grief her Anguish show 
Or paint the father* $ heavier woe 
Who now no naVrcd offspring has 
His ample fortune to possess 
To fill in his place, stand in his stead 
Or bear his Name when he is dead 
So God ordain p/L His ways are just 
Tho' Empires Crumble into dust 
Life and this World mere Bubbles are 
Set loose to this for Heaven prepare. 



ONE HUNDRED AND ONE 
YEARS OLD. 

THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIE ST AN- 
NIVERSARY OF THE BUILDING 
OF THE JESSE LEE HOUSE 
AT VEJLNON. 

Five Generations born in the same 
House. An Interesting Histori- 
cal Sketch of the Town and Its 



First Settlers, by Rev. J. S. Lee, 
D. D. ? of St. Lawrence Univer- 
sity* 

The meeting at the celebration of 
the centennial of the Jesse Lee 
house at Vernon, Aug. 4, 18S3, was 
a grand success. A large number of 
the Lee family, not on ly from V era on, 
but from Brattleboro, Northficld, Or- 
ange, Bernard ston, Greenfield, Ley- 
den, Hampden, Somerville, Conn., 
and Fitchburg, were present, as well 
as many of the town g people not of 
this family, The music was fur- 
nished by the choir led by Fred and 
Lowell Brown, aided by George Fair- 
man, Mrs. Fred Brown, S. Titus, 
Esq,, Mrs. Aurora, T. E. Wood, and 
Miss Minnie Lee, and added to the 
interest of the occasion. Chester 
Lee called the meeting to order and 
nominated Addison Whithed presi- 
dent of the day. Rev. A. B. Tnmx 
of Brattle boro offered prayer. The 
principal address was delivered by 
Rev. J. S. Lee, 0. D., professor in 
St. Lawrence University, and was 
substantially as follows : 

After extending hearty welcome 
to those present he gave a brief his- 
tory of the old house, whose frame 
was erected in 178:1 Jesse Lee pur- 
chased the farm in 17 SO and two 
years later began to clear the land 
and erect the building which was 
not finished till the following year. 
At this time it was a wilderness in 
that part of the town. As early as 
1760, or a little later, settlements 
had been made along the river road, 
from Brattle boro to So. Vernon, by 
Am o s Tu te, S am u cl S t r a t ton , J osep h 
Stebbins, Eleazer Patterson and 
others, and in 1780, the EliaMm 
Stebbins house was erected in the 
west part of the town. The house 
built by Jesse Lee was occupied by 
hie family during the winter of 
1782-3, The wind whistled through 
the cracks and wolves howled in the 
forests. Jesse Lee, son of Jesse and 
father of Chester Lee, who still lives 
on the farm, was born here, Apr, 12, 
1783, and died in the same room, 
Nov, 16, 1S38. Eli Lee f the father 



314 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



of the speaker, was born here, Dec, 

16, 1785, and died in the town, Nov, 
12, 1SS1. Caleb Lee was born Julyi 

17, 1787* the youngest son of the 
ten children of Jesse Lee, who died 
here July 11, IS lb, aged 74 years. 
His father, John Lee, who moved 
from Connecticut in 1780, died here 
in 1784, aged about 73 years. After 
his father's death in 1838, Chester 
Lee occupied the house until he 
erected a new bouse on the same 
farm and now the old house is owned 
an d o ce up i e d by C h arl es H . N e w to n , 
whose wife's mother was John Lee's 
daughter, and whose children are 
the fifth generation of Lees born in 
the house. Three children were 
present at the celebration, who con- 
stitute the seventh generation from 
John Lee who was born in Thomp- 
son, Conn., in 1711. The first grant 
made to proprietors of Vernon was 
in 1673* as a part of North field* the 
Massachusetts line being supposed 
to rim as far north as the Howe 
place near Brattleboro, In 1753 
the Governor of New Hampshire set 
apart a township, six miles square, 
on both sides of Connecticut river, j 
embracing the present towns of Ver- 
non and Hinsdale, when the territory 
west of the river was claimed by 
New Hampshire. The town was 
named from Ehenezer Hinsdale* one 
of the proprietors. In 1764, the 
king decided that the west shore of 
the river was the boundary line be- 
tween New Hampshire and New 
York. Hence arose the local con- 
test between the people of the differ- 
ent sections which resulted in the 
declaration of the independence of 
Vermont at Westminster* Jan. 13* 
1777, The state was admitted into 
the union Mar. 4, 1791. “If New 
York had not demanded pay 
of the settlers for their lands 
the second time* no doubt we 
should belong to that state at the 
present time, and there would have 
been no Vermont/ 1 

Among the early settlers of Ver- 
non were Joseph Stebbms* Samuel 
'Stratton* Col. E leaser Patterson, 



whose three frame houses were all 
raised the same day in 1763. The 
town was settled as early as 1737, 
when Hartwell’s fort on the Howe 
place was erected, but settlers out- 
side the fort did not occupy their 
farms until the Indians disappeared 
about the year 1760. In 1771, there 
were 19 heads of families in town 
and 107 inhabitants. The name of 
the town was changed from Hins- 
dale to Vernon, Oct. 31, 1803, The 
latter name was suggested by Wash- 
ington ? s Virginia residence. 

The speaker gave a graphic sketch 
of the mode of living, the habits, 
character and occupations of the in- 
habitants one hundred years ago, il- 
lustrating it by various hidden ts and 
anecdotes. It was what Hr. 13 u sh- 
od 1 calls the age of homespun. The 
men were engaged in clearing up the 
land and preparing it for grain and 
grass* and the women used to cook, 
spin, knit, sew, patch and mend. 
Both sexes wore home-made dresses 
and lived chiefly on the products of 
the soil. None were ashamed to 
work. Schools were ni ai n ta i ned and 
religious meetings held in private 
houses or rude school-houses until 
1802, when the first church was 
erected at the cen ter of the town. 

Rapid sketches of some of the 
prominent ea rl J se 1 1 1 e rs w er e d ra w n , 
including the eccentric clergyman, 
Bunker Gay, Amos Tute whose curi- 
ous epitaph in the north burial 
ground has been so often copied. Dr, 
Gyrus Washburn* the faithful physi- 
cian of the town from 1803 to I860, 
Lieut. Gov. Jonathan Hunt and hie 
brother Arad, Ensign Stratton* the 
great hunter. Col. Patterson the mil- 
i tary m an , J oseph an d El i ak i m S teb- 
bingj Capt. Jerijah Thayer, a revo- 
lutionary soldier. Dr. Washburn 
was for many years postmaster, town 
clerk and justice of the peace. He 
married 853 couples during his life 
time. 

The address closed with an appeal 
to the people to reverence the mem- 
ory of their forefathers, imitate their 
sturdy virtues and hand down the 



VERHON* 



315 



rich legacy which they have be- He was humble in his disposition 
queathed to ns, not only unimpaired, and views, honest, industrious, tem- 
but improved. perate, generous and charitable. He 

After the address a bountiful re- was married to Rebecca Stebfams in 



past, provided by the ladies, was par- 
taken oi and appropriate remarks, 
embracing incident, fact, anecdote 
and moral reflection, were made by 
Cyrus Lee of Hampden, Mass., a na- 
tive of Vernon and son of Caleb Lee* 1 
0. L. Davis of Connecticut, Noyes 
Streeter, 8 n inner Titus, Esq ^Loren- 
zo Brown, Esq., Dr* T. Good willie, 
Hon. Nahum F* Bryant, Di. Lee, 1 
J. Alex, Brown, Samuel B. Hough- 
ton and Rev. Mr, Truax. The ad- 
dresses were interspersed by singing 
f ‘AuId Lang Syne," ‘‘Gather Onoei 
Again,” ri Our Country 'tis of Thee/ 1 
“The Republic Battle Hymn/* 
‘‘Sweet Home,”' ‘Buildingfor Etern- 
ity” and “Old Hundred.” 

The day was pleasant and all passed 
off harmoniously. 

ELI LEE — OBITUARY. 

Eli Lee was born in Vernon, Deo. 
1C, 1785, and died Nov. 11, 1881, at 
the age of 95 years, 10 months and 
87 days. Mr. Lee was the youngest 
but one of 10 children of Jesse and 
Eunice Lee. His father removed to 
Vernon from Killingly (now Thomp- 
son,) Conn., in June, 1781, and 97 
years ago erected the house, now 
standing, where live generations of 
the family have since lived. He lived 
during the administration of all the 
presidents, from Washington to Ar- 
thur, and first voted at the presiden- 
tial election of 1808, when Madison 
was elected, and at every election 
since — last in 1SS0, when he was the 
first in town to deposit bis vote in, 
the ballot-box. Mr. Lee always en- 
joyed the confidence of his neighbors 
and Lien ds. He never sough t office, 
but was often chosen to fill the re- 
sponsible positions of lister, select- 
man and justice of the peace, and 
from 1830 to 1840 was sent some 
half-a-dozen times to the legislature, 
until he declined the nomination 
when urged to accept it, saying 
others were more worthy to fill it. 



February, 1816, and they lived in 
affectionate and happy communion 
together for 46 years, until her death 
in March, 1862. Six children were 
born to them, five of whom are liv- 
ing— Amanda A. (Mrs. R. S, Wood); 
Rev. John Stebbins Lee, D, D. T pro- 
fessor of clerical history in St Law- 
rence University, Canton, N. Y.; 
Marshall Lee, with whom he lived ; 
PJditha ( Mrs. A. Whiffled ) ; and 
Hattie E. Lee, who now resides in 
Vernon. His youngest daughter, 
Diana E-, died at the age of 20 years. 
Mr. Lee's father was a Baptist, but 
in early life Eli embraced liberal 
views, for many years enjoyed the 
ministrations of Rev. T. F. Rogers 
(Unitarian), and at his death was a 
member of the Universal ist church. 
He was for many years the oldest 
person in town. He belonged to a 
family noted for its longevity; the 
Average age of five of hie father's 
children was 90 years, and of six, 
88 ye ar s . A b on t a yea i* s i n e e, w h en 
his son, John S., was taking leave 
of him, he told his father he hoped 
that he would live to be a hundred. 
Hie father replied that he did not 
wish it; he did not dread the future 
and was ready and willing to go 
whenever bis Heavenly Father should 
call him. Ilk funeral was largely 
attended at the UniversaHst church 
on Tuesday afternoon. 

REV. .TOHJX STEBBINS LEE, 

son of Eli Lee, born in Vernon, Sept* 
23, 1820, fitted for college in the 
common schools in town and at 
schools in Brattleboro, Deerfield and 
Shelburne Falls, Mass. He entered 
i Amherst College. July, 1841; gradu- 
ated in 1845 with a standing among 
1 the first 10 in a class of 30 ; taught 
1 in 1845-6 in Swanzey, N. H*, as 
principal of Mt. O&sar Seminary ; 
Ordained June, 1847 ; Principal of 
Melrose Seminary, W. Brattleboro 
1847-8 ; preached in Lebanon, N. II* 



316 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



1849-50, teaching one term there ; 
Assistant Editor of the Christian 
Repository, and resided in Montpel- 
ier, Vt., 1851-52; in March, 1852, 
moved to South Woodstock and was 
principal of Green Mountain Insti- 
tute over five years; was pastor of 
the Universalist society, Woodstock, 
1857-58-51) ; April, 1851), moved to 
Canton, N. Y., and was Principal 
of the collegiate department, St. 
Lawrence University — a new insti- 
tution in which ladies as well as 
gentlemen receive a complete classi- 
cal aud scientific education. July 
8, 1868, worn down by excessive labor 
in the college, the trustees granted 
him nine months leave of absence, 
and he started for Europe. He trav- 
elled in Ireland, Scotland, Eugland, 
Holland, Belgium, up the Rhine to 
Switzerland and among the Alps ; 
crossed the Simplon pass into the 
northern part of Italy to Milan and 
Venice where he embarked for Egypt; 
visited Alexandria, up the Nile to 
Cairo, the Pyramids, thence to Jaffa 
in Palestine, to Jerusalem, the Jor- 
dan, the Dead Sea, Hebron and Beth- 
lehem; thence up through the central 
part of Palestine to the sea of Gallilee, 
Tyre, Si don and Beyroot, where he 
took a steamer and visited the isles of 
the Mediterranean, Smyrna, Constan- 
tinople, Athens, Corinth and other 
places in Greece ; crossed the isth- 
mus of Corinth ; visited other Greek 
islands and landed at Brindisi, Italy; 
crossed the Appeniues to Naples ; 
visited Pompsei, Vesuvius and Rome, 
where he attended the Christmas 
ceremonies at St. Peters, thence to 
Florence, to Bologna, Turin, over 
the Mt. Cenis pass to Geneva, 
through Germany to Berlin, thence 
to Cologne, Paris, London, Liver- 
pool, and Boston, arriving Mar. 12, 
1868 ; having traveled 20,000 miles 
and returued with renewed health ; 
he was chosen Professor of Ecclesi- 
astical History in the Theological 
School and entered upon his duties 
Apr. 1, 1869. 

[Siuce the above was in print we 
have received the following addi- 
tional information : 



REV. DR. LEE AKD EAMILY. 

JonN Stebbins was the oldest 
son in his father’s family. His 
mother was Rebecca (Stebbins) Lee. 

He evinced, in early childhood, 
an intense love for booKs, and read 
everything he could get hold of. He 
determined to obtain a college edu- 
cation and enter upon a profession. 
He attended the common school 
until he was sixteen, and besides the 
common English branches, com- 
menced the study of Latin. He was 
then qualified to teach school, but 
his parents thought it not best for 
him to commence until he was 
eighteen, at which age he taught his 
first school in Guilford, and after- 
wards taught two terms in Vernon, 
in 1839 and 1840. He completed 
his preparation for college at the age 
of 24. In July, 1846, he commenced 
his Theological studies with Rev, 
Dr. Hosea Ballou, 2d, at Medford, 
Mass., first President of Tuft’s Col- 
lege. He was ordained and settled 
as pastor of the Universalist church 
iu West Brattleboro, June, 1847, 
and soon took charge of Melrose 
Seminary. For two years the Sem- 
inary was largely patronized under 
his management. In February, 
1849, he removed to Lebanon, 1ST, 
H., and became pastor of the Uni- 
versalist church, teaching a portion 
of the time during which he re- 
mained there. In 1851 he resigned 
his charge and removed to Mont- 
pelier, Vt., where he continued to 
preach and aided Rev. Eli Ballou in 
editing the “Christian Repository.” 
He was Principal of the Green Mt. 
Institute, (see above), taught 21 
terms in succession and preached in 
the towns of Woodstock and Bridge- 
water, and performed double duty 
during this period. Wearied out by 
continuous labors, he resigned his 
charge May, 1857, and became pas- 
tor of the Universalist church iu 
Woodstock where he preached, also 
taking private pupils and perform- 
ing the duties of Superintendent of 
Scnools. In April, 1859, he ac- 
cepted an invitation as Professor of 



VERNON. 



317 



Latin and Greek languages in St. 
Lawrence University, (see above) 
where he labored as Professor and 
acting President of the College, 
The summer of 186S, exhausted by 
his severe and unremitting labors of 
nine years, he took a journey to 
Europe and Palestine. He left 
Canton July 8, 1868, and returned 
March 19, 1869. His journey was 
rapid, but he reaped rich fruits 
from it by reason of his previous 
extensive reading in histoiy aud the 
classics. He lectured extensively 
on his travels in New England and 
New York, and published articles 
in many periodicals. At the request 
of friends, he prepared and pub- 
lished in Jau. 1871, a book entitled, , 
“Nature and Art in the Old World, 
or Sketches of Travel in Europe and 
the Orient.” 

He prepared and published a series 
of lectures which he delivered to the 
Theological students and afterwards 
collected in book form entitled, 
^Sacred Cities, narrative, descrip- 
tive, historical,” which treats of 15 
Biblical places from Jerusalem to 
Rome, He has also written elabo- 
rate articles for the “Repository” 
and “Universal is t Quarterly,” and 
other periodicals on literary, theo- 
logical, and scientific themes, dur- 
ing a period of nearly half a cen- 
tury. In April, 1869, Mr. Lee ac- 
cepted the position of Professor of 
Ecclesiastical History and Biblical 
Antiquities in St. Lawrence Univer- 
sity, which he has ever since held. 
His tour in the East was a special 
preparation for this position. He 
lectured frequently before his stu- 
dents on subjects connected with hie 
observations there. 

In Feb. 1818, Mr. Lee was mar- 
ried to Miss Elmira Bennett, of 
Westmoreland, N. H. , and their sil- 
ver wedding was celebrated in Can- 
ton, N. Y., Feb. 22, 1873. Their 
children are six, one of whom died 
in infancy. Of those living, all are 
graduates of the classical depart- 
ment, St. Lawrence University. 

Children of Rev. Dr. John Steb- 
bins Lee: Leslie Alexander 



Lee, born in Woodstock, Vt., in 
1852, graduated at St. Lawrence 
University, classical department, in 
1872; received the degree of Doctor 
of Philosophy, 1885 ; studied at 
Harvard University. Professor of 
Biology aud Goology in Bowdoin 
College since 1876. 

John Clarence Lee, born in 
Woodstock, Vt., 1856, graduated at 
St. Lawrence University 1876, re- 
ceived also the degree of A. B. from 
Harvard University 1878, where he a 
pursued an elective course for one 
year, graduated from St, Lawrence 
Theological school in 1880, had pas- 
torates at Perry, N. Y., and St. Al- 
bans, Vt., and since 1885, Professor 
of Homiletics and English Litera- 
ture at Lombard University, Gales- 
burg, Illinois. 

Frederic Schiller Lee, boru in 
Canton, N. Y,, 1859, graduated at 
St. Lawrence University 1878, pur- 
sued a Post-Graduate course of study 
in Biology at Johns Hopkins Uni- 
versity four years, from 1881 to 
1885, and received the degree of 
Doctor of Philosophy, spent a year 
in special study of Biology at Leip- 
sic University in Germany. Associ- 
ate Professor of Physiology in Bryn 
Mawr ‘College since 1887 ; has ac- 
cepted the position of Demonstrator 
of Physiology in the Medical De- 
partment, Columbia College, and 
enters upon his duties in October, 
1891. 

Florence Joephine Lee, born 
in Canton, N. Y., 1862 ; graduated 
at St. Lawrence University 1882; 
student in vocal music for three 
years in Leipsic Conservatory of 
Music, 1885-8, and under private 
teachers in Leipsic, London and New 
York; now instructor of vocal music, 
Knox Conservatory of Music, Gales- 
burgh, 111. 

Lulu Gertrude Lottie Lee, born 
in Canton, N. Y., 1861, graduated 
at St. Lawrence University, 1885; 
took a three years special course at 
the Students Art League, New York, 
1888-90, now Teacher of Drawing 
in the State Normal School at Fre- 
donia, N. Y. 



318 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE: 



In 1875, Mr. Lee received the hon- 
orary degree of Doctor of Divinity 
from Buchtel College, Akron, Ohio. 

STEBBINS' BIRTHDAY VISIT. 

About 40 of the relatives of John 
Stebbins, Esq., met at his residence, 
in the bow of the river, to give him 
a surprise on his birthday, Jan. 15, 
1873. Relics of the past were exhib- 
ited ; the wedding suit of fifty years 
since, in good condition, and a fac 
simile of t ie old English Stebbins 
coat of arms, painted by the wife of 
Prof. J. S. Lee, of Canton, N. Y. 

Good cheer reigned, the house 
rung with old-time tunes, and heart- 
felt speeches were made. The ad- 
dress was by A. II. Washburn, Esq., 
from which we hereby extract : 

Mr. Stebbins is of the 7th genera- 
tion, from Rowland Stebbing of 
Stebbing, Essex Co., England. He 
has made good use of his opportun- 
ities and held many offices of honor 
and trust in Vernon, and several 
times represented the town in the 
legislature. The loss of his worthy 
companion, at the time when they 
were looking forward to years of 
freedom from care, and the enjoy- 
ment of the fruits of united indus- 
try and fidelity is irreparable. His 
writings in consequence of much 
travel and observation, are clear and 
forcible, also instructive and enter- 
taining, and mostly of a historical 
character; and he is one of those 
men who never grow old in thought 
or manner of life. 

Mr. Stebbins is a man of the most 
adsolutely strict integrity, and no 
one can mistake the sentiment he 
entertains toward men or measures. 
He shuns general society, but is a 
genial and delightful companion 
with the few whom he admits to close 
friendship. He believes in doing 
with all his might whatever he under- 
takes, and is as faithful to that idea 
in the ordinary amusements of his 
family as in making pecuniary oper- 
ations involving thousands. He has 
living, seven children, all respectable 
and respected in the communities 
where they reside ; and grandchild- 



ren (who are the ninth generation 
from Roland,) who give promise of 
future usefulness, and all are blest 
with a good supply of this world's 
goods. 

Mr. Washburn was followed by L. 
Brown, Esq., who made some excel- 
lent remarks, followed by Sumner 
Titus, Esq., R. S. Wood, Esq., and 
by the oldest man in town, Eli Lee, 
Esq., brother-in-law of our host, 
with in teres ti Tig retrospection. 

Windham County Reformer. 

Died : In Hartford. Conn. Mar. 18, 1884, 
George Bell Washburn, aged 26 years. 

A TERRIBLE FALL. 

George B. Washburn, son of A. 
H. Washburn, of Vernon, for the 
ast two years employed by the 
outbern New England Telephone 
Co., at Hartford, Conn., fell Mon- 
day morning, receiving fatal injuries. 
In opening the scuttle the ladder 
broke, and he fell from the fourth 
story of the building to the first 
floor. The building was in process 
of repair and the natch ways were 
open from ground to roof. Mr. 
Washburn struck on a timber, re- 
ceiving the blow between bis should- 
ers, injuring the spinal column. 
The lower portion of his body and 
limbs were paralyzed, but lie was 
concious and asked to be taken to 
the hospital. 

All that physicians could do, was 
done. But he died at one o'clock, 
a. m., Tuesday. Two friends, rep- 
resentatives of the Telephone com- 
pany, came from Hartford to Vernon 
to accompany the remains to his 
home. The funeral was held at the 
Union church in Vernon, Thursday, 
Rev. Mr. Whitney officiating. 

Mr. Washburn was unmarried. 

HON. NAHUM FRANKLIN BRYANT, 

son of Col. Nahum Bryant, was born 
in New Salem, Franklin Co. Mass., 
Mar. 24, A. D. 1810. His educa- 
tional advantages were good. He 
was fitted for college at the New 
Salem Academy, but did not enter 



VEBNON. 



31& 



college, and soon began the study 
of law with Aaron Brooke, Esq., of 
Petersham, Mass. ; attended the 
Dane Law school at Cambridge, 
Mass., when Judge Story presided 
and completed his law studies with 
Elisha EL Allen in Bangor, Me. lie 
began the practice of law in Bangor, 
but on account of the illness of liis 
parents, lie returned to Massachu- 
setts and located at Ban e, Worces- 
ter Co., where for more than 25 years 
he had an extensive practice and 
stood in the front ranks of the law- 
yers of that time. About the time 
of his entering professional life, he 
married, June 2, 1855, Miss Roxana 
Stratton Washburn, daughter of Dr. 
Cyrus Washburn of Vernon. She 
was an accomplished scholar and 
lady. Sh e ou tli ved him. They h ad 
no children. Mr, Bryant's younger 
brother, Walter A, was associated 
with him as law partner for a short 
period at the outset as, subsequent- 
ly, was also Judge P. Emory Aldrich 
for about two years, but for the 
greater part of hie professional ca- 
reer, lie was alone. 

Being a prominent lawyer and of 
distinguished ability, he was sought 
as a counsellor by large corporations, 
especially railroad, in one of which 
he was retained with a good salary. 
During the Clay campain in 1844, 
lie started a newspaper, which exert- 
ed a wide influence at that time and 
subsequently he purchased the 
“Burre Gazette/' merging the two 
papers into one. By these moans 
his literary ability became known 
extensively. In 1847-8, he was 
elected to the Senate of Mass., where 
he played a prominent part. He 
was the author of a measure chang- 
ing the administration of the insol- 
vency laws from the numerous Mas- 
ters in Chancery to one Judge of 
Insolvency in each county. He was 
soon after the candidate of bis party, 
and came within one vote of a nom- 
ination for Governor of the State. 
In 185S-9, lie also published a mag- 
azine called the “Household Month- 
ly/* devoted to general literature for 
family reading, which reached the 



beginning of the fourth volume 
I when his health failing, Mr. B. was 
obliged to relinquish all business for 
a time. 

His duties as editor and lawyer 
taxed his endurance too much and 
for two years he was an invalid. 
After a rest which restored him 
J somewhat, at the solicitation of Hon. 
Ginerv Twitchell, president of the 
Boston and Worcester R. R., he con- 
sented to act as counsel and he re- 
moved to Boston and soon after be- 
came superintendent of the Grand 
Junction division of that road, In 
this capacity, he served about 10 
years, when in 1870, his health again 
failing, he resigned his position and 
i removed in 1873, to Vernon, to seek 
improved health in agricultural pnr- 
amte. He occupied the farm of his 
wife's father. Dr. Cyrus Washburn, 
where lie resided till his death, Aug. 
17, 1884, caused by being thrown 
from his wagon in the hay-field, and 
Striking ou his head, which injured 
the spine to such a degree as to 
i cause complete paralysis below the. 
neck. 

In society Mr. Bryant was loiown 
a polished gentleman, well informed 
and entertaining in his conversation. 
He had a poetic taste and composed 
easily, lie could repeat much from 
his favorite authors. He was a 
| pleasing speaker at the bar, using a 
correct diction, and never using 
slang in public debate. His argu- 
ment was forcible and his eonclu- 
, sions well drawn. He had a keon 
, sense of humor and a ready wit. 
tie was an earnest advocate of all 
that ennobles and fi ts the you tli for 
a noble and useful career in life. 
The cause of education, religion and 
morality were his favorite themes. 
D uring the last few years of his life, 
Iris great study was the Bible, 

LONGEVITY OE VERNON. 

Deceased People. 

SEVENTY YEARS OF AGE OR MORE. 

1771 Capt. Orlando Bridgmau ? iE 70 
1784 John Lee, * ** 70 



330 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



1788 Thankful Stebbins, 


& 


711 


1845 


Nathaniel Brooks, 


RS 


70 


1789 Martha Wait, 


ff 


77' 


1146 Col. Erastus Hubbard, 


ff 


85 


1798 Enoch Streeter, 


ti 


77 


1848 Cynthia D- Barrett, 


ff 


73 


180 1 Eleazer Patterson, 


it 


85 


1846 


Thankful Wright, 


ff 


73 


1803 Abel Bay, 


ti 


73 


a 


Jabez Clark, 


ti 


92 


H Samuel Stratton, 


ti 


85 


a 


Allander Peeler, 


ff 


75 


1805 Jemima Tute, 


it 


82 


1851 Abigail Hubbard, 


tt 


80 


1806 James Streeter, 


i. 


80 


1854 Nekemiah Houghton, 


it 


87 


1814 Esther Streeter, 


a 


78 


a 


Ebenezer Howe, 


it 


83 


1815 Jocob Elmer, 


ti 


87 


1S55 


Rachel Perry, 


i t 


77 


t£ John Jacob Peeler, 


it 


70 


tt 


Oalina Howe, 


t r 


83 


ff Atna&a Wright, 


it 


80 


tt 


Samuel Brooks, 


tt 


81 


1816 Jesse Lee, Sr., 


ti 


74 


1850 Alexander Perry, 


it 


71 


{t John Williams, 


a 


80 


it 


Paul Streeter, 


tt 


78 


1817 Fanny Ray, 


a 


82 


1856 


Demis Titus, m. Hall 






1819 Benjamin Sweetland, 


it 


78 




Titus, Elmer — had three 




1821 Elijah Stebbins, 


a 


70 




husbands, died. 


tt 


73 


1823 Jonathan Hunt, 


it 


85 


ft 


Catherine Lucia(French). 




LOO 


“ Polly Williams, 


it 


70' 


it 


Sabra Newton, 


ft 


83 


1824 Abner Stebbins, 


ti 


84 


1857 


Jerijah Thayer, 


f f 


95 


** Eunice Lee, 


it 


77 


1858 


Betsey Crouch, 


t f 


76 


1825 Arad Hunt, 


it 


82 


ti 


Anna Streeter* 


ff 


73 


1826 Abner Perry, 


it 


74 


it 


Levi Ray. 


ft 


77 


lf Gideon Briggs, 


ti 


75 


1859 


Lovina Bishop, 


ff 


f I 


“ Annah (Holbrook) Perry 


it 


74 


a 


Lo vowel l Johnson, 


■ * 


76 


1826 Ebenezer Scott, 


if 


S3 


ft 


Rebecca fl 


. f 


To 


1826 Lore (Fair man) Scott, 


te 


SO 


I860 


David Ayers, 


Ki 


To 


1827 Syivanue Harris, 


tt 


82 


ff 


A bis hi a Wright, 


if 


88 


1828 Prudence Cook, 


a 


70; 


1 


Cyrus Washburn, 




8*5 


“ John Dresser, 


tt 


76 1 


1861 John Ray, 




■*, ■* 

l 4 


“ Me ride th Cook, 


tt 


70 | 


1863 


Abner Stebbins, 


tt 


77 


1829 Samuel Torrey, 


tt 


80, 


“ 


Sarah Tyler, 


ff 


82 


1832 Isaac Johnson, 


a 


71 


1 - 


Rebecca Lee, 


it 


70 


<f Elisabeth Johnson, 


a 


73 


ff 


Jeremiah Brown, 


tt 


72 


1833 Hodges, 


tt 


94 


: 1863 


Clarissa L* Brooks, 


tt 


83 


1834 Lovina Hunt, 


tt 


85 


f f 


Polly Lee, 


it 


75 


“ Oliver Cook, 


tt 


79 


ff 

i 


Fanny A. Ray, 


ti 


75 


1835 Ruth Elmer, 


it 


76 


ff 


Rebecca Clark, 


tt 


78 


£i Mary Tyler, 


a 


71 


1864 Silas Logan 


it 


S3 


£{ S fcep hen John son 


££ 


78 


ff 


Joseph Elmer, 


ti 


79 


1836 Noah Perry, 


tt 


88 


u 


Sobriety Perry, 


tt 


74 


Eliakim Stebbins, 


ti 


83 


tt 


Nancy Harris, 


a 


79 


1838 Israel Johnson, 


tt 


71 


1866 Aina Miller, 


i i 


79 


1839 Josiah Newell, 


tt 


79 


it 


Lucy Streeter, 


ft 


8 S 


1841 Reuben Elmer, 


ti 


86 


tt 


Taylor Briggs, 


tt 


72 


Simeon Barrett, 


it 


77 


u 


Joseph Franklin, 


tt 


85 


ff Elisabeth Clark, 


ti 


82 


1867 


Ezra Clark, 


it 


78 


ff Rhoda Elmer, 


tt 


82 


ff 


Betsey Stebbins, 


ff 


81 


JC< John Gould, 


tt 


71 


it 


Dolly Frost, 


tf 


81 


1842 Lydia Clark, 


it 


79 


1 1 


Mar t h a Wright, 


tt 


91 


1843 Elisha Elmer, 


ti 


87 


1868 


Sarah J. Noyes, 


tt 


79 


1844 Archelaus Howe, 


ti 


SI 


f f 


John Lee, 


a 


96 


1844 Mra. Kilburn, 


it 


84 


1869 


Polly Lee, 


ti 


97 


u John Tyler, 


ft 


84 


ff 


Phoebe Houghton, 


f i 


79 


1845 Chine Brooke, 


it 


73 


ti 


Sarah N. Stebbins, 


tt 


75 


ff Cynthia Thayer, 


it 


so 


1870 


Jacob Frost, 


ti 


89 



VERNON, 



321 



it 

it 

it 

te 

tl 



71 

711 

79 

84 

78 

75 

71 

81 

75 

98 

91 

70 

77 

75 

70 

70 



1870 Hannah Hay, M 83 

* f Abraham Blanchard, 
t€ Samuel Brooks, 

(t Isaiah. W. Johnson, 

1871 Hath an Wood, 

1875 Nehemiah Howe, 

“ Mary Peeler, 
c£ Asa Fair man, 

John Stebbing, 

Hiram Johnson, 

Polly (Peeler) Lee, 

Lucy (Patterson) Peeler, 
William Hurd, 

1876 Samuel Parsons, 

1877 Lovina (Slate) Colgrove, 

<f Charles Bemis, 

** Mary (Gould) Streeter, 

" Emily (Thayer Newell) Logan 81 

1878 David Ball, “ 84 

tf Elisabeth S. Wood, u 88 

1879 Rodolplms Peeler, “ 70 

'* Elixis Newton, ff 75 

u Isaac Pratt, u 76 

1880 Mary (Caroline Perry) Brown 71 
f£ William Litchfield, u 80 

1881 Lucre ta (Peeler) Brooks, “ SO 

<f Samuel Hall, * r 70 

(( May Eli Lee, 95ys. lOmos. 2?d- 

Mary El vina(Qlark) Brooks, 70 
fi Lucinda (Field) Slate, “ 96 
Lydia Clark, ct 80 

Hiram Doolittle, 4t 78 

(t Mary Mo r tell Lillis, *’ f 77 

1883 Sally (Goss Johnson) Brown, 84 

1884 Isaiah Webster Johnson, “ 70 
Nahum Franklin Bryant , “ 74 

u Dennis Gould, ** 77 



PERSONS SEVENTY TEAKS OLD 
AJSTD UPWARDS, 

Living in Vernon A. D. 1885. 
Miss Lydia Peeler, Jarr'y 86 
Dan Kendall, 81 

William Coffe, £i 

With Mary Ann Smith, ** 

Wid. William Johnson, “ 

Wid. Samuel Lee, if 

W id. Jarvis F. 13 u r r o vvs , M ay 1 7, 1 f 
Wid, Ebenezer Howe, u 

Lewis Brooke, ** 

Wid. Erast us Tyler, Feb, IS, ** 

Dea. Robert Allen, Apr. 16, 80 

Nathaniel Brooks, Aug, 8, “ 

Sumner Titus, Apr, 21, if 

Charles Slate, Aug. 15, fC 



Noyes Streeter, Mar. 10, 1879 

Mrs. Sumner Titus, Dec, n, " 

M re . 0 b ar 1 es Fee d , j f c 

Mrs. Charles Slate, 78 

Mrs, Rodolphus Peeler, li 

Elijah Fairmun, Oct, 2, rt 

Sidney Miller, 

Lorenzo Brown, 77 

Mrs. Nahum F. Bryant, July £J f 
Squire Blanchard, ” ' 77 

Mrs. Oliver Doolittle, Sept. 9, 76 
Mrs. Sidney S. Miller, ** 

Mrs. Chester Lee, July 4, £t 

Cyrus Washburn Peeler, 75 



George W. Lee, July 9, 
Ilosea Blanchard, 

Mrs. Thomas W. Titus, 
James Mack, 

A. H. Washburn, 



Alexander Peeler, 74 

Mrs. All euder Peeler, 73 

Chester Lee, Fob. 17, 74 

Mies Demis Titus, 72 

Sidney Harris, 70 

Mm Robert Allen, Feb, , 73 

Nelson Dimklee, 72 

Dea. Lewis F. Gould, " 

Mrs. James Mack, 71 

Solomon Thayer, Nov. 16, ,f 

Mrs. Samuel Clark, f * 

Franklin Barber, i( 

Mrs. Franklin Barber, 70 



FROM C. H. DAYENPOKT. 

Addiu F. Davis 

is the daughter of C. E. and Fannie 
S. (Johnson) Davis, and was born 
in St, Johnsbury, Dec. 20, IS60. 
The Johnson family, on her mater- 
nal side, is one of the oldest in Ver- 
non, and it included some of the 
earliest settlers, so that her genius 
may be fairly regarded as indigenous 
to the meadows and the groves of 
our historical soil. On her mother's 
side also, she traces her ancestry 
from the Wilburs of Rhode Island, 
who have a complete record in wills 
of eight generations back to the 
landing of the ship Ami from Eng- 
land. 

V e ry soon af te r Add i e ? s bi r th, h c r 
parents moved back to Vernon, 
where they have lived ever since; 



322 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE* 



and eke received her education in 
the common schools of the town, at 
Powers’ Institute, Rernavdsttm, 
Mass., the St. Johnsbury Academy, 
and in the beat school of all, the 11 
terms' experience as a district school 
teacher. She commenced teaching* 
at the age of 14, and from the begin - 
mg, her schools were successful. At 
the age of 18, she. entered the St, 
Johns bury Academy with the pur- 
pose of fitting herself for college, 
but, her plans were frustrated by the 
loss of her health, and for two years 
afterward, she was a constant in valid , 

In 1882, the Erattleboro Reform- 
er, attracted by the high capacity 
shorn in her fugitive poems, in 
the newspapers, invited her to 
accept a position in its editorial 
rooms, and she has since been con- 
stantly employed on that newspaper 
and its extensive branches, steadily 
advancing until she now occupies 
the most responsible position in the 
office. The news department of the 
state edition is entirely under her 
charge, as are the literary, scientific, 
religious, home and society, and 
general miscellany departments of 
the four newspapers published by C. 
II. Davenport Co., and the com- 
prehensiveness of her treatment of 
these great currents of human 
thought and progress, justly rank 
her as among the most efficient of 
New England journalists. But the 
ceaseless and wearying treadmill of 
newspaper life have not worn away 
any of the brightness of her poetic ge- 
n ins. Like the bird, she sings because 
she cannot help it, and she realizes 
that cultured thought and reading 
must improve her notes. She has 
a, wide aud deep vein of sentiment 
and religions feeling, from which 
she brings the choicest nuggets of 
poetry, and in which she will win her 
greatest fame, but she has also 
turned off some brilliant parodies 
on political and local subjects which 
have been extensively quoted. No- 
table among these were Hubbell's 
plea to "Rock Me to Sleep," in 
1882, the “Call of the Politicians" 



in 1884. Among her best produc- 
tions of a more permanent value are 
"The Sermon from Flowers," “A 
Link with the Past," and several 
Christmas poems which have ap- 
peared richly iiltstvated in the Re- 
former for the past three years. 

[From the poems of Miss Davis 
we make the following selections : 

A SERMON IN FLOWERS. 

Just beyond this field of clover is a pas- 
ture rough and rooky, 

Where the golden rod and thistle and the 
trailing woodbine grow ; 

There one day, I heard this sermon, most 
pathetically simple, 

Yet so fraught with truth and wisdom 
that it set my heart a glow. 

M 1 am just a little flower,— just the 
plainest, wildest flower 
Growing here upon a rock with very 
little soil or shade : 

I am s taunted, pale and crooked, quite 
unlike my brothers yonder 
With their tall, green hoiks and yellow 
plumes that never droop or fade. 

f< But I care not He who planted knew 
just how much soil and sunshine. 
How much rain and wind were needful 
to unfold the flower He planned : 

So He gave them and I grew, i mil mj 
story with its lesson : 

What am I that I should tmirmur at His 
wise and just- command V 

“ Quite enough for me to know that I 
am just as He designed me ; 

So I never loose my joy in sighs for what 
I might have been ; 

God looks down in love and mercy — I 
look up in perfect trusting. 

And I love tbe earth and air, the pain as 
well ae joy therein.’* 

A. P. B. 

BECAUSE HE CAME. 

Because We carat?, one day from out the year 
fa filled with feasting u.ud with joyful song. 

The church bells chime ; the Christmas greens 
are bung 

And merry taugb the child re n N all daylong. 

There is no room, tbi£ day, for strife or Maine 
Because lie came. 

Because He came the poor are not forgot. 

The weary i aching should era are relieved 
Of burdens, hard - and tender words of cheer 
Arc whispered to the sorrowing bereaved. 

And tips forget one cruel word to frame 
Because He came. 

Because He came the prosperous arid gay 
Pause from their pleasures for a little apace - 
Remembering God’s bounty unto them, 

They share it with the poorer of their race, 

Loye reaches to the depths of sin and shame 
Because He came. 



VEENON. 



323 



Because cnuic.. we wbc ire suid at heart 
Loot on our griefs Eu day, and dad them wcet ; 
*Sorrovr,was liis and we who And it, step 
But. in the He&venwai d pliutfl uf His dear feet. 
801TOW or joy, we buow Us all the same 
Bceause He Quine 

A F. D. 



Stebbins Family Chronicle, 

And it came to pass one thousand 
eight hundred and twenty-four years 
after the birth of Christ, in the 
seventh year of the reign of James, 
sumamed Monroe, who was ruler of 
the groat Republic, and dealt wisely, 
and in the second year of the rule of 
Cornelius P>, sumamed Van Ness, 
who was Governor of the Province 
of Vermont, in the first month and 
thirtieth day of the month, behold 
tee children of Jerijah, of Zadok, of 
Jonathan, of Zephaniah, of Paul and 
Apollos, of John, Jacob, of Reuben, 
of Jonah, of Benoni, of Abner the 
Judge, of Amasa, the swift of foot, 
of C> n reborn, of Jude and Ziba, and 
Noah, and Othmel, were assembling 
themselves together at the inn of 
Marshall of the tribe of Whithed, to 
f eas t , d a □ ce an d m a k e m c v ry . T lien 
spake Marshall with a voice of great 
joy : ft Buthj the wife, God has given 
me, bare unto me a son. And his 
name shall be called Addison. Go 
thy way in peace.* And they de- 
parted joyful, with a glad heart and 
said, fJ ne shall be unto us a law- 
maker, ascribe, a distributor of good 
tidings, a keeper of the treasury, a 
director of the- money changers/ 5 
A n & i t w as so. No w R u th , w li o w a e 
the daughter of Job and Thankful, 
su rimmed W right f who was the 
mother of Addison, said unto him, 
go up into the mountain, for there 
is a fair maiden, the daughter of Eli, 
the major, eur named Lee, and Ro- 
bekali bis wife. And Addison loved 
Edithil above all women, and she ob- 
tained grace and favor in Ms sight 
more than all the maidens, and be 
took her to wife, and dwelt in the 
land of Vernon. And a fair daugh- 
ter and two sons were born unto 
them ; and one of them is not. for 
the Lord called him hence. Now 
when the years of Addison number- 



ed two score and ten, which was the 
thirtieth day of the first month, he 
said unto his near neighbors to the 
number of seven* '‘Come up 1 pray 
thee unto my dwelling to-night, for 
the number of my days are many/ T 
No wins friends did privily comic ^to- 
gether and they said to Julius 0. of 
the tribe of Frost, take a journey, I 
pray thee, unto one J. IL Eld ridge of 
Springfield, Mass., and say unto him, 
make, I pray thee, a suitable chair 
for our friend Whitbod, for a mes- 
sage has gone out for the friends of 
Addison to the number of two hun- 
dred, who wish to pay their respects 
at that time. And as the evening 
drew near, there came rulers of the 
house of God, law-givers, doctors, 
merchant-men, inn-keepers, musi- 
cians with instruments, mechanics, 
and tillers of the ground, and 
brought with them their fair wives, 
daughters and sweet-hearts, to pay 
their respects to this worthy family. 
Also came their sou, Hamilton L., 
and a fellow student from Tufts 
College, Sonierficid, Mass. And 
there came friends to the number of 
two hundred and more, from St 
Lou is, Mo., Lowell, Boston, Spring- 
field, Holyoke. Fitchburg, Green- 
field, Bernardston and North field, 

| Mass,, Canton, N. Y., Hartford, 
Conn,, Guilford, Brattleboro, Dum- 
merston, Chester and Vernon, Ver- 
mont. Then Marshall L, the tax- 
gatherer, surname*! Reed, came be- 
fore the assembled multitude and 
said : Now I would not have you 

ignorant, brethren, concerning this 
man. Therefore be it known unto 
you, as a neighbor, ever kind ; as a 
friend, a better, seldom found ; as 
post-master, kind and obliging ; as a 
host, most, entertaining ; as town- 
elerk, clear and correct ; as treasur- 
er, honest and faithful ; as a rep re- 
sell tative^ an honor to his town and 
constituents ; and I rejoice, there- 
fore, that I have confidence in him 
in all things. Hear, 0 people, the 
words of Lorenzo, the Deacon, sur- 
ruimed Brown : Respected friends, 
ladies and gentlemen. The citizens 
of South Vernon and vicinity. 



324 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



learning that the friends of our 
worthy host were about to observe 
this, his fiftieth birthday, and that 
they had made ample provision for 
the wants of the body, thought they 
could in no way better express their 
appreciation of his worth and the 
esteem in which lie is held by them, 
than in presenting to him a copy of 
“ Cassell's Illustrated Bible." And 
I, in their behalf, present you this 
book. It holds out its glorious prom- 
ises and invitations ; and if you 
prove as faithful in the service of 
the Divine Master as you have in 
the discharge of tbe trusts committed 
to your care, though you may be 
called to walk through the valley of 
the shadow of death you may fear 
no evil. Then was presented a gold 
headed cane from seven gentlemeu 
of North Vernon; a dressing gown 
from seven ladies of North Vernon ; 
a silver fruit-dish from three gentle- 
men of Brattlcboro. Response by 
Dr. Goodwillie; Generous donors and 
friends of Mr. and Mrs. Whithcd, 
and to all who contributed toward 
this entertainment, I feel authorized 
to say in behalf of both Mr. and Mrs. 
Whithed, they return their heartfelt 
gratitude, and desire to receive these 
gifts in the same hearty manner in 
which they were given, and this day 
will always be recalled with the 
greatest pleasure, as one of the hap- 
piest periods of their lives. 

OBITUARY. 

Died in Fitchburg, Mass., Dec. 13, 
1862, Miss LoisS., daughter of Elijah 
and Lois Belding, age 44 years. Car- 
ried to Vernon for burial. 

Thus passed from our number one 
who has walked among us in health 
and usefulness for so many years, 
that the knowledge of her death 
seemed impossible, as the sudden 
removal of some support we had 
hitherto deemed unfailing. 

As a woman, she wsls true and irre- 
prochable; as a teacher, earnest and 
beloved. 



FRANKLIN BRYANT WASHBURN, 

son of Edwin Darwin and Elizabeth 
Bascom Washburn, grandson of Dr. 
Cyrus Washburn, was born at Ver- 
non, June 22, 1846. After a pre- 
paratory education, he studied den- 
tistry, 2 years with 0. R. Post, D. 
D. L. of Brattleboro, finishing with 
Dr. Daniel Harwood of Boston, Mass., 
and in 1867, moved to Racine, Wis., 
where he now, (1885) resides. He 
married Lizzie C. Moody, a lady of 
education, and an excellent teacher, 
a daughter of the late Mr. Edwin 
Moody, and a sister of D. L. Moody, 
the Evangelist, of Northfield, Mass. 
They have four children. 

PERCY FITCH WASHBURN, 

son of Edwin D. and E. B. Wash- 
burn, grandson of Dr. Cyrus Wash- 
burn, was born at Vernon, Nov. 22, 
1866. He is in mercantile business 
in Racine, Wis. 

ANOTHER MODEL WOMAN. 

Miss S. C. Washburn, youngest 
daughter of Dr. Cyrus Washburn, 
died of heart disease in Vernon, Oct. 
2, 1870, aged 63 yrs. She was sacri- 
ficing, quite and gentle in manner, for 
some years a successful teacher. 
After the deatli of her mother, and 
later of a step-mother, she devoted 
herself to the care of her aged 
father. The last years of her life 
were spent with her oldest brother 
in caring for his motherless children. 

GAZETTE AND COURIER, GREENFIELD, 
DEC. 25, 1882. 

VERNON, VT. 

Wc announce in another column 
the marriage of Dwight H W’ ash- 
burn, son of A. H. Washburn, Esq., 
of this town. The bride was the 
only daughter of Capt. E. Allsworth, 
U. S. A., who is so well known in 
army circles. Mr. Washburn's jour- 
neyinge during the past three years 
may be of interest to many of our 
readers. Leaving New York in 



VE RNON, 



m 



1880* he spent a few days in Eng- 
land, Scotland and Ireland as a rep- 
resentative of the Edison Telephone 
Co*; from London to Vienna, Aus- 
tria, and then to Budapest, Hungary, 
where he spent some six months, 
returning to London via, Italy, 
Switzerland, France, Germany and 
Belgium ; from thence to Belgium 
to put in practical use an under- 
ground cable for telephone lines. 
He clearly showed the successful 
working of his cable, but was unable 
to bring it into genera] use by rea- 
son of some English capitalists who 
owned patents covering the process 
of manufacturing the cable. After 
spending a month in Holland lie 
took a pleasure trip in an 18 foot 
row boat with three others (an 
Englishman, Hungarian and Ser- 
vian,) down the Danube, called 
here blue 3i but in Hungary and 
Servia, “the blonde Danube,” ow- 
ing to the peculiar color after 1 the 
heavy rains, which wash the yellow 
dirt into it. Passing through Hun- 
gary, Servia, Bou mania, into Tur- 
key, they put the boat on board a 
steamer "and returned to London 
via, Vienna. From London he was 
sent to Warsaw, formerly in Old 
Poland but now Russia* During 
his stay there he went as far north 
as St. Petersburg, visiting Moscow 
and other large cities. Resigning 
his position in the Telephone Co., 
lie returned to Hew York and ac- 
cepted a position in the Edison Elec- 
tric Light Co. He was the first to 
put an electric light in an elevator 
while working at Hotel Vendoine, 
Boston* While in London he as- 
sisted to put in use in the house of 
Sir William Thompson, the eminent 
electrician, the Faure accumulator 
or storage battery. This we believe 
was the first practical use of it made 
in England, Mr. Washburn is now 
located in Philadelphia, Pa. 

NATURE AND ART IN THE OLD 
WORLD ; OE SKETCHES OF TRAVEL, 

BY THE REV. PRES* J. S. LEE, D* 0* 

1871 , 12 MO. PP, 441 * [EXTRACTS.] 

FLORENTINE LANDSCAPES, 

The Florentines are intelligent 



and refined. They are an art-loving 
people. Nature has done much for 
them. You can not look out upon 
any of the hills that rise up gently all 
around Florence without beholding 
a beautiful and picturesque land- 
scape. And the river Arno, flowing 
so smoothly and gently between 
smiling fields and green sloping 
banks, and on through the city* 
adds greatly to the beauty of t lie 
view. These natural features edu- 
cate the taste of the Italians, which 
is further gratified by the fine speci- 
mens of architecture, the stately 
bridges across the Arno, the squares, 
avenues, nod gardens adorned with 
statues of gods, goddesses, and 
heroes, in different parts of the city; 
and the fresco paintings and bas- 
reliefs on tlvc outside walls and 
doors of the churches and public 
and private buildings. The churches 
are filled with statues and paintings 
of scriptural characters anrl scenes, 
and of the public men and nobles 
who have contributed to make the 
history of Florence, for the last five 
hundred years, so illustrious. The 
bronze doors of the Baptistery, the 
tombs of Galileo* Michael Angelo, 
Dante, and Giotto, in the San Croce 
church, the tombs of the Medici 
family, and the statues of ft Day 
and Night/* £t Dawn and Twilight/’ 
in San Lorenzo church, are studied 
and admired by tourists and artists. 

But the galleries of sculpture and 
painting are among the finest in 
Europe. You pass through the 
Vecchio Square and the UfAzio 
Place, lined on each side with stat- 
ues of nymphs, goddesses, historical 
characters of Florence, including 
Amerigo Vespucci, from whom our 
country was named, and enter a 
spacious building; ascend two flights 
of stairs, and a scene of beauty and 
splendor bursts upon your sight. 
Some twenty large rooms and cor- 
ridors are filled with the produc- 
tions of ancient and modern sculp- 
tors and painters, Correggio, Guido, 
Rubens, Raphael, Michael Angelo, 
and others. In one room* called the 
Tribune, arc five pieces dug up from 



r>26 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the ruins of Rome aud other ancieut 
cities, including the celebrated 
“ Venus de Medici/’ the Wrestlers, 
the Dancing Fawn, or Satyr and 
the Scythian Knife-grinder; while 
on the walls of the room are hung 
master-pieces of painting by Cor- 
reggio, whose exquisite coloring 
seems the very perfection of beauty. 
He and Titian are probably the 
finest colorists in the world. The 
gems, the libraries, the manuscripts, 
and the tapestry are worth seeing. 

From the Uflizio gallery you can 
Avalk over a covered bridge, lined 
with objects of art on both sides, 
across the river to the Pitti Palace, 
half a mile distant, now the resi- 
dence of Victor Emmanuel. Here, 
in a splendid suite of rooms, are 
multitudes of other works by the 
master artiste. You can walk 
through these two galleries, and find 
objects to interest you for weeks 
aud months. Few places in Europe 
afford so many interesting objects 
for the study of a connoisseur in the 
arts. 

The Boboli Gardens, situated back 
of the Palace, with their numerous 
walks and drives, fountains, groves 
and statues, furnish a pleasant place 
for recreation aud amusement to 
thousands of the overworked people 
of Florence on Sundays and festival 
days. Nobles and peasants alike 
mingle together here on a common 
l^latform. 

But the studios of the sculptors are 
the chief objects of interest to an 
American. As an ideal sculptor, 
Hiram Powers stands at the head of 
the profession. He is a native of 
Woodstock, Vt., whence he emigrat- 
ed, in early life, to Ohio. lie went 
to Italy thirty-one years ago. Hav- 
ing a letter of introduction from a 
relative of his. I called at his studio, 
within the Avails of the city, a few 
rods from the Porta Rom ami. His 
son. who is an eminent photographer 
in Florence, at first met me, and 
showed me through the rooms. The 
father soon came in, and received 
me cordially, and invited me into his 
house, adjoining his studio. He 



still retains a love for his native 
town. Unlike some Americans, 
residence in a foreign land does not 
uu-Americanize him, but tends only 
to increase his interest in his native 
country. ... He expressed his belief 
that lie should live and die in the 
land of his adoption. He employs 
twenty or thirty men to aid in chisel- 
ing out iiis figures from the rough 
marble. One moulds the hand ; an- 
other the face ; and each one per- 
fects himself in It is particular part; 
while Mr. Powers models the statue 
in plaster, and puts on the finishing 
touches, and superintends the Avhole 
operation. His Greek »Slave, his 
Eve (before and after eating the 
apple), his Proserpine, his ideal 
heads of Christ, Faith, Hope, and 
Charity ; busts and statues of many 
Americans, living and dead, his 
Psyche, II Penserosa, California, 
and America — all partaking of his 
peculiar genius — are justly admired. 
His last work is one of his best. It 
is "The Last Indian/’ — the figure 
of a Avoman Avith one foot raised, as 
in the act of running; her face — 
dark despair depicted on her features 
— turned over her right shoulder, 
looking to discover some one of her 
race. It is the very personification 
of despair. Judging from the rate 
at which the native Indians dis- 
appear in the far Avest, Powers’ 
prophecy will speedily become his- 
tory. 

He is modest, yet dignified ; and 
the many Americans Avho call at his 
studio find in him a cordial and 
sympathizing friend. He has erect- 
ed an elegant villa outside the city 
Avails, whither he is soon to remove. 
Here Ave hope he may be permitted 
to enjoy in peace the lust days of a 
life made Illustrious by his creations 
of art and his zealous and patriotic 
efforts to honor his native laud and 
perpetuate her glory abroad. 

Florence is one of the most inter- 
esting cities I have visited. It is 
full of sunshine, music and art. 
Her past is glorious; her future full 
of promise. 



VERNON. 



327 



BRIEFS. 

The Howes (Caleb and family) 
lived at Sartwell's Fort, but at the 
time they were captured they were 
at Bridgman's Fort visiting, or for 
some oilier purpose, Bridgman's 
Fort was picketed, hence there was 
a gate to pass through before they 
came to the door of the fort. Sart- 
welFs Fort stood where the Howes 
now reside (1884). Bridgman's Fort 
stood about ten rods easterly of 
where Judge Bridgman’s house 
stood at the time it was burnt with 
the town records in 1797. 

Mrs. Fanny F. Stevens and Geo, 
Hubbard now reside on the site of 
the Bridgman house. The distance 
from Sartwell's Fort to Bridgman's 
Fort was about one-fourth of a mile. 

COMMUNICATION FROM JOHN HOWE 
OF PROVIDENCE, R. I. 

John Howe, born Dec. 21, 1825, 
in the old fort, built by Josiah SarL 
well, finished his academic edu ca- 
tion at Ml. Csesar Seminary, Swan- 
zey, N. H., in 184th He left home 
for Boston in November, 1847, to 
study music and joined the Boston 
Museum Dramatic Co,, Aug. 13, 
1849, with which he continued fora 
year, during which time Junius 
Brutus Booth, the father of Edwin 
Booth, played two very successful 



engagements at the Museum. In 
1850-51, Mr. Howe played at the 
Lowell Museum, He finished in 
Worcester, Mass., and left the stage 
in Jan. 24, 1852, and commenced 
the study and practice of civil en- 
gineering in Lowell, with Beard & 
Butterfield, February, 1852, and im- 
mediately* commenced the building 
of the Medway branch railroad; and 
Nov. 27th, 1852, was engaged on 
the Hampshire and Hampden rail- 
road, running from Connecticut 
State line to Northampton, Mass. 
He remained on the road during its 
construction, and Oct. 24, 1853, was 
mar r i ed to Lo u ise J , E u ssel 1 , y o u ng- 
est daughter of Benjamin and Ham 
uah Bussell, a Quaker family of New 
Bedford, Mass. He went from 
Westfield, Mass, (railroad headquar- 
ters), March 15, 1854, to Providence 
E. L, and opened an office for sur- 
veying and civil engineering, where 
he has carried on a successful busi- 
ness to the present time, April, 1885. 
He was commissioned brigade en- 
gineer on Brig. Gen. Eh odes' staff 
of the K, I. Militia, by Gov. Chas. G. 
Van Yandt, July 9, 1879* with the 
rank of captain, and reappointed for 
five years from March 5, 1885. He 
was appointed instructor and acting 
inspector of rifle practice of the El 
L Militia, Oct. 2, 1884, by Gov. 
Augustus 0. Brown. 



ENSIGN SAMUEL STRATTON. 




STRATTON— WRIGHT— WHITHED. 



1592 — 1891 . 

BY THE WHITHED FAMILY. 



STRATTON. 

In preparing this biographical 
sketch it is not our purpose to over- 
estimate the merits of our worthy 
ancestors, but to present a brief rec- 
ord of those who nave been identified 
with the early settlement, growth 
and prosperity of the town. 

An account of ouv early ancestry 
is gleaned from the History of North- 
field, Massachusetts, commencing in 
1592, and extending to the time 
when the Strattons became the earli- 
est permanent settlers of that place 
in 1715. 

With the record intervening be- 
tween these dates, our genealogy to 
the present time, 1891, covers a pe- 
riod of 299 years. 

SAMUEL STRATTON. 

Samuel Stratton was born in Eng- 
land in 1592. He came to America 
about 1648. He settled at Water- 
town, Mass., in 1052, where lie died, 
Dec. 20, 1672. 

We have no record of his first wife. 

His second marriage dates Aug. 
28, 1657, to Mrs. Margaret Parker, 
at Boston, Mass., who died Dec. 7, 
1676, aged 81. 

SAMUEL STRATTON, [ll]. 

Samuel 2d, son of Samuel 1st, of 
Watertown, Mass., was born in Eng- 
land. ITc married Mary Frye, May 
25, 1651, and later settled in Con- 
cord, Maes. 

Shat tuck, the historian, thinks 
that his second marriage was in 1675, 
to Hannah, daughter of Moses 
Wheat. 



SAMUEL STRATTON, [ill.] 

Samuel Stratton 3d, son of Samuel 
2d, was born March 5,1661, in Con- 
cord, Mass., and died in 1717. 

He married Elizabeth , 

who died in Concord, Mass., April 
17, 1762, aged 100 years. 

HEZEKIAH STRATTON. 

Hezekiah, son of Samuel 3d, was 
horn in 1689 ; removed to Deerfield, 
Mass., in 1713, and to Northfield, 
Mass., in 1715, where he remained 
one of the earliest permanent settlers. 

He married Elizabeth Hawks, 
daughter of Eleazev Hawks of Deer- 
field, Mass., July 12, 1717. He was 
wounded in the attack of the In- 
dians upon Northfield, Oct. 11, 1723. 

He died Dec. 28, 1756, aged 67. 

His wife died April 19, 1788, aged 
90 years. 

ENSIGN SAMUEL STRATTON. 

Samuel, familiarly known as En- 
sign Samuel Stratton, second son of 
Hezekiah Stratton of Northfield, 
Mass., was born Feb. 8, 1720. He 
served in the French and Indian 
war, and settled in that section now 
known as Vernon, Vermont, where 
he purchased large tracts of laud 
which were occupied by himself and 
descendants for six generations. 

At an early period, he and one or 
two others having built log-houses, 
were the first white men to take up 
their residence there, and it is not 
improbable that our ancestor was 
the first white man to lead the set- 
tlement of the town, as the earliest 
deed of land to him in that section 
was given in 1746, in his Majesty’s 
reign, King George II. 



330 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



This deed antedates others that 
are claimed as being the oldest. 

The next deed, which was given 
June 29, 1749, records the transfer 
to Samuel Stratton, by Nathaniel 
Mattoon and Gaius Field for £250, 
old tenor. 

As an intrepid and courageous 
man Ensign Stratton was well cal- 
culated to cope with the hardships 
and dangers incident to a pioneer's 
life. 

As to his merits, the elegy writ- 
ten by Rev. Bunker Gay eulogizes 
him as a man worthy of imitation. 

This biographical elegy, a quaint 
tribute to his memory, was pub- 
lished for the first time in the Ver- 
mont Phoenix at Brattleboro. 

The oil portrait, taken in his ad- 
vanced years, is an heirloom treas- 
ured by the family, and though 
bearing the impress of time is well 
preserved. 

His will, bearing date of 1797, to- 
gether with a collection of thirty- 
live “ Deeds for Land ” to him, are 
iu the possession of the family. 

Of these deeds, five were given in 
the reign of King George II; fifteen 
in the reign of King George III, 
and the remainder after the Declara- 
tion of Independence. 

Asahel Burt, the subscriber to the 
first deed was killed by the Indians 
at Panchaug hill, April 15, 1747. 

According to the town regulations 
of North field, Mass., the meadows 
were pastured only in the fall; but 
as the Indians were known to be in 
ambush in the adjacent woods dur- 
ing the fall of 1746, the owners did, 
not venture to graze in Pauchaug 
meadows until spring. On the 15th 
of April, Asahel Burt with another i 
settler, started upon horseback to 
drive the stock from the meadow. 
When ascending Pauchaug hill they 
were fired upon by the Indians. 
Burt's horse was killed; his com- 
panion shot and scalped. 

Burt, in attempting to escape by 
returning to the meadow, was over- 
taken by the Indians and also 
scalped. 

The river meadows were all named, 



and the names are landmarks in his- 
tory, found in early grants and 
deeds, and in many instances per- 
petuated to the present day. 

The number of acres specified in 
the deeds to Ensigu Samuel Strat- 
ton amount to 1,442, exclusive of 
the above deed and five others, in 
which the number of acres is not 
stated. 

The Vernon town records were 
burned iu 1797, and probably some 
dates lost, relating to the genealogy 
of the Stratton family. 

Ensign Samuel Stratton, married 
Ruth, daughter of Be non i Wright. 

She died Dec. 16, 1800, aged 61. 

Ensign Stratton lived to the age 
of 83, dying September, 1S03. 

In the Whifched burial ground, 
which marks the resting place of six 
generations, lie the remains of this 
worthy Pioneer and his beloved 
wife. 

The following epitaphs, copied 
from the Stratton tombstones, were 
written by Reverend Bunker Gay, 
ordained iu 1764. Their quaint- 
ness has often attracted much at- 
tention. 

EPITAPH 

of 

ENSIGN SAMUEL STRATTON 

Reader, deny it if you can , 

Here lies interred an honest man, 

By Pope denominated rightly 
The noblest work of the Almighty. 

To men of all denominations , 
Acquaintances , neighbors and relations , 
The rich and those who stood in need , 

He proved himself a friend indeed. 

He kept the faith, he kept his heart , 

And well performed the Christian's part; 
Had much to do, and did his best t 
Fulfilled his charge and' $ gone to rest. 

The path he trod with care pursue, 

And you'll be crowned with glory too . 

EPITAPH 

of 

RUTH STRATTON, 

Wife of Ensign Samuel Stratton . 

To rise again the sun goes down , 

And in the furrows grain is sown , 
Beauties that sleep through winter's reign 
I When spring returns , revive again. 



STB A TTON— WHITHKD. 



331 



Shall then the friend we mourn, 

Never again to life return ? 

Great Source of life, light , love and joy t 
Let no tii ti*h thoughts our hope destroy* 

Our lively hope that sometime since* 
Through the Redeemer* a influence. 

In who m sh e placed h or / t opc a ml h 1 u st , 
She'll bu rnt this tomb, shake off her dust. 
Ascend to where God holds his throne. 
And Immortality put on. 



r )OHK STRATTON- 

John, the only child of Ensign and 
Rut It Strattoi^ Was born Jan. 28, 
1756, and was drowned, June l } 
1785, in the Connecticut river at 
Bel low’s Falls, where he had gone 
with a party to spear sal mon . 

He married Roxana P,, daughter 
of Paul Field of North field. Mass, 

She died, Aug, 14, 1786, aged 30. 

Children : Thankful, Electa, Rox- 
ana, 

Electa married Cyrus Washburn* 

Roxana died in 1803,, aged 21. 

ST It ATTO N — - WEI G HT. 

Thankful, daughter of John and 
Roxana Stratton, and grand-daugh- 
ter of Ensign Samuel Stratton, was 
born. May 0, 1776. She married 
Lieut. Job Wright, son of Rev. Job 
Wright of Bernardston, Mass., Aug. 
20, 1795, and remained with her 
grandparents, under whose protec- 
tion she had been since the death of 
her parents. 

Her aged grandparen ts died a few 
years after her marriage, and this 
bereavement was soon followed by 
the death of her husband, April 26, 
1806, aged 34* 

By these afflictions., the care and 
r esp o n s i b i 3 l ty of a y o u n g f ami I y 
rested alone upon her. She was 
known as a woman of worth and 
ability. She inherited the home- 
stead of her Grandfather Stratton, 
and remained beneath the roof-tree, 
until impelled by the infirmities of 
age to remove to the home of her 
son-in-law, Marshall Whit bed, where 
she passed away, May 34, 1849, aged ' 
73, 

Children : Samuel S*, John S. f 

Ruth Maria. 



Samuel 3., born Aug, 13, 1796, 
was supposed to have been drowned 
in crossing the Connection t river to 
Northfield, Mass., in 1828* 

John S., born Sept* 1. 1798, died 
April 24, 1846. He married Try- 
phena M oo re of W ar w i ok , M ass . , fch e 
i youngest daughter of a large family. 
She was g i 1 ted w i fch a su per ior mi n d * 
She iv as bom Sept* 25, 1796, and 
died December, 1871, aged 75, 

Children : Leonora T*,. Roxana S., 
Oscar A* 

Leonora T, was horn Aug. 18 * 
1823* After the death of her mother 
in 1871, she removed to Augusta, 
(4a. , where she now resides. 

Roxana 3*, born March 30, 1826, 
married Henry O. Lund of Nashua, 
N. IL, Nov. 14, 1848, and removed 
to Georgia a few years after her mar- 
riage, where her husband died in 
1877* 

i Children : Louis Henry, Hattie 

Try phena, Nellie Imereti a. 

Louis Henry, born at Nashua. N. 
11., Dec* 24, 1854, married Lena 
Wilcox, of Buffalo, N. Y. W ife 
and child deceased ; resides at Au- 
gusta, Ga. 

Hattie Tryphemi, born at Nashua, 
i N. H*, Dec. 6, 1857, married William 
W. Hack of Richmond, Ga., Sent. 
16, 1883* 

Their children : Maud Winter and 
Josephine Augusta, the sixth lineal 
descendants of Ensign Samuel Strat- 
ton, representing the seventh gener- 
ation. 

Maud Winter, born July 28, 1884 

Josephine Augusta, born Jan. 11, 
1886, died Nov, 17, 1SS6. 

Nellie, the second daughter of 
Henry O. and Roxana S. Lund, was 
born at Augusta, Ga*, July 18, 1867 ; 
married William Johnson of Man- 
chester, N. H. ? Julyli, 1888, where 
they now reside. 

Oscar, the only son of John S, and 
Try phena Wright, was born Aug. 31, 
1833* married Eliza J. Ferry, daugh- 
ter of Addison Ferry of Chicopee, 
Mass*, Sept. 26, 1861. He died in 
the prime of life, Aug. 14. 1876, la- 
mented by loving friends* 

Ruth Maria the only daughter of 



332 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE- 



Job and Thankful Wright, was born 
July 31, 1801. 

In her were embodied the highest 
and noblest traits of character. 

She married Marshall Whittled, 
May 20, 1823, and lived near the 
home of her childhood until her 
death, Oct. 14, 1840. 



WHITHED. 

Marshall Whi tiled, son of Gad and 
Thankful Whittled, and grandson 
of John and Abigail Whithed, was 
horn at Lincoln, Mass. , July 31, 1707, 

Hie father removed to Phil Hps ton, 
Mass., where his boyhood was spent, 
and later his father removed to 
Northfield, Mass. 

His grandfather, John Whithed, ; 
was one of the famous Boston Tea 
Party of 1773, who evinced the spirit 
o E resistance to British taxation by 
throwing the historic tea overboard. 
Our tradition of this fact is well au- 
thenticated. 

He was in the battle of Lexington, 
and served four years in the Revolu- 
tionary war. He died soon after I 
leaving the army. 

The name Whithed was formerly i 
spelled Whitehead, but the e and a 
were dropped by our ancestors. 

Marshall Whithed was the oldest 
of nine children. 

He located in Vernon in 1820, 
where he engaged in the mercantile 
business. 

He married Ruth, only daughter 
of Job and Thankful Wright, and 
great -grand -daughter of Ensign 1 
Samuel Stratton, May 20* 1823. 

The store and hotel of Mr. Whit- 
hed were the only ones in town for 
several years. 

The commodious hall in his house 
was occupied from time to time by 
the different societies for public wor- 
ship. It was also used for lectures 
and other entertainments, and all the 
town business was transacted there. 

The many civil offices that were 
held by M arsh al 1 W h 1 1 li ed , at test 1 1 re 
trust reposed in him by his towns- 
men. 



Mr. Whithed was postmaster near- 
ly 32 years, town clerk 12 years, and 
town treasurer a number" of years, 
and filled other town offices. He 
was public spirited and enterprising, 
and his sterling qualities and good 
judgment caused bis counsel to be 
sought in matters of importance. He 
was chairman of the committee when 
the new church was erected. The 
large mill built at the centre of the 
town in 1S5G by himself and Mr. 
Ball of Winchester, N. IL, was 
under his supervision. He engaged 
in the lumber business, which with 
his extensive farms gave employ- 
ment to many persons. In his earli- 
est business life when merchandise 
was conveyed up the Connecticut 
river in fiat boats, he and one or two 
others had control of most of the 
transportation from Hartford, Ct., 
to Bellows Palls, Vt. He was a lib- 
eral contributor to the church of 
which he was a regular attendant, 
and the hospitality of his house was 
generously extended to the clergy. 

Rev. IJ. B. Butler rightly said of 
him; “He was a man whose word 
was as good as his bond.^ He died 
February 3, 1830. 

Children of Marshall and Ruth 
Maria [Wright] Whithed; Addi- 
son, Isabella, Josephine, Lafayette, 
Lucia Ann, Adaline, Sylvina, Clin- 
ton Stratton. 

ADDISON WHITHEU). 

Addison Whithed, born Jan. 30, 
1824, inherited the homestead and 
succeeded his father in the mercan- 
tile business, also as postmaster, town 
clerk, and town treasurer. He has 
held the office of town treasurer 36 
years ; town clerk, 32 years ; post- 
master, nearly 30 years. These offices 
he holds at the present time. 

The post office has been held by 
Addison Whithed and hie father 
over 61 years, and the combined ser- 
vices of father and son as town clerks 
I exceed 44 years ; as town treasurers 
over 40 years. He represented his 
town in the State Legislature in 1872, 
'73 and 74. He married Editlia 
Lee* daughter of Major Eli Lee of 



STRATTON— WRITHED. 



333 



Vernon, Jan. 5, 1847* Ib 1868, he 
was elected a trustee of the Vermont 
Sayings Bank at Brattleboro, and in 
1879 he was placed on its in vestment 
committee; holding these positions 
at the present time, 1891. 

Children : Isadora Elmina, Ham- 
ilton Lee, Earnest Addison. 

Isadora Elnrina, born June 22, 
1849, married Charles F. Kenney of 
Danvers, Mass*, May 14, 1878 ; re- 
sides at Danvers. 

Hamilton Lee, born Mar. 6, 1854; 
married Nellie, daughter of Charles 
C* Houghton of Worcester, Mass., 
Sept* 3, 1885 ; resides at Grand 
Forks, Dakota. 

Children: Houghton Hamilton, 

born, Mar. 5 3 1888; Ruth Whithed, 
born. Mar, 11, 1891, only grand- 
daughter of Addison and Editha 
Whithed; the youngest lineal de- 
scendant of Ensign Samuel Stratton 
of Vernon, representing the seventh 
generation, and the eleventh lineal 
descendant of Samuel Stratton of 
England. 

Ernest Addison, youngest child 
of Addison and Editha Whithed, 1 
was born, Oct* 18, 1S5G; died* Oct. ! 
16, 1871. 

WHITHED— MILLER* 

Lucia Ann, daughter of Marshall 
and Ruth Whithed, born August 4, 
1825; married Dr* Ebeuezer Miller 
of Vernon, June £0, 1843, and settled 
in Guilford* 

Dr. Miller was born, Oct 4, 1822, 
and graduated from Castleton Medi- 
cal College, June 0, 1843* 

He was a man of high intellectual 
attainments. 

His skill soon won for him an ex- 
tensive practice; but the West pre- 
senting many attractions, he remov- 
ed to St* Paul, Minn*, Nov* 3, 1856, 
where his family now reside* 

During the Civil war, he went 
South and established himself in the 
drug business at Natchez, Miss, in 
1863. Two years later, while attend- 
ing to some interests at Homer, Lou- 
isiana, he died after a brief illness, 
July £1, 1865* 



Children: Nelson Dana, Charles 
Marshall, Lucia Maria, Clinton 
Clarence* 

Nelson Dana, born June 25, 1845, 
married Annie L., daughter of 
Robert Patterson of St* Paul, Apr. 
30, 1875* 

Their children, representing the 
seventh generation of Ensign Sam- 
uel Stratton, were born, Nelson Eh- 
en, Aug, 19, 1S76; died May 2, 1889* 

Susie Maud, born Nov. 19, 1SS0. 

Charles Marshall, son of Dr. Eben- 
ezer and Lucia A. Miller, was born 
July 17, 1847* 

Lucia Maria, born Aug. 2, 1850, 
has held the position of principal, 
several years in the City schools. 

Dr, dlinton Clarence, born Feb, 
2 y 1854, located in St* Paul* 

ISABELLA WHITHED* 

Isabella, daughter of Marshall and 
Ruth Whithed, was bom Jan. 30, 
1828. Lived at Vernon until after 
the death of her father* Resides at 
Cambridge, Mass* 

WHITHED— COKE* 

Adaline, daughter of Marshall 
and Ruth Whithed, born Feb. £5, 
1830, married Charles F. Cone of 
Boston, Mass*, Dec. £0, 1853. 

Children: Frank Whithed, Adah 
Lelia. Residence, Cambridge, Maes. 

Frank W. was born Sep. 16, 1854. 

Adah Lelia, born Jan. 28, 1860, 
married Frank E* Brock, of Cam- 
bridge, Mass., Dec* 12, 1883. 

Their daughter, Edna Pearl, born 
Mar. £5, 1885, is the 6th lineal de- 
scendant of Ensign Samuel Stratton, 
and represents the 7th generation. 

WHITHED — HALL. 

Josephine, daughter of Marshall 
and Ruth Whithed, born Mar* 15, 
1833, married Theopbilus Hall, of 
Winchester , Kentucky, Dec* 1871; 
died Apr. 21, 1874. 

A true-hearted woman. Her life 
speaks to us as nothing else can* 

STL VIKA WHITHED. 

Sy Ivina, daughter of Marshall and 
Ruth Whithed, born Jan* 14, 1835, 



334 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



lias engaged in teaching since 1853. 

Residence* Cambridge., Mass. 

LAFAYETTE WRITHED, 

Lafayette* sou of Marshall and 
Ruth Whithed, born Feb, 20, 1837* 
married Frances Cornelia* daughter 
of John F. Hale of Bernards ton* 
Mass,, Sept, 3* 1831, They reside 
in Bernardston. Their children* 
Marshall Fayette and Aimee Matil- 
da, represent the sixth gene ration 
Of Ensign Samuel Stratton. 

Marshall Fayette* bom May 16* 
1862, 

Aimee Matilda* bom Sept. 25* 
1866; teacher in Bevuardstou. 

CLINTON STRATTON* 

son of Marshall and Ruth Whittled* 
born Aug. 15, 1830* married Julia 
S,* daughter of Jesse Frost of Ver- 
non* Jan. 20* 1863. Their only 
child* Minnie Bell* representing the 
sixth generation of Ensign Samuel 
Stratton, born Oct. 10* 1806, Died 
Nov, o, 1S83, 



LONGEVITY OF THE STRATTON 
FAMILY. 

Elizabeth Stratton* aged 100 years. 

Elizabeth Hawks Stratton, 00 
Ensign Samuel Stratton* 83 

Margaret Stratton* SI c * 

Samuel Stratton 1st* 80 " 

Hezekiah Stratton* 67 

Ruth Stratton, G1 * £ 

Samuel Stratton 3d, 50 

Roxana P, Stratton* 30 

John Stratton* 20 

Roxana Stratton* 21 



a 

it 



LONGEVITY OF THE WHlTBEtl 
FAMILY, 

Marshall Whithed* aged 62 years. 

Dr. Ebenezer Miller* (f 42 “ 

Josephine W.TIall* £f 41 c< 

Ruth M, Whithed* " 30 ff 

Minnie Bell Whithed, » 17 " 

Earnest Addison 'Whithed* 15 u 

Nelson Ebeu Miller* 12 £f 



LONGEVITY OF THE WEIGHT 
FAMILY. 

Trypheua Wright* aged 75 years. 
Thankful Wright* " 73 if 

Henry C. Lund* 52 e£ 

John S. Wright* Ll 48 ff 

Oscar Wright* **- 44 c < 

Lieut. Job Wright* l£ 34 

Samuel S. Wiiglit, £f 32 te 

Josephine A. Hack* 10 months. 



EPITAPH 

of 

JOHN * 

Son of Somite! A it nth Stratton. 

Here lies interred where tile nee reigns. 
Mr , John Stratton's sad remains. 

In January, ere the sun 
Had eight and twenty courses run* 
Samuel and Bulk ontie happy were 
In him, their only son and heir. 

In Seventeen Hundred Fifty - sue* 

With mortals here on earth to mix 
He first began ; but lost his life 
In Seventeen Hundred Eighty -five. 

The first of June while on his tour 
Where Walpole Rapids foam and roar , 
He to a root went down iao nigh 
To pierce the salmon passing by* 

TJte rack's smooth , glossy * sloping tide 
His feet betrayed, and let him slide. 
Plunged down into a watery tomb, 

No more to see his native home , 

Ills tender parents, lovely spouse, 

Or those brigh t beauties of his house , 
Three little hapless female heirs. 

Left to bedew his grave with tears , 



EPITAPH 

Of 

ROXANA PH1LENA, 

WIFE OF JOHN STRATTON 

When from her tide her partner failed, 
Huge grief and cares her ■ mind assailed. 
Hm' children's youth, her parents age. 
Her fond attention did engage. 

None who beheld bitt understood, 

Hw trials great for one so good , 

So meek, so lovely , and resigned. 

So pirns, merciful and kind , 

God sa w her sorrow! id though chaste, 
And sent an angel aotm in haste: 

To earth he flew on Wings of love. 

And hove her to the realms above. 



STRATTON— WHITHED, 



335 



[The his to lie epitaph of Marsh- 
all Whithej> amid' the Stratton 
and Whi tiled tombs may be] 

The iron fence inclosing the 
W h i th ed b n r i al g ro u n d w as er e c tod 
by him a few weeks previous to his 
death; soon after completing this 
work, he was borne to his final rest- 
ing place within this hallowed in- 
closure. 

In this yard, on the tombstone of 
Roxana, daughter of John and Rox- 
ana P. Stratton, is the following 
tribute from Rev. Bunker Gay : 

What though cm earth her days were 
few, 

She now begins her life anew, 

Disjoined and sheltered here. 

In the deep grave her mortal part 
Secure from guilt, and grief, and smart. 



Will rest from year to year. 

Until that all important day* 

When death shall yield up all its prey. 
And from this putrid tomb, 

Divinely polished she will rise 
A spotless nymph to grace the skies* 
Clothed in immortal bloom. 

On the stone of Lieut, Job Wright, 
author unknown : 

Honor and honesty* good sense* 

True kindness and benevolence* 

His frail and feeble life adorned; 

Alas ! how soon to dust returned ; 

Great is the loss his Mends sustain* 
Great and eternal too Ms gain. 

On the stone of Thankful [Strut- 
ton]* wife of Lieut. Job Wright : 

True virtue did lier time engage, 

In doing good from youth to age; 

Her soul has gone to realms above. 

In ceaseless joy and boundless love. 



336 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Whithed Family Marriages. 



Marshall Whithed 

Ruth M. Wright. 

1823. 



% % 

Lucia A. Whithed 

Dr. Ebenezer Miller. 

1843. 

* * 

He sje 

Addison Whithed 

Editha Lee. 

1847. 

% t 

Adaline Whithed 

Charles F. Cone. 

1853. 



# * 

* ❖ 

Josephine Whithed 

<35 

Theophilus Hall. 

1871. 

* * 

* * 

Nelson D. Miller. 

(Sou of Lucia A. Miller.) 

Annie L. Patterson. 

1875. 

2 I 

Isadora E. Whithed, 

« Daughter of Addison Whithed.* 

Charles F. Kenney. 

1878. 



Lafayette Whithed 
<=8 

Frances C. Hale. 

1861. 

♦ * 

* * 

Clinton S. Whithed 



<=93 

Julia S. Frost. 
■ 1863. 



* ijt 

* * 

Adah L. Cone, 

( Daughter of Adaline Cone.) 

Frank E. Brock. 

1883. 

% *. 

Hamilton L. Whithed, 
t Son of Addison Whithed.) 

<93 

Nellie Houghton. 

1885. 











feecC- 



DOVER. 



By *K. HASKINS, ESQ., 

of Brattleboro. 



DOVER. 

The town of Dover is situated in 
tlie western part of Windham coun- 
ty, is 20 miles northwesterly from 
Brattleboro and 12 miles westerly 
from Newfane, the present county 
seat. It was originally chartered as 
a part of the township of Wardsbo- 
rough [NVardsboro], aud was granted 
to William Ward and 51 others by 
the General Assembly of the State 
of Vermont on the 7th day of No- 
vember, 1780. The charter was 
8igued by Thomas Chittenden, Gov- 
ernor, aud Jouas Fay, Secretary. By 
the terms of the grant, as imposed 
by the General Assembly, the pro- 
prietors were to pay the sum of eight 
pounds and ten shillings each, and 
to settle the township within three 
years after the war, or when safety 
to the inhabitants would admit. 

The town [ Wardsborough ] was 
organized March 14, 1786, aud 

Aaron Hudson was the first town 
clerk. Extending across the town 
from east to west, and iu about the 
central part thereof, is a high range 
of hills, which rendered it exceed- 
ingly inconvenient, and at some sea- 
sons of the year almost impossible 
for the inhabitants on either side 
communicating and doing business 
with each other. On the 1 S tl i day 
of October. 1788, at a session of the 
General Assembly held at Manches- 
ter, the town was divided into two 



• separate and distinct districts by a 
line commencing at a point on the 
eastern boundary of said town and 
equi-distant. from the northeast and 
southeast corners thereof, thence 
running westerly to a point on the 
western boundary of said town, and 
equi-distant from the northwest and 
southwest corners thereof ; that por- 
tion lying north of said line to be 
called the North District of Wards- 
borough, and all lying south to be 
called the South llistrict of Wards- 
borough. By this act of division 
each district was entitled to have, 
and thereafter did have, a separate 
and distinct set of town officers and 
records ; but the two together were 
entitled to but one representative in 
the General Assembly. 

Abner Perry, a resident of the 
South District, was elected town 
representative in 1803, and this was 
tha only occasion that a representa- 
tive was given to that part of the 
town while the district system re- 
mained. The inhabitants of the 
South District frequently petitioned 
the Legislature to constitute them 
into a separate town, but without 
success, until Oct. 30, 1S10, when 
they procured the passage of an act, 
entitled t( An act incorporating the 
North and South Districts of Wards- 
borough, in the County of Wind- 
ham, into two separate and distiuct 
towns,** which said act provided that 
the North District should thereafter 
he called and known by the name of 



*A native of Dover. 



338 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



of Wardsboro, aud the South Dis- 
trict by the name of Dover. 

On the 16th day of Nov., 1869, by 
an act of the Legislature, that por- 
tion of the town of Wilmington ly- 
ing directly west of the town of 
Dover, being a strip of land two 



him Joshua Kendall of the same 
town, who settled on the farm re- 
cently owned aud occupied by Pres- 
ton Adams. 

The same season William Hall of 
Upton, Mass., came in and settled 
on the farm where he lived and died. 



miles in width and which previous I since occupied by hi6son Lewis, and 



to November 2, 1858, was a part of 
the town of Somerset, was annexed 
to Dover. The town as now consti- 
tuted is about four miles wide from 
north to south, and eight miles on 
the north line, comprising in round 
numbers about 22,000 acres of land. 

The town has no natural ponds, 
nor any considerable streams of 
water ; but several branches of the 
West river and a branch of the 
Deerfield river have their rise here, 
which allord several small mill priv- 
ileges. The surface of the town is 
exceedingly uneven, and a view from 
some of its highest lulls present to 
the eye scenes both picturesque and 
grand. Looking to the west may be 
seen the Haystack, and from it ex- 
tending north and south the range 
of the Green Mountains for a long 
distance can easily be traced. To 
the northeast the Ascutney looms up 
in the distance, and still beyond may 
be seen some of the White Moun- 
tains of New Hampshire ; looking 
eastwardly, one has a fine view of 
Mt. Monadnock, with the valleys of 
the West river and the Connecticut 
lyiug between; turning to the south 



now occupied by Adelbert .lefts. In 
1781, Ebenezer Sparks and Robert 
Love of Killingl}, Conn., settle ! in 
town, the former on the farm now 
occupied by Charles Wentworth and 
the latter on the farm now occupied 
by Isaac L. Gould. In 1782, these 
early pioneers brought their wives 
into this new settlement, that was 
to be their future home. They were 
followed during this and the few 
succeeding years by Jonathan K. 
Wells, who set:’., o on the farm now 
occupied by George Bolster; Tim- 
othy Wood ami A.»r. t. W i of War- 

wick, Mass., the fori icr settling on 
the farm recently Warren 

Brown, and the latter on the farm 
now occupied by ( - ^ - Bo mis ; 
Joseph Briggs Old Marlboro, 
Maes., who settled in the west part 
of the town, where bo r>-d a few 
years, then L-nyr : - r. J • uhan K. 
Wells, moved on to the place and 
occupied it until his death Feb. 16, 
lvm. i : t 98 years : James 

Slade, Silas Wright, R ib^n Chit- 
tenden and a Mr. Richardson were 
among the early settlers, but it is 
now impossible to ascertain from 



east and the south, the eye takes in whence they came or where they set- 



a vast amphitheatre of hills and val- 
leys, with Wauchusett, Mt. Holyoke 
and Ml. Tom forming a magnificent 
background. The soil is hard of 
cultivation, yet some good crops are 
produced thereon, and the hillsides westerly of the present village of 



tied, with the exeption of Mr. Slade, 
who settled on what is now known 
as the “ Estabrooks Hill so were 
also Gamaliel Ellis, John and Oliver 
Kemp, who settled on the hill soutb- 



afford excellent grazing. 

EARLY SETTLERS. 

The first settler was Abner Perry, 
who came in alone from Hollistou, 
Mass., iu 1779, and made a clearing 
on the farm ever after occupied by 
him, and now owned and occupied by 
Asaph Adams. He returned to Hol- 
liston in the fall, but came back again 



West Dover, on lands now owned by 
Hosea Mann. Among others of the 
early settlers who came to town pre- 
vious to 1790, may he mentioned 
Gardner Howe of Shrewsbury. Mass., 
Ebenezer and William Sears, Roger 
Birchard (maternal grandfather of 
President Hayes), of Mansfield, 
Conn., Elijah Baldwin, of the same 
town, who settled on the farm now 



- C “V M U, ....V UV.V1VV. V..V AIVI .1 i UV u 

m the spring of 1780, bringing with j occupied by Hosea Mann 2d ; Wil- 



DOVER. 






liam Haskins of Hardwick* Mass.* 
who settled on what has since been 
known as the * + W h ipj^l e PI ace, J 3 1 
and where lie built the first frame I 
house ever erected in town ; Lem net 
Osgood, who settled on the farm 
now owned and occupied by Lorenzo 
L. Howe, sold it in 1794 to Abra- 
ham Jones of Milford, Mass*, since [ 
which time it lias been owned and 
occupied by Whitney Jones, Laban 
Jones, Laban Jones, jr. and Carlos 
K, Jones, respectively* Mr* Osgood 
then moved to the farm now owned 
stud occupied by George B. Boyd* 
where he lived and died. David 
J o h n so n t w h o se t tl e d on the far m 
now occupied by John Sylvester; 
Silas Johnson, who settled on the 
*Estabrooks Hill," on lauds now 
owned by Joshua if. Parker, where 
he erected and kept the first tavern 
in town. Also Isaac Lasdell [Las- 1 
ell], Josiah H. Wheeler, Aaron 
Thompson, Luther Johnson, Daniel 
Warner, TJzziel Putnam, Abner 
Slade, Eliphaz Stearns and Jesse 
Marsh, 

MABJUAGES. 

The first marriage celebrated in 
town was between Ebenezer Sparks 
and Margaret Love, in the year of 
1782, The ceremony was perform- 
ed in a log house, by the Rev. Heze- 
kiah Taylor of INewfane, to which 
the settlers were generally invited* 
It is related of Parson Taylor, that, 
he had a habit when at prayer, of 
rising upon his lip- toes and then 
settling down upon his heels, ob- 
viously, to give emphasis to his 
words. On this occasion, while the 
Parson was engaged in prayer, and 
growing nn usually fervent, he came 
down upon his heels with such sud- 
den force that the floor gave way 
and the whole party were precipi- 
tated into the cellar. 

Hi lira s. 

The first child bom in town was 
Anna, daughter to Abner and Anna 
Perry, July 18, 1782; sbe afterwards 
married Ebenezer Jones, and was 
the mother of lion* Win. II. Jones. 
The second was Sarah, daughter to 



Ebenezer and Margaret Sparks, born 
Sept. 29 s 17S2. In 1800, she mar- 
ried Aaron Wood, who died in about 
four months thereafter. She then 
married William Bugbee, Decem- 
ber 15, 1801, with whom she lived 
until his death Sept. 11, 1SG2; she 
died May 28, 1867, aged 84 years* 
The third was Samuel, son to Wil- 
liam and Lois Hall, born Dec. 19, 
1782. The fourth was Alpha, son 
to Silas and Marv Wright, born 
July 27, 1783. 

The early settlers of this township 
experienced many severe hardships 
and privations in their newly select- 
ed home. They lived in log houses 
and erected temporary shelters for 
their stock, which were but poor 
apologies for barns during the long 
cold winters which followed. But 
they were men and women of strong 
constitutions, possessed of a deter- 
mined and iron will, for whom toil 
and privation only served to call 
forth greater efforts on their part, to 
make their homes comfortable and 
leave to their posterity an example 
of prudent thrift, sterling integri- 
ty arid manly intelligence. Abner 
Perry, the earliest settler in town, 
died very suddenly Sept. 2, 1834, on 
Dover Common, while attending 
freeman 6 s meeting- His widow de- 
ceased Aug. 19, 1862, aged 99 years, 
8 months and 10 days, being the 
oldest person that ever died in the 
town, although many of Die early 
settlers lived to he upwards of 85 
and 90 years of age. 

TOWN MEETINGS AND OFFICERS. 

The first meeting for the election 
of officers in the Wardsborough 
South District, was held at the 
dwelling bouse of James Slade, 
March 10, 1789, when the following 
were chosen: David Johnson, mod- 
erator and town clerk; David John- 
son, Aaron Thompson and Luther 
Johnson, selectmen; Daniel Warner, 
treasurer; Ebenezer Sears, consta- 
ble; Wm. Standcliff, collector; Eli- 
jah Baldwin, Isaac Laadell and Wih 
liam Haskins, listers; Barnard Con- 
verse, sealer of leather; Roger 



340 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



Birchard and William HalL grand, 
jurors; Nathan GAnson, pcumd deep- 
er.; Nathan Baiter, hay ward; Silas 
Wright and LTzziel Putnam, tithing- 
men; Abner Slade, fence-viewer; 
Jacob Staples, Daniel Warner, Na- 
than Ganeon, William Haskins, 
Silas Wright, William Sears, Barn- 
ard Converse and William Hall, 
highway surveyors; William Hail, 
Abner Slade, Luther Johnson, j 
Roger Birchard, Abner Perry and 
El i j ah S team s , p e ti t j u r o rs ; W i 1 1 i am 
Hall, sealer of weights and meas- 
ures, 

On the 18 tb of June, 1739., Wil- 
liam Hall, Roger Birchard, Abner 
Perry, William Haskins and Abner . 
Slade were chosen a committee to 
find the center of the town. This 
committee made their report at a 
meeting held October 8, 1793, when 
it was “voted to establish the centre 
where it was picked,” There is no 
record of the report of this commit- 
tee, nor can their report (if made in 
writing) be now found, but the 
writer is informed, and if has been 
understood that the centre was es- 
tablished to be on the lull near the 
present dwelling house of George B. 
Boyd, and a short distance easterly 
of what was found to be the geo- 
graphical centre of the town. 

March 7, 1791, the town “voted 
to give Daniel Warner forty shillings 
to clear and fence one-half acre of j 
land given by Mr. John Lee, for ai 
burial place.” John Lee settled on 
the farm formerly owned and occu- 
pied by David Dexter, and the “bu- 
rial place” so given and established, 
is the one still in use just north of 
the village that for many years has 
been known as “Dover” or “Dover 
common.” 

In that old familiar and J tallowed spot, 
“Where heaves the turf in many a 
mould' ring heap, 

Each in hia narrow cell forever laid, 

The rude forefathers of the hamlet 
sleep/ 1 

“Oft did the harvest to their sickle yield, 
Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe has 
broke: 

How jocund did they drive their team 
afield! 



How bow'd the woods beneath their 
sturdy stroke!” 

“The breezy call of incense- breathing 
mom. 

The swallows tvvitt 'ring from the straw 
built sherl, 

TJi e cock \s s h ri 1 1 cl a ri on , or the echo! u g 
horn, 

No more shad rouse them from their 
lowly bed/ 1 

August 1, 1791, the town “voted, 
that all warnings for meetings shall 
be put up at Mr. Southard’s mill, 
Gapt Johnson's and John Kemp’s 
houses, for the future.” 

Sept. 33, 1793, the town “voted, 
to build a house in which to do town 
business at the centre of the town, 
or the nighest convenient place.” 
This vote was subsequently re elud- 
ed, and no building was ever erected 
for that purpose at the then recog- 
nized centre of the town. 

At a town meeting holden Sept. 
15, 1794, to take into consideration 
the matter of paying the soldiers 
who had served in the revolutionary 
war, and were then residents of the 
town, “voted, to make up the sol- 
diers three pounds per month while 
in service,” 

From 17S9 up to 1810, inclusive, 
when the South District was incor- 
porated into a separate and distinct 
town under its present name, the 
town mee tinge were held at the 
houses of James Slade, Silas John- 
son, David Johnson, Lemuel Os- 
good, John Lee and others. 

The first town meeting held for 
the election of officers under their 
new act of incorporation was March 
4, 1811, at the meeting house which 
had previously been erected on 
“ Dover Common,” and which has 
ever since been known or distin- 
guished from the other villages in 
the town, as “Dover” or “Dover 
Common.” At this meeting Reu- 
ben Dean was chosen town clerk; 
Elijah Stearns, Samuel Miller and 
Ebenezer Scars, selectmen; Ebene- 
zer Copeland, William Haskins and 
Phineas Wood, listers; and Asa 
Phillips, constable and collector. 

From this time forward the town 
meetings were holden in the same 



DOVER 



341 



place, as also were the freemen's 
meetings from 1838 up to and in- 
cluding the March meeting of 1861, 
when by vote of the town "it was de- 
cided that they thereafter be held 
alternately at the east and west vil- 
lages* lu 1811, and for a few years 
thereafter, the freemen's meetings 
were held at the dwelling house of 
Lemuel Osgood; subsequently* up to 
and including the year 1838, they 
were holden in the Baptist meeting 
house, erected on lands given for 
that purpose by the said Osgood, 
situated on the hill northwest of the 
£i Common/' and on the farm now 
owned and occupied by George B. 
Boyd. Within the last few years, 
however, the meetings have "been 
holden on ff Dover Common/* 

As a general thing the elections 
in this town have passed off very 
quietly, the Democrats being in the 
majority a greater portion of the 
time until 1344, when the Liberty 
party obtained the ascendency 
Since which time the Free Soil 
party of 1848, and the Republican 
party of 1856, have constantly been 
in the majority. From 1S11 to 1815, 
however, considerable party feeling 
existed, and many a heated discus- 
sion was indulged in by the Demo- 
crats and the Federalists of that 
time, the participants not infre- 
quently coming to blows. An inci- 
dent of this kind was related to the 
writer by an eye-witness that on the 
occasion of a town meeting being 
held to encourage the young men to 
volunteer and till the quota of the 
town, in response to the call of the 
governor, and to protect, the State 
from threatened invasion by the 
British troops, the excitement 
reached a fever heat and insulting 
and threatening language was freely 
indulged in. Whereupon one Sec- 
retary Rawson, an ardent Democrat 
and strong supporter of the admin- 
istration or ff w&r party,” encoun- 
tered Roswell Warner, a Federalist, 
and one of the local leaders of the 
** anti-war party/' and gave him a 
most unmerciful thrashing* A 



draft, however, was made, but none 
drafted ever entered the service, 
their places being filled by volun- 
teers w ho received as a bounty one 
silver dollar each. 

In 1840 a scheme was projected to 
annex to Dover that portion of the 
town of Somerset which was subse- 
quently annexed to Wilmington in 
1858, and from that town to Dover 
in 1SU9- This matter was presented 
to the Legislature at nearly every 
session, the party favoring the an- 
nexation only succeeding to the ex- 
tent of procuring the passage of an 
act to take effect whenever a major- 
ity of the town should vote to re- 
ceive them, This project having 
for its object, as the anti- an nega- 
tion party believed, the removal of 
the place of holding the towm and 
freemens' meetings from the “Com- 
mon/' to the west village for the 
whole or a portion of the time, pro- 
voked a great amount of angry dis- 
cussion and created feelings of bit- 
ter enmity and hatred between those 
who had theretofore been warm 
friends* The anti-annexationists 
were in the majority, but the strug- 
gle was continued year after year 
until that territory was annexed to 
Wilmington in 1858. In 1868 the 
contest was renewed by an attempt 
to annex that portion of Wilming- 
ton to Dover, but was defeated. In 
1869, the opposition becoming tired 
of the fight, or becoming convinced 
that the acquisition would prove 
beneficial instead of detrimental to 
the best interests of the town, aban- 
doned the struggle, and the act of an- 
nexation was passed with little or 
no opposition, and thus ended what 
had been a long, tedious and most 
perplexing controversy* 

TOWN CLEHKS* 

David Johnson, from 1789 to 1796; 
Reuben Dean, from 1796 to 1813; 
David Burr, from 1813 to 1823; 
Aaron P. Perry, from 1822 to 1824; 
David Burr, from 1824 to 182S; 
Laban Jones, from 1828 to 1832; 
Wm. H* Hodges, from 1332 to Dec* 
8 of same year; Samuel Jones, from 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



342 



Dec, 8, 1832, to Nov. 14, 1833; I 
Fayette Perry, from Nov. 14, 183-5,' 
to June SI, 1849; Treason F. Perry, 
from June 21, 1849 to 1857; Mar- 
tin Perry, from 1857 to 1881; Wm. 
H. Jones, from 18G1 to 1889; Sid-, 
ney II. Sherman, from 18C9 to 1873; 
J. Arnold Newell, from 1873 to 
1878, also 1SS1, ? 82, "S3, 'S4 inclu- 
sive; Stillman H. Lazetle, 1S79 and 
1880; William P. Jones, from 1885 j 
to the present time. 

REPRESENTATIVES. 

Amos Rice 1811, T2, T3, To, *21, 
’22 ; Samuel Clark 1814 ; Gardner 
Howe 1816, *23; Elijah Stearns 1817, | 
TS ? T9, '20 ; Ebenezer Jones 1824, 
7 26, *28: David Burr 1825, 7 27; Wm. 
II. Hodges 1S29; James Miner 1830, 
J 31 ? J 37, *38, T8, T9, >50 ; Lyman 
Howe 1832, '33, '34: David Dexter, 
Jr, 1835, *36; Lewis Hall 1839, TO: 
Wm. If. Jones 1841, T2, J 64, ’65; 
Fayette Perry 1843, '44, T5; {1846, 
no choice); Joel Lyman 1847, T9; 
Asaph Haskins 1851 ; Laban Jones 
1852, ? 53 ; Liberty Howe 1854, *55, 
*56, '57, ? 58 : Martin Perry 1859, 
TO; Edwin F. Sherman 1801, T6 ; 
Jededtah 0. Estabrooks 1802, *63 ; 
Resolved S. Staples 1867, '68; Laban 
Jones, Jr. 1870, *71; Sidney PL 
Sherman 1872, *73 ; J. Arnold New- 
ell 1874, To; Stillman H. Lazeil 
1876, J 77; Augustus Fitch, Jr. 1878, 
*79; Henry J. Turner 1880, T 81 ; 
El win H. Jones 1882, *83; Oscar A. 
Lazcll 1884, J 85 ; John C. Snow 
1886, *87; William J 4 Jones 1888. 
*8’9; Fred E. Ry ther 1890, J 9L 

DELEGATES TO CONSTITUTION A L 
CONVENTIONS. 

Reuben Dean 1814, Amos Rice 
1822, Ebenezer Jones 1828, Lewis 
Hall 1836, Fayette Perry 1843, 
Asaph Haskins 1850, Sidney H, 
Sherman 1870. 

STATE SENATORS. 

Laban Jones, 1838, *39; Wm. H. 
Jones, 1856, J 57. 

ASSISTANT JUDGE OF COUNTY COURT. 

Wm. H. Jones from 1864 to 1770. 



SELECTMEN. 

1789. David Johnson, Aaron Thomp- 
son, Luther J olmson . 

1790. William Hall, Lemuel Johnson, 
Joshua Kendall. 

1791 . Abner Perry, Eliphaz Stearns, Eh- 
enezer Sears. 

1792. Isaac Lasdell, John Lee, Gardner 
Howe. 

1793. John W bit ney. Joseph* Chandler- 
lm, William Sears. 

1794. Eliphaz Stearns, Ebenezer Sears, 
Luther Johnson, 

1 795. E ben ezer Chen ey , Reu ben Dean , 
Nathaniel Stearns. 

1796. Nathaniel Stearns, Abraham 
Jones, Abner Ferry. 

1 797 . Abral i am J on es, Asa Moore „ G am > 
aliel Ellis. 

1793. William Hall, Luther Johnson, 
Lemuel Fitch. 

1799. Luther Johnson, David Johnson, 
Abner Perry. 

1800. Abner Perry, David Burr, Patten 
Fitch. 

1801 David Burr, Patten Fitch, Wil- 
liam Haskins, 

1802. William Haskins, Jesse Marsh, 
Samuel Miller. 

1893. Samuel Miller, Luther Johnson, 
Elijah Stearns. 

1804. Elijah Stearns, Elijah Hawks, 
Joai&h H. Wheeler. 

1805. Josiah H. Wheeler, David Burr, 
William Haskins 

1806. David Burr, William Haskins, Si- 
las Johnson, 

1807. David Burr, William, Haskins 
Silas Johnson. 

1808. David Burr, Abner Perry, Rodol- 
phus Carlton. 

1800. Eli jali Stearns, Timothy Gillette 
William Haskins. 

1810. Timothy Gillett, David Burr, 
Gardner Howe. 

1811. Elijah Stearns, Samuel Miller, Eb- 
enezer Sears. 

1812. David Burr, Abraham Jones, 2d, 
Nathan Dean. 

1813. Abraham Jones, 3d , Nathan Dean , 
Reuben Dean, jr. 

1814. Nathan Dean, Amos Rice, Abner 
Adams. 

1815. Nathan Dean, Gardner Howe, 
Aaron P. Perry, 

1816. Gardner Plowe, Aaron P. Ferry, 
Jesse Marsh. 

1817. David Burr, Nathan Sherman, 
Nehemiah Fay. 

1818. David Burr, Nathan Sherman, 
Whitney Jones. 

1819. David Burr, Aaron P, Perry, Sec- 
retary Rawson. 

1820. David Burr, Aaron P. Perry, Sec- 
retary Rawson, 

1831. David Burr, Ebenezer Jones. Phin- 
eas Wood, 



DOVER. 



343 



1922. Bbenezer Jones, Aaron F. Ferry, 
Abolish Gould. 

1 823. Aa roo F . Fe rry , Na than SI i e rrnan , 
Silas Gould* 

182 A David Burr, Silas Gould, James 
Mann, jr. 

1825. David Burr, Silas Gould, Jedediah 
Estabrook. 

1826. Daid Burr, Ebenezei 1 Jones, Na- 
than Dean. 

1 827 . Da v id B tirr , Sil as G on Id , E ben ezer 
Sears, jr. 

1838, Laban Jones, Asaph Haskins, 
James Mann, jr. 

1829* Laban Jones, Daniel Leonard, 
William H, Hodges. 

1830. Laban Jones, John Rice, jr., Ly- 
man 13 owe* 

1831. J a -mes Miner, jr., Ebeh ezer Sears , 
jr., Daniel Leonard, 

1832. William H. Hodges. Janies Miner, 
jr., Daniel Leonard. 

1833. Samuel Jones, James Miner, Lu- 
ther Corse, 

1834. Fayette Perry, Lyman Howe, Jed- 
ediah Estabrook* 

1835. Fayette Perry, David Dexter, jr., 
Jeptba Lyman, jr. 

1836* Fayette Perry, David Dexter, jr., 
Liberty Howe* 

1837. Fayette Perry, Ebenezer Sears, jr. , 
depth a Lyman," jr. 

1838. William Walker, Enos E. Knapp, 
Liberty Howe. 

1 839. Fayette Perry T Luther Corse, Lew- 
is Hail. 

1 840 . Faye tte Per r y, Le w is H all , W i L 
liaui H. Jones* 

1841. Fayette Ferry, Asapli Haskins, 
Liberty Howe. 

1842. Laban Jones, Enos R. Knapp, 
William H* Jones* 

1843. Laban Jones, William H* Jones, 



L844 



Asaph Hankins. 

Walker. William H, Jones. 



sapr 

Eh 



lenezer Sears, jr.. 



William 



1845* Asaph Haskins, Fayette Ferry, 
Harvey Copeland. 

1840. Lyman Howe, Janies Miner, John 
Kinsman, jr. 

1847* Fayette Perry, Lyman Howe, 
Joel Lyman. 

1848. Ebenezer Sears, jr., Joel Lyman, 
William Walker. 

1849. Asaph Haskins, Solomon Jones, 
Paris Kawson* 

1850. Hosea Mann, Moses P. Cooper, 
Joel Lyman. 

1851. Ebenezer Sears, Asaph Haskins, 
Presson F. Perry. 

1852. Presson F. Perry, Lyman Howe, 
Liberty Howe* 

1853. James Miner, Joel Lyman, Gil- 
bert W. Yeaw. 

1854. Joel Lyman, Isaac W. Lazell, 
Enos R* Knapp. 

1855. WiJ 1 iam R . Mann, Mar ti n Pe r ry , 
Isaac W. LazeJb 



1856* Solomon Jones, William H. Jones, 
Delphi W* Yeaw* 

1857* William H* Jaues, Delphi W. 
Yeaw, Martin Leonard. 

1858. William H* Jones, Delphi W. 
Yeaw, Martin Leonard* 

1859* Edwin F. Sherman, Jedediah C. 
Es ta brook , Laban Jon es * 

1860. Moses P* Cooper, Jedediah C. 
Esta brook, Delphi W. Yeaw* 

1861. Edwin F* Sherman, Daniel Leon- 
a rd , Angus t us Fi tel i . 

1862. Edwin F, Sherman, James M. 
Harris, Augustus Fitch. 

1863- James M* Harris. Edward Howe, 
Samuel J* Green. 

1864. Sidney H. Sherman, Edward 
Howe, I). Pitt Leonard* 

1865. Joel Lyman, Gilbert W* Yeaw, 
Janies W, Biss ell, 

1866- Joel Lyman, Gilbert W* Yeaw, 
Janies W* Bisseli, 

1867- D* Green Leonard, Henry I, Tur- 
ner, Enos R, Knapp* 

1868* Joel Lyman, Henry I. Turner, 
William Yeaw. 

1869. Joel Lyman, Isaac W. Lazell, 
William H* Jones* 

1870* William H, Jones, Isaac W. La- 
zell, James W. BLsseU. 

1871. James W. Bisseli, D. Pitt Leon- 
ard, Gilbert W* Yeaw. 

1 872 . D * P i I; t Leo nard > Gi 1 be r t W * Yeaw , 
Laban Jones, jr. 

1873. D. Pitt Leonard, Gilbert W* Yeaw, 
Ansel B* Collins* 

1874. Ansel B. Colli us, Laban Jones, 
Jr., Wells C. HalUday. 

1875- Laban Jones, Jr*, Wells C. Halh- 
day, William H* Mann* 

1876. George E. Bice, Isaac W. Lazeil , 
Freeman F. Fitch. 

1877. George E. Rice, Isaac W. Lazell, 
Freeman F. Fitch. 

1878. George B. Boyd, George E. Rice, 
Freeman F. Fitch. 

1379. George B* Boyd, George E. Rice, 
Freeman F* Fitch. 

1880* Delphi W. Yeaw, Geo. B, Boyd, 
D. P. Leonard* 

1881. Delphi W. Yeaw, Geo. B. Boyd, 
D. P. Leonard. 

1882. Geo* B* Boyd, D. P. Leonard* 
Delphi W. Yeaw. 

1883. Geo. B. Boyd, D. P* Leonard, 
Delphi W. Yeaw. 

1884. George B. Boyd, D, P. Leonard, 
Delphi W. Yeaw. 

1885. George B, Boyd, Delphi W* Yeaw, 
Orville L. Corse. 

1880. George B. Boyd, Ozro E* Hill, 
Stillman H, Lazell. 

1887* George B. Boyd, Ozro E* Hill, El- 
win H. Jones* 

1888. George B. Boyd, Ozro E* Hill, 
Wells C. Halliday. 

1889. Wells C. Hall id ay, W. N. Harris, 
Oscar A* Lazell. 






VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



1890, Wells C, Halliday, W. N. Hams, 
George B. Boyd. 

1891, George B. Boyd, W. N. Harris, 
El win H, Jones, 

"FIRST CONSTABLES. 

Ebenezer Sears 1789, William 
Sears 1790, Daniel Warner 1791, 
Lemuel Johnson 1793, David John- 
son 1793, Abner Perry 1794, '96/99, 
John Lee 1796, Luther Johnson 
1797, Asa Moore 1798, Cyrus Knapp 
1800, Enos Gould 18U1, Samuel 
Clark 1803, Nathan Baxter J$03, '05, 
Oliver Russell 1804, Asa Phillips 
1806, 11, 13, 13, Amos Rice 1807, 
'0$, ’09, 10, Whitney Jones 1814, 
Aaron P. Perry I SI 5, 10, 17, Eb- 
on ezer Jones 1818, 19, T 20, Imri 
Perry 1S21, William Sherman 1 822, 
Asaph Haskins 1S23, T 24, ’25,, *31, 
'32, '33, Samuel Jones 182 G, "27, 
Lyman Howe 1828, Enos R Knapp 
1829, Cyrus P. Dry den 1830, Alvin 
Gould ISM, '3 5, 3 36j '37, Payette G. 
Knapp 1838, '39, 10, 11, El Gazer 
Gorham, jr. 1842, Martin Perry 
1843, 14, 15, 16, 17, IS, Gilbert 
W, Yeaw 1849, ? 56, Delphi W, 
Yeaw 1850, J 51> '52, 13, 14, '57, 
18, ’60, *63, 11, *72, 13, ’74, J 75, 
Ansel B. Collins 1S55, '59, ’61/62, 
’76, J 77, 78, William Yeaw 1864, '65, 
'66, Henry C. Sliepardson 1867, 
Ezra Stetson 1868, E. P. Knowlton 
1869, ’70, John C. Snow 1879, Oscar 
A. Lazell I860, '81, ’82, 'S3, ’84, T 85, 

4 86, 87, James H. Metcalf 1888, 3 S9, 
’90, 91. 

Justices of the Peace who held 
office exceeding twenty years : Na- 
thaniel Stearns, Abner Perry, Reu- 
ben Dean, Aaron P. Perry, David 
Burr, James Miner, William H, 
Jones, Asaph Haskins, Laban Jones, 
Lyman Howe, Joel Lyman, T he- 
ft rst justice was Nathaniel Stearns, 
he being commissioned in 1799. 

POST- O FEMES AND POST- M ASTERS. 

The first post-office was established 
Dover, (Centre,) May 33, 1826, 
and the following named persons 
have held the office of postmaster, 
viz ; 



Appointed, 

Justus Gale May 23, 1S36, 

Jotham Howe August 34, 1837. 

John Rice, ....Junel, 1831, 

Martin Perry ..July 3, 1S38. 

Presson F. Perry May 9, 1848, 

Martin Perry February 13, i860, 

Sheldon E. Howe February 7 , 1859. 

Martin Perry December 30, 1861. 

Flank C. Burr May 18, 1864. 

M a j t i n Per ry , . May 22, 1874. 

B. F, Knowlton September 14, 1882, 

Henry J. Knapp .May 8, 1885. 

Mrs. C. L. Russell. ..December 17, 1886. 

An office was established in the 
village of West Dover, February 17, 
1848;, and the following persons 
have served as post-masters, via : 
Appoin ted. 

Norris L. Stetson February 17, 1348. 

Jedediah C. Estabrook April 26, 1850, 

William H. Snow July 5. 1854, 

David P. Leonard.. October 24 f I860. 

William F. Jones September 14, 1861, 

Tay 1 or S. Estabrook June 19, 1871. 

William H. Converse, December 26, 1871. 

TaylorS. Estabrook .March 13, 1876. 

Daniel N. May _ . . May S t 1 883. 

Moses J. Bogle April 0, 1888. 

An office was established in the 
village of East Dover, Dec, 30, 1861, 
and the following persons have 
served as post-masters, viz: 

Sidney H. Sherman, appointed 
Dec. 30," 1861. 

Mrs. Mary E. Sherman, appointed 
Sept. 16, 1872. 

Wells C, Halladay, appointed 
Feb. 21, 1876. 

Charles F. Brown, appointed Nov. 
IS, 1SS6, 

Wells C, Halladay, appointed 
June 29, 1889. 

CENSUS AT DIFFERENT DECADES. 

In 1791, 270 ; 1800. 616 j 1810, 

894 ; 1820, 829 ; 1830, 831 ; 1840, 

729 ; 1S50, 710; I860, 651; 1870, 

635 ; 1880, 621 ; 1890, 524. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school in town was one 
of five weeks, taught in an old va- 
cant log house in the east part of 
the town, about the year 1790. At 
this time no organized school sys- 
tem prevailed, and the fathers and 
mothers feeling the necessity of 
having their children educated, it 
was decided to have a school to be 



DOVER. 



345 



taught one week each by such of the 
mothers who felt themselves com- 
petent to teach. This system of 
private schools with the mothers for 
teachers, was continued until the 
town in its organized capacity took 
hold of the matter, and at a town 
meeting holden May 22, 1793. chose J 
David Johnson, William Haskins, 
Luther Johnson, Gamaliel Ellis and 
John Lee a committee to divide the 
town into school districts. This 
committee reported their action to 
the town on the same day, dividing 
the town into four school districts, 
which report was adopted. After 
the town was constituted and duly 
organized under the name of Dover, 
it was again divided into seveu dis- 
tricts. It now has nine school dis- 
tricts. The people of this town, as 
a general thing, have always taken 
a great interest in the matter of 
their common schools, and none of 
the smaller towns of the State have 
had a more excellent system, or 
taken greater pains to employ good 
and competent teachers to educate 
their youth, in which, in a great 
measure they have been successful, 
and have sent out from among them 
several of their sons and daughters 
who have become eminent in their 
profession as teachers. 

In 1814 there were 345 scholars 
returned as attending school for 
that year. Of this number district 
Ho. 5 (Dover Centre) returned 73, 
and No. 6 (West Dover) returned 
G5. At the present time the town 
has 203 children returned as of 
school age, with but 182 attending 
school. This remarkable falling ofT 
is of course owing to two causes, the 
one, the decrease in the population, 
the other and most prominent one, 
is the great and disproportionate de- 
crease in the number of children 
composing the several households at 
the present time, as compared with 
those of an earlier period. 

RELIGIOU8 SOCIETIES. 

Nearly all of the early settlers had 
emigrated from places where they 
had enjoyed the privileges of the 



Gospel, and therefore were anxious 
that provision should be made for 
religious worship among them. The 
first step taken in this direction, of 
which there is any record, was at a 
town meeting holden April 23, 1795, 
when they u voted to hire the Rev. 
Mr. (James) Tufts one- third of the 
time the ensuing year; that the 
meetiugs be held one-half of the 
time at Abraham Jones* and the 
other half at Elijah Baldwin's, and 
that a tax of two and one-half pence 
on the pound of the grand list be 
raised to pay for the same.** 

On the 10th of June, 1795, the 
town further “ voted to join with 
the north district of Wardsborough 
in settling the Rev. Mr. Tufts for 
the term of five years upon the fol- 
lowing term: To have tne Rev. Mr. 
Tufts one-half of the time for the 
aforesaid term of five years to preach 
with us; to give him thirty-six 
pounds the first year, and then to 
add twenty shillings per year until 
the term of five years is up, for our 
part of his annual support, we keep- 
ing our public land to ourselves.” 
Mr. Tufts commenced preaching- 
under the above vote and continued 
with them during the next five 
years, at the end of which time he 
was agaiu employed for an unlimited 
period. The Rev. Mr. Tufts was a 
Congregationalist of the strictest 
order, and many in town who had 
been brought np in a different faith 
and religious belief were opposed to 
being taxed for his support. They 
therefore procured certificates under 
the law of 1797, that they were of a 
different religious belief and opinion, 
had them recorded in the office of 
the town clerk, and were thereafter 
omitted in the assessment made for 
the support of preaching. This 
practice became so general that the 
friends of Mr. Tufts were unable to 
raise the money necessary to pay 
him, without its becoming exceed- 
ingly burdensome to a few, so preach- 
ing was for a time suspended. 

In February, 1802, a petition 
signed by Eliphaz Stearns, Lemuel 
! Fitch, Samuel Clark, Abraham 



346 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Jones, Patten Pitch, Neheniiak Fay, 
Silas Johnson and John Lee, was 
presented to the town clerk request- 
ing him to cal! a town meeting, “To 
see if the town will form into a re- 
ligious society, under such denomin- 
ation as they shall choose when met, " 
Pursuant to said call, a town meet’ 
ing was h olden March 2%, IS0&, 
when they u> voted to join in a relig- 
ions society, to be called the United 
Religious Society.” A committee 
consisting of Ebenezer Sears, Na- 
thaniel Stearns* Abraham Jones, 
John Lee, Luther Johnson, Lemuel 
Johnson and Ebcnezcr Clicney, were 
chosen to draft the “ Society Coven- 
ants 

A covenant was subsequently re- 
ported and adopted, and the follow- 
ing persons became members thereof: 
Silas Johnson, Elijah Stearns, Abner 
Perry, David Johnson, Oliver Bus- 
sell, Samuel Clark, John Hayward, 
William Hall, Isaac Lasdell, Patten 
Pitch, Ebenezer Sears, Eliplmz 
Stearns, ji\, Nathaniel Jones, J. 
Thompson, Nathan Sherman* Simp- 
eon Eames, Nathaniel Ward, Joshua 
Kendall, William Scare, Elijah 
Hawks, Abraliaham Jones, 2d, Sam- 
uel Miller, Josiali H. Wheeler, W, 
Alexander, Jeremiah Wheeler, Abel 
Simonds, Gardner Howe, Abner Ad- 
ams, E, Phillips, Lemuel Pitch, 
John Lee, Ebenezer Cheney, Elijah 
Baldwin, Solomon Jones, William , 
Haskins, Abraham Jones, Reuben 
Dean, David Rice, William Rugbee, 
W. A. Phillips, John Taft, Nathan 
Baxter, Joseph Chamberlin, Na- 
thaniel Stearns, D. Alexander and 
Whitney Jones, 

The r * Covenant ” adopted was 
broad and liberal, and upon it united 
men of different religions beliefs and 
opinions. The society organized 
the same day by choosing Patten 
Fitch, clerk; Ebenezer Sears, treas- 
urer ; William Sears, collector ; John 
Lee, Abraham Jones, M f and Whit- 
ney Jones, assessors ; Ebenezer Bears, 
Abner Perry, and Ebenezer Cheney, 
committee. It is not known, nor is 
there any evidence in existence that 
this society ever sustained any 



preaching. It is certain that they 
never had any settled minister, but 
from the unanimity of feeling then 
prevailing, it is reasonably probable 
that they were occasionally supplied 
with preachers of an itinerant char- 
acter. One thing however this society 
did accomplish worthy of lasting re- 
membrance, the erection on Dover 
common of the first meeting house 
jin town. For out of this society 
I was subsequently organized a ^ Meet- 
ing House Society," to whom Elijah 
Stearns deeded a tract of land for a 
, public common, upon which was 
erected in 1805, a large, two story 
meeting house, which was thorough- 
ly built and handsomely finished. 
This house was located upon the 
highest point of the public common 
, where it stood for 64 years, plainly 
visible for many miles distant, like a 
I tower upon Zion. In this building 
religious services were held almost 
continuously from the date of its 
completion up to 1855, since which 
time it was occupied but occasion- 
ally for religions worship. In 1861. 
it was entirely abandoned for any 
purpose, and it becoming sadly dil- 
apitated and in need of extensive re- 
pairs it was in 1860, dismantled and 
razed to the ground, and thus passed 
away one of the old landmarks of 
the town. As an abstract proposi- 
tion, this building should have been 
zealously guarded and carefull pre- 
served. — build ed as it was in the 
most substantial manner and ele- 
gantly finished for the times — as a 
monument of the religious zeal and 
piety of the early fathers, of their 
self sacrificing devotion, and earnest 
efforts, thus early put forth by them 
in providing a place of religious wor- 
ship for their posterity. In a strict- 
ly business point of view however, 
its destruction was undoubtedly just- 
ifiable, for its future preservation 
would have entailed an unequal tax 
upon the few, without any apparent 
necessity then existing for its present 
or future use, 

CONGREGATIONAL. 

Soon after the first meeting house 



DOVER. 



347 



was erected, a Congregational socie- 
ty was organized in towu, but owing 
to the loss of the records the exact 
date cannot be ascertained, nor who 
were the persons of whom the society 
was composed. The Rev. Urban 
Hitchcock was the first settled min- 
ister, but when he was settled or 
how long he remained, there is no 
data now in existence to tell. The 
next settled minister over this socie- 
ty was the Rev. Isaac Cummings, as 
he was also the last. Mr. Cummings 
continued with them, respected and 
beloved by all, until his death, which 
occurred September 3, 183J. The 
pulpit was then temporarily supplied 
by Rev. Linus Owen and others, to 
1843, when the society ceased to 
exist as a branch of that denomina- 
tion. 

Early in the year 1843, the Rev. 
Darwin H. Ranney, a native of 
Townshend, Vt., came to town, call- 
ing himself a Unionist and preached 
in this meeting house. He was a 
man of much ability, a fine scholarly 
speaker, liberal in his views and of 
courtly address. He at once set 
about organizing a church, and on 
the 22d of April, 1843, articles of 
faith were subscribed to by Laban 
Jones and seventy-eight others. On 
the 18th day of May following, a so- 
ciety was organized under the name 
of “The First Church of Christ in 
Dover,” and Mr. Ranney was consti- 
tuted its pastor. Presson F. Perry 
was chosen clerk, Laban Jones and 
Ebenezev Sears, jr., deacons. Mr. 
Ranney continued with them as 
their pastor and preacher, until 
the spring of 1851, when he re- 
moved to Wilmington, Vt. The. 
pulpit was then supplied for a few 
years at irregular intervals by the 
Rev. Simeon Spencer and others 
when preaching was abandoned al- 
together and the society became ex- 
tinct. 

On the 3d day of January, 1872, 
another society was organized, called I 
the “ Congregational Church of 
Dover Centre.” It commenced with 
18 members, male and female; they 
were supplied with preaching for a I 



short time by Rev. A. Chandler and 
Rev. 0. C. Dickenson, but being 
few in numbers they were unable to 
sustain preaching all the time, and 
for a few years past they have had 
none at all. 

April 7, 1857, a “Meeting house 
Society’* was organized in West 
Dover, and a meeting house was 
erected the next season. A Con- 
gregational Society was duly organ- 
ized in 1867, which still maintains 
its organization; and although hav- 
ing a preacher but a portion of the 
time, they occupy this meetinghouse 
when occasion requires, as also do 
those holding to a different faith. 
The following have been employed 
as preachers since the completion of 
this house in 1858: Rev. Simeon 

Spencer, Moth.; Rev. A. H. Sweet, 
Cong.: Rev. 0. S. Morris, Meth.; 
Rev. L. W. Brigham, Unt. ; Rev. 
J. II. Ricketts, Cong. : Rev. S. II- 
Amsden, Cong.; Rev. H. II. Olds, 
Cong.; Rev. Frank E. Pierce, Bapt. ; 
A. 8. Field, Cong.; H. R. Titus, 
Cong.. R. D. Metcalf, Cong.; Ad- 
dison Martin, Cong.. F. B. Hyde, 
Cong., the present incumbent. 

HA J’TIST. 

A very respectable number of the 
“United Religious Society” who 
had given material aid towards tha 
erection of the first meeting house, 
after the organization of the Con- 
gregational Society, the settlement 
of the Rev. Mr. Hitchcock and his 
installation as their pastor, feeling 
aggrieved at the action of the ma- 
jority withdrew entirely, and in 
1812, erected a meeting house on 
the hill about one-half mile north- 
west of the Common, on lands given 
them by Lemuel Osgood, and near 
where the centre of the town was 
originally “picked” to be. The 
pulpit was supplied during the 
greater portion of the time for the 
ensuing two years by the Rev. Mans- 
field Bruce, Baptist. On the 5th of 
October, 1814, a Baptist church was 
duly constituted, and at its first 
church meeting held October 19, 
1814, Abida Dean was chosen scribe 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



348 



and Ebenezei Sears, deaeon. The 
Rev. Geo. Robinson became pastor 
of this church at its organization 
and continued as such for the four 
succeeding years, and again in 1820, ! 
one-half of the time, and in 1825, 
all the time. They occupied this 
house as a place of worship until 
1828, when they united with the 
Methodists and Universal is ts in 
building a second meeting house on 
Dover Common, which is still stand- 
ing. This new house they con- 
tinued to occupy for the most part, 
one-third of the time until 1852, 
when they built a house of their 
own in the village of East Dover, 
where they still have regular preach- 
ing. Since the organisation and 
first election of officers in this 
church the following have served as 
clerks, deacons and minis tors : 

Clerks, Lemuel Osgood from 1816 
to 1823; John Carpenter from 1823 
to 1829; Jonathan Woods from 1829 
to 1838; Alvin Gould from 1838 to 
IS43; Edwin F. Sherman from 1843 
to 18 72; Sidney XL Sherman from 
1872 to 1875 ; Wells 0. Halliday 
from 1875 to present time. Deacons, 
Isaac L&zelh chosen in 1825; Eben- 
ezer Sears, Jr. in 1832; Levi Pol- 
lard in 1844; Freeman Haskins in 
1846; Edwin F. Sherman in 1843; 
John P. Gould in 1860; Henry L 
Turner in 1872; Wells C. Halliday 
in 1875. Ministers, Revs. Calvin 
Orcutt, Calvin Pratt, Seni Pierce, 
James Mann, Daniel XL Grant, 
Mansfield Bruce, Phincas Howe, P. 
B. Fisk, Samuel Kingsbury, A. W. 
Goodnow, Origen Smith, X H. 
Par melee, E. H Watrous, H. V, 
Baker, L. Kenney and Walter Chase 
who is the present pastor. The 
Rev. Origen Smith was pastor from 
1852 to 1873, and during his pastor- 
ate 92 were added to the church. 
It is said that for seven consecutive 
years be was absent but one Sab- 
bath, although residing nine miles 
from their place of worship. This 
church is at present the most flour- 
ishing one in town, 

About 1791, there was formed in 
the west part of the town and that 



portion of Somerset that is now a 
part of Dover, a Baptist Church, 
known as the “Dover and Somerset 
Church;” they had no meeting-house 
in which to worship, nor is it known 
that t hey had any stated or regular 
preacher until about 18i2, when the 
Rev, James Mann became their pas- 
tor and continued as such until 1832. 
In 1829, this church organization be- 
came a branch of the Dover Church, 
and in 1830 and 1831, Mr. Mann 
was pastor of both bodies. In 1832; 
the conduct of Elder Mann, for some 
reason was by the action of the 
cli u rob d isap pro ba ted , and b c to ge th - 
er with the organization in West 
Dover and Somerset were dropped 
from the rolls as being a branch of 
the Baptist Church. In 1832, the 
Rev. Daniel Leonard, a Free-will 
Baptist, commenced hie labors with 
the West Dover and Somerset people, 
and a meeting-house was erected by 
them the same or the following year. 
Mr. Leonard continued with them 
for the most part until 1843. Dur- 
ing the winter of 1842 and 1843, he 
was instrumental in awakening a 
good deal of religious enthusiasm 
among the people of that section, 
and a great revival was the result of 
bis labors, bringing into the fold 
men and women of all classes, and 
of all religion s predilee ti ons. Abon t 
this time there came among them 
the Rev. Linus Owen, who was 
known as a “Unionist:” the result 
was that, Mr. Leonard was displaced 
from the position he had so long 
successfully filled, and Mr. Owen 
was installed as pastor of this people, 
continuing as such for about four- 
teen 3 F ears, when the old meeting- 
house was abandoned and the rem- 
nants of this society remaining, be- 
came merged in that subsequently 
organized at West Dover village in 
1$57. 

METHODISTS. 

A Methodist Society was organized 
here iu 1827, and united with the 
Baptiste and Universal lets in build- 
ing the meeting-house on Dover 
, Common in 1828. This bouse they 



DOVER. 



349 



continued to occupy one- third of the 
time until about 1854, since which 
time they have had preaching but 
occasionally. During this period they 
have had as preachers the Revs. 
Elias Crawford, John B, Hus ted, F. 
W. Seizer, J, C. Montague, Richard 
Newhall, John Lawton, Zera Col- 
burn, Amos Kidder, Gray Beck ley, 
A. Adams, Zeb. Twitchell, A. K. 
Howard, H. Johnson, EL Campbell, 
David Jones, jr., Win. S. Locke, C. 
W. Levings, Caleb Dustin, J. H. 
Stevens, Moses Adame, Johu L. 
Smith, 0. S, Morris, Simeon Spen- 
cer. Secretary Rawson was the first 
class-leader chosen; Ebenezer Sparks 
jr., was chosen class-leader in 1830, 
in which capacity he faithfully serv- 
ed until his death in 1865. Also 
may be mentioned the names of 
William Bugbee, Caleb Howard, 
Asahel Moore, Suel Briggs, Elijah 
S. Howe and Alonzo Bugbee as 
among the devoted and consistent 
members of this church. Perhaps 
the most remarkable man ever con- 
nected with the Methodist Church 
in town was the Rev. Wm. H. 
Hodges. He was son to Abiather 
Tabith a Hodges who resided on the 
farm now owned by Augustus Fitch, 
and was born May 6, 1794. He 
studied for the ministry and com- 
menced preaching when he was but 
tweuty years old. He preached to 
those of the Methodist persuason in 
his own town, was instrumental in 
the organization of the church, and 
gave liberally of his own means to 
the fund contributed by the Metho- 
dists, towards the erection of the 
new meeting-house on the common 
in 1828. He continued with this 
Society until his removal toNewfane 
in the fall of 1832, where he resided 
until his death, which occurred Feb- 
ruary 14, 1849. He taught twenty- 
six terms of school, and during his 
ministry of thirty -five years he 
preached over seven thousand ser- 
mons, married over three hundred 
couples and attended over four hun- 
dred funerals. He died deeply la- 
mented by a large circle of most 
ardent and admiring friends. Dur- 



ing the past few yeavB the Metho- 
dists have had preaching occasion- 
ally in the meeting-house on Dover 
Common, also in a hall in the. East 
village, where they erected a small 
chapel; but they are few in numbers 
and much scattered, and are unable 
to support a preacher all the time. 
They have had as preachers at difi- 
|erent times E. S. Morse, A. S. Max- 
ham and G. F. Arms. 

•UNIVEKSA LISTS. 

It is not known that the Univer- 
salists ever had any regularly organ- 
ized society or church in town. In 
1828, those of that persuasion, and 
among whom may be mentioned 
Abner Perry, Elijah Stearns, Wil- 
liam Haskins, Ebenezer Jones, John 
Dexter, Aaron P. Perry, Asaph 
Haskins, John Simouds, Samuel 
Yeaw and James Miner, united with 
the Methodists and Baptists in 
buildiug a meeting house which 
they continued to occupy for the 
most part one-third of the time up 
to about 1853, since which time 
shey have had preaching but occa- 
sionally, although there are many 
still left in town holding to that 
faith. Among the more prominent 
of the Univcrsalist clergymen who 
have ministered to this people may 
be mentioned the Revs. Warren 
Skinner, Wm. S. Raich, Hosea F. 
^Ballou, Otis Warren, Wm. S. Bal- 
lon, Orrin Perkins and Wm. N. 
Barber. 

MANUFACTURES. 

The first saw-mill was built by 
David Southard in 1791, in what is 
now known as the village of East 
Dover. In 1794 he sold to Ebene- 
zer Cheney, who soon thereafter 
erected in connection with said saw- 
mill a grist-mill. Mr. Cheney sold 
to Silas Merrifiekl in 1812, and 
Merrifield to John Dryden in 1814, 
who also erected a carding machine. 
These mills then passed through the 
hands of several grantees to Sidney 
XI. Sherman, who in 1864, made ex- 
tensive repairs, and among other 
things he took out the old “up and 



350 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



down ” saw, and in its stead substi- 
tuted a circular board saw, it being 
the first of the kind introduced into 
town. The same season he erected 
a building for the manufacture of 
tubs and chair stock, in which he 
did an extensive business. These 
mills were afterwards owned and 
operated by Messrs. Proufcy & Con- 
nell, and at the present time by- 
George D. Hale. 

In 1872, Resolved S. Staples 
erected in the. same villag a steam 
saw-mill and tub manufactory which 
was operated most of the time until 
it was destroyed by fire in the sum- 
mer of 1877. It has since been re- 
built and is now owned and operated 
by Dana S. Pronty. In 1866, Wells 
C. Halliday erected in this village a 
small building for the manufacture 
of butter tubs. He continued in 
this business for several years when 
he sold out to Holland P. Freeman. 
Several years ago it was destroyed 
by fire and has never been rebuilt. 

In 1796, William Gragg erected a 
saw-mill in what is now the present 
village of West Dover. Mr. Gragg 
sold to Samuel Miller in 1800, who, 
soon after erected a grist-mill, full- 
ing-mill, clothiers works and a pot- 
ash manufactory. In 1813, Miller ' 
sold to Janies Mann who carried on 
the busiuess for several years there- 
after. The property then passed in- 
to the hauds of Joshua Robbins, 
who sold to Wm. M. Woods, April 
24, 1824. Mr. Woods operated 
these mills a little over ten years 
and Oct. 29, 1834, he sold to Jcptha 
& Jeptha Lyman Jr, The Messrs. 
Lymau continued the business for 
several years, but all except the saw- 1 
mill was eventually abandoned, 
which mill is now owned and oper- 
ated by J. B. Davis & Son, having 
in the meantime undergone exten- 
sive repairs, and in all respects mod- 
ernized. In addition to the last , 
mentioned mill, there is in this part 1 
of the town one othersaw-mil.l, owned 
by II. L. Heseock & Son, a wooden- 
ware and carriage manufactory 
owned and operated by Silas if. 



Moore, and an extensive cider-jelly 
manufactory by D. G. Leonard and 
Sons. 

In 1846 Martin and Elliot Leon- 
ard erected id West Dover village a 
building for the manufacture of po- 
tatoes into starch. They prosecuted 
this business about ten years when 
the enterprise was finally abandoned. 

About the year 1820, Phineas 
’Wood erected in that part of the 
town known as “ Goose city,” a 
carding machine, and soon after 
Daniel Hodgkins erected a clothiers 
shop and fulling mill. These works 
were kept in operation for some 20 
years, when they were abandoned 
and the buildings afterwards taken 
down. 

In 1814, Samuel Clark then in 
trade on Dover Common, erected 
there a potash manufactory. He 
was succeeded in the business by 
Justus Gale, Aaron P. Perry and 
Jotham Howe. The business of man- 
ufacturing potash here was aban- 
doned sometime previous to 1840, 
but the building remained standing 
for several years thereafter, it having 
been located over the brook and just 
north of the dwelling house of John 
Knight. 

On the eastern slope of the moun- 
tains in that portion of the town 
that was formerly a part of Somerset, 
iron ore may be found in considerable 
quantities. In 1820, a Mr. Trainer 
of New York came here and erected 
a forge and other apparatus for the 
smelting of iron ore and working it 
into bars of iron. He sunk a shaft 
on the mountain side and took out 
quantities of ore and manufactured 
it into iron. The business was con- 
tinued for several veais under the 
superintendence of Luther Park, 
but it failing to pay, further oper- 
ations were discontinued. 

About the year 1832, Messrs. 
Wilder & Richards of New York hav- 
ing obtained an interest in this prop- 
erty, sent to town one Nicholas 
Tiu'kington to take charge of the 
mines and see if iron could not be 
found in paying quantities. He 



DOVER. 



employed workmen and commenced 
operations by tunneling into the 
mountain and took out considerable 
ore, but not in quantities to pay for 
working it into iron; so after a few 
years of unprofitable experimenting 
the works were entirely abandoned, 
aud nothing now remains to be seen 
but the shaft, the two long dark 
tunnels cut out of solid rock, and 
heaps of ore lying around nearly 
hidden from view by the bushes and 
small trees that have grown up since 
work there was discontinued. 

On the site of the “old forge/’ 
a large tannery was erected in 
1844, by S. F. Harris ; it was opera- 
ted by him, Scott & Harris, Phillips 
& Conkey, Samuel D. & Edward L. 
Reed, Gideon N. Parsons, Parsons & 
Cud worth, and Parsons & Parsons, 
at different periods down to 1861, 
when the latter failed in business. 
A large and extensive business was 
carried on here during all the while 
the tannery was in operation, and at 
the failure of Parsons & Parsons a 
large amount of stock was on hand, 
which was worked out under the di- 
rection of William H. Jones, Thomas 
F. Bogle, and others. 

In 1867 William F. Estabvooks 
purchased the property, tore dowii 
the building and erected on the site 
a saw-mill which is in operation at 
this time. 

There are at present several black- 
smiths in town, and has been the 
greater part of the time for the past 
eighty years. Those best and long- 
est known are Gersham Eames, Wil- 
liam Sherman, Suel Briggs, Enos R. 
Knapp, Elliot. Ward and John 
Knights. The first blacksmith was 
Gersham Eames ; he came to town 
from Holliston, Mass., about the 
year 1798, and erected a temporary 
shop on the farm of General Abner 
Perry, which he occupied about two 
years. He then returned to Hollis- 
ton and married a wife, who came 
back with him the same or following 
year. He soon after settled on what 
is known as the “ Rice hill ” in the 
northerly part of the town, where he 
remained a few years, and then re- 



35 l 

moved to Dover common, where he 
erected a blacksmith shop situated 
at the northeasterly side thereof. 
Subsequently however he erected a 
shop east of the common, as also he 
did a dwelling house, in which he 
lived until his death, which occurred 
January, 1864, at the age of 94 years. 
Mr. Eames was always a hard work- 
ing man, and yet he seemed to re- 
tain the sprightliness of youth al- 
most to the day of bis death. When 
be was 75 or 80 years of age he 
would leap a rail "fence, or over a 
pair of bare in a manner only 
equalled by a few of his juniors. 

HOTELS. 

The first “Tavern” was erected 
about the year 1895, by Silas John- 
son on what is now known as the 
“Estabrooks hill,” and on lands 
now owned by Joshua F. Parker. 
He removed to Pelham, Mass., in 
1809, and it is not known that the 
house was occupied as a hotel after 
that. 

Cyrus Knapp came to town from 
Douglas, Mass., in 1793, and settled 
on the farm now owned and occu- 
pied by his grandson, Augustus W. 
Knapp. In 1813 he erected near 
the forks of the road leading from 
Dover to Marlboro and WilmingtoD, 
respectively, a large two story house 
which he at once opened as a tavern. 
He was a popular and obliging land- 
lord, as was also liis wife a popular 
landlady, and his house became quite 
famous as being the favorite place 
of public resort with the people for 
many miles around. He kept this 
as a public house for about 20 years, 
when it was closed as a hotel, but he 
continued to reside there until his 
death, which occurred March 23, 
1852, aged 82 years. His wife, the 
excellent landlady of years ago, de- 
ceased April 1, 1852, aged 82 years. 
The building which bad sheltered 
beneath its hospitable roof so many 
weary travellers, and whose walls 
bad echoed to the gayety and roirth 
of the young men and women of 
those times, who always found a wel- 
come there, having become badly 



352 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



dilapidated, was taken down in the 
spring of 1877, by its then owners. 

About the year 1818, Aaron P. 
Perry erected a large two story house 
on Dover common, which he kept as 
a hotel for several years thereafter. 
Since his house was closed to the 
public there has been no hotel or 
house of public entertainment in 
this part or the town. This house 
is still standing in a good state of 
preservation, has been owned and 
occupied by Martin Perry, after* 
wards by Mrs. Burr, and now by 
one Fred Smith. 

About the year 1S4G, William H. 
Snow erected a hotel in the village 
of West Dover, which he kept 
for a few years. Since which time 
it has had for proprietors, Parley 
Whipple, Moses J. & Thomas F. 
Bogle, A. B. Collins, and D. P. 
Leonard. This house was always a 
favorite hostelry with the travelling 
public, but never more so than when 
“Uncle Parley” stood behind the 
office bar and gave his guests a warm 
.and kindly welcome. Daniel H. 
May has his store there at the present 
time. 

MERCHANTS. 

Samuel Clark of Lebanon, Conn,, 
opened the first store in 1798, on the 
“ Estabrooks hill,” and near Silas 
Johnson's tavern, where he remained 
until 1804, when he removed to 
Guilford, Vt. The business was con- 
tinued by Rufus Graves until 1813, 
when Mr. Clark returned, the store 
in the meantime having been re- 
moved to the common. Mr. Clark 
remained until 1815, when he made 
a permanent removal to Brattleboro, 
Vt., since which time the following 
gentlemen have been engaged in the 
mercantile business on Dover com- 
mon either by themselves or as co 
partners: Justus Gale, Aaron P. 
Perry, Gooding Lincoln, Jotham 
Howe, John and Henry Rice, Reuben 
D, Jones, Nathan Lazell, Presson K. 
Perry, Willard Gorham, Fayette 
Dexter, Martin Perry, D. Gilbert 
Dexter, William F. Howe, Frank C. 
Burr, Frank Hescoek, Levi Moore, 



Duane C. Starkey, E. P. Knowlton 
and J. L. Clark, 2d. 

Sometime previous to 1818 a Mr. 
Garfield opened a store in “Jockey 
Hollow,” so called, and near the 
present dwelling house of Marshall 
A. Moore. This store was continued 
in operation but a few years. The 
building is still standing and in use 
as a wagon house by its present 
owner. 

About the year 1810 Amos Rice 
commenced trade in what is now the 
village of East Dover. The store 
was located on the southerly side of 
the highway and near where now 
stand the lumber sheds connected 
with the steam mill of Mr. Prouty, 
Mr. Rice continued in business here 
about 14 years, when he removed to 
Worcester, Vt. The building former- 
ly used as a store was subsequently 
moved a little to the west and on 
the north side of the highway, and 
converted into a dwelling house. A 
few years ago it was taken down, 
and on its site a new one erected, 
now owned by Dana S. Prouty. 

Late in the fall of 1853 Asa H. 
Marsh opened a store in the dwelling 
house formerly owned by Lambert 
Howe, subsequently by 8. H. Sher- 
man, and by Albert D. Fessenden, 
and at present by George D. Hale. 
Mr. Marsh continued in trade about 
two years, when he was succeeded by 
i company of gentlemen who con- 
tinued the business about two years 
longer, on the “ Union ” or co-oper- 
ative plan, with William Rawson and 
Edmund P, Howe as agents, at dif- 
ferent times respectively. 

In 1SG0 Sidney II. Sherman erect- 
ed in this village a large building in 
which he opened a store. The bus- 
iness was continued by him with 
Lucius H. Gould and Wells C. Hal- 
liday as his several partners. For a 
number of years past Mr. Halliday 
has prosecuted the busiuess alone. 

In the village of West Dover a 
store was opened by Messrs. Loomis 
& Gillett, about the year 182G. In 
1829 William H. Jones bought out 
the interest of Mr. Loomis and from 
that time until 1S71 he continued 



DOVER. 



353 



in the business for the greater por- 
tion of the time, with Waters Gil- 
lette John Simonds, Jeptha Lyman, 
jr., Joseph E. Franklin, Norris L, 
Stetson, Jedediah C. Estabrooks,/ 
and William E. Jones, as hie several 
partners at different periods. He 
and Ins son, William F. Jones, sold 
out to "William H, Converse. Con- 
verse sold out to Taylor S > Esta- 
brooks, and he to Daniel N. May, 
who now occupies another building 
fora store, while Francis Davis has 
a store at the old stand. 

J. Arnold Newell 1ms also in this 
village a boot and shoe store which 
he opened a few years since, and 
continues in connection with his 
other business, that of a boot and 
shoe manufacturer. Also Leonard 
& Bogle have been and now are quite 
extensive dealers in furs. 

PHYSICIANS. 

The following named persons have 
resided and practiced their profes- 
sion as physicians and surgeons in 
this town ; Lemuel Fitch, Paul 
Wheeler, Marcus Bobbins, Samuel 
Allen, Jedediah Estabrooks, Edward 
A, Kittredge, Daniel Leonard, Wil- 
liam JEL Clark, J. Otis Howe, and 
Cbesselden Fisher. Dr. Fitch came 
to town at a very early day and was 
its first settled physician. Dr. 
Wheeler remained here but a few 
years, removing from the south to 
the north district of Wardsboro in 
1794. Dr. Robbins died August 14, 
1816. Dr. Allen removed from town 
in the fall of 1831, and soon after 
the death of the Bev. Isaac Cum- 
mings, whom he attended in his last 
sickness. Dr. Kittredge, a most ex- 
cellent physician and surgeon, alter 
a few years residence in town, re- 
moved to Wilmington in 1835, and 
from thence to Lynn, Mass., inlSJS. 
He afterwards went to Boston, Mass., 
where for several years he was the 
proprietor and physician of a water 
c n re es ta b 1 i s h m en t w h i oh w as q u i te 
extensively patronized. During this 
period he contributed many spicy 
and interesting articles to the Water 



Cure Journal, writing over the sig- 
o at u re of <{ No g gs. ” 

Dr. Clark resided in town only 
about four years. He was a very 
promising and talented young man, 
a close student, quick and accurate 
in his judgment, He died in 1847, 
at the age" of 28 years. 

Dr. Howe, a native of the town 
and a man of much promise, settled 
in the west village, where he died in 
1852, at the age of 29 years. 

Dr. Fisher came into town soon 
after the decease of Dr. Clark, but 
remained only about. one year, when 
he removed to Pennsylvania, and 
from there to Illinois. During the 
war of the rebellion he served nearly 
four years as surgeon of an Illinois 
regiment, and came out with his 
health seriously impaired. He re- 
moved to Iowa, and from thence to 
Texas, where he lived about 12 years. 
He is now a resident of Oklahoma 
territory. 

Di\ Estabrooks moved into town 
from Dummerston, Vt., in 1807, 
and located on the hill about one- 
half mile southwesterly of Dover 
common, where he resided until 
1850, when he removed to West Do- 
ver. He was the longest resident 
physician, and died in 1853, aged 39 
years. Dr. Estabrooks was a good 
physician having a large practice, 
anil was withal" a very remarkable 
man. He was overil owing with wit 
and humor, fond of cracking his 
jokes, and would shake with jolly 
laughter from the crown of his head 
to the end of his toes. He was a 
most excellent story teller, and al- 
ways had a story to illustrate almost 
every incident happening in life. 
Ills funny stories in the sickroom, 
and his manner in relating them, 
would be sure to force a smile to the 
countenance of the sufferer. JJe 
used to say that, a good story well 
told, was in a majority of cases better 
than all the medicine he could ad- 
minister. He believed if he could 
keep his patients feeling well, na- 
ture, aided by bis favorite “ bread 
pills,” would force a cure. 

An incident illustrating the heal- 



354 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



mg efficacy oi the old doctor's sto- 
ries, in a case of sickness, was re- 
lated to the writer by a person who 
claimed to have been a witness of the 
scene, and vouches for its truthful- 
ness, There lived in town a middle 
aged spinster by the name of Ann 

H } who was something of ^ 

termagant, and when she was well 
everything and everybody about her 
had to move lively. She was also 
subject to occasional attacks of hy- 
pochondria* when she would take to 
her bed, indulge in the most gloomy 
forebodings, and with fear and 
trembling wait for death which she 
knew would soon overtake her unless 
she should receive immediate relief. 
The doctor had treated her on sev- 
eral former occasions, blit this time 
he had been sent for with great 
haste, the bearer bringing the intel- 
ligence that Ann thought she was j 
surely dying. He hastened to the j 
house and found the patient in bed 
groaning bitterly, believing herself 
to be upon the very verge of the 
grave. The doctor soon discovered 
that there was nothing the matter 
with her, except that she was suffer- 
ing from one of her old attacks of 
the tf *low-po,” as he used to call it. 
He felt of her pulse, looked at her 
tongue, and then said to her : “ Ann, 
you are not sick, get up, dance and 
sing and scold a little and you'll be 
all right, 5J 

She replied with a terrible groan* 
protested that she was dangerously 
ill anti would surely die without he 
could afford her immediate relief. 
The Doctor rose from his chair and 
with a twinkle in his eye looked her 
squarely in the face and said, M Ann, 
you are no doubt a pretty sick 
woman, and you are beyontl the 
power of medicine to help you; I 
don't see as I can do you any good, 
but before I leave I want to relate 
to you my dream last night. I 
dreamed that I died and passed im- 
mediately to the spirit land- I was 
anxious to get into heaven and so 
while wandering around I discover- J 
ed a large iron door to which wasi 
attached an enormous brass knocker 



which I lifted and when it fell it 
sounded like the roll of thunder; 
soon the heavy massive iron door 
grated harshly upon its hinges and 
was partially opened, when I beheld 
the Old Devil, who, placing hie fin- 
ger to hie Ups said, 4i s — h, come in 
if you want to, but be very careful 
and make no noise as the V ing 
Devils, are all asleep, endeavoring t h 
get a little rest, for they expect Ann 

II here to-morrow, and when 

she comes there won’t be any sleep 
or rest after that,” Ann leaped out 
of bod, seized the broom and follow- 
ed the Doctor who hastily retreated 
from the house, jumped into his 
sulky and drove away roaring with 
laughter* It is said that the cure 
was so effectual that it was several 
years before she hud another attack 
of the hypochondria. 

Dr. Leonard was ;; mui. great 
native ability hut did i- : /th bis 
exclusive attention to tin priu-iice 
of medicine, being engaged it : b-r- 
en t periods in se r e r a 1 a v ► , . i : * i r- $. H e 
died in 1**18, since whi m time? there 
has been no resident physician in 
the town, 

ATTORNEYS. 

The people of this town have 
always been averse to litigation and 
have indulged but little in suits of 
law. They have never had a resi- 
dent lawyer, and have furnished but 
three from among their sons to swell 
the ranks of that profession, viz : 
Jo si ah Hall, who emigrated to War- 
ten, Penn,, about 1820, where lie 
lived and died; Kittredge Haskins 
who was admitted to the bar in 
April 1, 1858, and is now engaged 
in the practice of his profession at 
Brattleboro, Vt. ; Gilbert H. Mann, 
who was admitted to the bar in Sep- 
tember, 1864, practiced for a while 
in Brattleboro* but soon left to en- 
gage in other pursuits near the east- 
ern en trance of Hoosick Tunnel, in 
the town of Zoar, Mass., where he 
now resides, 

REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS. 

The fol lowing named persons 



DOVER. 



355 



served as soldiers in tlie revolutiona- 
ry war. came to Dover among the 
ear ly se t tiers ami t h ere res i ded until 
their death, nearly all living to he 
upwards of four score years of age : f 
Abner Perry, Ebenezer Sparks* Da- 
vid Dexter, Gardner Howe, John 
Pitch, Joseph Briggs, Luther Ward, 
Ebenezer Sears, Elijah Baldwin, 
Timothy Wood, Joshua Kendall, 1 
Gamaliel Ellis, William HalL David 
Leonard, and Samuel Hill. 

SOLDIEES OF ISIS. 

The following persons enlisted and 
served in the war of 1812, all of 
whom were residents of the town at 
the time of their enlistment but the 
last named : Calvin h\ Perry, Asaph 
Haskins, Otis Sears. Warren Ken- 
dall, Isaac Eames, John Sparks, j 
Samuel Sparks, Daniel Snow, and 
Alpha Ry ther. Mr. Perry wa s 
wounded in the arm while in service, 
an d Sam u el S par k s w as repo r te d 
killed and his funeral sermon was 
preached. The report however 
proved unfounded for at the close of 
the war he returned home well and 
hearty, 

SOLDI Ems OF THE WAR OF 1861. 

The following is a list of men fur- 
nished during the war of the rebel- 
lion under the several calls of the 
president of the United States, and 
the respective organisations to which 
they severally belonged : 

Second Regiment, Co. C. — Edwin i 
W. Bugbee, Dan ford A. Bugbee. 

Fourth Regiment, Co. I. — George. 
H, Es tab rooks. 

Seventh Regiment, Co, E. — Asa; 
Bur nap, jr, 3 Lewis II. Corse, Daniel 

F. C u t ti ng, I) si i v e ran c e Pike, 0 scar I 
L. Pike, Otis M. Reed, George M. 
Sinead, Alauson C. Smith, John S. 
Stanley, John Q, Strickland. 

Eighth Regiment, Co. A.— Asa E. 
Snelliug. Co, D. — Thomas J. Hall, 
Co- E*— Ely Santee. Co. F,— Geo. 
W. Matthews. Co, H,— Lucius W. 
Bisaell, Albert H. Memfmld. Co. I. 
—Solomon S. Aiding, Alplionzo D. 
Baldwin, Oscar D, Ltcscock, Henry 

G. Baldwin, Clark L. Brown, Emery 
U. Hall, Charles H, Leonard. Co, 
K .— George Page. 



Ninth Regiment, Co. E. — William 
H. Gardner, Myron E. Phippens, 
George Rand. Co. K . — W i 1 1 i am M. 
Carroll, Edgar F. Copeland, Myron 
W. Jones, Charles W. Stoddard. 

Sixteenth Regiment, Co. P.— Al- 
fred H. Baldwin, Edward W, Bogle, 
David Bolster, Willard W, Bugbee, 
Frank C. Burr, John T. Cooper, 
.Erwin Fessenden, Frederick Fessen- 
den, Enos Gould* Ira C. Lazell, 
Stillman H, Lazell, Dwight P, 
Moore, Hi land R. Moore, Chalmer 
I>. Tucker. 

Seventeenth Regiment, Co. F.- — 
Willard W. Bugbee, James E. Hol- 
brook. 

First Regiment Cavalry, Go. 11.— 
Dudley W. Bugbee, Darwin E/ 
Fames. 

Second Regiment, Sharpshooters, 
Co. K.-Thoa, J. Tarbell. 

Fit tv-fourth (Mass.) Regiment, 
( Colored.) — Frederick Tyrrus. 

U. S. Navy. — William Davis, 
Michael F. Dougherty, Owen M al- 
ien, Thomas Scan lan. 

Procured Substitutes. — D, Pitt 
Leonard, Sidney H. Sherman, John 
P. Fitch, Clark M. Staples, Tyler 
L. Whipple. 

Paid Commutation under Draft. 
—George Bolster, Manly L. Burr, 
Augustus Fitch, jr. 

Casualties, — Danford A. Bugbee, 
wounded, and discharged Jan. 31, 
1863 ; Edwin W. Bugbee, discharged 
for physical disability, Nov. 21, 1801 ; 
George H. Estabrook, died in service 
March 25, 1865 ; Solomon S. Arling, 
died in service, July 23, 1863 ; Oscar 
D. Uescock, Charles £L Leonard, 
discharged for physical disability ; 
George \V. Matthews, died in service. 
May 31, 1864 ; Asa E. Snelling, de- 
serted, July 14 1864; William TL 
Gardner, deserted, March 5, 1865 ; 
Myron E. Phippens, died in service. 
Sept. 17, 1864 ; Myron W. Jones, 
died in service, Sept. 27, 1862 ; Fred- 
erick Fessenden, died in service, 
Aug. 2, 1863 ; Dwight P. Moore, 
died in service, July 31, 1863 ; Hi- 
land B. Moore, died in service, Dec. 
8, 1862 ; William W. Bugbee, died 
July 27, 1864, of wounds received in 
action June 17, 1864; Darwin E. 
Eames, wounded and transferred to 
Invalid Corps ; Lieut. Thomas J. 



356 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



Tar bell, died in service, Oct. 9, 1SG4. 
Of the 60 soldiers furnished during 
the war, 34 enlisted for three years, 
12 for one year, and 14 for" nine 
months. Six of the number reun- 
ite ted , 

From the foregoing table it will 
be readily seen, that this town, with 
its rural population * engaged almost 
exclusively in the cultivation of the 
stubborn soil, furnished one soldier 
oat of a fraction less than every 
eleven of its inhabitants. That the 
rebellion must be conquered and the 
nation preserved, was the united 
expression of the people, and to that 
end the town gave liberally of its 
.means, and fathers, mothers andi 
wives gave their eons and husbands 
to do, and if need be to die, for the 
preservation of that goodly heritage 
bequeathed to them and theirs by 
their forefathers. Besides all this, 
a great number of her native sons, 
who, previous to the war had re- 
moved to other towns and states, 
cast aside their implements of hon- 
est toil and enrolled themselves as 
volunteers from the several towns 
and states in which they then re- 
sided, and helped swell the ranks of 
that grand army of citizen soldiery, 
who, for four years fiercely strug- 
gled and bravely fought for the 
maintenance and vindication of the 
supreme majesty of the law, and the 
perpetuation of the Union of 
States, as designed to be by the 
fathers of the Republic, "one aud 
inseparable.” 

Her sons shrank from no duty; 
evaded no responsibility. True to 
their manhood, true to the heroic 
demands of justice and right, to 
them was the struggle and to them 
the glory. The triumph of free- 
dom and the growing greatness and 
glory of their country, is a full and 
complete recompense for every sac- 
riGce offered, 

THE DBXTBK FAMILY, 

David Dexter, senior, was oue of 
the early settlers of Dover (then 
Wardsboro). He came from Roch- 
ester, Mass,, the place of his birth. 



and settled in the wilderness, at the 
extreme north paid of the town, 
having then purchased a large tract 
of wild land for a song. He made a 
clearing with his own hands, built a 
log hut, and commenced life in the 
■wilderness with only his hands and 
the aid of a true and heroic wife. 
He had seven children, six sons and 
one daughter. The father died in 
1654, at the advanced age of 94. 
The mother died about twenty years 
! prior. 

The names of the children were: 
Charles, Polly, Nathan, John, David, 
Daniel and Silas, all of whom are 
gone, but one, David, who still sur- 
vives at the age of 60. David mar- 
ried Ckloe Hazel tine, daughter of 
Daniel Hazel tine of Ward shore, and 
both are living in Wilmington, Vt M 
owning and cultivating a farm of 
sixty acres, are in full possession of 
their physical and mental power, 
and receive only small assistance in 
managing their affairs. Mrs. Dex- 
ter, now 79 years of age, is sister of 
Judge Abner Hazel tine, of James- 
town, N. Y., an eminent lawyer 
and jurist, who once represented ids 
district of "Western New York, in 
Congress. Of this marriage, two 
sons and two daughters were bora. 
One daughter died when 13; the 
ot her, Laura Ann, is the wife of F. 
W. Jones, esq., of Wilmington, Yt; 
the oldest son, Laban, resides in 
Springfield, Mass.; the youngest son, 
Dt Gilbert, so well-known through- 
out Vermont as a writer of prose 
and poetry and contributor to many 
of onr most prominent journals, was 
born in Dover, March £9, 1833, and 
I is now 3?. 11c resides in Cam- 

bridge, Mass., is a member of the 
board of aider men of that city, holds 
prominent positions in several of 
the most eminent literary organi- 
zations in Cambridge and Boston* 
is president of the Young People's 
Christian Association, Cambridge, 
a n d is ea ice m e d as a wide a w ak e 
working man in iis full sense. He 
is the successful financial manager 
of the bouse of M Bendy, Dexter & 
Co., Boston, wholesale dealers in 
boots and shoes. 



ATHENS. 

BY HON FREDERICK C. ROBBINS, OF LUDLOW 



Athens is a town of about 7,623 
acres, 43° 7', bounded on the N. 
by Grafton, E. by Westminster and 
Rockingham, S. by Brookline and 
Townshend. and W. by Townshend. 
It was granted March 11th, and 
chartered May 3d, 1780, to Solomon 
Harvey, John Morse, Jonathan Per- 
ham and associates. The first start 
towards a settlement was made in the 
fall of 1779 by Jonathan Perham, 
Seth Oak, Joseph Rosier, James 
Shafter* and Jonathan Foster, who 
chopped a few acres, erected a log 
hut, but all left February 25th, 
1780, Jonathan Perham and Ephraim 
Holden came on with their families 
from Rindge, N, H r , soon followed 
by Seth Oak and family from Win- 
cbendon. The snow being four feet 
deep when they arrived, they beat 
their path for eight miles through the 
woods, A small yoke of oxen was 
all the animals they took with them. 
Toe women all moved into the hut 
which the first settlers had built. 
The next May Mrs, Oak was de- 
livered of a daughter, the first child 
born in Athens. The same month, 
Samuel Bag ley, from Sterling, Mass., 
and Micah Read, from Westmore- 
land, N. H,, arrived, and during the 
rest of the summer built, in company, 
a saw mill, and the next year a grist 
mill, for which they received from the 
proprietors 168 acres of land near the 
centre of the town. Simon Evans, 



Ezra Chaffee and Jeremiah Pink ham 
began improvements the same year. 
September ]Sth, 1780, Isaac, son of 
Ephraim Perham, died — the first 
death. November 25th, following, 
two men at work in a remote part of 
the town, alarmed by whoops and 
savage yells, spread the alarm. The 
people hurried away as fast as pos- 
sible, expecting from each tree they 
passed to be met with an Indian 
tomahawk or scalping knife. Jona- 
than PerhanPs family decamped with 
such haste they left their oven heating 
and their oxen chained to a tree. 
The report spread with the greatest 
rapidity through the neighboring 
towns that Athens was destroyed by 
the Indians. The country was im- 
mediately roused. Some spent the 
whole night in preparing their guns 
and ammunition, and fearful appre- 
hension chased sleep from every eye. 
The hallooing of a hunter, aided by 
imagination and the fears of the 
Indians, amounted in a few hours to 
the destruction of a fine settlement 
and the massacre of the inhabitants. 

Athens was organized March 4th, 
1781. William Beal was first town 
clerk, and Abel Mattoon represent- 
ative. The religious denominations 
(1842) were Baptists, Christians, 
Congregational ists, Methodists, and 
Universalists. The M. E. church 
was formed in 1801. Several dis- 
tinguished itinerant preachers have 



358 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



labored here, among whom were 
Jonathan Nichols, John Broadhead, 
William Fish, and H. Gurnsey. 

The surface of the township is 
uneven, but not generally abrupt. 
The soil produces well, though it is 
better adapted to grazing than tillage. 
There is but one stream of conse- 
quence, and that heads in a pond 
about 30 acres of area, in the westerly 
part, and falls into Saxtons river in 
Rockingham. Lily pond, another 
small body of water in the south- 
western part, derives its name from 
its quantities of white lilies. 

The town is divided into three 
school districts, a schoolhouse in 
each. There is one saw mill on 
the site where the first mills were 
erected. — Tko?npsori s Gazetteer. 

On account of the statements in 
Zadock Thompson’s History of 
Athens, as well as similar statements 
in the History of New England by 
A. J. Coolidge and J. B. Mansfield, 
that the first beginnings towards a 
settlement in this town were made 
in the fall of 1779 by Jonathan Per- 
ham, Seth Oak, Joseph Rosier, James 
Shafter, and Jonathan Foster, I here 
insert a copy of the “ first covenant 
and subsequent records of the first 
adventures and proprietors to the 
Township of Athens, in the County of 
Cumberland, and State of Vermont,” 
that students of history may be care- 
ful how they accept statements as 
truth before they inquire into the 
sources from which all true history 
comes: 

“Anno Domini 1779, November 
24th, We, whose names are here- 
unto subscribed, being undertakers, 
professors, and occupants in a certain 
tract of land lying in the County of 
Cumberland and State of Vermont, 



adjoining the towns of Putney, West- 
minster, Thomblingson, etc., do cove- 
nant, promise and engage severally, 
as follows, to wit: That we, and each 
of us, will meet at such times and 
places as a majority of us, the sub- 
scribers hereunto, shall agree to, 
being on said land, for the purpose 
of choosing a moderator and clerk, 
and appointing such departments of 
trust as may be found necessary, and 
appoint persons to fill such depart- 
ments; and we further promise and 
engage to comply with and fill such 
orders and regulations as we shall or 
as may hereafter be proposed by the 
major part of the subscribers here- 
unto, for the purpose of surveying 
and lotting out said land, and in 
acquiring a legal title to the same; 
and also to pay our several parts or 
proportions of the charges which 
shall necessarily arise from the pro- 
secution of the measures herein 
mentioned; and also pay our several 
proportions towards making such 
roads as are necessary, and to 
observe such rules and orders as 
shall be prescribed relative to ac- 
quiring possession and property in 
and unto said lands. Dated Nov. 
14, 1779.” 

The list subjoined is different from 
the original, for the reason that num- 
bers of the first adventurers disposed 
of their right in the township before 
the charter came out to those whose 
names are now in it. The previous 
and original proprietors were: 

Solomon Harvey, John Moore, 
Jonathan Perham, Seth Oak, Joseph 
Rosier, Micah Read, Abial Whitman, 
Samuel Norcross, Nathaniel Oak, 
Calvin Oak, Joshua Warner, James 
Shafter, Nehemiah Pierce, Timothy 
Bullock David Darby, Noah Wood' 



ATHENS. 



359 



ward* Benjamin Pierce, Jr., Jonathan 
Moore, Peter Wilson, John Perham, 
Timothy Walker, Samuel Bailey, Silas 
Thompson, Philip Goss, John Alex- 
ander, Nehemiah Hoskins, PUverius 
Hooker, Joel Per ham, Jonathan F> 
Plolmes, Reuben Alexander, Edward 
Houghton, Hezekiah Haven, Ellis 
Thayer, Ephraim Holden, Jeremiah 
T ink ham, Daniel Ashley, William 
Beats, Daniel Hooker, Leonard Per- 
ham, Asa Alexander, Ellas Taylor, 
Andrew Barber, Israel Chapman, 
Azei Hooker, Jabez Walcut, Jesse 
Walcut, 

The rest in the charter did not 
come into connection with those in 
covenant till the first of March, 17S0, 
whose names will be found in a list 
subjoined to the record of their pub- 
He acts on said 1st of March, 

Dec. 1779. The undertakers, pos- 
sessors, oecu pants, etc., of that tract 
of land mentioned in the aforegoing 
covenant, agreeable to the directions 
therein contained, met at the house 
of Capt. Seth Oak, on the land 
mentioned in the aforegoing cove- 
nant, and for the first time proceeded 
to act according to the interest of 
their covenant. 

“Chose to the following offices the 
following persons: Solomon Harvey, 
moderator; David Darby, clerk; Seth 
Oak, James Slmfter and Joseph 
Rosier, a committee to survey and 
lot out the land referred to in the 
covenant. Davtd Darby, surveyor 
to the above committee. 

“Voted, That the aforesaid com- 
mittee and surveyor should designate 
such of the pitch lots as ought, in 
justice, to have an allowance in land 
to make them equal one with another. 

“Voted, That Solomon Harvey, 
Mi cab Read and Noah Woodward 



be a committee, with the aforesaid 
committee, to manage the prudentials 
of the society in the absence of the 
undertakers; to act with discretionary 
power, 

“The procuration of title to the land 
aforementioned was committed to the 
care of the committee last mentioned; 
and the calling a meeting of the un- 
dertakers was left discretionary with 
the town committees above-named. 

“Then the meeting was adjourned 
by vote. 'Test, 

Solomon Harvey, Moderator ” 

Dec. fith, 1770. Solomon Plarvey, 
Micah Read, Noah Woodward, and 
James Shafter, a majority of the 
undertakers' committee, relative to 
that tract of land since called Athens, 
in the County of Cumberland, State 
of Vermont, met at the house of 
Micah Read. Chose Solomon Har- 
vey chairman and clerk of said 
committee. 

“Voted, That a request be sent in 
the name of the committee to the 
inhabitants of the lands on Grassy 
Brook (the present town of Brook- 
line), to invite them to join with us, 
(the undertakers of Athens), in our 
endeavors to procure title to the land 
mentioned in the aforesaid covenant, 
and desire them to join two of their 
Inhabitants as committee men with 
us, to assist us in the management of 
our affairs, and that any three of said 
committee be a quorum, 

“Voted, That Micah Read be the 
treasurer to the committee to receive 
and pay all such moneys as are raised 
to defray necessary charges, and that 
Solomon Harvey be clerk of the 
treasury; after which the meeting 
adjourned. 

'Test, Solomon Harvey, 

Chairman and Clerk of the Pru- 
dential Committee 11 



360 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZlNfi. 



On the 13th day of Dec., 1779, 
MiCah Read, Joseph Rosier, James 
Shafter and Solomon Harvey, a 
majority of the Prudential Com- 
mittee as above, met at the house 
of Micah Read. 

“Voted, That $100 in Continental 
paper currency be paid into the treas- 
ury by the middle of January next; 
after which, as there was not more 
than fifteen persons who had under- 
taken as covenantors, the committee 
admitted in as undertakers, Silas 
Thompson, Jeremiah Tinkham, John 
Alexander, and all those persons 
formerly of the town of Winchester 
whose names are in the charter, ex- 
cept James Shafter, who was one of 
the first undertakers." In like manner 
were all the subscribers to the cove- 
nant admitted in, except the first 
fifteen, by the Prudential Committee, 
at several subsequent meetings of the 
Prudential Committee. The meeting 
was adjourned as usual by vote. 

'Test, Solomon Harvey, 

Chairman and Clerk of the Pru- 
dential Committee. M 

“On Dec. ye 31st, 1779, we, whose 
names are affixed to this return, 
report as follows; That on the day 
of the date hereof in conformity to 
a vote of the Prudential Committee, 
at their meeting at the house of 
Micah Read, on Dec. 6th, last past, 
we held a conference with sundry of 
the inhabitants at Grassy Brook, rel- 
ative to coming into connection with 
the subscribers to the foregoing 
covenant, and the said inhabitants 
proposed to take the matter under 
consideration for a time. 

P’r us, Micah Read, 

Solomon Harvey." 

“On Jan. 31, 1780, Seth Oak, Micah 
Read, James Shafter and Solomon 



Harvey, of the Prudential Committee 
aforesaid, met at the house of Micah 
Read. 

“Voted, To substitute Jonathan 
Perham as Prudential Committee in 
the room of Noah Woodward, whose 
absence made it necessary; also 
admitted in as settlers, a number of 
which never came into connection, 
notwithstanding, therefore shall men- 
tion their names, except Xehemiah 
Hoskins, from Winchester, who was 
admitted at this meeting, and not on 
the 13th of December, 1779, as was 
mentioned. 

“At a meeting of the inhabitants 
of a place called Grassy Brook, in ye 
State of Vermont, and County of 
Cumberland, and not yet incorpor- 
ated with any town, on March ye 1st, 
1780, at the house of Wm. Skinner, 
on said land. 

“1st. Wm. Skinner was chosen 
Moderator to govern said meeting. 
2d. Chose Solomon Harvey, Clerk, 
to record the proceedings. 3d. 
Voted that the undertakers relative 
to the North part of the tract of land 
above mentioned, have liberty to 
come in and join our society for the 
future, saving the privilege to each 
party of raising and appropriating 
their own money. 

“4th. Chose Solomon Harvey for a 
committee man to act in their behalf 
in preparing and supporting a petition 
to the General Assembly for a title to 
the lands on which we live, — see 
statute 1808, page 454. 

“5th. Chose Mr. Elisha Ayer as a 
Prudential Committee to assist the 
Committee of the other part of the 
society in the management of the 
affairs relative to the whole of the 
undertakers on the tract of land 
above said. 



ATHENS, 



361 



“6th, Voted that Solomon Harvey 
above named be empowered to set 
our names to the petition above 
referred to. 

“7th, Voted to refer the preroga- 
tive of calling meeting of this part of 
the society to the town prudential 
committee men above named, 

“8th, Voted to receive Mr, Benja- 
min Fletcher as a settler on the land 
above mentioned* 

“9th. Adjourned the meeting by 
vote. 

“Samuel Skinner, 3 years’ residence; 
Elisha Ayer, 3 years’ residence; 
Eliphalet Skinner, 3 years' residence; 
Wm, Hartwell, 3 years’ residence; 
Jonathan Boyden, 1 year's residence; 
Abraham Derry, part of a year; Fair- 
banks Moore, Jr., 1 year; Fairbanks 
Moore, 6 months; William Moore, 1 
year; Tim Wellman, I year; Ttm 
Wellman, jr,, 1 year; Darius Well- 
man, 1 year; Abel Mattoon, 6 months; 
John Crawford, 10 months; Ezra 
Ormsbee, part of a year; Benjamin 
Fletcher came Feb. 1st.: Cyrus Whit- 
comb, 3 years; Cyrus Whitcomb, Jr., 
3 years.” 

It is seen that constant meetings 
were held by the settlers in the town 
of Athens ever after the 24th of Nov,, 
1779, and that not only were there in 
the town Solomon Harvey and Jona- 
than Perham, but Micah Read, Seth 
Oak, and James Sh after were there, 
Seth Oak and Micah Read both 
having houses where the meetings 
of the settlers were held as often as 
once a week nearly all the winter of 
1779-80. The first town meeting was 
held in the house of Seth Oak. The 
second and third meetings being held 
in the dwelling house of Micah Read 
on the 6th and 13th days of Dec., 
1779, and the fourth and fifth meet- 



ings were also field at Micah Read’s 
dwelling house, Dec. 31st, 1779, and 
Jan. 31st, 1780, which dearly appears 
from the above record* Whether all 
of the names affixed to the covenant 
were actually on the tract of land at 
the time the covenant was adopted 
cannot now be determined, but it 
would seem that they were either 
there during the year 1780, or were 
fully represented, as they fully bind 
themselves to pay the quota of taxes 
assessed to them by the settlers on the 
tract of land afterwards called Athens. 

In collecting the facts relative to 
the individual history of the early 
settlers in the town of Athens, the 
writer wrote to all the families whose 
residence could be found, and has 
waited till quite a late date, hoping 
that the Porter family, Shafter family, 
T ink ham family, Davis family, Balch 
family, Wells family, Alexander fam- 
ily, Oak family, Holden family, and 
Perham family would furnish sketches 
of their early history in Vermont* 

[We here insert a narrative by Mrs. 
Betsey Robbins, mother of the Hon. 
F* C. Robbins of Ludlow, Vt., who 
was daughter of Ezekiel Perham, and 
moved into Athens, as the narrative 
discloses, in 1795* Ezekiel Perham 
was a cousin of the Jonathan Perham 
who was one of the first proprietors 
of the town*] 

In March, 1795, my father, who 
then resided in Townshend, Mass*, 
started with his wife and four chil- 
dren for the then new State of 
Vermont. We came with an ox 
team, consisting of one yoke of oxen 
and two yoke of steers, one cow and 
one sled, onto which was loaded 
what household furniture was neces- 
sary for immediate use, consisting of 
one chest of drawers, one desk, beds 



362 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



and bedding, together with such 
cooking utensils as were deemed ab- 
solutely necessary. My father drove 
the ox team, and my oldest brother, 
Asa Perham, rode the horse, and my 
mother, myself, and my two younger 
sisters rode on the ox sled. We only 
traveled as far as Rindge, N. H., the 
first day, and there stayed with a 
friend over night, my father having 
lived there at the time I was born, in 
1789. The next day it was snowing, 
and we only drove to the middle of 
the town in Jaffrey, where we stayed 
with Judge Parker, who married a sis- 
ter of my mother, and who was the 
father of Judge Joel Parker, formerly 
of the Supreme Court of New Hamp- 
shire. 

On the next day, the air being mild 
and pleasant fora March day, we drove 
on through Keene to Westmoreland, 
where we again put up for the night, 
near a ferry across the Conecticut 
river known as Robbins' Ferry. 

The morning following we crossed 
the Connecticut river in a ferry boat, 
and were then in the town of Putney, 
Vermont. 

From Putney we came through 
Westminster West Parish. The road 
leading from Westminster to the 
south part of Athens at that time, 
passed through the premises of a Mr. 
Colton, who lived at the first house 
south of the farm where David 
Hitchcock lived in 1830, thence run- 
ning westerly to the top of the 
mountain east of Athens Hollow, 
coming out to where Sylvanus Mat- 
toon then lived, and where George 
Skinner afterwards lived. Along this 
rough road we came slowly with our 
ox team and household goods, and 
arrived in the town of Athens March 
20th, 1795. 



The highway coming into Athens 
from Westminster then passed on 
over the hill where Daniel Fuller, 
Esq., then lived, thence to where 
William Beals then lived, the same 
place afterwards owned by Major 
Timothy Whitney, thence crossing 
the brook south to where Amos Ball 
now lives, across the farm now owned 
by Merrill Powers, up onto the hill 
where Nelson Oak formerly lived, 
thence westerly up the brook (run- 
ning from the Shafter Pond) to 
where Nathaniel Oak once lived, 
where stood, at that time, a large, 
unfinished one-story building, then 
used to hold town meetings in. 

David Eveleth then owned the 
farm now owned by Merrill Powers. 
Arriving in Athens, my father pur- 
chased the farm of Mr. Eveleth where 
Merrill Powers lived in 1875. 

The names of some of the earliest 
settlers were Jonathan Perham, who 
lived on the Nathaniel Powers farm, 
near the east line of the farm lately 
owned by Oscar L. Perham, but 
owned the whole of the Ivory Mack 
farm; Ephraim Holden then owned 
the farm now* occupied by Edward 
Ball; James Shafter owned the farm 
known as the Shafter place, but more 
lately owned by Amos Davis; Samuel 
Balch lived where Austin Hitchcock 
now lives; Silas Powers lived on the 
farm more lately known as the Abner 
Powers place, but was first owned 
and occupied by Silas Chapman, the 
grandfather of the Hon. Clark H. 
Chapman of Cavendish; David Rob- 
bins was then the occupant of the 
grist mill that used to stand near 
where Dustin Ball now lives; Stephen 
Farrington then lived on the farm 
since owned by Nelson Oak; Ethal- 
ston Bagley’s father occupied the 



ATHENS, 



363 



farm now occupied by his son Ethal- 
ston; Leonard Perham, son of 
Jonathan Perham, owned the farm 
now occupied by Lyman Alexander, 
who, with others, made up the town 
of Athens in 1795. 

Jonathan Perham, James Shatter 
and Seth Oak seem to have been the 
most prominent men, and their 
location in the town seems to have 
resulted in the permanent settlement 
and organization of the township. 

THE SHATTER FAMILY. 
[Judge Wm, R. Shafter, about ten 
years before his death, gave a paper 
on James Shafter, his father, and 
himself and family for Athens.] 

Paper on Hon, Wm. R. Shafter. 

Tow ns bend, April 14th, 185 7, 
Impressed with the importance of 
leaving some record of the origin 
and genealogy of our family, for the 
benefit of those who may succeed us, 
and who may have curiosity or inter- 
est enough in the subject to examine 
it, and learn from whence they came, 
I have collected and leave on record 
the few historical facts that I have 
been able to collect 

It seems that our paternal ances- 
tors came from the west of England, 
On the mother's side is inherited 
pure Welsh blood. Our great grand- 
father, with his wife, emigrated to 
this country, landing at Boston. 
They either brought two children 
with them, or they were born in due 
time after their arrival — as they lived 
but a few years, and left no other 
issue. As they had expended all 
their substance in getting here, of 
necessity their orphan children were 
left dependant upon charity, and 
were sent to the almshouse, where it 
seems they remained a few years 



before they were of sufficient age to 
be otherwise disposed of. 

A farmer from the town of Fram- 
ingham, Mass., visited the almshouse 
for the purpose of procuring a boy 
to assist him in his business. The 
Shafter boy was recommended to him, 
and he decided to take him on trial. 
When they attempted to separate 
him from his sister, who was his only 
associate and relative, the evidences 
of attachment were so strong as to 
become overpowering, and the benev- 
olent feelings of the good man, 
silencing all consideration of pecun- 
iary loss, he charitably concluded to 
take them both. So James and his 
little sister Molly went to Framing- 
ham, though we have no knowledge 
of dates. The man with whom they 
went to live (we never learned his 
name) was satisfied with them. They 
lived with him until they wore both 
married. James at tffe age of 19 or 
&G married a young woman, Esther 
McMellen. He continued to reside 
with his guardian until he became of 
age, and afterwards remained in the 
same vicinity, where most of his 
children were born, Simon, Lois, 
Molly, Esther, and Lydia. At this 
period he gathered up his little prop- 
erty and removed to Richmond, N. 
H., purchased a lot of land and 
commenced improvements. Here he 
had three more children born to him, 
Tames, Prudence, and Charity. He 
was a man of medium height, closely 
knit together, of high temper and 
indomitable perseverance. He con- 
tinued the improvement of his farm 
as his means would allow for seven 
or eight years, keeping his large 
family together. At this time he was 
killed by the falling of a tree, leaving 
his family dependent on their own 



364 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



exertions* The eldest girls were 
then pot out to places where they 
could support themselves, and Simon 
remained at home and took care of 
his mother and some of the younger 
children* He remained steady until 
he was about 19, when he became 
excessively fond of dancing, wrest- 
ling, and other kindred sports. 
About the age of ’24 he joined the 
Continental army, holding the rank 
of captain. He died at Valley Forge 
of small-pox. 

Molly, the orphan sister, married a 
man by the name of Chubb, and is 
supposed to have removed to Ver- 
mont* 

Lois, the eldest daughter, married 
John White, and settled in Weathers- 
field, Vt. She had three sons and 
several daughters, one of whom 
married a Mr. Haskel, and lived 
near what was called Weathersfield 
Bow. * 

Mollie, the next girl, married Ellis 
Thayer, and settled in Brookline, Vt* 
Subsequently they removed to New- 
fane, Vt. 

Esther married Benjamin Thrasher 
and settled in Athens. 

Lydia married Enoch Phylips and 
settled in Essex, N. Y. 

Prudence married Jeremiah Bovvers 
and settled in Richmond, this State. 

Charity married Jabez Whipple 
and settled in Athens* 

The writer of this was well ac- 
quainted with his aunts, and knows 
them to have been possessed of much 
more than an ordinary share of 
intellect, of unrivalled energy, and a 
perseverance that knows no discour- 
agement 

The elder James Shatter and wife 
were buried in Winchester, Mass. 
Thus it appears that up to the third 



generation there was only one male 
child to perpetuate the name, bearing 
the name of his predecessor, James. 
As such, he alone would transmit to 
posterity, hence it becomes more im- 
portant that a more particular and 
extended account of him and his 
family should be left on record for 
future generations, whereby they may 
be able to trace thetr family name to 
the same common origin, for it is not 
improbable that, years hence, this 
brief and simple narrative, trifling as 
it may seem in the day of its nativity, 
may be found copied into the genea- 
logical records of many a family, who 
otherwise would have been unable to 
do so. 

At the dispersion of the family at 
the death of their father James (the 
fifth child) was put to live with Mr, 
Dodge, who it seems proved to be a 
hard, unfeeling man. He was a tan- 
ner by trade, so he clothed James in 
sheepskin clothes, which was perhaps 
the best he could do for him, and not 
particularly injurious to the boy, as 
in the coldest weather he was not 
allowed to come near the fire, but 
was compelled to sit on the lowest 
round of the ladder Short allow- 
ance of food, and that of the most 
simple kind, together with constant 
employment in the most servile 
drudgery, considering his age (only 
seven years) and his unprotected 
state, aroused the sympathies of the 
surrounding inhabitants. The result 
was, they took him away, and placed 
him in the family of Deacon Jewett, 
who proved a kind protector, guard- 
ing his helplessness and giving him 
such counsel as his age and circum- 
stances required. Subsequently he 
went to live with Mr, John Alexander. 
He kept a public house in Winches- 



ATHENS. 



365 



ter. James remained with him till 
he was of age. Mr. Alexander was 
an easy, inefficient sort of a man, and 
preferred sitting in his chair and 
playing with his thumbs to engaging 
in any more active employment. His 
wife, however, possessed unusual con- • 
versational powers, which she not 
unfrequently exercised for the special 
benefit of her husband, who would sit 
for hours apparently unmoved under 
the storm of words that would make 
a common man’s hair stand on end. 
James' diligence and activity gave 
entire satisfaction to madam, so that 
he became an especial favorite with 
her, and in time became the efficient 
substitute for the old man in all the 
business transactions of the concern. 
At the age of 17 he was drafted 
into the New Hampshire Militia, 
and ordered to the defence of his 
country at Bunker Hill, but with his 
companions, arrived too late to par- 
ticipate in the memorable transaction 
of that important event. How long 
he remained enrolled I have no 
knowledge. He afterwards took an 
active part in the Battle of Benning- 
ton, and discharged his musket sixteen 
times before the enemy gave way, 
stormed and scaled the breastworks, 
behind which the Hessians were 
ranged, and drove them from the 
ground, and afterwards, in company 
with a few volunteers, fought and 
kept at bay 500 of them until the 
darkness of the night compelled them 
to quit the field. He was at the 
battle of the Cedars of Lake Cham* 
plain, but owing to the cowardice of 
the commanding officer the little 
troop were surrendered prisoners of 
war to the British and Indians, who 
stripped and robbed them of every- 
thing that was of any value. James 



had two crowns in his pocket which 
he was unwilling to part with for the 
benefit of the victorious yellow-skin. 
Watching his opportunity, and taking 
advantage of the general confusion, 
he crept carefully down into the 
cellar and covered them over with 
dirt in an obscure corner. At this 
point, turning his eye to the stairway, 
he beheld a stalwart Indian with his 
tomahawk raised, peering into the 
darkness. James, satisfied by his 
manner that he did not see him, 
suppressing his breath and keeping 
as much as possible in the shadow of 
the wall, approached as near his 
sable majesty as he could, then with 
a catamount spring, bounded by him, 
giving him at the same time a thrust 
in the stomach, whilst the click of the 
tomahawk against the wall possibly 
reminded him that his gait upstairs 
was in fact a “stitch in time.” He 
was kept a prisoner for fourteen 
days, and, with others, was exchanged 
and furnished with guns. After his 
return to Winchester he continued in 
his former employment until he was 
21 years of age, which was September 
15, 1780. 

There were several travelers put 
up there over night whom we may 
subsequently have occasion to men- 
tion. The minor, having now become 
a man, like other young men wishing 
to provide a home for himself, had 
intended to start the next morning 
for Otter Creek or the West side of 
the Green Mountains. It being 
cloudy in the morning, with strong 
indications of rain, he concluded to 
postpone his departure until fair 
weather. About nine o'clock, how- 
ever, the vapors dispersed, and he 
shouldered his axe and his small 
wallet, and bade adieu to all the 



366 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



home he had, with a determined 
purpose to find and prepare a place 
for himself in the then wilderness of 
Vermont. 

Being young and active, he over- 
took the elderly gentlemen who 
started in the morning, and very 
naturally fell into conversation with 
them, as to their destination and 
objects. He learned that they were 
from Winchendon, and were going to 
examine a gore of uninhabited land 
lying between Grafton (then called 
Tomlinson) and Westminster and 
Townshend. They persuaded him 
to join them, which he at last con- 
sented to do. Learning the name of 
the last settler on the route (where 
they intended to stop) he went 
ahead. On his arrival at the place 
agreed upon (the house of Mr. Ellis), 
about two miles N. E. of the present 
“Cambridge Port,” he found him 
engaged in building a stone chimney 
for a small log house. He cheerfully 
went to work to help back stone (as 
they had no team), and worked for 
his board till the. rest of his party 
came up, when they all started for 
the promised land. After rambling 
over the territory, which was an un- 
broken wilderness, they concluded to 
stick their stakes and make their 
pitches; preference being given to 
seniority. Jonathan Perham (called 
after, Governor), being the eldest, 
had the first right. He chose a lot 
on the West line of Westminster, 
covering a handsome lot of meadow, 
also a number of acres of dry, sandy 
knolls, which proved valuable for its 
adaptedness to the growth of Indian 
com. Samuel Bagley took the next 
lot West, which made one of the best 
farms in town. Seth Oak took the 
third lot in the same range, which 



was also a most excellent piece of 
land. He was the first justice of 
peace in town. Jonathan Foster took 
the next lot West, which made four 
in the same range. He died about 
1795, and the lot was divided and fell 
into other hands. Eighty acres of it 
are still owned by the heirs of J. 
Shafter. James Shafter, as he was 
the youngest of the pioneers, came in 
last for his turn. He chose the next 
range due North of the “Foster lot.” 
It was a good situation, covered with 
hard timber, and the depth and rich- 
ness of the soil gave assurance of a 
bountif^ harvest. 

They procured the assistance of a 
man from Westminster by the name of 
Hooker, who was the fortunate pos- 
sessor of a compass, with which, and 
the accompaniment of an elm bark 
chain, they were enabled to separate 
and designate claims. James com- 
menced chopping, and felled about 
three-fourths of an acre, when a dry 
limb fell upon his shoulder and so 
disabled him that he returned to 
Winchester and remained all winter. 
The next year he returned, enlarged 
his operations, built a small house, 
sowed a nursery of apple trees, etc. 
In 1783 he was married to Miss 
Abigail Johnson, by Seth Oak, Esq. 
She came to Athens with Capt. Ezra 
Chaffee from Old Woodstock, having 
lost her parents when she was a child. 

From the Letter of Mrs . Mary Shafter . 
Edminster , with the -paftei by her father ; 

Oscar died in Florence nearly five 
years since. My brothers, James 
McM. Shafter and William N. 
Shafter, are residents of this State. 
I wrote my sister, who lives in Gales- 
burg, Mich., (Mrs. L. S. Ransom). 
She is the eldest of the family, and I 
thought she might furnish some items. 



ATHENS. 



367 



Rev. Edmund Shatter, of Boston, a 
few years since got up a genealogical 
account, and visited us in Townshend. 
He, as well as my father, thought the 
original name was Slaughter, abbrevi- 
ated for convenience, and that in 
after years it appeared as SI after and 
Sh after; they came to the conclusion 
that they were second cousins. 

My father represented the town 
many times, and was one of the 
judges of the courts. I cannot give 
you dates, but you can ascertain them 
from the records of New fane. 

Family Record, 

James Shafter, born September 15, 
1759; married Abigail Johnson. 

James Shafter, died January 9, 
1816, aged 57 years. Abigail Shatter, 
his wife, died March 14, 1830, aged 
78 years. On the I Oth of January, 
1784, their eldest child was born, and 
was christened Atalanta, after the 
noted vessel of that name. She 
married Caleb Hall, and died in 
Springfield, Vt., June 98, 1863, aged 
78 years. 

Wm R. Shafter, born January 30, 
1786; died March I, 1864, aged 78 
years. 

John L. Shafter, born September 3, 
1787; died February, 1868, aged SI 
years. 

Mary Shafter, born 1793, died at 
Grand Rapids, Mich., September 39, 
1855, aged 63 years. 

There were two other children born 
between John and Mary; both died 
in infancy. 

As James had obtained some 
military skill, growing out of his 
experience in the war of the Revo- 
lution, he was promoted to the rank 
of major in the militia of Vermont. 
He was also a strong and devoted 
politician of the school of 1800, and 



denounced the war of 1812 as un- 
necessary. He was a prominent 
business man in all town affairs, and 
represented it for about twenty years 
in the Legislature of the State. He 
was the father and grandfather of the 
present Shafter generation, giving the 
name to all such as claim it, although 
it is spelled differently. 

(End of Judge Shaffer's paper). 

James Shafter 

was one of five men, an advance 
party, who first came into the wilder- 
ness here to prepare the spot, a little 
before moving in their families. He 
helped to clear the first acre. He 
ever after made his permanent home 
in Athens. He lived many years, 
and died there. He was a man of 
large energy, courage and capacity. 
In the war of the Revolution he 
fought at Bunker Hill, Bennington 
and Saratoga, and for eighteen years 
represented his town in the Legis- 
lature of the State, 

Hon. Wm, R. Shafter 
was successively farmer, merchant, 
and County judge several years. He 
came of a patriotic stock, and “was 
a man of much force of character and 
large influence with his neighbors 1 ' in 
a wide neighborhood. “In religious 
faith and connections he was a 
Methodist." His wife is said to have 
been a woman of rare intelligence. 
The biographer of Hon. 0. L. Shafter, 
their son, before the California Bar, 
speaks of her as “a woman of superior 
endowments, majestic in form, with a 
countenance of infinite expression, 
and possessing rare conversational 
and social qualities." She was also 
a member of the Methodist church. 
She died many years before her hus- 
band, while her son Oscar was but a 
boy. Judge Shafter removed from 



368 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Athens to Townshend. He died in 
Townshend, 

Judge Shafter was representative 
in the State Legislature for 1844 and 
in 1S49, member of the Constitutional 
Convention in 1836, Judge of Wind- 
ham County Court, candidate of the 
Liberty party for Governor in 1840, 
more than quadrupling the vote of 
his party, and also held various town 
offices. 

Oscar Lovell Shafter. 
Memorial of Oscar L. Shafter, being 
words spoken at his Burial by Rev. 
Dr. Stebbins. A sermon preached 
on the following Sunday by Rev. 
L. Hamilton. A sketch of the life 
and character, given before the 
Supreme Court of California by 
Hon. John W. Dwinnelle. Lines 
to his memory from the New York 
Evening Post.— San Francisco, 
1874 . — Pamphlet 25 pp. 

IN ME.MORIAM. 

An Extract. 

Oscar Lovell Shafter, L. L. D., 
late Associate judge of the Supreme 
Court of the State of California; 
bom in Athens, Vt, October 19. 
1812; died in Florence, Italy, Jan- 
uary 23. 1873; funeral at the First 
Congregational church, Oakland, 
Cal., March 24, 1873. 

“ Energy, endurance of labor and 
a kind of mountainous good sense 
that sees men and things as they 
are and goes free of all cant, were 
eminent in him. In his statement 
of principles, he could have had few 
superiors. He had that appreciation 
of the unity and generalization of 
truth that gives dignity to the in- 
tellect, and the perspective of moral 
grandeur to al! principles. When 
theories of deep human interests 
were touched, his mind kindled along 



its summits with fine enthusiasm 
of poetic feeling and right. It some- 
times lay calm, silent, sullen as the 
sea and rolled with sleepy strength, 
and in all the manifestations of his 
intellectual activity, there was some- 
thing of that repose which is the 
measure of reserved power and back- 
ground of all greatness. He was 
a pleasant companion and good 
talker, A man with wide discourse 
of reason, unimpassioned* yet of fine 
sensibility, his whole nature, by 
the eternal weight of moral gravity, 
surging toward the truth. Thus I 
understood him. — Rev, Dr . StehUns. 

‘‘Eminent among the higher order 
of minds stood the late judge Shafter, 
a type of the time, he ran through the 
progress of the age in his own ex- 
perience. His father was a man of 
much force of character and large 
influence with his neighbors. His 
mother was a woman of rare in- 
telligence, At an early age death 
deprived him of her counsels, but he 
cherished her memory with a deep 
and tender reverence. At about 
fourteen he was placed at a Methodist 
Academy in Wilbraham, Mass, He 
completed the course in his school, 
and finally graduated at the Methodist 
University at Middletown, Conn,, 
studied law at Cambridge, and com- 
menced practice in Vermont, where 
his powers soon placed him in the 
foremost rank of his profession. His 
coming to this State (California) in 
the Fall of 1854, the Immediate 
recognition of his abilities, his law 
partnerships with the first legal talent 
of this State, his firm stand as an 
anti-slavery man, hi$ self-consistent 
adherence to this stand through all 
the exciting scenes that bad followed, 
his election to the Supreme Bench of 



ATHENS. 



369 



the State in 186.3, his unimpeachable 
and even unsuspected integrity as 
well as ability in that position for 
four years, then the sudden failing of 
his health, compelling his resignation, 
his efforts for recovery, the hope 
growing fainter till the final word 
flashed under the sea is well known. 
As a judge, his impartiality com- 
mended a confidence that was well 
nigh perfect. The suspicions of a 
bribe never rested on him. There 
was something in the man corruption 
dared not approach, lie was also 
merciful. He gave without osten- 
tation, but liberally and continuously. 
One who had the best opportunity to 
know, writes of him: ‘ I know per- 

sonally of tens of thousands of dollars 
disbursed by him without any hope 
of return/ He was severely logical 
in his mental processes, but along 
with this went an endowment of the 
keenest sensibility. When thoroughly 
roused in his own utterances, the 
golden ingots of his logic would melt 
and flow in streams of burning 
emotion. There was a large measure 
of that ‘sort of religious sensibility’ 
which is said to have marked the 
speeches of Webster’s prime. But it 
was in his own family that these 
tender qualities showed themselves 
in their fullest power. I think we 
may truthfully add, also, that he 
crowned his other virtues by walking 
humbly with his God." 

Rev. L. Hamilton. 

The body was taken to the Oak- 
land Cemetery and deposited in the 
family vault. Among those present, 
beside the family friends, were a very 
large number of the San Francisco 
and Sacramento Bar. 

From Memorial Supreme Court. 

“He completed his law studies 



under Judge Storv at the law school 
of Harvard University; commenced 
practice at Wilmington, Vt., in 1836 
or 1837; became a member of the 
Legislature; was the candidate of his 
party for Representative in Congress, 
Governor and United States Senator; 
married to Miss Sarah Riddle in 
1840; six children survive. 

Judge Shafter arrived at San Fran- 
cisco November 13, 1854, without his 
family, and immediately entered upon 
the practice of his profession, in 
connection w T ith the leading firm of 
Halleck, Peachy, Billings & Park. 
During the next ensuing year, until 
the arrival of his family, he kept a 
journal, in which he entered his im- 
pressions of the climate and the 
scenery of California, his views of 
the society and of the practice in 
the court, many current events, some 
biographical sketches and notices 
and analysis of the books which he 
read; but more especially was this 
brief diary remarkable for its mani- 
festations of his deep affection for 
his family and other relations, for his 
diffidence of his own ability, and for 
the gradual growth of a self-con- 
fidence that he was equal to contend 
with the foremost of the bar. It was 
during this period that he received 
intelligence of the death of two 
children within the period of one 
month. [An only son of seven years, 
and an infant daughter that he had 
never seen.] 

It was sometimes said of him while 
at the bar, that he was slow in the 
preparation of his cases. As a con- 
sequence he was very successful at 
the bar, and his decisions were rarely 
questioned. While at the bar nobody 
was more scrupulous than he in the 
respect with which he treated the 



370 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



judiciary, both in language and 
bearing, and when he came ld the 
bench he magnified Ins high office 
in the same spirit. 

He was very successful in gather- 
ing the material rewards of his 
professional labors, and by their 
judicious investment accumulated an 
opulent fortune. 

He was an ardent student of nature, 
and loved to be a boy again , amid 
mountains, forests, fields and waters 
And on such occasions he showed an 
apt familiarity with the best poets of 
the English language, which caused 
it be said of him; E He was a learned 
lawyer of an older school.’ 

Hon. John W. Dwitmdle. 
LAMENT. 

[Written upon receiving the letter 
communicating the death of his two 
children. Poets and Poetry of Ver- 
mont, 1S58J 

By Oscar L. Shafter. 

T left them in their mountain home, 

One sad, sad day— 

I clasped them to my yearning heart, 
Then tore myself away. 

What cheered me in that hour of gloom? 

What hope illumed the sea. 

As o’er the boundless deep f sped— 

The boundless of the free? 

And when the Far-off bourne was reached, 
What gave to purpose power 
To whelm me in the strife of men. 

And gild each lonely hour? 

The hope that when the strife was done, 
The labor and the pain, 

To clasp them, in my mountain home. 
Unto this yearning heart again. 

That hope's no more! My baby died, 
Like flower upon its stem; 

And now my boy— for him has pealed 
The solemn requiem. 

Oh! when across the wide, wide sea, 

The winged death-knell come, 

Then on my lips' high altar stone, 

Grew dim the vestal flame. 



The filial hope the heart possessed, 

To cheer his parents' age. 

To stay their footsteps toward the tomb, 
Their dying pangs assuage. 

My son! my son! mv only son! 

My joy, my hope, my pride! 

Old life was severed from its ends, 

And darkened when he died! 

He’s gathered to our early dead 
In his exultant morn. 

Before the mid-day strife came on, 

Or rose disclosed its thorn; 

The lust of gold the heart oTpridc f 
' Ambition’s fitful dream, ' 

The monumental woes that rise 
Above the ills between. 

The broken hope, the exile s pain, 
Temptation's trial hour, 

And all the waste and wreck of life 
And sin's destructive power, 

Ey early death he's rescued from— 

By early death set free; 

And can 1 know the gain to him 
And mourn the loss to me? 

Father, console Thy smitten ones, 
Forgive the tears that rise; 

Our children— angels round Thy throne— 
But win us to the skies. 

POWERS FAMILY. 

By N. W. Powfrs. 

First, the substance of what a 
gentleman related by consanguinity, 
wrote in a manuscript to me in 18A4 f 
about my father’s family and our 
genealogy. 

The first Powers we. trace back to 
came into England with William the 
Conqueror in LOdd, Sir Roger Le- 
Powers, who helped subdue old 
England. He then did considerable 
fighting in Ireland, being a fine com- 
mander, where I learn he stayed for 
life He had a numerous posterity. 
The name is quite plenty in Ireland. 
Most likely we have the English, 
French, and Irish blood in us. A If 
the Powers family in England, Ire- 
land and America are said to be 



ATHENS. 



371 



descended from this Sir Roger 
LePowers. Three of his descen- 
dants, brothers, are understood to 
have come to America in 1 GOO. One 
of these, I am told, put 8 on the 
beginning of his name instead of P, 
to see which name would increase the 
fastest, making his name Bowers. 
There has been a good chance to 
see. The name Powers is a hundred 
to one of the name of Bowers. The 
Christian name of the one that 
changed into a Bowers 1 have not 
learned; the names of the other two 
brothers were Walter and Thomas. 
Our branch of the name, I am told, 
descended from Thomas. 

Captain Josiah Powers, 

Great grandfather of the Athens 
Powers's, lived in Greenwich, Mass,, 
in 1754, and was a rich farmer. He 
had a large family. One son, Ben- 
jamin, was a surgeon aboard of a 
man-of-war in the Revolution, and 
died at sea. He was reputed a very 
learned man, and was writing an 
arithmetic, of which I have some 
of the manuscript, 

Silas, the oldest child in this 
family, had come to Athens a while 
before the family came. 

Josiah, second son of Captain 
Josiah, was a Revolutionary soldier, 
and came to Athens almost 100 years 
ago, with his sons, Nathaniel and 
Stephen, and five daughters, from 
Chesterfield, N. H., where these 
children were all born. He became 
lame by freezing his legs in the war. 
He got lost in the woods in a snow- 
storm, when sent to carry despatches 
to some other part of the army. He 
once saw a Briton taking atm at Gen. 
Washington, aud drew up his own 
musket and shot him down, as related 
by one of his nephews. He helped 



to throw up the intrenchment on 
Bunker Hill t and, I believe, fought 
in the battle. He was in the battle 
at Bennington, and a grand daughter 
of his says that she has often heard 
her grandmother say that he was at 
the taking of Ticonderoga. 

He lies with Mercy, his wife, in the 
South burying yard in Athens, He 
died in March, 180B, aged (IS years. 
He was in many battles and skir- 
mishes, but, as he says, “ through the 
blessings of God not a bullet touched 
himT 

My friend, Francis Yolney Powers, 
of Waterford, Vt r , informs me he 
obtained much of his information of 
Nathaniel Powers and family, of 
Athens, and from his grandfather, 
Isaac Powers, who was first cousin 
to Nathaniel. 

Nathaniel Powers 
was considered as a brother to his 
numerous cousins, who always spoke 
of him as Uncle Nathaniel He was 
born at Chesterfield, N, H,, Nov. '29, 
1774, and married Esther Johnson, 
of Phiilipston, Mass. He died in 
Palmyra, Wis,, August 13, 1 846, aged 
72 years, 8 months and 14 days. His 
wife was born June 8, 1778, and died 
June 27, 1848. He commenced in 
the world without any outside lift, 
and when a child was without any 
shoes and stockings in winter. His 
Grandfather Robbins carried him 
home in winter, once or more, upon 
his back, when he had to stick 
his feet into his grandfather's coat 
pockets to keep them warm. He 
; in turn took care of his grandmother 
in her old age, his grandfather having 
died when he was a youth. He was 
so poor, when a boy, that he had to 
wear tow trousers to school in winter, 
his father having become a cripple in 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



372 



the war, and having lost all his prop- 
erty through the Continental money. 
His grandmother had to spin and 
weave to keep the family alive, and 
he to learn to cypher without slate or 
arithmetic. The teacher set the 
scholars their sums on paper in those 
days, but he became quite expert in 
figures. His first business appears to 
have been getting out flax with his 
brother Stephen on one-tenth shares. 
When sixteen years old he had to go 
sixteen miles on foot to muster, and 
find his own equipments, besides 
having no spending money. He and 
hts brother Stephen took care of an 
invalid father, a mother, and the 
younger children to a great extent 
From boyhood. As a Vermont fanner 
he became well off. He owned a 
good farm of 200 acres, cattle, horses, 
sheep, a good two story house and 
out-buildings, with four miles of wall 
upon his farm, and had $1000 at 
interest, when the Episcopalians 
claimed that his farm was glebe land 
in Westminster. He fought them at 
law for 13 years, and proved his title 
clear by a re- survey of Westminster 
by a committee appointed by the 
Legislature, and proved his farm to be 
in Athens. Meantime he had been 
twice a year 50 miles to court with 
several witnesses, making $2000 cost. 
He lost his beautiful farm at last, 
through an Episcopal judge, who 
said it belonged to the Episcopate, 
and that it was foreordained so from 
all eternity. The person who is now 
writing this was present at the last 
trial. 

At the first trial, the third year, 
when the Judge gave the case to the 
jury, they gave the case to Nathaniel 
Powers without a dissenting voice. 
It had to be called up for trial agam, 



and the next time the judge was not 
so careless, but decided it himself. 
Nathaniel also owned a saw and grist 
mill besides the property here referred 
to, but the lawsuit about ruined him. 
His family, which was quite large, 
was as follows: 

Edith, the oldest child, was born 
October 30, 1801, and married 

Warner Coss September 30, 1824 

Roxana was born July 7, 1802, 
and married Warren Richmond De- 
cember 2, 1824. 

Betsey was born May 10, 1804, and 
married William Patridge, a farmer, 
June 25, 1827. 

Nathaniel Whitcomb was born 
February 23, 1806. He married his 
first wife, Selina F. Murdock, October 
6, 1839, and his second wife, Jane 
Lowe, December 29, 1872. He is a 
self-taught clock and watch maker, 
and can make a town or mantle clock, 
one that will tell the time of day in 
every capital at the same time. He 
also got up his own patterns. 

Samuel Randall was born on 
November 1, 1807, and married 
Hannah Rim ball, of San born ton, N. 
H., in December, 1838. He worked 
on a farm until he was 21 years of 
age, and then learned the machinist’s 
trade. He earned $3,000 at his trade 
while working in Lowell, Mass., from 
which place he went to Wisconsin and 
built a flour mill in company with his 
brother David, giving the name of 
Palmyra to the town he settled in. 
He was the best read in history of 
any man ever raised in Athens. He 
died of cholera July 9, 1847. He 
was quite wealthy, and the widow, 
only son, and grandchildren occupy 
his homestead now, 1876. 

Joseph was born May 9, 1809, and 
married Jane Petty for his first wife 



ATHENS, 



373 



and Lucretia Huntington for his 
second wife. He was a machinist of 
reputation, and made several import- 
ant inventions. In 1832 he made the 
first revolver known in history, and 
sold it for $10. He was a member 
of the Wisconsin Legislature in 1804. 
Mr. Powers was a poet of no mean 
gifts. Two hundred men have earned 
money enough while in his employ to 
buy themselves homes, and in 1S76 
he kept one hundred men constantly 
employed. 

Levi was born February 11, 1811, 
and on November 11, 1838, married 
Caroline Kipp. He worked three 
years of his early life in a cotton 
factory, and then a short time as a 
machinist. Later he went to New 
York, where he was a merchant, then 
to Whitewater, Wis., and afterwards 
to Madison, Wis., where he accumu- 
lated wealth and retired from active 
business. 

Esther Powers, born August 24, 
1812, married first Philetus Ranney, 
second Thomas Churnel, April 25, 
1857; died of small-pox, in Wisconsin. 

David Johnson, born June 3,1814. 
Was in 1865 an inventor of and dealer 
in agricultural implementsand in mer- 
chandise; a dealer in landed property. 
He has been the means of two pretty 
villages springing into existence, has 
been secretary of the Wisconsin State 
Agricultural Society, president of a 
Madison, Wisconsin, fire insurance 
company, and a representative in the 
Wisconsin Legislature, and since 1864 
has become a noted lawyer. In patent 
right suits he is regarded the best help 
in Chicago, as he understands the 
patent laws completely and nearly all 
the mechanical devices of the day. 
He has taken out more than a dozen 
patent rights himself since 1864 (now 



1876) and has a son at La Crosse, 
Wis., 36 years of age, machinist, who 
has taken out ten patent rights — D. 
J Powers. He has been commercial 
agent for the State prison in Illinois, 
to dispose of their manufactured 
goods. He married Flora Harris, of 
New Hampshire, December 11, 1837,. 

Americus Windsor, born January 
14, 1816, married Hannah Fuller first, 
Mary Rock wood, second. Was a mer- 
chant first, and afterwards studied 
and practiced medicine with great 
success in Wisconsin; he also prac- 
ticed dentistry. He now lives in 
California. 

Melissa Orett, born June 15, 
1818; died Dec. 13, 1839. 

Enos Lovell, born February 23, 
1820. He was a jeweller and en- 
graver of the nicest kind, also silver 
plater and spoon maker. He died 
December 24, 1843, in Newark, Ohio, 
where he had established himself in 
his trades. He was never married. 

Silas Powers, 

brother to Nathaniel and Seymour, 
and uncle to these latter, went to 
Minnesota first. He married Widow 
Sarah Chapman, daughter of Deacon 
Dunham, of Westmoreland, N. H. 
She was married the first time at the 
age of 14. 

After so long a family paper, let 
me tell you an anecdote out of the 
family. 

Nathaniel Oak wanted a certain 
lass for a wife; Amaziah Rockham 
wanted the bewitching beauty too. 
They had many quarrels over the 
matter, till, at last, the neighbors 
decided that they should fight for 
the prize, and that the one that 
whipped should have the fair maiden. 
Amaziah, being a very spry man, 
gave the other, who was slow and 



374 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



clumsy, a sound thrashing, but was 
1 so good-hearted, withal, and satisfied 
with his triumph over Oak, that he 
said, “Go and take her/* and Oak 
went and lived with her long enough 
to twice claim a silver wedding. 

Mrs. Pqllie Carpenter 
lived in Athens when a child. She 
was a daughter of Jonathan Perham, 
one of the first settlers, and after* 
wards lived some time in Belvidere, 
and some times in Athens. She was 
mother of quite a family of children 
She found herself in 1SL6, the cold 
year that no corn was raised, short of 
hay. She was then about 45 years 
old. She had a cow but could get 
no hay to winter her, hay being $20 
per ton. What does this unconquer- 
able woman do but go to work and 
gather grass enough by hand and 
carry it home in a bag. She gleaned 
it by the sides of the highway and 
round the woods, in this way getting 
enough to winter her cow. She was a 
widow at this time—the widow of a 
soldier of the Revolutionary war, and 
drew a pension in the last days of her 
life. She lived to be quite old. 

I was ten years old in 1816, and 
remember every event of that year, 
and although no one starved to death 
many shuddered for fear, 

Maria Griswold 

was bom in this town, but went to 
work in the Lowell cotton mills. 
A boot 1837 she married John Jack- 
son, a machinist, and soon after the 
company which owned the factory 
selected them to superintend the 
taking of machinery to Mexico for 
a cotton factory, which they did, 
selecting fifteen married couple as 
operatives to take with them. The 
Mexican war, in 1846, destroyed their 



plan of building up a manufacturing 
city. The Mexicans, being suspicious 
of them, they had to flee, Maria had 
two children, one born before her 
emigration, and the other in Mexico 
— a babe at the time of her Right — 
which she brought off in her arms, 
riding a mule over the mountains 
300 miles. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson 
afterwards went to Houston, Texas, 
where she died suddenly, leaving five 
small children. 

In dosing, I am reminded of an 
anecdote of Stratton, the most moun* 
tainous, bleak town in the county, 
A great, bloated fellow, who was 
passing through Stratton, inquired 
of an old lady at her linen wheel, 
“What are the products of this town?” 
“Babies and shingles,” she answered. 

I. married for my first wife Selina 
L. Murdoch, of Townsbend, cousin 
to Alphonso Taft, the present United 
States Attorney General, and for my 
second wife, Miss Jane Lane, of 
Townshend. I wrote GOO pages for 
a man in Chicago, who left Windham 
County at the age of sixteen. At the 
end of forty years he called on me to 
post him up, and tell him what had 
become of all the heads of families 
that he had known forty years before. 

Nathaniel Whitcomb Powers , 
March, 1877. 

Timothy H. Whitney was one of 
the leading men of the town. He 
was a major in the war of 1812. He 
was the representative of the town 
fifteen times from 1810 to 1834, and 
was selectman and justice of the 
peace for many years. 

Of the Perham 's r who were among 
the first settlers, we arc unable to get 
much that would be of interest. The 
descendants of this family now living 



ATHENS. 



375 



in and near the town show that they 
were a hardy and energetic people, 
and of much benefit in the first set- 
tling of the town. 

Alvan Parkhurst was born in 
Westminster, but in early life moved 
to Athens, where, with the exception 
of a few years, he resided until his 
death, September 10th, 1887. He 
was a farmer, and was held in high 
esteem by his townsmen, who elected 
him to represent the town in 1874. 
He was chairman of the board of 
selectmen from 1868 to 1877, and 
was superintendent of schools at 
different tunes. 

Nial Rem is was born in West- 
minster, and came to Athens about 
1848, where he died February 7th, 
1890, in his 71st year. He served 
the town in nearly all its offices, and 
although his education was very 
limited, be was an able financier, 
reckoning interest and all mathemati- 
cal problems rapidly and correctly 
without the aid of pen or pencil. At 
the time of his death he owned 
twenty-seven farms, besides several 
hundred acres of pasturage. He was 
an active member of the Grange from 
the time of its organisation until his 
death. 

Rev L Joseph Buelin was the first 
settled minister of the gospel, and 
school teacher, and occupied the 
position for three years and a half. 
Under an agreement entered into 
between Mr. Bullin and the pro- 
prietors of the town, he was deeded, 
on March 7th, 1800, so much of the 
lot of land set apart for the first 
settled minister and school teacher 
as the inhabitants thought him en- 
titled to. He was to have had a deed 
of 168 acres if he held his position 
for ten years. 



From the earliest genealogical 
records of the Ball family we get the 
following: John Ball came from 

Wiltshire, Eng., to Concord, Mass., 
in the year 1640. From him has 
sprung, through his descendants, a 
numerous family. Abraham Rail, 2d, 
was born in Townshend, Mass., 
October 17th, 1786, and came to 
Athens with his father and mother 
when he was about eight years old. 
In December, 1807, he married Miss 
Hannah Edwards, of Athens, by 
whom he had fourteen children, live 
of whom are now (1891) living, two 
of them, Amos T. and Julia A. Ball, 
residing in town. Amos T. Ball is a 
shoemaker by trade, but for the past 
forty years has been a farmer. He 
has, during this time, been promi- 
nently identified with the interests of 
the town, being one of its selectmen 
during the stirring events of the civil 
war, and at numerous times since. 
He was for many years overseer of 
the poor, and has been a justice of 
the peace for more than thirty years. 

James Bavlev was a prominent 
man in the early history of the town, 
being its representative in 1815 and 
1825- He was town clerk from 1806 
to 1831, and was one of the listers 
and selectmen for many years. Mr. 
Bay ley was a merchant for a number 
of years, and it is said that he com- 
menced his mercantile career when a 
boy by going on horseback to Putney, 
where he purchased a few small 
articles such as he could put in the 
old-fashioned saddle bags, and took 
them home to sell to his neighbors. 

REPRESENTATIVES. 

From Demme's Catalogue of the Principle Officers 
of Vermont 

Abel Mattoon, 1780, '81; Samuel 
13 ay ley, 1784; James Shafter, 1786, 



376 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



'87, ’90, ’92 to 1810, 1813; Joseph 
Bullin, 1788/91; Elijah Elmer, 1789; 
Willard Evans, 1800; Thaddeus 
Alexander, 1804, '06, '07, 18; Tim- 
othy H. Whitney, 1810, 11, 16, 17, 
19 to ’25, ’27, to ’31, '34; Thaddeus 
Chamberlain, 1814; James Bayley, 
1815, ’25; Abraham Ball, 1826; 
Lemuel Whitney, 1831; Joseph Tink- 
ham. 1832, ’33; Lyman B. Alexander, 
1835, ’36; Amos Davis, 1837; Com- 
fort Thrasher, 1838, ’39; Tisdale 
Porter, 1840; Mark Ball, 1841; John 
Austin, 1842; John R. Blake, 1847; 
Lyman Alexander, 1849. 

Mark Ball represented Athens in 
the Constitutional Convention of 
January, 1850. From then until the 
present time the dates and names of 
the representatives are as follows: 
Mark Ball, 1852; Lyman Alexander, 
1853; Amos Davis, 1855; Marvin W. 
Davis, 1856; Samuel B. Wells, 1858, 
’59; Charles Whitney, 1860; Solon 

N. Alexander, 1862, ’63; Andrew A. 
Wyman, 1864, '65; Samuel B. Wells, 
1866; Andrew A. Wyman, 1867; 
George N. Ober, 1868, ’69; Jerome 

O. Kingsley, 1870, to the Consti- 
tutional Convention in June and to 
the Legislature in October; Andrew 
A. Wyman, 1872; Alvan Parkhurst, 
1874, Democrat; Stephen C. Ranney, 
1876; Othniel R. Edwards, 1878; 
George N. Ober, 1880, ’86; Jerrie 
M. Powers, 1882, ’90; Jerome O. 
Kingsley, 1884; Granville F. Bridges, 
1888, Democrat. 



Soldiers in the War of 1861. 

Ceylon J. Ball, John H. Wells, Geo. 
W. Skinner, Leroy A. Ball, Homer Ev 
Ball, Phineas Bemas, Fred’k Shaty r 
Noah S. Crowley, Henry DePutrin,. 
Phineas Bemas, re-enlisted, Benj. F. 
Derry, Noah Crowley, EbenezerOak, 
Jr., *John H. Austin, Franklin Oak, 
♦Albert E. Cotton, Chas. C. Penni- 
man, Bryant D. Skinner, Curtis M. 
Ball, John Wyman. Wm. Bridges, Jay 
Read, Lyman Cook, Edwin B. Dodge, 
Benj. H, Jenks, Oliver Dodge, Henry 
S. Leland, Chamberlain Dunham, J. 
V. McCartney, Curtis W. Davis, Solon 
N. Alexander, Gideon D. Stiles, Wil- 
lard J. Burr, and one soldier with no 
name given. 

Athens is strictly a farming town. 
The only manufacturing industry that 
is worth mentioning is the manufacture 
of scythe snaths, the business being 
conducted by Jerrie M. Powers, and 
the output being from ten to twelve 
thousand snaths per year. None of 
these are finished here, but are simply 
bent and planed and are then sold to 
another party who finishes them up for 
the trade. This gives employment to 
eight or ten men from six to nine 
months a year. We have one grocery 
store, W. C. Robbins, proprietor. We 
have neither lawyer, doctor, dentist, 
blacksmith or carpenter, and have 
but one minister, the Rev. Othniel R. 
Edwards, who is a Methodist. We 
have a very pretty church, in which 
service is held every Sunday. 









A representative of the Blandin Family; — Laxnach Blandin,, being the 
first, or one of the first settlers in Brookline. 



BROOKLINE, 



BY CHARLES P. ST1CKNEY. 



DEDICATED 

TO THE LEADING FAMILIES OF BROOKLINE, 

Who Gave an Order for each inhabited House in Town, 



BROOKLINE, 

OR "THE GRASSY BROOK REGION/' 

The town of Brookline comprises 
a valley six miles long, by two to 
three wide; and originally" formed 
parts of Putney, Athens and New- 
fane, and contains nearly 17 square 
miles, [Nearly three miles in length 
belonged to Athens on the northern 
part; the southern part, to Putney, 
and the southwestern part, on West 
liver, to Newfane. 

GRASSY BROOK, 

which has one source at Lily Pond 
and one on Pledge- hog Hill in Ath- 
ens, flows through the length of 
the town and falls into West river. 
It derived its name from the open 
meadows in the northern part, pro- 
ducing a large growth of grass 
where the pioneers of the region 
went to cut their hay. 

The town is, geographically, a lit- 
tle to the east and to the north of 
the centre of Windham comity and 
seven miles west of Connecticut 
river, about equal distance from 
Bellows Falls, north, and Brattle- 
boro, south, and the township seems 1 
to have been separated from others 
by natural divisional lines; a range 
of hills, east and west: the highest 
point in the eastern range 1,100 
feet from the valley, below. It is a 



picturesque valley with its fertile 
meadows, verdant hillsides, and 
primeval forests, so alluring to the 
early settlers; and settlements were 
made, it k supposed, prior to 1777. 

THE FIRSTBORN. 

The record of the first births are 
as follows: Martha Whitcomb, 

April 29, 1777; Jonas Negus, Dec. 
12, 1777; Cyrus Whitcomb the 3d, 
March 17, 1779* It is a matter of 
conjecture who was the first settler. 

CYRUS WHITCOMB, 

a few years before 1777, settled upon 
the lands now owned by John B. 
Stebbine, on the southern boundary, 
originally of the town of Athens* 
Other early settlers were: Bben- 

ezer Wellman on land of J. B. Steb- 
biiis; Applies Austin upon land of 
Charles R Stick ney; Ebenezer Har- 
wood upon the farm of Blbndge 
Mason; Jotham Stebbins on the 
Rufus Stebbins' farm, and John 
B1 audio upon the farm now owned 
by Allen 0. Wellman* 

LAMACH BLANB1N 

who came here from Attleboro, 
Mass,, is thought by some to have 
been the first settler* It is said he 
had his choice of all the lands for 
20 cents an acre, and he made his 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



m 



selection upon the rise in the road a 
little south of Daniel E* Whitney's 
house* The wall of his cellar is to 
be seen at the present time. 

Others who located early in this 
vicinity were: Timothy Wellman 

upon land now owned by Hiram 
Whitney ; Jonathan Boynton and 
William Skinner on land of Andrew 
S* Hist, to the south of this farm. 
Daniel Bixby and Richard Whitney* 
and Roeebrook Crawford, on what is 
called Whitney liill; Francis Drake 
on Remie hill. 

Those who settled early in the 
south part of the town were: Abijah 
Moore on the farm of Wm* P. Steb- 
bins; Wm. Robbias on land of Ever- 
ett P* Wellman; Daniel Benson 
south of this farm; Peter Benson 
upon the farm of Jacob Bush* Those 
who settled on the borders of West 
river were: Benjamin Flint, on the 

farm of Oscar C. Merrifield, the 
beautiful meadows in the forks of 
Grassy brook and West river ; Eben- 
ezer Ober on the meadows of 
Timothy M* Albee ; Christopher 
Osgood on land of Luther Osgood, 
northeast of his meadow; Luke B* 
Osgood on land of George E. Ware, 
and James Walden upon the farm of 
Charles A. Cutler: ail of whom are 
supposed to have come to this val- 
ley prior to 1780* 

"From 1780 to 1790 settlers came 
in fast* The population during this 
decade was larger than at any other 
period in the history of the town* 
It is safe to say, there was one fam- 
ily or more to every 50 acres* It 
may be a conjecture to the young 
to-day, how did these large families 
live ? 

The wood was cut and burned in 
a kiln and from the ashes salts of 
lye were made, packed in wooden 
troughs taken on their backs over 
the Hill to Putney, wh ere there was 
a settlement on the Connecticut 
river, and exchanged for the little 
necessaries of life. 

MOVE TOWARD TOWN ORGANIZA- 
TION. 

Prior to 1794, the settlers grew 



dissatisfied with the lack of political 
rights as townsmen, inconvenient to 
the town meetings in the neighbor- 
ing towns and none of their own: 
unnecessarily oppressed they sought 
relief through the Legislature, and 
through an act of the session of 
Oct. 30, 1794, the south part of 
Athens and all that part of Putney 
lying west of an abrupt elevation of 
land, gave to the inhabitants resid- 
ing therein, f ‘all of the privileges 
and immunities ,J which the inhab- 
itants of other towns have and en- 
joy, excepting electing and sending 
a representative to the Legislature 
and conventions ; receiving to the 
freemen of said parts of Athens and 
Putney the right of meeting with 
and voting with the freemen of the 
towns from which they had been 
respectively severed in all freemens 1 
meetings for choosing a representa- 
tive to the General Assembly and 
other purposes* 

THE FIRST TOWN MEETING. 

Peter Benson was moderator ; 
John Waters was chosen town clerk; 
Peter Benson, Lamach Blandin, 
Jotham Stobbinflj selectmen; Abijah 
Moore, town treasurer ; Thomas 
Walker, constable and collector; 
Ebenezer Bugbee, William Hills, 
John Blandin, listers; Benjamin 
Farm or , 1 ea t h er seal er ; E ben ez er 
Well men, grand juror ; Benjamin 
Farmer, Ebenezer Bugbee, tith inn- 
men ; Ebenezer Harwood, pound- 
keeper; Samuel Blandin, hayward ; 
Jonathan Ellen wood, Benjamin Far- 
mer, Cyrus Whitcomb, Ebenezer 
Bugbee, highway surveyors * Del vis 
Briggs, Jonathan Ell on wood, Joseph 
Root, fence viewers ; and William 
Hills, sealers of weights and meas- 
ures.. 

SCHOOLS — THE SABBATH. 

To the organization of the town, 
1794, there were no school-houses, 
or public place for worship* Schools 
were kept in dwelling-houses and 
such places as would best convene* 
The Sabbath was observed by groups 



BROOKLINE. 



379 



gathered together with due solemni- 
ty, when the one most gifted would 
be appointed to conduct their wor- 
ship. 

PRODUCTIVENESS. 

Prom the organization, 1794, to 
about 1824, the land hud become 
cleared, the rich soil yielded bounti- 
ful crops. 

Roads were laid out and more bus- 
iness carried on than at any other 
period of the town's history, at the 
junction of the roads, leading 
through the valley and over the hid 
to Putney, and westward to Towns- 
hend, which was the seat of her 
(commercial business. 

The road leading eastward was the 
thoroughfare for towns westward to 
Putney, Westminster and Boston. 

Within this period the town con- 
tained 3 stores, 2 hotels, 2 black- 
smith shops, 3 saw-mills, 2 grist- 
mills, 1 tannery, 1 potashry, 1 doctor, 
and 1 counsellor-at-law. 

THE FIRST STOUR. 

Samuel Wheat, who lived iu Put- 
ney, is supposed to have put iu the 
first store, which was last occupied 
by Ephraim H. Mason. 

Anthony Jones followed Mr. 
Wheat in the mercantile business, 
and Isaac Palmer, Mr. Jones Pal- 
mer ; failed about 1817. He was ar- 
rested and put in jail, but broke the 
jail and never was seen here after- 
wards. 

HOTELS. 

The house of Walter 8. Bennett is 
one of the oldest houscsin town ; it 
was built for a hotel. At this place 
there was a public house from the 
earliest date to about 1853. Isaac 
Taft is supposed to have kept the 
first tavern, and also a store, which 
was a little to the east of his house. 

Luke Atherton followed Mr. Taft, 
aud Samuel Churchill, Mr. Atherton, 
and Oats Haven, Mr. Churchill. 

Those who followed Taft in the 
hotel were : Samuel Churchill, Ben- 
jamin Ormsbee, Ed son Higgins, 



Franklin Walker, Thomas Gordon, 
and Joel Codding, who took down 
his sign about 1852. 

THE OLD TANNERY 

was between the houses of Rufus and 
Samuel Stebbins, and managed by 
John Bixby. 

SAW AND GRIST MILLS. 

A saw and grist-mill was early put 
in below the bridge, byE. W. Bush’s 
house, and occupied by John Benson. 

A grist-mill was built on the 
meadow of William P. Stebbins, 
owned by William Moore. 

A saw-mill was built upon the 
Blandiu brook, by Jotham Stebbins, 
at an early date. 

Elijah Davis of Athens, built a 
saw-mill and a grist-mill in the north 
part of the town, who was followed 
in possession by David Cotwell, Ben. 
Walker, D. E. Whitney, E. H. Ma- 
sou, aud Winchester Smith. In 1868, 
Lorenzo W. Bush bought the mill 
and moved it where it now stands. 
Three times the freshets in Grassy 
brook swept out his dam, but being 
a man of energy he lias rebuilt. 

THE FIRST DOCTOR 

in town was Dr. William Perry, who 
came from Putney and settled here 
a few years before 1S15. He first 
lived where Loren Ranney’s house 
stands, but afterwards moved to the 
south part of the town. He was a 
successful practitioner and did much 
toward building up the business and 
prosperity of the town, aud raised 
up a family of children who became 
useful citizens. He moved to ftew- 
fane in 1839, but is represented iu 
town by his youngest daughter, the 
wife of Lcverett Wellman. 

HOLBROOK BENSON 

practiced in town to some extent.. 
He lived on the hill west of H. M. 
Whitney’s. He was frozen to death 
about 1828; his house became unoc- 
cupied and was burned. 



380 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ANNEXATION. 

Sept. 20, 1819, a town meeting for 
that purpose was held : 

<c Voted to receive that part of the 
town of Newfane. lying on the east 
side of Wantaetiquet or West river, 
to be annexed to the town of Brook- 
line, as a part of said town of Brook- 
line." 

There was no bridge over the river 
in this vicinity at this time, and when 
the river was high it was impossible 
to pass over by fording. In attend- 
ing a town meeting in March, the 
men passed over in the morning on 
the ice ; before night the river broke 
up, and there wu£ no way to return, 
and their wives and children were 
doomed to a night of wretched fears. 
On the 7th of October it was : 

“ Voted to receive the following 
persons now residing in Ncwfane, to 
be annexed to and become a part of 
said Brookline, viz : Luke B. Os- 
good, Jonathan Cutler, Lot. Holland, 
William Bently, Elisha Flint, Har- 
vey Osgood, Anthony Mason and 
Christopher Osgood.” 



swept away. The valley road in 
many places was completely de- 
stroyed, and many acres of the rich, 
loamy meadows made beds of stones 
and gravel. Huge stones were lifted 
up and carried like pebbles; nearly 
all growing crops in the valley were 
destroyed. 

The people deeply felt the dam- 
age done ; the thoroughfare across 
the hills ceased, the stores were 
closed, small farms were sold, and 
the hillsides being deserted the pop- 
ulation decreased. The building of 
roads up West river helped also to 
bring about this result. 

FIRST REPRESENTATIVE. 

The town had now been organ- 
ized 30 years without the right to 
electa representative. In 1823, this 
right was granted; and in 1824 
Benj. Ormsbee was elected as the 
first representative. At this free- 
man’s meeting, the number of votes 
for representatives to Congress were, 
Phineas White, 74 ; Wm. C. Brad- 
ley, 0; showing a poll of 80. 



THE GRASSHOPPER PLAGUE 

in June, 1821, nearly destroyed all 
crops of that year. A few fields of 
grain were saved by drawing ropes 
across the fields two and three times 
a day. To represent what hay and 
grass was destroyed in the town on 
the fertile meadows of John B. Steb- 
bins, only about 3 tons of hay could 
be gathered. Trees and all green 
vegetation were stripped of their 
foliage. 

June 20, 1821, marks the day the 
most memorable for adversity in 
Brookline : 

THE JUNE FRESHET. 

In the morning the heavens were 
clear and sunshiny; a little past 
noon, around the summit of Lily 
Pond hill, the sky became dark and 
heavy, and soon terrific peals of 
thunder vibrated the air, and the 
rain came down in such torrents as 
to cover the ground with a complete 
sheet of water. Every bridge was 



THE FIRST TOWN OFFICERS. 

' William Perry, moderator ; Benj. 
Ormsbee, town clerk ; Thomas 

] Crane, Benj. Ormsbee, Lot Holland, 
selectmen ; Israel Whitney, towu 
treasurer; Thomas Crane, Anthony 
Mason, Daniel Bixby, listers; An- 

' thony Mason, constable; Asa Flint, 
John Blau din, grand jurors; John 
Blaudin, Israel Whitney, Elisha 

Flin, fence viewers; Alvin Boyden, 
the pound-keeper; Isaac Wellman, 
Sami. Stcbbins, Thos. Wells, Chris- 
topher Osgood, Daniel Bixby, Isaac 
Whitney, Zephauiah Perry, high- 
way surveyors; Rufus Stebbins, 

sealer of leather; Samuel Stebbins, 
sealer of weights and measures ; 
Christopher Osgood, Elisha Fair- 
banks, tything-meu ; Eben Pool, 
Willard Phillips, Joel C. Lee, Lewis 
Cady, Bradley Fairbanks, Ira Cut- 
ler, hay wards; Eben Whitney, Jacob 
Burditt, grand jurors to court; 

Elisha Flint, Asa Flint, Amos Hale, 
Israel Whitney, John Phillips, Sam- 



BROOKLINE. 



381 



uel Stebbins, petit jurors; Benj. 
Perry, Amos Hale, sex to os. 

A UNION MEETING HOUSE, 

For a few years prior to 1830, the 
subject of building a house for pub- 
lic worship was discussed, but an 
endeavor to unite did not succeed. 
On March 18, 1836, a meeting was 
held for that purpose, Ephm. H, 
Mason was elected chairman: Asaph 
Coy, clerk, 

“Voted that it is the minds of 
this meeting to build a union meet- 
ing house in this town. 

During the season the union 
church was built by Methodists and 
Uni verbalists. The names of those 
who signed the ' covenant of the eo- 
e i e by w ci -e : T i m o tli y W al k e r , Israel 
Whitney > SanTl Rist, Rufus Steb- 
bins, Ephraim Mason, Barzillai 
Stickney, Hiram Whitney, Asaph 
Coy, Benj. Walker, Franklin Walk- 
er, Daniel E. Whitney, Joel Ran- 
ney, Luke Rist, Davit! Walker, 
Liberty Harwood, Sullivan Pollard, 
Joel Harwood, Eben Harwood, Col- 
ton Evans, Charles Evans, Amos L- 
Riat, Eben. Whitney, William Rist, 
Timothy H, Whitney, David Skin- 
ner, William Ranney, Jr., Ecnj. 
Ormsbee, David Kidder, J. L. Blan- 
din, Philip Bern is, Jr. ; J, S, Os- 
good, William B. Root, Jr., Chris- 
topher Osgood, Wm. Perry, Wm. B, 
Root, William Hulett, John B, 
Turner, Jacob Burditt, Samuel But- 
ter field, Geo. Harvey, Norman C. 
Marsh, Asa Flint, Otis Harwood, 
-Joel A. Harwood, A. A, Flint. Rev. 
Wm. Hodges preached the dedica- 
tion sermon for the Methodists, and 
Rev. Mr. Hemphill, for the Uni ver- 
balists, and both were pastors of the 
church for many years. 

For the first 25 years the church 
was prosperous. 

Rev. 0, It. Edwards, for the last 
20 years, has occasionally supplied 
the pulpit for this church. 

BUILDING OF A BAPTIST CHURCH. 

A Baptist church was built the 
same year: Samuel St ebbing, Sam- 



uel Cutler and Ira Cutler contrib- 
uted largely for its election. 

At the raising of the belfry, the 
wall being brick, the west bent of 
the belfry was raised and stayed and 
as the men commenced to lift the 
second bent, the supporters of the 
work gave way and precipitated 40 
men a distance of nearly 20 feet be- 
low among fallen timbers and 
boards. The jar of the falling tim- 
bers loosened the stay of the bent 
that was raised and that started 
downwards, too; but seemingly by 
the hand of Providence, it" was 
stopped by a projecting brick ; had 
this fallen upon the men below, 
many would have been killed. Tliose 
who reaeived injuries were Delius 
W e3 1 m an , Sarmi el Bennett, J eg 

broken; Jasper Murdock, shoulder 
dislocated; Everett Wellman, struck 
in the back by a spike, and Ira Cut- 
ler and JBenj. Derry, who received 
internal injuries. Although this 
accident seemed like a fatal blow, at 
first, in one week after the belfry 
was successfully raised. 

From the advent of the two new f 
churches to 1860, were years of gen- 
eral thrift and prosperity. Good 
schools and good society were sus- 
tained; 8am u el Stebbins and Fran- 
cis Merrill eld took the lend in accu- 
mulating weal tli. 

When the Vermont and Massa- 
chnsetls Western railroad was being 
agitated, these men took an interest 
in the enterprise and contributed to 
its building. 

At the survey of the Vermont 
Valley railroad, a route was contem- 
plated up 'West river through the 
valley of Grassy Brook and on to 
Chester. Had this been carried out 
as hoped, Brookline would have 
been the equal of her sister towns 
for business, and a village would 
have sprung upas a depot for the 
upper towns of the West River Val- 
ley. 

IN THE LATE WAR 

the patriotism of her sons was sec- 
ond to none: when the Union's call 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



3SS 



lor volunteers was given, many 
young men of promise were in her 
borders, and they promptly re- 
sponded, So free and large were 
die early enlistments that near the 1 
close of tire war, her quota was 
nearly filled, and it lessened the 
trouble many towns had to furnish 
men. 

0 f her no ble so 11 s , t. w o w er e k il 1 ed 
in battle, Henry B u sh at F rede H ek s- 
burg, and Marshall Wellman at or 
near New Orleans. 

Two died in camp, Alvan Hig- 
gins at New Orleans, Alonzo P. 
Bush at New Orleans. 

John S. Barrett died of disease 
contracted while in the camp. 

Hibbard Holden was so severely 
injured by a minnie ball at Fred- 
ericksburg*, which passed through 
his body, as to remain infirm for 
life. 

William W. Perry was wounded 
in the head by a missile from a shell 
and has never fully recovered. 

Of these brave and noble sons who 
have honored themselves abroad, L 
W. Stebbins is now a Methodist 
clergyman in Minnesota. 

Albert IL Merri field is a success- 
ful business man in Mendota, 11 I 

Hibbard Gr. Holden is a railroad 
agent at Salem, N. Y. 

W. B. Stickney, A. B., residence 
at Ann Arbor, Mich. Publisher of 
J olio son’s Natural History. 

E. A. Stebbius is a successful 
dentist at Shelburne Falls, Mass, 

At the close of the war, the town 
had her treasury full and the' ex- 
penses of the war all paid. But 
few towns have managed their 
financial business with greater suc- 
cess. 

RAILROAD BENEFITS. 

What had long been felt a neces- 
sity to bring her farmers to an equal 
position in the transaction of busi- 
ness was better communication to 
the outer world, and the advent of 
the Narrow Gauge railroad up West 
river and across her borders lias 
secured her this position. 

Though hotly contested to give 



aid through, the capacity of the 
town, she had refused by a small 
vote; but two of her enterprising 
citizens, Luther Osgood and Oscar 
0. Memfiflld, came to the rescue 
and furnished the sum of §1,000 
more needed to complete the sub- 
scription* 

BROOKLINE OF TO -DAT. 

For the last half century the in- 
habitants of the town have been 
gradually going out and farms con- 
solidated; the meadows retained for 
tillage and the other lands for pas- 
turage, much of which has grown to 
timber. The valley of Grassy brook 
inclines gently to the south and is 
so protected by nature's barriers 
that violent winds seldom occur; 
and the soil is quick and warm and 
yields good crops to the faithful 
husbandman. There is a 

MINERAL SPRING 

upon the hillside in the south part 
of the town, about a mile from the 
valley road. It has strong proper- 
ties of iron, and is much resorted to 
in the warm weather of the sum- 
mer, and if properly developed 
would, doubtless, become a popular 
summer resort, as the scenery around 
is fine; just beyond from an easy 
carriage road to reach, is a point of 
land unsurpassed by any in the 
State for beauty of scenery; looking 
south, at the west is the valley of 
the Wantasiquet, deep and narrow, 
and at the east, the valley of the 
Connecticut with her broad, fertile 
meadows ; at the west the high 
lands of the Green Mountains from 
Florida in Massachusetts, to ML 
Holly, with towering peaks at the 
north in this State* From this spot 
we survey Shatterack, Manickmung* 
Hay-stack and Saddle-back. At tire 
east is seen the Connecticut valley 
from Holyoke to Ascutney and ex- 
tending eastward over hill and val- 
ley, forest and meadow until the 
majestic summit of the Monadnoek 
closes the view in that direction ; 
thence to the north is seen the line 
of the blue Highlands and onward 



BROOKLINE. 



883 



toward the White Mountains. The 
scenery to allure, the soil quick and 

E roductive, the valley of Grassy 
rook is one of nature's secluded 
spots wherein man can enjoy the 
fruits of his own labor. 

'EDUCATIONAL. 

Schools were taught here at dwell- 
ing-houses in 1795. The first 
school teacher in town is said to 
have been Lucy Skinner, daughter 
of Samuel Skinner, one of the first 
settlers. 

The first division of the town into 
districts was April 21, 1796, at a 
legal meeting warned and holden in 
Brookline, Peter Benson, moderator. 

(i Voted to divide the town into 
three school districts." 

“ Voted that Peter Benson, Rich- 
ard Whitney, John Waters, Jothain 
Stebbiue and Benjamin Farmer, be 
a committee for that purpose. 

THE FIRST SCHOOL HOUSES. 

The school house built in District 
No. 1, was located very near the foot 
of Whitney hill. 

In District No. 2, a little south of 
the Round school house. In District 
No. 3, near the house of Samuel B. 
Higgins. 

THE ROUND SCHOOL HOUSE. 

The Round school house was built 
in 1822. “ Old Thunderbolt ," * or 

Dr. Wilson, submitted the plan to 
the building committee, DY Wm. 
Perry and Samuel Stebbins, and it 
is the oldest school house now stand- 
ing and is never forgotten by those 
who live in or pass through the 
town for its grotesqueness ; yet many 
gifted sons and daughters have 
passed from this to other places to 
win distinction as moral and intel- 
lectual educators. 

POST-OFFICE. 

From the first settlement to 1837, 
there was no post-office in town, and 

* See History of Brattleboro, page 63, 
supposed to have been an accomplice of 
he robber Lightfoot, who was hung. 



our people were troubled sometimes, 
to find their mail at Athens, Putney, 
aud Newfane. 

Brazil lai Stickney and Alvin Boy- 
den became impressed that better 
facilities might be had, and applied 
to General Martin Field of Newfane, 
then one of the prominent men of 
Windham county, in their behalf, 
and in 1837, the following route was 
established : lf From Bellows Falls, 
by Saxton’s River, Cam bridge port, 
Westminster West, Brookline, Fay- 
etteville, Williams vi lie, to Dover, 
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 
8 a. M. and 5 p. m,, going; Tues- 
days, Thursdays aud Saturdays, 8 
a. m. and 5 p. m., returning. Otis 
| Bard well, contractor ; and the route 
| started, Aug. 29, 1837. 

I Nov. 27, 1S41, it was ordered to 
commence the route at Cam bridge- 
port, Athens, Brookline and Dover 
to Wilmington. This route contin- 
ued till 1850, when it was discon- 
tinued, and Brookline given a side 
mail from Fayetteville. 

POST-MASTERS 

fof Brookline with date of appoint- 
ment : Solomon Harvey, Aug. 9, 
1S37 ; Ephraim H. Mason, April 27, 
1839 ; Joel Codding, Dec. 24, 1840 ; 
Barzillai Stickney, June, 1846 ; Joel 
Codding, Dec. 18, 1849 ; Barzillai 
Stickney, June 23, 1855 ; Walter S. 
Bennett, March 3, 1863 ; discontin- 
ued Sept. 14, 1868 ; Virgil W. Ran- 
ney, Feb. 27, 1880 ; Mrs. C. P. Stick- 
ney, 1891. 



MILITARY RECORD. 

A COMPANY OF MILITIA 

was formed in 1801. A commission 
at hand shows the appointment by 
his excellency, Isaac Skinner, Esq., 
of John Blandin, captain in the 
seventh company, the third regiment, 
first brigade, and first division, of 
the militia • of this State. Mr. 
Blandin was discharged in 1803. 

This is the first company of which 
there is any account and may have 
been the oue of which Francis Drake 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



384 



tells the story : u Where the officers 
had all been chosen and himself the 
only private left " 

HEY' 0 L UTTGNA R Y SOLU I EltS, 

Our settlers that were soldiers in 
the war of the Revolution were : 
Jafchan Stebbius, Timothy Wellman, 
Jonathan Woo ley, Richard Whitney, 
Daniel Benson, .Ebenezer Harwood 
and Samuel Hist. Harwood and Rist 
witnessed the surrender of Cornwal- 
lis at Yorktown. 

SOLL/JEltS OF THE WAR OF 1812. 

Our soldiers in the last war with 
Great Britain were Maj. Timothy 
H. Whitney, John Holden, Lemuel 
Tyler Derry. 

SQL] HERS OF THE CIVIL WAR, 

1861 — 1865, 
iTH REGIMENT, CO, F, 

Hibbard G. Holden, Henry J. Bush, 
Samuel A. Fairbanks, Ira A. Higgins 



FIRST B ATT ALIGN , U. S. A. 

Samuel B. Higgins. 

BLACKSMITHS AND SHOPS- 

The first blacksmith in the town 
is supposed to have been Delius 
Wellman, one of the first settlers. 

A blacksmith's shop was also 
built at an early day by Fbeuezer 
Wellman, and occupied till washed 
away by the June freshet, 1821; and 
his son Isaac was a blacksmith in 
the soiith part of the town. 

In 1820, Jacob Burditt came from 
Putney and built a shop, near the 
house where Mrs. V. R. Ford lives. 
He became a prominent citizen, 
and moved to Newfane about 1845. 

Norman C. March, from Green- 
field, Mass-, in 1840; married Augus- 
ta Peril am of Athens in 1843, and 
devoted the most of his time to black- 
smithing, and has proved a useful 
citizen, holding the prominent offices 
of the town; representing it in the 
legislature in 1862 and *63. 



5th REG., oo, E, 

Joshua A. Shattuck. 

8th REG., CO. H. 

Warren B. Stickney, Alvin G. Hig- 
gins, Albert H. Merri field, Charles 
A. Cutler, Alonzo P. Bush, Marshall 
W. Wellman, William W. Perry. 

Sth beg., co. i. 

Alb re V. B, Ford. 

9TH REG-, CO. Ki 

Denny E, Mason, Thomas S. Crane, 
John S, Barrett, Oil in N. Whitney, 
Lorenzo W. Bush, Everett W. 
Smith, Warren Allen. 

1ITH REG.j CO. ft, 

Edwin A. Stebbius, Henry Cutler. 
12th reg., co. g. 

Albert Haywood, Lorenzo Rist, 
Winchester Smith* Everett W, Smith 

11TH REG., co i. 

Herbert Mason, John Lamp hear. 



EARLY REMINISCENCES. 

The settlers of Brookline endured 
the numerous hardships and vicissi- 
tudes of life that accompanied the 
lot of those who first penetrated 
these unbroken forests; though the 
Indian’s stealthy steps were no long- 
er heard, there were the few cattle 
and the little flock to protect from 
the ravishing wolves, that on one of 
the prominent knolls in the south- 
western part of the town, their favor- 
ite resort — used to collect, ^and 
make night hideous with their 
bowls/ 1 and the occasional meeting 
with and dispatching of bruin. 

A black snake, about 8 feet long 
was killed by Alvin Hoyden, on his 
farm in 1829; and was preserved in 
the zoology cabinet of General Mar- 
tin Field, of Newfane — the only one 
of the kind ever seen in town. 

About 1800, a boy by the name of 
Frye, in the employ of Josiah Taft, 
in attempting to ford West river on 
horseback with bags of corn, was 
swamped and drowned. 

About 1823, Hold rook Benson, 



BROOKLINE. 



385 



sou of Peter Be a hull, one of ihe first 
settlers, was frozen to death on the 
Windmill hill road. 

In 1856, Elmore Fairbanks, a 
young lad of rather weak mind, fell 
upou an open jack-knife that he 
carried for self-defense; the knife 
entered his chest and ended his life. 

Ill 1863, David Walker started for 
a trip to Dummerston; was frozen, 
and found dead. 

In 1866, Andrew Blood was drown- 
ed while bathing in West river. 

ROADS 

were little known to the early pion- 
eer; marked trees were his guide- 
posts. The first passways or roads 
lead across the valley east and west; 
three of which have long ceased to 
be. The earliest business transac- 
tions took the people to Putney, as 
merchandise could be boated up and 
down the Connecticut river; there- 
fore these roads were first sought for. 
The first valley road that was built 
followed close under the hill upon 
the east side, and has been re-built 
at different times. 

The Windmill hill road was sur- 
veyed in 1818, and the road that 
now leads westward from this point 
to Townshend, in 1819, and the 
country road, so called, was built in 
1828. 

TOWN OFFICERS. 

TOWN CLERKS. 

John Waters, first town clerk, 1795, 
96, 97, 99, to 1806, 09, 10, 11. 
Delias Riggs, 1798. 

Timothy H. Whitney, 1806, 7, 8. 
Samuel Fairbanks, 1812, 13, 14. 
Thomas Crane, 1815 to 20, 22. 
Benjamin Onnsbee, 1820,21, 24 to 28, 
Alvin Boyden, 1828. 

Jacob Burdett, 1829 to 35, 38 to 41. 
Asaph Coy, 1835, 36, 37. 

Jacob Burdett, 1838 to 41. 

Calvin T. Barrett, 1841. 

Joel Codding, 1842 to 46, 47 to 60. 
Edson Higgius, 1846. 

William Adams, 1860 to 67. 

Charles Farrar, 1867. 

William Adams, 1868 to 91. 



TOWN TREASURERS. 

Abijah Moore, 1795 to 180G. 

Jotham Stebbins, 1806 to 1811. 
Samuel Stebbins, 1811, 17, 18, 19,28, 
Daniel Bixby, 1812 to 17, 20, 21. 
Israel Whitney, 1822 to 28, 29, 80. 
Edson Higgins, 1831, 32, 33. 

Amos Hale, 1834. 

Isaac Walker, 1835. 

Ephraim Parks, 1836, 7, 8, 9, 40. 
Samuel Cutler, 1841, 42. 

Hiram Whitney, 1S43 to 49, 51 to 67. 
Isaac Wellman, 1850. 

Everett P. Wellruan, 1867 to 84. 

SUPERINTENDENTS OR SCHOOLS. 

John B. Stebbins, first superintend- 
ent, 1850 to 1857. 

Ephraim H. Mason, 1857. 

Oscar C. Merrifield, 1858, 59, 60, 62, 
63, 64, 65. 

Warren B. Stick ney, 1S61. 

Charles Farrar, 1866 to 71. 

Charles P. Stickney, 1871 to 86. 
Isabelle Shattuclc, 1886. 

TOWN REPRESENTATIVES. 

Benjamin Ormsbee, 1S24, the first 
representative, and representative 
in 1826, 27. 

William Perry, 1825, 28. 

Jacob Burditt, 1829, 30. 

Samuel Stebbins, 1831, 32, 54. 

Edson Higgins, 1833. 

Thomas Crane, 1834. 

Ephraim H. Mason, 1835, 36. 
William Adams, 1837, 38, 40, 51. 
Ephraim Park, 1839. 

Hiram Whitney, 1841, 42. 

Hubbard Eastman, 1843. 

John H. Osgood, 1844. 

Asa Flint, 1847, 57, 58. 

Joel Codding, 1848, 49. 

Isaac Wellman, 1850. 

Daniel E. Whitney, 1852, 53. 
Samuel Cutler, 1855, 56. 

John B. Stebbins, 1859, 60. 

Norman C. Marsh. 1861, 62. 
Chalmer W. Stebbins, 1863, 64. 
Oscar C. Merrifield, 1865, 66. 
Everett P. Wellman, 1867, 68. 
Erastus Whitney, 1869, 70,71,80, 8L 
Hiram M. Whitney, 1872, 73. 
William P. Stebbins, 1874, 75. 
William W. Perry, 1876, 77. 



386 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Samuel B. Higgins, 1878, 79. 

Charles P. Stickney, 1882, 83. 

[The manuscript of this history was 
sent to us in the spring of 1883, since 
which the town of Brook Una has added 
to her list of officers.] 

THEA&VBto. 

E. P. Well man , 1883. 

N. W. Ranney, 1884 to 01. 



LONGEVITY, 



1857, Nathaniel Hill, aged 90 yrs. 


1859, Joel Codding. 


74 


t ( 


Anna Woolley, i( 


77 


ff 


1860, ffm. B. Root, 


75 


t t 


r * Fanny Cutler, t( 


73 


tf 


1861, Ephraim Park, f ‘ 


80 


ff 


41 Daniel Benson, tf 


9S 


tf 


f( Samuel Adams, ft 

L 862, Calvm Barrett, 


80 


ti 


92 


ti 


1863, Ephraim H. Mason u 


69 


f£ 


“ Rufus Stebbine, ** 


73 


it 


“ Wm. Ranney, ** 


89 


tt 


1864, Betsy Whitney, “ 


97 


it 


186$, Lydia Follet/ tc 

1S71, Susan Codding, Ci 


80 


ff 


78 


t£ 


1872, Rebecca Crane, 


92 


if 


1873, Sarah Stebbrns, u 


86 


it 


u Edith Root, £t 


91 


tt 


c< Sarah B. Harwood, " 


So 


. t 


1874, Edson Higgins, ff 

“ Elizabeth Ranney, “ 


79 


ft 


86 


it 


1875, Wm. W. Perry/ “ 


69 


ft 


1877, Mary B. Higgius, u 


78 


ft 


1880, Mary Perry, ** 


83 


ft 


1881, Dauiei Walden, 


82 


it 


“ Joel Rist, Ci 


72 


a 


1882, Barzillai Sticknev, tr 


89 


1 1 


1883, John Turner, “ 
1865, Huldah Benson, £{ 


84 


it 


77 


it 


1S66j Samuel Stebbins, u 


83 


ft 


fl Dorcas Adama, u 


84 


if 


“ Isaac Wellman, ** 


76 


fr 


u Sarah P. Stickney, u 


68 


if 


“ Mary Barrett, ** 


86 


f f 


1867, Samuel Follett* tf 


89 


f r 


“ Ira Cutler, ff 


68 


tf 


14 Samuel Butterfield, rr 


80 


ti 


41 Keziah Wellman, 


75 


ti 


* Patty Park, 


S3 


tt 


1S83, John B. Turner, i( 


84 


ti 


1884, Sullivan Pollard, “ 
u Deliverance B. Well- 


87 


it 


man, ** 

C( Fanny S. Whitney, ct 


77 


ft 


78 


ft 



1885, Daniel Wellman, aged 84 yre. 
;t Temperance Fierce, u 87 u 
ff Mary E. Stebbine, “ 58 

1886, Hiram Whitney, fi 82 iC 
H Wm. P. Stebbine, ff 54 “ 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

ff Vermont ie a good State to he 
born in; but one should emigrate 
young,* as Stephen A. Douglass 
said, so it seems to be with the sons 
of Brookline; but her morals are of 
the first rank, and the home im- 
pressions that have been given are 
safe guides to honorable positions 
abroad. 

Many of those who felled the first 
trees and sowed the first seed have 
left no other traces behind them. 
Among those who added largely to 
the prosperity of the early days 
were Daniel Bixby, Lameeh Blan- 
din. Rev. Isaac Wellman, Cyrus 
Whitcomb, Abijah Moore, John 
Waters and Peter Benson. 

PETER BENSON 

was justice of the peace for many 
years and moderator for town meet- 
ings and selectman. His opinions 
were often sought and hie decisions 
were weighed with equal justice. 

JOHN waters 

was an active business man, and un- 
doubtedly the best educated of any 
of the early settlers; he taught 
schools and was very ready with the 
pen. He was the first town clerk 
and held the office many years; was 
many years a justice of the peace 
and selectman; and was identified 
with the business o! the town more 
than any other man. 

Of those who settled here about 
1780 and left descendants still liv- 
ing in town are : 

EBENRZEJt HARWOOD, 

represented by his son, Joel Har- 
wood, and grand -son, Otis Har- 
wood, a worthy and respected citi- 
zen now 66 years of age, without 
children, 



BROOKLINE* 



38? 



TIMOTHY WELLMAN, 

represented by his son, Daniel Well- 
man, who is now living at the age of 
3th ancl grandsons, Leverett K* and 
Allen 0* Wellman, and great-grand- 
sons by Leverett: Arthur C* and 
George Wellman, and great-grand- 
daughter by Allen, Helen B. Well- 
man. 

DANIEL BENSON, 



and bought of Jonathan Boyden the 
now so-called Rist farm* 

SAMUEL RIST 

a few years after the close of the 
war, came and took possession of 
1m brother's farm* He raised op a 
large family of children. His son, 
Andrew S. Rist, is a bachelor, who 
is now t>6 years of age* 



represented by his sou Daniel and 
granddaughters* Hannah Adams 
and Lucinda Flint, and great-grand- 
sons, by Hannah, Ozro Adams: by 
Lucinda, John Flint 

BENJAMIN FLINT, 

represented by his son Asa Flint, 
and grandson Anson Flint, and 
great-grandson John Flint 

EBENEZER WELLMAN, 

represented by his sou, Isaac Well- 
man, who was a deacon of the Bap^ 
tiet church many years and a prom- 
inent business man in town ; and 
his grandson, Everett P. Wellman, 
also a prominent mail, and his great- 
gran d daughter s, Abbie A* and 
Martha Wellman; the former was a 
very successful school teacher and 
married Judge Andrew A. Wyman 
of Athene. 

HI CHARD WHITNEY, 

represented by his three sons, Israel, 
Ebenezer and Timothy H, Whitney, 
and grandson by Israel and Daniel 
E. Whitney, who has held the prin- 
cipal offices in to wn ; and by a great- 
grand daughter, Bertha Whitney, 
and grandson by Ebenezer; Erastus 
Whitney, a bachelor, 68 years of 
age* 

THREE OLD HOMESTEADS* 

There are three farms in town 
that with enlargements remain in 
the hands of the descendants of the 
original owners, the Rist farm : 

THOMAS El ST 

came from Sutton, Mass,, in 1788, 



JONATHAN CUTLER 

came from Fitzwilliams, Mass., in 
1799 and bought of James Walden 
the now Cutler farm. He was rep- 
resented by his son, Ira Cutler, who 
married a daughter of lasiah 
Rounds, one of the early settlers. 
Ira in his prime, was a strong, reso- 
lute man, and spent much of his 
time in winter in hunting. [Bee 
farther the genealogy in sketch pre- 
pared by the family*] The Cutler 
family were prominent members of 
the Baptist . church and added 
strength and wealth to the town. 

CHRISTOPHER OSGOOD 

settled on land now owned by his 
son Luther, about 1790* Luther 
married a daughter of Ephraim 
Park* and moved to the western 
part of New York state, with the 
intention of making it his home: 
but the declining years of Mr* Park 
brought him back to Vermont, when 
he took possession of the Parkrk 
farm, and of his father's, and bent 
his energies to build up a farm sec- 
ond to none iu the valley of West 
riven and his broad fields of grass 
and well-filled granary indicate a 
successful farmer, He has taken an 
interest in the politics and prosper- 
ity of the town, and has held the 
chief offices of trust in the gift of 
the town* His sons are Ephraim P* 
and Fred L*, and grandsons, Her- 
moa and George. 

THOMAS CRANE, ESQ., 

moved into Brookline from Rich- 
mond j N. II*, about 1806, as the 
first generation of the settlers were 



388 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



passing away. lie entered largely 
into the interests of the town" spent 
his winters in teaching, was town 
clerk six years; represented the 
town in the legislature; was select- 
man 18 years; died in his 57th year, 
1836, 

BENJAMIN OHM8BEE 

from 1802 to 1830 held a leading 
position in the town; town clerk, 
selectman, the first representative 
to the legislature, 

WILLIAM ADAMS 

was born in Dummerston* this 
county, in 1810. His father moved 
to Brookline in 1810. At an early 
age, William. Adams entered into 
the polities of the town, and for the 
past fifty years has been closely con- 
nected with its history. He has 
been justice of the peace many years 
and qualified to draft legal papers 
which he has done for the people of 
the town. He has represented the 
town and has been town clerk 23 
years* 

BAEZXLLIA STICK NET 

was born in Jail rev, N. H,, Nov. 12, 
1702* He passed his early life m 
New Hampshire, Northern Ver- 
mont and Western New York- He 
moved to Brookline in 1827, married 
Sarah Per ham, the oldest daughter 
of Jonathan Ferham of Athens, one 
of the first settlers of Athens. He 
was a carpenter and mechanic and 
located here with the view of im- 
proving the waters of Grassy brook 



CHARLES P. STICKER BY 

was born Oct* 10* 1840, His parents 
though in limited circumstances gave 
him time to attend school* He 
worked on his father’s farm, taught 
school, and by industry fitted for 
college in 1861 : but the war was 
then in progress and other causes 
arrested him in his purpose. In 1866 
he went West* and was establishing 
himself hi business when he was 
called to return to Vermont to care 
for those who had cared for him. In 
I860 he married Frances A, Hast- 
ings ; a son was born to them in 1882, 
Carrol W. Mr. Stickney has held 
the office of constable four years. 

( 1 883 ) , an d to w n s up e rin ten dent of 
schools 13 years, and represented the 
town in the legislature, 1882 and 
S3. He is in the full vigor of life 
and enters with earnestness into 
whatever he undertakes. 

TIMOTHY JEL WHITNEY, 

was born in Waltham, N. H., in 
1777, His father, Richard Whitney, 
moved to Brookline soon after and 
settled upon the farm now owned by 
Otis Harwood* He made the first, 

! clearing upon the farm and built the 
house now standing* Timothy was 
an active boy and gained an educa- 
tion through the limited sources of 
those days, so that at eighteen, he 
taught school; (page 12*) At 
twenty he was elected constable and 
served several years, and lias been 
town clerk and lister ; in 1708, mar- 
ried Abigail Blanchard of Waltham* 



to prosecute his business; but thejN. H , and settled upon the farm 

J ■' now owned by his son, Hiram Whit- 
■ ncy. He was prominent in the bus- 
iness of the tow m and rose from a 
private to a major in the militia, and 
enlisted in the war of 1812; was 
promoted colonel. In 1815 he moved 
to Athens, where he represented the 
town i a t h e Leg i si a tu r e se v e ral y ear s , 
was in the Legislature at the time 
Brookline was granted the right to 
elect a representative. He was judge 
of the County Court. lie died at 
the age of 82 years. Fie is now rep- 
resented in town by his son, Oapt* 



volume of water did not meet Ins ex 
pec tali on during the summer season, 
and he turned Ills attention to farm- 
ing. Fie interested himself in sup- 
porting the best of schools, and hold 
those who held office strictly ac- 
countable in rendering their ac- 
counts. He died in 1882, at the age 
of 83. 

FRANCIS MEKKI FIELD 

came to Book line from New fane in 
1841, and bought the original Flint 
farm. He raised up a large family* 



BROOKLINE. 



389 



Hiram, a man of few words but to 
the point, and a much esteemed citi- 
zen. He was born in 1804, married 
to Fanny Perham in 1828, lias rep- 
resented the town at Montpelier, and 
held his share of its honorable offices 
with fidelity and honor. 

HIRAM M. WHITNEY, 

son of Captain Hiram, and grand- 
son of Colonel Timothy, was born in 
1S29; has represented the town, and 
been one of the selectmen 14 years. 
Ilis daughter, Lanrett, brings up the 
honors of the family. Few women 
are more capable in the performance 
of the duties of a household, or deft 
in cuuning work that graces the wall 
of the half of a county fair, or adorns 
more pleasantly the rooms of her 
home. 

ARTHUR D. STEBBINS, 

son of John B. Stebbins, Esq., was 
born in Brookline, August 16, 1858. 
His minority was passed on the farm, 
gaining from his father the art of 
farming, and from his mother the 
culture for a noble manhood. He 
acquired a thorough academical edu- 
cation. In the spring of 1878 he 
was cleric in the store of his brother- 
in-law, in Rochester, Minn., and on 
account of the severe and prolonged 
sickness of his father and his family, 
he being the oldest son was called 
home. He at once returned and 
took charge of his father's business, 
and in the spring remodelled and 
constructed a new set of barns, and 
gave his father’s business a new im- 
petus. In the fall of 1880 he re- 
turned to Minnesota, as senior clerk 
of the same firm. While here he 
assisted one of the partners, unused 
to farming, in selecting stock for a 
farm he had bought out of the city. 
Arthur was often consulted about 
this farm. It gave him excellent 
opportunities for developing his 
genius in the Eden occupation. He 
made the herd books a study ; was 
sent to New England in the winter 
of 1882, by some prominent herds- 
men of Minnesota, to make a selec- 



tion and purchase of thorough breeds. 
His selections met with such hearty 
success he decided to resign his posi- 
tion in the store and devote himself 
to agriculture. 

He married Hattie Bell, daughter 
of Daniel Lyon, then of New York, 
Sept. 23, 1883. His father urged 
him to remain on the old farm, but 
ambitious to gain an independence 
by his own efforts, he and his wife 
left Vermont, Oct. 11, 1383, and 
upon the aired, fertile plateau of the 
Cumberland Mountains, Tenn., he 
bought a tract of land, known in the 
early history of the country as a fa- 
vorite retreat of the red man, and in 
this delightful climate he had com- 
menced to build up and beautify a 
home, and gain for himself a lauda- 
ble notoriety in the agricultural 
world, but in the bud of his ambi- 
tion he was in an instant cut clown 
Jan. 19, 1886, he and his brother-in- 
law, George Lyon, were at work in a 
wood near the house, when a tall, 
oak stub, standing some 30 feet dis- 
tant fell, and struck Mr. Stebbins 
to the ground, breaking the spinal 
column at the neck. So quick and 
sharp the deadly deed was done 
without even rupturing the skin. 
This sudden death seemed strange 
to all who knew him. 

His remains were brought home to 
Brookline for interment. He rests 
in the family lot beside bis mother 
and brother. 



JOHN BLANDIN. 

BY CD AS. W. BLAND I IV, RUTLAND, 
ILLINOIS. 

An early settler of the territory 
later known as the town of Brook- 
line, was John Bland in, born at At- 
tleboro, Mass., in 1764, of French 
descent. He early identified himself 
with the general weal of the new 
settlement in all of its various efforts 
at advancement. Educational and 
religious interests received his espec- 
ial fostering care. He early became 
a clerk of the Baptist church, and in 



m 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ISOS, was with his brother Lamech, 
ordained as deacon, at the time 
Amos Beckwith was ordained for 
the pastor, which office he held as 
long as be lived, until his death in 
1S35. In 1784 he was married to 
Sarah Gray, at Brookline, and 
moved onto an unbroken forest 
tract of land, that afterward became 
the i£ Blaodio farm/' on which he 
spent the remainder of his life. 
There were 11 children by this mar- 
riage, 10 of whom settled in life with 
families, all leading and useful mem- 
bers of society. Mr. Rian din buried 
his first wife in 1831, and in 1833 
married Mrs. Sally Hub bell, of West 
Westminster, by whom he had three 
children, two of whom are living and 
take active part in lifers duties. She 
died in 1855. 

Probably but 'few families have 
exerted a broader or more salutary 
influence in moulding the general 
welfare of this community than that 
of John B1 an din 

CHARLES W. BLA N BTN, 

the subject of the portrait-frontis- 
plate of this history, was the twelfth 
child of John Bland in, and the first 
bv his second marriage, born in 
Brookline, Feb* 18, IBM. His 
mother's maiden name was Sally 
Holden, of Scotcb-English parent- 
age. He has resided for the last 30 
years in Rutland, 111. lie is engaged 
in the retail drug and book trade, 
and is regarded as a reliable business 
man. 

Ho was married to Miss D* A. 
Johnson, of Elmira, N* Y* T in 1850. 
They have one child, a son, Fremont 
C. Bland in, who has received a lib- 
eral education, and is a prominent 
lawyer and editor at S treater. 111, 

Rev. Denzel Manspield Crane. 

BY MRS* B. H. CRANE, 

Dense] Crane was born in Brook- 
line, Feb. 39, 1813, and died at his 
eon-in-law ’s, Rev. I. R. Haskins, in 
West Acton, Mass, Sept, 4, 1879, 
aged 67. He was the third son of 
Thomas Crane, Esq. He early at- 



tended the district school of 10 
weeks in summer and winter ; but 
when old enough to labor was lim- 
! ited to the winter term. Under the 
instruction of his father, an experi- 
i enced teacher, he acquired the ele- 
mentary branches of an English 
education His evenings were spent 
at home in the family circle. Thus 
was the period of his boyhood and 
early youth passed. When 15, he 
united with the Baptist church, At 
the age of 18, he was impressed with 
the importance of the gospel minis- 
try, He commenced study with 
Rev. Phineas Howe, and subsequent- 
ly studied at Franklin and Pierce 
academies and Brown university, 
preaching and teaching to meet his 
expenses. 

He married Bathsheba II, Phillips 
of New fane, March I, 1837, and was 
ordained in his native town the fol- 
lowing June. He was pastor, suc- 
cessively* in Brookline, Grafton and 
North Springfield* Vt*, Northamp- 
ton, Bos to a an d 1 1 o rch es ter, W non- 
I socket, R* I., Greenfield, Mass.* 
North Springfield, Vt M again* Win* 

I throp and Northampton. In nearly 
all of these pastorates revivals were 
I enjoyed, resulting in the eucou rage- 
men t and rebuilding of the churches. 
The most extensive revivals in con- 
nection with his labors were during 
his first pastorate of three years at 
North Springfield, when 84 were 
baptized into the church, and at 
Boston, in six years, 189. His long- 
est pastorate was 13 years,— it was 
his first in Northampton — during 
which he was elected 10 times a 
member of the school committee and 
for six years he was superintendent 
of the public schools, and, while 
thus engaged, the honorary degree 
of A. M. was conferred upon him by 
Amherst college. There his remains 
were tenderly laid away* with his 
three sons, and only grand-son. 

BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY* 

Br John B. Steruins, Esq. 

TEE BA PTIST CHURCH IN BROOKLINE 

was constituted in 1785, and be- 



BROOKLINE. 



:rn 



longed to the Leyden and Windham 
Association in 1853, and has newer 
failed to mate its annual report. 
For several years the church had no 
ordained pastor. From time to time 
some brother was appointed to con- 
duct public worship- We notice 

AMOS eeokwith 

was ordained pastor- June 2, 1802, 
and Eros. Lamech and John Blau- 
din, deacons. The church having 
no house of worship, these ordaining 
services were held in Josiali Taft's 
new barn \ and the record says 
ts with decency, order and great sol- 
emnity.” Bro. Beckwith's pastorate 
continued a year and a half, when 
again the church was destitute until 
Nov. 3, 1808., when 

REV. ISAAC WELLMAN 

was ordained pastor and Daniel Bix- 
by d eaco n . El d e r Well m an w as pas - 
tor 12 years. His salary ranged from 
$40 to §75 per annum. His other 
source of income was an 80-acre farm 
which he owned and cultivated. 

In 1810 the church enjoyed a re- 
vival* in which 40 members were 
added, and in 182 T there was an- 
other revival. The church flourished 
under the care of Elder Wellman 
until 1821, when he embraced open 
communion. The church called an 
ecclesiastical council on this account, 
the result of which was the with- 
drawal of their fellowship from Bvo. 
Wellman as a Baptist minister. 
Three years later, Bro. Wellman re- 
nounced his open communion senti- 
ments and was fully restored by the 
church. After the dismissal of Elder 
Wellman in 1821, Elder Hibbard 
supplied the church eight months. 

ELDER BELA WILCOX 

was invited , Jan. 2, 1823, to preach , 
which lie did with great satisfaction 
to the church for three years. March 
17, l $26, the church voted to settle 
Bro. Wilcox with ns for five years. 
April 26 the church gave him a call 
to be ordained, but he declined. 
Aug, 25,1826, the church called 



BRO. DAVID CUTLER 

to the ministry, and just one year 
after ordained him as pastor. Dur- 
ing the next year the church in East 
Townshend was organized, and 
about 70 members were dismissed 
from Brookline to Townshend, re- 
ducing the Brookline church about 
one-half. 

The church was prosperous while 
under Elder Cutlers care, liis labors 
being very useful. 

LEA. CALVIN BARRETT 

was received from Windham church, 
July 7, 1827. His letter says n that 
he has served as deacon of that 
church over 20 years.” He was 
chosen deacon of this church also, 
which place he filled with great ac- 
ceptance until his death in 1862, 

SUNDAY SCHOOL 

Feb. 25, 1828. The church voted 
to organize a Sunday school in town, 
Eev. David Cutler, Thomas Crane 
and Alvin Boy den, superintending 
committee. This school has con- 
tinued to the present time, with but 
short vacations. 

BRO. CRANE 

was invited to preach Dec. 24, 1830. 

A BRO, PERRY 

from the Marlboro and New fane 
church was called, and preached 
about oue year, end was succeeded 
by Bro. George Phillips from the 
same church, who preached here un- 
til 1834. 

BRO. DANA BROWN 

succeeded Bro, Phillips. Bro. Brown's 
pas tor at e c o n t i n ned to 1886. 

BRO, DENZEL M. CRANE 

was then called and was ordained by 
this church, June 1, 1837, it beiug 
the same day the present house of 
worship was dedicated. 

Elder Crane continued hia labors 
here till June 15, 1838. Eev. John 
Baldwin* from Jamaica, succeeded 
him, till the spring of 1841, when 



392 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



BUO* SAMUEL KINGSBURY, JR. ; 

from Windham, was called to the 
pastoral care of the church, and or- 
dained on the 1 8th of November fol- 
lowing. 

The church prospered under El- 
der Kingsbury's care till IS49. In 
the autumn of this year a fatal epi- 
demic passed through the town ? and 
this devoted servant of God, his 
wife and three children, the entire 
family, deceased within the short 
space of two weeks, and the wi£e~s 
father aud mother about the same 
time, 

RET. RUFUS SMITH 

accepted the pastorate in the winter 
of 1849-50, and was dismissed by 
letter, March 28, 1552, Sept. 21, 
1851, Bros. Cal Yin T. Barrett, Fran- 
cis Merri field and 0- W. Stebbins 
were elected deacons. Dea, Francis 
Merrifield left a legacy to the church 
of $250. 

BKQ. C. B. SMITH, 

then principal of Leland and Gray 
seminary, Townshend, this county, 
was called to supply the desk in 
April, 1854, and February, 1S55, he 
was ordained pastor and remained 
such till August 7, 1859. 

From 1S59 to 1S62, the desk was 
supplied by Bros. Cl me. Frost, 
Whitcomb, Wheeler, Burrows and 
others. In 1862 Rev, J. P. Hunt- 
ington was pastor nine months, suc- 
ceeded by Rev. Sem Pierce. Fail- 
ing health obliged the latter to re- 
tire in the spring of 1805; he was 
succeeded by 

RET. CHARLES FARRAR, 

July 1st, the same year, whose pas- 
torate continued to 187 L when he 
was dismissed to Warwick, Mass. 
During this time the house of wor- 
ship was greatly improved, largely 
through the efficiency of the j cas- 
tor wife, Elizabeth Farrar. 

REY, WH. A. A. MILLARD 

was pastor from 1871 to 1873. 



RET. J. D. DONAYAN 

was next pastor from 1873 to 187b, 

From May, 1876, to 1880, Rev. 
Charles D. Fuller was pastor, Thu 
pastor was stricken down with par- 
alysis, resigned and moved to Rrat- 
tleboro.i 

May 1, 1881, Rev, Charles Farrar 
was recalled as pastor, and served a* 
such till June 1, 1884, when he re- 
tired aud moved to California with 
his family, aged So years. 

Since June 15, 1884* 

RET. I. II, BURWELL 

of Saxtons River, has supplied the 
desk ,half the time, and as acting 
pastor till May, 1837, when Rev. B. 
V. Baker of Rhode Island, accepted 
the pastorate, which continued two 
years. About 540 members have 
belonged to this church. It has or- 
dained six ministers and licensed 
several others, among whom are 
Eliot P. and Austin A, Merrifield. 

This church has had two meeting 
houses. The first a temporary 
building, without floor or other fin- 
ish, except a small desk, attached to 
the frame ou one side. 

In 1836-7 the present substantial 
brick edifice was erected. 

Though often without a pastor, 
the church has always sustained 
discipline and the Christian ordi- 
nances. It lias dismissed many 
members, who have become pillars 
of strength, to some of the churches 
in the large cities and in the grow- 
ing West. 

We cannot close this sketch with- 
out offering a tribute of love and 
respect for the faithful dead and 
absent, whose names and doings are 
here recorded: 

deacons. 

William Thomas, Larnecb Bland in, 
John Blandi n, Daniel Bixhy, Isaac 
Wellman, Harry Cary ? Calvin Bar- 
rett, Jonathan Cutler., Luke B. 
Osgood, C. S. Bout well, Francis 
Merrifield, Calvin T. Barrett, Ghal- 
mcr W. Stebbins and O, C. Merri- 
field. 



BROOKLINE 



393 



CLERKS OF THE CHURCHES. 

Daniel Bixby, Archalas Bixby, John 
Blandin, Thomas Crane, Anthony 
Mason, C. W. Stebbins and John B. 
Stebbins. 



THE INDIANS. 

BY JOHN B. STEBBINS. 

Soon after the settlement of this 
town, the inhabitants of the north- 
ern part of the town, which lies in a 
deep and narrow valley, were startled 
one day by the report that the In- 
dian war-whoop had been heard in 
the southern part of the town and 
along the hill sides. They all rush 
out and listen. 

The most incredulous are satisfied 
that it is real. What shall be done? 
There rises abruptly on the easterly 
side of this town Athens and New- 
fane, 15 miles one unbroken line of 
hill, about 1,000 feet high above the 
main valley, and a range nearly as 
high on the west. They at once de- 
cide to do their best to escape across 
the mountain to the settlement in 
Putney. 

But one man is sick and cannot 
walk; shall they leave him ? No, a 
litter is hastily prepared, the sick 
man laid upon it and placed upon 
the shoulders of the most athletic, 
and the mixed party of men, women 
and children move off hastily. 
Closely the mother clasped the hand 
of her trembling child at her side; 
she thought of the Dustan family, 
the massacre at Bloody Brook— 
scenes fresh in their minds — horror 
thrilled the nerves of the weaker, as 
they were startled by the crackling 
of dead limbs, or the creaking and 
groaning of some half fallen tree. 
On and up, — the sick man is aban- 
doned, — trie summit is at last 
reached. The frightful foe has not 1 
yet closed in upon them. Two 
miles of gradual descent was be- 
tween them and the residence of 
Captain Jewett; this distance was 
soon accomplished; the party hauled 
up before the captain's door. They 
quite took him and his family by 



surprise ; but their story being 
heard, they were told their alarm 
must have been occasioned by the 
shouts of a party of surveyors that 
had passed over the mountain that 
day. They treated the whole com- 
pany to mush and milk for supper 
aud stored them away as best they 
I could for the night. The next day 
(the party returned to Brookline and 
found their homes ju6t as they left 
them; but these mothers felt almost 
as though their dear ones had been 
reclaimed from a terrible fate. 

The Bipk rnau (Eliphalet Skinner) 
was found alive where he had been 
left the day of the flight. He re- 
gained his health and lived to a 
good old age. 



C. T. BARRETT. 

BY MRS. E. C. BOOTH. 

As an eccentric person few arc so 
generally knowu and remarked as 
our deacon and townsman, Calvin 
T. Barrett. A part of his life has 
been brilliant and noteworthy as a 
godly, upright man, acquainted al- 
most to a line with the constructions 
of the Bible and other religions doc- 
trines, also as a lover and instructor 
of music. The practice as a teacher 
of singing-schools, having brought 
him to an almost intimate acquaint- 
ance with a large part of the people 
in Windham county. 

Some parts of his life have been a 
bewilderment from insanity, at 
which peri ode he wanders about, 
chart-drawing, or giving concerts 
and other entertainments. 



THE CUTLER FAMILY. 

FROM MRS, JANE BENNETT CUTLER. 

Samuel Cutler was born in Fitz- 
william, N. H., Aug. 13, 1790. 

In early life be came with his 
father to Brookline. He learned 
the trade of carpenter and builder, 
which he continued more or less 
during his life. 

Feb. 17, 1817, he married Ruth 
Phillips, daughter of John Phillips, 



394 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



.Esq* of Marlboro, this county, a 
very estimable woman. She died 
January, 1833, leaving three sous 
and one daughter. 

June 5, 1834, he married for his 
second wife, Sally Phillips, a second 
daughter of John Phillips, and had 
by this union one son, John H. 
Cutler. 

In 1828 he purchased a farm near 
the centre of the town, owned by 
Dr. 'William Perry, where he re- 
sided until the last" two years of Ills 
life. In 1836-37 he built for him- 
self a substantia! brick house. 



life went to Minnesota, spending the 
most of his time in farming. He 
died Feb., 1883. 

John H. Cutler, the youngest son, 
married Martha A. Fisher, daughter 
of George Fisher, Esq., and has since 
gone to Tracey, Minn., where he is 
engaged in farming. He has one 
daughter, Laura J., born in Brook* 
line, who lives with him in his west- 
ern home. 



THE STEBBINS FAMILY. 

JOTHAH STEBBINS, 



In 1855-56 be was sent by his 
townspeople to the Legislature, be- 
ing called the third time to an extra 
session caused by the burning of the 
State house. 

In 1854 he sold his farm and 
moved to Brattleboro, to spend the 
remainder of Ins days. He died 
Aug. 8, 1866, aged 70 years. 

Luther, his first, sou, died in in- 
fancy. 

Jonathan, the second son, was a 
good scholar. At the age of 20, he 
went to Boston, where he was suc- 
cessful in business. 

In 1848 he married Loretta E. 
Abbott from Windham, daughter of 
Deacon Hart B. Abbott. After 
some years he returned to Vermont 
and settled in Brattleboro, 1851. 

He died in 1867 at the age of 45 
years, leaving a eon and dau ghter. 
The son. Fred A., for several years 
has been in the office of A. I. & L. 
E. Kelly, real estate agents in Min- 
neapolis, Minn. 

Samuel, the third son, left Brook- 
line at the age of 20 for Boston, 
where be has been engaged in busi- 
ness till the present time, residing in 
Boston the first 10 years, since then 
at Somerville, Mass. 

In 1851 he married Sarah Jane 
Bennett of Brookline. 

They have four children, the old- 
est, Samuel Newton, a graduate of 
Harvard college, class of 1877 ; 
Frank Ernest, Ella Florence and 
Jane Ruth, all of Somerville. 

Albert, the fourth son, in early 



son of Benjamin and Jerusha Steb- 
bins, bom at Brimfield, Mass., April 
21, 1761, married Phebe Ellen wood, 
who left children : Samuel, Rufus 
and Phebe. He was a soldier of the 
Revolutionary war. He moved into 
Brookline in 1787, and settled on a 
farm, where be lived till his death 
in 1850, aged 89 years. He was of 
English Puritan descent and very 
tenacious of his religious principle*). 

SAMUEL STEBBINS, 

oldest son of Jotham.was 4 years old 
when his parents moved to Vermont. 
He married Sarah, the oldest daugh- 
ter of Dea. John Blandin, and set- 
tled on a farm adjacent to his fa- 
ther's, where he lived until bis death 
in 1866, aged 83. He was an enterpris- 
ing farmer and prominent citizen of 
his towu ; patriotic and public-spir- 
ited ; kept a close run of the State 
and National politics ; thrice elected 
to the Legislature, and holding 
many of the positions of trust. He 
had four sons and one daughter, who 
lived to maturity, 

Eli M., the eldest eon, died at 
' Brown university at the close of his 
second year, 1839, aged 25. 

Elvira, the only daughter, died in 
1845, aged 25 years. 

JOHN B. STEBBINS, 

third eon of Samuel, bom in 1824, 
received a fair academic education 
at Leland and Gray seminary, and is 
now (1891) living on a farm near 
the centre of the town. He has ever 




* 



BROOKLINE. 



395 



been prominent among his towns- 
men, as a reference to the list of 
town officers will show, one of the 
corporators of Windham County 
Savings bank, and for several years 
one of its directors. 

In 1847 he married Mary E. Bar- 
ber, eldest daughter of Dr! Geo. W. 
Barber, formerly of Wardsboro. She 
died June 21, 1885, leaving two sons 
and one daughter. 

Arthur, eldest son of John B, 
Stebbins, was accidently and instant- 
ly killed at Skene, Tenn., Jan. 19, 
1886. — See previous notice by Mr. 
Stickney. 

SAMUEL E. STEBBINS, 

son of Samuel, born 1830, is now a 
section farmer in Dakota, and a 
member of the Territorial Legisla- 
ture. He was ft Union soldier in the 
war of the Rebellion, and since the 
close of the war has spent several 
years at land surveying in the 
ftortwest for the United States gov- 
ernment and the Northern Pacific 
Railroad Company. 

Charles Q., the youngest son of 
Samuel, resides in Townshend, this 
county. 

11UFUS STEBBINS, 

second son of Jotham, resided on the 
farm with his father. He married 
Clarissa, daughter of Dea. John 
Blandin, and raised a family of 11 
children : Thomas, Clarissa, Chal- 
mer, Adin, Sarah, Jonas, Christana, 
Yashti, William*, Edwin, Jotham. 

Thomas is a farmer, Adin is an 
artist, Edwin a dentist, Jotham a 
Methodist clergyman, and Chalmer 
and William are well-to-do farmers 
in town ; they have both represented 
the town in the Legislature and held 
many other honorable positions of 
trust. 

Clarissa and Vashti are settled in 
town ; Edwin at Shelburn Falls, 
Mass.; the others are in Minnesota. 
Sarah and Christana are deceased. 

Phebe, only daughter of Jotham, 

* William P. Stebbins, of Brookline, 
died March 12. 1886. aged 54 years. 



married Joab. Holland of Towns- 
hend, and raised a large and respect- 
able family. 

EDWIN ALONZO STEBBINS, 

son of Rufus and Clarissa (Blandin) 
Stebbins, born in Brookline, July 
10, 1837, passed his boyhood days on 
the farm, attending public school in 
the Round school house, and the 
academies in Townshend, Spring- 
field and Brandon. 

He studied dentistry with Dr. E. 
M. Bissell, and began practice in the 
winter of 1860-61 in South London- 
derry. 

He enlisted in Co. G, 11 Reg. Yt. 
Vols., and was appointed corporal 
on being mustered into United 
States service. Sept. 1, 1862, and 
was promoted to sergeant, 1863 ; 
Company quartermaster-sergeant, 
Dec. 28, 1863 ; first sergeant, Jan. 
28, 1864; first lieutenant, June 2, 
1865. 

The regiment was stationed in the 
defences of Washington, D. C., till 
May, 1864, wheu it was ordered to 
the front and joined the 2d Brigade 
| (old 1st Yt. Brigade), 2d Div. 6th 
] Army Corps, at Spottsylvania, Ya., 
with which it served till the end of 
the war. 

When the regiment was discharged 
a few hundred of its recruits were 
kept in service to do garrison duty, 
with a sufficient number of officers 
for command. This battalion was 
stationed at forts on the Potomac 
river, a few miles below Washington. 
Lieutenant Stebbins was post quar- 
termaster at Fort Foot, and quarter- 
master of the battalion till they were 
ordered to be discharged Aug. 25, 
1865. 

He succeeded Dr. E. M. Bissell, 
dentist at Shelburne Falls, Mass. 

Was elected president of the Con- 
necticut Valley Dental Society, Nov. 
5, 1885. 

He was one of the organizers of 
the Franklin County Sunday School 
Teachers’ Association (union) in 
1S76, being elected its president in 
1 1877, and its secretary eight success- 
| ive years, from 1879. 



396 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



He was a delegate from Massachu- 
setts to the International Sunday 
School Convention at Atlanta, Ga. , 
in 1878* 

He married Jane P. Nutting of 
Groton, Mass,, May 12, 1861, who 
died at Shelburne Falla, Mass., Sept. 
15, 1877. 

He married A. Adella Smith of 
Holyoke, Mass., Nov. 38, 1878. 
Children : George Edwin, born Jan, 
27, 1382, and Lucy A., born June S, 
1883. 

The doctor is also treasurer of 
the board of trustees of Shelburne 
Falls Academy, and a trustee of 
Arms Academy, completed and dedi- 
cated in 1S80, 



THE FRANCIS MERRIFIELD 
FAMILY. 

Francis E. Merri field bought a 
farm on West river in Brookline, and 
moved on to it with hie wife and 10 , 
children in 1840. One son was born 
to him in Brookline, making H 
children in his family. At the time 
he came to Brookline no member of 
the family professed religion, but 
subsequently the parents and all the 
children, except Leonard, became 
actiye members of the Baptist church 
in Brookline, and Leonard joined 
the church of the same denomina- 
tion in Dover. The father was for 
a long time deacon of the church in 
Brookline. They were all very reg- 
ular and constant in their places in 
the choir (they all sangj in the 
Sunday school, and wherever duty 
called. Mr. and Mrs. M. brought 
up their family to strict, orderly, 
moral and religious habits, and most 
rigid industry and economy. Yet 
they were very generous towards all 
religions purposes. 

The children are all still living ; , 
all are married and have families. 

Elliot P. took Full collegiate and 
theological courses, and is a Baptist 
clergyman. 

Austin S. took a theological 
course. He has been for several 
years a State missionary in Kansas, ! 



Emery E. studied medicine. He 
was an army surgeon, for some time 
in a rebel prison. He is now farm- 
ing at Macon, Mo. 

Edwin S. Sherman, is a very in- 
telligent farmer, and an active church 
member. He has a son who is a 
Baptist minister. 

H, I. Turner is a well to do farmer 
in Dover, 

S. J. Greene, is a retired farmer* 

Charles S. White, is a farmer in 
Grafton. 

Leonard B, Merrifield went to 
Mendota, where he engaged in a 
drug and book store, and traded in 
real estate for several years, and is 
now an organ manufacturer. 

0- C. Merrifield remained on the 
homestead in Brookline till 1880, 
when he joined his brothers in the 
organ business at Mendota, 111. He 
was a very active and useful citizen. 

Charles Brooks, is a well educated 
Bap t ist min is t e r . 

Albert H., served in the Union 
army nearly through the war. He 
was a druggist at Amboy, III., for 
several years, but finally joined his 
brothers in the organ business at 
Mendota; since moved to Ottawa, 
111 , 



THE ADAMS FAMILY. 

SAMUEL ADAMS. 

born at Lancaster, Mass., July 10, 
1781, came to Dummereton, Vt., 
when a young man and learned the 
slater's business with Peter Willard. 

Nov. 27, 1805, he married Dorcas 
Hale, who was born at Oakham, 
Mass*. Jan. 13, 1783. She was a 
woman of great endurance, and de- 
voted her life to the cares and inter- 
ests of her family, She died in 
Brookline, July 15, 1866, aged 84 
years. 

Children : Three sons, born at 
Du miners ton : 

Samuel N., born July 6, ISO?; 
William, born July 15, 1810, and 
Channcy, born Nov. 9, 1814. 

February, 1819, the family came 



BROOKLINE. 



397 



to Brookline* and settled on a farm 
near the centre of the town, 

Samuel N., married Laura Oranfi- 
bee* of Newfane* where lie owned 
and kept the principal hotel for sev- 
eral years* after which he kept a 
revision store in Boston* Mass- He 
ied in Newfane, Sept. 1, 1851* aged 
44 years* and his wife* Nov. 2„ 1SS5. 
They had a daughter, Mary, who 
married F. W, Cole of C4 1 encore* 
Y. N. 

WILLIAM ADAMS* 

son of Saimiel, married Sarah E.* a 
daughter of Brown Osgood of this 
town* Oct. 2 * .1834* and has resided 
on his father's homestead in Brook- 
lino* to the present time. 

They had one daughter* Mary El- 
vira* born Oet. 19, 1835* and three 
sons. 

JamesHenry, born Augusts, 1837* 
died Jan. 13* 1840 ; Charles H. born, 
Nov. 23, 1839* died Jan, 12, 1840^ 
of diptheria* and both buried to- 
gether. 

John C, born Nov, 25* 1842, died 
Nov. 25* 1844, from a scald by fall- 
ing into a small kettle of hot water. 

Mr. .William Adams, although a 
farmer ail his life* has by his diligent 
habits and early rising, been a man 
of extensive shading, and being of a 
legal turn of imud, has devoted much 
of his attention to legal and political 
subjects. This has made him a nat- 
ural leader in politics. He lias been 
Brookline's free lawyer, and for 
many years he has drawn up most of 
the legal papers for the town and its 
inhabitants. His official record will 
ear with his townsmen, 
hauncy studied law* married 
Catharine Brown of Jamaica, set- 
tled in Indiana, where he carried on 
mercantile business for a time. He 
received an appointment under 
President Polk, in the patent office 
at Was h i n gton * w h ere h e d ied Sept. 
28* 1862, and his wife on Feb. 1$, 
1885. 

Children? Geo. W, and John Q. 
George was for some time a news- 
paper correspondent and reporter. 
Has now for several years been a 
journalist of considerable note* and 



is president of ** The Star" Associa- 
tion at Washington* 1), C. 

OEOlfaE WILLIAM ADAMS* 
son of C hauncy Adams, was born in 
Lima* Indiana* in 1839; was edu- 
cated at the University of Michigan 
for the law, but entered journalism 
in Washington, D. C., in 1860, 
which profession he has followed 
ever since. Ho was the representa- 
tive of the Now York World in 
Washington for 19-J years ; of the 
Chicago Times * 13 years; the Bos- 
ton Her aid r 14 years; the St. Louie 
Republican^ 5 years, and at briefer 
periods of the New York Evening 
Post * Cincinnati Commercial, Louis- 
ville Courier- Journal, New Orleans 
Picayune, and Charleston fifews and 
Courier f and St. Louis Globe- Dem- 
ocrat He is one-tliivd owner of 
the Pkmiing Star newspaper in 
Washington* one of the larges tp rop- 
er ties of its kind in the United 
States* and president of the com- 
pany which publishes it. He served 
through the entire war as a corres- 
pondent, and was the witness of 
many eventful scenes in the nation's 
history, being present in the lobby 
of the theatre when Booth assas- 
sinated Lincoln* and in the room at 
B. and P. station* when Giteau shot 
Garfield. He has a wife and three 
daughters, has a fine residence in 
the most desirable portion of Wash- 
ington. He holds from President 
Arthur a commission as president of 
the board of trustees of the Reform 
School of the District of Columbia, 
a United States institution. Mr. 
Adams is the last one of the male 
line of the Brookline family. 

GEORGE TV. ADAME DEAD, 

The accomplished journalist died 
at hie home in Washington, D, C.* 

Oet 10 , 1886 . 

THE LUKE B. OSGOOD 
FAMILY. 

LUKE B. OSGOOD* 

born in Newfane* May IS* 1772* was 
one of a family of seven children* 




3 98 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



left orphans during the Revolution* 
ary war, and through the privations 
and hardships attending *that early 
eriod, arrived at the age of nmn- 
oo d . He ni ar v i ed Sally Th o m p s o n 
of Hubbards ton. Mass/ They set- 
tled in the northeast part of Hew- 
fane, which was subaebuently an- 
nexed to the town of Brookline, 
where they reared their family. 

Wm, H. Osgood married Artel issa 
M- Rice, March, 1836, They both 
died in the spring of 1353, leaving 
three children: 

Moses R, , now a railroad engineer 
in Connecticut 

Caroline M., wife of I, R. War- 
ner of Saxtons River. 

Gertrude P., wife of Rev, C. A. 
Fid dock of Middletown, Conn. 

Sarah E., wife of Wm. Adams, 
for account of whom, see Adams 
family of Brookline. 

WILLARD E. OSGOOD 

married Hannah Park and moved to 
Minnesota in 1864. He engaged in 
lumber business and land specula- 
tion; he died suddenly at Minneap- 
olis, Jan. 8, 1880. Ilis widow and 
daughter, Frances H. , now reside in 
Worcester, Mass., near her daugh- 
ters, Marion, wife of Geo. Fisher, 
and Martha E., widow of Edwin R. 
Morse. 

Mary Jane Osgood, wife of John 
A. Farnsworth of Saxtons River, 
adopted the two orphan daughters 
of m H., with whom they lived 
until their marriage. 

IT KB B. OSGOOD, JR, 

married Cyntha Jones. He moved 
to Beloit, Wis. } in 1846, and after- 
wards to Minnesota, He traded in 
land, and once made a journey to 
Pike's Peak, on a trading excursion. 
He was an extensive farmer, and 
had the reputation of being a kind 
neighbor, ready to help the unfor- 
tunate. He died at Garden City, 
Minn., Jan. 1, 1884. 

HARRIET Li OSGOOD, 

wife of Alonzo Damon of Hnbbards- 
ton. Mass., was married Oct, 3, 1840. 



She and her youngest child {a boy 
four years old), were suddenly killed 
at a railroad crossing at Wmchen- 
don. Mass,, Feb, 5, 1858. They 
with Mr. Damon were crossing the 
track when an engine came upon 
them. When the train had passed 
and Mr. Damon had recovered his 
consciousness, he found the head of 
hie little boy lying at his feet. Its 
body was picked up in nine parts. 
The lifeless form of his wife was 
carried farther on by the engine. 
She left a son, Eugene A., who died 
in early manhood, 1875, and one 
daughter, Mary Jane, who resides 
at Hubbardston with her father. 

Elizabeth L., wife of J, E. Ells, 
was married Jan. 1, 1846, moved to 
Rochester, Minn., where they lived 
20 years ; thence to Kansas City, 
Mo., in the vicinity of which place 
they still reside near their daughter, 
Alice, wife of J. T ampler, grain 
dealer. Their son. James E. Ells,, a 
farmer, resides at Lake Benton, 
Minn. 

Mrs. Wm. Adams and Mrs. J. A, 
Farnsworth having always resided 
in this vicinity, have been valuable 
members of society. 

Luke B. Osgood, senior, spent his 
days in Newfane and Brookline, and 
died at the age of 74, his wife hav- 
ing died eight years previous; they 
became firmly convinced of the 
truths of the Christian religion in 
their early married life, and were, 
with other believers, baptized by his 
brother, Rev. Emory Osgood. (One 
of the early Baptist ministers of 
Vermont, and father of the late 
Rev. Sewell M. Osgood, who labored 
eight years in Burra ah, under the 
direction of Rev. Adoniram Judson, 
and died in Chicago, 111., after sev- 
eral years' service as district secre- 
tary of the Western States for for- 
eign missions.) Mr. Osgood was an 
industrious, successful farmer. 



BENNETT FAMILY. 

BY DR, LEMON BENNETT. 

The ancestors of the Bennett fam- 
ily came early from England, r and 



BROOKLINE, 



399 



settled in Rhode Island, and for sev- 
eral generations were mainly seafar- 
ing men, 

Samuel Bennett, the grandfather 
of the- wri ter, wi tb three of his broth- 
ers, served as soldiers during the 
Revolutionary war. He held the 
office of drum -major. 

Soon after the close of the war he, 
with his wife, whose maiden name 
was Rebecca Shaw, and several of 
his connections came to Putney, Vt, 
and he was one of the first settlers 
on Putney West Hill. Here he raised I 
a family of five sons and seven I 
daughters. Hie son, 

SAMUEL BEK NETT, 

my father., married Sarah Read, 
daughter of John Read of W est Put - 1 
ney,a woman of most excellent mind 
and character. They lived on the 
home-place, and took care of grand- 
father and grandmother. He was a 
man of great industry and economy, 
and accumulated considerable prop- 
erty. 

He was one of the worst sufferers 
in the accident that occurred at the 
raising of the Baptist church at 
Brookline, The bones of his legs 
were very badly broken and crushed, 
and ever after he was very lame. 

About 1B39 he bought the Dr. 
Perry place in Brookline, to which 
he moved his family and where lie 
lived till his death in 1849. 

He had a family of four sons and 
five daughters ; one eon died in in- 
fancy. 

He and his wife were staunch Bap- 
tists, and three of bis daughters, 
Maria, Louisa and Ellen, married 
Baptist ministers. 

Maria Bennett, the oldest, married 
Rev. Nathaniel Cudworth, who was 
educated mainly at Hamilton, N- Y., 
and was a very successful pastor and 
eminently a good man. Ho died 
some years since, and his widow, son 
and daughter now live in Boston, 
Maes. 

Louisa Bennett married Rev. 
Samuel Kingsbury, who was the pas- 
tor of the Brookline Baptist Church 
at the time of his death. 



In the fall of 1849 a terrible cal- 
amity came upon the Bennett fam- 
ily, a most malignant type of typhus 
dysentery (ship fever) was brought 
into the neighborhood from the sea- 
board, and my father and mother 
and brother and sister Kingsbury, 
and their three beautiful children, 
the entire family, seven in all, took 
it and died in the short space of six 
weeks. Other members of my fa- 
ther^ family had it, but recovered, 
though with broken constitutions, 
and Mary only survived a few years, 

Jane Bennett married Samuel 
Cutler of Brookline, then a mer- 
chant of Boston, Mass., where they 
have since lived. He is a deacon in 
the Baptist church and a man of 
some wealth. They have two sons 
and two daughters. 

Ellen Bennett, my youngest sis- 
ter, married Rev. Leman Kinney. 
They have no children. 

Of the three sons : 

Walter married Vashti E. Stub- 
bing, daughter of Rufus Stebbins, 
and he still lives in this town. 

Warren Bennett and family live in 
Putney. 

The writer of this fitted for col- 
lege at the Leal and and Gray semi- 
nary at Townshend ; was at Water- 
ville college, Me, now Colby univer- 
sity, three years ; graduated at Dart- 
mouth in 1848, and went to Tenne- 
see in 1849, where he was engaged 
in teaching till the war broke out, 
when his teaching South ended. In 
1861 he removed to Iowa. 

[ Continued by Mrs . Jane B» Cutler. ] 

Samuel Bennett died, with his 
eon, Samuel Jr,, Sept. 23, 1841, aged 
83 years. 

FAMILY RECORD, 

Samuel Bennett, Jr., born in Put- 
ney, Aug. 30, 1791, married Dec. 14, 
1819, Sarah Reed, born m Putney, 
Nov. 23, 1794. Their children, all 
born in Putney, wore : 

Maria, bom Oct. 9, 1820 ; married 
Sept. 1, 1841. 

Lemon, born April 8, 1822 j mar- 
ried July 30, 1851, 



400 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



Walter S., born June 5, 1824; 
married Jan. 2^ 1850. 

Louisa, born March 13, IS26; mar- 
ried Dec. 27* 1843. 

Warren j born April 11, 1828; mar- 
ried Dec. 25, 1855, 

Simeon, bom March 2, 1830; died 
Aug, 8, 1831, aged i year 5 mouths, 
Sarah Jane, born May 6, 1832; 
married May 13, 1851. 

Mary E., born Jim, 29, 1834 ; died 
Oct. 27, 1854, aged 20 years. 

Ellen C,* born Oct. 14, 1830; mar- 
ried Dec, 17, 1850, 

Samuel Bennett, Jr.; died Sept 
25, 1S4 9, aged 58 years. 

Sarah Iteed Bennett died Oct 
17, 1849, aged 55 years, 

13 R, LEMON BENNETT 

graduated at Dartmouth college and 
took a partial medical course. He 
watt an excellent scholar and a suc- 
cessful teacher. He was principal 
of an academy in Eastern Tennessee 
for several years. He was also for a 
few years in the drug business in 
Chattanooga. 

Being a thorough going abolition- 
ist, when the war of the Rebellion 
broke out he was compelled to dee 
to the free States, and settled on 400 
acres of land he had previously 
bought in the town of Murray, la. 
He is now a well-to-do farmer at 
that place. He married Elenor 
W r i gh t, and h as t h re e so n s an d th ree 
daughters. 

Walter S, Bennett, who still lives 
in Brookline, has four daughters, 
Warren Bennett married Frances 
E, Morse, He resided on a farm in 
Brattleboro 15 years, and then pur- ^ 
chased the Winslow stock farm in 
Putney, where he now resides. He 
has two sons and one daughter. 

[This intelligent family, of a high 
moral and religious character, were 
a good acquisition to the society of 
Brookline, Mrs, Maria Bennett 
Uud worth, whose husband was pas - 1 
tor of the Baptist church in Ludlow, 
in our school days, is one of the wo- 
men whom we have always remem- 
bered preciously. Of whom we shall 



speak more in the history of Lud- 
low,] 

Jane, Mary and Ellen Bennett, 
inmates of Mrs, GudwortlTs family, 
and students at the old Black River 
seminary some years, were class- 
mates and friends. Mary Bennett 
was an estimable young lady. Even 
to-day, we regret her death in the 
fresh dower of young womanhood, 
and she stands in memory before us 
as we write. 

We are happy to-day to open the 
Leaves of our history for these friends, 
and to put them in there to live for- 
ever, — Ed. 



GEORGE NASON* 

was born in Putney, Dec, 31, 18.31, 
His parents moved to Brookline the 
next year* and he passed his boyhood 
in that, town. In 1851 he began his 
collegiate studies with Prof. Ward 
at Saxtons River, and continued 
them at Westminster until 1854, 
when he entered the University of 
Vermont, and graduated in 1858, 
He subsequently received the degree 
of Master of Arts in course from his 
A l m a M after. During bis v acati on e 
he was engaged in teaching until 
1863, 

In 1862 lie was married to Jose- 
phine N\ Buff urn, in Oxford* Blass.* 
and the following year removed to 
Washington, D, 0., where he has 
since resided. 

From 1803 to 1868 lie was in gov- 
ernment, employ, in the office of the 
Paymaster General of the army. 

In 1868 he graduated from the 
Law Department of Columbia Col- 
lege and was admitted to the bar of 
the district. He has successfully 
engaged in the practice of law and 
in real estate business. 

In 1869 he served on the school 
board of Washington city, to which 
p osi t i o n lie was elec ted by t he C i ty 
Council* 

George Mason was a son of Eph- 
raim H. Mason, who was a prominent 
man here for more than 30 years, 
representing the town in the Legis- 



BROOKLINE. 



401 



Oct. 22, 18G7 ; Alice C , b. Aug. 10, 
(1869 ; Mabel A., b. July 10, 1875. 
i Albert H., born in Brookline, 
June 1,1842; married in Ambov, 
111., Aug. 25, 1867, to Lucia f). 
looker, born Nov. 17, 1850. Child- 
ren : Albert W., born Oct. 7, 1869 ; 

, Carrie M., born Jan. 9, 1872 ; Sim- 
eon A., born Jan. 18, 1874 ; Clara 
E., born July 18, 1876. 

[Mr. Slickney's papers resumed . J 

WARREN B. STICK NEY. 

was born in Brookline, Dec. 3, 1837, 
fitted for college at Power's Insti- 
tute, Bernardston, Mass.: entered 
Amherst College, 1859; enlisted in 
8th Reg. Vt. vole., Nov. 19, 1861; 
promoted to a lieutenancy in 99th 
Reg. U. S. C. I.; organized and was 
superintendent of first public colored 
schools in New Orleans, 1S63, ’64, 
and of Freedman's Bureau, in north- 
western Louisiana, in 1805 ; princi- 
; Gertie pal of Greenfield and Chicopee, 
[Mass., High schools, 1867, *68 and 
’69 ; received the degree of A. M. 
from Amherst College in 1868 ; elect- 
Mary Jane, b. 1828 ; m. 1851, ed superintendent of City schools 
Henry I. Turner, b. Putney, 1824. and member of State Board of Edu- 
Children : Eva J., b. May 1853 ; d. cation, New Orleans, La., 1869 ; was 
Sept. 1856 ; Emma S., Charles H. 

Sarah K., b. 1829, m. 1S55, S. 

Jefferson Greene, b. Mass. Children: 

Willie A., Nellie, Carrie R. b. 1831, 
m. I860, to Charles S. White. Child- 
ren : Minnie C., Mattie S., Albert 
C., Arthur F. 

Leonard B., b., 1834 ; in. Mary 
Cushman. Children : Albert, Lou- 
isa W., Lilia. 

Oscar 0., b. 1835 ; m. Marcia M. 



lature of 1835 and 1836, and grand- 
son of Anthony Mason, who moved 
into town in 1796, and was one of 
the most stirring business men of the 
town. 

BRIEF OF MERRIFTELD FAMILY 
RECORD. 

Francis E. Merrifield, born in 
Newfane, Dec. 4, 1793, married Sa- 
rah C. Kimball, April 2, 1823. She 
was born April 22, 1800. He died 
in Grafton, aged nearly 90 years. 
She died in Brookline, June 27, 
1847. Children, all but the young- 
est born in Newfane. 

Elliott P., born Feb. 8, 1824 ; m. 
May, 1856, Judith S. Huntington of 
Chester, b. Dec. 24, 1830. Children: 
Betsey F., b. Oct. 28, 1859, cl. Feb. 
IS, 1864. Flora L. 

Sophia R., b. Mar. 30, 1825 ; m. 
April, 1S49, Edwin F. Sherman of 
Dover, b. March, 1821 ; d. 1872. 
Children : Cyrus S., Lillie E., b. 
April, 1854, d, June, 1873 
S., b. Aug. 24, 1857. 

Emery A., b. 1826; m. 1855, Mar- 
tha E. Morgan. One child, Frankie. 



over four years in the army, partici- 
pating in the sieges of Port Hudson, 
and Mobile; while organizing and 
superintending the colored schools 
in New Orleans, matured a plan 
which resulted in giving the freed- 
men of Louisiana the best system of 
public schools organized for them 
in any State, and in 60 days after, 
appointed as superintendent of 
Freedman's Bureau of N. W. Louis- 



Cadworth. Children : Hattie J,, iana, he put 32,000 colored laborers 



Fred 0., Annie S., Frank, IdaM.; 
Grace, d. an infant. 

Austin S., b. Apr. 1, 1837, m. 
Aug. 1866 ; Lizzie Hills, b. in Brook- 
line, 1843. Children : Irving, Alton, 
Cyrus, Beulah H. 



under contract, receiving for every 
one of the recently emancipated 
slaves some compensation for his or 
her labor. He married Sept. 28, 
1865, Olive B., daughter of U. S. 
Darling of Leyden, Mass., wliograd- 



Christina E. , born June 20, 1829; uated under Hiram Orcutt, A. M., 
married in Dover, Sept. 10, 1862, to at Glenwood Ladies' Seminary at 
Charles Brooks, born in Holden, West Brattleboro, class of 1864, to 
Mass., Feb. 8, 1830. Children : Idel- whom one son, Clement R. Stickney, 
la, b. Nov. 10, 1863; Albert L., b. was born Oct. 14, 1866. At present. 



403 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



( 1881, ) Mr. Stick ney is publisher of 
Johnson's Natural History, in two 
large royal octavo volumes of over 
1500 pages, and 1500 engravings 
with residence at Ann Arbor, Mich, 



THE JESSE WALKER FAMILY. 

HON. ELLIOT WALKER 

was horn in Brookline Feb* 35, 
1832. He prepared for college at 
Townsheud Academy ; at 22 entered 
Colby University, at Waterville, Me., 
and graduated in 1848, He then 



Edsvin 0., died at the age of six 
years, at Newport. 

PROP ESS OR WALKER, 

Versa! Jesse Walker was born on 
a little hill farm in Brookline, over- 
looking the richer farms in themead- 
owe in the vale of Grassy brook ; 
born Feb. 22, 1824. 

In a few years two other children 
had come to the home on the Brook- 
line hill, but the dear boy, Versal, 
never lost the warm place he found 
in his mother's heart that cold morn* 
ing he first catne to earth. From his 



he re- 



wen t to Brandon, Vt., as principal very childhood it was not he to win 

a choice thing and lose it again. At 
seven, at ten, he was an active and 
bright boy, die] up the farm chores 



of th e Se in i na ry fcb e re , w b ere 
mained two years. 

He commenced studying law 



in 



Brandon and finished with Boutelle I promptly, attended with much zeal 

-Bk ~lltT ritiAH rt XXF rt 4ft WTTI 1 1 A A IK jl ih.i. 4- t rlftli AaI Villi’ bI# 1 2 I \ T1 O 



& Noyes at Waterville, Me., and 
was admitted to the bar in Novem- 
ber, 1851, and the same year went to 
Cornua, Me., and took charge of 
the academy there for two years. In 
1853 he came to Newport, Me., and 
commenced the practice of law, and 
has remained in the practice of his 
profession here ever since. 

He has held various town offices 
and in 1866 and 1872 represented 
the towns of Newport, Stetson and 
Ply month, in the State Legislature 
of Maine,— these towns comprising 
a legislative class. In 1880 lie was 
elected judge of the Probate Court 
and of the Court of Insolvency for 
Penobscot county for four years, and 
held the office until the close of 1884. 
He was nominated that year for re- 
election, but the political party by 
which he was elected failed to carry 
the county. 

Mr. Walker married Sophronia B. 
Coffin of Waterville, Me., in 1852, 
who is still living. They had four 
children : 

Sarah G,, married Howard C. At- 
wood and lives in Fairfield, Me. She 
has two children living, a son and a 
daughter. 

Jane W., married James T. Foot- 
man, and died in 1881 ; no children. 

William E-, married Florence 
Huntington ; lives in Bradford, Me., 
is a practicing physician. 



the district school, but at 13 lost his 
father. It was a hard blow; fortu- 
nately he had a mother of good 
courage and wisdom at the helm, 
and a judicious elder brother it was 
hie ambition to equal. He followed 
him at Townshend at ID, at Colby 
University at 21, At college c ‘He 
was particularly distinguished for 
proficiency in the sciences and math- 
ematics, and took high rank in the 
languages/' He was four years at 
the old Waterville college and grad- 
uated with the honors of his class. 

He was principal of the New Lon- 
don academy in New Hampshire, 
and a few years later principal of 
the academy at China, Me. Here he 
found the lady who afterwards 
became his wife. He continued 
teaching iu the Eastern States for 
some years, but in 1S55 went to Cal- 
ifornia. where he engaged both in 
business and teaching four years, 
and returned. The year 1869 he 
came back from California, married, 
located in Winona, Minn., and im- 
mediately commenced teaching 
there, lie established the first High 
school in that city ; was afterward 
elected to the joint office of princi- 
pal of the High school and superin- 
tendent of the city schools of Win- 
onas which position he filled until 
elected to the professorship of the 
Latin language in the University of 



BROOKLINE. 



403 



Minnesota, in 1869, which position 
he accepted and honored with 
marked ability and acknowledged 
& u ecees. ” f f I n Mem o n am , pu b 1 ish e d 
after the funeral, by the university. 

“For several years Professor 
Walker was secretary of the State 
Educational association, and at one 
time its president. He- was one of 
the few who never sought office, but 
who always gave character to posi- 
tions of trust and responsibility, 
For three years he was a member of 
the Board of Education of Minne- 
apolis ; secretary of the board, sup- 
erintendent of the schools. Under 
hie management the school a were 
prosperous. The governing princi- 
ple of his life was to do well and 
thoroughly everything he undertook. 
The secret of his successful life was 
found in this, that he was ready to 
meet the demand of each hour. He 
brought few if any burdens from the 
past to oppress him in the present, 
and when on May 17, 1876, the sum- 
mons came bidding him ‘go up 
higher/ he was ready, His life work 
was completed faithfully and well. 
He approached the grave 

“ Sustained and soothed 
By an unfaltering trust. r * 

“Like one who wraps the drapery of his 
couch 

About him and lies down to pleasant 
dreams." 

Thus far beautifully speaks his 
university for his Brookline profes- 
sor, 

Yersal Walker had commenced to 
prepare for this event — the close of 
the earthly life— in Brookline. To 
look back, in the late autumn, w*e 
see a little party approach toward 
the waters of the valley of Brookline 
for baptism, the youth Yersal, of 17 
is there, comes to receive the first 
rite of Christianity. He has resolved 
to become a Christian man. 

“ He and C. W. Blandin and my- 
self, were a trio of boys whose births 
occurred at very nearly the same 
date, and we always took a special 
interest in each other. He was bap- 
tized at Brookline* Nov. 30* 1841. 



From the 23d of November to Dec- 
ember 13* there were six seasons of 
baptism* in which 26 persons were 
baptised and joined the Baptist 
church, among them several names 
familiar to you, viz : William Ad- 
ame, V. J. Walker, 0. W. Blandin, 
and five others on the same day* and 
between November 23 and December 
12, E. P. Merri field* { a Baptist min- 
ister,) Louisa Bermet, who subse- 
quently became the vnfeof Bev. Mr. 
Kingsbury, J, B. Stebbins* Samuel 
Cutler, Sophia R. Mcrrifield* Fran- 
cis E. Merri field, his wife Sarah C.* 
A. Jude on Walker, and Emory Mer- 
fieldj (now Dr. M.V 1 

At Boston, Prof. Yersal J, Walker 
and Miss Susan P. Hanecome were 
united in marriage by Rev, Denzel 
M* Crane, Aug. 3, 18o9. It is 
pleasant to sec at the professor's 
marriage officiating, the friend of 
his youth from the dear, old birth- 
town. It is pleasant, Denzel M. 
Crane and Versa! J. Walker were 
the two most gifted men ever born 
in Brookline. “Praise no man 
while alive.” They are dead and we 
may praise them. 

He did his last day's work at the 
University, May 11th; died a few 
days after; his old foe, neuralgia, 
met him ; went suddenly to the 
heart ; his wife and aged mother 
were with him. Few die so peace- 
fully as the good professor. 

The exercises at the University 
were suspended. It was the first 
death of one of the first officers; 
officers and students draped witli 
black, professors were pall-bear ere; 
Winona, too, sent her mourners; he 
rests where he closed his labors. 

He left an estate, $20,000, no 
children. His wife, still his widow, 
resides at La Cross, Wis. 

PA PEE BY JOHN B. STEB BINS, ESQ. 

Of Jesse Walker, father of Judge 
Elliot Walker and Professor Yersal 
J, Walker* I know but little, except 
that lie was a farmer of moderate 
means and had the reputation of be- 
ing a very worthy man, He was 



404 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



born at Newfane lo 1778* and mar- 
ried Waity* fifth daughter of Dea- 
con John Blaudm, ia 1830. They 
owned a 1 00- acre farm ia the south 
part of Brookline* where he died in 
1S37* leaving his widow with three 
eons, Elliot* Versal J., Andrew Jud- 
ean* and one daughter* Waity Jane* 
on this poor farm* 

The Farm was sold for &S00, With 
these small means* the widow by 
dint of good management* industry 
and economy of the whole family 
got the two oldest boys through col- 
lege- See sketches of Horn E, and 
Prof. V, J\ Walker. 

Andrew Judson, third son, born 
in Brookline* Jan. £0* 1839* ob- 
tained a good academical education 
and went to California in 1849* 
which was just then being opened 
to the States. There he engaged in 
various enterprises* He made and 
lost fortunes* but finally returned to 
Vermont, abont 1863* with a large 
property. 

In 1863 he married Louisa X.* 
daughter of Dr. George W. Barber 
and sister of Mrs. J. B. Stebbins. 
She was a young lady of grace and 
dignity. They have three sons: 
George Jesse* born in La Cross* 
Wis.* 1864; Willis Judson, born in 
Brookline, Vt., 1866; Arthur Sam- 
uel Barber, born in Osborn* Mo., 
1870 ; and one daughter* Jennie 
Louisa* born in Osborn* Mo.* 1871. 

For the last few years the family 
have lived at Hastings* Neb. George 
was offered a cadetship at West 
Point, but he preferred the life of a 
citizen to that of a soldier, 

Waity Jane, the only daughter in 
the family of Jesse W rlker* born 
1S35. She Wits a superior scholar, 
studied Latin with success at ten, 
graduated at Fairfax; died 1858, of 
a fatal epidemic at Newburyport* 
Mass. 

Mrs. Waity Blandin Walker, the 
honored mother is living (1887) at 
the age of 88 years with her son, 
Hon. E. Walker of Newport* Me* 

PAPER FROM MRS. B. H. CRANE. 

Thomas Crane* Esq.* the father 



of Rev. Denzel M. Crane* was co- 
temporary with the Blandins and 
the Stebbins and intimately asso- 
ciated with them all his life in the 
interests of the town. He was of 
English origin* and his children so 
resembled thoir ancestors my hus- 
band was often taken for an Eng- 
lishman in his travels on the other 
continent* 1869. 

Thomas Crane and his wife* Mrs. 
Rebecca Crane* when abont 40 years 
of age* united with the Baptist 
church. They had eight children, 
of whom three sous and two daugh- 
ters that reached maturity* married 
and were active men and women. 
The youngest was the wife of Dea- 
con Olialmer W, Stebbins and the 
mother of his children. 

Mother Crane at the time of her 
death, had reached the age of 93 
years and retained her faculties* 
mental and physical* to a remarka- 
ble degree. The removal of her 
parents to town when a child of two 
summers was an event fresh in mora- 
ory. 

While pursuing his studies at 
Pierce Academy* Mr. Crane sup- 
I plied the Baptist church in Rayn- 
I ham, and 47 united with the church 
through his teachings. 

During his ministry of 43 years he 
baptized 458 persons, married 359 
couples and attended abou t the same 
number of funerals. 



Mm . SOFHRONIA MASON GIBSON* 

a daughter of Bphrmm H, and Pru- 
dence Hills Mason* was born in 
Brookline* and received a good aca- 
demical education. lu 1855 she 
married John M. Gibson* a native 
of Scotland* a gentleman of talent 
and culture. With him she re- 
moved to Canada West* where they 
spent their lives in the cause of edu- 
cation. She died in 1S73* and her 
husband survived her a little more 
than a year. They left a large fam- 
ily of children, of whom the eldest, 
Miss H. E. Blanche Gibson* is the 
present efficient matron of the Ver- 
mont Asylum for the Insane at 
Brattleboro. A second daughter, 



EBOOK LIKE. 



405 



Florence A. L. Gibson, is supervisor | sunied, and no insurance ; to refur- 
in the same institution. A son, nish, begin and reset work paid for 
John Mitchell Gibson, is a student in the second time, all new help, good, 
medical department of the Univer- but to get acquainted with the hard- 
sity of Vermont, esfc of typographical work, a local 

and geneological history, filled with 
BJl 00 KLINE IN THE MM- WAY* nam * Sj we | ave worke J at a diead^ 

May 25, 1SS6, parts of the Wind- vantage, but believe us, Vermont, 
ham county Vol. V., including 1G hard for you this time, so in the 
pages of Brookline with the type, midst of otherwise deserved criticism 
stock, paper, etc*, were utterly con- remember mercy. 



HALIFAX, 



By REV. H. EASTMAN, 



HALIFAX, 

is a post-town in the south part of 
Windham county. It lies 25 miles 
east from Bennington* and nine 
southwest from Brattleboro. The 
town was chartered May 11* 1750* 
by Henning Wentworth to Oliver 
Partridge and 63 others, Mr. Went- 
worth himself being one of the 
grantees. 

The settlement of the town was 
commenced in 1761, by Abner Rice 
from Worcester Co. Mass. He was 
joined by others from Massachusetts 
m 1763. The time the town was or- 
ganized is not precisely known* but 
was about the year 1770. The first 
town clerk of whom any information 
has been obtained* was Samuel 
Woodward, and the first representa- 
tives* Hub bell Wells and Edward 
Harris, 

The following is a copy of the 
records of the first town meetings 
held in Halifax of which we have 
any knowledge ; ff at a Town Meet- 
ing Regularly Warned and held at 
Hall if ax, on tuesday* the third Day 
of March* 1778* Chose Capt Hub' 
bel Wells, moderator, it was Put to 
a Vote whether whether the town 
would Accept the Constitution of the 
State of Vermont, It Pased in the 
affirmative. Chose Capt. Plubbell 
Welle and Ena Edward Harris to 
Represent the town at a General 
Court at Winsor. 

Attest : James Gkay* 

Town Clerk, 

at a meeting of the freemen of 
the town of hallafax, legally warned 
and Held in Hall i fax* aforesaid* on 
the 9 th Day of April* 1778* Chose 
Capt Hubbel Wells moderator* 



Chose Lieut. John Thomas as a Del- 
egate to Cary the votes for a Judge 
of Probates to Gilford, Voted to 
adjourn this meeting to the third 
Tuesday in June at II o'clock in the 
fournoon. * * * June 16* 1778, the 
freemen of this town met according 
to adjurnment Chose James gray, 
town Clerk. Chose Capt Hubbel 
W 7 ells doct., William Hill and Mr, 
Israel Guild, selectmen. Chose Jas. 
Gray, town treasurer. Chose Mr, 
Amos Pebody and Doct. Wm, Hill, 
Constables." There are many other 
town officers of minor importance 
which we do not give. 

The religious denominations form- 
erly were Congregational ists and 
Baptists, A Congregational church 
was organized in 1778, and a meet- 
ing-house built in 1782, Their first 
settled minister was Rev, David 
Good all, who was the first settled 
minister in the town. He was set- 
tled in 1781* and dismissed in 1796. 
Their second minister was Rev. Jesse 
Edson, who was metalled over the 
church Nov. 23, 1796* and died Dec. 
14* 1805. He was succeeded by the 
Rev. Thomas H, Wood, who was or- 
dained Sept. I?* 1806. Several other 
ministers afterward served this 
church for longer or shorter periods, 
but the church has ceased to exist as 
a regularly organized body* and for 
many years preaching has not been 
sustained. The meeting - house, 
which is situated at West Halifax* 
is now occupied one-half the time by 
the XJ n i versa! is ts. 

baptist cKtrncn, 

The first minister who preached 
in town was a Mr, Evans* a Baptist 



408 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



minister. Mr* Evans was succeeded 
by Elder Warren, The Baptist 
church was organised in 1793* and 
its first settled minister was Abner 
Bemis, in 1790. He was succeeded 
by Paul Holmes, and Mr. Holmes by 
Samuel Fish., in 1821* 

Mr. Fish was born in town, Oct 
13, 1788, and is now (1870) 82 years of 
age, and is the only settled minister 
in Halifax. Since his settlement in 
1821, lie has preached in town up to 
the present time, with the exception 
of nearly two years spent in Guil- 
ford, an adjoining town, making a 
pastorate of abou r t half a century 
over the same society- This venera- 
ble and much respected minister is 
enjoying a serene old age, calmly 
awaiting the Master's call. The Bap- 
tists now have the meeting-houses 
about, two miles apart, and two small 
societies in town* The Methodists 
have never bad any organized socie- 
ty in town, but have had a few resi- 
dent members and occasional 
preaching. 

Perhaps no town of the same pop- 
ulation lias raised up and sent out 
more ministers of different denom- 
inations than this* At least 22 have 
gone out, some of them quite emin- 
ent men, such as Elijah Plumb, D* 
D., Rev. Sumner Everett, missiona- 
ry to Constantinople; and Rev* Dims, 
Scott, C on gregationa lists. Rev. Ap- 
pleton Dan forth* missionary to Bur- 
muh ; H. C* Fish, D. D. ? of New- 
ark, N. J. ; Rev* Ross Burdick, and 
Rev. Judson Tucker, Baptists* Rev. 
Hose a Ballou, Unive realist. 

No town perhaps has been more 
famous for rum selling and rum 
drinking in by-gone days, but for 
the last 30 years no merchant, or 
inn -keeper has sold alcohol as a bev- 
erage in town. 

Widow Scott, R. Crosier's daugh- 
ter, one of the first settlers, now liv- 
ing within one mile of where she 
was born, has always lived in town, 
is now 94 years of age, and is able to 
give some statistics of the history of 
the first settlers. Widow Scott's 
mother* one of the first settlers, 
lived in town, and died aged 105 



years, 5 months. Three brothers by 
1 the name of Crosier were among the 
first settlers in the year 1782 or *63, 
The first female born in town was 
Dea. Moses Leonard's wife, named 
Pratt* 

The first physicians were, Drs* 
Hill, Ransom, Richardson, Cobb, 
etc* In 1795 Judge Darius Bullock 
was chosen town clerk and served 
the town 37 years* until he died* He 
often represented the town in the 
Legislature, and always held offices 
of trust. 

About the year 1812 a Mr, Rice 
died here, aged 112 years. The years 
j 1805, 1812, arid 1813, were the pe- 
riods of the most remarkable mor- 
tality* 

In August, 1788, there was a ter- 
rific hurricane which prostrated the 
woods to a very great extent. This 
( accounts for the numerous little 
mounds or hillocks in different parts 
of the town* This township is wa- 
tered by North and Green rivers, 
The former runs through the western 
and sou them part, and the latter 
through the northeastern. They 
are both large and commodious mill 
streams, and the mill privileges are 
numerous* In the branch of North 
river, on the farm of Henry Niles, is 
a succession of cascades extending 
about 100 rods. The falls arc from 
15 to 20 feet each, and are over- 
looked by the projecting rocks on 
the right in ascending the stream. 
The place is visited by the curious, 
an d th e seen e w h i c h presc u ts i tsel f 
is rugged, wild and romantic. The 
surface of the township is uneven, 
but there are no mountains worthy 
of notice. On the margin of North 
river is a cavern called Woodard's 
cave or Dun's den* It is 25 feet in 
length, five in width and the same 
in height. The sides and top are of 
solid rock. This is also a place of 
resort for the curious. The soil is 
generally of good quality, well 
adapted to the production of grass, 
and much attention is devoted to the 
raising of cattle and the keeping of 
dairies. The people are mostly in- 
dustrious and wealthy. The timber 



HALIFAX. 



409 



is principally beech, maple, birch J been accustomed to move, and for 
ash, hemlock and spruce. The town which her habits were formed. She 
is divided into 14 school districts, has associated with those who were 
with as many school houses. At . of the same faith, and wore cheered 
the centre is a handsome brick school by the same hopes, interwoven as 
house, 42 by 24 feet on the ground, the Jewish religion was with the 
in which the languages and higher whole structure of society, mingling 
branches of literature have usually with all the civil and social affairs 
been taught a part of the year. ! rel a turns ^ their country. 

There was also formerly a school for in the estimation of the Jew, would 
young ladies, in which the higher have been the best on the earth, 
branches and drawing] painting and even if their hills had been com par - 
music were taught. " "" i atively barren hills, and their valleys 

I far less fruitful than they were. 



A HISTORICAL DISCOURSE DELIVER- 

ED IN WEST HALIFAX, THAJTKS- 

01 V IRQ DAT, 1847, 

II Kings 4:13. (i l dwell among 
mine own. people.” 

When Canaan was first settled by 
the Israelites, a certain portion of 
land was given to every citizen, who 
had the right to transmit it to hie 
heirs. By no act of his could this 
land be forfeited to the family long* 
er than till the next jubilee which 
oceuvecl every fiftieth year. This 
arrangement gave permanency to 
the location of families. It was 
characteristic of a Jew to entertain 
a peculiar attachment to his own 
nation, his tribe and kindred; and 
especially to the old estate where his 
fathers had lived for many successive 
centuries, 

When the Shun am mite woman was 
enquired of by the servant of Elijah, 
how her kindness to the prophet 
should be rewarded — asking if she 
would not i£ be spoken for to the 
king; or to the captain of the host, J> 
that some royal or distinguished 
favor might be bestowed upon her, 
such, perhaps, as would elevate her 
rank in society; she made this simple 
hearted but significant reply, 4i I 
dwell among mine own people. She 
dwelt among her kindred, among a 
people with whom she sustained the 
same rank in life; who were of sim- 
ilar customs and like sympathies 
with herself. With them she wish- 
ed to still to dwell, to continue in 
the same sphere in which she had 



Great care was taken in Ancient 
Israel to preserve the history of fam- 
ilies, as well as of the several tribes, 
and of the nation. Accurate geneal- 
ogies were kept of separate families, 
important events were noted, and 
whatever of interest was not put on 
record was preserved by tradition. 
The frequen t narration of the impor- 
tant incidents which had been ac* 
cumulating for many generations 
must have been attended with no 
small degree of interest, especially 
to the younger members of the 
family. 

If might be supposed that in an 
age of so much reading as ours, and 
where there is no end to the demand 
for the making of books, that the 
history of separate communities 
would be carefully preserved, so that 
the people might be well inform- 
ed in the history of their own mime* 
diate neighborhood. But in this 
respect we are sadly deficient. The 
records of this town throw but little 
light upon its early history, and the 
generation that was conversant with 
the first settling of the town has 
passed away, with the exception of 
a single individual, now upwards of 
105 years of age, so that the source* 
of information are not very abund- 
ant, Such information, however, 
in relation to the history of the 
town as I have been able to glean 
from different sources I shall present 
in this discourse. 

Before entering upon the history 
of the town, I will briefly allude to 
the early history of Vermont. The 
first settlement in Vermont was 



410 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



about a mile below Brattleboro, 
made under the super vision of the 
government of Massachusetts in 
1724,* 

But New Hampshire claimed ju- I 
risdiction over the territory now em- 
braced iu the State of Vermont, 
and was invested with authority by i 
the British Crown to extend her 
laws over the district, give grants of 
townships, superintend and direct 
iu their settlement. When she had 
exorcised this authority to some ex- 
tent for several years, the govern- 
ment of New York laid claim to 
Vermont as their province, and in 
1763 this claim began to be urged 
with forcible measures, ejecting 
from their lands in several instances, j 
those who had purchased in and, 
settled upon the New Hampshire 
grants, and under the patronage of 
her government, because they would 
not purchase their lands of the gov- 
ernment of New York. 

This brought Vermont into col- 
lision with New York, New Hamp- 
shire, and to some extent with Mass- 
achusetts during a series of 26 years, 
embracing the period of the Revo- 
lutionary war. These claims were 
all yielded in favor of Vermont in 
1780; and iu February, 1701, she 
was received into the Union as one 
of the Federal States. 

The town charter of Halifax was 
given by the government of New 
H a m peb ir e , May 11, 1750. The 1 
township embraces in its charter a 
territory of 6 miles square* This 
was to be divided into lots three- 
fourths of a mile square consisting 
of 860 acres in each lot. One of 
these lots was assigned to each of 

*Rectey*s History of Vermont, pp, 65, 
60, An egregious mistake. We let it 
stand ns example when a mistake has 
gone into history how hard it is to erad- 
icate it. See First settlement at Chim- 
ney Point., in the history of Addison 
by Hon. Jh. W. Story, yoL I T page — — . 
See paper by Hon. David Read, tqL II 
on Fort Ann and First Settlement in 
Vermont. By incontrovertible record 
in history the first settlement appears to 
hare been in the little County of Grand 
Is] e i n the boson i of the Ch am pi am . — 
Author. 



the 62 grantees, reserving two lots, 
one for the first settled minister and 
one for the benefit of schools. 

The charter provides that before 
any division of the said land be 
made to and among the grantees^ a 
tract of land as near the centre of 
the said township as the land will 
ad oi it of, shall be reserved and 
marked out for town lots, one of 
which shall be allotted to each 
grantee of the Contents of one acre/* 
Tins reserved land at the geograph- 
ical centre of the town, was designed 
to serve the purposes of a garrison 
in case there should be War with the 
Indians, Here each grantee might 
erect his block-house to which he 
might retire with 1ns family on short 
notice, in case of danger while the 
country was new, having an acre of 
ground which ho could cultivate as 
a g &r d on , B u t t h e In d i an s guv e no 
trouble to the early settlers of Hali- 
fax and the land reserved for pur- 
poses of defence has long since been 
otherwise disposed of* 

The charter required the payment 
of one ear of Indian corn by the 
grantees on the 2oth of Dec. (Christ- 
mas) “ if lawfully demanded/' And 
for the space of ten years, c om men co- 
in g with 1750, Also commencing 
with 1761 it required of every land 
holder. fi One shi] l ing proclamation 
money for every hundred acres be 
owns or settles, or possesses, and so 
in proportion for a greater or less 
tract of the said land, which money 
shall be paid by the respective per- 
sons above named, their heirs or 
assigns, in our own council chamber 
in Portsmouth, or to such officer or 
officers as shall be appointed to re- 
ceive the same, and tins to be in 
lieu of all other rents or services 
whatsoever, v Deducting the high- 
ways and other public lanes exempt- 
ed by the charter from taxes, the 
proclamation money would have con- 
stituted an annual revenue to the 
Crown of about §20. 

It was also required by the char- 
ter that five acres of land should be 
planted and cultivated fl within the 
term of five years for every fifty 



HALIFAX. 



411 



acres" owned as in dividual property. 
In case of failure on the part of my 
grantee to fulfill tins condition, his 
whole share was forfeited to the 
Grown, This condition could not 
have been fulfilled as no one settled 
in the town for ten years after the 
e h ar tor w as give u . N or is i t k u o\v 1 1 
tli at the claims of the grantees were 
ever questioned on this account. 

It was demanded also by the char- 
ter, “that all white and other pine 
trees within the said township fit for 
masting our Royal Navy be carefully 
preserved for that use, and none to 
be cut or felled without His Majes- 
ty's especial license, upon the pen- 
alty of the forfeiture of the right 
of such grantee." This condition 
probably has never been violated to 
any great extent. 

wlien there should be fifty fami- 
lies settled in the town they were to 
f 4 have the liberty of holding two 
Pairs. " The time of holding them 
was to be the last Mondays in the 
months of April and September, and 
uofc to continue longer than the Sat- 
urday of the week upon which they 
were held. These fairs were de- 
signed to be occasions when buyers 
and sellers of all kinds might meet 
at a certain place for the purposes of 
trade. II such a custom had been 
introduced, a week in the Spring and 
also in the Fall of the year would 
have been convenient seasons. The 
people could thou have accomplished 
most of their trading in stock and 
many other things for the year on 
those occasions. The custom of 

holding such fairs has prevailed ex- 
tensively in England and other 
European countries. We have coun- 
ty and State fairs, but they are 
rather for exhibition than for trade. 

When the number of families bad 
increased to fifty, the charter re- 
quires that “a market shall be opened 
and kept one or more days in each 
weak as may be thought advantage- 
ous to the inhabitants.” The 
object of the market is similar to 
that of tii e fair, though less exten- 
sive in its design. The custom of 
having a market-place has been in 



vogue for many centuries in Eng- 
land in towns of considerable size, 
and in other European countries. 

T 1 1 e origi n al gr an t ees c h i elly rc - 
sided in Hatfield and Deerfield, 
Mass,, together with the adjacent 
towns. A few resided in the State 
of New Hampshire. Oliver Part- 
ridge, Esq., of Hatfield, was the 
principal actor in obtaining the char- 
ter. It is thought that Mr. Part- 
ridge became the actual original pro- 
prietor of nearly one-half of the 
town, many of the signers of the 
charter never having' been person- 
ally interested in the enterprise, 
only permitting their names to be 
used, Mr, Partridge was consti- 
tuted by the charter the moderator 
of the first meeting of the proprie- 
tors which he was to notify ou the 
first Wednesday of August, 1750, at. 
such time and place as lie might 
think most convenient. The grant- 
ees held meetings for business for 
several years, at such times and 
p 1 ac es as the y sa w fi t to ap poi n t. No 
connected record of proceedings of 
those meeting is in the possession of 
! the town. 

The survey of the town post £50, 
7:0 ; the platting of lots cost £] 55, 5; 
the obtaining of the patent £73, 19; 
to tal exp e u se, £ 2 7 9 T 11: fi , o r ab o u i 
§855 . 

To defray these expenses the pro- 
prietors vote, Nov. £S, 1750, to raise 
a Lax of £5, 5 “upon each lot except 
the Governor's two, and the two 
public lots," the surplus of which 
money was to be retained in the 
1 1 r eas u ry . Promt b is vote it app e ar s 
that Governor Wentworth, the then 
ac ting Gove i n o r of X e w H am p s h i re 
was in the enterprise* and, the pro- 
prietor of two lots; and also the 
magnanimity, or policy, of the other 
grantees — possibly their respect for 
magistrates (?) — relinquishing the 
taxes of the Governor in the ex- 
pense of laying out the town. 

The geographical centre of the 
town is three-fourths of a mile north 
of what is now known as the Centre. 
The frame of a meeting house was 
erected within a few rods of the 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



412 



geographical centre previous to 3 780. 
Rut a few enterprising citizens es- 
tablished the business of the town at 
the place now called the Centro, so 
that the original frame of a meeting 
house was abandoned, and the pres- 
ent Congregational meeting house at 
the business centre was erected in 
1782, but was not completed till sev- 
eral years afterwards, though it was 
occupied as a place of worship- 

The land upon which the meeting 
house stands and three or four acres 
of the common, together with the 
adjoining cemetery grounds, were 
deeded to the Congregational Soci- 
ety by Deacon McQu'illisof Colerain, 
That part of the Common south of 
the road was given to the Congrega- 
tional Society by Dr. Richardson. 

In the original grant of the town 
one lot of 360 acres was appropriated 
for the benefit of schools. This lot 
is in the northeast corner of the 
town, commonly called Thomas Hill* 
The land is sold with the reserve, 
that the interest of two dollars a 
year per acre shall be annually paid 
into the town treasury in the month 

of for tho benefit or the schools. 

The sum of §43.20. 

Abner Rice was the first settler. 
He came about the year 1731 and 
settled in the easterly part of the 
town. As nearly as can be ascer- 
tained, in the early part of the year 
3 766, there wore but four families 
in the town. Mr. Rico in the east 
part, Capt, John P ami el and a Mr. 
G aught in the southwest part ( Pan- 
ne! Hill) and a Mr. Pratt, who set- 
tled on the farm since occupied by 
Robert Collins. From the year 
1766 the population of the town in- 
creased rapidly, so that in March, 
1778, when the town was organized, 
there were recorded upon the town 
records the names of 140 freemen, 
and this was but 13 years after there 
were but four families in the town. 

Pane el Hill was first settled by 
people from Colerain, Mass., who 
were soon joined by several families 
from Connecticut and from Prince- 
ton, Mass. 

The southeast part of the town 



was also settled to a considerable ex- 
tent by families from Colerain. The 
Taggetts and some other families 
| came from Londonderry, N, H. 

The northeast part was settled by 
people from Rhode Island, among 
whom were the families of Wilcox 
and Thomas. 

The centre was settled mostly by 
families from Massachusetts. 

In the early part of the present 
century the number of inhabitants 
was something more than 1700. 
What the number was in 1790, when 
the first census was taken, I have 
not been able to: learn, but it was 
probably about as large as at any 
time since* 

EA ELY POLITICAL STRIFES. 

The party feeling between the ad- 
herents to the New Hampshire and 
the New York claims was never so 
strongly developed in this town as 
in some of the adjoining towns- The 
New Hampshire party always held 
the predominance in this town. 
Some little vexatious matters occa- 
sionally transpired. As an instance: 
A man by the name of Frazier was 
sued for debt from spite by a York- 
er, His cows were attached and 
some other property, and his person 
was seized for imprisonment. As 
soon as the condition of Mr. Frazier 
was known, the alarm was given 
throughout the town, and the New 
Hampshire men rallied for his 
rescue. Joseph Williams seized a 
horn and from the hill north of the 
place, afterwards occupied by Solo- 
mon R as com, blew a blast that 
brought to the aid of Frazier the 
west part of the town, and some 
from Whitingliam and Wilmington, 
who with others already on the track 
pursued the party who had taken 
Frazier to Westminster for imprison- 
ment, and with the assistance of a 
company from Westmoreland, New 
Hampshire, succeeded in his rescue. 
This is spoken of as tho most im- 
portant affair between the New York 
and New Hampshire parties in this 
town. There were other occurrences 
which showed the party feeling. Mr, 



HALIFAX. 



413 



Orr, a Yorker, who kept a public 
house on the place where Deacon 
Williams now rebides, was visited by 
two Hampshire men who sought ad- 
mission to his house, and being re- 
fused* they entered by force, and 
seizing Mr. Orr, demanded of him 
that he should say New Hampshire, 
and despairing of help otherwise 
from their firm grasp, he cried out 
New Hampshire to their satisfac- 
tion. 

EARLY BUILDINGS. 

The first dwelling houses in the 
town, as is the case in all new coun- 
tries, were log houses. It is, how- 
ever, the testimony of some who 
commenced their residence here in 
the midst of all the inconveniences 
and hardships of a new country, 
who lived to occupy commodious 
dwellings with the conveniences of 
living multiplied a hundred fold, 
that their happiest days were when 
they lived in tlieir little log Imt, and 
a small plot of ground cleared 
around it with but few of the con- 
veniences they afterwards enjoyed. 

The first house that was shingled 
in town, was built by a Mr, Sabin 
on the ground now occupied by 
Capt. Abel ScotFs house. The 
shingles were attached to the roof by 
wooden pegs instead of nails. 

NEIGHBORHOOD INTERCHANGES. 

The following incident may illus- 
trate the kind of neighborly feeling 
that prevailed when the conven- 
iences of life were few. Three fam- 
ilies who came into the town while 
it was yet a wilderness. Deacon 
Ifubbel Well&b Ebenezer Sabin’s 
and one other, had between them 
but one needle with which for sev- 
eral years all the sewing for the 
three families was performed. Those 
are said to have been times when 
neighbors were always glad to see 
each other, each one seeking to ren- 
der himself the most obliging, 

EARLY HARDSHIPS AND FORTITUDE. 

A Mrs, Woodward, the mother of 
Titus and Israel, wishing to weave a 



web of cloth, was under the necessity 
of going on foot three miles to I>ea", 
McCIureY After she had performed 
the work of her family in the morn- 
ing and having spent the day at the 
loom, she returned at night to do 
the work of her house. This prac- 
tice she continued till she had com- 
pleted her web. 

The late Widow Learn ard* born 
in 1705, is thought to have been the 
first child born in town. Her father, 
Mr. Pratt, located on the farm now 
occupied by Robert Collins, when 
there were but four families in the 
town. Tlieir nearest neighbor was 
Captain Funnel who lived on Pan- 
nel hill four miles distant. Mr. 
Pratt had occasion to leave his wife 
and two small children at home in 
his absence of 10 days. The first or 
second night of his absence the fire 
went out. Mrs. P, had no means of 
obtaining fire but from her neigh- 
bors. She took her two children, 
one in her arms, leading the other, 
and. started for Captain PanneFs 
through a dense forest guided by 
marked trees. When she had gone 
a little distance from her home she 
roused a bear who ran up a tree. 
With self-possession she took her 
apron and tied it around the free, 
and banging her bonnet upon a stake 
she placed it against the tree and 
passed on. Captain Pannel returned 
with her and shot the bear, which 
had been kept upon the tree by the 
bonnet and apron. Those were days 
of female courage as well as hard- 
ship* i nn u red as they were to life in 
the wilderness. 

Mrs, Le&ra&rd* the infant whom 
Mrs. Pratt carried in her arms to 
Captain Fanners, was married to 
Dea. Moses Learn ard in 1780- Two 
years afterwards her husband being 
taken sick in the night* she had oc- 
casion about midnight to go some 40 
rods from the house to get water 
from a spring. In the morning slie 
went to the same spring and found 
fresh tracks of a bear and bis prints 
where he had wallowed in the mud 
that same night. 

Pastures not being inclosed cows 
were suffered to run at large in the 



414 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



woods. It was often with difficulty 
that they were found. Mrs. Pratt 
on one occasion in searching for her 
cow just as night was setting in, be- 
came completely bewildered more 
than a mile from borne in a dense 
forest. Not knowing which way to 
direct her course she sat down and 
wept. Soon the thickening clouds 
began to pour down rain, and there 
was every appearance of a cold, 
stormy, October night. At this 
juncture, while she was casting 
about to know how 6he should spend 
the night, she heard the voice of her 
husband, of whose return she had 
known nothing, calling her name 
from a distance. She at once re- 
sponded to the call and attempted to 
make her way in the direction of 
the distant sound, but being bewil- 
dered she took the wrong course and 
went in the opposite direction from 
the voice. Her husband perceiving 
that her voice grew fainter and 
fainter by distance, called upon her 
to stop till he could come to her. 
But she, confident that she knew the 
course she was taking quickened her 
speed, thiuking that she might save 
him the trouble of coming all the 
way to her. She was overtaken at 
last in the border of Whitingham, 
near where Mr. Barrington now 
lives on North river, at more than 
twice the distance from home than 
when she first made answer to the 
call of her husband. They then took 
their course homeward through the 
dark forest and drenching rain. 
Returning to their quiet home in 
their snug log-cabin, they doubtless 
rejoiced together, with their little 
ones, in the favorable issue of the 
enterprise, more fortunate than one 
of her neighbors, who in hunting 
her cow was compelled witli her two 
children to remain in the woods dur- 
ing the night, taking their position 
upon the trunk of a tree that had 
fallen by the wind. 

FRUIT. 

The first apple tree and the first 
currant bush were brought from 



Colerain by a Mr. Clark, and set out 
on the farm now owned by Joseph 
Henry, Esq,, near the geographical 
centre of the town, known as the 
Woodward farm. The orchard on 
that place, a part of which is still 
standing, is probably the oldest in 
the town. 

MILLS. 

The first saw-mill was built on the 
place, or near where Mr. Fisher’s 
saw-mill now stands. This mill was 
built previous to 1780, as the mill 
was conveyed that year by deed to a 
Mr. Stacy. There was afterwards a 
grist-mill put up on the same privi- 
lege, which was the first grist-mill 
in the town. 

CEMETERIES. 

The first person who died in the 
town was Samuel Gaught, a lad of 
three years, a brother of the widow 
Crozier. He was buried in Colerain. 

The first cemetery that was opened 
was on Pannel hill. The second was 
near the geographical centre of the 
town, now overgrown with large 
trees, and long since abandoned. A 
few rough stones mark the places of 
the early dead of the town. 

The third cemetery was opened at 
the business centre of the town. 
The first person buried in it was a 
daughter of Deacon Conan t. The 
second was Cornish Stacy, who was 
drowned in attempting to cross 
North river on a log near where the 
bridge now is, on the road that passes 
Israel Woodward’s. A Mr. Under- 
wood from Pannel hill was after- 
wards drowned at the same place on 
returning from a military training. 

Captain Gaught, a grandson of the 
original settler upon Pannel hill, 
just as he left the store of Hamilton 
& Muzzey, in an attempt of some of 
his company to honor him by firing 
according to the custom o i those 
days, was shot through the head, a 
part of his skull hitting the door of 
the store. 

John Pannel, a grandson of Cap- 
tain Pannel, was killed by the fall of 




HALIFAX. 



415 



a tree in 1773, which was the occa- 
sion of the following lines : 

“Hr John Pannel, killed by a tree, 

In seventeen hundred and seventy -three, 
When liis father did come. 

He said , Oh my son, 

Your glass is run, 

Your work is done. 1 * 

Mr. Abner Rice, the first settler f 
in the town, was shot for a bear 
while watching a field of grain in 
company with others. He sat under 
an apple tree at the time he was 
shot. Jesse Rice, a cousin of Abner 
Rice, died at the age of 113. 

A tornado occurred in August, 
1788. It was the most destructive 
of any since the settlement of the 
to win It swept the town from west I 
to east, leaving scarcely any timber | 
standing on some farms in its course. 
The day on which it occurred was 
still and foggy up to the time the 
heavy wind struck. There were no 
premonitions of i fcs ap p r o ach . Th ere i 
was no roaring heard Till just as the 
main force came, upturning trees, 
leaving devastation and destruction 
in its track of nearly two miles in 
width, passing on through other 
towns to the east. 



CHURCHES. 



for the first settled orthodox minis- 
ter in the town. This fell to Mr. 
Hood alb The claim was disputed 
by Elder Eweings, a Baptist minis- 
ter, who had resided in the town a 
few years previous to Mr. GoodalPs 
settlement. The matter was adjust- 
ed by Mr. Hood all's quit-claiming to 
Elder Eweings 100 acres. This ar- 
rangement was entered into previous 
to Mr. Goodalls settlement. After 
his dismission, he disposed of his 
real estate in Halifax and removed 
to Littleton, N. lh ? where he spent 
the remainder of his days chiefly in 
agricultural pursuits. He lived to 
an advanced age. He visited the 
place but once after his removal. As 
evincing a regard for the people of 
Ins former charge, a few years be- 
fore his death he made a donation 
of §100 to the church, with instruc- 
tions that the interest should be ap- 
propriated for the furnishing of the 
comm union table. But a few years 
after the donation was received in 
trust, at the hands of his son, it was 
appropriated to the payment of ar- 
rearages in the society. 

The following call extended to 
Mr. Goodall by the church to settle 
with them in the ministry, is taken 
from the town records: 



The Congregational church of 
Halifax was organized July 24, ] 7 78, 
consisting of 5 males and 5 females. 

Rev. David Goodall, the first set- 
tled minister in town, was installed 
over the church and society iu 1781, 
about 3 years after the church was 
organized. He was the pastor of 
the church about 15 years, being dis- 
missed in 1796. During his minis- 
try 58 were added to the church, 8 
of whom were received by letter. 

Mr. Goodall was a native of Marl- 
boro, Mass. He was a graduate of 
Dartmouth College, He was a log- 
ical thinker. Cal vi rustic in his the- 
ology, tenacious of his opinions and 
of his just rights, and liberal in hie 
benefactions, lie bad the respect 
and esteem of the people. 

In the original grant of the town, 
a lot of 360 acres "wa-s appropriated 



f *The Church of Christ, in Halifax, 
to the Rev. David Goodall, greet- 
ing; 

Rev. and Beloved: — We, being by 
the appointment of Divine Provi- 
dence, situated in the wilderness 
where we have ever been destitute 
of the stated ministrations of the 
word and ordinances of the Gospel, 
after application being made to you 
by the town in general to preach 
with us on probation for settlement, 
and your complying with our re- 
quest, and thereby giving us con- 
i venient opportunity to judge of your 
ministerial qualifications, which are 
great in our esteem, by the concur- 
rence and assistance of the town, by 
their vote, and of a friendly religious 
society, formed for the purpose of 
enjoying Gospel privileges, we do 
unitedly, unanimously, and earnest- 



4:16 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



ly call and invite you, dear sir, to 
take the ministerial and pastoral 
care and charge of said church and 
society, and labor with ns in word 
and doctrine, administer the sacra- 
ments of the New Testament, and 
perform all other duties and offices 
properly belonging to a Gospel min- 
ister. - 

Your compliance with our request 
herein, will lay us* dear sir, under 
voluntary obligation to yield to you 
that subjection, honor and support 
that is properly due from a people 
to their pastor 

And for your encouragement to 
undertake the work of the Gospel 
ministry and pastoral office among 
us, you will* upon your installment 
into said office* be entitled to, and 
become possessed of in fee simple 
the laud by the charter granted arid 
reserved for the first settled ortho- 
dox minister in this town, being lot 
No, 2 8, excepting 100 acres thereof 
on the southerly side* which the 
town have alienated, to which hun- 
dred acres we hereby desire and ex- 
pect you will give a quit-claim upon 
yonr inauguration into the ministry 
and pastoral office. And that you 
may be decently and honorably sup- 
ported while attending to the work 
of the ministry among us, we freely 
and unanimously cagree and vote to 
give you a salary of the sum of forty 
pounds a year for the first year, and 
to raise five pounds a year until it 
amounts to fifty-five pounds in 
silver* at six shillings eight pence 
per ounce* which sum of fifty-five 
pounds shall be paid you annually, 
and for each and every year so long 
as yon continue our minister. ’ 
$183.33. 

REV. J3SSS15 3BSON, 

Rev, .Jesse Edson was ordained 
and installed over the Congregation- 
al church* November 179G* and 
died in 1805, being the pastor about 
nine years. During his ministry 09 
were added to the church. 

Mr. Edson was a native of Buck- 
land, Mass. * and graduate of Dart- 
mouth College. He commenced 



Ins ministry with this people. As a 
preacher, lie was sound in doctrine. 
His preparations for the pulpit were 
made w i th re ad in ess . He i n te res ted 
himself in the young people of his 
charge, andwas accustomed to preach 
to them one sermon a year. His only 
production published was a sermon 
entitled, “An Address to Young 
People.” Mr. Edson’s salary was a 
hundred pounds. Be died at an 
early age. 

REV, THOMAS H. WOOD, 

installed September 17* ISfJG* was 
pastor a little moie than 36 years. 
For three or four of the last years of 
his life, his health was feeble* and 
he was engaged but little in his ac- 
customed labors. During this time, 
the pulpit was supplied by several 
ministers, each for a longer or 
shorter period. 

Mr. Wood was born in Norwich* 
Conn.* in that portion of the town 
now comprised in Bozrah, in 1775. 
He removed with his parents to 
Hawley, Mass., in 1775, where he 
resided till ho commenced his etdies 
preparatory for college. These he 
pursued with Rev. John Grout, of 
Hawley* and Rev. Preserved Smith, 
of Rowe* Mass. He entered Williams 
College in I '1 95* and graduated in 
1799, at the age of 27, After leaving 
college , he fcaugb t a year in Norfcham- 
ton* Mass., and then commenced the 
study of theology with Dr. Joseph 
Lyman, of Hatfield. Previous to his 
ordination, he preached in Oxford* 
Mass., and in Lebanon, N. Y, He 
was ordained as an evangelist, at 
Amherst* Mass,, Mav 5, 1804* and 
I went with the Rev. Mr. Gould* after- 
wards of Southampton* Mass , to 
Maine as a missionary j and also to 
| the State of New York* with Rev. 
Mr. Williston, of Easthampton. He 
came to Halifax in the month of 
February* 1806* and was installed 
the following September, 

The education of young men re- 
ceived his special attention, nine of 
whom from his own society fitted for 
college with him* besides several 
from adjoining towns. Six entered 



HALIFAX. 



417 



the ministry under his pastorate. 
Of the young men from abroad who 
studied with him, were Dr. Jonas 
King, of the Greek Mission, Dr. 
Nathan Brown, of the Baptist Mis- 
sion in Bunn ah, and Abner I laze! - 
ton, who was afterwards a member 
of congress. Mr. Wood is remem- 
bered among his people as a faithful 
and beloved pastor. 

Mr. Wood was married twice; had 
six children who lived to adult years, 
four by his first wife and two by his 
second. He died December 26, 1842, 
at the age of 70, having survived all 
the ministers in the county of his 
own denomination, who held the 
pastoral office at the time of his in- 
stallation. 

REV. ALPHEUS GRAVES 

was ordained and installed as asso- 
ciate pastor, with Rev. Thomas IL. 
Wood, November 11, 1841. In the 
summer of 1814, the Congregational 
Society built a meeting house in the 
valley, two miles west of the old 
Jioii6e, which was dedicated in the 
early part of October of the same 
year. Not coinciding with this 
movement, 0 males and 22 females 
left the original church, and were 
organized anew the following winter. 
A new society was also formed, 
whicli together with the church, 
occupy the former house, taking the 
name of the Central Church and 
Society of Halifax. 

baptist church. 

Elder William Eweings was the 
first minister who preached statedly 
in the town. Very little Is known 
of him. He came to the town 
previous to 1778, and probably re- 
mained two or three years. 

After Elder Eweings left, Elder 
Warren gathered a church of a small 
number in the northwest part of the | 
town. A few joined it from Wil- 
mington. They were accustomed to 
meet in school-houses and dwelling- 
houses. The church was afterwards 
dissolved. 

The present Baptist church was 



organized July 20, 1793, consisting 
at first of 11 members. 

ELDER ABNER BEM1S, 

the first pastor, was settled in 1795, 
and remained with them till his 
death in 1809. A goodly number 
were added to the church under his 
ministry. 

ELDER PAUL HINES 

was settled Nov., 1813. His pastor- 
ate continued seven years. 

ELDER SAMUEL PISH 

commenced preaching in the fall of 
1820, and was ordained August 15, 
1822! 

The meeting house was built in 
1808, previous to which time meet- 
ings were held in school-houses and 
private dwellings. 

It is matter of gratitude to God 
that the institutions of religion were 
early planted in this town; that the 
benign influences of the Gospel 
have been enjoyed, and have bad 
their effect in moulding the charac- 
ter of this community from the be- 
ginning. 

* 0 * 

Among the early settlers of Hali- 
fax, we find five families of the 
name of Hall. There were five 
| brothers that came from East En- 
field, Conn., between 1776 and 1780. 
In tracing the emigrant ancestors 
bank, we find in 1630, Edward Hall 
I of England came to Rchoboth, Mass, 
i His wife’s name was Esther. Their 
children, 1st, John; 2d, Esther; 3d, 
Samuel ; 4th, Jeremiah; 5th, Thomas; 
6th, Preserved; 7th, Andrew; 8th, 
Benjamin. Samuel, the third child, 
born in Rehoboth, Oct. 24, 1656, 
married, April 7, 1686, Elizabeth 
Brown; settled in Taunton, Mass. 
Their children, 1st, Elizabeth; 2d, 
Remember; 3d, Nicholas; 4th. Mary; 
5th, Nathaniel; Cth, Mahitable; 7th, 
Enoch, he settled in Northfield, 
Mass.; 8th, Icliabod; 9th, John, 
born 1705, settled in East Enfield, 

| Conn., married Hannah Guild. Ohil- 



418 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



dren, 1st, Israel; 2d, John; 3d, Joel; 
4th, Levi; 5th, Asariah; 6th, Daniel; 
7tli, Hiram; 8th, Keziali. Of those 
children John, Joel, Hiram, Levi, , 
andAzariali settled in the northwest 
part of Halifax. While at one time , 
they nearly all had large families, at 
present but a few families represent 
them. Of the family first John Hall 
married Alice Bush. Children, 1st, 
Erastus; 2d, John; 3d, Alice; 4th, 
Louisa; 5th, Rhoda; 6th, Susnnnah; 
7th, Rufus. Erastus married Hul-| 
dah Mather. Children, John; grad- 
uate of College. Died soon after. 
Clarissa married Nicholas Clark of 
Clarksburgh, Mass. Settled in Hal- 
ifax; he died some years ago. Have 
one son now living in West Halifax, 
George Clark. There is now Lem- 
uel and Abigail, descendants. John 
Hall is now in West Halifax. 5th, 
Azariah Hall, married Keturah 
Pease. He died in 1832, aged S3 
years; she in 1S35. Children, 1st, 
Mary; 2d, Elizabeth; 3d, Keturah; 1 
4th, Azariah; 5th, Richard. First, 
Mary, married Jeremiah Kingsbury. 1 
There are now some of their de- 
scendants living in Whitingham. 
Fourth, Azariah, married Esther Orr; 
took quite a prominent part in town 
matters. Children, Surah Ann, 
Maria, George. It 1836 moved to 
New York state. Fifth, Richard, 
married Betsey Allen; have one 6on. 
Richard Hart married Mary Crow- 
ley, now living in Athens, Vt. Third, I 
Joel Hal!, married Elizabeth Bush. 
He died in 1843 aged 96 years. She 
died in 1S30, aged 78. Children, 
1st, Hannah; 2d, Joel, jr. ; 3d, Jus- 
tus; 4th, Israel; 5th, Loten; 6th, 
Asa; 7th, Elizabeth; 8th, Martin. 
These all left town but Justus and 
Loten. Fifth, Loten, married 
Rhoda Nichols of Gulford, Vt. 
Children, 1st, Lucinda, married El- 
liott Higley, now living in south 
part of the town; 2d, Joel; 3d, Eliz- 
abeth; 4th, Annis, married Hiram 
Chase, now lives in Marlboro ; Vt. ; 
5th, Esther; 6th, Gratia; 7th, Obed, 
married Susan Everett. Now lives 
in Stamford, Vt., is one of the asso- 



ciate -judges of Bennington county; 
8th, Charles, 

OBITUARY. 

DEATH OF MU. JAMES L. STARK. 

One of Chicago's brightest profes- 
sional men, Mr. James L. Stark, 
died at his residence, No. 168 Cass 
street. Mr. Stark was born in South 
Halifax. Vt., on the 6th of Febru- 
ary, 1823. His father, Judge Stark, 
was an eminent lawyer, and the 
blood of the Revolutionary Starks 
flowed in his veins. Ue adopted the 
profession of the law, and was ad- 
mitted to practice in Bennington 
county, Vt., and his ability and 
energy were recognized by the poo- 
ple, who elected him to the State 
Seuate in 1858. He served with 
distinction one term, and became 
the recognized leader of his party in 
the Senate. In 1859 he came to 
Chicago, and, ignoring politics, de- 
voted his entire attention to the 
law. He was very successful, secur- 
ing many clients by his devotion to 
business, and acquiring considerable 
property. His residence on the 
North Side was destroyed by the 
great fire, and he was the first man 
who rebuilt a substantial home in 
that portion of the “ burnt dis- 
trict. 

Mr. Stark was a practical and 
emphatically a self-made man, and, 
being modest, did not appear above 
the surface in many enterprises in 
which the people of the North side 
were interested. He was very ac- 
tive, however, in a silent way, in 
promoting improvements, especially 
the lake shore drive and the plant- 
ing of trees to beautify the northern 
division. His advice was always ac- 
cepted, and his labors were appre- 
ciated by those having cognizance of 
them. The death of so estimable a 
man will certainly be regretted in 
the community, and the vacancy 
| caused by his death will not be soon 
satisfactorily filled. He leaves a 
| wife and two children. — Chicago 
, Tribune. 



HALIFAX. 



419 



BY GEORGE L, CLARK, 

HO^T. JAMES LAND02? STARK. 

Among the most prominent and 
influential of the early residents of 
Windham county Vt*, was 

JEDEDIAH STARK, 

the grandfather of the' subject of 
this sketch* A graduate of Yale 
college, and a lawyer* he removed 
from Litchfield county. Conn., to 
Halifax, Vt.*in 1792, where he be- 
came eminent in his profession, and 
was in active practice until his death. 
He married Abigail Camp, a lady 
with great beauiy and dignity of 
presence- They "had six children. 
The oldest was James Laadou . He 
graduated at Yale, In the class of 
1814* then studied law in. the office 
of his father, and when admitted to 
the bar, practiced law in Halifax 
until he was elected judge, which 
office he held for many years. He 
was also repeatedly elected to repre- 
sent his town in the General Assern- ' 
bly. He was a man of much talent, 
fine legal mind and imposing pres- 
ence. But though occupying vari- 
ous offices of trust and confidence, , 
agricultural pursuits were more con- 
genial with his tastes* To them the 
latter portion of his life was devoted* 
He spent more than 50 years on his 
farm in South Halifax, where he 
died March 14, 1368, in his 76 th 
year. His wife was Sybel Smith j 
(daughter of Asa Smith, who mar- 1 
ried Submit Severance.) They had 
nine children* Joshua Leavitt, 1 
Jedediah, Royal Houghton, James 
Land on, Harriet, George Washing- 
ton, Sybel Livauia, Sereno, Horace 
Goodrich. 

The fourth child, James Landcm 
Stark, was bom in Halifax, Feb, 6, 
1823. The most of his minority was 
spent at his father's home, assisting 
in farm duties, attending the dis- 
trict schools and a few terms at an 
academy in Whitingham. Judge 
Stark having conceived some pre- 
judice to college education and pro- 
fessional life, persisted in his efforts 



to make farmers of all his sons, and 
James was denied those early advan- 
tanes which were always regretted 
by him. 

As a lawyer, Mr* Stark was well- 
read, especially in equity, and had a 
clear, logical mind* His natural 
diffidence, modesty and want of 
early training, often made him ap- 
pear to disadvantage until aroused 
sufficiently to forget himself, when 
he became clear in statement, power- 
ful in argument and impassioned in 
eloauent deliver v. 

The late Dr* Dewey of Montpelier, 
once told the writer that he never 
met a man who could use the Eng- 
lish language with such vigor, direct- 
ness and point, as did Mr* Stark 
when fully aroused* Asa politician, 
Mr. Stark was earnest and unselfish* 
From the first caucus to the last 
hour of the election he worked in- 
dcfatigably for the aide which he 
thought was right, though always 
declaring there was no office he him- 
self would or could afford to accept. 
His nature prompted him to look 
out for his friends, and no nomina- 
tion was made in his ward, for years, 
to which lie did not lend his strong 
sense and active aid* 

ERIE!?. 

James Ridgely Lodge, No. 15, 

I. 0* O* F tJ was instituted at West 

Halifax, Feb. 17, 1882, by Charles 
Wood bouse of Rutland, Grand Mas- 
ter, assisted by members of the or- 
der from Brafctleboro* Re ads boro and 
Shelburne Falls, Maes* The char- 
ter contained eleven names: Jere- 

miah Gifford, Crosby A. Perry, 
William W. Poll fttt, Warner W. 
Stowe, Add. 0. Niles, William R. 
Brown, Francis Kingsley, Henry P. 
Wheeler, Henry B. Stone, John An- 
derson and Eli 3. Cook. The first 
officers were: N* G., W< R. Erow r n; 
V* G., W* W. Follett; Sec*, A. C\ 
Niles; Treas., E* 8* Cook; P* G., 

J. Gifford. The lodge at one time 
had a membership of 21* It has 
paid out quite a sum of money for 
the benefit of its members, is out of 
debt and prospering. 



430 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



THE DEATH OF CA.PT. GAULT. 

This is an occurrence that has 
long been forgotten, but was re- 
ceived by a person interested in 
such matters, reading the lines upon 
his grave-stone in the cemetery In 
lScIioo! District No. 1. An item was 
placed in the papers, and the follow- 
ing was taken from the GarMte and 
Courier of Dec. 2(1 tli 1887: 

ff Mn Editor: I noticed in a late 
issue of your paper a request from a 
Halifax, V t., correspondent, for in- 
formation concerning the tragic 
death of Gapt. Gault in 1778. I am 
now in my 93d year, but remember 
well an account of the circumstances 
as related to me by my father, Jon- 
athan Kellogg of Halifax, who serv- 
ed as lieutenant in the company of 
which John Gault was captain. The 
company were accustomed to meet 
at Halifax Centre for training. On 
one occasion, after the men were dis- 
missed, the officers gathered at the 
tavern for a social drink. One of 
their number was absent, whom 
they wished to summon. Being in- 
formed that he could he found at 
the house across the street, the Gap- 
tain s&ys/T will go and call him /hind 
started with a double hop towards 
the door. It was the custom of 
those days to honor an officer by fir- 
ing over his head. Accordingly, as 
Capt. Gault passed out at the door, 
a soldier standing near discharged 
his m ueket, b u t at fch at i n s tan t th e 
Captain gave a hop that brought his 
head in range of the charge, which 
entered it, wad and all, killing him 
instantly. The event naturally 
caused the greatest excitement 
throughout the community. Still 
further. After a suitable time had 
elapsed my father called the com- 
pany together to choose another cap- 
tain, but, himself being anxious to 
get clear of training duty, declined 
being a candidate for the office. 
This caused a choice to be made 
from those below him in rank, ami 
he being “jumped** as they called it, 



obtained his discharge which cleared 
him from further duty during life. 
Asa Kellogg, 

. Greenville, Mass. 



BU1JSFS. 

Charles P. Clark Corps, No. oo, 
V. K. 0., whs instituted Aug. 20th, 
1SS9, by Mrs. Herrick of Brattle- 
bore;, with 11 charter members. The 
The officers were as follows: Pres., 
Mrs. Sarah B. Thurber; S. Y\,Mrs. 
S- Jennie Clark; J T V., Miss Lilia 
Do Wolfe; Secy., Mrs. Ella M. Winn; 
Treas. , Mm Mary A. Ballou; Chap., 
Mrs. Elvira M. Gates; Com, Mrs. 
Elanor Miner; Guard, Mrs. Ellen 
D. Powers; Asst Gam, Mrs. Lucin- 
da Hill; Asst. Guard, Miss Viola 
Hudson. Being a recent acquisi- 
tion, not much can be said of it, ex- 
cept that it is working for a very 
prais worthy object, 

Charles P, Clark Post, No. 103, 
CL A. 1L, was named from Serg. 
Charles P. Clark, son of Nicholas 
and Clarissa Clark, who enlisted In 
Go, R, 16lh Reg,, Yt. Yols., and 
who died in the hospital at Gamp 
Vermont, near Fairfax Seminary, 
Deo. 13th, 1803. This Post was in- 
stituted June 30th, 1S89, Go!. H. E. 
Taylor of Brattloboro, mustering of- 
ficer. The charter members were; 
I), IX Barnes, H. C. Bell, E. E. 
Gates, fL W. Griffin, A. A. Hill, F. 
T. Miner, Thos. Miner, Milton Pow- 
ers, Israel Stowe. H. B. Stone, E. 
H. Thurber, Harrison Williams, J 
C. Winn, R L Woodard. The first 
officers were: Commander, J. C. 
Winn; S. V. Com., R V Miner; J. 
V. Com., A. A. Hill; Adjt., F. L 
Woodard; Q, M.„ H. W. Griffin; 0. 
of D., H. Wallins; Chap., Milton 
Powers' Surg., E, E. Gates; 0. of 
i &., H. G. Bell; Q, M. S., E. H, 
Thurber; S. M*, D. 1). Barnes; 
1 Sent,, H. B, Stone* 

The Halifax Library Association 
I was established in August, 1874, 
with 55 members. The officers were: 
J, M, Eames, Pres.; M. Wiclcs, 
1 Secy.; Oscar Howe, Treas. ; and L. 



HALIFAX. 



421 



M. Tucker, librarian. The associa- 
tion now have 250 volumes in the 
library, 

Aaron Leonard, whose buildings 
stood near the bridge north of the 
Methodist chapel, Hied Hollow, was 
frozen to death April 6* 1815. II is 
wife being away for a few days, he 
in company with some of the } r oimg 
men in the neighborhood, planned 
to have a good time on Fast day, I time, 
which would occur on the 7th, Ac - 1 
cordingly, ho with his little boy 
started for Marlboro, where he pro- 
cured a jug of nun. He started for 
home about dark in a snow storm ^ 

The little hoy becoming cold lagged 
behind, and his father, tipsy and stu- 
pefied, stumbled and fell. The boy 
passed him and on gettting home, 
supposing that his father had gone 
to bed, retired also. His cronies 
arriving next day, search was made 
for him, and the body found about 
one-half mile from the house of Da- 
vid Niles, (which is now gone.) 

The body was brought to the house 
and a coroner’s inquest held, elicit- 
ing the above facts. 

There 1ms been a large number of 
saw -mills in town, the immense 
water power on the several streams 
affording facilities for manufactur- 
ing excelled by but few towns in the 
State. There are seven mills now 
town. Frank B. Stone, manii- 



two in district No, 11. At the pres- 
ent time there is one store at Hali- 
fax Center, Watson He WoJL propri- 
etor; at West Halifax, George L. 
Clark and Oscar Howe* each general 
> assortment stores ; J, M. Niles, boots 
and shoes; L. W. Sumner, Hour, 
feed and oats. These with the 
Grange store in district No, 10, are 
all the stores in town at the present 



m 

factum 1 of chair stock and lumber ; 
Stone & Clark, manufacturers of 
lumber, chair stock, baby carriage 
hubs, perambulator handles, etc.; 
W. Dennison, lumber ; L, W, Sum- 
ner, lumber and shingles. He also 
runs a grist-mill with his other bus- 
iness. A. L. Thurber, lumber and 
chair stock. He has lately added 
steam power. And two mills in dis- 
trict No. 22, Gilman Warren & Son, 
lumber, choir stock, and cider jelly ; 



MWEfiALS. 

The rocks of the town abound in 
minerals; among which iron and 
copper are most common, also sul- 
phur. Mineral springe abound, but 
little is known about their medici- 
nal virtues. There is much timber 
and wood in town, and it is also 
noted for its fruit: also for its maple 
sugar and horses. 

HOT# n people. 

Among the noted people born in 
town may be mentioned Chipman 
Swain, high sheriff: Stephen Niles, 
high sheriff, representative; Sanford 
Plumb, senator and representative; 
Rev. Samuel Fish, who preached in 
town over fifty years. He was lather 
of Rev. Henry 0. Fish of Newark, 
N. J., who acquired quite a reputa- 
tion as a doctor of dvvinity, author 
and traveler, and of Warren Fish 
also of New Jersey, the inventor of 
the porcelain shade lamp; also grand- 
father of Geo. H. Niles of Brattle- 
boro, inventer of the Niles self-regu- 
lating electric dynamo, and of Mrs. 
Will Carlton, wife of the famous 
poet of that name, who in her ear- 
lier days was, in company with her 
first husband, the Rev, Sabin T. 
Gooden, engaged in missionary work 
in Bunnalr The Starks, father and 
son, Landon & Jed, noted lawyers, 
together have solemnized over 



and J. E, Gates, lumber and cider 3^000 marriages. Other lawyers who 



jelly 

There have been stores in town 
follows: One in school district 



as 



No, 1, one in distract No. 3 , one in 
district No. t>, six different places in 
district No. 7, one in district No. 2 0, 



have lived in the town wore Mr. 
Barber, W, H. Follett and C. F. 
Boyd. There have been many dif- 
ferent physicians in town among 
whom the most noted have been 
Drs. Williams, Miller, Johnston and 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



422 



Harrington* Drs. 0* A. Wheeler of 
California, and J. M. Clark of North 
Adams, Mass-, were natives of this 
town* Prof* C. W. Emerson, presi- 
dent of the Boston School of oratory, 
preached in this town several years* 
The Rev. L. W. Brigham* past grand 
master of the I, 0. 0. F. of Wiscon- 
sin, once lived in this town, and mar- 
ried his wife here* 

During the war Halifax furnished 
one hundred and nine men, and fif- 
teen paid commutation. She lost 
three in battle, and sixteen others 
died in the service* She paid $18,- 
450*65 as bounty to volunteers, and 
$5,400 for substitutes for enrolled 
men* 

The first mention we find of Hali- 
fax was at the meeting at Dorset of 
delegates from the various towns in 
the New Hampshire grants in Sep- 
tember, 1776, Halifax then being 
represented by CoL Benjamin Car- 
penter; Edward Harris, 1778 to 
1783 ; Joseph Tucker, 1784 ; Hubbel 
Wells, 1785 to 1789 ; Benjamin Hen- 
ry, 1790 to 1798 ; Darius Bullock, 
1709 ; B. Henry, 1801-2 ; Mr. Bul- 
lock, 1803 to 1811 ; Stephen Otis, 
1812 to 1817 ; Darius Bullock, ISIS; 
Russell Avery, 1819; D. Bullock, 
1S2(V21 ; B, Henry, 1822 ; George 
Boardman, 1 823 -'28; James L. Stark, 
182iL J 30 ; Sanford Plumb, 1831 ; 
D, Bullock, 1832 ; Sanford Plumb, 
1833 ; Bcnj. W'oodard, 1834; James 
L. Stark, IS3 j-' 36 ; B. Woodard, 
1837-'38 ; Isaac Worden, 1839 ; 
James L. Stark, IS40-'41 ; Rufus K. 
Henry, 1842 ; William H, Stark, 
1843; B. Woodard, 1S44 ; Nicholas 
Clark, 1845 ■ William Plumb, 1846 ; 
Stephen Niles, 1847^48; Jonas Scott, 
1849 ; Joseph Henry, 1850 ; Amos 
Tucker, 1851; Jonas Scott, 1852, 
Elisha Hager, 1S53 ; Isaac Worden, 



1854 ; Martin Scott, 2d, 1855**56 : 
Alpheus H. Stone, 1$57 ; A. H_ 
Tucker, 1S58- J 59 ; Stephen Niles, 
1860 ; Martin Scott, 2d, 1861- J 2; 
Charles Fowler, 1863- J 64 ; A, H, 
Tucker, 1865~ T 66 ; Albert J. Tuck- 
er, 1867- J 68; Almon Ballou, 1869, 
A* H. Stone, 1870; this year the 
biennial sessions began. In 1672, 
Charles Griffin ; 1874, A, H, 
Stone ; 1876, Albert M* T. Hager : 
1878, J. L. Harrington; ISSQ, L. 
W. Sumner ; 1882, L. M, Woodard ; 
1884, George L. Clark ; 1880, L. M, 
Woodard ; 1888, Luther Adame ; 
IS 00, George L. Clark. 

In regard to the town clerks the 
records are very incomplete. Dem- 
i og 's ^ Vermont office rs ” gi v es Sam - 
uel Woodard as the first tow r n clerk, 
chosen about 1772* Beeps ‘"Wind- 
ham County Atlas says the same. 
A diligent search of the records in 
the town clerk's office shows a record 
of birth attested to by James Gray, 
clerk, October 37, 1773. The books 
contain various entries consisting of 
land records, church membership, 
ear marks, agreements, etc, of earlier 
dates, but all were attested by jus- 
tices of the peace, pastors, deacons, 
county surveyors, where they con- 
tained any signature. The rest is a 
record of an ^Annual town meet- 
ing*' at which James Gray was chosen 
clerk, 1778 ; 1779, Hubbel Wells ; 
1787, Nathan Fish. The next year 
he was succeeded by Wells. Mr, 
Fish also served again, also Ilnbbel 
Wells and Darius Bullock. He was 
also very prominent in town affairs* 
Rufus K. llenry, 1834 ; Whitney J. 
Hitchcock, 1852; Charles Fowler, 
1854; J. L* Harrington, 1867 ; L. M. 
Tucker, 1868 ; Mr Harringon, 1869 ; 

1881, H. R. Stone ; Millard Wicks, 

1882, and is still in office. 



JAMAICA. 



By J. G. EDDY. 



JAMAICA. 

Jamaica, in size, the third town 
in Windham county, having by the 
census of 1860 a population of 1541, 
is situated in the northwestern part 
of the county, on West River, about 
27 miles from Brattleboro, and 38 
miles from Manchester. It is bound- 
ed N. by Londonderry and Windham, 
E. by Townsend, S. by Wardsboro, 
W. by Stratton and Winlmll. 

The township is in the form of a 
trapezoid, and contains about 42 
square miles. The surface, like other 
Green Mountain towns, is uneven, 
being diversified by high hills and 
mountains, known as Ball Mountain, 
Shatterack Mountain, Tom Thumb 
Hill, South Hill, and West Hill. 
Cold and uninviting as they may 
appear to the people at the present 
time, it is a noticible fact, that the 
earlier settlers first chose the high- 
est of them for their homes, as is at- 
tested by fallen down houses, old 
cellars and highways, still plainly to 
be seen. West River Hows through 
the northeastern part of the town. 
There are also several other streams 
of considerable size, branches of this 
river, flowing through different sec- 
tions of the town, affording good 
mill privileges, and otherwise sup- 
plying the town with water in great 
abundance. In the northern part of 
the town is a body of water, known 
as “Cole's Pond,” receiving its name 
from a man living near it. It is 
about one mile in length and from 
one-half to three-quarters of a mile 
in width. Hamilton Falls are si til- 
ted on a small stream, known as the 



“Cobb brook,” which rises in Wind- 
ham, and flows a southwesterly course 
through Jamaica, emptying in to West 
River. The falls are distant from 
Jamaica village about 34 miles. 
They are but a few rods from the 
road leading from Jamaica to Wind- 
ham, yet are so hidden that their 
existence would remain unknown to a 
casual passer by. The falls are about 
125 feet in height. The stream is 
quite small, and when the water is 
low the scenery is not remarkable, 
but when high, the sight is magnifi- 
cent. 

The first settlers. Calvin, William 
and Caleb Howard, together with 
their families, moved into town the 
day before the battle of Bunker Hill, 
June 16, 1775, and claimed that they 
heard distinctly the roar of the can- 
non, on that memorable day. They 
had previously erected a small log- 
house, and cleared a few acres of 
land, a short distance from West 
Townshend village, near where Chas. 
Robbins now resides. They emi- 
grated from Massachusetts, Calvin 
Howard was one of the ten brothers, 
five or six of whom, afterwards came 
to Jamaica, and were among the 
original grantees of the town, and 
are represented at the present time 
by their numerous descendants. The 
night after their arrival, Elisha 
Howard was born, and was of course, 
the first child born in Jamaica. The 
original grantees were Col. Samuel 
Fletcher, Ilis Excellency Thomas 
Chittenden, William Ward, Col. 
Moses Robinson, Mathew Lyon. John 
Butler, Caleb Maynard, Stephen 



m 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Rawson, Reuben Ham ling ton, Silas 
Ham] mg ton, Marshall Miller, Ehen- 
ezer Ilavou, Nathniel Haven, 
Joseph Haven, Stephen Wilcox, 
Joseph Hilldrich, Caleb Hayward, 
John Wright, Beni. Hayward, 
Johnson," Silas Hayward. Aaron 
Alexander Knight. Joseph Tyler, 
A m a i' i ah Taf t . Aa ro u H it tso n C h as . 
Hutson, William Hayward, Peter 
Hazleton, John Fosse tt, William 
Church, Jonathan Knight, Samuel 
Kingsbury, Daniel Gates, Arad 
Holton, Joel Knight, Isaac Miller, 
TOletson Paul Spooner, Esq*, Johu 
Sergeant, Ethan Hayward. Moses 
Doty, Reuben Ward, Philip Jordon, 
Comfort J oy, Jesse Joy. Philip Alex- 
ander, Levi Hayward, Renj. Howe, 
Isaac Hart, Hazael Shepard, Rufus 
Shepard, Eleazer Harris, Nathan 
Hayward, Moses Holbrook, Freder- 
ick'Taft, Michael Johnson, A roll i bus 
Blodgett, Joshua Morse, Calvin 
Kn owl ton, Seth Knight, Jonas 
Cook, Samuel Wakefield, Paul Hay- 
ward, Ira Allen, Esq., Jafoez Butler, 
and John Jones. The condition of 
the charter was as follows : * f Each 

proprietor of said township of Jam- 
aica, his heir and assigns, shall plant 
and cultivate five acres of land, and 
build a bouse thereon, at least eight 



built soon after the first settlement 
of the town, and was probably the 
first public building erected. The 
first saw and grist 'mill were on the 
same streafti and near the same place 
Moses I whereon Jtidson Howard's old mill 
now stands. 

I The village of Jamaica ie situated 
east of the center of the town on a 
branch of West river. The first 
house that was built in this village 
was erected by Roger Howe in 1803 
i or 4, and is the same building now 
i occupied (ISbfi) by William B. San- 
ders for a dwelling house, but has 
1 been several times repaired and en- 
larged, and originally stood a little 
south of its present location. Soon 
after it was built it was opened for 
i a hotel and was the first public house 
in the village, though not the first 
in town, as I am told that previous 
to this a snml] building, occupied at 
the present time by beacon James 
Muzzy for a pig-sty (the same in 
size then as now) was once the hotel 
in Jamaica. Mr. Howe’s sign was 
a rough board, nailed to a large 
hemlock tree standing near, with 
the words tr Pay to-day and trust to- 
morrow 5 ’ painted upon it, indicat- 
ing that the house afforded that 
which commanded bouse custom to 



feet square, on each respective share ! an extent not allowable at the pres 

P J j ’ ‘ ' ' 

i tin 



or plight of land in said township, 
within the term of four years after 
the circumstances of the war will 
admit of it with safety.” — that £t all 
pine timber suitable for the navy, 
shall be reserved to and for the bene- 
fit of the Stale.” 

The town was chartered Nov. 7, 
1780, by Thomas 0 hit tend en, then 
governor of the state, and organized 
by a meeting of the proprietors Sept. 
3, 1781, which meeting was holden 
at the house of Win Hayward, 
Lucius Wilson was chosen modem- 
tor; William Harrison Church, town 
clerk, and Benj. Hayward, W. Hay- 
ward and Win. H. Church, select- 
men. The fi rs t sell ool- 1 1 ouse built in 
town was constructed with logs, and 
stood a short distance from the 
bridge across West river near Clark 
French^ dwelling house. It wasi 



ent day. Howe continued to oc- 
cupy this house until the present 
hotel, standing on Main street, was 
built by Nathaniel Cheney, about 
the year 181L Cheney kept this 
house a short time and then sold to 
Samu el II as t J ey , si nee which it lias 
been kept by Moses Chamberlain, 
Ezra Wilder, S. Newell, Horace 
Howe, J. E. Kiiowlton? D. H. Rice, 
0. F. Kn owl ton, II. E. Sawyer and 
E. W. Prior, 

The first store goods were offered 
for sale by Nathaniel Cheney , in a 
small building known as the ** noon 
house, 1 ’ standing near the Congre- 
gational church. Ripley and Doo- 
little built the first store on the 
same site, and said to be the same 
building now owned and occupied 
by the lion, H. 1-L Wheeler. u b- 
sequently Wilder, Cheney & Brown, 



JAMAICA. 



435 



J. S. Newell, L. Merrifield & Co., 
1. & J. Williams, C. H. Peirce & 
Co., A. Johnson, J. H. Converse 
and Anson Howard traded in the, 
same building. 

The second store was built by S. j 
T. R. Cheney, who traded in it a 
while and was afterwards used for 
the same purpose by Brown <fc Fur- 
nace, I. G. Sumner, Sumner & 
Brimhall, then by Union Store As- 
sociation, Btill later, by Jamaica 
Leather Company, for a boot shop, 
since burned. In 1846 or 1847, J. G. 
Sumner built the store opposite the 
hotel, and carried on trade in the 
building a few years. It has since 
been occupied by Birchard Liver- 
more & Co., Livermore & Howard, 
Beuj. Livermore, H. J. Philipps 
aud Abijah Muzzy, present occu- 
pant. 

In 1852, C. H. Peirce built the 
store now occupied by him on Ilill 
street. In the meantime it has been 
occupied by C. II. Peirce & Co., D. 
G. Dexter and Peirce & Dexter. 

In 1S49, the Union Store Asso- 
ciation fitted up and occupied the 
same building in which L. H. Phelps 
is now trading (1864). During the 
intervening time the same has been 
occupied by 0. F. Knowlton, 
Knowlton & Foskett, Know] ton & 
Butler, IT. A. Butler and Butler 
Bros. 



tinned to do a large business up to 
1867; but it proving unprofitable 
they sold out their shop which they 
built in I860, to Parsons, Liver- 
more & Holton, who are now doing 
a good business in the same. 

In the year 1828, Benj. Felton 
fitted up an old building into a tan- 
nery, near the present location of 
the Universalist church, and his two 
sons, Henry II. and H. L. Felton, 
carried ou the tanning business 
therein until 1839, when they left 
here and built where C. D. Reade’s 
tannery now stands. Iu 1848, 
Reade bought them out and has 
since carried on that business, asso- 
ciating with himself John Parsons 
two years aud his son, Fayette D., 
one year. 

The second tannery was built by 
Solomon Newell, near the bridge, 
across the stream on the road lead- 
ing to W inhall, about the year 1841. 
In 1849, H. H. & H. L. Felton 
built the tannery now occupied by 
H. H. Felton, and they or one of 
them, have since carried on that 
business in this building. 

Johu Kellogg in 1809, put up the 
first blacksmith shop, near the pres- 
ent residence of C. H. Peirce. 

In 1844, Gilbert Shomway built 
the chair factory and saw-mill now 
occupied by A. Muzzy. Occupied 
in tne intervening time by E. G. 
Johnson & Co. 



WEST RIVER BANK 

was chartered in 1853. At the first 
meeting of the stockholders, March, 
1854, Hon. James II. Phelps of 
Townshend, was chosen president 
and the Hon. John E. Butler, cash- 
ier. The first named holding his 
office until the change to a National 
bank in 1865, when he was suc- 
ceeded by the Hon. Wm. Harris of 
Windham. Mr. Butler was suc- 
cessively chosen cashier to the time 
of his death, which occurred in 
1867, and was succeeded by his son, 
John A. Butler, preseut cashier. 

In 1858 the Jamaica Leather 
Company was incorporated and im- 
mediately commenced and con- 



Lewis Shomway built the bucket 
factory and saw-mill on the road 
leading to West Jamaica, and the 
following named persons have since 
j carried on the business there: C. 

'Maynard, Q. Shomway, T. Boynton 
and D. Sherwiu. 

Roger Howe built the first grist- 
mill, near Readers mill-dam, which 
he run for a few years. The same 
was afterwards run by Joseph Shep- 
ard. The grist and saw-mill back 
of the shoe shop, was built by Joseph 
Dicks in 1809, and the same was 
subsequently occupied by A. Kel- 
logg, A. Wheaton, James Water- 
man and Almon Clayton; since 
i burned. 



426 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



THE BAPTIST CHURCH. 

Of its early history and organiza- 
tion, but little can be ascertained, 
the church records as well as those 
of the society being lost. Its or- 
ganization, however, appears to have 
been previous to that of the Oon- 
gregationali6t church. Elder Sim- 
eon Coombs was the first settled 
minister of this church and the first 
in town, and received the minis- 
terial land/* which was by the terms 
of the charter of the town to go to 
the first settled minister. Among 
its first members were Calvin and 
Caleb Howard, and many others of 
the very earliest settlers in town. 
Previous to the erection of the 
meeting house, which was in 1817, 
they held their meetings at private 
dwelling houses and school houses. 
These meetings were always fully 
attended, the people deeming it al- 
most a sin not to be found in their 
usual place at church. Erom this 
church the Baptist churches in sev- 
eral of the adjoining towns have 
been set off, and wide and lasting 
has been its influence, and from it, 
too, have gone out a goodly number 
of Baptist preachers, who have dis- 
tinguished themselves by their good 
works, among whom are Rev. Le- 
land Howard, now residing in Rut- 
land, one of the first preachers in 
the State, and whose fame was not 
confined to Vermont alone, he hav- 
ing preached several years in Troy 
and Buffalo, N. Y,, and other large 
places. Also Rev. Timothy Spauld- 
ing, who was styled a martyr to the 
cause of slavery. While lecturing 
upon that subject in one of the 
Western States, he was refused ad- 
mission to the meeting house, on 
account of the political feeling in 
the church, so retiring to a grove, 
before a large audience, he delivered 
his lecture, took cold and died from 
its effects. Rev. Ziba Howard, 
Rev. Rufus Smith and Rev. Mr. 
Kingsbury were also among the 
number. Those who have supplied 
their pulpit, as near as can be ascer- 
tained, were Rev. Messrs. Simeon 



I Coombs, Choate, Shorn way, Baker, 
P. B. Fisk, Graves, Bruier, Robin- 
ison, Chamberlin, T. Blood, Nathan 
Arms, Leland Huntley, Nathaniel 
j Cudworth, Norman Clark, I. H, 
iWood, A. H. Stearns, Robert Myers, 
.Samuel S. White and C. P. Fren- 
year. 

I 

THE CONGREGATIONALIST CHURCH. 

This church was organized Sept. 
25, 1791, with advice and direction 
of the pastors of the Congregation- 
alist churches of DummersLon and 
Newfane. The first members as ap- 
peal's by the church records, were 
Re u ben Well man, M ary G age, Loney 
Blanchis, Aaron Whitney, Mary 
Wellman, Margaret Whitney and 
John Wellman. Reuben Wellman 
was chosen the first deacon. In 
1794, by a vote of the church, an in- 
vitation was extended to John Stod- 
dard to take the pastoral charge of 
the church. The church at the 
same time requesting the town to 
give him the ministerial land al- 
ready alluded to in connection with 
the Baptist church, which it ap- 
pears was under the control of the 
town. But the town, for some 
cause, refused to grant him the land 
which we have already seen went to 
Simeon Coombs, who afterwards 
presented one-half of the same to 
the Congregational society. Stod- 
dard, however, it appears, came and 
preached for several years; and it 
does not appear that the church had 
any other settled preacher until 
18l5, when Rev. Philip Spaulding 
was regularly installed pastor over 
it, and receiving the land, which 
Coombs presented to tlie society. 
Spaulding remained with the church 
till 1829, and waB succeeded by Rev. 
Samuel Kingsbury, who wa6 dis- 
missed 1S33. There is no record of 
those who have preached for this 
church since Mr. Kingsbury left. 
Below we give a list collected from 
old inhabitants: Joseph King?- 

bury, Brown, J ustin Parsons, 

Abel Pat tin, Sumner Lincoln. 



Thomas Rood, Abijah Stowell, 



JAMAICA. 



4-2? 



Selden, Robert D. Miller, Nelson 
Barber, L. G. Chase and W. C. 
Bourn. 

THE UNTVERSALIST SOC1ETT 

built a meeting house in 1851, and 
for two or three years after their 
house was built Rev. Mr. Wilcox 

3 lied the pulpit, who was slic- 
ed by Rev. Mr. Perkins, who 
stayed about the same length of time, 
since whioh they have not had any 
preaching. They never had a church 
organization. 

MILLBKISM. 

In the fall or early winter of 1842 
a ruan by the name of Chandler, a 
preacher, came to Jamaica, and 
wished to lecture on the second com- 
ing of Christ as declared by Miller. 
He proposed to show from the 
prophesies that the end would come 
on a certain month and day in 1843, 
and being an eloquent speaker, and 
able reasoner, many very soon em- 
braced bis views. Great excitemeut 
prevailed. Other preachers of the 
same faith soon arrived, and this ex- 
citement lasted during the next 
summer and autumn. Farmers neg- 
lected their fields, alleging that the 
world would end before harvest, and 
crops that had matured were left to 
waste. Meetings were held in dif- 
ferent places almost continually, till 
people were exhausted by fatigue, 
anxiety and want of sleep. A com- 
pany of these fanatics collected at 
the house of a Mr. Young in the 
south part of the town. The house 
was thronged day after day until the 
community became, alarmed for the 
health and reason of those in at- 
tendance. The civil authority vis- 
ited them aud in kindness requested 
them to stop the meetings for a time 
and get rest and sleep, but all to no 
purpose. A few days after this 
Mrs. Young died from over-excite- 
ment. 

A Mrs. Stocker in the same neigh- 
borhood became insane and com- 
mitted suicide, while many others 
appeared for the time to have lost 



their reason. Property was wasted, 
families neglected and churches rent 
| in pieces. Finally, upon setting 
time after time for the second ad- 
vent, aud being as often disappoint- 
ed, many acknowledged their mis- 
take and the excitement abated. 
“God grant,” says an eye witness, 
“that we may never see the like 
again.” 

ACCIDENTS. 

About the year 1802, Daniel 
Stocker, and his son George, then a 
young man of 21 years of age, were 
out breaking roads when a gust of 
wind carried oft’ the young man’s 
hat, who immediately went in search 
of it, and not returning his father 
supposed that he had gone to the 
house which was near by, and con- 
tinued his work for nearly an hour, 
when ascertaining that George was 
not at the house he went to look for 
him and passing around the brow of 
the hill, he saw a large snow-slide, 
and on proceeding to the spot and 
listening could just hear the feeble 
sound of his sou’s voice, then so 
weak from exhaustion that it could 
scarcely be heard. He was entirely 
covered and so completely imbeded 
in the snow as to bo unable to move 
hand or foot, and where he must 
have perished but for the timely as- 
sistance of the father, who dug him 
out. 

The great freshet of Oct. 4, 1S69, 
will long be remembered by the in- 
habitants of Jamaica and surround- 
ing towns, as the most destructive 
of the kind that ever occurred iu 
this vicinity. The damage done to 
the highway was immense, nearly 
all the bridges in town, amounting 
to about a mile in length, being 
swept away and the roads otherwise 
rendered impassible. The damage 
done to nrivate property was also 
great. There were several narrow 
escapes of men’s lives, and one man, 
Mr. Win. II. Can, was sweft away 
in the mighty element. The cir- 
cumstances of his death were as fol- 
lows: The bridge across the stream 



428 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



near Clias. D, Reed's had been all 
the forenoon (Oct. 4th) momentari- 
ly expected to go off, the abutments 
having been undermined in the 
early part of the day. Mr. C. dur- 
ing this time bad been cautioning 
older people, and preventing the 
boys from venturing upon the 
bridge. At noon he went to his 
house and took dinner, and as he 
started to go back, Mrs, C, in turn 
charged him not to go upon the 
bridge. He replied that there was 
not money enough in town to hire I 
him to cross it, and went off. On , 
reaching the spot he perceived that 
tlie water had fallen a good deal and | 
the bridge still standing. He re- 
marked to a Mr, Clark standing 
near, that it was safe, thereupon he 
and Clark started to cross to the op- 
posite side. They no sooner stepped 
upon the bridge than it began to 
tremble. Mr. Clark sprung back- 
ward, while Mr. Gan rushed ahead* 
hoping, it is supposed in his fright, 
to gain the opposite side, but so, 
suddenly did the bridge float off that I 
he had not got more than half way 
across. Mr. Clark saw him as he 
floated down the stream, standing in 
the middle of the bridge with his 
hands raised above his head, looking 
upward apparently watching the 
falling timbers, when the bridge 
seemed to close up and crush him in 
its huge grasp. No more was seen 
of him until after the water abated 
the next day, when bis body was 
found washed up on dry land a short 
distance above West Townshcnd* 
Mr. Can had held various offices in 
this town, and at the time of liis 
death was the oldest deputy sheriff 
in the county of Windham, in which 
office he excelled. The town lost a 
valuable and active citizen. 

EON. JOHN E. BUTLER, 

Son of Aaron and Lucinda (How- 
ard,) Butler, born in Jamaica, Dec. 
h l 4,1 80S: worked on his fathers farm 
till 17 years of age; then worked 
ab r oad , at home, at ten d ed sc l ee t an d 
academical schools, taught winter 
schools in the towns of Londonder- 



ry, Townahend and Windham; Mar. 
1833, studied law with Epuphrodi- 
tus Ransom, Esq., at Townshend; 
Mr* Ransom removing to Michigan 
he continued in the office of Hon. 
John Roberts of Townshend; fin- 
ished with Horace Roberts, Esq. of 
Wliitingham; admitted to the Wind- 
ham County bar at the April term, 
1837;, commenced and continued to 
practice with Horace Roberts at 
Whitingham, till the death of Mr. 
Roberts in 1838; Oct. 25, 1837, 
married to Roecina Brooks of Win- 
liall; P* M. at Wliitingham, 1838- 
43;wluie resident at WMtingham,an 
academy was built there and provid- 
ed with apparatus, mainly through 
his efforts; July 24, 1843, commenc- 
ed the practice of law in Jamaica; 
representative from the town in 
1838, T?9, '51, '53; West River Bank 
incorporated iu 1853, mainly through 
his influence, and located at Jamai- 
ca; organized 1854, he was elected 
cashier and remained so while he 
lived; formed a law partnership 
with Be up L. Tv no wit on; dissolved 
by Mr. Knowlton/s death in 1855: 
1857, member of the Constitutional 
Convention; 1858* *59, Windham 
county State senator ; 1859 Jamaica 
Leather Co* incorporated and lo- 
cated at Jamaica* chiefly through 
his influence; commenced business 
in 1859; formed a law partnership 
with H. II, Wheeler, which contin- 
ued while he lived. 

In 1861 he was a prominent can- 
didate for governor, but Mr. Hol- 
brook's claims were urged so strongly 
that Mr. Butler's name was with- 
drawn. 

As a lawyer he stood in the front 
rank. Por the preparation of causes 
for trial, the arrangement and put- 
ting in of testimony, and the cross- 
examination of witnesses, he had no 
equal m this part of the State. 

In the town where he resided, he 
was foremost in every enterprise for 
its welfare, or of the village in which 
he lived. As a legislator he was 
practical and reliable, and as a 
neighbor, kind and accommodating* 
His family consisted of a wife and 



JAMAICA. 



4.2$ 



three children. The youngest. Geo. 
A., died Aug, 1, 1864, at the age of 
18. His eldest, John A., assisted 
him in the bank from about the time 
it was incorporated until lira death. 
His second son, Henry A., was lying 
dangerously sick at Beaufort* S. C. ? 
where Mr. Butler had gone to visit 
him, at the time of Ms own death, 
which occurred May 9, 18(57. — Con- 
densed from an elaborated notice in 
the Vermont Record a?id Mirmer. 

SOLOMON GOODALE, 

a man of liberality , died at Jamaica, 
Vt., In Sept, 1815, aged 70 years. 
At no time was his property worth 

85.000. He was a farmer, living in a 
rude spot, m theneighborhood of the 
Green Mountains. All his property 
was gained by severe personal labor, 
and saved by strict frugality, yet 
about the year 1800, lie gave 8100 to 
the Con. Miss, Son , and the same 
sum for several successive years. 
When the American Board of For- 
eign Missions was established, he 
sent notice that he wished to sub- 
scribe 8500 for immediate use, and 
81000 for the fund while yet it was 
not in his power to pay only 850 as 
earnest money. He fulfilled his en- 
gage men t and paid interest on the 
proposed §1,000 until he made pro- 
vision for its payment, just before 
his death, adding to it another 

81.000. The amount of Ins dona- 
tions to missions to the heathen be- 
sides other chanties, was $3,68(5. He 
had also provided for his children 
and his wife. He was a Baptist, yet 
most of his donations were entrusted 
to the hands of his fellow Christians 
not Baptists. 

LI is integrity soon gained the con- 
fidence and respect of his townsmen 
and lie probably had a greater influ- 
ence over them than any other man 
of his time. For several years he 
was our representative at the General 
Assembly, and for a long time held 
the office of town clerk, and at 
different times held other town 
offices. The Baptist church is greatly 
indebted to him for its prosperity at 



the present time. He had two sons 
who enlisted in the service in the late 
Rebellion, Warren died soon after 
returning home from disease con- 
tracted in the army. Wm. H. B. 
was wounded at Algiers, La., by a 
party of guerrilas ; recovering from 
his wounds,! is again entered the ser- 
vice and rose to the rank of major, 

TIMOTHY GOOD ALE, 

A nephew of Solomon Goodale, 
also emigrated from Massachusetts 
when quite young. He was a tal- 
ented man, a consistent member of 
the Congregational church, and an 
ardent abolitionist, lie was promi- 
nent in town matters and was sev- 
eral years in the legislature, — J?rom 
Alim’s Biographical Dictionary . 

LK. JOBL HOLTON. 

Thomas Ilolton* with hi a son 
Arad, who had previously married 
Anna Haven, came to Dimmers ton 
in 17S2, and together owned the 
well-known Holton farm north of 
the centre village. Arad's wife died 
in 178 7 } and he married Rebecca 
Houghton in the same year. She 
died, and he married Eunice Skin- 
ner, widow of Josiah, son of Lieut. 
Leonard Spaulding, Joel was born 
of this marriage, May 14, 1803. He 
became an apt scholar and a fine 
penman in the common district 
schools of the time, and by teaching 
penmanship enabled himself to pur- 
sue higher studies under the tuition 
of the neighboring clergyman, as 
was com mo n i n th ose ti m es . Among 
others from whom he received in- 
struction in tliis manner was Roy, 
Ephriam Holland Newton of Marl- 
boro. He also attended a few terms 
at the academy in West Brattleboro, 
and studied medicine with Dr. Isaac 
N. Knapp of Dnmmerston. He was 
so successful that he attended a 
course of medical lectures at Bowdoin 
college, Maine, from which he receiv- 
ed the degree of Doctor of Medicine, 
May 17, 1831, He became a Fellow 
of "the Vermont Second Medical 
Society in the same year. Iliscertiii- 



430 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



cate contains the fou r names, John 
P. Warren, David Alien, Waits till 
R. Ranney and Chester Olds, famil- 
iar in the medical profession- 
He married Imereti a Bn ghee be- 
fore his graduation, Aug, 29, 1830. 
He resided in Dummerston until the 
latter part of the year 1881, when 
he removed to Jamaica and settled 
there. His wife died there May 15, 
1839, leaving no children. He mar- 
ried Miss Hamel i a Knowlton of 
Wards boro, Dec. 3, 1839. The child- 
ren of this marriage are: W. H. H. 
Holton, i ns p e c to r of o u sto ms at th e 
port of New York; Warren L. Hol- 
ton, who was a soldier of Co. D, 10th 
Regt. Yt. Yols,, and died Aug. 2, 
1863, just after being mustered out 
of the service; Mrs. Lucre tia E. 
Eddy T wife of David Eddy, Esq., of 
Jamaica; and George W. Holton, 
who now resides with his mother at 
the family homestead. Several 
others died in infancy. Dr, Holton 
died at Jamaica, Aug. 3, 1881- 
Daring the half century and up- 
wards that ho practiced Ins profes- 
sion in Jamaica he was the favorite 
family physician of many people in 
that and adjoining towns. He was 
moderate in his charges for service, 
lenient in asking payment and 
never refused attendance and medi- 
cine for the poor. His house was 
-always open to his friends, relatives, 
acquaintances and patrons. He was 
town clerk from 1836 to 1815, and 
from I860 to 1863, inclusive, and a 
member of the constitutional con- 
vention of 1850, justice of the peace 
for several years, and representative 
to the Legislature in 1868 and 1S69. 
When the artist. Wood, at Mont- 
pelier in 1868, wished to represent a 
country doctor in a painting, he 
selected I)r, Holton as a type, and 
induced him to pose for a figure of 
that character; and in the picture 
he appears quite true to life. Soon 
after coming to Jamaica, he united 
with the Baptist church, and was 
ever afterward an active and prom- 
inent member. He was an early ad- 
vocate of temperance and favored 
strongly the strictest prohibition of 



the traffic in intoxicating liquors. 
He vigorously opposed slavery and 
favored abolition, and was secretary 
of the first anti -slavery society in 
the State. He was most strenuously 
opposed to secret societies of every 
name and kind, considering them 
conspiracies against the good of so- 
ciety and wholly out of place in a 
free country and among a free peo- 
ple. He could brook no opposition 
about this, and carried it into all 
his associations. lie was generous 
of his means towards all public arid 
worthy objects, large-hearted and 
kind; was known to all the people 
round about; was prominent among 
families, in the street and in public 
places. His death, full of years, was 
noticed by all, and he will be greatly 
missed by many. 

MBS. rA KM ELIA HOLTON, 

When it became known that in 
the early morning of the second day 
of May the soul of this saintly wo- 
man had passed on to her maker, the 
universal thought and exclamation 
was, fC A mother in Israel has fallen;" 
and never were words more fittingly 
applied. Born in Ward shore, Nov. 
21, 1816, she was one of a family of 
five children of Justice and Chloc 
Knowlton, all of whom were men 
and women of strong mental and 
physical vigor, and one, the Rev. 
Miles J Knowlton, D. D., was for 
more than 20 years a missionary in 
China, dying there about 15 years 
ago. Parmelia Knowlton was con- 
verted in the spring of 1838, and 
united with the Baptist church in 
West Wardsboro. December 3, 1839, 
she married Dr, Joel Holton of Ja- 
maica. She was the mother of five 
children, three of whom are now 
living, one son dying in the army. 

With a simple dignity that won 
the respect of all, she yet made her- 
self the servant of all, and none were 
too humble not to be loved and 
helped by her, and her life was one 
unceasing round of kind deeds that 
brightened and bettered every life 
that came in contact with hem 



JAMAICA. 



481 



THE HON. HOYT H. WHEELER. 

The Hon, Hoyt H. Wheeler was 
born at Chesterfield, N. H.* August 
30, 1883, where he lived until Feb- 
ruary 14, 1849, when ho removed 
with hie parents, John and lioxana 
Wlieeler, to Hewfaoe, Vt. While 
residing at Newfahe he attended 
school several terms at Chesterfield 
academy, and also select schools at 
Fayetteville, Vt. Iti December, 
1855, he commenced the study of 
law with Charles K. Field, Esq., at 
Witliamsvilk, Vt., and remained 
with Mr. Field what time he could 
get till March, 1859, at which time 
he went into the office of Bradley 
& Kellogg, at Bmtfcleboro, and stud- 
ied with them till the September 
following, when he was admitted to 
the bar in Windham county. In De- 
cember lie went into partnership at 
Jamaica with the late Hon. John E* 
B utler ■ p me tx c e d la w wi tli him 
until the death of the latter in 1867, 
after which he continued his prac- 
tice in Jamaica till the summer of 
18(19, when lie associated with him- 
self L, M. Reed, which co-partner- 
ship lasted till he was elected one of 
the assistant judges of the Supreme 
Court of this State. Mr. Wheeler's 
parents were poor and he was obliged 
to rely upon his own resources to 
obtain means with which to pursue 
his studies at school, and also those 
of the law. While attending the 
academy and studying law he taught 
school and attended to various other 
kinds of business. In 1868 he rep- 
resented the town of Jamaica at the 
General Assembly, and in 1869 was 
chosen senator from the county of 
Windham, and waa a member of the 
Senate at the time he was elected 
judge. Mr. Wheeler possesses a well 
balanced mind and on entering 
upon the practice of law formed 
habits of industry and regularity, 
and his intense application and un- 
yielding persevere nee soon ranked 
him among the first lawyers in the 
State, and justly entitled him to the 
high position which he now occu- 
pies. 



BENJ. L. KNOW ETON, 

also a partner of the late John E. 
Butler, w r as born in New fane, Sep- 
tember 10* 1824. He was a son' of 
Benjamin and Olive S. Kuo wl ton. 
He attended school at Leland and 
Gray seminary at Townshend, and a 
few terms at the Black River acade- 
my at Ludlow, until fitted for college. 
He graduated at Watervilie, Maine, 
in 1849, In 1851 he commenced the 
study of law with Oscar Shatter* at 
Wilmington* Vt, , and remained with 
him until he was admitted to the 
bar in 1854. In December, the 
same year, he commenced practice 
in company with Mr. Butler, He 
b eeam e a well r en. d 1 a w y er , h eld t h e 
office of State's attorney in the 
comity for two years, and at the 
time of his death, September 19, 
1859, he had attained a good degree 
of eminence in his profession, and 
was highly respected by hie towns- 
men, both as a citizen and as a law- 
yer, 

ATTORNEYS 

who have resided in town and pur- 
sued their profession here : John F. 
Butler, Benjamin L. Knowlton, E. 
B. Kellogg, H. TJ. Wheeler, B. L. 
Waterman, L. M. Read and .1, G. 
Eddy. 

PHYSICIANS 

who have practiced medicine in Ja- 
maica ; Nathaniel Weeks, Joel Hol- 
ton, Moses Chamberlain* William 
Sanders* C. Fisher, J. Otxs Howe, 
Will i am 0 h ase, Lo r en % o H. Sp rag u e , 
M. V. Congdon, A. F. Bliss, Charles 
E, Spring. 

PETER R, TAFT* 

an influential citizen, spent about 
20 years of the most active part of 
his life in Jamaica, and rendered 
here valuable and efficient services 
in a public capacity. At the time 
of the enactment of the law creating 
road commissioners for each county, 
he was appointed a member of the 
first board; and through his influ- 



432 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



once many alterations and improve- 
ments were made in the public roads 
throughout the county. Below we 
give a memorial sketch published in 
the Cincinnati Gazette, soon after 
hie death, January, 1867. 

PETER KAWSOlSf TAFT, 

bom April 17, 1785, at Uxbridge, 
Maas. ? at 14 years of age, with hie 
father’s family, removed to the new 
State of Vermont and settled in 
Townehend* He labored on his 
father’s farm a greater portion of 
his time, but improved the advan- 
tages of such common schools and 
academies as were accessible; he was 
studious and always fond of read- 
ing, As soon as he was of sufficient 
age, he taught tile public school of 
Towns bend in the winter season, 
and continued to do so for five or 
six years. He also made himself a 
skillful surveyor, and for a time was 
extensively employed in that capac- 
ity, 

At 25 he was married to Sylvia 
Howard of the same place, who has 
also died within the past year. They 
lived together about 56 years. 

They had but one child, Alph ou- 
zo Taft, now one of the judges of 
the Superior Court of Cincinnati, 
with whom they have resided at 
Cincinnati the last 20 years or more. 
The active life of the deceased was 
mainly spent in Vermont. With- 
out aspiring to high officc ? he was a 
good deal in public life. By annual 
elections and re-elections he was 
many times a representative in the 
Vermont Legislature. He was four 
years judge of the Probate Court, 
and also four years a judge of the 
Windham County Court. He was 
extensively trusted, confided in and 
consulted by his neighbors and fel- 
low citizens of Windham county, 
and universally regarded as a just 
and humane man, not grasping for 
gain nor ambitious for office; but 
rendering much useful service for 
moderate compensation. 

Books have been a great resource 
in his old age. Hie historical knowl- 
edge was extensive and his famil- 



iarity with the Bible, truly remark- 
able. He has left to those friends 
and relatives who have survived him 
and who knew him beet, a sweet 
and precious memory. He died 
about 4 o’clock a. m. on New Year's 
day. 

LONGEVITY. 

The following named persons lived 
to a great age. Several were up- 
wards of 90, and few, if any, were 
under 80 years, at the time of their 
decease ; Janies Hagan, Each ell 
Magan, Sally Howard, Benj. Kn owl- 
ton, Olive S. Knowlton, Wm. Bond, 
I)ea, C> Wheaton, Lewis Shu m way, 
S av ah G.Hyde, N e h e m iah Bam sd el 1 , 
Hu id ah Wilder, Reuben Holton, 
Jonathan Howard, Israel Under- 
wood, John Howe, Nathan David- 
son, Sarah Davidson, Bailey Raw- 
son, Susannah Raw son, Afaijah Ful- 
ler, Susannah Streeter, Betsey 
Kingsbury, Hold ah Howe, Jemima 
Cobb, AJpheus Rellog, Nathan 
Weeks, Joshua Daniels, Elisha 
Howard, John Howe, John Well- 
man, John Watson, Josiah David- 
son, Mrs. Josiah Davidson , Benj. 
Furnace, Luther Howard, Silas 
Howard, Thebe Howard, John 
Chapin, Joel Hill, T. Uiscock, Joel 
Howe, Jonas Peirce, Jonas Peirce, 
Jr., Susan Peirce, Daniel Eddy, 
Paul Howard, Lydia Howe, Peter 
Chase, Samuel Barry, Benj. Liver- 
more, Ezra Livermore, Ichabod 
Higgins, Abijah Livermore, Eben- 
ezer Higgins, Mrs. Ebenezer Hig- 
gins. Ephriam Stocker, John Bald- 
win, James Robinson, Wm. Styles, 
Elisha Johnson, Matilda Johnson, 
Mrs. Aaron Cress ey, Aaron Cressey. 

TOWN CLERKS. 

Wm. H. Church 17S1-82, Paul 
Hayward 1782-84, Peter Hazel ton 
1784-85, Silas Hayward 1785-87, 
Caleb Howard 1787-88, Peter Lamb 
1788-90, Ezra Livermore 1790-1833, 
Nathaniel Cheney, Jr. 1833-36, Dr. 
Joel Holton 1836-46, Gilbert Shorn - 
way 1846-47, Samuel Cheney 1847- 
60, Joel Holton 1860-64, Luke 



JAMAICA. 



433 



Howard 1864-80* E. E* Smith Nov. 
4* 1880-01. 

liEPlttSSEKTATIVES. 

1783, William H. Church ; 1783- 
88, there were no representatives ; 

1 7811-01 Silas Hayward ; 1702* there 
is no roll of representatives to be 
found ; 1793* Ezra Livermore : 1794, 
C al q b H ay w ard ; 1 79 5 - 6 * Ez ra Li- v- 
onnorc; 1707, Benjamin Mnzzey : 
1798-99, Ezra Livermore; 1800-08, 
Benjamin Mnzzey; 1809* Amos 
Howard, 2d ; 1810-13* Benjamin 
Muzzey ; 1814-16, Ezra Livermore ; 
1817, Nathaniel Bobbins; 1818* 
none; 1819* Asa Stevens; 1820-23, 
Nathaniel Robbies ; 1824-25, Telotes 
Skinner ; 1820* Nathaniel Robbins* 
1827* Peter R. Taft ; 1828, Alpheus ! 
Kellogg ; 1829-30* Nathaniel Rob- 
bins; 1831-32, Nathaniel Cheney, 1 
Jr, ; 1833-34, Peter E. Taft) 1335- 
36, Timothy Goodale ; J 337* Nathan 
Ames; 1838, Timothy Goodale ; 
1839-40-41, Samuel T. R* Cheney ; 
1842, SolomoD Newell; 1843, Luke 
Howard; 1844-45, none; 1846, 
Pliny Barrows; 1847* none ; 1848- 
9, John E. Butler ; 1850* Luke 
Howard ; 1851* John E. Butler : 
1852, Ira S. Field ; 1853* John X 
Butler ; 1854-55* Samuel T. R. Che- 
ney ; 1856, David Eddy ; 1857, Al- 
pheus Kellogg; 1858-61* Robert 
Myers ; 1862-64* Elijah M. Torrey ; 
1SG5-G6> Abijah Muzzy ; 1867, Hoyt 
H. Wheeler ; 1868-69* Joel Holton ; 
1870-72. Charles S. Clark ; 1874, J. 
G. Eddy ; 1876, Albert St urges ; 
1878, W. H. H, Holton; 1880, W. 
0. Cushing; 1882-84, Daniel Sher- 
win ; 1886, J. Q. Shorn way ; 1888- 
DO, Daniel Bherwin. 



MILITARY HISTORY OF 
JAMAICA. 

BATTLE BETWEEN THE WHITES AN D 
IlfDIAHS, 

A fight between a party of scouts 
from Fort Hummer in Brattleboro 
took place near Jamaica village on 



West river at a point where the river 
leaves Ball mountain, now known as 
the ** Salmon hole/' an account of 
which, taken from Hall's History of 
Eastern Vermont, we give below : 
i {C Preparations having been Consum- 
mated, a scout of 19 men under the 
command of Capt. Eleazer Melvin* 
marched on the 13th of May* 1745* 

I from Furt Dummer, Proceeding up 
; Connecticut river as far as Number 
Four* they wore there joined by Cap- 
tains Stevens and Hobbs, with a 
force of 60 men* and the whole party 
on Sunday, the 15th* at sunset* set 
out from Number Four on their 
hazardous enterprise. They follow- 
ed the'Tndian road^along the banks 
of Black river* but sometimes would 
lose it in fording streams and in 
traversing the forests where the 
ground was covered with a thick 
growth of underbrush. On reaching 
the main branch of Otter Creek* 
Capt. Melvin and his men* accord- 
ing to agreement* left the party, 
crossed the stream, and sot out for 
Crown Point Capt. Melvin's party 
having met during the two follow- 
ing days with many indubitable 
signs of the enemy, came on the 23d 
to a large camp inclosed by a thick 
fence, where they found about 12 
pounds of good French bread, and a 
keg which from all appearances had 
lately contained wine* Having 
I arrived opposite to Crown Point on 
the 25th they perceived two canoes 
with Indians on the lake and im- 
prudently fired upon them; the gar- 
rison at Crown Point taking the 
alarm, fired several guns and sent 
out a party to intercept them. 
Melvin and his party immediately 
i started on their return* marching 
I three or four miles through a deep 
! morass. On the 26th, they saw the 
tracks of 1.50 to 200 of the enemy* 
who had evidently loft that morning, 
having taken the course by which 
Meivinfs party had reached Lake 
Cham plain, tip on this they took a 
south direction and marched up the 
south branch of Otter creek* and on 
the 30th came upon a branch of 
West river. Provisions being very 



r 



434 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



short they began their march before j 
sunrise on the 3 1st* and travelled 
until about half after 9 o^oloek hi 
the morning. On the banks of West 
river several of the company being 
faint and weary, desired to atop and 
refresh themselves. Having scattered 
they took off their packs and began 
shooting the salmon then passing up 
tlie shoals of the river. While thus 
engaged, the Indians who, unknown 
to Melvin, were then in pursuit of j 
him and his party, directed proba- 
bly by the report of his gims, pressed 
forward and suddenly opened fire, 
upon the mean Lions scout from be- 
hind the logs and trees about 30 
feet distant. Melvin endeavored 
to rally his men who had been 
thrown into the greatest confusion 
by this unexpected attack, but was 
unsuccessful, for after tiring one 
volley they retreated, some running 
up, some down the river, others 
crossing to the opposite side and 
two or three escaping to a neigh- 
boring thicket. Deserted by his 
men, Gapt. Melvin was left alone to 
defend him self* Several ol the In- 
dians attempted to strike him with 
their hatchets, others threw them at 
him, and one of them, or a shot, 
carried away his belt and with it 
hie bullets. Ho then ran down the 
river and was followed by two In- 
dians, who, as they approached, 
culled to him ff Gome, Captain! 
now Captain!” On pointing his 
musket at them, they fell back a 
little, upon which, he ascended the 
bank of the river, when they again 
fired at him. Gaining a side hill, 
commanding a view of the place 
where the skirmish had taken place, 
lie then sat down to watch for his 
men and wait for the shout of the 
Indians, usually given when they ] 
ha v e gai n ed a v j cto ry ; but not see- 
in g the former, nor hearing the lat- 1 
ter, he started for Fort Dunumir,, 
where he arrived on the 1st of June 
about no on-time. One of his men 
had come in a little before him, and 
eleven more arrived, though in sev- 
eral companies* in the space of a 
few hours. In this fight, five of 



Melvm J s men, vis: Sergt. John 

Heyward, Sergt. Isaac Taylor, Pri- 
vates John Dodd, Daniel Mann and 
Samuel Severance were killed out- 
right* Joseph Petty was wounded 
and his comrades being unable to 
take him with them in their flight, 

' left him in a hut made with boughs, 

| situated near a spring. Before de- 
parting they placed beside him a 
pint cup filled with water and told 
him if to live if he could” until they 
1 should return with assistance. On 
the 3d, Gapt. Melvin with 46 men, 
left Fort Du miner for the place 
1 whore the fight had occurred. Great 
search was made for Pettey, but he 
was nowhere to be found. AD 
; ter having buried the dead above 
named* with the exception of Sam- 
uel Severance, whose body was not 
discovered until some time after, 
the party returned to Fort Dimmer* 
having been absent about three 
days. On the 6th } Li cuts. Alexan- 
der and Bunt with a large force, 
went again to search for Petty. In 
one report it is stated that he was 
found dead; in another that his 
body was never discovered. From 
the secrecy used in concealing the 
bodies of their companions, it was 
impossible to determine the loss of 
the enemy. The fight is supposed 
by some to have taken place within 
the limits of the present township 
of Newfane, but it is more probable 
that the scene of the conflict was 
within the bounds of Jamaica, or 
Londonderry, the latter being the 
most likely, as the situation cor res- 
ends best with that given bv Gapt. 
t evens, viz: 33 miles from Fort 
Dummer up West river. It is now 
asce v ta i u ed b oy on d a d on b t that th i s 
fight took place at the point above 
mentioned, the Salmon Hole, 
which is situated in West river, 
about £7 miles from Brattleboro. 
Above this place is a bend in the 
river, it taking an easterly course 
and running around Ball Mountain, 

I and it is probable that the Indians 
being better acquainted with the 
I route struck across on the west side 
| of the mountain, which would be 




JAMAICA 



m 



several miles nearer, and in tins way 
overtook Gapt. Melvins party. 
Earlier settlers tell us that bones of 
human beings have been dug up by 
the farmers' plow, and that mounds 
said to be graves where th'c'dead 
were buried were within their recol- 
lection visible near this place. 

That the Indians once inhabited 
this region is apparent from the 
fact that numerous beds covered 
with pieces of hint where they had 
carved out their arrows have been 
found in different parts of the town 
although nothing definite cun be 
learned about them. 

131 & 

Under the call for troops, in the 
war of 1813, Jamaica was called 
upon to furnish six privates and one 
sergeant, No one responded to the 
call, therefore a draft was ordered, 
and as the day arrived for carrying 
it into effect, the people of the town 
assembled to witness the proceed- 
ings, Before commencing, a request 
was made for volunteers, when 
Nathaniel Vial promptly stepped 



forward and enlisted. Then taking 
ci position behind a drummer- bov 
and holding in his hand a stall 
from which was suspended a silk 
handkerchief representing a Hag, 
this brave volunteer marched to and 
fro, across the common, in front of 
where the Congregational church 
now stands, asking others to join 
him. Win. Davidson soon took a 
place by the side of Vial, and was 
immediately followed by Sylvester 
Hi acock, Zather Daniels, Amaea 
Evidence and Alvin G, Greene, com- 
pleting the number of privates. A 
sergeant was still wanting, There 
were five in town at tin’s time, who 
drew lots by placing bits of wood of 
different lengths, in the hands of 
Oapt, Bobbins, agreeing that he who 
I should draw the shortest piece, 
should go. The lot fell upon Caleb 
Howe, who afterwards procured 
Abram Gage, a substitute, to take 
his place. One or two of the pri- 
vates for some cause did not go, 
probably on account of sickness. 
Amasa Evidence died from disease 
while in the service. The rest re- 
turned at the close of the war. 



436 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF 1801. 

VOLUHtBEftS FOR TIIRFlC YEARS CREDITED PREVIOUS TO CALI, FOR 800*000 VOLUN- 
TEERS OF OCTOBER, 1803. 




Allard, A1 bert J,__ _ . _ 

Allen, Henry J.. * . 

AmiUon, Geo. H. . 

Dailey, Otis __ 

Bailey , Tl lomas M , — - 

Bond, Henry A, 

Boynton, Miron L 

Castle, Samuel B. _ . . . 
Clough , Alonzo P,_,_. 
Oobb, James H. 

Crosby, Henry H 

Darting, Charles H.__. 

EH is, Geo. H„ 

Fish, Frederick A^„ 
Fish. VV alter W. . 

French, David W 

Gale, Am A * 

Gale, Dav id J. 
Gleason, Seneca B, - 
1 Task i ns , Mart in. 
Haywood, Geo. C 

Holton, Wm. H. H._ 
Ho w &rd , A Ibert 
Howard, Harden W. 
Howard, Marcus J 



ti 

4 

4 

i 4 
11 
1 H 
4 
9 



9 K 23 July 
21 1 Aug, 
23 ; Aug. 

as Aug. 
24 Aug, 



4 I 
4 'll 
8 I H 
: 1 S SF 
! 2 1 
4 I 
1 MS F 
11 E 
4 I 

3 I 
11 G 

4 I 



Aug, 

Jan, 

Sept. 

June 

Aug. 



Discharged Jan. In, 63. 

Prom. Corp. Nov. 27, 63, 

Gorp. Prom, 2d Lt. Co. I, Jan, 19,113. 
Discharged April 17, 62. 

Died Jan. 9, 63, 

!! Mustered out of serv. June 32, 64. 
Discharged Jim. U. 04. 



Dec, 
Sept. 
May 
Aug. 
Sept. 
July 
Aug, 
21 ! May 
271 Aug. 
21 1 Aug. 



H120 
E 31 



Howard, Squire E 8 



Howard, Wm. 13. Ti. 
Tlowm Gardner H.__. 

Howe, Waits till 

Howe, Worden A. 

H urlburt. Wm. H 

Johnson, Judson TL . _ 

Johnson, Norman 

Kellogg, Leroy 

K tlhurn, J osepl i W. , . 

Lynch * Jobn_ T _^„ 

Osier* Joseph _ 
Parham, Alansun E. . . 

Pearson. Chaa 

Pike* Norman T 

Pike. Wm _ 

Pike. Wm, W.. 

Hamad el 1, J ohn _______ 

Rawson, Harrison L. , 
Rawsmi, Kimball P. _ . 

Raweon, Riley G. 

Rawson, Sylvester E. , 

Ray, Samuel B. 

Richardson , Goo. A. . . 
Saunders, Wm. H. _ _ . 



Jam 
Aug. 
HjlSlpeo. 
I iiiAug'. 

ublljulv 



H|32|Nov. 
G 21 Aug. 
(*|3l Au*. 
G '35 Aug. 
t 2] Aug. 
I 25|Aug. 
G ; 42lAug, 
|I |2l|Sept. 



21 May 
36 Juno 
r 34 May 
K»34 July 

I '20; Aug. 

I I 1 29 Aug. 

U 36 Aug. 

1 1 18 Sept. 

8 II 3i Deo. 
aSS'H lAjlfec* 
t2 SSB 31 Dee, 
3 S S Hi32 Dec. 
4 1 19 Aug. 

4 I 132 Aug, 
_ SBSfilBS Dec. 

| 4 I 19 Aug. 



8, 62 
n , 62 
21, 61 
28, 61 
17, 61 
11* 62' 

17, 63 
16, 61 

18, 62 

30. iHe-en, Dec. 15, 63; dia, May 8, 64, 

10, 61 He- en. Jan. 5, 64, 

11, 61 1 Discharged March 8, 63. 

15, 61 Pro. Ser. Must, out June 29, 64, 

14, 61 Sorgt, discharged June 24, 63. 

H. 61 Pro. Gor. Aug. 15* 63 ; k. Wildn'e. 

23. 62 Died March 39* 04. [Feb. 35, 65. 
38* 61 Re-em Dec. 15, 63: tr. to Co. F* 
15* 61 Re-en. Dec- 31*63; killed at Wild, 

8* 62 [Sick in Gen. Bos, Aug. 31, 64. 

15* 6 V Prom. Cor. tr, to lnv* Corps Sept. 

| 1,63. [Jam 13,63, 

17* 62 Wounded June 22* 63; resigned 
22. 61 Discharged March 4, 62. 

2* 61 Discharged Sept. 13. 63, 

13* Cl Re-en. Dec. 15* 63; died in Millen, 

1 Oa.* Oct, 2S* 64, 

36, 64 Private Co, U, Nov. 19, 01; 1st 
Sergt, Feb* 18, 62; 2d Lt* Jam 15* 
03; 1st Lt. June 12* 63: Qapt* 
July 36, 64. 

29, 01 Mustered out of serv. June 22, 04. 

9* 62 Discharged Aug. 3, 63. 

7, 621 

i, 63 Prom. Artificer line. 37, 63. 

30* 6 1 Died Nov. 37, 62. 

14, Oli Discharged April 3* 62, 

9* 62 Sick in Gen. Hos. Aug. 31, 64. 

19, 61 Pro. Ser. re-eu. Dec. 15, 63; died of 

wounds rec, in act, May 6* G+, 

15, 61 Pro. Cor. Must. June 39, GL 
17, 02 Discharged March 4* 63. 

15* 61 Deserted Dec. 35, 62, 

12, 62 Deserted Aug. 32, 62. 

29, 61 Died Nov. 29, 68. 

24, 61 Trans, to Co, F, Feb. 35, 65. 

14, 61 Discharged jam l, 62. 

2* 6l | Mustered out of serv. Sept. 30, 64. 

30, 61 Mustered out of serv. June 23, 64. 
3, 61 Discharged Nov. 26, 62. 

3* 61 Discharged June 14, 63. 

20, 61 Died May 26, 62. [Feb. 25, 65. 

31 , 61 Re-en. Dec. 15, 63; Tr, to Co. F. 
14, 61 Killed at Fredericksburg* Dec. 13.62 

7, 6l Discharged Dec. 14, 63, 

26* 61 [Discharged May 19* 62. 




JAMAICA. 



437 



SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF 1801,— Continued. 

VOLUNTEERS FOR THREE YEARS CREDITED PREVIOUS TO CALL FOR 300,000 VOLUN- 



TEERS OF OCTOBER, 18G3, 



* 


4J 

£ 

<3 


sAl i | 

S When 1 

g aJ i Enlisted* 
o 

o < 


ShaUneT. Lorenzo 


11 1 


G 1 19' Aug. 


11* 62 


Shepard* Austin E 


4 


I 27 Aug. 


23 , 61. Disc h arged J an . 18 , 62 * 


Stearns, Leonard A 


4 ! 


I i 




Stocker, Henry P 


11 1 


G 27 A ug. 


11, 02 Pro. Coi l). Feb. 28, 62. 


Taylor* Horatio F._ . . 


2 ; 


I 22, May 


!5* 61 Pro. Ser. re-en, Dec. 31* 63; Prom. 








tstLt. Co. 1, June 20, 64. 


Timothy, James E. . . . . 


ix 


'II 22 Aug. 


5, 6£ 


Twitchell* Joseph . 


ii 


G 26 Aug, 


4, 62 Died Dec. 31, 63. 


Webster, Jon a. B 


4 


1 38 Sept. 


5* G1 Pro. Ser, killed at Wild, May 6. 61. 


White, Cltas. C... 


9 


|K 1G June 


19* 62 Died at Brattleboro* March \ 64, 


White* Marshall A 


4 


J 291 Aug, 


13* til Sergt. reduced to Cor. Ite-en, Dec. 








| 15* G3, 


Wilder* Emery S 


9 


K, 21 June 


38* GS 


Williams, Orman do Til. 


9 


Ki 21 July 


28* 02 Discharged March 24. 62, 


Woodard, T. . . ..... 


4 


I 33 Aug. 


19, 61 Rc-fcu. Dec. 15, 63; Tr. to Co. F* 






1 1 


Feb. 35* 65, 



VOLUNTEERS FOR THREE YEARS CREDITED UNDER CALL OF OCT. 17, 1863* FOR 300,001) 
VOLUNTEERS, AND SUBSEQUENT CALLS. 



1 1 1 1 When 

% 6 U Enlisted. 

lisg j 

Allen, Phineas__. 11 IGl^Dec* 18,03; 

Axtell, Lorin S 0 |H 21 Dec. 3G* 03! 

Bnmliall* Fred F 8 II 18 Dec. 32* 03, 

Burlingame, Stephen.- 8 D 

Castle , Wm. H 9 H 44 ! Dee. 25, 03i 

Chase, Geo. S 9 II 2X:Dee, 35, 63 Died Jan. 31 * 64. 

Chase, Geo, T. 9 H 21 Dec. 17, 0B 

Chase* Henry P. .- 9 H 19 Dec. 17* 63 i Missing in action, Feb* 3* 64. 

Converse, Chas, II 11 G 31 Dec. 7, 03 Tr. to Co. A. June 34, 65. 

Corbin, Geo... * 2 B, 27 Dec, S3, ft S| Deserted. [h. Aug. 3l, 64. 

Dale, John J, . -- 17 F 19 Nov. 26* GjICor. Pr. Ser. Mav 13, 64: wd. in g. 

Furbnsh, Geo... 8 K 18: Dec. 21,63 

Guertien Harmini J, .. 11 G 18 Dec. 26, 63 Died Aug, 37, 64. 

Howe* Ora — 11 Cr 23 Dec. 7, 63 Killed nr. Petersburg, June 12, 64. 

Hunger ford* David A.. 8 K 39;Bec. 30. 63 Sick in Gen. Hos. Aug. 31* 64. 

Jefts, Norman L. 8 K 2D|Dec. 18* 63 

Jenimon, Francis W, 4 [3L 64. 

May* Sidney S 8 1 ,19 Dec, 21* 63 At Camp Parole, Annapolis, Aug, 

M o r3o Ab ial T 8 K , 34 Dec . 25* 63 [S ick i n Gen . Flos. A ug. 3 1 * 64. 

Parsons* Samuel L. 8 T 31 Dec. 22, 63' 

Phelps, Eugene L . 9 'H 18 Dec. 18*63 

Red iinson * W in 9 H 23 J an. 17 * 64 

Rugg T Argal us K. . . _ _ _ 0 1131 J an. 1 7 * 61 

Saunders* Harrison W. 9 II 19 Jan, 17, 64 
Saunders, Horace W._ . 9 U IS Jan, 28,64 

Styles* Jeremiah D.... . 8 D 34 Dec. 31,63 

Thayer, Homer E. 11 C 

Thomas j Freeli ng G. . . . 8 D 31 D ec . 23,64 

Whi te, Austin D _0 II 2 9, Dec, 17 , 63' 




438 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF 1861,— Qontimt&S. 



VOLUNTEERS FOR ONE YEAR. 





5 

0) 

( S 

*3b 

3 


& 

i 

i 


dJ 

to 

< 


When 

Enlisted, 




Bailey, Otis. .... 


5 










Bridge, Rodolphus. .... 


9 


A 








Cobb, Chandler L. .... 


9 


IT 








Davidson, Riley A,.... 


Cav, 










Divoll, John A...... . 


Cav, 


H 








Gilson, Wm, H. 


Cav, 










Goodaie, Geo. F. ...... 


9 


H 








Heim ess v. Tho, J. 


9 


C 








Hoard, Geo, A 


5 










Ho war d , Albert ------ _ 


Cav. 










Ki ngsbur y T A m bros e A , 


5 










Kingsbury, Elliott 0... 


5 










Kingsbury, Merritt W. 


5 










Lamphear, Geo. A. . _ . . 


Cav, 










Leet. Lucius N ... 


Cav, 










McClellan, Sam’1 T, 


9 


E 








Miller, Edmond G 


9 


H 








Rawson, Chandler D._ . 


9 


Tr 








Raweon, Webster L, . . . 


9 


ii 








Sanders, Wm. IL 


Cuv, 










Stephen, Newell. 


9 


A 








Van Fleet, Abraham S, 


Cav, 








1 



V OL U NTEEBS RE- EN h ) STEU . 





i | £ 

s la, 

■| || 
$ p| 


0 

|*f 

\< 


When 

Enlisted, 




Stoekwell* Franklin... 
U n dor w ood T Lu do vie . . 


4 F 
4 I 


18 Sept. (5, 61 1 


Re-en, Dec, 15, 63, 



MISCELLANEOUS, NOT CREDITED BY NAMES, VOLUNTEERS FOR NINE MONTHS, 



A Hen , Fhineas 

Rail, David.. 

Barnes, Win. L ( . 

Briggs, Chester L. ..... 

Castle, Charles W, ... 

Chase, George F* - 

Dale, John J 

Div oil, John A._ 

Ellis, Henry A — .... 
Esta.br ook, Nelson F. _ _ _ 
Estabrook * Rodirey L, . 

Good ale, George F. 

Hurd, George A..-,-,, 
Holton, Warren L. .... 

Howe, Wm. G. 

Johnson, Asa L, . .. .... 



Ph 



B' ® 
o §>I 
;Q < 



When 

Enlisted, 



18; Aug. 
311 Aug. 
18 Aug, 
87 Aug. 
21 Aug. 
20 Aug, 
18 1 Aug; 
80 Aug . 
37 Aug. 
18 Sept, 
35 : Sept. 
83 ! Aug. 
33 Aug. 
18 Aug. 
18 Aug. 
29 ! Aug. 



20 , 62 
20, m 
20, 62 
29. 62 
29, 62 
29, 62 
29, 62 
29, 62 
20, 62 
3, 62 
3 t 62 
29, 62 
29, 62 
29, 62 
20, 62 
20, 62 



| Discharged Feb. 2, 63, 
Wagoner. 



Fro. 1st Lt. Co. F. April 18, 6t>. 
Disch. at Brattle boro, Feb, 26, 63. 



| Died Aug, 1, 63, 



JAMAICA. 



439 



SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF 186L— CmUnued. 



MISCELLANEOUS, NOT CREDITED BY NAMES, VOLUNTEERS FOR NINE MONTHS. 





-iS 

a 

& 

i 


b 

w 

cl 

i! 

a 


1 bo 
;< 


When 

Enlisted. 




Johnson, Elan G 






33 


Aug. 29, 62 


Seaeg; 


Johnson T Myron EL — 1 






ll.8 


Aug. 39, (52 




Joseph, A liner B 






m 


Aug. 39, 62 




Kingsbury, Ezra B 


. 




HI 


Aug, 29, 63 




Ki n gsb u ry , Ward . - - - - 






44 


Aug. 39, 62 


Musician. 


Lyon, Daniel 






38 


Aug, 39, 63 




Martin, Joseph M. _ . - . . 






31 


Aug. 39, 62 


Killed at Gettysburg, July 8, 68. 


Read, Edward H* ... 






32 


Aug. 29, 62 




Pugg, ArgaJus R 






|19|Sept. 20,63 


Wagoner. 


Skin ner, Sam. R _____ _ 






[231 Aug. 29. 62 


Died July .13, 63. 


Wilder, Andrew 






! 261 Aug. 29,62 


Corp. 



DRAFTED AND ENTERED SERVICE. 





Regiment,, 


9 

| 

, a ' p 
§ 1 

p\< 


When 

Drafted. 




Howard , W elk „ 

Howe, Henry 

Read, Lavant M. „ 

Rider, Henry R 




SI July 13. G3 
1 38 July 13, 03 
201 July 13, 03 
jaljuly 13, 03 





REPORTED SINCE SEPT, 30, 1864, VOLUNTEERS FOR ONE YEAR. 





+a 

% 

= 

'rt 

tf 

£ 


£ 

7t 

CL 

£ 

O 

a 


Qj 

iso 

< 


When 

Enlisted. 




Hall, Geo. E. . 

Howe, Win. J 

Shaffner, Addison E,~ 


i l 

i 

t 1 ' 


IS 

21 

18 


March 13, 05 Mustered out of serv. July 14. 65. 
March 7, 65 Mustered out of serv, July 14, 65. 
March 7, 65 Mustered out of seiv, July 14* 65 * 


VOLUNTEERS FOR THREE Y TEARS, 




ij£ 

i 

; % 
1 * 


, £ 
!§ 

§■ 

c 


§5' 

< 


When 

Enlisted. 

f 

1 


■ 


Leyden, Thomas _ . . . 




p 


Istl Feb. 17,65 


Musician TV. to CL A, June 13, 65. 



UNITED STATES NAVY, 



¥ itzgeml d . M ichael . 
Pari in, IsfULa 
Par] in, Robert, 
Redding, Charles, 
Regan, John. 
Sullivan, Daniel, 
West, Henry. 




MARLBORO. 



By EPHRIAM HOLLAND NEWTON, D. D, 



MARLBORO, 

A post town in the central part 
of Windham county, is in latitude 
42° 53' and longitude 4 ,J 26';, and is 
bounded north by Hew fane and a 
part of Dover, east by Bnittleboro 
and a part of Do mm era ton, south by 
Halifax, and west by Wilmington. 
It is 21 miles east from Bennington 
and 44 miles south-west from Wind- 
sor, The township is (> miles square. 
It was chartered April 29, 1751, but 
the charter was forfeited in conse- 
quence of not complying with its 
requisitions. The proprietors urged 
us a reason for their neglect, the in- 
tervention of the I ndian and French 
war, and succeeded in getting their 
charter renewed by the same author- 
ity, Hew Hampshire, Sept 21, 1761* 
The charter was given to one Timo- 
thy Dwight, and bis associates, of 
Horthampton, Mass., and its vicini- 
ty. The settlement was commenc- 
ed a b early us the spring of 1703, by 
Abel Stockwell, from West Spring- 
field, Mass,, and Thomas Whitmore, 
from Middletown, Conn. Whit- 
more came in by the way of Halifax, 
and settled in the south part of the 
town, and Stock well by tire way of 
B ra ttl e boro , an d set tl ed in the east- 
em border These families spent 
nearly a year in town and endured 
many hardships without any knowl- 
edge of each other, each considering 
his own the only family in town, 
Whitmore brought Ids provisions 
from Deerfield, Muss., on I i is back, a 
distance of 20 or more miles. Mrs. 
Whitmore spent most of the winter 
of 1765 alone, hor husband being 
absent in the pursuit of his calling, 
us a tinker. Mrs. Whitmore was 



very useful to the settlers as a nurse. 
She frequently went through the 
woods on snow slices, from one part 
of the town to the other, both by 
n igh t an d d ay, to r el i eve the d i s- 
t reseed. She lived to the age of 87. 

The first town meeting on record 
was held May 8, 1775. William 
Mather was the first town clerk. 
Another meeting was hold on the 
22(1 of the same month, to know the 
minds of the people with respect to 
the impending war with Great Brit- 
ain. At this meeting they passed 
the following resolutions: ‘"Resolv- 
ed, we will, each of us, at the ex- 
pense of our lives and fortunes, to 
the last extremity, unite and oppose 
the last cruel unjust and arbitrary 
acts of the British Parliament passed 
for the sole purpose of raising a 
revenue; Resolved, we will be con- 
tented and subject to the Hon. Con- 
tinental Congress in all things which 
they shall resolve for the peace, 
safety and welf are of the American 
colonies.” When the news of the 
Lexington battle reached here sever- 
al young men shouldered their guns 
and hastened to the field of action. 
In 1777 } Capt. Francis Whitmore 
was sent as a delegate to t lie con- 
vention at Windsor, and in 1778, Dr. 
Samuel King was sent as the first 
representative to the legislature, 
which mot that year at Windsor. 
The Congregational church in town 
was organized by Rev. Joseph Ly- 
man , D. D,, of Hatfield, Mass., Oct. 
20th, 1776. It consisted at first of 
nine male and eight female mem- 
bers. On the 0th of December, 
1778, the Rev. Gerahom C. Lyman, 
D. D.j was ordained and settled over 
tii is church and society, he having 




VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



442 



preached one year. Dr. Lyman 
continued faithfully to discharge the t 
duties of his sacred office ' till the | 
time of his deaths which took place 
on the 1 3th of April, 1813, in the 
Gist year of hie age, and the 35 th 
of his ministry. 

Rev. Dr. Lyman in the early part 
of his ministry accustomed himself 
to manual labor>cultivating his farm. 
When not engaged in labor lie was 
found in his study, which was sacred 
to himself. 

The following is the epitaph upon 
his tombstone ; 

In Memory of 

Rev. Gersh&vi C. human, T)> Z? HT 
First Pastor of the Church 
in Marlborough. 

\ Vho woe f ct ict.sc counsellor a skillfulguide 
A blessed pea vem oke r 
A n example to believers 
pattern Jo God's ministers 
Having for thirty-four pears 
with uncommon ability 
An ex&mp laryfi deli ty 
An ardent zeal for Chr is t 
And tender concern for the salvation 
of sinners 

Fulfilled his course, went to rest 
In the bosom of his Saviour 
April 13, A ♦ D. t 1.S1J , 

In me fid year of his age 
and duth of his vdnistry. 

The dead men shall live together, with 
my dead body shall they arise. Aivalce 
and sing, ye that dwell in the dust : for 
thy dew is as. the dew of herbs and the 
earth shall cast out the dead. 

Isaiah , XXVI , XIX , 

Rev, Ephriam LL. Norton was 
then settled over the church and so- 
ciety, and continued until about the 
year 1833, Since that time. Rev, 
Benjamin LL Pitman, Rev, Josiah 
Pe abod y and Lie v . E 1 ish a S m i t h have 
been their ministers at different 
times. The present minister is Wn u 
Schofield. The first meeting house 
was built in 1779, The Congrega- 
tionaliats erected a now meeting 
house in 1820. In 1822 the old 
meeting house was taken down, and 
a commodious town house erected. 
There is also a Baptist church and 
society, partly in this town and part- 
ly in Newfane, A Baptist meeting 
house was built herein 1815, Rev, 

V hi nous Howe, being pastor. He 



was born in Fit^william, N, IL ? May 
16,1 792, came to Marlboro to preach, 
June 1, 1S24, ordained Oct. 24, was 
pastor seven years, then absent three 
yeas, returned, and remained another 
seven years; while here, baptised 
3 OS, in Marlboro and adjoining 
towns. Rev. Dana Brown supplied 
one year; little is known of his his- 
tory. Centre Mountain is a consid- 
erable elevation, and is so called on 
| account of its being situated near 
l the centre of the township. Allen's 
1 pond in the north-east part of the 
! town is about 14 mile long and 
three-quarters of a mile wide: South 
pond, in the south part, is about the 
same size; it is watered by the west 
branch of West river. Whetstone 
brook and Green river, which rise 
here and afford several valuable mill 
rites. The soil in general is rich 
and deep and produces good crops. 
The timber is beech, birch, maple, 
bass, spruce, oak, hemlock, pine, fir, 
ash and cherry. The minerals arc: 

I sulpber, serpentine, garnets, strati to 
of different varieties, clay, sulphuret 
| of iron and sulpuhret of copper. In 
the earlv settlement of the township 
near M&tkeLs mills was found a 
horn-blende rock in mica slate in 
which was discovered upon the sur- 
face somewhat imbedded, precious 
and massive garnets with chlorite 
and $ ul p h lire t of i ro n , A M r . Sam uel 
Mathers, a man of rare genius and 
j of a peculiarly visionary tempera- 
ment, having an occasional residence 
in the place, became charmed with 
the appearance of this rock. He 
professed to possess a glass with 
which he could look and see the 
mineral treasures in the earth, and 
he induced individuals to believe 
that in the heart, of this rock he saw 
caverns lined with nugets of gold. 
The rock was opened and a deep pit 
opened by drilling and blasting done 
by the gold seekers at an expendi- 
ture of much hard labor and about 
all the riches they possessed, without 
reaching the gold. During the year 
1780 the inhabitants in this vicinity 
were in continual apprehension of a 
hostile visit from the Indians and 




MARLBORO* 



m 



Tories, and meetings were held to 
take measures for the common safe- 
ty, whereupon it was agreed that 
every able-bodied man should hold 
himself in readiness to defend the 
settlements* On the eve of the last 
day of October, in the same year, 
after a clear and pleasant day, a 
violent snow storm commenced* and 
in the evening, Mr, Stock well of 
this town received a letter from 
Col. Sergeant of Brattleboro, 
cal Hug upon the inhabitants to de- 
fend themselves against the Indians 
and Tories who had reached New- 
Line* Charles Phelps, a lawyer from 
Hadley, Muss.* moved into town in 
1734, and his was the third family 1 
here* During the controversy with ! 
New York his son Timothy was high 
sheriff of the County of Cumber- 
land* About the year 1708, two 
young women of Irish descent, by 
the name of McLaughlin, came to 
this town and resided with Mr. W. 
Clark* In the fall of the same year 
o n e of Lbo m w c u t o u t to w a r cl s eve n- " 
i n g after the c o w , and w as pro habl y 
lost and perished in the woods, or 
devoured by wild beasts, as she never 
was afterwards heard oh In 1780 
and *70, Cob Wm. Williams, who 
distinguished himself in the battle 
of Bennington, moved from North- 
boro, Mass*, accompanied by Oapt* 
Nathaniel Whitney and his two 
brothers, Samuel and James, from 
Shrewsbury, Mass* I 1 he latter was 
& representative of the town in the 
general assembly seven years, 32 
years a justice of the peace, and 47, 
years a deaeon of the church* He 
removed to Ohio* In 1770 the set- 
tlement was considerably augmented 
by emigrants from Massachusetts 
and Connecticut. About this time 
meetings were established for relig- 
ions worship, but they had no regu- 
lar preaching in town for several 
years, in 1771 the Rev* Abner 
Keene of Rrattleboro married the 
first couple* {Peren Stock well and 
Dinah Fay) in this town* The first 
death in town was that of James Ball, 
who died here in December, 1 7 02* 



TOW X CJLEUIvS. 

Wrn, Mather, 1775-1781; Phineas 
Freeman, 1781-1787; Ben j. Olds, Jr. 
1787-1788: Phineas Freeman, 1788- 
1790: Luther Ransom, 1790-1795; 
Joseph Olds, 1795-1804; Eli llalhi- 
dav, 1804-1807; Joseph Olds, 1807- 
1821; Cotton Mather, 1821-1825; 

I Ephriam Holland Newton, 1S25- 
1 1833; David Mather, 1833-1834: 
Jesse Cone, 1884-1850; Zebina Wal- 
lace, 1850-1857; II. F. Houghton, 
1857-58; W. W. Lynde, 185S-1862; 
J. C* Snow, ISO 2-1 8 04, A. W\ 
Prouty, present town clerk, treasurer 
and postmaster, 189L 

The first physician in town was 
Samuel King, The following have 
since practiced here: Drs* Morgan* 
Wood, Tony, Baldwin, Per rival, 
Taylor, Greenfield, Ransom, Smith, 
Pulsipher and Fbenezer Tucker. 

EARLY SETTLERS* 

Samuel Whitney, Jr** eldest sou 
of Samuel J > of Shrewsbury, Mass*, 
who in company with his brother 
Nathaniel came to Marlboro, March, 
1770* He built a log house and 
moved his family from Shrewsbury 
to Marlboro, consisting of his wife 
and four children* lie was resolute 
and fearless, was a great- hunter; his 
dogs would tree a bear and he was 
sure ofhis prey* On one occasion his 
I dogs had driven a bear into a don 
I among the rocks, he ventured to 
look in, saw the glaring eyeballs very 
near him, started back, at which the 
bear sprang upon him; they took a 
fair hug and rolled from the rocks 
down the hill together. In the 
struggle the bear seized his oppon- 
ents leg in hie jaws and made a 
frightful wound, The old hero J s 
sons, Moses and Guilford, mere lads 
at the time, saw the perilous condi- 
tion of their father but dared not tiro 
lest they might shoot him; but t-hoy 
put on the dogs and urged them to the 
combat, whereupon the bear quit his 
hold to attack the dogs: and they 
improved their opportunity to shoot 
the bear* The old hunter was dis- 
abled along time by the wound and 




444 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



carried the scar to the grave. In 
176% lie married Phebc Ilarrington, 
of Grafton, Mass.,, and moved to 
Marlboro in tlie spring of 1770, He 
died Feb. 1, 1811, aged 71. She died 
March, 1813, aged 71. 

Children: Catherine, m. Sami 
Pratt; Betsy^ m. Alvin Pratt; Moses 
1st, Moses 2d; and Guildford b, in 
Shrewsbury. The folloing in Marl- 
boro : S a ml , j v . ; M a r i a m, m . I jy m an 
Brown ; Zen as; Siinei, Pbebe, nn 
Roswell Paddlford; Russell, b. May 
81, 1789, d, May, 1790. In the fall 
of 1777, Capt Whithey had a fever 
by which he was confined many 
weeks. Jlis family was out of fuel. 
As a last resort, Betty, 13 years of 
age, put on her father's leather apron, 
yoked up the oxen, went into the 
woods, out small trees, snaked them 
to the house, and chopped them up 
into fire wood. That this was the 
custom of the handy child waa 
narrated by her sister, Mrs. Browu, 

WHITLEY, 

Capt. JTathT, son of Sami of Shrews- 
bury, Mass. , when a young man of 
20 years, with his brother, Sami, jr. 
was induced by the invitation of Col. 
Wm, Willkens to visit Marlboro in 
Nov, 1769, After spending a few 
days he returned to his parents and 
made a proposal to the young lady 
to whom he was afterwards married, 
whom he left a widow after over 50 
years of married life. Mar., 1770, his 
father carred his eons, Samuel, jr. and 
Natlil to Marlboro, left them and re- 
turned to Massachusetts. 

Capt, Natlil put up a log camp in 
the woods and commenced clear ing. 
In this camp he spent his next two 
summers. He had to bring the 
meal on his back. 15 miles. Capt, 
Whitney built the first framed house 
in town which he occupied a few 
years and sold for Continental paper 
money. He suffered almost a total loss 
of his sale. In this impoverished 
condition, lie began anew by pur- 
chasing of Ohas. Phelps the whole 
right of No. 23, in 1777. The hind 
adjoining he purchased of Perea 



Stock well, where he again settled, 
throve and spent his life, lie was 
an influential citizen. As a hunter 
and a trapper no one excelled him. 

Ftori notes penned 46 years 
since by himself ; “In the au- 
tumn of 1773, brother Samuel and 
myself are to go out hunting at the 
first suitable fall of snow. In No- 
vember a few inches of snow had 
fallen, when I repaired to my broth- 
er and found him sick, feeling him- 
self too feeble to engage in the chase. 
In the morning I took ray brother's 
dog with my own, and went into the 
woods. Bear tracks were plenty; 
the dogs took one, hut at night I re- 
turned to my brother, and found 
him not as well. In the morning 
I again took his dog and entered the 
forest. At that time all was a howl- 
ing wilderness, without a single 
set fc 1cm en t . I to o k a we b ter 1 y co li iso, 
and saw a monstrous track of a bear, 
larger than I ever before saw. I re- 
turned to the house and persuaded 
brother Samuel to go and see it. 
We were both exceedingly surprised. 
We pursued it nearly to the top of 
the hill, in the west part of the 
town near Wilmington line. I let 
the dogs go. In a few minutes they 
entered a thicket and roared tre- 
mendously. I flung off my pack and 
pursued with all speed down the 
hill near Wilmington Pond to Deer- 
field river. The hear and dogs had 
crossed. By taking some pains 1 
found a tree which had fallen across 
the stream, on which I found a safe 
passage, and soon discovered that 
Samuel's dog had treed the bear, I 
then levelled my gun and fired di- 
rectly at his head. He dodged a 
little, came down, struck brother 
Samuel's dog with hie paw and laid 
him stiff, and again ascended the 
tree. I fired the second time at his 
body. Ho instantly slid down the 
tree and moved off with two streams 
of blood bowing, one on each side. 
1 shot at him the third time, and 
put the hall through his body. I 
shot the fourth ball through hia 
middle, shot the 5th through his 




MARLBORO. 



445 



head and the bear yielded. Enor- 
mous creature. The bear was so 
heavy that in ascending and descend- 
ing the tree, he tore Ins nails off to 
the very quick. The next day I suc- 
ceeded in obtaining help in drawing 
the animal and carrying him home.” 
Capt. Whitney was fond of the' 
exciting scenes of the hunter's life, 
even until his hair was whitened by 
age. In recounting his success as 
a sportsman, he 6aid he thought, 
but could not tell exactly, that,, he 
had killed not less than 100 bears, ! 
100 deer, one moose and 14 wolves, I 
to say nothing of the multitude of | 
lighter game. I 

He was a staunch whig and took a 
decided stand for the Revolution. On 
hearing of the battle of Lexington 
(as before told) he and Cant. James 
Warren, took their muslvcts and 
started for the American camp. 
It will be remembered he was also 
on the guard over the Bennington 
prisoners, after that battle in which 
he shared. At the close of the cam- 
paign he returned to his family and 
his farm. He took a lively interest 
in the prosperty of the town also in 
the Congregational church of which I 
he was a worthy member. His family i 
has been widely dispersed. But few of | 
their descendants remain to cherish 
their memory. Children: Capt. Na- 
thaniel was b. May 30, 1740, m. 
Mary Rout* htou of Lancaster, Mass. ; 
moved to Marlboro in the winter of 
1772; she d. Sept. 1844, aged 03. 
lie, June 4, 1820, aged 80. Nath’l, 
b. in Shrewsbury, and d. 1774;' 
Dolly, m. Henry Saw tell at the age 
of 15; Molly, d. 1776, aged 7; Luther 
b. 1777 (of whom no recent informa-, 
tion). Nath'l, jr. b. 1770; Solomon, I 
b. Mar. 7, 1781; Ohloe, d. Sep. 1803, 1 
aged 20; Charlotte, in. Eli Lligley ; 
Rhoda, b. July 9, 1787, m. Win. I). j 
Merrill, resided in Burlington; she 1 
d. 1S48; Zilpah, m, Elisha Putnam 
of Massachusetts; Betsy b. 1701, 
m. Asa Jacobs, movod to Ohio ; 
Clark, d. 1814, aged 20. 



Nath'1, d. a young man, in St. 
Louis, Mo. 

SOLOMON WrilTNEY, 

son Capt. Natb'l, m. Lucy, daughter 
of Rev. Ger shorn C. Lyman. J >. D. 
Dec. 0, 1815; children : Emily, m. 
Henry Colsson, Esq.; Diana, d. 1812, 
a. 4 ; Lucy Lyman, m. Milo B. 
Crosby, of Wilmington, M. aged 39; 
Electa; Enoch Jacobs; Lyman Hub- 
bard; Henry d. 1828. aged 11 ; Frank, 
aged 9 ; Jane Matilda, aged 29 ; Ju- 
liana, d. infant. She d. in Spring- 
field, Mass., Mar. 1, 1829; he in. 
2d, Sybil, widow of Wm. Goodnow, 
1829. Children : Ann, Ross, Solo- 
mon, jr. Solomon, sr., d. Feb. 18, 

1 856, at 'Whitingham. 

TIMOTHY MATHEW. 

In the spring of 1773, then a lad 
of 16, who was after promoted to the 
office of major, came from Suffield, 
Ct., selected 100 acres of land* built 
a log house and spent the summer 
clearing land, and in the fall re- 
turned to Suffield. In the spring of 
1774 his parents and family came 
and settled with him in Marlboro, 
and secured the title to the 100 acres 
on which he had commenced im- 
provements. nis brother Phineas 
purchased 100 acres. They obtained 
the right of cutting a canal from a 
large natural pond and then erecting 
a dam with a gate, to draw water 
when needed. This was done at 
considerable expense, and the water 
was carried through the canal and 
the natural channel about a mile to 
their own lands, where there was a 
natural descent, and where it could 
be used to the best advantage. This 
mill site is now the best one in town* 

| The two brothers by^their industry 
and enterprise bought lands till they 
owned rights 13, 5, 4 and 12. The 
whole is now in the possession of the 
descendants, viz ; General Phineas, 
Cotton, Dan and James P. Mathew. 

GENEALOGY OF THE MATHEW 
FAMILY. 



EDSON WHITNEY, 

son of Luther, who was son of Capt. 



Timothy and William, brothers, 
came to Marlboro in 1774, from Suf. 



446 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



held, Ct., and wore said to have de- 
scended from the branch of the 
Mat h e w f am lly in N e w Jer sey* 

Timothy, b. Aug. 26, 1723, d. 
Oct. 28, iS02, a. 79 ; m, 1st, Sarah 
Fuller, d. in Suffield* Ct., 1757 ; 2d, 
m. widow Kent, d. in Marlboro, 
1777; m. 3d f widow Lydia Curtis 
Allen, d. in Dover. Children : Sa- 
rah, b. 179b, m. Jona Howard, d. 
in 1826; Phineas, b. 1750, m, IIul- 
dab Taylor; bed* 1838, a. 88 ; Tim- 
othy, b. 1757, m. IT arm ah Church, 
d. 1818, a. dl. Six children by sec- 
ond marriage, none by the third. 

Lieutenant Rhine as Mathew, son 
of Timothy, m. Huldah Taylor of 
Soft] eld, Ct. He died in 1838j aged 
88 years; she d. 1858, a. 88. He 
\ym the father of Gen, Phmeafi Math- 
ew, and grandfather of James P. 
In 1775 he enlisted in the Conti- 
nental service; was a pensioner. 
Children : 1 1 old ah, Blihu, Phineas, 
jr* s Rufus, Luther, Nil, Cad and 
Elijah* 

Gen. Pbineas Mathew, son of Phin- 
eas. Brig, Gen. L P., in. Sept. 28, 
1831, Mary Cole, she b. June 23, 
1787, d* Oct. 11, 1855 ; m. 2d, Dec. 
22, 1858, Eliza Gould, daughter of 
Sowell, of Jailerv, N. II. 

Captain Rufus, son of Lieutenant 
Phineas, m. Lucy, daughter of Cap- 
tain Oliver Adams, Oct. 31, 1815. 
Children, six. 

Luther Mathew, son of Lieut. 
Phineas, m. Clarrissa Thomas, 1795. 
He d. 1846. Children, six. 

Timothy Mathew, ji\, served for a 
time in the Revolutionary war; d. in 
his 62d year. In his family of 10 
children all lived till the oldest was 
78, and the youngest 63. 

Cotton Mathew, I. P. ? son of Map 
Timothy, m. Betsey, daughter of 
Bonijah Carpenter. Children, five. 

Capt, Dan Mathew, son of Maj. 
Timothy, m. Almira, daughter of 
Capt. Abraham Miller. Children, 
ten. 

Dll. CHESTER OLDS, 

son of James, m. Phil a, daughter of 
Capt. Simeon Adams, settled in 



Marlboro, then removed to Circle- 
ville, Ohio, where he died in 1862, 

HON* EXJSOJSr BALDWIN OLDS, 

son of Joseph , Esq., m. Anna 

Maria Carolus, June 1, 1824; was a 
druggist in OIrcleville, Ohio; became 
a prominent politician. Representa- 
tive to State Legislature, 1842-43- 
45-46-63 ; in the ^Senate, 1847-48 ; 
speaker of the Senate, 1848 ; repre- 
sentative in Congress from 1849 to 
1855 ; cb airman of the committee 
on post-offices and post-roads from 
1851 to 1855; Children, nine. 

CHAUNCEY NEWELL OLDS, 

son of Joseph, Esq., b. in Marlboro, 
Feb, 2, 1816, removed with hie 
father from Marlboro to Circleville, 
1820 ; graduated at Miami universi- 
ty 1836 ; professor there of Greek 
and literature from 1837 to 1841 ; 
commenced practice of law in 1841 ; 
member of Ohio Legislature 1848- 
49; of Ohio Senate 1849-50; mem- 
ber of board of trustees Miami uni- 
versity ; member of board of trustees 
of Ohio Lunatic asylum ; removed 
to Gobi minis, Ohio, to practice law 
in the State and United States 
Courts in 1856 : m. Caroline S. 
Woodruff at Oxford, Ohio ; she d. 
1851. Children, five. 

METHODIST CHURCH. 

In the spring of 18-14, the Rev. 
Eli jah Gale and the Rev. John L. 
S m i th of th e Me tho dis t Epi s c o pal 
church, commenced preaching al- 
ternately in the hall of Capt. Ira 
A.dams, which was followed with a 
revival and resulted in the organ Da* 
id on of a Methodist church and so- 
ciety in the west part of Marlboro. 
This church succeeded by the help 
of the subscriptions of citizens year 
by year, to erect a church at a cost 
of $1,000, and in 1846 the society 
added a parsonage. The ministers 
here have been Rev. Elijah Gale, 
John L. Smith, 2 years; Rev. Moses 
Adame, Chester I>. Ingraham, John 
L. Roberts; Moses Spencer, Jesse S, 
Butterfield, Pliny Granger 2d, Ze- 




MARLBORO* 



447 



nus Kingsbury and Moses Morse, 
Persons and Mr. Chase* 

JOHN S* LUCE, 

sou of William of New Salem* Maes., 
in* Sarah Lamed, Jan, 16, 1803, 
and moved to Marlboro and out the 
first tree on the farm which he con- 
tinued to occupy until I860* lie 
was b March 6, 1777, d. March 6, 
1865, aged 85. She was bora Oct 
1* 178L He was the oldest man 
living in town at his death, and 
they were the oldest married couple* 
having lived together 58 years. Chil- 
dren : John, ji\, Almira, John L. 
and Anna it 

BRIG. GEN* JONES SMITH, 

son of Jonas, m* Lucy, daughter 
of Dea* Jonas Whitney, June 33, 
1809; settled first with his father; 
sold to his brother, Oshea, m. 1813, 
and removed to the tavern in the 
middle of the town with his wife’s 
parents; in 1834 he sold out and went 
to Brattleboro* His wife d. April, 
1836; he Juno, 1851* For his second 
wife ho in, Amanda Stone of Wind- 
sor, Feb. 1838* 

DK. THOMAS SMITH, 

married Esther, daughter of Rev* 
Gershoni C* Lyman. He came to 
Marlboro from Coleraue, stayed a 
short time practicing physics, and 
moved to Pittstown, N. Y., and in 
1813 to Pennsylvania, where he 
died, and his wife married Rev. 
Luke Bowen of Strongsville, 0. 

JOHN SMITH, 

born in Groton, Ct*, m. Lucy 
Rowe of Suffmld, Ct., moved to 
Marlboro, Feb*, 1802, and settled 
near the south line on laud be clear- 
ed, and cultivated until his death, 
June 5, 1838, aged 77- She died 
Nov. 37, aged 83. Children, 7. 

AMOS smith* 

of Groton, Gt.» m. Hannah Alex- 
ander* Children: William, Jaboz, 
Eunice, Simeon, Betsy. William 



settled in the middle of the town as 
a tanner and shoemaker* Iri 1813, 

I he went with a lot of boots and 
shoes to sell to soldiers at Sacketts 
Harbor. He entered the army as a 
lieutenant, was wounded in the bat- 
tle of Brigde water, under Gen. 
Brown, and did not return to Marl- 
boro. His moth or remained several 
years in town, then removed to 
Michigan and there died, 

AMOS FRANKLIN SMITH, 

born Nov. 17, 1832, son of Simeon, 
ni. Harriet, daughter of Capt. Ly- 
man Brown, July 3, 1858. In 1862 
he enlisted in the 4th Yfc. Reg., Co, 
L, Yols*, and went to New Orleans. 
Children, 2 daughters. 

JOHN STOUGHTON STRONG, 

son of David of Stafford, Ct., came 
to Marlboro in 1793; m. Tamar, 
daughter of Dea, Jonas Whitney, 
and settled on the farm since known 
as the John Strong farm. In 1815 
1 he went to Ohio and commenced the 
settlement of a township, named 
Strongsville, in honor of himself, to 
which town he removed his family 
in 1818, and became a useful and 
prominent citizen. Children, 9. 

— STRONG, 

brother of John S,, above, b. Dec* 

, 11, 1770, in* Abigail Pinny of Staf- 
ford, Ct., Fob. 1808, and immedi- 
ately removed to Marlboro, where 
he liad previously been 11 years. He 
settled on the farm where he lived 
at the time of his death, July , 1842. 
Children, 10* 

ARJ3L STOCK WELL, 

first settler of Marlboro, came in the 
spring of 1763. Children, 12. Of 
the large family, no descendant has 
resided in town for many years* 

EZEKIEL THAYER, 

from Smithfield, R. L, came to 
Marlboro in 1790; settled and clear- 
ed land, which with additions there- 
to is now owned by his descendants. 




448 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE* 



He m. Mary Sheperdson of Guil- 
ford* They had 0 children* He 
was born 1762, d* 1820, aged SS; 
she was born in 1765, d. June 30, 
1843, aged 78* 

COL* EZRA THAYER, 

son of Ezekiel* m. Thins a, daughter 
of David T* Sheldon of Wilmington, 
Oct* 29, 1829, and settled on the 
homestead, Children* 7* 

DEA. JOHN CHURCH, 

m* Jemima Montague and came to 
Marlboro from South Hadley, Mass*, 
in 1775, where he spent the residue 
of his life* He and his wife were 
original members of the Congrega- 
tional church* He was the first 
deacon. He died May 6, 1779, aged 
83, She died Aug. 28, 1S12, aged 
93. Children: Joseph* Moses, Jemi- 
ma and Hannah. 

TIMOTHY TOMLIN 

and wife, Susan a, were early settlers 
here. He was a Revolutionary 
soldier* Their children were Roch- 
sena, Polly, Aclieah, Abner, Lucy, 
Timothy, ji\, Seth, Gybil, John 
Webster and Theda. 

ISALAH SMITH, 

in. Susannah, May, 1764; settled in 
Marlboro in 1780. Mrs. Smith died 
in Nov. 17S9* aged 45. He m. 2d, 
Austis Eustis Rneeland, ward of 
Chas. Phelps, Esq., Oct 30,1790* 
She died Sept. 22, 1813, aged 67. 
He died Sept. 30, 1815, aged 74. 
Children by his first wife, 11, among 
which were twin brothers, Paul and 
Silas. Paul settled in Marlboro, but 
in 1816 moved to Jay, N* Y* 
Silas lived in Springfield, Mass., 
and was connected with the TL S. 
armory. 

TUCKER, 

Bbenezer, jr. f M. D M eon of Rev* 
Ebenezer Tucker, graduate of Har- 
vard* married iMary Hunt of Heath, 
December 31, 1818; he, born in 
Phillips town. Mass., November 2, 



1792; she, born in Heath, October 
9, 1795* He moved to Marlboro, 
March, 1819, and for some time was 
the only physician of the plane, with 
a large practice in this and gur- 
rounding towns. Children, 5. 

ELIJAH BRUCE, 

son of Artemas, married Abigail, 
daughter of Nathaniel Whitney of 
Grafton, Mass*, in 1763. He was a 
soldier in the Revolution, and in the 
Bennington battle, 1777. He moved 
to Marlboro in the early part of the 
present century. He died with 
small pox. May 16, 1833. His wife 
died July, 1847. Children, 11* His 
daughter Catherine married Joshua 
Phillips, who was in the war of 1812, 
and shot in battle near SacketPs 
Harbor, N* Y. 

JETHRO BROWN, 

was in the French war of 1756; 
served both as a marine on board of 
a war vessel or privateer, or tie a sol- 
dier upon scou ts. He married Molly 
Haynes of Groton, Ct., came to 
Marlboro 1787, purchased right 4S, 
died February 16, 1813, aged 86. 
His widow died March 10, 1817, 
aged 84. Children, 9* 

EENRY CLGSSON, ESQ. 

married June 1, 1830, Emily, daugh- 
ter of Sol. Whitney and settled in 
Whitingham, a lawyer; married 
1861, resides in Springfield, Mass*, 
has been Stated attorney, Probate 
registrar, Judge of Probate. Chil- 
dren, 6. Henry Whitney, 2d son of 
Judge Cl os son, was born June 6, 
1832. Graduate of West Point* 
Married Olivia A. Burke* Children 
2. Stationed (1861) at Ft. Duncan, 
Texas. 

EPHRIAM HOLLAND NEWTON, D. D* 

was born in Newfane, Vt*, June 13, 
1787, and died at Cambridge, N. Y*, 
October 26, 1864. He graduated at 
Middlebury College* 1810, and Theo- 
logical Seminary, 1813; licensed by 
the Haverhill, Mass*, Association, 




MARLBORO. 



440 



1813; ordained and settled in Marl- 
boro, Yt., 1814. 1815 married Ilnl- 

dah, daughter of Maj.-Gon. Timothy 
Chipman of Shoreham. In 1833, 
dissolved connection with the Marl- 
boro Congregation and was installed 
over the Presbyterian Church of 
Glens Palls, IT. Y., which charge 
he resigned in 1837, and accepted a 
call to the First United Presbyter- 
ian Church, in Cambridge, N. Y. 
Resigned in 1^43 and had no regular 
charge afterwards. lie was princi- 
pal of Cambridge Washington Acad- 
emy from July, 1843, to 1848. In 
1857 he gave his valuable mineralog- 
ical collection to Andover Theologi- 
cal Seminary, where he spent a few 
years in arranging it. In 1863 he 
presented to Middlebury College his 
library, where it is arranged in an 
alcove bearing his name. He was 
always an active laborer in the cause | 
of education, a devotee to natural 
science, and earnest in his endeavor 
to win men to godliness. 

EPHRIAM HOLLAND NEWTON, 

son of Marshall, of Newfane, who 
was son of Marshall of Shrewsbury, 
Mass., who was son of Obadiah, born 
1702, who was sod of Thomas, born 
1674, who was the. son of John, born 
August 20, 1641, who was son of 
Rionard and Anna who came from 
England about 1635. He graduated 
from the medical college 1810; and 
Theological seminary 1813; licensed 
by the Haverhill Association, April 
14, 1813; ordained second pastor of 
the Congregational church in this 
town March 16, 1814; married Hul- 
dah, daughter of Maj. Gen. Timothy 
F. Chipman of Shoreham, Jan. 29, 
1815, a descendant from John How- 
laud, one of the pilgrims of the May- 
flower (1620). She died in Jackson, 
N. Y., Nov. 26, 1853: re-interred in 
Woodland cemetery, N. Y. Chil- 
dren: infant, born and died July 8, , 
1817; Silas Chipman, born Dec. 39, 
1818, and married Mary Graham, 
daughter of James Ball, of Circle- 
ville, Ohio. She died and he mar- 
ried for his second wife, Emily L., 



I widow of James Coombs, lie set- 
tled a merchant in Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Ephriam Holland, jr.,born Feb. 17, 
1821, died April 12, 1822. 

KEY. H1BBAHD H. WINCHESTER. 

Rev. Eli Ball, a Baptist minister. 
Collegiates: Rev. Dana D. Pratt, 
| Baptist clergyman iD Nashua, N. 

I II. ; Porter Ingrain, graduate Yale, 
lawyer at Columbus, Ga., colonel, 
and planter.; James Phelps, lawyer 
in Guilford, Vt. ; Calvin Houghton, 
lawyer in Pennsylvania: Joseph Olds, 
lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio ; Sidney 
Houghton, physician in El lie- 
burgh, N. Y., Chester Olds, 
physician, Newfane; Edson B. Olds, 
physician, Circleville, 0., and mem- 
ber of Congress; Elisha Halladay, 
physician. Newfane; Charles Hough- 
ton, physician, Pawlet; Ozri hin- 
der wood, graduated physician; his 
name was chauged to Henry Vail; 
David Howard went through his col- 
legiate studies at the U. V. M., but 
refusing to deliver his oration com- 
mencement day, the conferring of 
his degree was withheld; went south 
as a teacher, settled as a planter. 

THOMAS ADAMS, 

born in Amherst, Mass., Oct. 1, 
1758, m. 1783, Lucy Perkins, b. in 
i Bridgewater, Maes., Dec. 1, 1757. 
He was a soldier in the American 
j Revolution, removed to Marlboro in 
' 1794, and settled with his parents, 

I remaining until near the close of 
life, when he removed to his son-in- 
, law's, Capt. Isaac Worden of So. 

I Halifax, where he and his wife died: 

1 he April 1, 1858, she Jan. 1854.; 5 
sons and two daughters. Orinda, 
the youngest, b. Dec. 27, 1800: m. 
Capt. Isaac Worden of Halifax, 
Dec. 31, 1820. 

DAVID, 

sou of Thomas, m. Oct. 1857, Susan, 
daughter of Capt, Jona. Warren. 
Children: 5 sons, and 4 daughters. 

ZEBNEK, 

son of David, married and had 10 
children. 



«o 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



SIMEON AIJAM B, 

a soldier of the French war; cap- 
tured by the Indians and taken to 
Canada; redeemed and returned 
home ; renewed his services, again 
taken prisoner, and again redeemed. 
He removed his family to Marlboro, 
17 82, having bought out William 
Mather, whore he lived, and died 
Aug. L1803, aged SO, He married 
Hannah, dan. of Jona. Underwood 
of Suffield, Ct. 

JUSTUS ANOIER, 

from II ad dam, Ct., came to Marl- 
boro near 1800; purchased land on 
the "Branch'* and there he settled. 
He first married Rhuda Allen; one 
child, Allen; 2d, m. Abigail Spen- 
cer; she died May 18, 1817; children: 
David, Sarah. Mr. Angier was a 
soldier of the American Revolution, 
an d a pe a si o nor f or m an} T y ears; cl , 
Sept. IS, 1848, aged 101. 

ZAfiUGER BARTLETT, 

born Jan. 20, 1748, til Sally Taylor, 
b. Oct. 18, 1750. Came from Had- 
ley, Mags., 1770; purchased, cleared 
and lived on the farm on which he 
died. Mr. Bartlett was a soldier of 
the Revolution and one of the pio- 
neer settlers of the town. Children: 
Thomas, Sally, Med ad, Joel, 
Luther, Louisa, Urania, Lydia, 
Luther, 2d. Mrs, Bartlett died "Dec. 
21, 1815. Mr. J3. for his second 
wife married, March 32, 1818, 

Esther, widow of Moses Church. 
He died in 1824 ; she died in 1827. 

JOHN BARTLETT 

came to Marlboro and settled as 
early as 1777. He died April 29, 
1814, aged 76; she died Aug. 27, 
1829, aged 88. children, S. 

CHARLES BELLOWS, 

sou of Joseph, hi. Eleanor, dau. of 
Jot ham Bellows of South boro, 
Maes.; moved to Marlboro with three 
children in 1780; cleared his new 
farm, on which he lived and died. 



He was a soldier in the Revolution; 
died March 10, 1889, aged 84; she 
died July 16, 1840, aged 80. 



I CAPT, CHARLES BELLOWS, JR., 



m. Oct. 19, 1809, Laura, dan. of 
David Miller, Jr, for Jiis first wife, 
and for his second wife, Wealthy, 
dan. of Capt. Judah Moon, of W Ti- 
ming to n; for his third wife, Sally 
; Croner. Children: Laura, Almira and 
.Charles Herman, Clark, Mary A., 
Franklin, Dolly A,., Catherine, 

I Judah, Rufus, John, Elmira, 
Martha, Timothy and Sally. Laura 
his eldest daughter, born Feb. 7 
1810, married first Mar. 25, 1828, 
Lurnan Stearns, who died June, 1830, 
age 23 ; she married second, Dec, 
1833, Llosea Haskell of Wilmington; 
he died and she married third, 
Ebeneaer Stone of Wilmington; lie 
died and she married for her fourth 
husband, Alonzo Bugbee of Dover. 

! 

means y olosson. 

Henry Glosson Jacobs, son of 
Enoch Jacobs, formerly of Marlbo- 
| ro, enlisted in May, 1861. He had 
I not been absent two years when he 
l fought his last battle. We need not 
speak of his deeds of personal bravery 
for he belonged to a regiment of 
heroes. In the battle of Winches- 
ter he escaped with two bullet holes 
in his coat. In another battle only 
mis beside himself of all his compa- 
ny who were in the action escaped . 
At the battle of Cedar Creek Die 
stock of his gun was shattered in his 
bands by a rebel shot. He was in 
the battle of Antietam and South 
Mountain and in over 20 skirmishes, 

BOOKBR .PENES, 

eon of Joseph, b, in Sri tu ate, R I., 
Feb, 19, 1761, only child of his 
father by a second marriage to Mrs, 
Sarah hung. Young Jenks at the 
age of 15 enlisted under the State 
authorities of Rhode Island as u sol- 
' dier, and served three years in the 
[Revolutionary war. The night he 
1 was 16 he stood sentry. He w as a 



MARLBORO. 



451 



pensioner. Befoie the close of the 
war m. Anna King of R. I., b. Jan. 
21, 1761, d. March 14, 1837. At the 
declaration of peace he found him- 
self destitute but with a whole con- 
stitution. Came to Marlboro with 
bis family and purchased 30 acres, 
to which he afterwards added ample 
additions; d. June 8, 1847, a. 80. 

DEACON SYLVESTER BISHOP 

came when a young man to this 
town from Brooksfield, Mass., 1776, 
purchased right No. 0, lived on it 
till his death. In 1777, joined the 
regular army, was with the Green 
Mountains Boys in the battle of 
Hubbardton, and with John Marks of 
Burlington was taken prisoner, and 
incarcerated in Fort Ticonderoga. 
While there the prisoners were 
daily marched to Lake George and 
employed in the construction of forts 
built for the defense of the lake. 
One morning Bishop and Marks by 
previous engagement while on the 
march, stepped from the ranks into 
the bushes, hapily they were unno- 
ticed bv their guard. They secreted 
themselves in the woods till night, 
when they wandered over Mount 
Defiance to the western shore of the 
lake when fortunately they found a 
canoe in which they started for the 
Vermont shore. On approaching 
the center of the lake a gun was 
fired from one of the enemy s vessels 
of war, when they found themselves 
in the fog, almost under the mouth 
of the cannon. Unobserved, silently 
as possible they rowed to the N. Y. 
shore, which they reached, fastened 
their boat, and secreted in the rocks 
through the day. At night they 
succeeded incoming to the Vermont 
shore. They steered their course for 
Gas tie ton and reported themselves 
to the wife of a fellow prisoner 
whom they had left in the fort. They 
were fed and sheltered through the 
day, and at night cautiously con- 
tinued their journey through the 
forest; they reached llennington on 
the morning of the Bennington 
battle. The procured each a mus- 



I ket and entered the ranks. After 
I the battle they found among the 
I prisoners the Ticonderoga guard 
I from whom they had escaped. As 
they recognized each other Bishop 
said, “what, my hoys, are you here F 5 
“Yes! turn about is fair play.” 
He married Deborah Barnes of 
Brookfield, Mass., and died Mar. 12, 

1822, age 00. She died July 20, 
1851, age 92; one child, Isaac horn 

■ Feb. 15, 1802. 

CAPT. ISAAC BISHOP, 

son of Sylvester, married Dec. 4, 

1823. Susa, daughter of Captain 
Abraham Miller, died Dec. 20, 1800. 
Children 0. 



AMOS PROUTY, 

son of James, of Spencer, Mass., 
came to Marlboro about 1784; in. 
Phoebe, daughter of John Bartlett; 

, settled on a farm which he cleared 
and where he lived the rest of his 
i life. He was born 1700, d. 1841; 
she w T as born 1768, d. 1841, Children, 
18 - 

Dolly, daughter of Capt. Nathan- 
! iel Whitney, m. Jan. 22, 1791, Levi 
Sawtell. fler children have had 48 
children, and her grandchildren 48, 
making her mother to 10, grand- 
mother to 48, great-grandmother to 
48 and ancestral mother of 106 in 
her lifetime. 

Jorui. Underwood m.HannahRich- 
ardson and moved from Suffield, Ct. 
to Marlboro in 1776. He died Oct. 1, 
1704, age 79. She died Mar. 6, 
1813, age 95. 

Children: Jona. Underwood jr., 
married Deborah, daughter of Isaac 
Morgan, who was from Brin field, 
Mass., and with her parents came to 
Marlboro. At the time of her 
, wedding the snow was very deep 
and she with her bridegroom and 
another couple went several miles 
through the woods on show shoes to 
Col. Granger’s w’here they were 
, married. They had 9 children. 

' He died Dec. 1801. She married 
| second, Benjamin Lee of Vernon, 
• Mar. 1815. After Mr. Lee’s death 




VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



452 



she returned to Marlboro, and died, 
Jan. IS, 1830. Children by brat 
marriage !h r f had dens, son of Jon a. 
born in Su Diehl 3 Ot., came with his 
parents to Marlboro, at the ago of 
16 he married Mary Farr ol Boy Is- 
ton. Mass.., settled on the homestead 
where he lived, and died Sept. 1840, 
age SO, His widow died m West- 
minister; children, 10. Fhineae 
Underwood and Sabra, early 
settlers, re mo red after a few years. 

Capt. Jon a. Warren son of Jon a, 
came a young man to Marl bo ro^ pur- 
chased and cleared the farm now 
owned by Lincoln Adams, on which 
lie reared Ills family. 

When the news of the Lexington 
battle reached Marlboro, he and 
Capt, If a than iel W liitney all ouldered 
their muskets and forthwith repaired 
to the opening scenes of the Amer- 
ican Revolution and tendered their 
services. The same noble spirit was 
the prominent characteristic of the 
man in childhood and stayed 
throughout life. He lived to an 
advanced age. For his first wife he 
married Huldah, daughter of Joseph 
Winchester, sr. She died in early 
life. He married second, Sarah 

Sawtell of Pbiliipston ? Mass. Ghil-j 
dren, by first marriage; Lucy, who 
married Daniel Higby for her first , 
husband and Royal Knights for her! 
second: children by second marriage, | 
Jana., born May 10, 1779, died Dec. 
35, 1844, in" Brooklyn, N. Y. i 
Sarah, died unmarried, in Bath, I 
N. Y. Huldah, bom Dec. 1788, 1 
died in Bath, JL Y. Susan, born 
¥ e b , 30. 1786, mar H cd D a v i d 

Adame. 

Thomas, son of Capt, Joua., married 
Polly Knight, sister of Royal. 
0 hi dren: Dwight, Phmeas, Gratia 
Knight, Dun ford. Jona. jr. , son of 
Capt. Jona, married Sarah, daughter 
of Thomas Adams, 1807. She died 
1838; children: Clark, Barnard, 

Adams, Almon F., Lucy, Emily, 
Louisa. The three youngest brothers 
reside in Brooklyn, noted for their 
mechanical talents, and as self-made 
mechanics in the invention and 
manufacture of their own tools. 



They commenced business without 
capital and invented and manufac- 
tured a varity of diamond pointed 
to ol s by w h i cb t b ey have ad m i rabl y 
succeeded in establishing for them- 
selves the reputation of business 
men. 

WAR FOR TELE UNION 1861-60* 

M A EtLBQRO V OLU ff T EKES FOE Til EK JG 

TEARS CREDITED EE EV IO US TO TUE 
CALL FOE 80OJK7O VOLUNTEERS, 

OF O OTOE EE 17, 1803. 

Reg, Co. 

Adams, George H . . _ 2 E 

Adams, Simon, jr 2s»s. E 

Baldwin, Edward . 2 C 

Bishop, George J._- 8 I 

Biakesley, Horace .... 4 1 

Brigman. Lewis 8 I 

Brown, Franklin 8 I 

'Carpenter, Ralph _ 8 E 

Carter, King, 2 C 

Fisher, Elijah B 3 C 

Gould , George H . . * 9 K 

Higley , John Elliott 8 I 

Houghton, Charles E 8 1 

TyrnieT W 8 I 

Morgan, Roswell "W . 4 

Plummer, George F 8 I 

Ft out y , Harvey „ _ _ _ 6 I 

Seymour, William H 4 I 

Swift, Amos F S I 

Whitaker, Foster S . . . 8 I 

Whitney, Porter J . . _ . _ 8 I 

Warden. A I f red S . 8 I 

Warden, Francis 8 I 

CREDITS UNDER C ALL QF OOTOBER 17,1808* 

Reg. Co. 

Bartlett, Justin. __,. T 8 

Brag man „ Lewis ~ _ 8 I 

Buck, William 9 K 

Butler, Herbert 34 , 8 B. 

Carney, William 3 H 

Cheney, H airy . 1 0 K 

Davis, T^ander _ _10 K 

Hill, Herbert E —....8 I 

Houghton, Bradley * p -------- 8 I 

II ar vey f Marcus A , Ca v , G 

Howard, George 8 I 

Jen ks, Charles E 8 T 

1 Johnson, Luther R. 8 1 

' Kelley, William. 8 

Phinney, Detroih . 8 

Price, Walter W ..... 8 I 

Root. Frederick W — .10 K 

Welch Henry C _ 0 D 

VOLUNTEERS, ONE TEAR. 

Reg. Co. 

Blanchard, Amos P 8 

Duncklee, Willard S_ 8 

s Higley, William M — , - 8 I 




MARLBORO, 



453 



VOL 1 m TE E RS K E- EN LISTED . 

lieie:, Co* 



Blakesley , Horace. . 4 I 

Dolan, Patrick 8 I 

Carpenter, Chauncy LL.. 2 C 

Seymour, William II _ 4 I 



ENROLLED MEN WHO FURNISHED 






Joh nson , Delev an 1G 

Kelsey, George X J 16 

Kelsey, John A_.— — — .16 

Monday, James .. 10 

Stearns, Addison E „ .,,10 

W. arren , Dana . _ _ 16 

1 Winchester, Hi ram C ,..-10 



Co. 

B 

I 

I 

H 

B 

B 

B 



SUBSTITUTES, 

Adams, Francis C. — . 

Duneklee, Noah W _ . _ _ 

Higley , George E 

Houghton , Ruf us A . ..... 

In glam , Alpheus , - . . 

Frouty, Albert M._ 

Thayer, Orson.,.. 

Whitaker, Charles 

Winchester, Asa. ........ 

Miscellaneous, not credited by name 
three men. 



FURNISHED UNDER DRAFT. PAID COM- 
MUTATION. 

Adams, Henry __ . T 

Ames, Henry D. 

Barney, Lot ell A 

Copeland, Oscar F. .. t 

Hal liday , El Hot 

King, it C _ ... 

Pearsons, George R 

Powers, Martin V, B 

William, Alfred 

PROCURED SUBSTITUTE. 



VOLUNTEERS FOll NINE MONTHS. 





Reg. 


Co. 


Barker, Gilbert A_ _ _ . 


........16 


H 


Bellows, Willard . .. 


. IG 


H 


Blanchard* Amos P . 


... 16 


H 


Bruce* George A . . . . . 


.16 


I 


Pay, Daniel A .... 


16 


I 


Higley* Orange 


16 


B 



Bland iff, Willard N. B t . 

VOLUNTEERS FOR ONE TEAR. 

Reg, Co* 



Cady, Henry. MMM ^...^ 8 B 

Harlow* Horace M H 

Mather, Charles 1 ) .... 3d Bat. 

PlioUiplaee, Herbert H, 8 H 

Tilley, David O...... 8 B 




NEWFANE. 



Compiled from " Newfane’s First Century/’ and 

other Sources. 

By JOHN H, M ERRIFI ELD. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS 

OF T11E HON . CHARLES K. FI ELK, 
DELIVERED AX THE CENTENNIAL 
ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORGAN- 
1/ ATI OK OF THE CHURCH 
AND TOWN OF NEWFANE, 

JULY 4TH, 1874* 

N e w fan e, the shi r o t o w n o f W i n d- 
1 1 am Con li t v , i s si tuato d el e v en miles 
west of Connecticut river, and is 
bounded norLli by Town abend, oast 
by Dummerston, Putney and Braok- 
1 i n e, w es t by W a r d sbo ro an d D o v or , 
and so n tli by Marlboro. The town- 
ship contained originally within its 
chartered limits thirty-six square- 
miles ; but, in 18SJ0, that part of the 
town lying northeast of West river 
was annexed to Brookline, which 
materially reduced the chartered 
area of the town. The original 
charter of the town was granted in 
175J, by Penning Wentworth, gov- 
e n i o r of N ew J I anipsh i re, to Ab u u r 
Sawyer and others, by the name of 
Fane. There was a current tradi- 
tion, severity years ago, that it was 
called Fane after Thomas Fane, one 
of the li men of Kent/* who was en- 
gaged in an insurrectionary move- 
ment under Sir Thomas Wj'ttt, in 
1554, during the reign of Queen 
Mary, for the purpose of elevating 
Lady Jane Grey to the throne, in 
consequence of the odious Spanish 
match which Mary had formed with 
Philip 5&d. Abner Sawyer and sixty- 1 



five others were the original grantees 
of Fane. Their names were as fol- 
lows : 

Abner Sawyer, John Milling, 
Ebenezer Morse, Vespasian Millar, 
Joseph Baker, Thomas Adame, 
James Ball, John Ball, Samuel 
Brown, Jabez Beaman, John Hazel - 
tine, Ross Wyman, John Young, 
John Adams, Charles Bridgman, 
Joseph Dyer, jr,, John Ohartack’ 
Barnet IV ait, Ebcnczer Taylor, 
Ebenezcr Prescott, Isaac Temple, 
Edward Good ale, John Holland, 
Phineas Wilder, Joshua Houghton, 
Asa Boucher, David Osgood, Jon- 
athan Osgood, Am Whitcomb, Sam- 
uel Bay ley, Thomas Sawyer, Saul 
Hough tom Ezekiel Kendal I, Samuel 
Kendall, Daniel Allen, Ebcnezer 
Taylor* jr., Joseph Bay ley, Nath- 
aniel Houghton, John McBuirte, 
Philip Goss, Joseph Glazier, Jacob 
Pike, Benjamin Glazier, Abner 
Wilder, J uriah Wilder, William 
Densmore, Barzillai Holt, John 
Glazier, Nathaniel Bcxby, Reuben 
Moore, Aaron Newton, Peter Larkin, 
Matthias Larkin. Samuel Moore, 
Jonathan Wilder, Title Wilder, Ezra 
Sawyer, Ezra. Bawyerjr., John Stone, 
Fort (Hiatus Taylor, By, Sherburne, 
T b eo d ore A t k i 1 1 sou , Rich ar d W i b i id , 
Samuel Smith, John Downing, 
Samuel Solley, Sampson Sh caffe, 
Daniel Warner, and John Went- 
worth, jr. 

In 1701 the charter was returned 




4 56 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



to Governor Went worthy and a new 
one issued to Luke Brown and bis 
associates, containing the same pro- 
visions that are embraced in the orig- 
inal charter. The 11th day of 
May, 1772, the governor of New 
York made a grant of this township, 
by the name of Newfane, to TV alter 
Franklin and twenty others, most of 
whom resided in the city of Now 
York, This New York charter is a 
literal copy of the original charter 
grantor! by Governor Wentworth. 
The 12th of May, 1772, Walter 
Franklin and his associates, the 
grantees named in the New York 
charter, assigned and conveyed all 
their right in said township to Luke 
Know! ton and John Taylor, Eaqs., 
of Worcester Comity, Mass. The 
titles to the lauds in said township 
are derived directly from the New. 
Y ork charter. The township was I 
surveyed in .1772, and duly organ- 
ized May 17, 1774. The town was 
first settled in 1766, by Jonathan 
Park, Nathaniel S ted man and Eben- 
eacr Dyer, who emigrated from 
Worcester County, Mass, The first 
clearing was made by Park and 
Stedman on the Nathan Merrifield 
farm, north of the Newfane Hill 
Common, in the spring of 17f>f>. In 
In 1774. Judge Knowlton, one of 
the original proprietors under the 
New York charter, was allowed 
some 300 or 400 acres in and about 
the present site of Fayetteville. 

Deacon Park’s clearing covered 
the old common on Newfane Hill 
and the Knowlton farm. Judge 
Knowlton exchanged his lands in 
and about Fayetteville with Deacon 
Park for his clearing of eighty acres 
an d a 1 og e a bi nth croon . T h e d e a- 
eon went down and cleared up the 
land in and about Fayetteville. In 
1787, the judge succeeded in remov- 
ing the shim from Westminster to 
Newfane Hill ; but in 1S24— thirty - 
ee ven years thereafter— the shire was 
removed from the Hill to Fayette- 
ville, Had Judge Knowlton made 
his pitch upon the lots originally 
allotted to him on Smith's Brook, ' 
and co n tr i b u ted as 1 1 be r al l y to w a r d e | 



| the growth and prosperity of a vil- 
lage where Fayetteville now is, it 
would have changed materially the 
destiny of Newfane. Starting, a 
hundred years ago, a settlement 
where Fayetteville now stands, with 
no rival villages near* it would have 
secured such a concentration of 
wealth and business as would have 
made it one of the most important 
villages in the county. For several 
years the early settlers suffered all 
the hardships and privations incident 
to the settlement of a new country. 
Without roads, or teams, or any of 
the ordinary means of transporta- 
tion, they were under the necessity 
of convoying, by their own personal 
efforts, all their provisions and 
farming tools from Hinsdale, N. LL 
— a distance of twenty miles — 
through an unbroken forest. At 
that early day there was no road or 
pathway up the valley of the West 
river, from Brattleboro ; but they 
were obliged to cross Wicopee Hill, 
in Du miners ton by marked trees. 
Elizabeth, a child of Jonathan Park, 
was the first child born in town,- — 
February 20th ? 1768. 

INDIANS. 

The early settlers of Newfane 
I were never molested by the Indians, 

! for the reason that no permanent 
settlements wore made in this town 
until after the storming and taking 
of Quebec by Wolf, in 1759, and the 
capitulation of Montreal in 1760, 
when the French lost their control 
over the Indian tribes hi the Cana- 
das. June 27, 1748, before any set- 
tlement was commenced, a battle 
was fought in the south part of this 
town or north part of Marlboro ; the 
precise place of the battle cannot be 
fixed. Captain Humphrey Hobbs, 
with forty men, was ordered from 
Charlestown, No. 4, through the 
forest to Fort Shirly, in Heath, one 
of the frontier posts in Massachu- 
setts. The march was made with- 
out interruption until Hobbs arrived 
at a point about twelve miles north- 
west of Fort Hummer, “on a low 
piece of ground covered with alders 



NEWFANE, 



45? 



intermixed with larger trees, and 1 
watered by a rivulet," where he 
halted to give his men an opportun- 
ity to refresh themselves. A large 
body of Indians, commanded by a 
half-breed of the name of Sackett, 
who was said to have been a descend- 
ant of a captive taken at Westfield, 
Mass., discovered Hobbs* trail, and | 
endeavored to cut him off. Hobbs 
had carefully posted a guard on his 
trail, and, while his men were re- 
freshing themselves, the enemy 
came up and drove in the guard, i 
Hobbs then arranged his men for 
action, each man selecting his tree 
for a cover. The enemy rushed 
forward, and received a well-directed 
fire from Hobbs" men, which check- 
ed their progress. A severe conflict 
ensued. Sackett and Hobbs were 
well known to each other, and both 
were distinguished for their intrep- 
idity and courage. Sackett could 
speak English, and frequently called 
upon Hobbs to surrender, threaten- 
ing to sacrifice his men with the 
tomahawk if he refused. Hobbs, in 
a loud voice, returned a defiant an- 
swer, and dared his enemy to put 
his threat in execution. The 
action continued about four 
hours, each party retaining their 
original position. During the fight | 
the enemy would approach Hohb's j 
line, but were immediately driven j 
back. Sackett, finding his men had 
suffered severely, retreated, carrying 
off his dead and wounded. Hobbs 
lost only three of his men — Ehenezer 
Mitchell, Eli Scott and Samuel 
Green ; and three were wounded. 
The loss of the enemy was supposed 
to he greater. In all battles the In- 
dians made extraordinary efforts to 
conceal their loss, and to effect this 
would incur greater exposure than 
in actnal combat. When one fell, 
the nearest comrade was accustomed 
to crawl up and, under cover of the 
trees an brush, fix a “tump line" to 
the dead body and cautiously drag 
it to the rear. Hohb's men stated 
that in this action they often saw 
the dead bodies of the Indians slid- 
ing along the ground as if by en- 



chantment As late as the year 1810, 
a large number of graves were visi- 
ble on the lower portion of the Rob- 
inson flats, so-called, under a cluster 
of chestnut trees, near the South 
branch below Williamsville, where 
the bodies of the Indians who were 
killed in this fight were supposed to 
have been buried ; at least, such was 
the current tradition for fifty years 
or more among the early settlers of 
Newfane. Stevens, in his journal, 
states that Gapt. Hobbs started for 
Fort Shirley from Charlestown, No. 
i 4, with forty-two men, officers in- 
I eluded, on Thursday, June 23, 1748, 
and camped the first night at Bel- 
lows Falls, and the next day marched 
for West river, which they reached 
Saturday, 25th ; “Then traveled 
down the river and came to the 
South branch, then traveled up the 
branch two miles and camped, then 
traveled six miles southwest, ami 
came to a small brook, where we 
boiled our kettles, and just as we 
began to eat, the enemy came upon 
us.” The late General Field, who 
furnished a sketch of Newfane for 
Thompson's Gazetteer, about fifty 
years ago, was evidently misled by 
the prevailing traditions in relation 
to the fight with the Indians by Mel- 
vin's party, for he fixed the scene of 
the battle at the mouth of the 
South branch, in Newfane ; and 
Belknap, in his history of New 
Hampshire, and Beckley, in his his- 
, tory of Vermont, adopt the same 
! error. The publication of Oapt. 
Melvin’s journal, in the New Hamp- 
shire historical collections, fixes the 
| place of the fight with Melvin's 
party in Jamaica, some seventeen 
' miles above the mouth of the South 
Branch in Newfane, and about four 
miles below the mouth of Winhall 
river, which, during the old French 
wars, was regarded as the upper fork 
of West river, and the South branch 
in Newfane as the lower fork there- 
of. After the fight with Hobbs, 
Sackett retreated and passed down 
the Wantastiquet to its month, and 
crossing the Connecticut, marched 
i down to a point opposite Fort Dnm- 




458 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



mer, where they ambushed a party 
of seventeen men who were march- 
ing from Hinsdale to the fort, under 
command of Ensign Thomas Taylor* 
and killed four of the party. Four 
escaped, and the remainder* with 
Ensign Taylor, were taken prisoners. 
Ensign Taylor, in a journal describ- 
ing his march to Canada* which he 
wrote after his return, describes his 
route to Crown Point, on Lake 
Champlain* as follows : “ Crossed 
the Connecticut- at a place called 
c Oatts-bane/ two or three miles 
above the mouth of West river* 
which, which we fell in with at the 
lower fork ; thence proceeded up 
that river, part of the way on the 
flats* over the ground where Capt. 
Mel vim’s affair happened* three or 
four miles below the upper fork ; 
thence to the source of the river." 
This would seem to settle the ques- 
tion conclusively, that the fight with 
Melvin's party took place some two 
hundred rods northeast of Jamaica 
village* on the banks of West river. 
At the commencement of this cen- 
tury, the graves on the Robinson 
meadow, about one hundred rods 
below Williamsville* near the left 
bank of the South branch, were 
plainly to he seen ; and the writer 
of this remembers when a hoy* as 
late as 1812, two graves were dis- 
tinctly visible on Newfane hill, and 
the current tradition was that two 
scouts from Fort Dummer were at 
one time engaged in shooting salmon 
at the mouth of the South branch* 
and being driven by the Indians to 
the summit of Newfane hill* w r ere 
killed, and afterwards buried about 
sixty rods northwest of the site of 
the old court house. The theories 
of Reckley, Belknap* and others* in 
relation to the origin of the graves 
on the Robinson meadow 7 and on 
Newfane hill* are all contradicted by 
the journals of Melvin and Stevens" 
The ploughshare has long since 
rudely obliterated every trace of 
their existence. 

RIVERS. 

The Wantastiquet* commonly ] 



called West river* rises in Weston* 
Windsor county* and, passing 
through New r fane* empties into the 
Connecticut at Brattleboro. The 
South branch* so-called* rises in 
Dover, and* after receiving a number 
of tributary streams, passes through 
the southerly part of the town and 
empties into the West river near 
the eastern boundary line of said 
town. Baker’s brook, a tributary of 
the South branch, rises in Wards- 
boro* and empties into the South 
branch at Williamsville. Smith’s 
brook rises in Wardsboro, arid* rim- 
ing through the entire northerly 
part of the town, empties into West 
river, two miles below 7 Fayetteville, 
These streams afford many eligible 
mill sites and water privileges. 

SOIL. 

The intervals afford excellent till- 
age land, and the uplands are in- 
ferior to none in the state for graz- 
ing. The town is diversified with 
high hills and deep valleys ; but 
there are no elevations that deserves 
the name of mountains ; there is 
little or no broken or waste land 
that is unsuitable for cultivation. 

GEOLOGY AM MINERALOGY. 

The geological character of the 
town is uniformly primitive ; few- 
continuous ranges can he traced 
with certainty. The rocks in place 
are principally mica slate and horn- 
blende. Granite is by no means an 
uncommon rock ; boulders and roll- 
ed masses of granite are scattered in 
profusion over every part of the 
town* and sometimes they are found 
on the summits of the highest hills 
which are composed entirely of mica 
slate. These boulders by skillful split- 
ting* are wrought into fence-posts 
and building-stone. Horn-blende 
is a very common rock ; it forms 
a range which extends through the 
entire town. It is the variety call- 
ed horn-blende slate* and is often 
curiously curved and twisted, and 
occasionally passes into primitive 
greenstone and greenstone porphyry. 
Mica slate is the most common rock 




NEWFANE. 



459 



ia town, yet 11 a connected range can which are often found alternating 
be traced. It forms the summits and with mica slate. At the time this 
frequently the sides of the hills, and mass of gold was found, it was sup- 
in the valleys it is a common rock: posed to have been apiece that was 
but horn-blende is constantly thrust- accidently lost by a band of coun- 
ing itself from underneath the mica terfeiters, who formerly resided in 
slate, and interrupting the conti- the immediate neighborhood, al- 
nuity of its ranges. In the north part though their operations were confln- 
of the town are extensive strata of | ed exclusively to the counterfeiting 
mica slate, which are occasionally of silver coin. Gold at that time 
quarried and wrought into flagging had not been discovered elsewhere 
stones. Talcose slate better deserv- in New England; but since then its 
es the name of a range than any discovery at Somerset, Plymouth, 
other in town. It traverses the Bridgewater, and other places in 
whole county, passing through Whit- Vermont, seemed to favor the theory 
ingham, Wilmington, Marlboro, that it existed originally in the bed 
Newfane, Towushend, Windham, of serpentine and talcose slate in 
Athens and Grafton. In Grafton, the west part of the town, near the 
Athens and Townshend it is extern head waters of the South Branch, 
sivelv quarried, and wrought into and was swept out of place by some 
fire-jambs, etc. There is an extern freshet and deposited in the alluvion 
sive bed of this rock in the west part | some six miles below. All the gold 
of Newfane, bordering on Wards- 1 which has thus far been found in 
boro and Dover, which, at some fu- 1 Vermont has been associated with 
ture day will he successfully the serpentine and talcose slate 
wrought, whenever the railroad fa- range, which extends from Massa- 
cilities shall be such as to furnish a chusetts north line to Canada. This 
cheap mode of conveyance to mark- town probably furnishes the richest 
et. Serpentine associated with tal- and most extensive variety of miner- 
eose slate forms a range extending als of any town in the State, 
four or five miles on the western __ 

border of the town, presenting per- the burmikg op the sawtell 
pendicular precipices m some places 

forty or fifty feet in height The family. 

crystalline appearance of this rock A melancholy catastrophe occur- 
demonstrates it to be of the most red in this town on the night of the 
primitive kind. Its texture is close, 3d of February, 1782, in the burn- 
and it is extremely tough and hard, mg of the log house of Henry Saw- 
though in some cases it is easily tell, which created great sorrow, 
broken on account of the fissures bordering upon terror, in the minds 
that pass through it. Chloride slate of the inhabitants of the vicinity, 
occurs in this town, in which is ein- for the house was not only burned, 
bedded splendid specimens of garnet. | but Mr, and Mrs. Sawtell and five 
A nugget of native gold, weighing ! children were consumed therein, 
eight and one-half ounces, was found The morning after the fire the 
in this town in 1827, about one hun- neighbors saw a cloud of smoke 
dred rods east of the village of Mil- gathered over the Sawtell place, and 
llamsville. It was of a conical smelt an unusual odor in the air 
shape, and there were adhering to it <! like burning flesh and clothing. The 
a number of small crystals of quartz, j site of the house was hidden from 
It was found in alluvion consisting j the view of all the neighboring in- 
of thin strata of sand, clay and [ habitants, being situated in a deep 
water-' worn stones. The rocks in ) valley; but as they approached the 

situ are all of a primitive class, con- 1 ruins they discovered, to their great 
sis ting of horn-hlende, horn-blende ! horror and astonishment, the Saw- 
slate and greenstone porphyry, j tell house in ashes. Some of the 




460 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



larger logs were still burning, 
and the charred bodies of 
Mr. and Mrs. Saw tell and five of 
their children were smouldering in 
the ruins. They gathered up, with 
pious care, the charred remains of 
the family, placed them in a coffin, 
and a public funeral was hoi den at 
the center of the town on the fourth, 
when a great crowd of people from 
the town and vicinity were assem- 
bled, and an appropriate sermon was 
preached by Rev. Hezekiah Taylor, 
the pastor of the church. Prom an 
old copy of his sermon, in the pos- 
session of the writer of this sketch, 
it appears that he exhorted his 
hearers not to construe this painful 
and violent death of a whole family 
as a judgment of God by reason of 
any great or unusual wickedness, 
for the manner of a personas death 
was no evidence of his righteousness 
or sinfulness before God. He ap- 
pealed in pathetic and eloquent 
terms to the neighbors and towns- 
men of the deceased family, to take 
warning by this terrible and appall- 
ing calamity to be always ready/* 
for they know not at what hour the 
Lord would come, “whether at the 
second or third watch, whether at 
nightfall or at midnight/* Mr* 
Henry Saw tell and his wife came to 
New fane about 1774, and began the 
clearing of a new farm at a point 
midway between Newfane Hill and 
Williams ville. He was highly es- 

teemed for his integrity. His wife 
was regarded as a pious, amiable 
woman, an exemplary, affectionate 
mother. After having undergone 
the hardships and vicissitudes at- 
tending the commencement of a new 
settlement, though not wealthy, Mr. 
Sawtell was in comfortable circum- 
stances, and contemplated the erec- 
tion of a more convenient and suita- 
ble dwelling for his family. But 
fate had decreed “ that but for a 
little time ” and they would need no 
earthly dwelling. 

THE OLD SHIBE VILLAGE. 

In the early settlement of the 



town, a village grew up on the sum- 
mit of a hill, which rose like a cone 
in the center of the town, and in 
1787 Newfane was constituted the 
shire town of Windham county, and 
the courts were removed from West- 
minster to Newfane Hill, so called. 
Prom 1790 to 1820, the village con- 
sisted of a court house, jail, meeting 
house, academy, three stores, two 
hotels, a variety of shops, such as 
were found in all New England 
villages at an early day, and about 
twenty private residences. The 
village stood upon the summit of 
the hill, and afforded a prospect as 
extensive and picturesque as any in 
New England. Prom the summit, 
near the meeting house, might he 
seen not less than fifty townships, 
lying in Vermont, New Hampshire 
and Massachusetts. On the west, 
Haystack in Wilmington, and 
Manicknung in Stratton, towered 
above the ridge of the Green moun- 
tains which formed the western 
boundary of the county. On the 
north, Ascutney was plainly visible 
to the naked eye< and on a clear 
summer day, the White Hills in New 
Hampshire could be distinctly seen 
by the aid of a telescope. The 
Highlands of New Hampshire and 
Massachusetts, extending for a dis- 
tance of more than eighty miles from 
Sunnapee to Holyoke, were distinct- 
ly visible on the east, while Monad- 
nock and Wachusett, with their 
cloud-capped summits, seemed to 
mingle with the heavens; and along 
the margin of the horizon to the 
southeast, little was to he seen but a 
broad sea of mountain tops, display- 
ing, in wild disorder, ridge above 
ridge, and peak above peak, until 
the distant view w r as lost among the 
clouds. 

SITE OF THE HEW SHIBE. 

In 1825, the site of the public 
buildings were changed from New- 
fane Hill to what is now called Fay- 
etteville, a village two miles east of 
the old centre in the valley of the 
Wantastiqnet or West river. The 




NEWFANE. 



461 



present site of the shire is three 
miles east of the geographical cen- 
tre of the county, and one mile 
south of the centre of population. 
It is easy of access from all parts of 
the country, A new court house 
and jail were erected at an expense 
of $10,000. In 1853, by act of the 
General' Assembly, commissioners 
were appointed, who altered and im- 
proved the public buildings at a 
cost of $13,000. After the removal 
of the shire from the hill to the val- 
ley below, the owners of the real 
estate on the hill commenced re- 
moving their buildings to Fayette- 
ville and Williamsville, the two vil- 
lages that have sprung up since the 
removal of the public buildings, and 
as late as 1860 not a building re- 
mained to mark the pleasant site of 
the old shire of Windham county. 
Fayetteville, the present site of the 
shire, has entirely grown up since 
1825. 

TOWX CLERKS. 

The following is a list of the town 
clerks from the first organization of 
the town, in 1774, to the present 
time: 

Luke Knowlfcon, from 1774 to 
1783; IJezekiah Boyden, from 1783 
to 1784; Luke Knowlton, 1784 to 
1789 ; Calvin Knowlton, from 1789 
to 1792; Nathan Stone, from 1792 
to 1834; Joseph Ellis, from 1834 to 
1836 ; William H. Hodges, from 
1836 to 1839; Otis Warren, from 
1839 to 1867; Marshall Newton, 
from 1867 to 1868; Dennis A. Dick- 
enson, from 1868 — . 

REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL 
ASSEMBLY. 

Ebenezer Myrick, 1779; William 
Ward, 1780; Ebenezer Myrick, 1781; 
Daniel Taylor, 1782 ; William 
Ward, 1783 ; Luke Knowlton, 
1784-5; Wm. Ward, 1786-7; Luke 
Knowlton, 1788-9 : Calvin Knowl- 
ton, 1790-91 ; Luke Knowl- 
ton, 1792; Moses Kenny, 1793; 
Ebenezer Allen, 1794 to 1804; Luke 
Knowlton, 1805-6; Elijah Elmer, 



1807; Joseph Ellis, 1808-9; Martin 
Field, 1810; Sylvanus Sherwin, 
1811 ; Luke Knowlton, 1812-13 ; 
John Brooks, 1814; Luke Knowl- 
ton, 1815; Sylvanus Sherwin, 1816; 
Horace Dunham, 1817 ; Luke 
Knowlton, 1818 ; Martin Field, 
1819; Sylvanus Sherwin, 1820; Mar- 
tin Field, 1821; Sylvanus Sherwin, 
1822; Jason Duncan, 1823-4 ; Syl- 
vanus Sherwin, 1825; William H. 
Williams, 1826; D. W. Sanborn, 
1827 ; Sylvanus Sherwin, 1828 ; 
Joseph Ellis, 3829-30; Henry Whee- 
lock, 1831-2 ; George Williams, 
1833-4; Boswell M. Field, 1835-6 
James Elliott, 1837-8 ; Walter 
Eager, 1839; Nahum Eager, 1840-1; 
Walter Eager, 1842; Otis Warren, 
1843-4; Oliver P. Morse, 1845; no 
representative in 1846 ; Marshall 
Newton, 1847; George Arnold, 1848; 
Sir Isaac Newton, 1849-50; F. O. 
Burditt, 1851-2 ; Chas. K. Field, 
1853-4-5; Marshall Newton, 1856; 
Otis Warren, 1857; Emory Whee- 
lock, 1858 ; Otis Warren, 1859 ; 
Charles K. Field, 1860; 0. L. Sher- 
man, 1861-2; A. J. Morse, 1863-4; 
H. T. Bobinson, 1865-6; John Bice, 
1867; Holland Plimpton, 1868; E. 
P. Wheeler, 1869; Dana I). Dickin- 
son, 1870-72; Alvin B. Franklin, 
1874-76 ; John H. Merrifield, 
1878-80; M. O. Howe, 1882; Alvin 
B. Franklin, 1884 ; Charles E. 
Sparks, 1886; Albert T. Warren, 
1888; Chester E. Perry, 1890. 

PERVERSION OR LEGAL MAXIMS. 

By a strange perversion of legal 
principles, which prevailed among 
the early settlers of Windham coun- 
ty, it was supposed that whoever 
married a widow who was adminis- 
tratrix upon the estate of her de- 
ceased husband represented insol- 
vent, and should thereby possess 
himself of any property or thing 
which had been purchased by the 
deceased husband, would become an 
executor de son tort, and would 
thereby make himself liable to an- 
swer for the goods and estate of his 
predecessor. To avoid this diffi- 




462 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



cnlty, Major Moses Joy, of Putney, 
who became enamored of Mrs. Han- 
nah Ward of Newfane, the widow 
of William Ward, who died about 
1788 leaving an insolvent estate, of 
which Mrs. Ward was administra- 
trix, and married her within three 
months after taking out letters of 
administration. The marriage took 
place in the old Field Mansion on 
Newfane Hill, February 22, A. D. 
1789, and was solemnized by Rev. 
Hezekiah Taylor. Mrs. Ward 
placed herself in a closet, with 
a tire -worn an, who stripped her 
of all her clothing, and while in 
a perfectly nude state, she thrust 
her fair, round arm through a dia- 
mond hole in the door of the closet, 
and the gallant major clasped the 
hand of the widow, and was mar- * 
ried in due form by the jolliest par- j 
son in Vermont. At the close of j 
the ceremony, the tire- woman j 
dressed the bride in a complete 
wardrobe which the major had pro- 
vided and caused to be deposited in 
the closet at the commencement of 
the ceremony. She came out ele- 
gantly dressed in silk, satin and 
lace. A similar marriage took place 
in Westminster, in this county. 
See HalPs History of Eastern Ver- 
mont, page 585. 

An instance, illustrating the 
strange perversion of legal maxims 
which prevailed among our ances- 
tors at an early day, fell under the 
observation of the writer of this 
sketch. The Hon. Luke Knowlton, 
Sen., died December 12, 1810, and, 
at the time of his decease, there 
were many unsatisfied judgments; 
existing against him. The morn- ] 
ing after his decease, a creditor who 
had obtained a judgment of about 
forty dollars, applied to the late j 
General Field, his attorney, for an | 
execution with which he could seize \ 
the body and commit it to prison, 
hoping thereby to wring the amount 
thereof from the relatives and 
friends of the debtor. But the at- 
torney refused to have an execution 
issued, insisting that it would be re- 
garded as an outrage to take the 



dead body of a debtor and commit 
the same to prison. The prevailing 
notion at that time was that inas- 
much as the execution run against 
the body, that the officer might take 
the body of the debtor, .whether 
dead or alive, and commit the same 
to the common jail. The same 
notion prevailed in England as late 
as 1816. The creditors of the elo- 
quent Richard Brinsley Sheridan, 
just before his decease, in July, 
1816, became so clamorous that they 
caused a sheriffs officer to arrest the 
dying man in his bed and was about 
to carry him ofi in his blankets to a 
sponging house, when the attending 
physician interfered, and by repre- 
senting to the officer the responsi- 
bility he must incur, if, as was too 
probable, his prisoner should expire 
on the way, succeeded in averting 
the outrage. 

In the Vermont Republican , 
printed at Rrattlehoro, in July, 
1855, a story is told of a custom 
which prevailed in this county at an 
early day, of holding even the dead 
body of a debtor liable to arrest, and 
that a case occurred in the town of 
; Dummerston, when a dead body 
| was arrested on its way to the grave 
and detained, until some of the 
friends u backed the writ,” and thus 
became bail for the debtor's appear- 
ance at court. As the return day of 
the writ was put far ahead the de- 
fendant was in no condition to ap- 
pear and consequently “ lurched his 
bail,” In 1820 Dr. John Campbell 
of Putney, had obtained a judgment 
against Anthony Jones and Joel 
Lee, upon a jail bond executed by 
Jones and Lee. By virtue of an ex- 
ecution issued upon said judgment, 
Lee was arrested and confined in 
the common jail, on Newfane Hill, 
and under the law which prevailed 
in this State at that time be was not 
entitled to the privilege of the jail 
yard, but was subjected to close con- 
finement, He died within the pris- 
on, in the summer of 1820, and his 
son requested the privilege of taking 
his body away for the purpose . of 
burying it in the- cemetery at Brook- 




NEWFANE. 



463 



line, with his relatives and friends, | 
but the jailer refused to permit the j 
body to be taken away; insisting if j 
he permitted the body to be re- 
moved it would be regarded as an 
escape, and he and his bail would 
be made liable to satisfy the original 
judgment, and not until the cred- 
itors had consented, would the jailor 
permit the body to be removed, 

THE WHIPPING POST. 

I 

At an early day corporal punish- 
ments were inflicted at every term 
of the Court on Newfane Hill. The 
writer of this sketch, when a mere 
boy, well remembers witnessing the 
whipping of old Mother White, of 
Wardsboro, in August, 180?'. She | 
was convicted of passing counterfeit | 
money, and sentenced to receive 
thirty-nine lashes upon her bare 
back, A great crowd of men and 
women collected to witness the 
whipping. The Poet was in the 
form of a cross, with a transverse | 
strip near the top, to which her hare 
arms were hound, and her body was 
stripped to the waist. The High 
Sheriff applied a certain number of 
stripes, and the balance w T ere allott- 
ed to his Deputies, some seven in 
number, and some of whom applied 
the blows with great vigor. Near 
the close of the whipping her back 
became raw, and she suffered exces- 
sive pain and she shrieked and scream- 
ed terribly in her agony. The wri- 
ter of this sketch, although very 
young, remembers the scene distinct- 
ly. The Meeting House and Acad- 
emy stood a few r rods above the site 
of the Whipping Post, and their 
windows were filled with women, 
gazing intently upon the revolting 
scene. This was probably the last 
woman publicly whipped in Ver- 
mont, for the Legislature abolished 
the Whipping Poso that fall and 
provided for the building of a States 
Prison at Windsor. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

HOH. LUKE KNOWLTON, 

was born in Shrewsbury, Mass,, 
Nov. 4, 1738. He served as a soldier 
in the old French War, and in 1759 
was stationed at Crown Point awhile, 
and suffered great hardships during 
his march from Crown Point to 
Charlestown, No. 4. From a jour- 
nal he kept during his service as a 
soldier, we learn that his company, 
in marching through the wilderness, 
exhausted their stock of provisions 
and were obliged to kill a pack-horse 
to save themselves from starvation. 
He married Sarah, daughter of 
Ephriam Holland, of Shrewsbury, 
Mass,, January 5, 1760, and 

with his family moved to Newfane 
in Feb. 1773, which was the four- 
teenth family that settled in town. 
He continued to reside in this town 
until his death, which occurred Dec. 
IB, 1810, at the age of 73 years. His 
wife died Sept, 1, 1797. He was 
chosen first Town Clerk, at the or- 
ganization of the town in 1774, and 
continued to hold that position for 
fourteen years. He was Town Rep- 
resentative in the General Assembly 
of the State of Vermont during the 
years 1784, 85, 88, 89, 92, 1803 and 
1806, and a member of the old 
Council from 1790 to 1800; Judge 
of the Supreme Court in 1786 and a 
Judge of the Windham County 
Court from 1787 to 1793. 

He was a Loyalist, and in conse- 
quence of the great sacrifices he 
made in behalf of the British Gov- 
ernment, in the early part of the 
Revolutionary war, he received a 
large and valuable grant of land in 
Lower Canada, upon a part of which 
the present town of Sherbrooke is 
built. 

Previous to the year 1784 Judge 
Knowlton gave in his adherence to 
the government of Vermont, and 
voluntarily became a citizen of the 
State. He was liberal and generous 
to the poor, entered heartily and 
zealously into all the public enter- 
prises of the day, gave to the County 
of Windham the land for a common 




464 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



on Newfane hill, at the time of the 
removal of the shire from Westmin-! 
ster to Newfane, and contributed | 
largely towards the erection of the 
first Court House and Jail in New- 
fane. His family consisted of seven 
children, three sons and four daugh- 
ters, as follows: 

Calvin, born in lr 61, died January 
20, 1800; a graduate of Dartmouth 
college, class of 1783; married Sophia | 
Willard, of Petersham, Mass., in 
1793; studied law and practised his 
profession in Newfane until he died. 
Patty, born in 1762, died in Ohio in 
1S14. Sh® married Daniel Warner, 
and was the grandmother of Hon. 
Willard Warner, late United States 
Senator from Alabama, and a mem- 
ber of General Sherman's staff in 
his celebrated “March to the Sea.” 
Silas, born 1764, married Sarah Hol- 
brook at Newfane, November 30, 
1786, died in Canada aged eighty. 
Sarah, born May 2, 1767, married 
John Holbrook at Newfane, Novem- 
ber 30, 1780. She died March 22, 
1851. Alice married Nathan Stone 
April 24, 1788. She died November 
14, 1865. Lucinda, born August 8, 
1771, married Samuel Willard. They 
lived awhile in Sheldon, Vt.; from 
thence they removed to Canada 
where she died, May 4, 1800. 

Luke Knowlton, jr., was born in j 
Newfane, March 24, 1775; died at j 
Broome township, Canada East, 
September 17, 1855, aged eighty. : 
Luke Knowlton's grandsons were 
men of marked ability, among whom 
were Paul Holland Knowlton, 
Broome township, Lower Canada, j 
son of Silas Knowlton, who occupied 
distinguished political positions in 
the province, and was for many 
years a member of the Canadian 
Parliament: Rev. JohnC. Holbrook, 
of Syracuse, N. T., an eloquent di- 
vine, highly esteemed for his piety 
and learning; Hon. Willard Warner, 
of Alabama; Hon. George W r . 
Knowlton, of Watertown N. Y.; 
Hon. Frederick Holbrook, of Brat- 
tleboro, who for two years during 
the War of the Rebellion, was Gov- 
ernor of the State of Vermont, and 



who in the discharge of his official 
duties exercised the prudence and 
discretion, united with the energy 
and ability which characterized his 
worthy ancestor, the subject of this 
notice. 

BET. HEZEKIAH TAYLOR, 

the first pastor of the Oongrega- 
[ tional church in Newfane was born 
An Grafton, Mass., in 1748; gradu- 
ated at Harvard college in 1770, and 
was settled as pastor of the Oongre- 
| gational church in Newfane the 30th 
day of June, 1774. The church 
was organized the same day of his 
settlement, and at that time there 
were but fourteen families in the 
j town, and the church consisted of 
I only nine members. He died August 
1 23, 1814. He was possessed of a 
: firm and vigorous constitution, of 
! great endurance, an indomitable 
| will, and a resolution unshaken by 
the care of his flock and the labor 
and hardship incident to the early 
settlement of the town. Possessing 
habits of great industry, with a lib- 
eral education, and a disposition of 
great kindness and benevolence 
toward all with whom he was con- 
nected, he faithfully ministered to 
the spiritual and temporal wants of 
his people. Of an exceedingly genial 
temperament, overflowing with wit 
and humor, he was the delight and 
ornament of the social circle. His 
efforts and example contributed em- 
inently to the happiness and pros- 
perity of the early inhabitants of the 
town, 

HOST. EBEKEZER ABLEST 

was born in Medway, Mass., 1758; 
removed to Newfane in 1785. He 
| represented the town in the General 
! Assembly, for ten years, from 1794 
i to 1804, He was for a time a Judge 
j of the County Court, also a Judge 
| of Probate for the District of Marl- 
;boro, and was actively engaged in 
: public business until his, death De- 
■ cember 16, 1805. He was an enter- 
prising, active, and eminently prac- 
tical man, and highly esteemed for 
his patriotism and public spirit. 




NEWFANE. 



465 



EEY. A A BOX CBOSBY. 

Born in Shrewsbury, Mass,, No- 
vember 27, 1744; graduated at 

Harvard in 1770, married Mary 
Taylor, sister of Rev, Hezekiah 
Taylor, August 22, 1774. His family 
resided in Newfane from 1774 until 
his death, in 1824, with the excep- 
tion of the term of his pastorate over 
the church in Dommerston, Vt., 
from 1784 to 1804, He died Jan- 
uary 13, 1824. He w r as for many 
years a missionary among the Indians 
on the head waters of the Susque- 
hanna. He acted under the patron- 
age of a society in Scotland, The 
war of the Revolution interrupted 
his labors and compelled him to 
return to New England. 

WABD EAGEK. 

BY HIS GRANBDAUGH'TEB, MRS. FAKNY A, BAKES. 

OF PUTNEY, VERMONT. 

The subject of our sketch, son of 
Bezaleel and Persis Eager, was born 
in North boro, Mass., April, 1750. 
His mothers maiden name was 
Ward, and she was related to the I 
Wards of Wocester County, Mass,, 
who distinguished themselves in 
the^ war of the Revolution by 
their patriotism and loyalty. 
He came to Newfane about 
the time of the commencement of i 
the war, in which he served awhile 1 
as a soldier. He was engaged in the 
battles of Bennington and Saratoga, 
but the perils he encountered and 
the hardships lie endured he never 
communicated to his family in after 
years, for he wa-s excessively modest | 
and taciturn, and never talked of j 
himself. The musket and cartridge J 
box he bore at the battle of Betming- ! 
ton and the taking of Burgovne at : 
Saratoga, he retained with scrupu- j 
lous care until his decease. He came I 
to Newfane "when it was little more ; 
than a wilderness, and when the | 
land he purchased was .a dense forest. I 
He married a Mrs. Abigail Pike, a 1 
widow lady, whose maiden name was I 
Holland. 

He cherished a passionate found- 1 
ness for mathematical studies, par- 1 



| ticularly geometry, and for many 
! years was the only practical surveyor 
| in the town and vicinity. He took 
| a lively interest in the study of 
| astronomy, and prepared the astro- 
nomical calculations for two or three 
almanacs. The only office he was 
ever known to accept wuie that of 
Town Treasurer, which he held for 
many years. He was reticent, taciturn 
and generally regarded as unsocial, 
for he loved seclusion and quiet, and 
much preferred his books to a free 
social intercourse with his neigh- 
bors, or the society of the many cul- 
tivated men for which the town was 
distinguished at an early day. He 
i was a member of the Congregational 
church, although he differed with 
his bretheren upon the subject of 
baptism. It is said of him that 
without consulting his family or 
friends he quietly rode away one 
Sabbath morning into a neighboring 
town and received the ordinance of 
baptism by immersion, and the fact 
was studiously concealed from his 
| family for a long time. Quietly and 
i serenely, in the retirement he so 
much loved and coveted, his days 
passed, away until his life had reach- 
ed almost four score years, when he 
died, March 24, 1824. He left at 
his death three sons and three 
daughters. 

His sons, Benjamin, Nahum, and 
Walter, were prominent men in town, 
distinguished for their enterprise, 
probity and practical good sense. 
Nahum and Walter Eager represent- 
ed the town two years, respectively, 
in the General Assembly of this 
State, and for more than thirty 
years they filled many of the most 
responsible offices in town. 

GEK. MABTOT FIELD, 

was bom in Leavitt, Mass., Febru- 
ary 12, 1773; graduated at Williams 
College in 1798, and received the 
honorary degree of A. M, from Dart- 
mouth College in 1805. He studied 
law with his uncle, Lucius Hub- 
hard, Esq., of Chester, Vt., and 
upon the decease of Calvin Knowl- 
ton, in 1800, and at the special in- 




468 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



stance and request of Hon. Luke 
Knowlton, he came to Newfane in 
January, 1800, and entered upon 
the practice of law. He married 
Esther Smith Kellogg, daughter of 
Daniel Kellogg, of Amherst, Mass., 
February 21, 1802, an accomplished 
lady of fine personal appearance, of 
great goodness and exemplary piety, 
lie was indebted, in a great measure, 
for his success in life to her great 
industry, prudence and discretion. 
She died June 8, 1867, aged 88 
years, surviving her husband thirty- 
four years. He was full of anec- 
dotes, and could tell a story with 
inimitable grace. His forensic ef- 
forts abounded -with flashes of wit 
and occasional bursts of caustic sar- 
casm and biting ridicule, which he 
could use with great skill and effect. 
These peculiar powers rendered him 
a popular and distinguished jury 
advocate. He was eminently suc- 
cessful in his profession, and for 
nearly thirty years enjoyed a large 
and lucrative practice, which he was 
compelled to abandon by reason of 
his excessive deafness. On relin- 
quishing his practice he commenced 
the study of Geology and Mineralo- 
gy, and by great perseverence and 
industry he collected w T hat, at that 
time, was regarded as the rarest and 
most extensive cabinet of minerals 
in the State. A few years since it 
was generously given to Middle bury 
College by his widow, Mrs. E. S. 
Field. He was, for ten years. State's 
Attorney for Windham county, and 
repeatedly represented the town of 
Newfane in the General Assembly 
and Constitutional Conventions. In 
1819 he was elected Major General 
of the first division of the Vermont 
militia. 

He died at his residence in Fay- 
etteville, October 3d, A. D. 1833, 
aged 80 years. 

ROSWELL MARTIN FIELD, 

son of Gen. Martin Field, was born 
in Newfane, February 22, 1807, died 
at Bt. Louis, Mo., July 12, 1869. 
He fitted for college with Rev. 
Luke Whitcomb, of Townshend, 



Vt., and entered Middlebury college 
in the autumn of 1818, at eleven 
years of age. Graduating in 1822, 
he studied law with Hon. Daniel 
Kellogg, of Rockingham, Vt., and 
was admitted to practice in Septem- 
ber, 1825, at eighteen years of age. 
He practiced law in Windham 
county from 1825 to 1839, when he 
removed to St. Louis, where he re- 
mained until his death. He repre- 
sented the town of Newfane in the 
General Assembly of this State dur- 
ing the years 1835 and 1836. He 
was elected State's Attorney for 
Windham county in 1832, 1833, 1834 
and 1835. While a member of' the 
Legislature in 1835, he wrote an 
able report in favor of abrogating 
the rule of the common law exclud- 
ing atheists from giving testimony 
in courts of justice. The proposi- 
tion failed of adoption, but in 1851 
it was renewed by Hon. Loyal 0. 
Kellogg, of Benson, then a member 
of the House of Representatives, and 
passed into a law. Since that period, 
“no person is deemed incompetent 
as a witness in any court matter or 
proceeding on account of his opin- 
ions on matters of religious belief.” 
The special pleas which he drew and 
filed in the libel suit of Torrev vs. 
Field, reported in the tenth volume 
of Vermont reports, were declared by 
Judge Story to he masterpieces of 
special pleading. He was a finished 
scholar, and read Greek, Latin, 
French, German and Spanish, be- 
sides having an extensive acquaint- 
ance with English literature and 
general science. He could speak with 
greater facility, not only French hut 
German. Itw r as as a lawyer that he 
won his great distinction. When 
he went to St. Louis, in 1839, he 
had to contend with such men as 
Benton, Gamble and Bates. To 
none of these was he second in legal 
attainments, sound judgment and 
keen foresight. As an advocate he 
was eloquent, and as a lawyer, learn- 
ed. His first distinction at the bar 
was obtained in cases involving the 
intricate old Spanish claims, which 
he mastered at an early day. His 




NEWFANE. 



m 



opinions always liad great weight in 
the Superior Courts of the State, 
and at the time of his decease, he 
was esteemed as the ablest lawyer at 
the Missouri bar* He gained a na- 
tional reputation in the famous Dred 
Scott case, which he started and 
carried on until the appeal was en- 
tered in the United States Supreme 
Court, when he turned it over to 
Montgomery Blair, then residing at 
Washington. In the dark days of 
the rebellion, during the years *1861 
and 1862, when the friends of the) 
Union in St. Louis and Missouri! 
felt that they were in imminent | 
danger of being driven from their 
homes and their estates confiscated 
by rebels and traitors, Gen. Lyon, 
Gen. Blair, and R. M. Field were 
among the calm, loyal and patriotic 
men who influenced public action 
and saved the city and State. 

Eugene Field of Chicago, son of 
Boswell M. Field, is one of the lead- 
ing humorous newspaper writers of 
the country. Several volumes of his 
character sketches and short poems 
have been published. 

WILLIAM II. WILLIAMS, 

son of Larkin and Anna Williams, 
and grandson of Col. Abraham Wil- 
liams, was horn in Chester, Mass,, 
February 24, 11 1 6. At an early age 
he was bound out to a farmer who 
proved to be a hard master, depriv- 
ing him almost entirely of school 
privileges. He came to Newfane, in 
October, 1197, and took charge of 
the cloth dressing and oil making 
works of Thomas and Darius Wheel- 
er. In 1801, he bought the mills of 
the Wheeler's and worked them 
until his decease. He engaged in 
the mercantile business in 1814, and 
continued in trade for more than 
forty years. During the war of 
1812 he was extensively engaged in 
the manufacture of potash and 
woolen cloth. He erected a large 
flouring mill, also a carding machine 
and saw-mill. 

He was a resident of ISFewfane 
about 70 years, gave a name to the 
village where he resided and died; 



contributed largely towards the erec- 
tion of the village church in 1834, 
and was at all times liberal and gen- 
erous in his donations for the sup- 
port of the gospel. 

He was a member of the Metho- 
dist church, represented the town 
in the General Assembly, filled 
many municipal offices and faith- 
fully discharged the duties incident 
to the same. He "was enterprising, 
industrious and eminently practical 
in all his views and efforts. He was 
libera] in his contributions for the 
furtherance of all public enterprises 
which stimulated the growth and 
prosperity of the town, and although 
he suffered severely by fire and flood 
at different times during his life, yet 
by his untiring industry and perse- 
verance he repaired alibis losses and 
accumulated a handsome fortune, 
which he left to his family. He 
married Abigail Robinson, October 
17, 1802. She was born March 25, 
1781, died July 6, 1821. He mar- 
ried Rosanna Miller for his second 
wife, February 22, 1826. She was 
born May 19, 1794; died Oet. 1, 
1884. He died Dec. '9, 1866. Here 
follows the names, births and deaths 
of his children, only two of whom 
survived him: 

George Williams, horn September 

14, 1803, died May 26, 1841. 

Anna Williams, horn January 24, 

1805, died January 26, 1805. 

Hastings Williams, horn March 5, 

1806, died December 26, 1808. 

Mary Williams, born May 26, 

1808, died May 27, 1834. She mar- 
ried Roswell Robertson, January 26, 
1831. 

Sarah R. Williams, born March 
30, 1810. Married Roswell Robert- 
son, December 10, 1835, and died 
October 9, 1839. 

Louisa Williams, born October 
26, 1811, married John A Merri- 
field, Januarv 17, 1843, died Aug. 

15, 1884. 

William L. Williams, born Dec. 
9, 1813, died at Dubuque, Iowa, 
January 11, 1864. 

Abigail E. Williams, horn March 




468 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



3, 181 6 ? married Charles Converse, 
of Ohio, September 25, 1808, died— 
John W . Williams, born January 
9, 1818, married Gertrude Brown, | 
April 22, 1841, and died May 25, 
1851. 

DANIEL FISHER, 

was born in Newfane in February, 
1776, died August 17, 1862, aged 86, 
He married, for his first wife, Milli- 
eent Durren, of Newfane, in 1797. 
She died in 1813. He married, for 
his second wife. Miss Priscilla Rit- 
ter, of Walpole, N. H., in Septem- 
ber, 1815. She died June 9, 1862. 
His children, by his first wife, were 
Clark Fisher; Lydia, who married 
Nathaniel Sampson, of Brattleboro; 
Orrison Fisher; Caroline, who mar- 
ried Richmand Dunklee of New- 
fane; Millicent, who married 
Richard P. Pratt, of Newfane; 
Hannah, who married Isaac Bur- 
nett, of Dummerston, and Simon 
Fisher, the only surviving son. Dan- 
iel Fisher, Sr., the father of the 
subject of this sketch, was born in 
Milford, Mass., in 1752, and removed 
to Newfane in 1774. He purchased 
a large amount of real estate, situate 
in the eastern portion of the town, i 
supposed to exceed one thousand 
acres in quantity, and embracing 
within its limits the fertile and pro- 
ductive meadows on West river. Atj 
an early day he was known and 
called by the name of Corn Fisher, 
for the reason that he raised upon 
his meadows great crops of Indian 
corn, which he sold to the early set- 
tlers on the hills and mountains 
west of Newfane. He was exceed- 
ingly thrifty and prudent, and at 
his decease he left a large estate. 
He died in 1820, aged 68. Daniel 
Fisher, the subject of this sketch, 
inherited a large property from his 
father, which he judiciously distrib- 
uted among his cliildren and grand- 
children before his decease. He w T as 
generous and even munificent in his 
donations and subscriptions for vari- 
ous public enterprises. He was distin- 
guished for his integrity and benev- 
olence, cordial and kindly in his 



greetings and generous in his hospi- 
talities; liberal and kind to the poor 
and suffering, never closing his door 
or his hand to their applications for 
relief. He was of a tall, command- 
ing figure, and manly and dignified 
in his deportment. He early united 
with the FirstOongregational church 
in Newfane, and died at an advanc- 
ed age, universally respected and 
beloved for his integrity and benev- 
olence. The father and son were 
both distinguished for their practi- 
cal good sense, and were often elect- 
ed to the most important municipal 
offices in town, and faithfully dis- 
charged their official duties. 



GEN. PARDON T. KIMBALL. 

Born in Newfane, July 2, 1797, 
died April 5, 1873. He was nearly 
76 years of age at the time of his 
decease. His death resulted from 
injuries received by a fall from his 
carriage, in the month of November, 
1872. He was greatly distinguished 
for his energy and enterprise. He 
represented Windham County in the 
State Senate for two years, and for 
the last 50 years of his life he had 
filled the most important municipal 
offices in his native town. As a cit- 
izen he faithfully discharged all his 
duties, and greatly distinguished 
himself by the zeal and energy with 
which he entered into all the enter- 
prises which were calculated to pro- 
mote the growth and prosperity of 
liis native town. He was munifi- 
cent in his contributions for public 
improvements, and generous and 
liberal in his gifts for the relief of 
the suffering poor. It was often- 
times said of him, that he had a 
great heart and it was in the right 
place. His friendships were endur- 
ing, and his heart was full of the 
kindest charities for the poor and of 
sympathy for the suffering and dis- 
tressed. 

DEACON MOSES KENNEY, 

was bom in Northboro, Mass,, 
Sept. 11, 1747, died in Newfane, 




MBWEANB. 



469 ' 



Jane 23, 1808, aged 61 years. He j 
was supposed to have descended 
from a family by the name of Keayne, 
as there were many of that name in 
the vicinity of Boston and Lynn 
from 1630 to 1670, and none by the 
name of Kenney until after that 
period. (See Shurtliffg Records, 
second volume.) He married Azu- ! 
bah Par men ter, about the year 1770. 
She was born in Sudbury Mass., Jam 

17, 1751, and died in Xewfane, Jan. 
3, 1837. They removed to Newfane 
during the year 1774. They had 12 
children, four of whom died in infan- 
cy and early childhood. The others 
all lived to in age past middle life. 
Sally, who married Zadock Chapin, 
was bom Sept. 11, 1771, removed to 
Pennsylvania with her husband, and 
died in 1831. John, bom April 18, 
1773, died in rSFewfane Sept. 6, 
1849. Lucy, wife of Oapt. Chan- 
dler Carter, born August 27, 
1777, died in Kewfane in 1825. 
Captain Carter was a prominent 
citizen, a skillful mechanic, a fine 
military officer, highly respected for 
his honesty and industry. " He died 
in Michigan about 1864. Halloway 
Kenney, born February 18, 1781, 
removed to Lower Canada, and the 
day and place of his death is un- 
known. Charlotte, born May 26, 
1783, died in Lower Canada, Febru- 
ary 22, 1843. She married Luke 
Knowlton, jr ; , of JSTewfane, March 

18, 1799. Silas Kenney was bom 
April 12, 1785, died May 5, 1863. 
In 1813 and 1814 he commanded a 
company of cavalry composed of 
citizens of Newfane and Wardsboro, 
While he held a subordinate position 
in the company, and it was 
under the command of Captain 
Barnard, of Wardsboro, they as- 
sembled at the dwelling-house of 
Silas Kenney, and ascending a 
stone wall which he had just com- 
pleted, they marched and conter- 
marched upon its top which 
was at least six feet across. The 
wall was built upon the roadside and 
twenty rods or more in length. 
After his discharge from the com- 
mand of the cavalry company he or- 



I ganized and commanded a company 
of riflemen, who were the pride and 
boast of the town, the rank and file 
numbering not less than one hun- 
dred tall and stalwart men, beauti- 
fully uniformed with green frocks, 
and caps ornamented with black 
plumes. For a few years it was re- 
' garded as the best drilled and most 
attractive military company in the 
State. 

Olive, wife of Jonathan Hall, was 
born April 25, 1787. Mounds Ken- 
ney, born December 10, 1788, died 
April 5, 1863. He fitted for college 
at the old academy on Kewfane hill 
graduated at Middlebury college' 
studied law and practiced his pro- 
fession in Townshend, Yi, for a 
number of years represented the 
town of Townshend in the State 
Legislature many times. In 1830 
he removed to Webster, Washtenaw 
county, Michigan. While living in 
Michigan he was a prominent and 
influential citizen of the town and 
county where he resided. Sewell 
Kenney, bom April 1, 1791, died in 
Chicago, Illinois, October 14, 1844. 

Deacon Kenney possessed a vigo- 
rous and robust constitution, ancfin 
all his farm labors was exceedingly 
active and industrious. He left a 
large estate to his children, and of 
the thousand acres or more of wild 
forest land which he originally pur- 
chased, he had cleared and fenced, 
with heavy stone wall, more than 
six hundred and fifty acres. He 
built the first grist mill in town, at 
the outlet of Kenney Pond, so- 
called, within a hundred rods of his 
homestead ; represented the town in 
the General Assembly, filled many 
municipal offices in the town, was a 
deacon in the church at the time of 
his decease, and. in all his relations 
in life was distinguished for his in- 
dustry, probity and public spirit. 

EXTRACTS PROM REMINISCENCES OF 

MARSHALL NEWTON (GUNSMITH) 
AMT) HIS CHILDREN, AS WRIT- 
TEN IN 1854, RY RET. 

E. H. NEWTON. 

Marshall Newton (gunsmith), of 




m 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Shrewsbury, Mass., married, first | 
Mrs. Eunice Taylor Howe, and to 
them were born Daniel, Eunice and 
Marshall. His second wife was Mrs. 
Hannah Willard Roberts, and they 
had two sons, Calvin and Liberty. 
He was lieutenant in the French 
and Indian war and furnished three 
sons for the American army of the 
Revolution. After the war Daniel 
lived in Shoreham, Yt., in whose 
settlement and improvements he 
was active. Liberty lived in Shore- 
ham and Ticonderoga, N. Y. Eunice 
married Col. Ephraim Holland, a 
soldier of Boylston, Mass., whose s 
two sisters’ Tory husbands fled to 
Vermont to escape the indignation 
of the Whigs, and took refuge in 
Newfane, where Col. and Eunice 
Holland afterward settled. 

Of Calvin Newton no record can 
be found. 

Marshall Newton, third child of 
Marshall Newton (gimsmith), was 
bom in Shrewsbury in 1757. He 
served seven years in the war, re- 
turned to Shrewsbury and engaged 
in money speculations; thence went 
to Shoreham, Yt., where he sur- 
veyed the township into lots, in 
company with Timothy Ohipman. 
He then bought land in its wild 
state on Newfane Hill and erected a 
blacksmith shop. In 1788 he mar- 
ried Lydia Newton of Shrewsbury 
and settled in Newfane. For close 
attention to business, laborious and 
persevering toil be was scarcely ex- 
celled. Possessing means to stock 
his shop and carry on his business 
to advantage he kept work on hand 
for the farmer and mechanic. Tools 
of every description and the nails 
used in construction of all the vicin- 
ity buildings were made in his shop. 
Nothing in the w r ay of barter was 
refused for his work and he waited 
patiently for his pay. He took a 
deep interest in the education of 
children, was active in the erection 
of an academy, and a liberal con- 
tributor to improvements of the 
place. He seldom left his home yet 
was very hospitable. The example 
of his industry and economy will 
prove a fortune to the possessor. 



Children of Marshall and Lydia 
Newton : Ephraim H., married 

Huldah Ohipman; Eunice T., mar- 
ried Oapt. Siias Kenny; Isaac, mar- 
ried Patty Bartlett; Daniel, mar- 
ried Eunice Clemens. 

Twin sons, died day of birth. 
Hannah, married Rev. Bliss Bur- 
nap: Louisa, married Rev. Chandler 
Bates; Marshall, married twice, first 
to Lydia Duncan, second to Nancy 
Tufts. ^ 

Eunice, Isaac and Marshall lived 
and died in Newfane. 

There were 43 grand children, 24 
of whom were brought up in New- 
fane. Not one of Isaac’s ten child- 
ren lives in Vermont at this date, 
eight of them range from Massachu- 
setts to California. 



HOIST. MARSHALL XEWOT, 

[son op marshall newton senior.] 

Was born Newfane, April 1, 1805 
and died June 29, 1870, aged sixty- 
five years. The subject of this 
sketch was possessed of more than 
ordinary intelligence and good sense. 
Respected for his judment, and 
popular and unaffected in his man- 
ners, he was, for forty years honored 
with the most important municipal 
offices in the gift of his townsmen. 
And he discharged his official duties 
with great fidelity. lie represented 
the town in the General Assembly 
two years, was high sheriff of the 
comity one year, and for six con- 
secutive years was elected and served 
as first assistant judge of the Wind- 
ham County Court. At the time of 
his decease he was county treasurer 
and deputy county clerk. His neigh- 
bors and townsmen reposed great 
confidence in his integrity and good 
judgment, and he was largely engag- 
ed in the execution of responsible 
trust, during the last years of his 
I life, growing out of the settlement 
of estates, and the discharge of 
various important commissions that 
were entrusted to his care. In the 
enjoyment of ample means, he dis- 
pensed his charities to the poor and 
suffering with a liberal and open 




NEWFANE. 



471 



hand* He was greatly respected 
while living and sincerely morned 
at his decease* Marshall Newton 
was married to Lydia Duncan of 
Dummerston in 1833* Their only 
child Evelyn died at about the age 
of 14. He married Nancy Tufts, 
daughter of Rev* Janies Tufts of 
Wardsboro, Dec. 14, 1836, who is 
now living. Of their eight children 
seven lived to maturity : Fanny W. 
John, Seraph, James fi., Mary, Ohas, 
Marshall, and William Henry. 

Marshall Newton like his grand- 
father furnished three sons for the 
war. James II* Newton was killed 
at the battle of Spottsylvania Court 
House. Three sons and three daugh- 
ters are living. There are five 
grandchildren. 

JONATHAN EOBIKSOK, SR. 

Born in Milford, Mass., July 12th, 
1754, married Sarah Taylor, sister 
of Rev. Hezekiah Taylor, and re- 
moved to Newfane in the early part 
of 1775. He bought of John 
Wheeler November 13th, 1575, a 
farm in the parish, so-called, which 
he occupied until September, 1796, 
when he exchanged farms with 
Lieut. James Lamb. The Lamb 
farm which he received in exchange 
embraced an extensive meadow a 
hundred rods or more below Will- 
iamsville, where Sackett'smen who 
were killed in the fight with Hobbs, 
June 25th, 1748, were buried. 

Jonathan Robinson died April 14, 
1819. 

Sarah Robinson, his wife, died 
March 9, 1809. 

They had ten children as follows : 

Simon T. Robinson, born April 
19, 1779, died in Townshend, May 
11, 1813. 

Abigail Robinson, born March 25, 
1781, married William II. Williams, 
died July 26, 1821, 

John II. Robinson, horn August 
3, 1783, died September 17, 1843, 

Aaron 0. Robinson, born October 
3, 1785, killed by a fall from his 
wagon June 4, 1864. 

Jonathan Robinson, bom Novem- 



ber 5, 1787, died July 23, 1829, at 
Wardsboro. 

Hezekiah Robinson, born March 
31, 1791, died February 7, 1851, at 
Waterloo, Canada. 

Sally Robinson, born January 12, 
1795, died April 16, 1871. 

Hannah C. Robinson, born July 
5, 1798, married Arad Taylor, Jan- 
uary 11, 1821, died September 1, 
1853. 

Mary C. Robinson, born July 29, 
1800, died in infancy. 

Hollis T. Robinson, born August 
! 25, 1803, died . 

AAROU C. EOBIXSOH, 

the third son of Jonathan Robin- 
son, sr., succeeded his father in the 
possession of the farm and occupied 
the same until his decease, in 1864, 
and during his possession added to 
it largely by the 'purchase of adjoin- 
ing lands. He possessed more than 
ordinary ability. His strong sense 
and excellent "judgment gave him 
great prominence among his towns- 
men. For thirty years or more 
before his death, he was uniformly 
selected and appointed road commis- 
sioner at almost every term of the 
Windham County Court, upon petb 
| tions to lay roads and bridges in the 
several towns in the county. 

It is creditable to his superior 
judgment that there are more or less 
highways in every town in the coun- 
ty, that were surveyed and laid out 
under his especial direction and su- 
pervision, and since they were built 
they have greatly subserved the in- 
terest and convenience of the public. 

He married Betsey Crosby of 
! Brewster, Mass , June 18, 1816" She 
was born July 12, 1791, died Octo- 
ber 20, 1867. 

They had four children, as fol- 
lows : 

Mary C. Robinson, born July 18, 
1817, married Dennis A, Dickinson, 
February 25, 1845. 

Eliza A. Robinson, bom August 
10, 1831. 

Aaron W. and Betsey O. Robin_ 
son, twins, born August 9, 1833 ( 




472 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Aaron W. died December 13, 1838. 
Betsey 0. married 0. L. Sherman, 
of Newfane, September 10, 1856. 

JOHATHAH ROBIKSOK, JR. 

the fourth son of Jonathan Robin- 
son, Senior, was educated for a mer- 
chant and was largely engaged in 
mercantile business in Wardsboro, 
where he resided at the time of his 
decease. He was highly respected 
and honored by his townsmen; rep- 
resented the town in the General 
Assembly, was for a few years a 
Judge of the Windham County 
Court, and was highly esteemed for 
his ability and enterprise. 

HEZEKIAH EOBIlsrSOK, 

[EY KEY. FREDERICK ROBESON.] 

son of Jonathan Robinson, Sr., was 
born at Newfane, Vt., March 31st, 
1791. He received a good element- 
ary English education at the Acad- 
emy of his native town. 

In 1817 he married Selencia 
Knowlton, oldest daughter of As- 
sistant Judge Luke Knowlton, of 
Windliam county. 

Ilis father-in-law having removed 
to Canada, Mr. Robinson followed 
him in 1821, and settled in Stukely, 
Shefford county, where he built a 
carding mill. The following year 
lie purchased a valuable mill site in 
the adjoining township of Shefford, 
with small grist and saw-mills, and 
to which he removed his carding 
mill. A few years later he rebuilt 
the mills and opened a store. At 
Judge Knowlton's suggestion he 
called his new purchase Waterloo. 

His unswerving integrity com- 
manded the respect and confidence 
of the community. He was repeat- 
edly chosen to municipal and other 
offices, which he filled with ability 
and credit. By the governor of the 
Province he was, in 1831, appointed 
Justice of the Peace for the District 
of Montreal, and in 1836, the first 
postmaster of Waterloo. Prom the 
time of liis appointment to the date 
of his death, in 1851, he was the 



leading magistrate in the neighbor- 
hood. 

In 1815 he became a member of 
the Congregational society in his 
native town, then under the pastor- 
ate of the Rev. Jonathan Nye. 
Shortly after his removal to Canada 
he became a member of the Church 
of England (Episcopal) and was ever 
after warmly attached to her Scrip- 
tural Liturgy, a constant attendant 
upon her worship, and a devout and 
regular communicant. He contrib- 
uted liberally towards building the 
first church (Episcopal) in Water- 
loo, and gave seventeen acres of val- 
uable land, now comprised within 
the village limits, towards the en- 
dowment of the parish. 

The village which he practically 
founded, is now, in 1876, a thriving 
town of nearly three thousand in- 
habitants, the seat of public busi- 
ness of the county, and the commer- 
cial centre of a wealthy and enter- 
prising district. 

Mr. Robinson's family consisted 
of five sons and four daughters, all 
of whom, with the exception of one 
daughter, who died in childhood, 
married and settled in Waterloo, or 
its vicinity. 

HOLLIS T. E0BIH30K, 

the youngest son of Jonathan Rob- 
inson, Sen., was bred a merchant in 
the store of his brother Jonathan, 
and for several years was engaged in 
mercantile business. He represent- 
ed the town of Newfane in the Gen- 
eral Assembly, and for many years 
he was trial justice in Newfane. He 
resided seventeen years in Canada, 
and for fourteen years was a Sheriff's 
bailiff in one of the eastern counties. 
He died Eeb. 1, 1885. 

He married Eliza Tufts, daughter 
of Rev. James Tufts of Wardsboro, 
and they had four children. 

HOH. LUKE KHOWLTOH, JR. 

[by REV. FREDERICK BOB1KSON.] 

Luke Knowlton, jr., son of the 
Hon. Judge Luke Knowlton, of the 
Supreme Court of Vt., and of Sarah 



NEWHANE. 



473 



Holland, his wife, was born in New- 
fane, March 24, 1775, and educated 
first at the elementary school, at 
Westminster, Yt., then at Chester- 
field academy, 1ST, H., and finally as 
a private pupil and law student of 
his brother Calvin, a graduate of 
Dartmouth College, 1ST. H,, at New- 
fane, wherd he was admitted to the 
bar about 1796, He was a success- 
ful practitioner although he had no 
special fondness for the profession, 
and became assistant judge of Wind- 
ham county, and also represented 
Newfane for several years in the 
General Assembly of Vermont. 

In 1799 he married Charlotte, 
daughter of Deacon Moses Kenney 
of Newfane, who was then under 16 
years of age. Her father opposed 
the match on three grounds, viz. : 

Hirst — “She is too young/* Sec- 
ond* — -“I cannot spare her/* Third — 
“I can give her no dower/* 

To this demurrer the young ad- 
vocate replied: 

Hirst — “She will grow older every 
day, and as fast in my hands as in 
yours/* Second — “You have a 

wife and other daughters, and can 
better do without her than I nan/* 
Third — “It is your daughter that I 
want and not a dower.** 

The man of law was successful in 
his suit — the demurrer of the Deacon 
being withdrawn. 

This union proved to be fruitful, 
the issue being ten daughters and 
five sons. 

Previous to his fathers death in 
1810, Mr. Knowlton became inter- 
ested with him in wild lands in the 
Province of Lower Canada; this led 
to repeated journeys, on horseback, 
to that district and eventually re- 
sulted in his settling, in 1821, in 
Stukeley, Lower Canada. 

In 1825 Judge Knowlton removed 
to Brome, then in Shefford county, 
and settled upon a farm, where he 
remained thirty years, till his death, 
aged 80, in 1855, having survived 
his wife twelve years. 



HOK. AUSTIN BIRCHARD 

was horn at Wilmington, Vt., De- 
cember 5, 1793. In June, 1805, he 
went to Saratoga Springs with his 
father, who died there the 22d of 
August following* After the death 
of his father he lived at Wilming- 
ton with his mother, employed on 
the farm and in the tavern, until 
her death, which occurred March 3, 
1813, with the exceptions of a few 
months, when absent at school or 
attending store. 

In April, 1815, he engaged himself 
to the late Hon, Samuel Clarke, of 
Brattleboro, for two years, as clerk 
in his store. In April, 1817, he en- 
tered into partnership for two years 
with the late Hon. John Noyes in a 
store in Du miners ton as active part- 
ner, under the firm name of Noyes 
& Birchard, At the end of two 
years the firm was dissolved, and his 
brother Roger -was received as his 
partner in trade, under the firm 
name of A, & R. Birchard, and bus- 
iness continued at the same place. 

In April, 1819, he married Rox- 
ana, eldest daughter of the late 
John Plummer, jr., of Brattleboro. 
Soon after their marriage they vis- 
ited Saratoga for her health, but she 
continued to decline and died July 
-9, 1820. 

In April, 1822, he removed to 
Newfane Hill, the county seat, and 
continued trade under the firm name 
of A. & R, Birchard. 

In September, 1824, he married 
Mary A., daughter of the late John 
Putnam of Chesterfield, N. H., by 
whom he had four children, two 
sons and two daughters* Sardis, 
his youngest son, gave his life for 
his country in the war of the Rebell- 
ion, and died a prisoner at Ander- 
son ville, Ga., August 22, 1864. 

On the shire being located at 
Park*s flat, now Hayette ville, in 
1825, he immediately commenced 
building a store at that place and 
had it finished about the first of 
May, 1825, and filled with goods. 

The subject of this sketch was an 
early advocate of railroads and other 




474 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



public improvements; cheerfully la- 
bored on the building committee 
and other committees of the society 
formed for building the first meet- 
ing-house in Fayetteville; also, on 
the prudential and other important 
committees of the Congregational 
society for many years. He was 
elected a member of the old council 
in 183‘3, at that time a co-ordinate 
branch of the State Government, 
and re-elected in 1834. He was 
elected one of the board ‘ of the 
Council of Censors, in 1841, and 
proposed an amendment to the con- 
stitution, abolishing said board and 
providing a different mode of amend- 
ing the organic law of the State, 
which failed of adoption, but the 
proposition was renewed in 1870, 
and adopted by the Constitutional 
convention of that year. In 1846 
he was elected State Senator. In 
April, 1850, he retired from trade, 
his constant occupation for thirty- 
five years. In January, 1854, he 
was appointed treasurer of the 
Windham County Savings Bank, 
and held the office twenty years. 

He was a strenuous opponent of 
'slavery and secret societies, from 
early manhood, A cheerful con- 
tributor to the Missionary and Bible 
societies, and other public and pri- 
vate charities. In 1864 he united 
with the Congregational church. 

DEA. JOHK GROUT. 

Dea. John Grout, who lived in 
the southwest part of the town, 
came from Westminster to Newfane 
about the year 1810. He was the 
fourth in descent from Capt. John 
Grout of Watertown, Mass., who 
came here from Bln gland about the 
year 1634, and is believed to have 
been the son of Richard Grout (or 
Groutte,) whose lineage has been 
traced back to the GrudiL a Belgic 
tribe spoken of by Julius Caesar, 
John Grout married Azubah Bunk- 
lee of West Brattleboro, in 18] 1, 
and in 1836 went there to live, and 
there died in 1851. He was the « 
father of nine children, of whom 



-eight were- sons. Of these, Lewis, 
the eldest, Admatha, the second, 
and Henry Martyn studied for the 
ministry, Admatha, a graduate of 
Dartmouth College, and of Union 
Theological Seminary, died in Kan- 
sas in 1855, Henry Martyn, a grad- 
uate of Williams College, from which 
he received the honorary title of D, 
D., died in Concord, Mass., in 1886. 
Of the living, aside from Lewis in 
West Brattleboro, one resides in 
Kansas, one in Illinois, one in Cali- 
fornia, and one in Medford, Mass. 

BBT. LEWIS GROUT. 

Rev, Lewis Grout was born in 
Newfane, Vt:, January 28, 1815, at- 
tended Brattleboro Academy in 
1834, ’5, ^6 and *7, and Burr Semi- 
nary in Manchester, Vt,, in 1838; 
graduated at Yale College in 1842; 
taught in a military, classical and 
mathematical school, at West Point, 
N. Y., for nearly two years; studied 
theology at Yale Divinity College 
two years, 1844 and 1845, and grad- 
uated from Andover Theological 
seminary in 1846, He was ordained 
as a missionary and married to Miss 
Lydia Bates, in Springfield, Vt,, 
October 8, 1846; set sail from Bos- 
ton for South Africa October 10; 
stopped for a few weeks in Cape 
Town, and reached Port Natal, 
Africa, February 15, 1847, Here, 
among the Zulus, in the District of 
Natal, he labored as a missionary in 
the service of the American Board, 
for fifteen years, and at the end of 
that time, with health impaired, he 
returned to America, and. . landed in 
Boston, June 7, 1862. Health some- 
what restored, he preached a year 
for the Congregational Church in 
Saxton^s River, and then accepted a 
call to the church in Feeding Hills, 
Mass., where he was installed and 
labored till the first of October, 
1865. He then received an appoint- 
ment from the American Missionary 
Association as secretary and agent 
of that society for New Hampshire 
and Vermont, and in their employ 
has continued till the present time. 




NEWFANE. 



475 



now, September, 1876, about eleven 
years, having his home in West 
Brattleboro, 

He has had two children, one son 
who died in Natal; the other a 
daughter, Annie L. Grout, who 
graduated at Abbott Female Acad- 
emy, Andover, Mass., in 1870; had 
charge of Belair Institute, in West 
Brattleboro, for four years; taught 
in a Ladies* Seminary in Philadel- 
phia a year, and is now teaching in 
Atlanta University, Atlanty, Ga. 

WILLIAM L. WILLIAMS, 
the third son of William H. Wil- 
liams, was a clerk in his father’s 
store during his early youth, and 
when he attained to his majority he 
entered into a copartnership with 
his father in the mercantile business, 
which he prosecuted successfully for 
many years. He removed to Du- 
buque about 1860, and was exten- 
sively engaged in business as a pro- 
duce broker at the time of his de- 
cease. He was exceedingly popular 
in his manners and highly esteemed 
for his intelligence and sound prac- 
tical judgment. While residing in 
N ewfane he manifested a lively in- 
terest in the growth and prosperity 
of his native town, was munificent 
in his donations in aid of all the en- 
terprises that would contribute to 
its progress and advancement. He 
gave generously to the poor, was 
kind to the sick and suffering ; he 
was courteous and affable in his 
bearing, proverbially honest and up- 
right in all his business relations, 
modest and familiar in his deport- 
ment. His w T hole life was without 
reproach and his death at the com- 
paratively early age of fifty, was a 
source of great regret to all his 
friends and associates. He accu- 
mulated a handsome property which 
he bequeathed to the two sons of 
his deceased brother, John W. Wil- 
liams. 

CHARLES K. FIELD. 

[by JUDGE JAMBS M- TYLEB, OB THE VERMONT SU- 
PREME COUBT.] 

Charles K. Field, the oldest son 
of Martin Field, was horn in New- 



|fane, April 24, 1808; fitted for col- 
lege at Amherst, Mass, ; entered 
Middlebury College at the age of 15 
and graduated in 1822. After study- 
ing law three years in the office of 
his father he was admitted to the 
bar in this county and commenced 
the practice of his profession in 
Newfane, In 1828 he moved to 
Wilmington, where he resided for 
ten years, representing that town in 
the Legislature in 1835, *36, *37 and 
*38. He was a delegate to the State 
Constitutional Convention in 1836, 
In 1838 he returned to Newfane, 
where he resided until 1861, repre- 
senting the town in the Legislature 
in 1853, *54, *55 and ’90, and also 
representing it in the Constitution- 
al Convention in 1842, *50 and *57. 
In 1861 he moved to Brattleboro, 
where he resided until his decease, 
Sept, 16, 1880, He was elected a 
member of the Council of Censors in 
1869, and chosen president thereof 
at its first session, and in 1870 rep- 
resented Brattleboro in the Consti- 
tutional Convention. Thus it will 
be seen that he had large experience 
in legislative bodies where he always 
exerted great influence and did much 
toward shaping the legislation of 
the State. 

Mr. Field inherited many of his 
father*s characteristics, especially 
his sarcasm, humor and faculty for 
relating stories, of which he possess- 
ed an inexhaustable store. He was 
a great reader and the best ancient 
and modern authors were as familiar 
to him as were his village neighbors. 
His memory was wonderful; he re- 
membered all of value that he ever 
read or heard, and had it at instant 
command, which, with his quick 
perception, originality, powers of 
description, wit and humor, made 
him a most entertaining man in con- 
versation, a brilliant public speaker 
and a formidable adversary in foren- 
sic debate. His judgment of men 
was unerring. A distinguished 
jurist of this State once said of him, 
that it made little difference what 
men said to him, he seemed to look 
right into their minds and read their 




476 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



real thoughts. He was a skillful 
lawyer, few men wielding a keener 
rapier than, he, and he apparently 
possessed every requisite of a most 
effective jury advocate; but though 
he always commanded a large prac- 
tice, he mainly left the trial of jury I 
cases to others, regarding that as an j 
uncertain and unsatisfactory field of 
enterprise. He was widely known 
throughout this State and highly 
regarded for his brilliant abilities. 
He possessed a kind sympathetic! 
heart, retained the strongest attach- 
ment for his friends, and was an 
honest man. He was the last of 
that generation of men composed of 
the Bradley's, the Kellogg's, the 
Shafter's and the Fields,' who for 
more than half a century gave em- 
inence to the bar of Windham I 
county, and whose names will always 
shine in the galaxy of Vermont's 
distinguished men. 

Mere casual acquaintances were 
sometimes repelled by his somewhat 
rough exterior and blunt remarks, 
but those who knew him intimately 
looked below the surface into his 
heart and esteemed and loved him. 

Mr. Burnham, in his sketch of 
Mr. Field, in his history of Brattle- 
boro, quoted Byron’s couplet upon 
Sheridan, 

“God never made but one such man, 
And broke the die in moulding Sheri- 
dan.” 

Mr. Field was married in 1828 to 
Julia A. Kellogg of Cooperstown, 
N. Y., by whom he had four chil- 
dren, three of whom survived him, 
Mrs. E. P. Jewett of Montpelier, 
Mrs. H. 0. Willard of Brattleboro 
and Henry K. Field of San Fran- 
cisco. 



JTOH3T WHEELER. 

John Wheeler, one of the early 
settlers of Newfane, was a descend- 
ant of the fourth generation, from 
Thomas Wheeler, of Concord, Mass , 
who was living there in 1640. Oapt. 
Thomas^ Wheeler and Shadrach Hap- 
good, with twenty others, went to 
Brookfield to treat with the Indians 



in 1675. They were drawn into am- 
bush, where Oapt. Thomas Wheeler 
w r as wounded and Hapgood was 
killed A decendant of the one mar- 
ried a decendant of the other in 
1717, and were the parents of John 
Wheeler, bom 1735. 

John Wheeler's wife was Jedidah 
Bigelow of Marlboro, Mass. 

Their children were, 

Darius Wheeler, born in 1761, 
married Francis Balcom and went 
to Alleghany county, N. Y., about 
the year 1815. 

Susanna Wheeler, born in 1762, 
married Jonas Stockwell of Dum- 
merston Hill. 

Thomas Wheeler, born in 1765, 
married Amy Wood of I) urn mers- 
ton, settled in Newfane, where he 
died about the year 1813, and his 
widow afterwards became the second 
wife of Elijah Elmer, Esq,, of New- 
fane. 

Mary Wheeler, bora in 1767, 
married Joel Stockwell of Dum- 
merston Hill. 

Elizabeth Wheeler, born in 1769, 
married Daniel Taylor, Jr. of hi ew- 
fane. 

Catherine Wheeler, born in 1771, 
married Gamaliel Arnold of Dum- 
merston Hill. 

The children of Thomas and Amy 
Wheeler were; 

Austin Wheeler, born in 1797, 
went to Waterloo with Hezekiah 
Robinson, in 1821. Married first, 
Charlotte Sophia, daughter of Luke 
and Charlotte Kenney Know] ton. 
His second wife was Charlotte, 
daughter of Samuel and Sylvia Keep 
Miller of Dummerston. His third 
wife was Melona Ann, daughter of 
George and Orilla Pease Williams 
of Newfane. He settled in Brome, 
Quebec, where he died in 1866. 

George Wheeler, born in 1799, 
married Ferona, daughter of George 
| and Orilla Pease Williams. He 
| lives in Newfane. 

Thomas Wheeler, horn in 1801, 
married Julia Lucy, daughter of 
Jason Duncan of Newfane, now liv- 
ing in Muskegon, Mich. 




MEWFANE. 



477 



' Franklin Wheeler, born in 1803, 
died unmarried inNewfane, in 1843. 

Julianna Maria Wheeler, horn in 
1807, married Asa Blunt of Bolton, 
Quebec. 

Laura Ann Wheeler, born in 
1809, married Luke Morgan Knowl- 
ton, of Brome, Quebec, died in 1845. 

John Elhanan Wheeler, born iu 
1812, married Mary Ann Roy lance 
of Mew York city, died in Kewanee, 
111., in 1867. He was employed for 
many years by Mr. Greely as fore- 
man in the office of the Mew York 
Tribune , and still later was one of 
the editors of the Chicago Tribune . 
He was a man of genius and good 
literary taste. 

REV. OTIS WARREN. 

[BY REV. M08BA J\ BALLOU.] 

Died at his residence in Fayette- 
ville, (Mewfane,) Vt., May 17, 1867, 
Rev. Otis Warren, in his fifty-ninth 
year. 

He was born in Pomfret, Vt., No- 
vember 23, 1807. His father, Oli- 
ver Warren, died when Otis was but 
seven years old, leaving him and 
three younger sisters in the care of 
an affectionate and faithful mother. 
At the age of fourteen he was ap- 
prenticed to learn the cabinet- 
maker's trade, in Barnard, and as it 
was his natural inclination to do 
well whatever he did, be became an 
exact and efficient mechanic. 

Having become intensely interest- 
ed in the doctrine of a universal 
Father and an all-efficient Saviour, 
he procured the works of Ballou, 
Balfour, Hudson and others. These 
with a- pocket Bible were his con- 
stant companions, generally having 
a well-worn book upon Ms bench or 
in his hand, and midnight and often 
the gray light of morning would 
find him with unclosed eyes and 
book. 

The sacred Scriptures became 
familiar to him as “ household 
words/" and a determination to 
become a teacher in our spiritual 
Israel was fixed in his mind. 

October 30, 1832, he married 



Miss Emily, second daughter of 
Isaiah Tinkharn, Esq., of Pomfret, 
a lady of many accomplishments, 
and every virtue, his constant com- 
panion and able coadjutor in his 
public labors and domestic life. 

After studying awhile with the 
lamented Rev. A, Rugbee, he 
preached his first sermon in West 
Brattleboro, in the summer of 1833. 
In the autum he returned to his 
native town and preached there and 
in the vicinity, until he received an 
invitation to become pastor of the 
Union Society, in Mewfane, Vt., to 
which place he with his family re- 
moved in August, 1836, where he 
was ordained the September follow- 
ing, and where he lived in happi- 
ness and peace with the society and 
acquaintances, in a ministry of 
more than twenty years. His stand- 
ing may be knowm from the fact 
that for four years he represented 
the town of Mewfane in the Legis- 
lature of Vermont, and was twenty- 
nine consecutive years elected town 
clerk, and held the office at the 
time of his death. 

LONGEVITY— LONG MARRIED LIFE. 

BY J. J. GREEN. 

The first white woman and un- 
doubtedly the oldest person that 
ever lived in town, was Mrs. Jane 
Hazel ton, who died on the Franklin 
farm, February 16, 1810, at the* 
advanced age of one hundred and 
three years, eleven months and 
eleven days. A venerable lady who 
well remembers this centenarian, 
says of her, that the day she was 
one hundred years old she spun a 
full day’s work, and then called her 
son and told him to set her wheel 
away, as she had spun her last 
thread. Tradition says that Mrs. 
Dyer was the first white woman that 
ever wintered within what was then 
supposed to be the chartered limits 
of Fane. We find her death re- 
corded November 27, 1789, at the 
age of eighty-nine, and that of 
Joseph Dyer, September 2, 1790, at 
the age of ninety. The names of 




478 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Ebenezer Dyer, who is reported in 
Thompson’s Gazetteer as one of the 
original trio of settlers, is not men- 
tioned in the town records or Heze- 
Mali Taylor’s notes ; but inasmuch 
as the early historians hare handed 
down the name, it is probable that 
there was such a name in the family. 
We have been able to obtain the 
least authentic knowledge of this 
family of either of the original 
three. 

Isaac Goodnougk and wife lived 
in the married state sixty-six years. 
She died October 8, 1804, aged 
eighty-seven, having been a member 
of the church seventy-two years. He 
died July 6, 1805, aged ninety-two. 
Thomas Green and wife lived to- 
gether sixty years, dying July 10 
and 24, 1804, at the age of eighty. 
Artemas Bruce and wife were 
married fifty-five years. He died 
July 31, 1811, aged eighty-four. 
She died the 29th of August, follow- 
ing, aged seventy- eight. The first 
grown person whose death we find 
recorded by the Rev. Mr, Taylor, is 
that of Ebenezer Merrick, who was 
killed by a falling tree, January 9, 
1?'79, aged seventy-five. April 20 
and 21, 1795, five children died in 
town under twelve years of age. 

WDSTBHAM COUNTY SAVINGS BAKK, 

BY MILO ST DAVIDSON OF HEWFANI. 

The Windham County Savings 
Bank, located at Newfane, Vt., was 
charted in 1853, and in December 
of the same year wms organized with 
the following officers: Hon. John 
Roberts, President; Emery Whee- 
lock, Vice President; Austin Birch- 
ard, Treasurer. 

BOARD OB TRUSTEES: 

Wm. R. Shatter, William Harris, 
Jas. H. Phelps, Daniel Read, Preston 
F. Perry, Lewis E. Walker, Thomas 
White, Jonas Twitch ell, William L. 
Williams, Aaron C, Robinson, John 
Rice, jr. Marshall Newton, Franklin 
Sawyer, Jacob Dunklee, jr., Charles 
K. Field. 



COMMITTEE OF FISTAKCJE: 

William L. Williams, John Rice, 
jr., Jonas Twitch ell, Charles K. 
Field, Franklin Sawyer. 

The first deposit was made Feb. 7, 
1854. Amount, $2.00. From this 
small beginning it has increased fco 
over half a million. Its growth and 
standing at the expiration of one 
year, and at the close of each decade 
thereafter, may be learned from the 
following figures: 

Deposits. Surplus. Resources. 
Jan. 1855, $11,677.82 $258.72 $11,521.73 
Jan. 1865, 93,497.28 3,714.89 97,212.17 
Jan. 1875, 176,509.13 5,358.67181,867.80 
Jan. 1885, 397,735.17 16,780.58 414,515.75 
Jan. 1891, 504,687.06 37,197.73 541,884.79 

In its early days the bank kept its 
papers and transacted its business 
in a small room in the dwelling 
house of the treasurer, aftewards 
and until 1883, in a building which 
it owned, but rented most of it for a 
store. Since 1883 it has occupied a 
fine brick building, erected in the 
village of Newfane, for the purposes 
of the bank. It is one of the most 
substantial edifices of the kind in 
the state. From the first the institu- 
tion has been under conservative 
management, and to this fact alone 
has been largely due its past pros- 
perity. 

Its presidents have been, Hon. 
John Roberts, from 1853 to 1869, 
Col. Jonas Twitchell from 1869 to 

1878, Dea. Samuel D. Winslow, from 

1879. to 1891, when he tendered his 
resignation. 

Its treasurers have been, Austin 
Birchard from 1853 to 1874, and 
Milon Davidson from 1874 to 1891, 
and he is the present incumbent. The 

officers at this date are, 

President; N. M. Batchelder, Vice 
President; Milon Davidson, Treas- 
urer. Board of Trustees, Wm. T 
Bruce, I. K. Batchelder, P. H, 
Rutter, H. H. Holbrook, John B. 
Stebbins, E. B. Batchelder, N. M. 
Batchelder, W. C. Hall ad ay, B. O. 
Eager, E. C. Benedict, A. A. Wy- 
man. 

Board of Investment, I. K. Batch- 




HEWFANE. 



m 



elder, Wm. T. Bruce, B. 0. Eager, 
M. Davidson, P. H. Butter. 
Auditors, 1ST. M. Batchelder, W. C. 
Halladav, H. H. Holbrook. 



POPULATION. 



[by M* O. HOWE, OF KWWFANE, BTJPEBYISOB FOB 
VERMONT OF U* S. CENSUS OF 1890.] 



One hundred and twenty years 
ago, or in 1771, three years before 
its organization as a town, there 
were 52 inhabitants in Ifewfane, By 
the several IT. S. censuses the popu- 
lation of the town is given as fol- 
lows: 



1791, 660. 

1800, 1,000. 
1810, 1,276. 
1820, 1,506. 
1830, 1,441. 

1890, 



1840, 1,403. 
1850, 1,304. 
1860, 1,191. 
1870, 1,113. 
1880, 1,031. 
952. 



These figures show a loss of popu- 
lation in each decade since 1820, and 
a total loss of 554 since that date. 
The decline of population in Hew- 
fane has something more than a 
local interest, for similar condi- 
tions have led to a like result in 
more than half the towns of the 
State. A loss of population oc- 
curred generally in the farming 
towns; only two towns in Windham 
county (Brattleboro and Booking' 
ham) have as large a population as 
they had sixty years ago, and the 
growth of these two is m their pros- 
perous villages. The loss of popu- 
lation in Uewfane cannot justly be 
accredited to the want of a fertile 
soil or less attractive homes than 
can generally he found elsewhere. 
Statistics of agricultural products 
and their values prove beyond refu- 
tation that the farmers of Vermont 
realize more profit from their labor 
and investments than the average 
farmer in any one of more than 
thirty other States, yet our people I 
emigrate and often settle in a less 
desirable country than they leave. 

There are two direct causes for 
the decrease of population in Kew- 
fatie, which, without seeking for 
any precedent cause, fully account 
for it; these are: (1) A low birth 



rate; (2) Emigration. In the early 
history of the town families of from 
eight to twelve children were not 
uncommon. At this time it is rare 
to find a family with more than four 
or five children, and a large number 
of families have none. The average 
number of persons in a Newfane 
family, as found by the census of 
1890, was only 3.76. The average 
annual birth rate in the United 
States is estimated by good authori- 
ties at about 35 per thousand of liv- 
ing inhabitants. The average num- 
ber of births in Mewfane for the 
past 30 years, as shown by a com- 
pilation from the registration re- 
ports, was as follows: 

Average annual number ; of births 
for ten years ending with 

1870' --1.17.7 - 

1880 A- -17.1 

1890 ..... A 17. 

Average annual births for 30 years, 
17.27. 

At the normal birth rate the 
whole number of births in 30 
years would have been about 1155 
The whole number of births 



in the past 30 years was 518 

Deficiency 637 



There are no complete records 
from which the birth rate at the 
time when the town had more than 
1,500 inhabitants can be ascertained, 
but it was then, probably, above 
rather than below the normal rate, 
or more than twice as great as at the 
present time. In 1824 the number 
of children in the common schools 
of Newfane, as stated in the town 
history, was 518. Last year (1890) 
the number of scholars in town at- 
tending any school was 184. In 1824 
the children in the schools were 34.5 
per cent of the total population; 
they are now hut 19.3 per cent. 

The proportion of deaths to whole 
number of inhabitants, for the pe- 
riod covered by the registration re- 

S )rts, has been about the same in 
ewfane as the general average for 
the country. For the decade end- 
ing with 1870 the annual average of 




m 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



deaths in town was 21.3; for the 
decade ending with 1880, 18.1; for 
the decade ending 1890, 17.1. The 
annual death rate for 1,000 inhab- 
itants for the thirty years was about 
17. The whole number of deaths 
in the thirty years was about 586. 
The deaths excelled the births for 
the corresponding period by 48. The 
loss in population during the same 
period was 241, which leaves a loss 
of 193 to be accounted for by the ex- 
cess of emigration over immigration. 

Of the first cause of the decline 
in our population I forbear to com- 
ment here. Our loss from emigra- 
tion has been the country's gain; for 
Newfane, like other country towns 
of New England, has sent out many 
persons who have helped to develop 
other localities and to give sterling 
character to other communities. Of 
late, the people of the town have a 
better appreciation of the privileges 
of their own homes, and there is rea- 
son to believe that hereafter there 
will be fewer removals from the old 
homesteads, and that the population 
may be increased by additions from 
abroad. 

THU POXDVILLB BAPTIST CHURCH, 

FORMERLY CALLED MARLBORO AHD NEWFANE. 

This church was organized Oc- 
tober 29th, 1794, from members of 
the Dummerston church, fifteen 
males and seven femals. At the 
close of the council, the infant 
church met and elected John 
Phillips, ji\, as clerk, who served 
them in that capacity, with the in- 
terruption of only two or three 
years, till 1840, when Joseph Morse, 
came into office. These two men 
served the church in the capacity of 
clerk for more than eighty years. 

In 1802, Nehemiah Fisher was 
called deacon, and the membership 
doubled in two years. 

In 1803, Eld. Benj. Cole was 
preacher, and was still with them 
in August of 1804. 

In November, 1804, Matthew 
Bennett was authorized to improve 
his gifts. 



In 1806, James Ball and Mans- 
field Bruce were chosen deacons, the 
latter of whom, with twenty others, 
were added to this little church dur- 
ing the last seven months of this 
year. 

In March, 1807, the church 
c: voted, that it is the deacons’ duty 
to call on brethren that do not go to 
meeting, to know the reason and in- 
vite them to their duty.” 

In July, 1809, Dea. N. Fisher 
was licensed to preach, and Bro. 
John Phillips and Stephen Otis 
chosen deacons. In September of 
the same year, Dea. M. Bruce was 
ordained and became the first settled 
and salaried pastor of the church, 
and remained such till the close of 
1818. During the last years of his 
pastorate, he did not preach all the 
time to this people ; the rest of the 
time was occupied by their licensed 
deacon, Nehemiah Fisher. Elder 
Bruce baptised into this church, 85 
converts. 

From the close of Eld. Howe’s 
pastorate till the commencement of 
Foster Hartwell’s in October, 1884, 
the church was supplied one year by 
a licentiate named Caleb Smith. 
Eld. Hartwell closed Ms labors 
about September, 1848. They were 
destitute a short time, when Rev. 0. 
L. Baker supplied them till the fall 
of 1849; and, sometime before Sep- 
tember, 1850, Rev. A. H. Stearns 
became pastor, and was pastor three 
years. During this time he receiv- 
ed into the church thirty-six by 
baptism and nine by letter. 

In 1852 the church passed the fol- 
lowing resolution: 

“Resolved, That we disapprove of 
all secret societies, whether it be 
Odd Fellowship, Freemasonry, or 
called by any other name/’ 

After a destitution of about one 
year. Rev. J. P. Huntington became 
pastor, and was pastor till abont the 
last of 1856.. In January, 1857, 
Bro. Baldwin labored as an Evangel- 
ist. In March following, I. 0, Car- 
penter became pastor. Twenty-two 
baptisms were reported in the asso- 
ciation letter as the result of this re- 




NEWFANE. 



481 



rival. Eld. Carpenter remained 
pastor till March, 1862, and was fol- 
lowed in the pastorate by C. D, Ful- 
ler in July next. The latter was 
pastor till March, 1864, when J. M. 
Willmarth succeeded him in this 
office till April, 1867. 

From the last date till December, I 
1868, the church was destitute of aj 
pastor, but not destitute of revival [ 
interest, as several were converted 
and added to the church. At that 
time, S. S. White became pastor, 
closing in April, 1871. During the 
winter of 1870 and 1871 the church 
was refreshed, and nine were added 
by baptism. From April, 1871, to 
June, 1872, they were without a reg- 
ular preacher, but were supplied at 
intervals. During this time they 
repaired their house of worship at 
an expense of about 11,500. In 
June, 1872, John A. Bich became 
pastor and continued in that rela- 
tion till September, 1873. He was 
succeeded in February, 1874, by A. . 
J. Walker, who preached two years. 
During Mr. Walker's pastorate 
twenty-six were added to the church. 
William Beavins w r as pastor from 

April 1876, to March, 1879; — 

Shepardson from June, 1879, to 
April, 1882; Wallace Crocker from 
April, 1882, to August, 1884; Deo. 
Green from October, 1884,; E. F. 
Mitchell from May, 1886, to April, 
1889, and was succeeded by E. F. 
Hatfield the present pastor." 

Since 1802, there have been added 
to this church, by baptism, 400; 8 
have been licensed to preach, the 
most of whom were subsequently 
ordained, and 8 have been called to 
the deacon’s office. 

Present membership of the church 
is about 100. 

The following vote, passed Sep- 
tember 5, 1810, shows the early 
practice of the church on the subject 
of the Lord’s Supper: 

* ‘Whereas, The church has form- 
ally given liberty to those members 
that were received into this church 
to commune with an unbaptized de- 
nomination, we now see our error; 
and now, voted, to unfellowship the 
practice.” 



In 1817 the church built their 
first meeting house within the lim- 
its of the town of Marlboro. 

The church was supplied by Dea. 
N. Fisher during 1819 and a part of 
1820, when Eld. Paul Hines became 
pastor and served as such for two 
years. The church was prospered 
during his pastorate, and forty-three 
were added by baptism. From the 
close of Elder Hines^ labors till the 
ordination of Phineas Howe, the 
church was supplied with preaching 
by Dea. H. Fisher, assisted, in 1823, 
by N. McCulloch. 

With the exception of three years, 
from 1832 to 1835, when 1). H. 
Grant and other licentiates supplied 
the church. Eld. Phineas Howe was 
pastor till 1842. During this pastor- 
ate the church enjoyed, at least, four 
periods of revival, and nearly one 
hundred and seventy-five were added 
by baptism, and had numbered as 
many as one hundred and ninety-five 
in 1841. 

In 1838 a man 97 years of age was 
baptized, who had waited 67 years 
to become fit for the ordinance. 

About 1840 a new meeting house 
was built, and the location changed 
to Pondville. This change created 
a dissatisfaction in a part of the 
membership, who, for a time, held a 
separate meeting. This same meet- 
ing house was extensively repaired 
at an expense of $1,500, and re-ded- 
icated May 30, 1872. 

FIRST COHOREGATIOKAL CHURCH. 

FROM A CENTEETNIAL DISCOURSE DELIVERED AT 
NEYTFANE, JULY 5TH, 1874, BY REV. 

CHARLES BURNHAM, 

The town was organized May 17, 
1774. The church was organized 
and the first pastor, the Bev. Hcze- 
kiah Taylor, was settled about six 
weeks later, on June 30, 1774. 

This was the eleventh Congrega- 
tional church organized in the State. 
It was organized at a time which, 
emphatically, tried men’s souls. It 
was only two years before the Declar- 
ation of Independence, when the 
whole country was agitated by those 
events which resulted in the Bevo- 




482 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



lutionary war. Here there were 
neither roads nor bridges; neither 
horses, oxen, nor wagons, and the 
traveler must guess his way along, 
or find it by marked trees. All sup- 
plies must be brought on foot from 
Hinsdale, 20 miles distant. 

The church, at its organization, 
consisted of the following persons : 
Luke Knowlton and wife, Thomas 
Green and wife, John Wheeler and 
wife, Jonathan Park and wife, and 
the wife of Mr. Henry Balcom. On 
the fourteenth of December, 1774, 
the church made choice of Luke 
Knowlton, Esq., as Deacon. Moses 
Kenney was chosen the 2d Deacon, 
March 11, 1783. Brother Knowlton, 
was appointed to wait on the com- 
munion table and read the psalm. 
To the younger portion of this audi- 
ence this statement may need some 
explanation. One hundred years 
ago books were scarce, and there 
might have been but one hymn book 
in the whole congregation, and that 
in the hands of the minister. He 
would select the psalm, and hand 
the book to the deacon, who would 
read two lines. Then the chorister, 
pitchpipe in hand, would pitch the 
tune, and the singers would sing 
them. The deacon would then read 
two more, which would be sung, and 
so on to the end of the psalm. 

We find upon the nineteenth of 
November, 1781, a town meeting 
was called “To see if the inhabitants 
of Newfane would vote the Rev. Mr. 
Taylor to be their minister.” Also, 
“To see what means they would 
choose in regard to having the salary 
of the Rev. Mr. Taylor assessed 
upon the inhabitants.” At this 
meeting it was “Voted unanimously 
that the town approve of and accept 
the Rev. Mr. Taylor to be minister 
of the gospel for said town.” Also, 
“Voted to raise two hundred hard 
dollars to pay the salary due to the 
Rev. Mr. Taylor on the thirtieth day 
of December next.” Also, “Voted 
a salary of sixty pounds, meaning 
two hundred Spanish milled dollars, 
per annum, to be assessed annually 
so long as the Rev. Mr. Taylor, re- 



mains a minister of the gospel in 
said town.” Thus it appears that the 
minister's salary was raised by assess- 
ment, the same as other taxes, on all 
inhabitants. At that time this was 
well enough as the people were all of 
one way of thinking, or were all 
Congregation alists. 

Let us consider their efforts to 
build a meeting house, 

September 17, 1792, at a town 
meeting, the following action was 
taken: “Voted to build a meeting- 

house, forty feet by fifty. Voted to 
set said bouse betwixt the court 
house and Mr. Taylor's lane. Voted 
the sum of fifty pounds for the pur- 
pose of setting up a frame for a 
meeting-house. Voted to appoint 
Lieut, Ward Eager, Capt. Ephraim 
Holland, Deacon Moses Kenney and 
Mr, Ebenezer Morse a building com- 
mittee.” 

After many delays, embarrassments 
and changes, on the 8th of January, 
1798, arrangements were made, by 
which the materials for the house 
were to be delivered at the place of 
building. One man agreed to fur- 
nish four sills of specified dimen- 
sions, for a certain price: another 
undertook to furnish the plates, 
rafters, or braces, and so on. In 
this way the materials for the house 
were furnished by some twenty oi 
thirty persons. On the 17th of 
July, 1799, the house was raised. 
The raising of a meeting-house in 
those days, was an affair of great 
importance and the master workman 
must have picked men, tried and 
true. Accordingly the men were 
selected from all the neighboring 
towns, and to distinguish them from 
all others, each wore a handkerchief 
around his head. OoL Tyler, of 
Townshend, fell from the frame and 
was taken up for dead; but he re- 
i vived at length, and in due time re- 
covered. On the 12th of Novem- 
ber, 1799, a contract was made -by 
the building committee with Mr. 
Joseph Pond, of Warwick, Mass,, 
to finish the house. The mate- 
rials were to be all furnished 
^ for him except the sash and 




NE-WFANE. 



483 



pews, which were to be made 
at Warwick and brought to this 
place. The workmen were to be 
furnished with board while here, and 
twenty-five gallons of West India- 
rum was to be supplied for their use. 
Mr* Fond was to do the work “in a 
workman-like manner/* and to re- 
ceived therefor 11146; $50 in cash 
within one year from date, and 
$1096 was to be paid in beef at cash 
price in the month of October next 
ensuing after date. Mr. Pond’s re- 
ceipt for his pay on the contract 
bears date November 19, 1800. The 
whole cost of the house as shown by 
the bill was $3,731.32. 

During the pastorate of the Rev. 
Mr. Taylor, of something more than 
thirty-seven years, there were re- 
ceived into the church, not includ- 
ing the nine at its organization, one 
hundred and twenty-six members 
forty-eight males, and seventy-eight 
females. 

The Rev. J onathan Nye, the sec- 
ond pastor of this church, was in- 
stalled November 6, 1811, and was 
dismissed December 29, 1819. Dur- 
ing liis pastorate of eight years and ; 
more, there were received into the | 
church eighty-eight members, twen- 1 
tv-seven males and sixty-one females. I 

The Rev. Chandler Rates, the 
third pastor, was settled July 4, 
1821, and was dismissed January 
12,1831. During his pastorate of I 
nearly ten years, eighty-five were re- 
ceived into the church, eighteen 
males and sixty- seven females. 

In 1832-3 the Rev. 0. M. Brown 
supplied the pulpit and received six 
into church fellowship, one male and 
five females. Mr. Brown preached 
the first temperance sermon in the 
place. 

In 1833, the Rev. Rodger 0. Hatch 
labored here eight weeks. The Rev. 
John F. Griswold was installed 
pastor of this church April 1, 1834, 
and was dismissed July 30, 1839. 
Rev. L. S. Coburn was settled here 
October 2, 1839, and this present 
house was dedicated to the worship 
of God, at the same time. Because 



of continued ill health, Mr. Coburn 
was dismissed June 14, 1842. 

May 18, 1843, the Rev. Dana B, 
Bradford was i nstalled pastor of this 
church, and was dismissed June 10, 
1845. The Rev. Darwin Adams was 
installed pastor of the church, Jan- 
uary 28, 1846, and was dismissed 
February 21, 1850. The Rev. Mr. 
Plimpton supplied about ten months, 
in 1850, and was followed by Rev. 
Charles Whiting, who continued 
here till his death, in May, 1855. 
The Rev, Mr, Estey supplied about 
six months, in 1855, and was follow- 
ed by the Rev. Mr. Eastman in 1856. 
The Rev, Mr. Eixby came in 1857, 
and remained five or six year. He 
was dismissed from the church in 
May, 1863, and was succeeded by 
the Rev. Benjamin Ober, who con- 
tinued about five years, and was fol- 
lowed by the Rev. Messrs. Parkin- 
son, Chase, ShurtleH and Dow, who 
averaged about one year each. 

During the past hundred years 
this church has had twenty pastors 
and acting pastors, beside those who 
have supplied for a few weeks only. 
The average pastorate has been less 
than five years. 

The whole number of members in 
this church from its organization 
until this time, has been four 
hundred and seventy-one; one hun- 
dred and eighty-eight males, and 
two hundred and eighty-three fe- 
males. The present number of 
members is ninety-five; twenty-four 
males, and seventy-one females. 

The first Sabbath School was 
opened here in the summer of 1818, 
by Miss Lucy Burnap, sister of Dea. 
Asa Burnap. 

Seven Congregational ministers 
have here been nurtured, trained and 
sent forth into the world to do their 
work. 

The Rev. Bliss Burnap was brought 
up in the family of the Rev. Aaron 
Crosby; he was a good man, and still 
lives to bless the world by his ex- 
ample, faith and prayers/ He has 
preached in Malone and Bangor, N. 
Y., and in other places of which I 
am not informed. 




484 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



The Rev. Luke Whitcomb was 
born in this town in 1789. He pos- 
sessed a strong mind, and was fond 
of books, and ardently desired an 
education. After many struggles he 
fitted for college, and was admitted 
to the Junior class, at Middlebury, 
where he graduated in due course. 
He preached in several places while 
a licentiate, but soon received a call 
to settle in Town sh end, Vt., which 
he accepted. The church at Town- 
shend has been made distracted by 
divisions, but by his wise and judi- 
cious labors, it became united and 
prosperous. This was his only set- 
tlement, which continued about five 
years, until his death, Jan. 2, 1821. 

The Rev, Hollis Read graduated 
at Williams college, and was sent by 
the A. R, 0. F. M., as a missionary 
to the Mahratta mission, in India. 
Here he continued till the failure of 
his health led him to return to his 
native land, where he still lives. He 
is the author of a number of works 
of great value; “God in History,” 
“India and her People, ” “ The 
Palace of the Great King “ The 
Footprints of Satan in History,” 
a counterpart “God in History,” 
and a prise essay, “ Commerce and 
Christianity.” This last is a work 
of rare merit, and does honor to the 
head and heart of its author. 

Rev. Ephraim H. Newton, D. D., 
was born in Newfane, June 13, 
1787, In his younger days he as- 
sisted his father in the blacksmith's 
shop, but having an ardent desire 
for knowledge, and after many hard 
struggles he fitted for col- 
lege and entered at Middlebury, 
in 1806, graduating in 1810. He 
then entered the Theological Semi- 
nary, at Andover, and graduated 
there in 1813. His first settlement 
was at Marlboro, Vt . , March 16, 1814. 
His ministry there continued near- 
ly twenty years and was very suc- 
cessful. 133 additions were made 
to the church under his ministry. 
He was afterwards settled at Glen’s 
Falls, N. Y. , where he continued 
more than three and a half years. 
In 1837 he was settled at Cam- 



bridge, Washington county, N. Y. 
In each of these places he was great- 
ly blessed in his labors. He died 
Oct. 26, 1864, 

The Rev, Lewis Grout was horn 
in the southwestern part of New- 
fane, January 28, 1815, the eldest 
of nine children, of whom eight 
| were sons. 

Rev. Admatha Grout was born in 
| Newfane, February 19, 1817, fitted 
for college at Brattleboro Academy, 
graduated at Dartmouth College 
1845, and at Union Theological 
Seminary, in 1851, Rut failing 
health did not allow of hie being 
settled in the ministry. He died 
in Kansas, in 1855. 

Rev. Henry Martyn Grout, broth- 
er of Lewis and Admatha, was 
born May 14, 1831. Graduated at 
Williams College, in 1854, after 
1 which he taught for a time as prin- 
| cipal of the Brattleboro Academy, 

1 and subsequently as principal of 
Monson Academy. He was licensed 
to preach in 1856, and labored for 
a time in Marlboro, He was ordain- 
ed and installed over a church in 
Putney, September 1, 1858, Sub- 
sequent to this he was called to the 
church in West Rutland, where he 
was installed, August 26, 1862. 
His next pastorate, a term of four 
years, was over the church in West 
Springfield, Mass. He is now set- 
tled in Concord, Mass, He was, 
for several years, associate editor in 
the literary department of the Con- 
gregationalist of Boston. 

The pastorate of Rev. Charles 
Burnham commenced in May, 1874, 
and continued to Jannary, 1880. 
Mr. Burnham was succeeded by 
Rev. George Porter,, who preached 
about two years, and was followed 
by Rev. W. W. Nason for two years. 
Then came Rev. George W. Law- 
rence for one year, Rev. William H. 
Marble for two years, and Rev. C. 
H. Smith, the present pastor, who 
entered his fifth year August 1, 1891. 

METHODISM IK HEWFAHE. 

An organized society was formed 
in 1830, under the direction of Guy 




NEWFANE. 



485 



Beckley and James M. Fuller, 
members of the Vermont Confer- 
ence, who, for about two years, di- 
vided their time between Fayette- 
ville, Williamsville and Wardsboro. 
They were succeeded in this town, 
in 1832, by ¥m. H. Hodges, who 
preached at the two villages, alter- 
nately, most of the time till 1838. 
Then followed Elder G-uernsey, till 
May, 1839, after which time, till 
1848, the society was destitute of 
preaching, with the exception of oc- 
casional supplies. E. B. Morgan 
was stationed at Williamsville, by 
Conference, in 1848, followed by 
John A. Wood in 1850, 0. S. Morris 
in 1851 and *52, C. D. Ingraham in 
1853, and Simeon Spencer in 1862. 
In addition to the above, the society 
was often supplied, temporarily, by 
local preachers. The public services 
of the society were held at Fayette- 
ville, in the Court House and in 
Union church; at Williamsville, in 
Wm. H. Williams* hall, and after- 
ward in the church, a half interest 
in which, until its sale to the First 
Universalist society in 1868, was 
controlled by this denomination. 

In 1878 Conference united Will- 
iamsville and East Dover as one 
charge and stationed A. S. Maxham 
here. Mr. Maxham was followed by 
J. E. Knapp in 1881, Geo. F. Arms 
in 1882, Frank Handy in 1885, J. A. 
Steele in 1888, and F. H. Roberts in 
1891. In 1881 the society erected at 
Williamsville a church at a cost of 
about $3000,and in 1885 a parsonage 
at a cost of $1500, from funds con- 
tributed mostly by Mrs. William H. 
Williams, one of the original mem- 
bers of the society. 

FIRST UKIVERSALIST SOCIETY. 

The present society was organized 
in 1825. That Universalism existed 
in town, in an organized form, at a 
much earlier period, however, is 
shown by the following extract from 
the first volume of town records: 

“Newfake, August ye 14, 1787. 

This may certify all persons 



whom it may concern that the follow- 
ing persons, whose names aie here- 
in inserted, are professors of the 
doctrine of Universal Salvation by 
Jesus Christ, and are constant at- 
tendee to hear the preaching of the 
same, and also do contribute to sup- 
port the preaching of that doctrine. 

It also appears, from the same 
source, that there was inserted in 
the warrant for the annual March 
meeting, in 1820, an article which 
reads as follows: 

“8th. To see if said Town will 
vote to permit the Universalists to 
occupy the Meeting House four 
Sabbaths in each year;**which article, 
according to the record of the meet- 
ing, it was voted to dismiss. In 
November, 1825, a new society was 
organized by Charles Hudson, under 
the name of “The First Restoration- 
ist Society in Newfane,** the con- 
stitution being signed by Josiah 
Taft and 70 others. Jonathan 
Whitcomb was the first regular 
minister, but there is nothing to in- 
dicate the dates of the commence- 
ment and expiration of bis term. At 
the annual meeting of the society, 
Nov. 23, 1827, it was “Voted that the 
committee should hire Mr. Wm. Balch 
to preach one-fourth of the Sabbaths 
in eight months, to commence in 
March or April, on condition that 
Mr. B. does not want more than five 
dollars per Sabbath, and his board- 
ing.** From information received 
from Mr. Balch, it seems that he 
preached his first sermon in New- 
fane, and the fifth in his ministry, 
at the schoolhouse in Williamsville, 
September 23, 1827, and, occasion- 
ally, at other places in town till the 
following April, at which time he 
commenced a regular engagement 
with the society for one-half the 
time, which was continued till No- 
vember 15, 1829. From the latter 
date to 1836 the society was supplied 
for short periods by A. L. Pettee, 

Maynard, Matthew Hale Smith, 

and others, but was destitute of 
preaching the greater portion of the 
time. Otis Warren became pastor 




486 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



m 1836, which relation he occupied 
till 1859. 

' At a meeting of the society, held 
December 10, 1839, it was voted that 
the old constitution be considered 
null and void, and a new constitu- 
tion was adopted, under the name 
of “The First Universalist Society : 
of Newfane,” 

W. W. Hayward was preacher in 
charge from May, 1860, to March, 
1862; M. R. Newell from June, 
1862, to June, 1863; and Joseph, 
Barber during the summer of 
1865, and till 1811, the 
society was wholly destitute of 
preaching. In 1810 the meeting 
house at Williamsville was extensive- 
ly repaired, and was dedicated June 
28, 1811, as a Universalist house of 
worship. N. 0. Hodgden was 
preacher from July, 1811, to Sep- 
tember, 1812; D. 0. White from the 
latter date till the spring of 1814. 
From the close of Mr. White's terra 
the pulpit was supplied by different 
persons till October, 1814, at which 
time Mrs. R. A. D. Tabor com- 
menced her labors, which were ter- 
minated in April, 1816. 

Lucius Holmes was pastor 1818-80, 
followed by J. H. Farnsworth, State 
missionary, 1880-81, Edward Smilie, 
1881-83, and William N. Barber, 
1884-89. Mr. Barber's five years 
term rounded up a ministry of half a 
century. Most of the public services 
of the society, prior to 1836, w T ere 
held at Fayetteville, at first in the 
court house, but in the Union 
church after its dedication in 1832, 
From 1836 to 1854, the time of the 
preacher was divided between the 
two villages, meetings being held 
one-half the time in each, respec- 
tively. 

SCHOOL MSTKICTS AND SCHOOLS, 

The first recorded action of New- 
fane in regard to schools, was taken 
March 15, 1184, when it was voted 
to divide the town into five school 
districts. 

At a meeting held September 1, 
1190, the town was divided into 



seven districts, and March 20, 1192, 
it was again divided into eight dis- 
tricts. March 4, 1199, the 9th dis- 
trict was added to the list, and the 
sum of one hundred pounds voted 
for the support of schools. March 
22, 1802, the 10th district was form- 
ed; March 20, 1809, the lltli dis- 
trict, and March 10, 1817, the 12th 
and 13th districts. 

There are at present ten organized 
school districts in town. 

District No. 1 comprises /Whita- 
ker ville, and the immediate surround- 
ing territory; No. 2 includes the 
village of Fayetteville; No. 3 is sit- 
uated midway between Fayetteville 
and Williams ville; No. 5 is known 
as the parish district; No. 6 includes 
the village of Williamsville; No, 1 
occupies the north-west corner of 
the town; No. 8 includes the village 
of Pond ville; No. 9 is the first dis- 
trict north of Fayetteville; No, 10 
embraces the Adams neighborhood; 
No. 11 takes in Stratton Hill, now 
called, and is a joint district with 
No, 14 in Marlboro, 

The following table shows the 
number of weeks of school sustained 
by the several districts in 1814, the 
rates per cent raised on the grand 
list for support of the same, and the 
population of the town, by districts, 
in January, 1877: 



Districts. 


No. of 
weeks. 
1874, 


Kate 
per cent 
of tax. 


Pop. 

1877. 


No. 1 


20 


‘ 57 


73 


2 


24 


12 


255 


3 


24 


24 


71 


5 


20 


22 


41 


6 


30 


15 


175 


7 


20 


45 


60 


8 


24 


50 


121 


9 


24 


50 


104 


10 


22 


60 


42 


11 

Townsliend 


20 

and 


50 


25 


Newffane, 

Durnmerston 


24 

and 


23 


6 


Newfane. 


24 


1124 


6 


Dover and New 3 fne 24 


25 


9 



Population of town, January, 1871, 988 
The following table may be of in- 
terest as showing the number of 
scholars attending the common 
schools of the town in 1824 and in 




NEWFANE. 



487 



1874, the fiftieth and one-hundredth 
■years, respectively, of its existence 
as an organization: 



Districts. Scholars, 


Scholars, 




1824. 


1874. 


No. 1 


23 


26 


44 2 


26 


34 


44 3 


42 


14 


44 4 


58 




44 5 


65 


12 


44 6 


80 


35 


44 7 


47 


19 


“ 8 


62 


33 


44 9 


50 


28 


44 10 


31 


9 


44 11 


25 


6 


44 12 


9 




Townshend and 


Newfane 




5 


Dmnmerston and 


Newfane 




2 


Dover and 


Newfane.... 


_ 


2 




— 


— __ 


Totals, 


518 


225 



Decrease in scholars, 56 per cent. 
Population of town, 1820, 1506 

41 44 44 1870, 1113 

Decrease in population, 26 per cent. 

The practice of school supervision 
by a committee chosen by the town, 
commenced in 1828. At the annual 
March meeting held in that year, 
Chandler Bates, Boswell M. Field, 
Geo. A. Morse, Roger Birchard and 
Huntington Fitch, were chosen a 
committee to superintend schools. 
This practice evidently soon came 
into disrepute, as men of a lower 
standard of intellect were choson at 
each successive election till 1833, 
when the office was filled by persons 
said to be chiefly noted for ignorance. 

In 1847 the practice was renewed, 
and Foster Hartwell, Otis Warren 
and Darwin Adams were chosen 
superintendents. Since the latter j 
date the position has been occupied | 
by the following persons: 1851, Otis J 
Warren; 1852, *53, 0. S. Morris and . 
Otis Warren; 1854, George Fisher! 
and Phineas Howe; 1855, J. P. 
Huntington; 1856, George Arnold; 
1857, Phineas Howe; 1858, *59, Sol- 
omon Bixby; 1860 and 1866, D. B. 
Morse; 1861, W. W. Hayward; 1862, \ 
*63, *65, *68, B. M. Pratt; 1864, Bern ! 
iaminOber and J. W. Willmarth;! 
1869, J. W. Croker; 1870, ’71, '72, ! 
J. H. Merrifield; 1873, '74, '75, j 



A. M. Merrifield; 1876, '77, '78, 
Charles Burnham; 1879, *80, *81, 
*82, *83, >84, M. 0. Howe; 1885, *86, 
H. W. Bailey; 1887, *88, Frank L. 
Fish; 1891, Charles E. Brown. 
Member of County Board of Edu- 
cation 1889, *90, J. H. Merrifield. 

The inhabitants of this town, 
quick to detect a necessity for bet- 
ter educational facilities than were 
afforded by their common schools, 
took measures, at an early date, to 
secure the establishment of an acad- 
emy. An act incorporating the 
Windham County Grammar School 
was granted by the Legislature, Oc- 
tober 31, 1801, in which the follow- 
ing persons w’ere named as the first 
hoard of trustees: Luke Knowlton, 
Jason Duncan, Asa Wheelock, Sam- 
uel Fletcher, Jonas Whitney, James 
Shatter, Martin Field, Esqs., and 
Mr. Joseph Ellis. A suitable build- 
ing was erected, and for several 
years the institution enjoyed high 
repute. Many persons who after- 
ward occupied honorable positions 
in the affairs of the ’ county and 
State, received their education at 
this place. This school had a run 
of about fifteen years, and then be- 
came a subject of that general de- 
cline which about that time began 
to attach itself to all the public 
enterprises of the village on the hill. 
The academy building was used for 
several years for the district school 
purposes and was finally taken down 
and removed to Fayetteville. 

For many years the inhabitants of 
the town have supported one or 
more select schools for a portion of 
the time, which, though not of an 
academic character, have been very 
useful as aids to the common school 
work. 

The following is a list of the na- 
tives of Newfane who have graduat- 
ed from colleges: 



Ephriam II. Newton, Middlebury, 1810 
Luke Whitcomb. 44 1813 



Charles K. Field, 
Roswell M, Field, 
Chesselden Ellis. 
Lewis Grout, 
Hollis Reed, 
Admatha Grout, 



44 1822 
44 1822 
Union, N. Y., 1823 
Yale, 1842 

Williams, 1826 
Dartmouth, 1845 




488 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Henry M, Grout, Williams, 1854 
Henry K. Field, Amherst, 1869 
Webster Merrifield, Yale, 1877 

Aaron C. Dickinson, Tufts, 1878 

E. Morton Sherman, “ 1880 

John N. Shipman, Madison U ? ty, 1880 
Marshall A. Howe, UVty of Yt., 1890 
Abel J. Grout, “ 1890 



The following, though not natives, 
have received a collegiate educa- 
tion while residents of the town: 
Galvin Knowlton, moved to New- 
fane with his father in 1772, fitted 
for college here, and graduated at 
Dartmouth in 1784; Edward J. and 
Samuel R. Warren, sons of Dr. John 
F. Warren, graduated,— Edward at 
Dartmouth in 1846, and Samuel at 
Yale in 1860. 

William H, Hodges, graduated at 
Colby University, Water ville, Maine, 
in 1851. 



THIS BEYOLrUTIOHABY WAB. 

BY «F« J. WRBE.N. 

When our military stores at Ben- 
nington became in danger, and the 
call came for the Green Mountain 
Boys to rally for the rescue, Lieut. 
Jonathan Park and others from this 
grant, volunteered, and after a two 
day's march reached Bennington in 
time to participate in the glorious 
struggle of that memorable day. 

The following is all the official j 
record we have been able to find 



that in any way connects this town 
with the war for our independence: 
“March 8, 1781, they voted to 
raise the soldiers, for the defense of 
the frontiers, by a town tax/' 

war of 1812-15 

September 29, 1812, a town meet- 
ing was called to see if the town 
would vote to raise the wages of the 
Cavalry and Militia, that should be 
compelled to march, to ten dollars 
per month. They voted to dismiss 
the article and adjourned without 
day. 

There is a tradition that at one 
time the militia expected to be call- 
ed to Plattsburgh, and the company 
volunteered. Many of the men 
worked all night, running bullets, 
making cartridges, etc. But the 
order came the next day to disband, 
instead of march. The soldiers who 
actually enlisted from this town 
were Lyman Holden, a man by the 
name of Gambel, a Mr. Bullard, and 
Nathaniel Holland, who died at 
Plattsburgh, Get, 6, 1814. Isaac 
Hovey, of Williams ville, enlisted in 
January, 1841, from the town of 
Craftsbury, and served for a period 
of eighteen month in the engineer's 
department. He was in only one 
engagement, the battle of Bridge- 
water. 




NEWEANE. 



489 



SOLDIERS FURNISHED BY NEWFANE, 1861-5. 



Names. 


Regiment. 


0^ 

§ 

a 

S 

o 

O 


© 

Sfj 

<1 


When 

Enlisted. 


Carpenter, Edwin J 


2 


0 


18 


Aug. 


10, 61] 


Howe, Edmund P. - - - - 


2 


C 


22 


May, 


61 


Lamb, Henry L 


3 


c 


22 


May, 


6i : 


Mason, Albert 


2 


C 


21 


May, 


61 j r 


Miller. Frederic E 


2 


C 


24 


May, 


610 


Miller, Morris 


2 


c 


40 


May, 


61(3 


Pratt, R. M 


2 


c 


22 


May, 


61 j] 


Allison, Everett M. 


3 


H 


28 


June 


1, 61;] 


Coolev, Geo. C... 


4 


I 


20 


Aug. 


21, 61 1 


Hall, James 


4 


F 


29 


Sept. 


2, 61 


Nelson, Stephen H 


4 


F 


88 


Dec. 


6, 63 


Perry, Daniel 


4 


F 


25 


Sept. 


5, 61. 


Perry, Henry 


4 


F 


22 


Sept. 


3, 61 


Sexton, Thomas B. 


4 


F 


21 


Dec. 


6, 63 


Greene, George E 


6 


F 


34! 




Hazelton , Edward L. _ _ 


7 


G 


241 Nov. 


30, 61 


Alls, Horace 


8 


I 


25; Dec. 


11, 61] 


Bemis, Leonard C 


8 


J 


86 Nov. 


30, 61 


Betterley , Alfred . 


8 


I 


19|Nov. 


29, 61 


Betterley, Geo. S. 


8 


I 


19 


Nov, 


30, 61 


Betterley, Gilbert W. . . j 


8 


I 


18 


Nov. 


29, 61 


Betterley, Thomas F. . . ! 


8 


I 


21 


Nov. 


26, 61 


Blashfield, Henry C j 


8 


I 


18 


Dec. 


2, 61] 


Brown, Clark ...J 


8 


I 


23 


Dec. 


3, 611 


Carpenter, Eben B. 


8 


I |18 


Dec. 


2, 61! 


Charter, Samuel i 


8 


I 


82 


Jan. 


16, 62 1 


Church, Henry. J 


8 


I 


83 


Dec. 


15, 61 1 


Davis, Enos L 


8 | 


I 


18 


Dec. 


9, 611 


Davis, Hiram.. j 


8 


I 


44 


Dec. 


9, 613 


Downs, Henry W. . . 


8 | 


1 


18 


Nov. 


28, 61 ] 


Estabrooks, Sidney J... 


8 


I 


19 


Aug. 


11. 641 


Forbush, Wm. F. 


8 


I 


15 


Jan. 


13, 62 1 


Fairbanks, Way land. . . 


8 


I 


20 


Dec. 


24, 63 ] 


Franklin, Alvin B. _ 


8 


H 


23 


Nov., 


61 ] 


Gates, Alvin J 


8 


i 


21 


Dec. 


28, 61 ] 


Holland, Geo. N 


8 


I 


27 


Nov., 


611 


Hudson, Bonaparte 


8 


i 


20 


Nov. 


20, 61 ( 


Ingram, Charles E. 


8 


I 118 


Dec. 


6, 611 


Ingram, John H 


8 


I 


19 


Aug. 


15, 64]1 


Ingram, Jonathan M. 


8 


I 


38 


Aug. 


10, 64 2 


Lamson, Daniel 


8 


I 


27 


Nov, 


27, 61 1 


Mills, Alonzo. 


8 


I 


21 


Dec, 


24, 63 J 


Morse, Joshua C. ... 


8 


I 


30 


Nov., 


6llfi 


Morse, Luke J. 


8 


I 


23 


Nov. 


27, 61 1 


Park, Oscar B 


! 8 


I 


18 


Dec. 


5, 681 


Park, Otis... 


1 8 


I 


20 


Dec. 


6, 61 1 


Peavey, Augustus C.„t 


1 8 


I 


18 


;NOV. 


30, 6111 



Remarks, 



*ro. Ser. mustered out June 29, 64. 
’aken pria. at Savage Station; dis- 
charged Jan. 25, 63. 

'aken pris. at Spottsylvania; dis- 
charged Dec, 24, 64. " [May 10, 64, 



first Bull Run; dis. Nov. 1, 61. 
ailed at Wilderness, May 5, 64, 
'ro. Ser, Must, out July 13, 65, 



Dec. 13, 64. 

lischarged Oc. 22, 62. [July 13, 65. 
’aken pris. June 23, 64; Must, out 
’aken pris. June 23, 64 ; died at 
Anderson ville, Sept. 11, 64. 
drafted July 13, 63. [Mar. 14, 66 
'ro. 1st Lt. July 31, 65; Must, out 



Corps. April 25, 65. 



)eserted June 30, 63; dishonorably 
discharged June 12, 65. 



lustered out June 22, 64. 
lustered out June 22, 64. 

)ied March 18, 62, while on pas- 
sage to Ship Island, 



June 28. 65. 



out 



, 65. 



st Lt. Jan. 17, 62; Capt. Oct. 27, 
63; Major Nov, 24, 64 ; Lt.-Col, 
Mar. 8, 65; Must, out June 28, 65, 
5. drummer; Must, out June 28,65. 
st Lt. ; resigned Oct. 25, 62. 



84] Mustered out June 28, 65. 
“red out June 28, 65, 



2d Lt, Pro. 1st Lt. ; res. July 10, 63, 
3red out June 22, 64. 



regular army. 



28, 62; re-en, in 




490 VERMO-N T HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



SOLDIERS FURNISHED BY NEWFANE, 1861-5.— Continued. 



Names. 



to 

£ 



When 
Enlisted , 



Remarks. 



iS 

Q 



Plummer. Geo. F-. . . — 


8 1 


I 


17 


Dec* 


Stearns, Henry M 


8 I 


I 


19 


Dec, 


Stratton, AsaH 


8 ! 


I 


22' 


Jan. 


Tyler, Stephen M. 


8 


II 


28 


Feb, 


Warner. Frank R. _ _ _ . . 


8 


II 


'22 


Jan. 


Warren* Francis E ‘ 


8 , 


I 


m 


Dec. 


Allen , W ar ren — 1 


9 


1 

jF 


,88- 


Aug. 


N e wton , J ames II. _ - . - 


9 


K 


lBjJune 


Waller, Edgar G ■* . J 


9 


If 


49 


Aug. 


Birchard , Sardis _ ; 


11 


!L 


“24 


June 


Carpenter, Henry A. 


11 


(E 


* 

m 


Aug. 


Johnson, Edward H, _ _ . 


11 


'E 


.24 


Nov, 


Miles, Linus P 


11 


E 


20 


|Aug. 


Morse, Amherst 


11 


E 


23jJuly 


Mullett, Daniel A.* 


11 


iE 


3T 


! Dec. 


Newton, Charles M. 


11 


;L 


17 


July 


Park, Otis - - - : 


11 


;E 


24 


;Dec. 


Parsons, Geo* W._ 


11 


!E 


30 


•Aug, 


Patch, Albert 


11 


;E 


19 


Aug. 


Smith, Everett N ; 


12 


il 


48 


'Oct, 



Adams. Aden i 

Brooks, Wm. A. 

Cook, James F, ! 

Corbett, J ohn N ] 

Donahue, Patrick . j 

Dunklee, Addison R._ J 
Fairbanks, Way land E.j 

Goodnow, Wm. H i 

Haskins, Kittredge 

Jones, John D .... 

Lincoln, Samuel B, 

Morse, Charles E 

Morse, William 

Powers, Jeffrey 

Stone , Henry B. _ _ . . 
Sexton, Thomas B. . - - . 

Wallen, Harrison 

Willis, Monroe C 

Coburn, Charles H. 

Day, Henry A 

Mayraw, John 

Strong, Lewis 

Taylor, Franklin J 

Thompson, Thomas 

Betterley, Frank W. _ _ _ 
Donahue, Patrick 



2, 61 Mustered out June 28, 65. 

14, 63 Mustered out June 28, 65, 

16, 62 1 Mustered out June .22, 64, 

J, 62, Mustered out June 22, 64. 

15, 62 Pro. 1st Lt.; Must, out June 28, 65. 
23, 61 Cor. Pro. Capt. : Must, out June 

28, 65. 

23, 64 Mustered out June 13, 65. 

9, 62 Pro. Ser. Killed at Spottsylvania, 
May 12, 64. 

18, 64 Mustered out June 19, 65. 

27, 63 Taken pris.; died at Andersonville, 
Aug. 20, 64. 

9, 62 Pro. Cor.: Must, out June 21, 65. 
18, 63 Mustered out Aug. 25, 65. 

9, 62 Died Feb. 8, 63. 

29, 62 Pro. 1st Lt. Co. K; dis. May 8, 65. 

4, 63 Mustered out Aug. 25, 65. 

6, 63 Mustered out Aug, 25, 65. 

5, 68 Mustered out Aug. 25, 65. 

9, 62 Mustered out June 24. 65. 

9, b2Pro. 2d Lt.: Must, out June 24, 65. 
4. 62 Mustered out JuIt 14, 63. 

20,62 • 

20, 62 

20. 62 Killed at Gettysburg, July 3, 63. 

20 , 62 ; 

20. 62! 

SOI 62; 3d Sergt. 

6 , 621 Promoted Corp, 

20, 62 Musician. 

20* 62 1st Lieut.: resigned March 19, 63. 
20; 62 

20, 62 Taken pris. at Gettysburg, July 3, 
63: died at Richmond, Noy.20,63. 

20, 62 

20, 62 Died April 26. 63. 

20, 62 
20, 62; 

20, 62; 

20, 62 Sergt, reduced to ranks, July 4, 63. 
20, 62 Wounded at Gettysburg, July 3, 63. 
E 18-March 10, 64, Mustered out July 14, 65, " [64, 

F 21 Oct. 24. 68; Killed at Petersburg, Ya., June 24, 
!H 30! March 34, 64 Deserted May 22, 64. 

If 41 1 March 20, 64, Mustered out May 18, 65. 

;E ; 18 i March 26, 64 ; Discharged Noy, 4, 65. 

E 40 March 25, 64; Deserted July 1, 65. 



; 26 i Sept, 
j 23 ! Sept. 

1 20 1 Sept. 
34! Sept. • 
! 38 j Sept. 
■19[Sept. 
IldjSept. 
i!9 ! Sept. 
26 Sept 
25 1 Sept. 
18:Sept 

I 

81 [Sept. 

: 25 i Sept* 
•2 1! Sept* 



Goodnow, Orwell S. 
Pond, William W.„ 



Brown, Lewis G.- 
Mullett, Chas. M* _ 
Robbins, Geo. W. . 
Willis, Daniel H. . 



16 
16 

16 
16 
16 
16 
16 
16 
16 
; 16 
16 

16 
16 
16 
: i6 

i 16 
16 
i 16 

17 

i I 7 

! 17 
5 17 
17 
! 17 

.ilVOjF 26; Sept. 
ilV C;F 39 Jan. 

1YC-F 21 Sept. 
LY C F ; 21 'Dec. 

.S3F dF jlSljan. 
,«SS.fH!21iOct. 
Hi 37 1 Oct, 
H 23 Oct. 



Sept, 

Sept. 

Sept. 

Sept* 



21, 6 L Mustered out Nov. 18, 64. 

8, 64 Taken pris. at Ashland, Ya. : died 
| at Andersonville, Aug. 17, (34, 

16, 61;Discharged Sept, 20, 62. 

15, 63 1 Missed in action at Ridley’s shop, 
June 30, 64. 



.3, 65 
20, 61 
20, 61 
14, 61 



Mustered out June 27, 60* 
Discharged March 22, 62, 
Discharged July 2, 62. 

Killed at Sulphur Springs, 
Aug* 26, 62. 



Ya., 



The 18th was mastered in Oct. 23, 62; mustered out Aug. 10, 63. 



NEWFANE. 



491 



united states navy. 

Fatrservis, Robert : Green, James ; j 

Ham, Geo. W. ; Merrick, Nicholas ; I 
Shaw, Renj. F, ; Smith, 'William, 

NAMES OF MEN WHO FURNISHED SUBSTI- 
TOTES. 

Rowker, S. W.; Dunklee, A. B.; Lam- 1 
son, J. D.; Redfield, Geo. W.; Sherman, j 
O. L.; Bern is, W. L, 

NAMES OF MEN WHO PAID COMMUTATION j 
- MONEY. | 

Adams, Jos. O.; Merrifield, Hollis R. ; j 
Mixer, Chas. ; Morse, Thomas A. ; Rus- 1 
sell, Sylvanus ; Walker, Henry W. : 
Wheeler, E, P. ” j 

NATIYES OF NEWFAXE WHO SERVED j 
OTHER TOWNS AND STATES. 

Aldrich, Harrison, Capt. Co. K, 21st 1 



Mass. ; Bennett, Henry L., enlisted at 
Royal ton, Mass.: Davis, David H., en- 
listed from Dummerston in Co. D, 8th 
Vt.: * Gould, Lyman W., Capt. 41st 
Mass.: Higgins, SamJB.. 1st Wisconsin 
and 16th U. B. Infantry; Higgins, Ira S,, 
musician, 4th Vt. ; Ingram, Ira O., Co. 
K, 1st Wisconsin Cavalry: Kenney, John 
C., 101st Illinois; Newton, John, 18th IT, 
S. Infantry: Newton, John, 3d Wiscon- 
sin : Newman, John L. , enlisted from 
Brattleboro in Co B, 16th Reg.; Pratt, 
Myron, Capt. Co. G, 1st Mass. Cavalry, 
killed at Snicker’s Gap, Ya., Nov. 3, 62; 
Ray, Sami R., enlisted from Jamaica in 
Co. I, 4th Reg., mortally wounded at 
Fredericksburg, Dec. 18, 62 : Sibley. 
Isaac H., enlisted from Dummerston in 
Co. E, 11th Reg.; Ward, John S. s 8d 
Minnesota and 7th Vt.; Worden, James 
C., Co, E, 71st New York. 



ROCKINGHAM. 



By E. A. DERBY. 



ROCKINGHAM. 

Rockingham is a post town in the 
N. E. corner of Windham county. 
The Connecticut river washes the 
entire eastern boundary. Williams 
river runs through the central part 
and empties into the Connecticut 
about three miles north of Bellows 
Falls. Saxton’s river is in the south- 
ern part of the town. 

Some accounts inform us that the 
first settlements made in this town 
were commenced by people from 
Massachusetts who received a char- 
ter from that State, and that the 
place was originally called Fallstown, 
which was soon after changed to 
Great Falls, and was again changed 
to Bellows Falls, after the lands ad- 
joining on both sides of the river 
were drawn and settled by Benjamin 
Bellows, who was one of the origi- 
nal proprietors of the town, as well 
as proprietor's clerk. 

If the town was settled previous 
to 1752, and it is possible it was, the 
settlers forfeited their charter and 
abandoned their settlement on ac- 
count of the Indians, or for some 
other cogent reason. 

At that time settlements in 
Cheshire County, N. H., and Wind- 
ham County, Vt., were very rare. 
White people had traversed the wil- 
derness in this vicinity, observing 
the inducements offered to settlers; 



| but although the soil, timber, 
streams, -game and fish made the 
country attractive, it is probable 
tli at the numerous savages made the 
occupancy of the country too haz- 
ardous an undertaking for the whites 
to enter on. In 1744 there were 
but very few inhabitants between 
Swanzey and Charlestown No. 4. 

Previous to this time settlements 
had been begun in Vermont, but 
none had become permanent as far 
north as Rockingham before 1754. 
The few people who had attempted 
to settle were continually harrassed 
by the French and Indians. At all 
times they were subject to the at- 
tacks of a concealed foe. They 
could not cultivate the soil, or clear 
the land without being exposed to 
danger. The condition of the coun- 
try, being almost wholly covered 
with forest, was favovable to the 
stealthy approach of the cunning 
savage; and the settler was liable at 
any instant to be shot down and 
scalped, or captured and carried into 
captivity. Their families were in 
cohstant danger of being massacred 
or captured. 

Although the soil in this vicinity 
was everything that the agriculturist 
could desire, it is probable that the 
great attraction was fish. At cer- 
tain seasons of the year the Connec- 
ticut literally swarmed with salmon 
and shad. The falk impeded their 




494 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



progress up the river, and, as a conse- 
quence, the eddy below was some - 1 
times fairly packed with them. 

The fact that people were attracted 
to this vicinity for fishing rather 
than for farming purposes, together 
with some other oireumstances, 
tended to retard the early growth 
and prosperity of the town.' As late 
as 17154, after the present charter 
had been obtained from Governor 
Wentworth, it was doubted that the 
town contained a large enough per- 
manent population to retain the 
charter, and he took testimony from 
Michael Lovell and Benjamin Bel- 
lows, two of the principal proprie- 
tors, in regard to the matter. They 
both testified that tr theve wore then 
twenty-five families settled in the 
town of Rockingham, who had al- 
ready cultivated lands, and had so 
far improved them by actual set- 
tlement as to fulfill the conditions 
of the charter and this testimony 
was so conclusive that all further 
attempts to render the charter void 
were abandoned, and Rockingham 
became a town. 

In early times the courts of this 
district were held at Chester. But , 
as a large majority of the settlors 
were located on or near the Connec- 
ticut, they very naturally made an 
effort to have the courts assemble at 
some more convenient point. In 
conformity with this plan, the in- 
habitants of the town assembled on 
the 2d day of December, 1771, and 
‘‘ agreed to pay 70 pounds, lawful 
currency, towards the erection of 
county buildings, provided Rock- j 
ingham be made the shire town.” 
This was a liberal offer, but u by ex- 
traordinary exertions and by the in- 
fluence of persons in authority,” 
the courts were removed to West- 
minster, where was erected the 
court house which was afterward 
made famous by the 1 Westminster 
massacre,” 

At this time the courts were man- 
aged by officers of the King. The 
people were divided into two par- 
ties, Whigs and Tories, the former 



comprising those who were opposed 
to all authority not in conformity 
with the Continental Congress, while 
the latter abided by the authority of 
the crown, and considered that a 
royal proclamation was all that was 
necessary to keep the people in sub- 
jection to the King's officers. 

In 1774, a committee of corres- 
pondence in regard to the friends 
of liberty was appointed, and on 
this committee were Moses Wright 
and Jonathan Burt of Rockingham. 
It was their purpose to throw off 
the yoke of despotism, and to secure 
this purpose they had resolved that 
neither life or property should be 
spared. 

On Sunday, March 12, 1775, a 
party of Whigs from Rockingham 
went down to Westminster to dis- 
suade the King s officers from open- 
ing the courts, Monday ; and thus 
were the people of this town among 
those friends of freedom who first 
resisted the King's officers, causing 
the first blood or the Revolution to 
be shed on “ Court House Hill,” in 
the town of Westminster. Capt. 
Stephen Sargeant, with his com- 
pany of Rockingham militia, assisted 
in driving the court party from the 
house, and in securing them after 
the massacre; thus they lighted the 
torch of war that soou after blazed 
at Lexington and Bunker Hill. 

Several of the Rockingham militia 
were wounded in this affray, and 
Philip SafFord, lieutenant of the 
company, when surrounded by the 
Tories, knocked down ten of them 
with his bludgeon, and although he 
received several severe cuts from the 
sword of Sheriff Patterson, retired 
from the Held daring the whole 
posse of King George to combat the 
Rockingham militia. 

The Indians when on the war 
path, or when on hunting and fish- 
ing excursions, always halted a 
while at Bellows Falls to rest, and 
consequently the town was slow in 
growth, and continually disturbed 
by marauding parties. 

In the year 1755, one Joseph 



BOOKING IT AM. 



495 



Blanchard numbered all the in- 
habitants from Brattleboro to Hart- 
ford in Vermont JJ and reported 
“that there were not more than GO 
families then settled in all that ter- 
rf to rv.” 

In the spring of 1704 the war 
party that went from Canada to de- 
stroy Deerfield, Mass., passed 
through Rockingham on their re- 
turn.. The day was Sunday, and 
ih ey a t oppe d t o gi v e their ph so n e r s 
an opportunity to rest. 

While stopping there the Rev. 
John Williams — the ancestor of the 
Indian branch of the Williams fam- 
ily, which has been famous on ac- 
count of the Rev. EJeazer Williams, 1 
who attempted to identify himself 
and Louis XV IT, the lost dauphin 
of France,— preached a sermon, 
which was undoubtedly the first ser- 
mon that was preached in this town. 
His text was Lam. 1 :18. 

Said township was by charter, 
bounded as follows: Beginning at 

the northeast corner of Westminster 
and running up by the Connecticut 
river until it extends six miles upon 
a straight line northerly to a stake 
and stones upon the bank of said . 
river, in Hickup meadow,' — thence , 
running due west six miles to a stake i 
and stones— thence running south- 
erly six miles to the northwesterly , 
corner of Westminster — thence run- 
ning due east to the bounds first 
mentioned ; and that the same he 
and is incorporated into a township 
by the name of Rockingham, and 
the inhabitants that do or shall here- 
after inhabit said township are here- 
by declared to be enfranchised with 
and instituted to all the privi ledges 
and immunities that other towns 
within onr said Province by law ex- 
ercise and enjoy, 

GE.ANTEES. 

The names of the grantees of 
Rockingham, under the charter of 
George II, were as follows: Samuel 
Johnson, Ezra Farnsworth, Isaac 
Parker, John Kilburn, Sylvanus 
Hastings, Josiah Willard, Nathan 



Willard, Robert Henry, William 
Willard, Peter Bellows, Nathan 
Smith, William Parker, Jonah 
Moor, Lemuel Hastings, Jonathan 
White, Lemuel Butler, Benjamin 
Bellows, Benjamin Stowell, An- 
drew Gardner, Jonathan Wether bee/ 
Abijah Wetherbee, William Simon ds f 
Oliver Willard, Stephen Farns- 
worth, Jonathan Bigelow, Jotham 
Bush, Simeon Knight* Samuel Lar- 
abee, David Page, Hezekiah EL 
more, Asa Douglas, Johanna Weth- 
er bee, Jaezaniah How, John Stow, 
0 bedi ah Dickerson, William Syms, 
Palmer G on 1 ding, Joseph Lee, 
Thomas Martin, Samuel Went- 
worth. Andrew Gardner, Jr., Sam- 
uel Wetherbee. David Farnsworth, 
Asel Stebens, John Den sin ore, John 
Arms, Jacob Elmore, Isaiah Saw- 
yer, Benjamin French, John Mofi'et, 

! Daniel Maynard, Daniel Warren, 
Ebenezer Hinsdale, Jonathan Mar- 
ble, Timothy Taylor, Isaac Wins- 
low, Richard Clark, Tuttle Hub- 
bard, Thomas Stebens. 

Henning Wentworth was com- 
missioned governor of the Province 
of New Hampshire, July 3* 1741. 
He manifested considerable interest 
in the early settlement of Rocking- 
ham because he knew that large 
quantities of the best masting tim- 
ber that could be obtained in the 
province were growing here. He 
resided at Portsmouth, N. TL, but 
he had heard such favorable reports 
ol the timber on tf the river of the 
pines * ! that he came here to make 
personal examination * and to take 
measures M for the better securing 
the masting trees from being cut 
and felled.” He caused the first 
; saw' -mills in town to be erected, one 
| of which was located on Williams 5 
river at the place now known as 
: Brock way’s mills, and the other 
J hear the mouth of Saxtons river. 
/Gov. Wentworth received large of- 
J ficialfees from the King of Eng- 
land, and also invariably reserved 
for himself in every township that 
he granted, 500 acres of the beet 
and richest land for the purposes of 
j speculation * W lien Ro ek i ngh am 




496 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



was chartered, John Kilburn visited lots into equal divisions, in all 
Gov. Wentworth and represented making 72, so that ye drawing 
that the best lands lay back of the might be made all at the same 
river. But the governor could not time, so that in drawing, each of the 
be induced to make his reservation 72 original proprietors would at once 
except where he thought there was come into possession of all his lands, 
timber. Kilburn, failing to secure In consequence of this arrangement 
the lots he desired here, changed every proprietor received a house-lot, 
his tactics and pretended to be very a river-lot and lot on some small 
anxious to secure some lots on the stream as his equal share in the lands 



other side of the river, directly op- 
posite the falls; the governor was 
equally loth to give up his choice of 
lots on that side, thinking that the 
best land must be near the falls; 
but he gave Kilburn the choice of 
any lots above or below the lands 
lying and being on Fall mountain. 
He finally concluded to take lands 
below, securing the best lands in 
Walpole and some on Williams' 
river, while the governor took the ! 
mountain range which was compar- 
atively worthless, and to which John 
Kilburn gave the name of “ Gov- 
ernor's Garden,” a name which is 
retained to this day. 

The town charter specified that 
the “first legal meeting of the pro- 
prietors ” should be held on the last 
Wednesday of March, 1753. In con- 
formity to this provision a meeting 
was held on the 28th of March, and 
Benjamin Bellows presided as mod- 
erator, in accordance with a provis- 
ion of the charter to that effect. At 
this meeting it was voted “To lay 
out to each proprietor a house lot, 
and that the 72 house lots be laid 
out in three or more several places. 
That all the meadows, or intervale ; 
land lying on Connecticut river and 
up Williams' river, he divided into 
72 lots, being one for each proprie- | 
tor.” A committee consisting of! 
Andrew Gardner, Benj. Bellows, I 
Jonathan Bigelow, Stephen Farns- ! 
worth and Asahel Stebens, was | 
chosen for laying out the lands:, 
and this committee was also author- j 
ized “to lay out all ye meadow and ! 



of the town. The committee to lay 
out lands wag also directed by tbe 
proprietors “To select and lay out 
I six acres for a meeting house place.” 
It was voted that if any man 
should move upon any lands 
in the town before the meadow 
lands were laid out, lie should 
have the liberty to take the 
lot upon which he had moved or 
done labor, provided it be on Wil- 
liams river, without drawing. 

Previous to adjournment Benja- 
min Bellows was chosen proprietor's 
clerk and collector of taxes. Andrew 
I Gardner, Sylvanus Hastings, and 
John Grant were chosen assessors. 

At this meeting the town was first 
properly and legally organised. 

The original proprietors wished 
for perfect equality in dividing the 
town lands, and they had agreed to 
, be satisfied with such lots as fell to 
j them in the drawing. Selfishness 
was not so rampant in the hearts of 
the people then as it is now. Their 
sense of mutual dependence on each 
other for safety begat a sentiment 
of common interest in the general 
prosperity and welfare of the com- 
munity. The settlers came together 
as one family and decided that each 
member should share equally the 
privileges of their joint proprietor- 
ship. Only a few town officers were 
needed. The proprietors were con- 
tent to begin their town existence 
with a clerk, a committee, a collec- 
tor of taxes, and town assessors. 

May 4, 1754, Benjamin Bellows, 
clerk of the town, gave notice by 



intervale land lying upon all ye | request of ten of the legal ihhabi- 
small rivers, into 72 lots, and to ! tants, that there would be a town 
take a plan of all ye lands in said I meeting at the house of Mr. Jona- 
town.” The committee was also ! than Bigelow, in said town, in the 



directed to “couple all ye various Province of New Hampshire, on 




ROOKINGIEAM. 



497 



Wednesday, the 29th day of May. 
At this meeting Esquire Bellows pre- 
sided, according to the provision of 
the charter, and this aided him to 
become a great man among the early 
settlers, ft was bis good fortune to 
become possessed of many valuable 
lots in Rockingham, though he re- 
sided in Walpole, After accepting 
the report of the committee to lay I 
ont lots, ft ye lands were drawn by j 
lots as laid out. JJ Benjamin Bellows 
took the lower meadow and the lands i 
round said meadow for 21 house lots, 
he also took land on Saxt oil s river, 
in all 48 acres, for Id three acre 1 
meadow lots, a as coupled to ye house 
lots afore named/' and he also had 
“ liberty to pick five more three acre \ 
meadow lots in any undivided mead- j 
ow lands where he might choose to ‘ 
select the same.” Bonds were re- 
quired and given by all the drawers | 
of house lots to have men on then) i 
by the last of March, 1755, other- 
wise the lots would revert to the j 
town. He aided materially in the 
early settlements and was highly re- 
spected as a citizen and town officer. 
Prom the fact that he owned the 
lower meadow, ( a part of which is i 
owned by his descendants to this day), 
the Great Falls finally came to be I 
called Bellows Pal is. 

At the May meeting it was voted \ 
that six acres of land be taken from 
the north end of house lot No. 3, 
being 33 rods square, and that the i 
same be set off for the use of the ' 
town, for the purpose of binding ^ 
thereon a meeting-house, and that a 
road twelve rods wide be laid out i 
through said land. It was voted that | 
a tax: of 30 shillings be paid by each 
proprietor for the purpose of mak- 1 
mg roads. 

Benjamin Bellows and John Kil- 
buTH were directly and largely in- 
terested in the settlement and pros- 
perity of Rocking)] am. They re- 
sided in Walpole, where may still | 
be found numerous descendants 
of each, but owned lands here. | 
They were public spirited men and | 
in full sympathy with the best in- 
terests of all the settlers in this vi- 



cinity. They provided places of 
shelter and safety, where the people 
could easily defend themselves 
against the attacks of the Indians; 
and in times of danger they invaria- 
bly resorted to the same. 

The old Bellows fort stood on the 
north end of a hill near the house 
wh e re th e f am i ly af to r w ar d s res id ed . 
and which is still occupied by a 
grandson of Esq. Bellows, It was 
well located for defense against the 
Indians, and commanded an exten- 
sive view of the adjoining country. 

He kept a large number of men 
in his employ, all of whom were 
well armed; and he also had one 
heavy iron gun, furnished by the 
royal government for the public 
protection, 

John Kil bum's house which par- 
took somewhat of the nature of a 
fort without being one, was nearly 
two miles further north, located on 
tli e 1 o w ter r a c e. Ad esper at e In d i a n 
fight occurred here Aug, 17, 1755. 
Four hundred Indians demanded of 
Kilbum that he and his party 
should surrender. But, although 
his force, all told, consisted of but 
four men and two women, he in- 
dignantly refused to surrender, and 
in reply to the chief who promised 
u good quarter/' he replied, u be- 
gone you black rascal, or I'll quar- 
ter you ! The fight immediately 
commenced. The Indians fired on 
the house from the high terrace on 
the east, and the roof was soon com- 
pletely riddled. The women worked 
with a will loading the guns, of 
which they had a number, and cast- 
ing bullets. They melted up their 
pewter spoons and dishes, and when 
these we re e x hau s ted th ey s u spe n de d 
blankets in the chamber to catch 
the Indian balls which were sent 
back with deadly effect into the sav- 
age ranks. The unequal contest 
continued all the afternoon till 
nearly dark, when the Indians, 
thinking that Kilbum must have a 
regiment of men in the house, gave 
op the fight and returned to Can- 
ada, and never dared to molest Wal- 
pole again. Only one person in the 




498 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



house was injured, A man named | 
Peak was wounded in the hip by 
carelessly exposing himself at a port- 
hole, and afterward died for want 
of medical treatment. 

John Kilburn lived to the good 
old age of 85 vears; died April, 
1789. 

The first bridge across the Con- 
necticut was built at Bellows Falls 
in 1785, and till 179G was the only 
bridge crossing the river. 

The building of this bridge was a 
great achievement. Isaiah Thomas I 
in the Massachusetts iSpy 9 Feb. J.0, • 
1785, notices it as follows : “We 1 

hear from Walpole, State of New 
Hampshire, that Col. Enoch Hale 
hath erected a bridge across Con- 
necticut river on the Great Palls, 1 
at his own expense This bridge is 
thou g h t to exce e d any e v e r built i n 
America in strength, beauty and 
public utility. This bridge is 360 
feet in length and about 60 feet 
above high water mark, 

Hale's bridge, as it was called, 
was 365 feet long, and was sup- 
ported in the middle by a pier built 
on the large rook which divides the 
channel into two streams at high 
w a ter , F mm th e br i d g e an i n te r - j 
esting view of the falls was had. ' 
The falls were then regarded as 
presenting “one of the most stu- 
pendous spectacles in nature.” At 
that time the scene was much wilder 
than now. Large trees covered the 
banks to the water's edge— the vol- 
ume of water was greater than now 
and more rapid. The Great Falls 
as well as the bridge attracted much 
attention from the traveling public, 
and travelers made it a point to stop 
and examine the wonders of the 



Yet it was not without its benefits. 
At that time there was (and is now) 
a, pla.ee known as the “stone-hole,” 
from which stone had been quarried 
to build a dam near where the saw- 
mill now stands. Below this dam 
was a swampy mud -hole. The 

freshet carried this dam away and 
with it vast quantities of rocks and 
earth which completely filled the 
swamp and formed a tract of valua- 
ble land whereon shops and milk 
were built which stood many years 
till destroyed by fire. 

Since then several severe freshets 
haveoccured, no tic able among which 
was one in May, 18 1 8, on c in Sep 
t ember, 1828, another in February, 
1839, when much damage was done 
to milk and bridges. At this time 
a bridge over the Connecticut, at 
Charlestown was carried away and 
cam e d o w n th e river in L w o p a r ts, 
the largest part swept majestically 
over the dam and rapids. In 1841 
there was another destructive fresh- 
et. The guard gates of the canal 
were not equal to the pressure, and 
gave way, letting a volume of water 
through that made a breach in the 
canal that soon extended from 15 to 
100 feet in width. The quantity of 
earth moved, was estimated at 7000 
cubic yards, and the damage to the 
canal and locks at S300U. The 
whole rise of water in the eddy be- 
1 o w th e f al 1 s was 2 2 ^ feet. Fn April, 
1862, was a freshet which threw 
this and all previously recorded 
freshets completely in the shade. 
The water rose to a point higher 
than it was ever known to reach be- 
fore. Great alarm prevailed con- 
cerning the safety of many places in 
and about the village of Bellows 



place. 

After tong-continued rains, and 1 
when the snow melts suddenly in ! 
the spring, the river rises very rap- 
idly and often to a great height. > 
Freshets occur yearly, and are some- 
times so extensive that great dam- 
age is done. 

About 1797 there was a great 
freshet which carried away the up- 
per locks and did much damage, , 



Falls. 

THE OKKAT FRESHET OF OCT 3, 1869, 

The damage done to the town was 
almost beyond compute. At Ear- 
tonsville the Williams river overflow- 
ed its banks and made a short cut 
ue cross a bow, sweeping away the 
highway, portions of the railroad 
track, the depot and several dwell- 
ings. Bridges were lifted from 



ROCKINGHAM. 



491i 



their foniidiitious and swept down 
the stream. The water hi undated 
the meadows and carried away a 
great many fields of corn. Sax lords 
river rose with a midden fierceness 
that was terribly des tm ctive to prop- 
erty* The village of Saxtoids River 
suffered severely, the damage done 
to that place being estimated at 
$76*000. A wool 'pul ling establish- 
ment, belonging to L. G. IJnbbard, 
was carried away, with all its contents. 
Mr, Hubbard's loss was estimated at 
about $15*000. Messrs, j. A. Fanis- 
wertli, J. F. Alexander, and Benja- 
min Scofield lost heavily, A fine 
meadow farm a short distance below 
the village, belonging to a young 
man named Barber, was damaged to 
the amount of $5000, The river left 
its channel and cut a new one the 
entire length of the meadow. 

It was one of the most remarkable 
floods of the present century. A 
large number of lives were lost. 

TOWN REPRESENTATION AND TOWN 
CLERKS. 

The State of Vermont began to 
legislate for the people in 1778. The 
General Assembly held its first ses- 
sion at Windsor, commencing March 
12, and continuing 16 days. The 
first Assembly passed a few tempo- 
rary laws bnt we find no record of 
them. They resolved, however, 
(t that the plain word of tied, as con- 
tained in the Scrip tn res, to be the 
law of the land.” 

Rockingham sent as delegates to 
this convention two men of consid- 
erable influence, Jon a. Webb and 
Reuben Jones. 

The following persons have rep re- 
sen ted this town m the General As- 
sembly, and we add with them the 
names of the several town clerks, 

Benjamin Bellows was clerk for 
the town proprietors from 1752 to 
1 7 (i 0, wh en J o sh u a W ebb was c 1 1 o sen 
first town clerk. Be held the office 
one year, when Moses Wright was 
elected. From 1779 to 1788 the 
town sent two representatives, since 
which time it has sent but one. 



i rs. Represen la lives. Town Clerks, 

1 77 9. J osh ua W ebb, Will ia m Simo 1 1 d s. 
Reuben Jones. 

1780. Joshua Webb, William Si mo i ids, 
Reuben Jones. 

1781. Joshua Webb, . William Si monds, 
Colburn Preston. 

1782. J os hi la W e bb, W ill! am Simon de, 

Elias Olcott. 

1783. Joshua Webb, William Si monds. 
John Ron n dy. 

1784. Oliver Lovell, Jehial Webb. 
John Roundy. 

1785. Jehial Webb, Jehial Webb. 
John Roundy, 

1786. Jehial Webb, Elijah Knights. 
John Ron tuly, 

1787. Jehial Webb, Elijah Knights. 
John Roundy, 

1788. Jon a. Holton. Jona. Holton. 

1789. Samuel Culler. Jehial Webb. 

1790. Jehial Webb. Jehial Webb. 

1791. Samuel Cutter- Jehial Webb. 

1792. Da T d. Sanderson. Jehial Webb. 

1793. Dakl. Sanderson, Jehial Webb, 

1794. Daki. Sanderson. Jehial Webb, 

1795. Samuel Cutler. Jehial Webb, 

1798. Samuel Cutter. Jonathan Burt, 

1797. Samuel Culler, Jonathan Burt. 

1798. Samuel Cutler. Jonathan Burl. 

1799. Samuel Cutler. Jonathan Burt. 

1809, Samuel Cutler, Jonathan Burt. 

1 801 . Da' d . S an do rso n , Jona th an Burt. 

1802. Daniel Terrain!, Jonathan Burt. 

1803. Levi Sabin, Jonathan Burt. 

1 301 . Alex , Cam pbeil , J cm athan Bu r t . 

1805. Elijah Knight, Jonathan Burt. 

1806. Alex. Campbell. Jonathan Burt. 

1807. Alex Campbell. Jonathan Burt, 

1808. Alex. Campbell. Jonathan Burt. 

1809. Elijah Knight, Jonathan Burt. 

1810. David Campbell. Jonathan Burt, 

1811. David Campbell, Jon alhan Burt. 

1812. Henry Lake. Jonathan Burt. 

1813. Joseph Weed. Joseph Weed. 

1814. Henry Lake, Joseph Weed. 

1815. Benj. Smith. Joseph Weed. 

1816. Benj. Smith. Joseph Weed. 

1817. Peter Willard. Joseph Weed. 

1818. A. S, Campbell, Joseph Weed. 

1319. A. S. Campbell. Joseph Weed. 
1820. Henry Lake, jr, Joseph Weed. 
1831. Hcnrv Lake, jr, Russel Burke. 
1822. Eleazer Allbee. T, W. Hubbard, 

1828. Eleazer Allbee, A. S. Campbell. 

1 824. Benj . Su ii th , j r- A . S , Cam pbel 1 . 

1825. Benj. Smith, jr. A, S. Campbell. 
1820. William Hall, A. S. Campbell. 
1837. William Hall, A, S. Campbell, 

1828. A, S, Campbell. A* S. Campbell. 

1829. Manasseh Divoll.A. S. Campbell. 

1830. Mauesseh DivolLA, S. Campbell, 

1831. A, S. Campbell. A, 8. Campbell. 
1833, N„ B, Eoundy. A. S. Campbell, 

1833, N. B, Roundy. A, S, Campbell. 

1834. William Henry. A. S. Campbell. 

1835, William Henry. A, S. Campbell, 

1836. M&n ass eh DivolLA. 8. Campbell. 




500 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Yrs. Representatives, Town Clerks. 

1837 John Seaver. A, S. Campbell. 

1838. Asa Wentworth. A. S. Campbell, 

1839 . Asa W en t worth . A. S. Cam pbel 1 . 

1840. Asa Wentworth. A. S. Campbell, 

1841. Sam. L. Billings, A. S, Campbell, 

1842. J, S, Fullerton. A. S. Campbell. 

1843. No choice. A, S. Campbell. 

1844. Henry Walker, A. S, Campbell. 

1845. Daniel Kellogg. Sam T L L. Billings. 

1846. Royal Earle, James Willard. 

1847. Beni. Smith, jr. James Willard, 

1 84 8. A. W ent worth r j r J arues W il lard , 

1849. A. Wentworth. S. L. Billings. 

1850. Russel Hyde, S, L. Billings. 

1851. Russel Hyde. S. L. Billings, 

1852. H, E. Stoughton. A, S. Campbell, 

1853. Q. M. Doran d, A. S, Campbell. 



| Yrs. Representatives. Town Clerks. 

1 1854. Q. M, Dorand. A, S, Campbell, 

1 1855. A. Wentworth, jr A. S. Campbell. 

1856. A, Wentworth. A. S. Campbell. 

1857. J. D. Bridgman. A. S. Campbell. 

1858. J, D. Bridgman. A. S. Campbell. 
1 1859. Fr'klin Severens.A, 3. Campbell, 
1I86O. Frkl in Severens.A, S, Campbell. 
! 1861, Fr'klin Severens.A, S. Campbell. 

1 862. FF k 1 in Severens . A . S, Campbel 1 . 
11863, Frklin Severens.A. S. Campbell. 

1864. FFklin Severens.A. S. Campbell. 

1865. FFklin Severens. A. S. Campbell, 

1866. William H. Johnson, 

1867. William H. Johnson. 

1868. Josiah G. Divoll, 

1869. Josiah G, Divoll, 

18&0, J. H, Williams. 




ROCKINGHAM.— Continued. 



BY B. H. ALLBEE. 



Geologically, Rockingham is well 
worth the attention of the most 
learned in that science. Many of 
the characteristics in this respect 
are strongly marked. The rooks 
are mostly azoic, and the principal 
veins are gneiss, what Prof. Hitch- 
cock called the Green Mountain 
gneiss, calcif crons mica schist, clay 
slate, and talcose schist, distributed 
in parallel ranges extending from 
north to south and extending from 
west to east, in the order named, 
varying in width from one to three 
miles. What is known as the fourth 
geological section of Vermont be- 
gins at Bellows Palls, and many ex- 
cellent specimens have been placed 
in the State cabinet from here, i 
Twenty varieties of minerals are 
found, some very rare and beauti- 
ful. 

Great changes have taken place in 
the Connecticut valley in past ages 
and at Bellows Falls is seen the re- 
mains of the cause which led to the 
last great change in the valley 
above. The conclusion is that the 
Connecticut valley is the product of 
erosion, extending over millions of 
years probably, and that the surface, 
if not the bed of the lake, which 
formerly filled the present valley, 
was once as high as Ascutney moun- 
tain, and the only possible outlet 
for this vast body of water was at 
Union, a mountain town of New 
Hampshire, which 1ms a water- worn 
gorge through which the waters of 
Connecticut river once flowed over 



into the Merrimac valley beyond. 
At that time there was a lake above 
the present falls 800 feet deep, or as 
deep as ML Kilburn is high. Grad- 
ually the rocky barrier was worn 
away and the succession of terraces 
marks the various levels of the lake 
as the waters settled from year to 
year. 

These terraces are objects of com- 
mon observation to all who visit the 
town, and extend not only along 
Connecticut river, but alongside 
Williams and Saxton's river. Be- 
tween Willi ame and Connecticut 
rivers there is a clearly defined sea 
beach. This beach is now 700 feet 
above the level of the ocean. 

CAMBRIDGE PORT* 

This is a post village situated on 
Saxton's river, three miles west of 
Saxton's River, containing about 
twenty dwellings, one church, stores 
and a soapstone manufactory and 
other necessary si \ ope. It was 
named from J. T* Cara bridge, who 
began the clothiers business there in 
1S25* and was named by Esquire 
Reed, then living in Saxton's River. 

The first settlement of Cambridge- 
port was in 1732. A Mr* Adams 
went from the settlement at Sax- 
ton's River, making his way by 
marked trees, to what is now 0am- 
bridgeport and built a hut, moving 
his family there in the same year. 
He was dissatisfied, or other causes 
conspired to cause him to repent of 
| his undertaking, for he remained 




502 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



only a short time, and no other 
attempts at settlement were made 
for some years. Men by the name 
of Balling, in 1810, bought a tract 
of 1000 acres, including the present 
site of the village, on which they) 
erected some mills. In 1812 
Nathaniel Bennett bought the mills 
and built two dwelling houses, and 
in 1814 Simeon Evans opened the 
first store. The same year the first 
road was laid out, running east of| 
the present factory pond and over 
the hills into Grafton. The same 
Mr. Evans built a tavern. He died 
in 1810. As before stated, Mr. 
Cambridge began the clothiers trade 
in 1825, but soon after fire destroyed 
the mills with a quantity of cloth. 
In 1838, the present Union church 
was built and the Methodists, Bap- 
tists, Universalists and Congrega- 
tionalists took turns in supplying 
preaching, The same year, a factory 
was erected by Royal Earl, John 
Campbell, Josiah Stoddard and Ros- 
well Minard. This company work- 
ed it a few years, when it fell into 
the hands of Ithamer Balls, he sold 
it to George Perry, Benjamin Scho- 
field and others. It was burned in 
1860, but was immediately rebuilt 
and it was finally burned, never to 
be rebuilt. A man by the name of 
Cochran was the first blacksmith in j 
1819, and a hatter, Mr. Mitchell, 
came the same year; a man by the 
name of Howard opened a law office 
there in 1840, but soon died. 

ROCKINGHAM. 

Rockingham is a post village in 
the centre of the town, on a branch 
of Williams river. It was formerly 
quite a business center. It has a 
Congregational church, built in 1787, 
the oldest in town and with the pos- 
sible exception of one or two, is the 
oldest in Vermont. Inside, the old 
fashioned pews, the high pulpit with 
suspended sounding board and the 
gallery on three sides. The village 
derives its chief interest from the 
fact that it contained the town 
house and in early times the people 



convened there for public worship. 
Since the coming of the railroad, 
the village, though only half a mile 
from the station, has declined in 
importance and the business mainly 
goes to other and larger places. 

BART0N8VILLE 

is a small post village on Williams 
river and in the extreme north- 
western part of the town. It is lit- 
tle more thau a hamlet now, though 
previous to 1869 it was an important 
and growing manufacturing centre. 
It wits named from Jerry Barton, 
one of the first settlers in that local- 
ity. Now it has a railroad station, 
post and express offices, one or two 
small manufactories and 20 to 30 
dwellings. It is a busy place, and 
is rich in agricultural resources. 

Its manufacturing was growing, 
up to October, 1869, but the flood of 
that year stopped the growth of the 
place. There is one school, but no 
established church, though religious 
services are frequently held in the 
school house by clergymen from dif- 
ferent parts of the town, 

brockway’s mills 

is a hamlet located on Williams 
river between Rockingham and Bar- 
tonsville. 

The water power is furnished by 
a fall in Williams river of 20 feet 
or more, with a gorge below. The 
mills a few years ago manufactured 
wood buttons and the bell-shaped 
ornaments which were japanned 
and had the appearance of jet. 
When the work was begun there 
! was only one other shop like it in 
the United States. 

The first census of Rockingham 
was taken iu 1771 and the popula- 
tion then numbered 225, 50 of 
whom were married and heads of 
families. The enumeration was as 
follows : 48 white males under 16 
years of age; 62 over 16 ; 4 over 
60; 52 white females under 16 ; 57 
1 over 16 ; one colored male and one 
I colored female. From that year 




ROOK! X&HAM, 



503 



forward the population increased 
rapidly, and in 90 years, 1791, had 
increased to 1335, and in 1890 it 
was over 5000. 

Joshua Webb and Reuben Jones 
were the first delegates from Rock- 
ingham to the first general assembly 
of Vermont, which convened at j 
Windsor, March 13, 1778. 

DR. RUEBEN JONES 

was one of the early settlers of , 
Rockingham and for some time was 
the only physician and surgeon in | 
town, The doctor was a man of 
extreme patriotism and a pronoun- 
ced whig. Lie was clerk of the 
meeting held at Westminster, Apr. 
11, 1775, to “''devise means to resist j 
the progress of oppression/* In 
company with Joshua Webb he was 
a del ega to to 1 1 ie 1 ') o rse b c o n v en ti o n 
of Sept. 35, 1775, and for three 
years represented Rockingham in 
the ge n oral a seem bl y . At the ti m e 
of the court troubles in Westminster, 
Dr, Jones mounted his horse and 
rode all the way to Du mm erst on to 
call the people to arms to resist the 
encroachments of the party of oppres - 1 
sion. In all q u estl on s whe re pn trio t- 
ism was involved, the doctor was 
found on the side of his country. He 
was hospitable and generous to the , 
oxtr e m e j an d u set] m o u ey so lavish- 1 
ly that he became deeply loaded 
with debt and was confined in the 
debtors prison in 1785. He escaped 
and was re-arrested but was finally 
rescued from the officers by his 
friends. A short time after lie re- 
moved to Chester: Dr, Cutler hav- 
ing arrived in town; and, afterward 
represented Chester in the general 
assembly. In character, lie was an 
enthusiast and always warmly advo- 
cated any cause he espoused and no 
doubt did much to aid Ins town and 
state in some of those dark hours 
before, during and after the Revo- 
lution, 

ELIAS OLOGTT, 

The name of Qlcott has been 
familiar in this town since 1763, | 



when Elias Olcottcume from Bolton, 
Conn., at the age of 19 years. He 
married Sybil Dutton who died Aug, 
37, 1803, aged 75 years. Mr. Oleott 
died Oct. 39, 1794. His son, Elias, 
was born in Rockingham and mar- 
ried Fanny Hastings of Charles town, 
N, H., he" died in 1854, aged 84, 
Elias, a eon of Eli aw, jr., was born 
in town and married Charlotte D3- 
voll of this town, who died Apr. 7, 
1858. Oscar D., a son, lives on At- 
kinson Street in Bellows Fails and 
is prominent in town affairs. He is 
now treasurer of the town and enjoys 
the wealth that lias accumulated 
through successive generations of 
Glcotis, The farm on which the 
first Oleott settled, still remains in 
the family, having never passed from 
their hands since 1763. 

EBENBZER ALLREE 

was the original of a vast family of 
Allbees who sprang from this town. 
He was born in Mussel msetts and 
c am e to R ock i n g h a rn p re v i o u s t o fch e 
revolution, and in the military offi- 
cers of Windham county are found 
the names of many Allbees who 
achieved distinction in patriotic ser- 
vice, Ebenezer married Rachel Av- 
ery of Rockingham, and raised a 
family of 10 children, Ebenezer J fi 
eon John was born in Rockingham 
Feb. IS, 1778, and raised a family 
of 13 children, Lewie, the fifth eon, 
now lives in town, and Burton II. , a 
gran d eon of Ob ad i al i , th e t h i r d so u , 
is also a resident. John died at the 
age of 58. Samuel, the oldest son 
of John, lived on the old homestead 
until his death, which occurred three 
years ago, at the advanced age of 95, 
A daughter of Samuel, Jane, mar- 
ried Carlton E, Webb, a descendant 
of the Webbs who played such an 
important part in early days. Lew- 
is married a granddaughter of Cupt. 
William Thayer, Sarah K., and they 
now live on the farm upon which 
Cast. William Thayer settled when 
he came from Massachusetts in 1789. 
H e h as ac c n mu 1 at ed a 1 a r ge pr op ar- 
ty. Children ; Leonard, Ann and 
William Pitt. 




504 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



There was another branch of the 
family founded by Deacon Albee, 
who came from Massachusetts in 
early times and settled on the Wal- 
ter Wiley place. He had a son John, 
who married Sophia Smith, and 
r a ised a n u me r o u s f a m 1 ly . T h e A1 1 - 
bees have always taken a prominent 
part in the affairs of the town, and 
a large number are now settled with- 
in the borders of the town, compris- 
ing not only farmers, but lawyers, 
doctors, journalists and merchants. 

JOSHUA, webu 

was a native of Windham, Conn,, 
and came to W.estm luster in 1766, 
In 1767 he removed to the northwest 
part of Rockingham and stayed a 
year, after which he returned to 
Westminster, where he remained 
until the spring of 1777, and settled 
on the farm which lias been in the 
Webb family ever since, six genera- 
tions having lived upon it. Joshua 
Webb wee a remarkable man in 
many ways. He was the first repre- 
sentative and held that office for 15 
successive years. lie married Han- 
nah Abbe of Windham, Conn., by 
whom lie bad 11 children, all born 
in Connecticut. He died in this 
town April 17, ISOS, aged S6. His 
wife died in 1815, aged 90. His son 
Calvin came to Rockingham with 
him and settled on the farm with 
bis father. Ethan H, son of Calvin, 
was born on the same farm and 
spent hie life there, dying March 15, 
1872, aged S8 years. He married 
Fanny Burnham of Chester, who 
died Sept. £4, 1876, aged 79. Three 
children, Sarah, Carle ton E. and 
Finely, have always lived in this 
town. Carle ton is a prominent man 
in town and is now town officer. 
There are other members of the fam- 
ily in this town and those immedi- 
ately around, all of whom are much 
respected. Much of the ability of 
the ancestors has been transmitted 
to the descendants. Such families 
never die out, but are always re- 
membered. 



JONATHAN BARRY 

was a native of Lynn, Mass., and 
came to Rockingham among the 
first settlers. He bought a large 
tract of land in the southwest cor- 
ner of the town, which he divided 
equally among hie sons, Samuel, 
John, Joel and Asa. Mr. Barry 
was one of the first deacons of the 
old Congregational church. He 
took a conspicuous part in church 
and town affairs. Hie son John 
married Thankful L. Cone of "West- 
minster. floe], born in Rocking- 
ham, married Hannah, daughter of 
Samuel Ober, and had three child- 
ren, all of whom are now living, 
Kendall P., in Saxton's River, Mary 
A., in Marlboro, N. H., and Lucius 
M.j in Wardsboro, Yt, Kendall 
Pp, who married Clarissa Perry, a 
native of Hancock, N. It,, has two 
sons living in this town, Lucius 
P, and Milton P, Milton P. is a 
prominent business man of Saxton J s 
River, 

£ A MOBIL 0B34K 

was born in Jeffrey, N. IL, and 
came to Rockingham in early times 
crossing the Connecticut on a raft 
of logs in company with Messrs. 
Bellows and Lovell. He first settled 
near the centre of the town, but af- 
terward removed to Saxton's River 
and bought 200 acres of land which 
he occupied while he lived, and died 
at the age of 88 years. His son 
Isaac was born in town and spent 
most of his life here with the excep- 
tion of a year or more spent at Man- 
chester, Vt., where he married 
Lydia Wilkins, lie died in 1859 or 
1860. The Ober family is well 
known and has many influential 
members, 

BRIG A DICE BROWN 

came from Cohasset, Mass., and 
was one of the first settlers of 
Springfield, Vt., to which town he 
went on horseback, with his young 
wife, and a party of friends in 1792. 
They camped in the forest while the 




ROCKINGHAM. 



505 



company prepared log houses, and 
afterward lived in the wilderness 
and reared a family of children. 
Abel, one of the younger sons* mar- 
ried Priscilla Hodgkins of Chester 
and raised a family of ten children, 
one of whom, Amos H., the young- 
est son, is now a resident of Bellows 
Falls. He was born in Springfield. 
In 1878 he bought, in company with 
his son, a stove and tin business in 
Bellows Falls, which they con- 
ducted for some years. Mr. Brown 
haf been bailiff of Bellows Falls cor- 
poration and has held other impor- 
tant offices of trust and responfibil- 
ity. He has two children, Nellie 
and Frank H., who was at one time 
secretary to Gov, Farnham and 
later was proprietor of the Bellows 
Falls Times . He shared with his 
father in the hardware business, and 
is now one of the proprietors of the 
Waban Paper mills at Charles River, 
Mass. He has a wife and one child. 

SAMUEL A STD RUFUS GUILD 

were twin brothers bom in Dedham, 
Mass., where the} 7 married Annie 
and Mary Hoadley, sisters, natives 
of New Hampshire, and in 1804 
they came to Bellows Falls engaging 
in the lumber business. Twenty 
years later Samuel was killed while 
at work. His son Samuel, was a 
paper maker and set up the first 
paper machine ever used in Ver- 
mont. For many years he was a 1 
foreman in the mills at Bellows 
Falls, where he married Rosanna 
Stevens and died at an advanced 
age. He had several sons and 
daughters, of whom George 0, | 
Guild, who has been a merchant in I 
Bellows Falls for 80 years, and was 1 
postmaster under Cleveland, Mr. ! 
Guild has recently purchased 15 ! 
acres of land and intends to build a : 
paper mill at an early day. 

DK. SETH M. BLAKE 

is a son of Joseph and Prudence 
Blake and was born in Brook held, 
Vt., Aug. 21, 1817. In 1889 he 
came to Bellows Falls and began 



work in the office of the Bellows 
Falls Gazette, published by John 
W. Moore. In June, 1843, in com- 
pany with G, F. Bailey, he pur- 
i chased the Gazette published it 
| in company one year, when in 
1844 he purchased Mr. Bailey’s 
interest and conducted it alone until 
1846. 

In 1847 he opened a dental office 
in Bellows Falls and practiced his 
profession for 80 years. During 
these years his work as a lecturer 
and writer attests to his ability. 
He married Martha J. Glover of 
Concord, N. H., Aug, 16, 1842, and 
they have a family of six sons and 
two daughters, of whom seven, as 
well as the parents are yet alive. 
Frederick J. is an artist at Bellows 
Falls, and is making himself famous. 
Others are in responsible and lucra- 
tive positions. 

Dr. Blake was the first man to 
pen a word in favor of the extension 
of the Fitchburg railroad from 
Keene here. Tt w r as in an editorial 
published in his paper in 1843, and 
lie has lived to see the town entered 
from four different directions, con- 
necting it with all the great com- 
mercial centres of New England 
and New York. He has always 
been a student, more especially on 
astronomical subjects. At his home 
on Atkinson street in Bellows Falls 
he has an observatory on his house, 
in which is mounted a telescope 
powerful enough to enable one to 
view the more important celestial 
bodies, 

DANIEL CAMPBELL, M. D., 

was born in Westminster, March 8, 
1820. His father was Edward R. 
Campbell, The family are directly 
descended from the house of Argyle 
in Scotland. Daniel is a relative of 
Dr. John Campbell of Putney and 
Dr. Alexander Campbell of Rock- 
ingham. Dr. Campbell was edu- 
cated in the common schools and at 
the Burr & Burton academy at Man- 
! Chester, Vt. He spent his vaca- 
tions in teaching, to help himself 
along. At the Vermont Medical 




506 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



college at Woodstock and at the 
Pittsfield, Mass,, Medical college he 
obtained his medical education, re- 
ceiving his degree from the latter 
place. For a year or more after hie 
graduation, in 1842, he was demon- 
strator of anatomy at the Berkshire 
Medical college, Pittsfield, from 
which he had just graduated, and 
was associated in practice with 
Prof. H, H. Childs, at that time 
lieutenant-governor of Massachu- 
setts. He left Pittsfield and came 
to Westminster, where he married 
Julia A. Hall, daughter of Oapt. 
Edward Hall. They have a family 
of eight children, most of whom are 
now living. He practiced in West- 
minster West ten years and then 
moved to Saxton's River, where he 
has been in practice 35 years. Some 
years ago he was offered the chair of 
theory and practice at Dartmouth 
college, but preferred his country 
practice. He represented Rocking- 
ham in the Legislature in 1864-65. 
In 1880 lie was defeated for Con- 
gress by James M. Tyler of Brattle- 
boro. 

Of his family there are now liv- 
ing Flora E,, wife of Henry Frost; 
Harriet J., wife of Preston H, Had- 
ley, cashier of the Bellows Falls 
National bank ; Clara 0., wife of 
George R. Wales, proprietor of one 
of the leading dry goods houses of 
Bellows Falls, and Edward R., who 
follows his father's profession at 
Bellows Falls. Two children died 
young and two are at home in Sax- 
ton's River. Dr. Campbell has made 
a reputation w r hich few physicians 
in the country are able to attain. 

HOST. JABEZ DELANO BRIDGMAN 

was born in Grafton, June 10, 1828, 
and was a son of Dr. B, H. Bridg- 
man. He received an academic ed- 
ucation, and when 20 years old en- 
tered the office of 0. I. Walker and 
George B. Kellogg of Saxton's River, 
as a law student, and when one year 
later Walker & Kellogg dissolved 
partnership, he accompanied Mr. 
Walker to Bellows Falls, where he 



completed his studies and was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1851. About 
that time Mr. Walker accepted a 
professorship in a Detroit, Mich., 
law school, and Mr. Bridgman pur- 
chased his library and continued his 
practice. A few years after he was 
married to Sarah, daughter of Wil- 
liam Oonant of Bellows Falls, In 
1857-58 he represented the town in 
the Legislature, and was elected sen- 
ator in 1880. He enlisted in the 16th 
Vt. Vols., was chosen adjutant but 
! served only a few months when he 
resigned and returned to his law 
practice. He died, April 7, 1887, 
His partner, G. A, Weston, contin- 
ues the business. 

JAMES HENRY WILLIAMS 

was born in Chester, Jan. 16, 1813. 
In February, 1834, lie came to Bel- 
lows Falls and entered the employ 
of the Bellows Falls Bank, remain- 
ing there until June, 1839, when he 
was elected cashier of the bank at 
Woodstock. That position he held 
until June, 1841, when he was chosen 
cashier of the Cheshire bank at 
Keene. In 1847 he was selected as 
cashier of the National bank of Bel- 
lows Falls, succeeding Hon. William 
Henry, who was elected to Congress 
that year. In 1872, Mr. Williams 
was elected president of the bank, 
bolding the position up to his death, 
Aug. 13, 1881. In 1847 he was 
mainly instrumental in the forma- 
tion of the Bellows Falls Savings in- 
stitution, of which he was treasurer 
for many years. He was instrument- 
al in founding the Episcopal school, 
St. Agnes' Halls, and in the erection 
of Union and Centennial blocks. At 
the time of his death he was an offi- 
cer in every railroad company whose 
lines run into Bellows Falls, and had 
been a director in the Rutland rail- 
road from the formation of the com- 
pany in 1847. 

His son, James H., is now presi- 
dent of the bank, and prominently 
identified with the Episcopal church, 
and to his late wife is due the beau- 
tiful chapel and parish bouse of Im- 




ROCKINGHAM. 



50? 



manuel church. She gave the money 
for its erection and furnishing, but 
lived only a short time after its ded- 
ication. Mr. Williams is an officer 
in a number of railroad companies 
and a member of the State Legisla- 
ture. 

Another son, John H., is secreta- 
ry of the Bellows Palls Savings in- 
stitution. He has been elected a di- 
rector in the Vermont Valley Rail- 
road company. 

HQN* A. N. SWAIN 

was born in Reading, Vt. , July 
12, 1828, and when 19 years old 
went into the Journal office at 
Windsor to learn the printers trade. 
After serving his apprenticeship, he 
went to Brattleboro where he resid- 
ed over two years. In 1856 he mar- 
ried Susan W. Putnam, and came 
to Bellows Palls and began the pub- 
lication of the Bellows Falls Times , 
of which he was editor and proprie- 
tor 33 years, selling out in Septem- 
ber, 1888 to Prank H. Brown. Mr. 
Swain was an able newspaper writer 
and always stood for what was best 
and truest in men and party princi- 
les. All through the dark hours 
efore, during and after the war, 
the Bellows Falls Times spoke fear- 
lessly for the right. Its editor be- 
came the leader of the better part 
of the population and his reputation 
as a fearless exponent of principles 
extended far beyond the confines 
of his town and the utterances of 
the Times were quoted far and near. 
Swain of the Times ; Mclndoe of the 
Vermont Journal ; Stone of the St. 
Johnsbury Caledonian and Greene 
of the Woodstock Standard i What 
a quartette of noble workers in the 
cause of truth and right. Today 
only Mr. Swain is left, but the works 
of all live after them. 

In 1870 he was a member 
of the constitutional convention, 
and met as colleagues, such men as 
Hon. Edward J. Phelps and others 
of almost similar prominence, in re- 
vising the constitution of the State. 



| He considers it the most important 
I appointment of his life. 

In 1872 Mr. Swain represented 
this town in the Legislature and 
again in 1876. In 1888 he was 
elected to the State Senate and serv- 
ed one term. He was appointed on 
the Normal School educational com- 
mittee. He is now enjoying the 
well earned fruits of his labors, in 
his pleasant home on Westminster 
Street in Bellows Palls. There lie 
and his excellent wife are spending 
their life's decline in peace and en- 
joyment. Mr. Swain is a justice of 
the peace, which makes him police 
tustice of Bellows Falls. He is presi- 
dent of the Rockingham Free Library 
association. He is a living example 
of the prizes which can be won in 
country journalism. Mr. Swain is 
entitled to the comfort he is now en- 
joying. 

MILITARY. 

In Revolutionary times Rocking- 
ham was a strong Whig town and 
very decided opposition to the Tories 
was manifested, and the people of 
the town were among the first to re- 
sist the king's officers. The Rock- 
ingham militia, composed of 40 men 
or over, commanded by Capt. 
Stephen Sargent, aided in driving 
the British from the Westminster 
court house the 13th day of March, 
1775, when the Revolutionary war 
really opened. Philip Salford, a 
lieutenant in the company, fought 
bravely while surrounded by Tories 
and though badly wounded by 
Sheriff Patterson's sword, it is said 
that he “knocked down ten of his 
adversaries with his bludgeon, mak- 
ing good his escape and daring the 
whole posse of King George to fight 
the Rockingham militia. A com- 
mittee of inspection consisting of 
Moses Wright, Joseph Wood, Wil- 
liam Simonds, Oliver Lovell and 
Ebenezer Puller were chosen in July, 
1775, and at the same time the fol- 
lowing military officers were ap- 
pointed : Joseph Wood, captain ; 
Charles Richard, lieutenant ; and 




508 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



Isaac Stowell, ensign. The meet- found, hut not so many as in the 
mg of the committee was held at Revolution. One reason probably 
Jehiel Web Vs house, and voted “ to was, that there were more' men and 
deal summarily with all who should the war was so short fewer were 
speak against "the common cause/ 1 needed, comparatively. A few sol- 
This committee was dismissed sev- diers of that war are probably buried 
eral times and as often chosen again, in some of our churchyards, but 
indicating that there must nave none are left to tell the tale now 
been much opposition to its exist- inside the limits of the town, 
ence or its actions, or both. When the battle cry was again 

The loyalty of the mass of the sounded in 1861, the men of Rock- 
people never was questioned, how- Ingham responded nobly. In com- 
ever, and in 1777 a meeting was held mon with every town in the State 
to consider means for levying men the insult to the flag stirred their 
to fill Col. Warner's regiment, or to hearts and sent a wave of patriotism 
raise money for that purpose. It over the town, which culminated in 
was voted, however, “ to do our a meeting, April 24, 1861, at which 
equal proportion in maintaining and among others, the following resolu- 
supporting the just cause of Amer- tion was adopted : 
iea/' Thus was the town ranged on u Resolved :■ That we, citizens of 
the side of the struggling federation Bellows Falls, here in meeting as- 
of States and cast its lot with the sembled, do pledge to every patriot 
whole State in aiding to carry on of Bellows Falls who will volunteer 
the war. Another meeting was held to defend our country from assaults 
June 23, and the town decided to of rebels, that we will see that his 
receive ammunition consisting of wants and the wants of his family 
powder, bullets and Hints, of the while he is engaged in the service of 
committee, sent from the State of his country are supplied. 1 ' 

New York. IJp to this meeting the The exertions in raising money for 
names of 55 men are found who had bounties, enlisting troops, private 
taken the oath of allegiance. The subscriptions, and the aid of the 
names of 20 are recorded as having women, will compare with that for 
marched to Ticonderoga and 22 dozens of other Vermont towns, 
marched to Manchester, some prob- Under the spirit an impulse of the 
ably being present at the battle of resolution quoted, the town furnished 
Bennington. The records do not 269 men, among whom 39 were sub- 
show how extensive may have been stitutes, and 32 citizens paid com- 
other soldiers from this town during mutation fees. The details of those 
the Revolution, but, inasmuch as dark days, when the stability of the 
loyal men everywhere gave up every Union wavered in the balance, are 
other consideration to fight for the the same as for every town. Hope, 
independence of the nation, it is fear, doubt, hung alternately over 
probable that many a sanguinary the hearts of the people, until the 
Revolutionary battlefield saw some final stand at Appomattox Court 
of Rockingham's sturdy sons. House, and Lee's army laid down its 

Whatever may have been the state arms forever. Then the Rocking- 
of feeling in the war of 1812, no > ham boys came “ marching borne " 
record appears that the town took ; and settled on the farms, or went 
any particular part in that period of | into the workshop once more. From 
fighting. Indeed, the war of 1812 j that time on the history of the town 
was so much a war on the water I has been one of peace, 
that there may have been no call for ! The most conspicuous soldier de- 
any special display of patriotism onjveloped by the rebellion was Gen. 
the part of Rockingham men. j Lewis A. Grant, now assistant seere- 

In the Mexican war a few are i tary of war. He was an attorney in 




ROCKINGHAM. 



509 



RellowB Falls about war times, bat j lant and brave bared their breasts to 
rose in the service to be a brigadier the storm, but General Grant was 
general, and commanded the Old | the greatest among men who were 
Vermont Brigade, which became so jail great 
famous in fight. Others just as gal- j 




BELLOWS FALLS. 



By B. H. ALLBEE. 



BELLOWS FALLS. 

Bellows Falls has no separate his- 
tory such as most Tillages have. In 
the light of history the village is a 
part of the town, and its records are 
a part of the records of the town. It 
has been impossible to separate the 
two so as to make a clear sketch 
which should contain only Bellows 
Falls history* Rockingham, the 
township, is one of the best situated 
in Vermont. The falls in the river 
at this point make a water power 
hard to be equaled, and the junction 
of the two valleys afford the oppor- 
tunity for railroad development 
which has been taken advantage of 
in the past two decades. 

The early settlers were from Mass- 
achusetts, and began work in the 
town of Rockingham as early as 1753, 
and it is supposed that their first 
work was done not far from, the 
present site of Bellows Falls village. 
The records have the deeds recorded 
near the village at an'early date. 

CHUBCHES. 

The first church organized within 
the limits of Bellows Falls was Im- j 
mantiel Episcopal church, founded! 
by Dr. Samuel Cutler and 17 others, I 
in 1798. For many years the society j 
met for worship with only the ser- \ 
vices of a lay reader, and no record j 
of any clergyman appears previous | 



to 1810, Dp to 1816 the meetings 
were held in the centre of the town, 
but March 20, 1816, a meeting was 
held to “ Devise means to procure 
funds for a church building,” A 
committee composed of Dr. Cutler, 
Edward IL Campbell, and William 
Atkinson were appointed, and from 
that time the society has been lo- 
cated in the village. January 15, 
1817, the church was named Imman- 
uel church, and Rev. George T, 
Chapman invited to become its pas- 
tor, and a church building was erect- 
ed. July l, 1863, it was decided to 
build a new church, and plans and 
specifications for a Gothic church of 
stone to seat about 500 were obtained 
and work begun. December 25, 
1867, the new church was opened 
for service for the first time. Dur- 
ing the winter of 1890 the parish 
house and Schouler Memorial chap- 
el, given by Mrs. James H. Williams, 
was dedicated, and now the church 
has buildings and grounds valued at 
nearly 875,000. 

The Methodist Episcopal church 
was organized in 1836 by Rev. Eli- 
jah Mason, the first pastor. It con- 
sisted then of 42 members, including 
persons from Rockingham and Bel- 
lows Falls. They built their church 
the same year, but it was remodeled 
in 1881. It will now seat 400 people 
and is valued at 810,000. The soci- 
ety has a bequest of 81500. 




BELLOWS FALLS, 



511 



St, Charles Roman Catholic 
church was organized in 1857, with 
100 members, Rev, Charles O'Reilly 
was the first pastor. They have a 
beautiful church edifice and a mem- 
bership of 800 or more. Rev. Ed- 
ward Reynolds is the present pastor. 

The First Universalist parish of 
Bellows Falls was organized in Jan- 
uary, 1879, by Rev. J. II. Farns- 
worth. The growth of the society 
lias been rapid and it now numbers 
upwards of 100 members. The so- 
ciety owns a beautiful house of wor- 
ship. 

SCHOOLS. 

Bellows Falls early acknowledged 
the need of schools. It is not known 
just where the first school house was 
located, nor when founded, but it is 
safe to say that it was not long after 
the town itself was founded. There 
is now a graded school with a high 
school in connection, where one may 
fit for college or business. The vil- 
lage has three school buildings and. 
a fourth in the process of erection, 
and employs 17 teachers. 

HEWSPAPEKS. 

Bellows Falls has a number of 
newspapers. Years ago there was 
the old Bellows Falls Intelligencer, 
and afterwards the Bellows Falls 
Argus, and contemporary with that 
for, at least a portion of the time, 
the Gazette, published by John W. 
Moore. The Argus was published 
by Hiram Atkins, who afterwards 
founded the Argus and Patriot at 
Montpelier, In 1856, A. Y, Swain 
founded the Bellows Falls Times, 
Since then it has been the only 
paper. Some years ago a rival was 
started but lived only a short time. 
The Times has taken a new lease of 
life under new management and is 
in a fair way to become as successful 
as any in the State. 

libbaby. 

There is an excellent town library 
containing 4500 well selected vol- 



. nines on current topics and miscel- 
laneous subjects, free to the people 
of the town. It was founded by 
voluntary work in different direc- 
tions, and now the town makes an 
annual appropriation for the benefit 
of the library, considering it a ne~ 

: cessity. 

.BUSINESS EKTEBPEISES. 

Business is what has built up Bel- 
lows Falls and it is business which 
is now sending it ahead in growth 
faster than most towns in the State. 
It has unsurpassed transportation 
facilities. The Connecticut River 
railroad gives it an outlet to Yew 
York and the manufacturing cities 
south of us in Massachusetts. This 
road connects at Windsor with the 
Central Vermont which allows quick 
and easy passage from the West. 
The Cheshire division of the Fitch- 
burg is the outlet to Boston, distant 
only 114 miles. Northward, over 
the Rutland road, is the tributary 
country of Vermont. 

Paper of various sorts is the great 
manufacture. It is the one great 
industry. The Fall Mountain Pa- 
per Company is the largest in the 
world. The company controls im- 
mense interests here. Other im- 
portant firms are John T, Moore & 
Sons, manufacturers of man ill as; 
Wyman Flint & Sons, manillas ; 
John Robertson & Son, tissues, and 
others manufacturing variou s grades 
of different papers. In all about 
1000 men are employed and the 
yearly output is nearly, if not quite, 
100,000 tons. 

The Vermont Farm Machine 
Company is the largest manufac- 
turers of dairy machinery in the 
world. They own the patents for 
the famous Cooley creamer and the 
machines are all made here. They 
employ a good number of bands. 
G. W. Osgood & Son have a large 
paper-making machine foundry and 
machine shop so that they can turn 
out a complete machine. They 
will occupy their new* building soon 
which is 160 feet long and 60 feet 




512 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



wide. They employ about 100 
hands. These are the principal 
manufactories. 

The Tillage has been built up be- 
cause of the immense power of the 
river here, which falls 60 feet in a 
distance of comparatively a few 
rods — less than half a mile. That 
power is not yet one-half utilized. 

SOCIAL CLUBS. 

The ‘Young Men's Institute, con- 
nected with the Congregational 
church, is a sort of social club which 
has a reading room in the vestry of 
the church and through the winter 
months has weekly meetings with 
lectures or talks on different sub- 
jects of interest. There is a flour- 
ishing lodge of Masons, both camp 
and canton of Odd Fellows, Golden 
Cross, Red Men, G. A. R., W. R. 0., 
S. of V., and other social and 
fraternal orders having a large 
membership. Beside these there 
are purely social clubs. 

SAXOff BITER SEMINARY. 

For the following sketch the 
writer is indebted to professor L. F. 
Ward of Westminster. 

This Seminary was started in 1842, 
and was furnished with a handsome 
and convenient building by the citi- 
zens of the place, among w r hom Dr. 
R. A. Severance, Joseph Leach, Hon. 
Daniel Kellogg, George Perry, 
Fletcher Perry, Hon. David Chand- 
ler, were early and liberal in their 
donations. 

Rev. D. H. Ilanney was the first 
principal, remaing in charge some 
two years. . Miss Margaret Mann, 
Miss Howlett, and Miss Ellen Greg- 
ory were the preceptresses during 
the same time, 

Reuben Hubbard Washburn, the 
second principal, also remained two 
years. Miss Gertrude Hyde, now 
Mrs. N. S. Sharp, Miss Sarah War- 
ren of Ludlow, Miss Whittlesey, and 
Lueien Sherman of Dover, were Mr, 
Washburn e able assistants. 

Under Rev. D. H. Rannev and 



Mr. Washburn, the seminary was 
prosperous. Mr. Colby was the 
third principal. The fourth was L< 
F. Ward, who cotinued the school 
from 1847 to 1852. His assistants 
were Miss Marion Ward, Miss Jane 
Smith, Mrs. Butterfield of Grafton, 
Miss Fanny Arnold, and Mrs. E. M. 
Ward. 

Rev, J. M. Wilmarth next suc- 
ceeded as principal, a man noted for 
his missionary efforts in Europe, for 
his critical scholarship, especially in 
the French literature, and as a di- 
vine rather than as a teacher, Dur- 
ing the next three years the Semi- 
nary was in charge of Rev, W. N. 
j Wilbur, and enjoyed a high degree 
■ of prosperity. Afterwards it was 
! taught by Mr. Frost, by M. D. L. 
Oollester, now a professor in a col- 
lege in Minnesota, and by D. L. Al- 
' drich as late as 1866, since which 
i time it has been suspended. 

From 1842 to 1854, Hon. Daniel 
Kellogg was president of the board 
of trustees, 

VERMONT ACADEMY, SAXTONS 
RIVER, VERMONT. 

The firstpublic movement towards 
the establishment of the Vermont 
Academy was made at the annual 
meeting of the Vermont Baptist 
State convention, held at Windsor, 
Nov. 10, 1869, when the following 
resolutions were adopted : 

Mesolved: That the time has 

come when the Baptists of Vermont 
should awake to an increased inter- 
est in the subject of general educa- 
tion, and should express that inter- 
est by taking immediate steps to se- 
cure the establishment and adequate 
endowment of a first-class Literary 
and Scientific Institute for the edu- 
cation of our youth of both sexes. 

A committee of seven w r as ap- 
pointed to take the necessary pre- 
liminary measures for carrying the 
resolution into effect, consisting of 
the Revs, T. H. Archibald, G. S. 
Chase, W, L. Palmer, M. A. Will- 
cox, S. F. Brown, Hon, R. J, Jones, 
j William M, Pingry. 



BELLOWS FALLS. 



513 



During the ensuing year the com- 
mittee pursued their work with re- 
newed zeal. At the end of the sec- 
ond year they made their final re- 
port to the meeting of the conven- 
tion held at Burlington* 

At this meeting, Oct. 4 and 5, 
1871, a hoard of" trustees was ap- 
pointed, consisting of eleven per- 
sons, among whose duties, as pre- 
scribed by the convention in a reso- 
lution, w r ere those of establishing 
and locating the new institution, of 
raising an endowment of 1100,000, 
exclusive of grounds, buildings and 
apparatus, and of securing from the 
General Assembly of the State an 
act of incorporation. Judge Wm, 
M. Pingry of Perkinsville was the 
first president of the board and con- 
tinued in office until his death in 
May, 1885. His successor in office 
was Gol. L. K. Fuller of Brattle- 
boro, who still continues in said 
office. 

At the meeting of the convention 
at Brattleboro, Oct. 3, 1872, the 
board of trustees was increased to 
fifteen, and an act of incorporation 
was shortly after passed by the Gen- 
eral Assembly of the State, which 
was approved Nov, 26, 1872. 

Mr. Charles L. Jones of Cam- 
bridge, Mass., a native of Saxtons 
River, had for some years purposed 
giving a generous sum of money for 
the establishment of an academy in 
that place; he had invited citizens 
of the place to join him in the en- 
terprise, and his invitation had been 
cordially accepted and a considera- 
ble sum of money had already been 
pledged. 

On the 28th of A ugusfc, following, 
the board decided to accept the of- 
fer aforesaid and to- locate the acad- 
emy at Saxtons River. 

In a circular issued Sept. 11, 1872, 
the board, through a committee, an- 
nounced that Mr. Jones had pledged 
$20,000, citizens of Saxtons River 
$30,000, and Baptists in other parts 
of the State $20,0U0, 

In 1876 the school was opened, 
with Horace Mann Willard, A. M., 
for principal. He continued in that 
relation for thirteen years, when he 
was succeeded by the present prin- 



cipal, George Abner Williams, A. 
M.,JPh. D. 

Humber of graduates in 12 years, 
89 young men, 88 young women. 

Graduates of Vermont Academy 
have studied or are now studying at 
Tale, Brown, Harvard, Amherst, 
Middlebury, University of Vermont, 
Lehigh, Boston University, Wes- 
leyan, Wellesley, Smith, Vassar, 
Oberlin, University of Michigan, 
Williams, State University of Col- 
orado, Massachusetts Institute of 
Technology, Dartmouth, Newton 
Theological Seminary, Law schools 
of Harvard, Boston University, 
Michigan State University, Medical 
Schools of Vermont University, Col- 
lege of Physicians and Surgeons of 
Hew York. 

The students of Vermont Acad- 
emy have come from 18 States and 
territories, and also from Quebec and 
Hova Scotia. 

The original purchase of land con- 
tained 36 acres, embracing a plateau 
about 30 feet above the village to 
the north of it; and a beautiful 
maple grove. Recently Col. L. K. 
Fuller, president of the board of 
trustees, has purchased and pre- 
sented to the academy 30 acres of 
land lying immediately north of the 
original purchase. The buildings 
already erected are, Jones Hall, 
Farnsworth Hall, Fuller Hall and 
Proctor Hall; the Sturtevant House, 
or the principal's house ; this is built 
of wood, the others are brick build- 
ings. These buildings, as well as 
the public rooms, are heated by 
steam, and they are also supplied by 
pure spring water. 

The location of the school is ex- 
cellent. Saxtons River is four and 
a half miles west from Bellows Falls, 
an important railroad junction. 

Pecuniary aid is furnished deserv- 
ing students from the income of 
seven scholarships of 11000 each, and 
from private benevolence. Some of 
the pupils earn a part of their ex- 
penses by work. Opportunity for 
self-help will be furnished on the 
new farm. Tuition is free to the 
chOdren of all pastors and of all de- 
ceased pastors of Vermont of what- 
ever denomination. 



514 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



THEOPHILUS HOIT 

was born in Westmoreland, N. H,, 
Feb. 19, 1813, and was the elder of 
the two sons of Theophilus and 
Sabrina (Shaw) Holt. He lived 
with his parents, assisting on the 
farm summers until 15 years of age, 
when he went to Sharon, Vt., to 
learn the trade of wool carding, 
cloth shearing and weaving ingrain 
carpets. Such business was thriv- 
ing then wfien every one spun their 
own wool for cloth yarn. While at 
Sharon he also learned to manufac- 
ture cassimeres, and in April, 1833, 
he began work for Faulkner & Col- 
ony of Keene, N. H», wiio, at that 
period, were quite extensive wool 
carders and cloth dressers. He re- 
mained there two years and then 
moved to Saxtons River in March, 
1835, where he manufactured satin- 
ets for J. F. Butler, who failed soon 
after. The business was continued, 
however, by Ami Smith, who 
formed a partnership with Went- 
worth & Bingham, the firm being 
known as Smith, Wentworth A 
Bingham. Mr. Hoit stayed with , 
these firms until 1836, when, taking 
the money he had saved, he started 
for the West; then, as now, the 
prospective point of all who hope to 
improve their financial condition. 
He worked in Chicago on the 
streets, drove a freight team, worked 
as carpenter, farmer, and as clerk 
in a store in Milwaukee. The 
Yankee characteristics aided him 
wonderfully in his plucky fight for 
fortune. Next he run a saw mill at 
Niles, Mich., where he invested his 
monev in city lots, and watched it 
vanish in 1837. In May of 1838, he 
returned to Saxtons River and went 
to work for Ami Smith, in the old 
woolen factory, and stayed until 
1846, when he began the manufac- 
ture of woolen yarn, hut sold out 
the business the following spring. 
In April, 1847, Smith's factory was 
burned, and the following May the 
property was bought by Mr. Hoit, 
George Perry and John A. Farns- 
worth. They built the present 



woolen factory and began the manu- 
facture of cassimeres under the firm 
name of George Perry & Co. They 
had marked success and in Febru- 
ary, 1857, extended it by fitting up 
the old mill at Oambridgeport. In 
this venture the original firm asso- 
ciated with themselves Fletcher 
Perry and Benjamin Scofield, but 
the death of George Perry in 
1858 caused a dissolution" of 
the partnership, which finally 
resulted in Mr. Hoit’s continuing 
the business under the firm name of 
Farnsworth & Hoit. The firm con- 
ducted a prosperous business until 
August, 1866, when feeble health 
compelled Mr. Hoit to sell his inter- 
est to JohnF. Alexander, and he has 
since lived in retirement in a quiet 
home in Saxtons River, where he 
has always resided since his marriage 
to Mary D. Chandler, daughter of 
Abel Chandler of Petersham, Mass., 
March 13, 1839. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hoit have had had two daughters ; 
Ellen, born November 28, 1839, 
married to Henry X). Holton, M. D., 
November 19, 1862, and Abbv, born 
March 14, 1845, married to Charles 
L. Hubbard, June 4, 1867. Mr. 
Hoit has been a member of the Bap- 
tist church for 35 years. A marked 
characteristic is conscientiousness, 
which has given him the strict integ- 
rity noticeable throughout his entire 
business career. His extreme mod- 
esty has prevented liis acceptance of 
any office of trust, though frequent- 
ly urged to do so by his townsmen. 
His beneficence has been liberal but 
unostentatious: a few know its 
extent. He w r as prominently iden- 
tified with the enterprise which se- 
cured the location of Vermont 
Acad am y at Saxtons River, contrib- 
uting to its funds at one time, five 
thousand dollars. He is now enjoy- 
ing the decline of life in a pleasant 
home, where peacefulness and con- 
tent reign. 

GEORGE PERRY 

was one of eight children of Gates 
Perry, who moved to Rockingham 



i 




BELLOWS FALLS. 



515 



from Antrim, H. H. in 1807. Here 
the family lived the life of all Hew 
England farmers, and the children 
learned to work and live useful lives. 
George Perry was born in Rocking- 
ham, March 6, 1807. His early life 
was such as is common to every 
farmer's son in Hew England. He 
received the usual amount of educa- 
tion, snatching it from the usual 
round of labor. April 2, 1828, the 
year that he was 21 he married Han- 
nah Chandler, daughter of Abel 
Chandler, and they settled on a 
farm, remaining three years. After 
that he moved to Saxtons River, 
and in partnership with his brother, 
Fletcher, began the manufacture of 
tinware. In 1847 he went in com- 
pany with John A. Farnsworth and 
Theophilus Iloit, erecting a large 
woolen mill and doing an extensive 
business under the firm name of 
George Perry & Co. He remain- 
ed in the business until he died, 
August 22, 1858. The marriage of 
Mr. and Mrs. Perry was blessed 
with two children, Solon, born Ho- 
vember 12, 1829, now in business in 
Boston, and Mary P., born Septem- 
ber 26, 1889, wife of John A. Alex- 
ander of Saxtons River. Mr. Perry 
was never a member of a church, 
but always contributed liberally to 
the support of churches. He was 
always much interested in the wel- 
fare of his town, and especially his 
home village. He was often called 
by his fellow men to fill positions 
of honor and trust, and in 1857 was 
elected State Senator from Windham 
county, and would have been re- 
elected had not failing health pre- 
vented a return. 

COL. ASA WENTW ORTH 

was born in Alstead, H. H., April 
4, 1797, and died in Bellows Falls, 
August 7, 1882. He represented 
Alstead in the Hew Hampshire 
Legislature in 1828-29, and 
1832. After his removal to Bel- 
lows Falls he represented Rock- 
ingham in the Vermont Legislature 
in 1838-39-48-49-52-53-56, and was 
County Senator in 1851-52. He 



was one of the original incorpora- 
tors of the Bellows Falls Savings 
Institution, and at the first election 
of the stockholders was elected vice- 
president of the organization, and 
trustee. He was trustee until 1866 
when he resigned because of his elec- 
tion as a director in the Bellows 
Falls Hational Bank. He was a di- 
rector of the old Bellows Falls bank 
for many years, or up to its re-in- 
corporation under the Hational 
Banking Act, when he was elected 
a director of the new bank as above 
stated. He held the office up to 
1879, when he retired because of his 
great age and infirmities. He was 
treasurer of the town of Rockingham 
from 1846 to 1870, a period of 33 
years. He was also treasurer of the 
Bellows Falls school district for about 
the same length of time. Soon after 
his removal to Bellows Falls he be- 
came a vestryman in Immanuel 
church, being first elected in 1839, 
and he served as a member of the 
committee who had in charge the 
erecting of the present beautiful 
budding. His business career in town 
extended over many years, beginning 
in company with his brother Merrick, 
and later his son, under the firm name 
of A. & J. H. Wentworth. He was an 
honored member of the F. & A. M. 
May 1, 1819, he married Lucy War- 
ren of Alstead, who died May 26, 
1863. After that he married Caro- 
line L. Chase of Bellows Falls, who 
died ony a few weeks ago. Colonel 
Wentworth was a man of strong per- 
sonality and did much for the town 
of his adoption, not only during his 
service in the Legislature, but as a 
faithful and efficient town office. 

BELLOWS FALLS CONGREGATIONAL 
CHURCH. 

The establishment of a Congrega- 
tional church is due to the efforts of 
Mrs. Mary Walker, wife of Judge 
Charles Walker of Detroit, Mich., 
who moved here from Saxtons 
River in 1848. To them belongs the 
honor of first moving to establish a 
Congregational service, which devel- 



516 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



oped into the present church. The 
enthusiasm manifested attracted the 
attention of others of that denomina- 
tional preference, and they booh had 
assistance in their undertaking. 

At the outset, few favored the 
building of a house of worship, and 
a proposition was made to establish 
the service in connection with the 
Methodists, if such an arrangement 
were possible, meeting alternate Sun- 
days here and at Rockingham until 
the growth of the society should 
warrant the building of a church. 
A majority, however, finally favored 
a building of their own. 

The organization was effected July 
23, 1850. C. J. Walker, C. F. Hall, 
H. H. Stone, C. E. Pease, A. F. 
Gibson, H. Albee, George S. Nor- 
cross, and presumably others, met at 
Mr. Walker's office and signed their 
names to articles of association, ac- 
cording to the provisions of chapter 
81 of the Revised Statutes of Ver- 
mont, as then existing, to be known 
as the “ First Congregational Society 
of Bellows Falls/' These articles 
declared the purpose of such associa- 
tion to he, First : “ The support 
of the Gospel and maintenance of 
public worship according to the 
policy of the Orthodox Congrega- 
tional churches of New England/ 5 
Second : u To procure, hold and 
keep in repair a house of public 
worship/' 

The first meeting of the society 
was held at the office of Mr. Walker 
at 8 o'clock in the evening of the 
same day, and organized by the 
choice of H. H. Stone, moderator, 
and C. J. Walker, clerk. 

The church was organized Friday, 
August 9, 1850, at 10 o'clock, A.M., 
at the Methodist church, by an 
ecclesiastical council of 16 members, 
representing all the surrounding 
churches in Vermont and New 
Hampshire. Eight presented satis- 
factory articles of faith and cove- 
nant, and were duly acknowledged a 
Congregational church by appropri- 
ate public exercises. 

December 18, 1850, the society, 
by a unanimous vote, affirmed the 



expediency of taking immediate 
measures to erect a house for the 
society, appointing a committee of 
five to draw up plans, limiting the 
cost to $2,000. The lot was bought 
of Russell Hyde by Mr. Walker for 
$300. December 3, 1851, a meeting 
was held in the vestry of the new 
church, but no record of final com- 
pletion can be found. The only 
intimation is found in the record of 
ordination of J. G. Wilson, Decem- 
ber 12, 1851, the early prayer being 
characterized as “introductory and 
dedicatory." 

The first regular minister was Rev. 
Joel R. Arnold from Waterbury, 
Conn., then living at Westminster 
West. There have been 16 pastors 
and stated officers, including the 
present, Rev, J. Ellsworth Fullerton, 
who came here from Massachusetts, 
and has been with the church about 
14 months. The church has grown, 
and is now in a very prosperous con- 
dition. The average length of pas- 
torate, and stated supplies has been 
about two and one-half years. 

FTJTTTBE OF BELLOWS FALLS. 

The past and present of Bellows 
Falls have been fully touched up. 
The development from a mere coun- 
try village to a business centre, al- 
most as important as any in Ver- 
mont, has been slow, but solid. 
There has been no mushroom growth, 
l no undue expansion, but a steady in- 
crease in business enterprises, and a 
1 corresponding development of water 
power, and shipping interests. What 
has been done has been the result of 
ordinary commercial development, 
j a taking advantage of natural 
elements which conduce to success 
in manufacturing, rather than a 
reaching out for new industries and 
calling them in by showing their 
proprietors the opportunities offered. 
For that reason the foundation of 
the town's growth has been more 
solid, more substantial and is now 
more certain to be permanent. The 
advantages which nature has lavish- 
ed upon this town has compelled 
men, who wished to establish great 



BELLOWS FALLS. 



517 



industries, to come here. They 
couldn't do otherwise if they follow- 
ed their business instincts. 

This being the case with the past 
it is easy to see what the future will 
bring. A Board of Trade, compris- 
ing in its membership all the active 
business men of the village, was 
formed in May, 1891. It took them 
sometime to get organized and ac- 
quire a thorough understanding, 
not only of their own town, but of 
the lines of action likely to have the 
best results. The year 1892 found 
them equipped for work and looking 
out for the commercial interests of 
the village. Success followed their 
efforts, even sooner than the most- 
sanguine dared anticipate. But their 
work only began in 1892. With 
each year that followed, more and 
more work was laid out for the Board 
and more commercial problems came 
up for settlement. 

In the hands of an active, judi- 
cious Board of Trade, the future of 



such a village is sure. There can be 
no question that Bellows Falls, with 
its mighty water power, its great 
shipping facilities and its young, ac- 
tive, enthuiastic business men, men 
who believe in their town and its 
possibilities, has a future of growth 
and development before her, which 
few, even among her most enthusi- 
astic friends, hardly appreciate, as 
yet. The tide of capital which has 
flowed West and South so long has 
stopped. Turned back on itself it 
needs opportunities for investment 
which will bring sure, if small, re- 
turns. The return of this capital is 
what is to develop Vermont manu- 
facturing villages, and Bellows Falls, 
with all her natural and acquired ad- 
vantages, will be one of the first to 
feel the quickening hand of 
applied capital. Manufacturing 
must increase, if that increases, ship- 
ping facilities must be augmented, 
and Bellows Falls must grow and de- 
velop as never before in her history. 



EXPLANATION. 



To purchasers and readers of this booh, I -wish to say a word of 
explanation. I was asked to complete an unfinished history of Rocking- 
ham, which had been written years before, and parts of the manuscript 
lost. I was asked to fill in the places lost. This I have done as well 
as possible with the limited space at my command, and I trust that all 
who read will do so charitably, for when space must be economized, 
readableness must be sacrificed for fact. The work, while not what 
should have been done, is elaborated as much as space would allow. 

B. H. ALBEE. 




STRATTON, 



By LYMAN E. KNAPP, 



STRATTON. 

The town of Stratton is situated 
upon the western border of Wind- 
ham. County, and, in the earliest 
subdivision of the State, was included 
within the area known as Benning- 
ton County. It was, originally, six 
miles square, containing 23,040 acres, 
but by the addition of Stratton Gore 
1000 acres, in 1799, and a portion of 
the town of Somerset, about 2000 
acres, on the south, in 1858, it now 
has 26,040 acres, an area consider- 
ably larger than most of the towns 
in the State. It lies upon the eastern 
slope of the Green Mountain range, 
extending nearly to the ridge, and 
some portions of the Western line 
passing west of the highest points 
of the mountain. 

Stratton is bounded north by 
Winhall, east by Jamaica and 
Wardsboro, south by Wilmington 
and Somerset, and West by Sunder- 
land. 

In 1851, a bill passed both Houses 
of the Legislature and was approved 
by the Governor, annexing a portion 
of Somerset to Stratton, to take ef- 
fect if certain conditions were com- 
plied with, within a specified time. 
But those conditions were not com- 
plied with, and the boundaries re- 
mained as before. The subject was 
kept in agitation until 1858, when 
the desired changes were made. 

The three principal branches of 
West River take their rise in the 
west part of this town, and flow east- 
ward through it. The Deerfield 
river also has its source here, flowing 
southward. 



The township has two beautiful 
ponds, referred to in “ Geology of 
Vermont” as “Jones Pond” and 
“ Holman’s Pond,” but better 
known by the residents, as “ Strat- 
ton Pond” and “North Pond.” 
The former is situated in the south- 
west part of the town. It is about 
one and one-third miles in length 
and nearly three-fourths of a mile 
wide. The “North Pond” is situ- 
ated in the northwest corner of the 
town, and is one mile long and a 
little more than half a mile wide. 
This is the source of West river, 
whose waters unite with the Con- 
necticut, a little north of Brattle- 
boro. 

Stratton mountain is another 
prominent feature of the scenery. 
It is about 3,335 feet above the level 
of the ocean. This mountain is 
covered with evergreens, mostly 
spruce, to the very summit. 

GEOLOGY. 

The rock formation of this town 
is almost entirely metamorphic, and 
mostly of that peculiar form of 
gneiss usually denominated the 
Green mountain gneiss, which is 
almost entirely wanting in feldspar. 
The strike is N. 30° E., and the in- 
clination about 45° east. There is an 
elegant variety of saccharoid azoic 
lime-stone, or, dalomite, on the 
farm of Rufus Lyman, Esq., in 
that part of the town formerly be- 
longing to Somerset. There are 
two beds near each other, the widest 
of which is about four rods wide, 
and the other is only ten feet wide. 




520 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



An analysis of this rock shows it to 
be carbonate of lime 65.41, carbon- 
ate of magnesia 30.05, carbonate of 
the protoxide of iron 1.61, insoluble 
matter 2.58, It is used for the 
manufacture of lime to a limited 
extent. 

POTHOLES. 

In a depression of the high ridge, 
in the south part of Stratton, which 
separates the waters of the Deerfield 
and West rivers, is a large pothole, 
far up upon the side of a ledge of 
solid gneiss, 3,235 feet above the 
level of the ocean, so peculiar in its 
form, and so magnificent in its pro- 
portions, considering the hardness 
of the rock in which it is formed, 
that it attracts many visitors. Its 
existence was scarcely known until 
it was visited and examined and de- 
scribed by Charles H. Hitchcock of 
the geological surveying party. 

This hole is a little north of the 
crest of the hill, from which it is 
inferred that the stream which 
flowed oyer this spot and by whose 
agency it was formed, must have 
flowed northerly. This is not cer- 
tain, ^ however. " Mr. H. P. Goodall, 
who first visited this spot with Mr. 
Hitchcock, and afterwards with 
others, thus described it: “The 

hole is 10 feet 8 inches deep, and in 
diameter 2-J feet. Immediately be- 
hind the hole, the rock rises 20 
feet; some 30 rods further back is 
an elevation of 200 feet. The form 
of the hole is screw-like, the thread 
making three complete turns before 
reaching the bottom, which iB 
shaped like that of a caldron ket- 
tle.” 

The rock is Green mountain 
gneiss, dipping 35° east. It is solid, 
without seam, or crack, and will 
hold water like a stone-jar. The 
hole js nearly perpendicular, though 
it commences at the top, from a 
steep declivity. 

EARLY HISTORY. 

Some 14 years before the opening 
of the war of the Revolution, some 



of the citizens of Worcester county, 
Massachusetts, had their attention 
called to the high lands upon the 
eastern slope of the Green moun- 
tains, now known as Stratton, and 
to their excited imaginations they 
became a veritable Eldorado, and 
July, 1761, a charter of this town- 
ship was secured from Gov. Ben- 
ning Wentworth of New Hamp- 
shire. An exploring party was sent 
out and steps were taken to colonize 
the township, but these preliminary 
measures were not entirely success- 
ful. No permanent settlement was 
effected until after the close of the 
war. At the date of the granting 
of this charter, only one of the 
towns on her border had been char- 
tered. That was Sunderland. The 
description of the township as 
given in the original charter 
follows: “Beginning at the 

northeast corner of Sunderland, 
from thence due east six. miles, 
from thence due south six miles, 
from thence due west six miles, to 
the southeast corner of Sunder- 
land, thence due north by the east 
line of Sunderland aforesaid, to the 
bound first mentioned.” 

GRANTEES. 

Isaac Searl, John Lyman, Job Searl, 
Nathan Lyman, Eleazer flannum, 
Charles Clapp, Daniel Lee, Esq., 
Elisha Mather, Martin Phelps, Ca- 
leb Strong, Spencer Phelps, Martin 
Phelps, Jr., Asahel Clapp, Oliver 
Lyman, Joel Lee, Nathaniel Cud- 
worth, Nathaniel Noyes, Augustus 
Clapp, Esq., Charles Mather, Bug- 
gies Woodbridge, Elias Lyman, 
Nathaniel Burt, Samuel Blodgett, 
Caleb Blodgett, Rev. John Searl, 
Daniel Lee, Jr., Capt. Benoni 
Danks, James Hill, Joseph Hill, 
John Hill, John Holden, Josiah 
Brewer, Jonas Cutter, William 
Lamson, John Smith, Rev. Jona- 
than Judd, Thomas Sweat, Nathan- 
iel Phelps, Nathaniel Phelps, Jr., 
John Smith, Jr., Wm. Lyman, Wm. 
Blunt, Gideon Clark, Jonathan Bag- 
tom, Cutes Loomis, Oliver Wendell, 



. STRATTON. 



521 



Caleb Blodgett, Benjamin Cud worth, 
Joel Hunt, Seth Blodgett, Richard 
Stoner, Joseph Brown, Joseph 
Prieheon, Esq., Monsieur Bunbury, 
ffm. Pearson, Henry Apthorp, 
Jacob Wen dal, Esq,, Wm. Brattle, 
Esq., Thomas Hubbard, Esq,, Rich- 
ard Wibard, Esq., John Downing, 
Esq., Samuel Wentworth of Boston, 
and Penning Wentworth. 

The project of an immediate set- 
tlement was interfered with by vari- 
ous causes and it was not until Dec. 
26, 17S1, that we have any record 
of a proprietors* meeting. This 
meeting was held at Grafton, 
Worcester county. Mass., and was 
organized by the election of Jacob 
Stevens, moderator, and Edward 
Rawson* clerk. This record refers 
to Stratton as belonging to Ben- 
nington county. 

The first proprietors* meeting 
within the limits of the town, of 
which there is record, was held on 
Sept 16, 1784, Jacob Stevens, mod- 
erator * Jonathan Philips, clerk. 
Among those present and partici- 
pating were: William McFarland, 
John Campbell of Putney; Paul 
Thurston, Edward Rawson, John 
Blood of Pownal ; Timothy Mors- 
man and Oliver Morsman. Jona- 
than Philips continued to serve as 
proprietors* clerk until Oct. 5, 1787; 
Jared Blood, to May 27, 1789 ; 

Joseph Patch, to June 24, 1791 ; 
Asa Philips, to Sept. 7, 1795. 

FIRST SETTLERS. 

The first settlers in the town were 
Timothy and Oliver Morsman, who 
removed from Worcester County, 
Mass., in the summer of 1783. 

Oliver Morsman began to clear up 
the land, and built himself a log- 
house upon the west half of the 5th 
lot in the 4th range, now kno^^n as 
the Adams lot. 

His brother, Timothy, pitched his 
tent not far from Stratton pond, and 
near the south line of the town. He 
raised a family of children, one 
daughter, married and settled in 
Stratton. 



Among those who came quite early 
were Asa Philips, Solomon Gale, 
Samuel Bo u tell, Bille Mann, Joseph 
Patch, Mr. Wetlierbee, Abel Grout, 
Austin Bissell. 

The first white child born in town 
was a girl, daughter of Solomon 
Gale. The first male child born in 
the town, was Asa Philips, son of 
Asa and Polly Philips, Aug. 13, 
1785. The first death was that of 
Betsey Boutell, daughter of Samuel 
and Elizabeth Boutell, May 24, 1796. 
The first marriage occurred Septem- 
ber, 1791. The parties were Jonas 
Woodward and Miss Polly Morsman. 
The first record of transfer of real 
estate is of a deed by Jonathan 
Philips. This instrument was ex- 
ecuted at Newfane, Sept. 26, 1784, 
before Luke Knowlton, Justice of 
the Peace. 

The first tavern was kept by 
Joseph Patch. The first grist-mill 
was built by a Mr. Graves. Saw- 
mills were erected by Wetherbee, 
Jacob Batch elder and Mr. Philips, 
at about the same time. 

ORGANIZATION. 

Soon after Vermont’s declaration 
of independence in 1787, the citizens 
of this thriving burgh determined to 
perfect their organization as a town. 
A meeting was called for that pur- 
pose in a neighboring town, which 
met at the house of Oliver Morsman, 
May 31, 1788. At this meeting 
Timothy Morsman, Solomon Gale 
and Benjamin Hobbs, were elected 
selectmen; Asa Philips, town clerk; 
Sanford Bixby, treasurer ; Joseph 
Patch, constable. 

The following are the names of 
all the town clerks : Asa Philips, 
Stephen Thayer, Asa Philips, 
Thomas La throp, Thomas W. Millet, 
Ezra Estabrook, Richard Scott, Asa 
Philips, Elias Bassett, Benjamin 
Thatcher, Richard Scott, Freeman 
Wyman, LaFayette Sheldon. 

The first freeman*s meeting was 
held in 1799, when Samuel Boutell 
was elected to represent the town in 
the General Assembly. 



522 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



The town of Stratton was repre- 
sented in the General Assembly, by 
Samuel Boutell, Bille Mann, Abel 
Grout, Richard Scott, Stephen Bah 
lard, Benjamin Thacher, David Rice, 
1836-7-8, 40, 43 ; Joseph Blodgett, 
1839, 48 ; Asahel Kidder, 1841 ; John 
N. Glazier, 1842, 55-56 ; Amos Par- 
sons, Jr., 1844-45-46-47 ; John Un- 
derwood, 1849, Rufus Lyman, 1851- 
53 ; Stephen Grout, 1854; Melvin A. 
Knowlton, 1857-58-59,68-69 ; Henry 
W. Estabrook, 1860-61 ; Jacob B. 
Grout, 1862-63, 70; Jonas N. Smith, 
1864; Newton N. Glazier, 1865, 67 ; 
Joseph Tripp 1866 and Geo. M. 
Smith, 1890. 

Samuel Boutell was appointed 
justice of the peace in 1799 and he 
served in that capacity 22 years. 
Richard Scott served as justice 25 
years ; Moses Forrester, 14 years ; 
John N. Glazier, 22 years. 

COHGREGATIOHAL CHURCH. 

The early settlers of Stratton were 
true descendants of the old Puritan 
stock from which they sprung, and 
the deep religious sentiment which 
pervaded their life and character, 
found its legitimate channel in true 
blue Congregationalism. The Con- 
gregational church of Stratton was 
organized Aug. 30, 1801, with only 
9 members ; The first deacons were 
Francis Kidder and Samuel Bixby. 

The first church was organized by 
Rev. James Tufts and Rev. Gersham 
C. Lyman of Marlboro. Among the 
first ministers who preached to this 
people was the venerable Rev. Mr. 
Payson, father of Edward Payson, 
whose name is a familiar household 
word. 

The first church edifice erected in 
Stratton was built mainly by^ the 
Congregational church and society, 
in 1807. Its location was near the 
center of the town. 

BAPTIST CHURCH. 

Near the beginning of the century 
a Baptist church was organized. In 
1825 its membership numbered 
about 40. The first deacons were J, 
Greenwood and John Glazier. 



FREE-WILL BAPTISTS. 

July 13, 1857, a Free-will Baptist 
church of eight members was organ- 
ized by Rev. I. J. Hoadley and Ches- 
ter M. Prescott. The first deacon 
was David Eddy. The church con- 
tinued to grow in number. Rev. 
Mr. Prescott continued with this 
church only a few years. Since Mr. 
Prescott's removal the church has 
been supplied by Rev. John B. Ran- 
dall, John Parker, Joseph Tripp, 
and John C. Ball. 

CEMETERIES. 

The first burial ground in Strat- 
ton was upon the lot situated a little 
west of the Adams lot. This place 
was used for burial purposes until 
1803 The next place used for this 
purpose was a lot near the center of 
the town. The present cemeteries 
are one at the centre on the old Asa 
Philips 'farm, given by him for that 
purpose, one at the north part of 
the town, and one in the south part. 

EDUCATION 

early received the attention of the* 
sturdy pioneers. They divided the 
town into districts, and most of 
these districts have since maintained 
their four months school per year. 
Although educational advantages 
have been so limited, with only two 
months schooling of an indifferent 
character in the year for hoys above 
12 years of age, a goodly number of 
young men have worked their way 
through college and into honorable 
and useful careers in life. It re- 
quired earnest and determined pur- 
pose to meet and overcome the ob- 
stacles thrown in their way by pov- 
erty and lack of advantages. 

MILITARY RECORD. 

Tjja ree at least of the early settlers 
of Stratton had seen service in the 
war for independence — Bille Mann, 
Jonathan Marsh, Bissell and Abel 
Grout. 

William M. Fuller served as a sol- 
dier in the Mexican war and was de- 
tailed to go to California. 



STRATTON. 



523 



WAR OF THE REBELLION 

Stratton responded nobly to the 
call for men to volunteer to put , 
down the rebellion of 1861, Every 
call of the adjutant general was re- 
sponded to with the enlistment of 
her full complement of men. There 
was no shrinking or sending worth- 
less substitutes, but with patriotic 
motives these young men took their 
lives in their hands and went forth 
to do and to endure* for the preser- 
vation of their country’s honor. 

The following were accredited to 
this town in the filling of the quotas: 

George Clough enlisted Jan, 13, 
1862, mustered into Co. H, 8th Reg., 
Feb. 12, 1862 ; age 30 years ; re-en- 
listed March 5, 1864; mustered out 
June 28, 1865. 

Samuel G. Conant enlisted Aug- 
30, 1862, mustered in Co. A, 2d Reg., 
Sep, 15, 1862, age 23; discharged 
Dec. 29, 1864. 

George E. Eager enlisted in Co- 
ll, 9th Reg., June 28, 1862, mus- 
tered into the XL S. service July 9, 
1862, age 28 ; mustered out June 13, 
1865. 

Newton N. Glazier enlisted as a 
private in Co. G, 11th Reg., Aug. 
11, 1862, mustered into service Sep. 
1, 1862, age 23 ; promoted corporal 
Nov. 23, 1862 ; 2d lieutenant Co. A, 
Nov. 2, 1863 ; 1st lieutenant same 
company Jan, 21, 1864 ; lost his left 
arm by a gunshot wound in the bat- 
tle near Spottsylvania Court House, 
May 18, 1864 ; discharged Sep. 3, 
1864. 

Jason E. Goss enlisted June 13, 
1862, mustered in Co. K, 9th Reg., 
July 9, 1762, age 24 ; mustered out 
June 13, 1865. 

James Grout enlisted June 13, 
1862 ; mustered as corporal in Co. 
K, 9th Reg., July 9, 1862, age 30 
years ; died March 2, 1863. 

Joel Grout enlisted June 13, 1862, 
mustered into Co. K, 9th Reg,, July 
9, 1862 ; discharged May 26, 1865, 
age 20. 

John A. Grout enlisted Sep. 6, *61, 
age 25, mustered in Co. F, 4th Reg., 
Sep. 26, 1861 ; re-enlisted Dec, 15, 



1863 ; transferred to Co. A, same 
regiment and promoted corporal ; 
mustered out with his company and 
j regiment July 13, 1865. 

Pliny Fiske Grout enlisted June 
15, 1862, mustered into Co. K, 9th 
Reg, July 9, 1862, age 42; died in 
the service Feb. 19, 1863. 

Lyman H, Harvey enlisted Jan 10, 
1862, age 18, mustered in Co. H, 8th 
Reg. Feb. 12; mustered out June 22, 
1864. 

Jesse C. Jones enlisted June 16, 
1862, age 26, mustered into Co, K, 
9th Reg., August 16, 1862. A long 
time reported absent without leave, 
but returned again to his company ; 
mustered out June 13, 1865. 

C. H. Pitman Knapp enlisted 
Aug. 26, 1861, age 27, mustered in 
Co. C, 4th Reg., Sep. 24, 1861. At 
the battle of Lee*s Mills, April 16, 
1862, received a severe gunshot 
wound in his hip, from which he 
never recovered ; hopelessly disabled 
was discharged against his will ; died 
Oct. 22, 1863. ' - 

Henry H. Lincoln enlisted Aug. 
21, 1861, age 21 , mustered in Co. I, 
4th Reg., Sep. 20 ; discharged for 
disability Jan. 18, 1862, 

Matthias J. Lincoln enlisted Jan. 
9, 1862, mustered in Co. H, 8th 
Reg., Feb. 12, 1862, age 18 ; dis- 
charged July 11, 1864, 

William N, Lincoln enlisted July 
23, 1862, mustered in Co, E, 11th 
Reg,, Sep. 1, 1862, age 21 ; mustered 
out June 24, 1865. 

Joseph H. Peck enlisted January 
31, 1862, mustered in Co. II, 8th 
Reg., Feb. 12, 1862, age 28 ; re-en- 
listed March 5, 1864 ; mustered out 
June 28, 1865, 

Dana P. Putnam enlisted Jan. 10, 
1862, age 22, mustered in Co. H, 8th 
Reg., Feb. 12, 1862; discharged 
October 31, 1862. 

Henry H. Putnam enlisted Feb. 
3, 1862, aged 21, mustered in Co. H, 
8th Reg., Feb. 12, 1862 ; discharged 
Oct. 18, 1862, 

Sidney C. Putnam enlisted Dec. 
12, 1861, aged 19, mustered in Co. 
H, 8th Reg., Feb. 12, 1862 ; dis- 
charged April 7, 1864. 



524 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Lorenzo D. Underwood enlisted 
June 1, 1863, age 18, mustered in 
Co. L, 11th Reg. June 10, 1863 ; 
died in service March 16, 1864. 

James T. Fay enlisted Dec. 10, 
1863, age 35, mastered in Co. D, 
8th Reg., Dec. 24, 1863 ; died Aug. 
30, 1864. 

Matthias Lincoln enlisted Dec. 
19, 1863, age 19, mustered in Co. H, 
8th Reg.; died April 6, 1864. 

Milon F. Perry enlisted Sep. 20, 

1862, age 26, mustered in Co. 1,16th 
Reg., Oct. 23, 1862 ; mustered out 
August 10, 1863 ; re-enlisted Dec. 
15, 1863 ; mustered out June 28, 
1865. 

Lyman Wood Sprague enlisted 
Dec. 10, 1863, age 31, mustered in 
Co. D, 8th Reg., Dec. 24, 1864 ; pro- 
moted corporal May 25, 1865 ; mus- 
tered out June 28. 1865. 

Evander H. Willis enlisted Dec. 
5, 1863, age 18; mustered in Co. D, 
8th Regt., Dec. 24, 1863; mustered 
out June 28, 1865. 

George A. Williams enlisted Jan. 
5, 1864, age 23; mustered in Co. H. 
8th Regt., Jan. 12, 1864; mustered 
out May 13, 1865. 

Henry E. Knapp enlisted Sept, 
20, 1862, for 9 months, age 26 ; 
mustered in Co. I, 16th Regt., Oct. 
23, 1862; mustered out Aug. TO, 

1863. 

Velasco J. Knapp enlisted Sept. 
20, 1862, age 21; mustered as Corp. 

# in Co. I, 16th Regt., Oct. 23, 1862; 

* pro. Sergt. March 17, 1863; mus- 
tered out Aug, 10, 1863, 

Lyman E. Knapp enlisted as pri- 
vate for 16th Regt, of 9 months’ 
men; on election by the company 
Sept. 20, 1862, age 24, com. Capt. 
of Co. I; mustered into the U. S. 
service Oct. 23, 1862; on expiration 
of his term of service, mustered out 
Aug. 10, 1863; soon after com. by 
the governor to recruit a company 
for the 17th Regt,, with headquar- 
ters at Townshend; was com. Capt. 
of Co. F, April 9, 1864, with it 
mustered into the U. S. service, April 
12, 1864. The 17th regiment had 
severe service and was several times, 
left without field officers, when he 



was called to command it. Nov, 1, 

1864, he was commissioned major, 
and Dec. 10, 1864, as lieutenant- 
colonel of this regiment, though on 
account of lack of requisite numbers 
was mustered only as major. In the 
summer of 1864, he was for a time 
detailed on special duty, as judge 
advocate of a court martial, at di- 
vision headquarters. He led his 
company or regiment in 13 battles, 
was three times slightly wounded, in 
the battles of Gettysburg, Spofctsyl- 
vania and the taking of Petersburg, 
April 2, 1S65, In the latter en- 
gagement he was in command of 
the regiment and won a brevet com- 
mission from the president of the 
United States. He was mustered 
out of service with his regiment 
July 14, 1805. 

Andrew J. Copeland was drafted 
and entered service by enlisting July 
31, 1863, age 27. He was assigned 
to Co. A, 6th Regt.; died Jan. 1, 

1865, 

James H, Johnson drafted, en- 
tered service Aug, 3, 1863; died 
Sept. 15, 1864. 

Henry L, Carroll enlisted for one 
year, March 28, 1865, age 18; was 
assigned to Co. G, 17th Regt.; mus- 
tered in March 1, 1865; mustered 
out July 14, 1865. 

Samuel Abbott, Jr., and George 
Hartwell enlisted in the navy. 

Preston S. Knapp enlisted in Co. 
F, 17th Regt, Jan. 1, 1864, age 24; 
pro. Corp. Nov. 27, 1864; mustered 
out at close of the war. 

Jeremiah D. Styles enlisted Dec. 
21, 1863, age 34; mustered a recruit 
in Co. I), 8th Regt; mustered out 
June 28, 1865. 

Others who were or had been re- 
cently residents of Stratton, enter- 
ing the service from other towns 
were Capt. John Pike, Jonathan 
Babcock, Oscar F. Perry, Chauncey 
F. Perry and Lyman Pike. 

INCIDENTS AND SKETCHES. 

The department of biography and 
incident is very defective. It is im- 
possible to secure information of the 
earliest settlers whose descendants 



STRATTON. 



525 



have removed to parts unknown, or 
so far away that they cannot be 
found within the time' to which I 
am limited. By the valuable aid of 
Jacob B. Grout, Esq. of Stratton; 
Rev. N. Newton Glazier of Mont- 
pelier, and Elijah M. Torrey, Esq. 
of Dorset, and others, I am able to 
give the following sketches: 

TIMOTHY MOBSMAN, 

who with his brother Oliver, were 
the first permanent settlers in the 
town, was a rough and ready, though 
kind hearted man. 

LYMAN BATCHELLER, 

born in Stratton, March 20, 1795, 
was the son of Jacob and Lois (Rice) 
Batcheller, He lived in this town 
until after his marriage, when he 
removed to Arlington and from 
thence to Wallingford in 1835, 
where he became known as the head 
of the firm of Batcheller Sons, 
whose forks are used all over the 
country and in Great Britain. 

THE GLAZIER EAMILT. 

When quite a young man, John 
Glazier settled in Stratton, about 
the beginning of the present cen- 
tury. He was a man of iron consti- 
tution, well fitted for the hardships 
of pioneer life, had a vigorous mind 
which naturally constituted him a 
leader, and he was frequently hon- 
ored by being called to fill positions 
of responsibility and trust. He was 
for many years a deacon in the 
Baptist church. 

Their second son, Lyman*, entered 
upon the work of the ministry. He 
was ordained and settled over the 
Baptist church in Ira, this State, 
but died at the early age of 24. 

John N. Glazier, another eon, re- 
mained in his native town, became 
prominent in its business affairs. 

Frank J., oldest son of John N, 
Glazier, was born in 1829. He com- 
menced to prepare for the ministry. 
He died at the age of 25 years, be- 
fore finishing his course at Madison 
University. 



N. Newton, second son of John 
N. Glazier, was horn in 1838. He 
prepared for college at Leland Sem- 
inary, Townshend, graduated at 
Brown University in 1866, at New- 
ton Theological Institution in 1869. 
He accepted a call to become pastor 
of the Baptist church in Montpelier. 
He represented the town of Stratton 
in the Legislatures of 1865 and 67. 

DEATH OF MRS. BLAKE. 

In the winter of 1821, an event of 
thrilling interest which occurred 
near the west line of this town upon 
the road crossing the mountain, 
startled and touched the sympathies 
of the people far and wide. * Mr. 
Harrison Blake started late in the 
afternoon of a cold, stormy day, 
from Arlington, to cross the moun- 
tain with a horse and sleigh, having 
his wife and infant daughter with 
him. At that time “ the nine-mile 
woods ” were between the last inhab- 
itant on the west side of the moun- 
tain and Torrey’s tavern, the first 
house near the road, on the east 
side. In the small hours of the 
night, he had reached a point about 
two miles from Torrey’s, his horse 
was unable to proceed. Wrapping 
his overcoat about his wife and 
child, he started forward on foot, 
with the hope of procuring assist- 
ance. He was only able to advance 
about half a mile. He broke a limb 
from a tree, which he would put 
into the snow before him and draw 
himself to it. He wallowed on, 
struggling for dear lives bravely, 
until he could struggle no longer, 
shouting meanwhile at the top of 
his voice. 

Mr. Hale, whose wife was ill, start- 
ed early that morning for a physi- 
cian, and on his way, told Johnson 
Richardson, w r hose father was over 
the mountain, what his boys had 
heard. Young Richardson hastened 
in the direction indicated and found 
Mr. Blake badly frozen, yet able by 
pointing to make him understand 
that there were two more further on. 
Richardson procured assistance and 
four of the party carried Blake from 



526 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the mountain. The others went on 
and found Mrs. Blake still alive but 
fatally frozen. Going still further 
on they found the horse and sleigh, 
and near them, laid in the snow 
what appeared to be a bundle of 
clothing. As they unrolled it they 
found an over coat and cloak wrap* 
ped around her smiling babe. 

This child’s name was Rebecca, 
and she was brought up by her grand- 
parents in Marlboro. She married 
Ezra Dean. Mr, Blake lived a num- 
ber of years after this occurrence. 

SAMUEL NEWELL GROUT. 



of 1840 was held ; and when the 
East and the West, the North and 
the South, to the number of 15,000 
men, met together. Whereon was a 
well finished log cabin, 50 feet wide 
and 100 feet in length ; where were 
exposed to yiew roasted pigs with 
knives and forks stuck in their backs 
— giving the poor man an ocular in- 
dication of his bill of fare, when 
Harrison and Tyler should be in the 
chair. The orator of the day was 
“The God-like” Daniel Webster. 



GEORGE E. WAIT, 



Rev. Samuel Newell Grout was 
born in Stratton, July 5, 1818. He 
was the son of Dea. Abel Grout, born 
in Brattleboro, and Theodoeia (Bat- 
cheller) Grout, bom in Brookfield, 
Mass. He fitted for college at Burr 
Seminary ; graduated from Middle- 
b u ry college in 1846, and at Andover 
Theological Seminary in 1849. He 
went to Missouri in the fall of the 
same year and commenced his life 
work under the direction and patron- 
age of the Home Missionary Society. 
Since that time, he has labored in 
various places in Missouri, Illinois 
and Iowa. He is now located at 
Elmore, Richardson Co., Nebraska. 

[BY ELIJAH M. TOKEEY-] 

LUTHER TORRE Y 

came to Stratton from Ware, Mass., 
March, 1820. He was born in Conn., 
July 21, 1786, and died Jan. 10, 
1851. He married Miss Eunice 
Hyde, who survived him 20 years. 
By her he had 6 sons and 3 daugh- 
ters. He was a man of positive 
opinions and strong prejudices — was 
somewhat aristocratic in his notions, 
was a Congregationalist and whig, 
was at one time a tavern-keeper and 
farmer; but, when the use and sale 
of intoxicating liquors began to be 
preached against as sinful, he laid 
aside his glass, took down his bar 
and sign and became, thenceforth, 
a farmer and lumberman. 

His house was near the grounds 
whereon the great whig convention 



the son of a farmer, was born in 
Stratton, and there spent most of 
his boyhood. He was a student in 
Burr Seminary in 1847; prepared 
for college at Newbury; entered the 
Wesleyan University in 1850; grad- 
uated in 1854; settled in Genesee, 
111., in 1855; studied law and was 
admitted to the bar in 1857; elected 
county judge of Henry county in 
1861, held the office six years; com- 
missioned colonel by Gov. Yates at 
the commencement of our civil war, 
mayor of Geneseo in 1866 and 1867 ; 
elected in 1869 and served as a 
member of the constitutional con- 
vention for the 46th representative 
district which included the county 
of Henry. That convention was 
composed of the very best men of 
the State, and was in session five 
months. Wait was an active and 
influential member. He was chair- 
man of the committee on retrench- 
ments and reforms; and as such ex- 
posed the enormous frauds perpe- 
trated on the people by special legis- 
lation, and was the first to recom- 
mend to the convention a provision 
in the constitution prohibiting spe- 
cial legislation, which was adopted. 
Judge Wait is now a member of the 
Republican State Central Commit- 
tee for the 21st Congressional Dis- 
trict, — and enjoys a good reputation 
as a lawyer and an enterprising 
business man. In 1859 he married 
Miss Hattie N. Well of Connecticut. 
They have three daughters. 



STRATTON 



527 



ELISHA HYDE TO REE Y, 

youngest child of Luther Torrey, 
was born in Stratton, July 4, 1831, 
He entered Middlebury college in 
1852. In the fall term of his senior 
year he was sick and compelled to 
leave college, never to return. Hav- 
ing regained his health he engaged 
in teaching, which he has made the 
busines of his life. He was one 
year a teacher in the drawing school 
of Warring & Bisbee, successors to 
Charles Bartlett, College Hill, 
Poughkeepsie, and subsequently for 
five years principal teacher of Latin 
and Greek, and vice -principal in the 
military boarding school of Charles 
Warring, Poughkeepsie. He is mar- 
ried and has one son. 

ELIJAH M* TORRE Y, 

eighth child of Luther Torrey, was 
born in Stratton, Jan. 12, 1828, and 



there passed much of his boyhood. 
Prepared for college at Burr & Le- 
land seminaries. Entered Middle- 
bury college in 1850 ; graduated in 
1854 ; became soon after principal 
of the High school at Windsor ; re- 
signed, accepted the position of 
“ Master of Order/* in the large 
boarding school for boys of all ages, 
of Charles Bartlett, College Hill, 
Poughkeepsie. In 1858 was princi- 
pal teacher of Latin and Mathemat- 
ics in the boarding school for both 
sexes of Rev. E, Seymour, Bloom- 
field, N. J. ; in 1859, settled in Ja- 
maica and became a farmer ; was 
town representative in 1882, *63, *64; 
chosen to prepare a “Soldiers* 
Record 1 * for the town, under an 
Act of the Legislature of 1864 ; in 
1860, married Miss Cornelia A. Buf- 
fum ; they had two sons and four 
daughters. 




SOMERSET. 



By HOLLIS TOWN. 



SOMERSET. 

But little is known to the writer 
of the early settlement of this town 
except what the records show. It 
was chartered by Gov. Wentworth, 
Sept. 9, 1761; was originally six 
miles square ; is situated in the 
western part of Windham county, in 
lat. 42°, 58' and long. 4°, 8 ? and is 
bounded north by Stratton, east by 
Dover and a part of Wardsboro, 
south by Searsbury and a part of 
Wilmington, and west by Glaston- 
bury. It lies 14 miles northeast 
from Bennington and 16 northwest 
from Brattleboro. The township is 
but little settled, and is very moun- 
tainous. The most noted mountain 
is Mount Pisgah, which extends 
along the eastern part of the town- 
ship. Deerfield river is the prin- 
cipal stream. It runs through the 
township from north to south. The 
first inhabitants, or the greater por- 
tion of them, settled in the east part 
of the town. Daniel Bice, Bern- 
led Waste, Ebon Most, David Bab- 
cock and Jonathan Bichardson, 
settled in the north westerly part of 
the town near the Great Meadows 
(so-called) situated upon the east 
branch of the Deerfield river. The 
early settlers in the east part of the 
town were James Parmele, John 
Parmele, Percy Bice, William Law- 
ton, Silas Crosby, Ephraim Hodges, 
Jacob Williams and Peter Leach. 



THE NAMES OF THE GRANTEES OF 
SOMERSET. 

Thomas Denny, John Houghton, 
Judah Moor, David Hall, Nehemiah 
Wright, Moses Gelb, Henry King, 
Daniel Jones, Benj. Sanderson, 
Jonathan Nail, Daniel Query, Noah 
Jones, Nathan Sargent, Jos. Chap- 
lin, Asa Stores, Peris Bice, Timothy 
Nurse, Samuel Bobinson, Ebenezer 
Fisk, Jacob Fisk, Andrew Haskil, 
Jonas Fay, Samuel Buggies, John 
Haskil, Solomon Green, John Mof- 
fat, John Beauneau, Elijah Wil- 
liams, John Bird, Elisha Goddard, 
Samuel Trask, Amos Putman, Jon- 
athan Waters, Jr., Jonathan Sibley, 
Johnson Walter, Abijah Tucker, 
Pbineas Jones, Bobt. Henry, Mat- 
thias Weston, Bartholomew Wood- 
bury, Benj. Lewiston, Sami Deany, 
Ebenezer Chaplin, John Fletcher, 
Jonathan Stone, Wm, Houshard, 
Seth Waslimore, Joseph Plummer, 
Wilder Willard, Icnabod Odel, 
James Taylor, John Putnam, Elijah 
Dickinson, Obediah Dickinson, 
Daniel Watson, Willard Stevens, 
Moses Singlebury, Ephraim Bice, 
Bichard Dodge, Thomas Beard, 
Lampson Sheaf, Esq., John Down- 
ing, Esq. 

The town was organized in 1792. 
The first freeman’s meeting held in 
1799. 

The first town meeting was 
warned by Isaac Wheeler, Esq., of 



SOMERSET. 



529 



Whitington, held Nov. 19, 1792, at 
the dwelling house of Oliver K imp- 
ton. Silas Crosby, moderator; James 
Parmele, town clerk; John Parme- 
le, Percy Rice, Bezaleel Waste, se- 
lectmen; James Parmele, treasurer; 
Percy Rice, constable. This town 
was never rim into divisions and al- 
lotted as mtet towns were. It was 
run in pitches; each proprietor 
made a survey of his lands. The sev- 
eral surveys marked upon the map 
of the town are as follows: Hazel- 

tin e’s survey; Rice, Waste and Bab- 
cock’s first and second surveys; Win. 
Williams’ first and second surveys; 
Luke Knowlton, Levi Hall, Isaac 
Wheeler, Nathan Wheeler and 
Richards’ survey of Scott lands. 
Nearly all the inhabitants lived in 
the east part of the town until about 
1840, when a new settlement com- 
menced in the westerly part of the 
town, and the town meetings were 
always held in the east part until 
1853, when a vote of the town was 
taken to hold the town meetings 
one-half the time at a new school 
house near the geographical centre 
of the town and the freeman’s meet- 
ings at the present place. Mean- 
time the inhabitants on the east 
side of the mountain were making 
every effort to be set-off to Dover 
and Wardsboro. In 1858 they suc- 
ceeded in being annexed to Wil- 
mington and Stratton, a strip two 
miles wide and four miles long to 
Wilmington, and two by two miles 
to Stratton, leaving the pres- 
ent. town of Somerset four miles 
by six. The town of Wilming- 
ton refused to take the pauper 
resident on the territory set to 
Wilmington. The case went up to 
the supreme court and was decided 
against Wilmington. The present 
town of Somerset is comparatively 
level, especially the northwesterly 
portions, with a large amount of 
spruce and hard wood timber, to- 
gether with good water power. The 
soil is rich and fertile, well adapted 
for English grain, grass and potatoes. 
Rev. Stephen Hitchcock was the 



first settled minister. There has 
been no settled minister in Somerset 
for more than 40 years. About 1835, 
a meeting-house was built just in the 
edge or just over the line between 
Somerset and Dover, the inhabitants 
of Somerset uniting with the Dover 
people in building the meeting- 
house, also in forming a church. 
The Rev. Daniel Leonard was the 
founder of this church and pastor 
for many years. About 1855, a so- 
ciety or church was formed of re- 
formed Methodist. They have no 
resident minister. Rev, Thaddeus 
Cutler and Farnum Sprague have 
been their principal ministers. 
Hazel ton Rice,* Esq., and Ephriam 
Rice, Esq., were both town clerks 
for many years, and both represent- 
ed the town, Ephriam Rice 13 years. 
I do not know as there were any sol- 
diers in the 1812 or Mexican war 
from this town. In the last war 
there was from this town in Co, I, 
fourth Vt., Otis H. Bike, Ahar R 
Pike, and Edward Lincoln. In the 
seventh Vt., Deliverance Pike, 
Oscar Pike, Asa Burnap and Lewis 
Corse. In the 8th Vt,, John M. 
Pike, Capt. Co. G, S. G. Stone and 
Timothy 0. Negus, In 1st Vt. 
cavalry, Edward Rice and Daniel 
Burnet. There were drafted, Oscar 
W, Cutler; paid commutation, 
Emery I. Curtis. Eli Hail served 
but don’t know to what regiment 
he was assigned ; Charles Lowe, not 
accepted; Peter M. Stone, the town 
hired a substitute for him. 

It appears from a letter I have 
just received from Mr. George E, 
Rice of West Dover, there was one 
soldier in the revolution from 
Somerset, Mr, Rice’s grandfather; 
but the letter tells its own story. 

LETTER FROM AFT OLD MAM IN 
DOVER. 

The first settler in Somerset was 
Daniel Rice, my grandfather. In 
1776, he settled on the farm I now 
own; his nearest neighbor was in 
Wilmington, about 7 miles. He built 
himself a shanty and kept bachelor 



530 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



hall for two or three years. He came 
from Hardwick, Mass. In 1777, he 
was at Wilmington after his weekly 
supply of provision, when he heard 
that the British army was marching 
towards Bennington. Went back to 
his shanty, took his gun and what 
ammunition he had, and crossed the 
Green Mountain through the wilder- 
ness and was in the battle of Ben- 
nington, Aug. 16, 1777. Was in the 
army three months, then went to 
Hardwick, Mass., and stayed through 
the winter. The next spring he re- 
turned to Somerset, and two of his 
brothers with him, Percy and 
Simeon. Percy purchased a large 
tract of land, part of it in Somerset 
and part in what was then Wards- 
boro. He built in Wardsboro on 
the farm now occupied by Abel 
Johnson. He was killed by the. 
caving in of a well he was digging 
near his house. Daniel Rice married 
Sally Ball from New Bradford, 
Mass., in 1778, built a log house in 
which he lived six years, then built 
a framed house; went on horse back 
to Greenfield, Mass., after his nails, 
which were made by hand; the clap- 
board were split and shaved. 

His children were: Daniel, Hazel- 
ton, David, Ephraim, Ashur, Su~ 
sanah, Melinthy and Sally. 

Daniel Rice's first purchase of 
land was 670 acres, for which he 
paid 1640. He afterwards purchased 
several hundred acres of Col. Hazel- 
tine and ran in debt for it, which 
caused him trouble. He was to pay 
for it in cattle and sheep; a mad 
dog bit 20 of his cattle; they went 
mad and died; he was unable to 
meet his payments. Col. Hazeltine 
got a writ out against his body and 
sent a sheriff from Windsor to serve 
it. Mr. Rice heard of it and avoid- 
ed him by staying on the mountain 
west of his house the most of the 
time one summer. Burton was 
watching for him the most of the 
time for six months. On one occasion 
some of the hoys saw him looking 
around in the woods near the house. 
Daniel, the oldest son, dressed him- 
self in his father's clothes and started 



for the woods. Burton saw him and 
gave chase. Daniel managed to run 
around a deep mire or stump hole. 
Burton rushed for him, and went 
into the mud hole; he had consid- 
erable difficulty in extricating him- 
self, When he came ont lie was 
covered with mud and slime, Daniel 
stood by and asked him what he 
was in there for; whaftie was after. 
He tried to get a clean suit to wear 
home, but failed, and went as he 
was. Never came hack to serve his 
writ. The suit was settled by the 
Colonel giving Mr. Rice a longer 
time to make his payments* 

I do not know why this town was 
calied Somerset. Daniel Rice first 
settled and built a log house upon 
the great meadow. A heavy fall of 
rain caused the river to rise and 
overflow the meadow some two or 
three feet. Mrs, Rice and children 
were there alone. But Mr. Rice 
hastened home and with a horse 
brought them out safely. A saw 
and grist mill was built at the lower 
end of the meadow, but was not 
kept running a great length of time. 
Daniel Rice in a few years moved 
over upon the east side of the town, 
where he lived fco a good old age and 
died there. His son Ephraim lived 
upon the same farm and died there. 
George E. Rice, bis son, now lives 
on the farm* 

No postoffice was ever established 
in Somerset until 1870. At the set- 
ting of Congress in December, 1869, 
a petition was sent the postmaster- 
general to establish a postoffice in 
Somerset, and the department did 
establish a special postoffice in 
Somerset, Windham county, Yt., 
and appointed Hollis Town, Jr., 
postmaster. We carry and receive 
our mails at Searsburg postoffice. 
The first mail was carried the fourth 
day of March, 1870. 

DEATHS BY ACCIDENT. 

Three men have been killed in the 
new settled part of the town since 
1841, In 1842 Samuel Mathews 
was killed instantly by the falling 
of a lodged tree. He was advanced 




SOMERSET* ' 



531 



in years. In 1858 Samuel Read was 
killed instantly in the same way, 
aged 38 years. On the morning of 
March 8, 1870, Hatsel P. Lyons took 
his ax and went to the woods to cut 
logs, and did not return at noon as 
usual. His wife feeling alarmed 
about him went to the woods and 
found him dead. He had lodged a 
spruce tree against a large birch 
tree. On arriving that morning he 
proceeded to cut down the birch 
tree, and in falling the main blow 
struck him on the back. It is not 
known whether it killed him in- 
stantly or not. He was a robust 
young man 28 years old. He left 
an infant son seven months old, 
whose mother died when it was a 
few days old. His sad death oc- 
curred but five days after his second 
marriage. 

A complete list of Town Clerks 
in Somerset, Vt. : James Parmele 
1792-97, Silas Crosby 1798-99, 
Daniel Rice, 1800, 2, 3, 4, 13, Jacob 
Wellman 1801, Levi Crosby 1805, 6, 
10, 11, 12, Thomas Rice 1307, 8, 9, 
Silvanus Parmele 1814-15-16, John 
* Rice 1817-18, Hazelton Rice 1819- 
20, 24, 33, 37, 38, Elum French 1822, 
Jotharn Pike 1823, Luther Alden 
1828, Moses Pike 1834-35-36, 
EphriamRice 1839-50, Hollis Town 
1851-80, and till October 20, 
1881, the date of his death. 
Hollis Town, Jr., appointed Novem- 
ber ^ 7, 1881, by the selectmen 
to fill the vacancy caused by the 
death of Hollis Town. Hollis Town, 
Jr. 1882-83, J. W. Rice 1891. 

A complete list of Town Trea- 
surers for the town of Somerset, Vt. : 
James Parmele 1792, 95, 97, 

Percy Rice 1793, 94, 96, John 
Par melee 1798, 1803, 1807, Silas 
Crosby 1799, 1801, Daniel Rice 1800, 
1802, James Palmer 1808-16, Jotharn 
Pike 1817-21, Hazelton Rice, 1822, 
23,24, 32, 33, 37, 51, Leonard Clark 
1825, 26, 27, 29, Henry S. Cooper 
1828, Joseph Morse 1830, 31, 38-45, 
Levi Snow 1834-36, Rufus Cobb 
1846-51, John Kinsman Jr., 1852-55, 
Gideon N. Parsons 1855, Milo R^ 
Crosby 1856-58, Hollis Town 1859- 
69, Sumner Curtis 1870-72, Elliot 



Leonard 1873-83, Rion M. Leonard 
1881, J. W. Rice 1891. 

A list of Representatives from the 
town of Somerset, Windham county, 
Vt. : Daniel Rice 1799-1802, Hazel- 
ton Rice 1821, 46, Samuel Worth- 
ington 1824, 27, 29-30, Ephraim 
Rice 1826, 35,36, 39, 40, 41, 42. 43. 44, 
45, 47, 49, 53, Charles Morse 1828, 
Elliot Morse 1832, 33, 34, Hollis 
Town 1837, 38, 48, 52, 54, 62,63, 67, 
68, 72, Joseph Morse 1850, 51, Milo 

R. Orosbv 1855, 56, Gideon K. Morse 
1857-58, Hazelton Rice, Jr., 1859, 60, 
Albert Blanchard 1864, Sumner 
Curtis 1865, 66, 69, 70, Asa Burnap, 
Jr. 1876, Franklin D. Chase .1880, 
Ebenezer Roberts 1882, J. W. Rice 
1890. 

The years 1803, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 
20, 22, 23, 25, 31, 61, 74 and 78. it 
appears , from the record there was 
no election, 

CONSTABLES- 

Percy Rice 1792, Daniel Rice 
1793, 98, 99, James Palmer 1794, 
Jacob Welman 1795, Richard Saw- 
tell 1796, 1800, Ebenezer Waste 
1797, Jonathan Stone 1801, William 
Abbee 1802, 5, 7, Luri Palmer 1803, 
John Parmele 1804, Ephriam 
Hodges 1806, John Kelley 1808, 12, 
16, Daniel Rice, Jr. 1809, Edward F, 
Johnson 1810, John Rice 1811, 20, 
Hazelton Rice 1813, Thomas Rice 
1814, Silvanus Parmely 1815, Luke 
Hiscock 1817, Levi Crosby 1818-19, 
Samuel Worthington 1821, 23, Ru- 
fus Cobb 1822, Luther Alden 1824- 
! 29, Joseph Pike 1827, Moses Pike 
1830, 31, 88, 39, Isaac N. Pike 1832, 
Alexander EL Pike 1833, Wdlliam 
H. Snow 1834, Levi Snow, Jr. 1835, 
Hollis Town 1836, 37, 79, Arterrms 
Ward 1840, Gideon K. Morse 1841, 
57, 58, George E. Rice 1842, 43, 44, 
45, 46, 52, 53, 54, 55, Oliver Pike 1847, 
48, Daniel Hill 1849,50, Hiram M. 
Corse 1851, Ezra Stetson 1856, Ha- 
zelton Rice, Jr. 1859, 60, Hollis 
Town, Jr. 1861, 62, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 
71, 72, 73, 78, Emory I. Curtis 1863, 
64, Sumner Curtis 1865, James 0. 
Wheeler 1873, 75, 76, 77, 80, Charles 

S. Curtis 1874, Alfred A. Pike 1881, 
82, 83, Mert Tudas 1891. 



TOWNSHEND. 



By JUDGE JAMES H. PHELPS. 



TOWNSHEND. 

The oldest towns in the present 
county of Windham were granted by 
the Colonial government of New 
Hampshire, when Banning Went- 
worth was governor of that province. 
Their corporate names remind one 
of the Earl of Halifax, the Duke of 
Marlborough, the Earl of Wilming- 
ton, the Marquis of Bockingham, 
Francis Fane and Charles Towns- 
hend, who were distinguished mem- 
bers of the ministries at whose pleas- 
ure Gov. Wentworth held his office. 

Of New Hampshire Grants on the 
east side of the Green Mountains, 
the seventh in chronological order 
was called Townshend. This town 
is situated a little north of the geo- 
graphical center of Windham coun- 
ty, and at the time Acton was an- 
nexed was bounded N» by Acton and 
Athens, E. by Athens and Brookline, 
S. by Brookline and Newfane, W. by 
Wardsboro, Jamaica and Windham, 
While on the E. and S. the bounds 
of 1840 remain at the present day. 

Within the limits of the town are 
four neighborhoods: the East Vil- 
lage, West Village, Harmonyville, 
and Simpsonville, Of these, the 
largest is the East Village, which is 
the business center. 

West river in passing through the 
southwesterly part of the town re- 
ceives the waters of Acton brook. 
Fair brook, Negro brook, Jay brook, 
and Mill brook. Fletcher brook is 
a tributary of Acton brook. Nu- 
merous springs and rivulets furnish 



an abundant supply of pure water. 
The land rises, often gradually, 
sometimes precipitously, to the 
ridges by which the valleys are term- 
inated, " These divides are of con- 
siderable height, and especially in 
the vicinity of West river, present a 
succession of rocky hills. Two of 
these eminences have been named 
Peaked mountain and Bald moun- 
tain, from the peculiarity of their 
appearance. 

The original town has nearly the 
rock formations which exist in Ac- 
ton. Fine specimens of water crys- 
tals have been found at the south- 
east part of the town. A ledge upon 
the James Grey farm affords materi- 
al for excellent lime. Boulders of 
granite and syenite that can he split 
into fence posts are occasionally 
found. The primitive forest, un- 
broken, and extending to the sum- 
mit of the hills, mostly consisting of 
maple, birch, beech, hemlock and 
spruce. Among these are inter- 
sperced the ash, oak and elm, bass- 
wood, cottonwood, butternut and 
pine. 

Two flourishing villages besides 
many comfortable and desirable 
dwellings scattered about town, are 
outgrowths of what has been done 
here in the way of business. The 
inhabitants, with few exceptions, 
have been engaged in agricultural 
pursuits, and their success has been 
such that Townshend in 1891 ranks 
in population as ninth of 23 towns 
comprising the county of Windham, 
and the sixth in wealth. 



TOWNSHENB. 



533 



The original proprietors of Towns- 
hend obtained title from the crown 
through the Colonial Governor 
and council of New Hampshire* 
The town charter is dated June 20, 
1758* It is in the usual form and 
we now give only the particulars 
wherein it is supposed to differ from 
any township charter executed by 
the same magistracy. 

The premises conveyed are bound- 
ed as follows: “ Beginning at a 

stake and stones, the northeasterly 
corner of Fane, thence running six 
miles N. 20° E, to a stake and stones, 
thence W. 10° N. to a stake and 
stones, thence S. 20° W. to the N.W. 
corner of Fane, thence E. 10° S. by 
Fane aforesaid, to the N. E. corner 
thereof, being the stake and stones 
begun at.” 

Another portion of the charter is 
expressed in these words: “The 
first meeting for the choice of town 
officers, agreeable to the laws of our 
said province, shall be held on the 
last Wednesday in August, next, 
which meeting shall be notified by 
John Hazeltine, Esq., who is hereby 
also appointed the moderator of said 
first meeting, which he is to notify 
and govern agreeable to the laws and 
customs of our said Province, and 
that the annual meeting forever here- 
after, for the choice of such officers 
of said town, shall be on the second 
Wednesday in March, annually.” 

The ownership of the grant was 
divided into 74 shares, 69 persons 
whose names are on the back of the 
charter, took one share each, the 
other five shares are conveyed in 
these words : “To His Excellency, 
Penning Wentworth, Esq., a tract of 
land to contain five hundred acres, 
which is to be accounted two of the 
within shares. One whole share for 
the incorporated society for Propa- 
gating the Gospel in Foreign parts. 
One whole share for the first settled 
Minister of the Gospel in said town. 
One whole glebe for the Ministry of 
the Church of England as by law es- 
tablished.” 

The sixty-nine grantees arranged 



in alphabetical order comprise the 
the following names: 

Theodore Atkinson, Marshall 
Baker, Moses Baker, Isaac Barnard, 
Jonathan Barnard, Joshua Barnard, 
Luke Brown, Abel Chase, jr,, Daniel 
Chase, Moody Chase, Moses Chase, 
Samuel Chase, Samuel Chase, jr., 
Alexander Clayton, John Clements, 
Samuel Daggett, jr., Thomas Den- 
ney, John Downing, Joseph Dyer, 
Elisha Fisk, Fbenezer Fisk, Eleazer 
Fletcher, Jonathan Fry, Isaac Gale, 
Josiah Gale, Samuel Gile, Jonathan 
Hale, David Hall, David Hall, jr., 
Isaac Harrington, Isaac Harrington, 
jr., Samuel Hawley, Abner Hazel- 
tine, John Hazeltine, Paul Hazel- 
tine, Silas Hazeltine, Antipas Hol- 
land, Jonathan Halman, Solomon 
Halman, Solomon Halman, jr., 
James Leland, Phineas Leland, Ben- 
jamin Marsh, Isaac Miller, Eliakim 
Rice, Lemuel Robbins, Abner Saw- 
yer, Sampson Sheafe, Henry Shel- 
burne, Jesse Smith, Samuel Smith, 
Joseph Sparhawk, John Stowell, 
Hezekiali Stowell, Jason Wait, 
Jonathan Wait, Jonathan Wait, jr., 
Nathaniel Wait, Henry Walker, 
Hezekiah Ward, Daniel .Warner, 
Jonas Warner, jr., James Wellman, 
John Wentworth, jr., Richard 
Wibird, Jonathan Wilson, Benjamin 
Woodbury, Joshua Woodbury, Wil- 
liam Joany. Bach of the shares, ex- 
cept those of the governor, represents 
a little more than three hundred and 
thirteen acres of land. Records in 
the town clerk's office show that 
Rev. Nicolas Dudley and Luke 
Knowlton, conveyed the rights which 
belonged to the governor. The 
ministerial right passed to Rev. 
Nicolas Dudley, and was located 
where Deacon Belknap afterwards 
lived. The glebe seems to have been 
located upon the steepest part of the 
rocky hill back of the present resi- 
dence of Col. Twitchell. 

Nothing is known of what became 
of the original charter. In the town 
clerk's office there is a copy which 
was duly authenticated by the Sec- 
retary of State of New Hampshire, 
on the 29th of June, 1774. Upon it 




534 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



is also the following certificate, in 
compliance likely with some action 
under a resolution of the General 
Assembly passed in June, 1779. 

“ State of Vermont. 

Surveyor General's office, Aug. 

7, 1780. 

The foregoing charter and bounds 
of the several towns, (Halifax, 
Marlborough, Fane and Newfane) 
are recorded in the first book of New 
Hampshire charters, from page 20 
to 28. 

Examined by 

IRA ALLEN, 
Surveyor General." 

Col. John Hazel tine procured the 
granting of the township, and the 
first settlers used to relate that he 
had names of his neighbors and ac- 
quaintances entered as grantees on 
back of the charter without their 
knowledge ; that soon after the town 
was granted, he went round and 
called upon these unadvised pro- 
prietors, saying to each : “What 

shall I give you for a quit claim of 
your right in Townshend?" The 
invariable reply was, “I don't know 
as I have got any right, or interest 
there. " This answer brought out 1 
the inquiry, “what is it worth to ^ 
you then, and what will you take for 
it?" The satisfactory reply was, 
“Oh, give us a mug of l&jLaad 1 
will deed you all the right 1 have to 
anything up there." The liquor 
would soon be furnished, and under 
its inspiration a deed would he ex- 
ecuted. There may be more fact 
than fiction in the story, for our 
land records show that within nine ( 
months from date of charter, Col. 
Hazel tine became owner of sixteen 
rights' for the consideration of one 
shilling each, which is the sum he 
would have paid for the toddy, had 
it been brought in when a deed of 
one of the rights was delivered to 
him. 

The proprietor's book of records 
shows what was done by the original 
grantees to effect a division in sever- 
alty of this land, and to forward a 



settlement of the town ; it also con- 
tains the pitches of land made by 
the proprietors, and laid out by com- 
mittees appointed for that purpose ; 
but no conveyance from grantor to 
grantee was recorded therein. 

We now present a copy of the 
proprietor's record prior to the vear 
1755. 

Warning and proceedings of first 
meeting of the proprietors. 

July the 24th, 1753. 

I, the subscriber, being appointed 
by the governor and council of New 
Hampshire government to notify the 
grantees of a new township, viz : 
Townshend, to attend the first meet- 
ing on the last Wednesday of August 
in this present year ; you are hereby 
notified to attend the first meeting 
of the grantees of Townshend, in the 
Province of New Hampshire, said 
meeting to be held at the house of 
Mr. Luke Brown, innholder, in Wor- 
cester, at ten of the clock in the 
forenoon of the last Wednesday of 
Aug. 1753 ; to choose town officers 
for said Townshend, agreeably to the 
laws of the Province of New Hamp- 
shire ; ;nid like wine to choose pro- 
prictorV officers for the township of 
Townshend : and also to transact 
.my other affairs, matters or things 
I hat the said proprietors or grantees 
shall think proper to encourage, 
promote and forward the settlement 
of the said town of Townshend. 

JOHN HAZELTINE. 

At a meeting of the grantees of 
the township in the Province of New 
Hampshire, regularly assembled and 
met at the house of Mr. Luke Brown, 
on the last Wednesday of August, 
at ten of the clock in the forenoon, 
in the year 1753. Said meeting was 
authorized and appointed by his ex- 
cellency, the governor, and the honor- 
able council of said Province of New 
Hampshire, in and by the charter of 
said Townshend ; and likewise John 
Hazel tine appointed moderator of 
said meetings; at said meeting the 
following votes were passed, or the 
things hereafter mentioned were 
transacted. 



TOWNSHEND* 



535 



1. William Young, chosen town 
clerk for said Townshend, and like- 
wise clerk for said grantees in land 
affairs, and sworn to the faithful dis- 
charge of his office in the meeting. 

2. John Hazel tine. Esq., Isaac 
Barnard, Esq., and Mr. Benjamin 
Woodbury, Benjamin Marsh, and 
William Young, chosen selectmen. 

3. William Young and Thomas 
Denney, chosen assessors. 

4. Jonathan Haile, chosen treas- 
urer, and was sworn to the faithful 
discharge of said office in said meet- 
ing. 

5. Abner Hazeltine, chosen con- 
stable and collector. 

6. Voted, that the above named 
selectmen be a committee to prose- 
cute affairs respecting the settlement 
of said Townshend, and agreeable to 
such directions as shall be hereafter 
given them. 

7. Voted, that said committee 
proceed to run the lines or bounds 
of said township, agreeable to the 
charter, as soon as may be ; likewise 
that tract of land noted in the 
charter of which each grantee is to 
be allotted one acre. 

8. Voted, that said committee 
then proceed and lay out seventy- 
two lots, each lot to contain as a 
standard either forty or fifty acres, 
as said committee upon viewing said 
township shall judge convenient or 
most proper ; and that said lots be 
laid out quantity for quality ; and 
also five hundred acres in one tract 
for his excellency, Benning Went- 
worth, agreeably to the charter. 

9. Voted, that a tax of two dol- 
lars be assessed on each right, and 
that said tax be paid to the treas- 
urer at or before next meeting for 
drawing of the lots. Voted, also, 
that any of the grantees which shall 
neglect or refuse to pay said tax as 
above shall be secluded the privilege 
of drawing his or their lot or lots. 

10. Voted, that the above named 
committee be a committee to ap- 
point meetings of said grantees for 
the future; and that they notify all 
such meetings as they shall appoint 
by posting up notifications in writ- 



ing, 14 days before the meeting, at 
the dwelling houses of Mr. Luke 
Brown in Worcester, Jonathan 
Haile and Samuel Buck in Sutton; 
and that in said notifications be in- 
serted the time when and place 
where, of such meetings, together 
with the articles to be acted upon by 
said' grantees when met. 

11. Voted, that the chargee or 
expenses of this meeting, viz: five 
pounds, five shillings and three 
pence, old tenor, be paid by the 
treasurer, Mr. Jonathan Haile, out 
of the public money of said society 
or grantees. 

Then said meeting was dissolved. 

Test, 

William Youhg, P. Clerk. 

While the French and Indian war 
was raging, a settlement of the town 
was impracticable, and proceedings 
of proprietors were suspended dur- 
ing the eventful years from 1754 to 
1761. The victory of Wolfe in 1750 
and the capitulation of Vaudreuil 
in 1760, followed by the treaties of 
Fontainbleau and Paris, severed 
Canada and the districts east of it 
from the control of France. French 
and Indian incursions, which had so 
long scourged the people of New 
England, were to be feared no long- 
er. A frontier of wide extent had 
been opened for settlement under 
the quiet and security of English 
rule. Provincial soldiers discharged 
upon the surrender of the French 
in Canada, and resolute adventurers 
flocked hither to occupy and become 
owners of the land known as the 
Hampshire Grants. 

Settlement of the town was com- 
menced by John Baird, Thomas 
Baird and Col. John Hazeltine, about 
the first of June, 1761* Nothing 
was done this season, except to build 
a log hut and commence work 
upon the lots taken by the new 
comers. Years ago, the following 
anecdote was in circulation about 
the first settlement of the town. 
The story is given as we wrote it 
from the lips of an old gentleman : 

At a meeting in Massachusetts of 




536 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the grantees, old Col. Hazeltine got 
it so fixed that the proprietor who 
should get here first, with the in- 
tention to settle, might have the 
first choice of lots which had been 
surveyed. The two Bairds were 
present; they saw what the Colonel 
was up to, and mistrusted that he 
would be in Townshend as soon as 
possible, to take up the best lots. 
They determined to get in ahead 
of him, and started for this town at 
close of the meeting. Col. Hazel- 
tine went home and passed the 
night. Early in the morning he 
said to his wife, “I am going to 
Townshend." He was soon on his 
way and without an unnecessary 
halt, came to what is now called the 
Elder Hodges farm, in Newfane, 
where he stopped over night. Start- 
ing in good season the next day and 
hurrying on, it was not late when 
he forded West river where the low- 
er bridge stands. On reaching the 
bank, he saw a smoke and near it 
found the two Bairds engaged in 
clearing a spot for their cabin. In- 
stantly comprehending the situa- 
tion, the old gentleman, with a low 
bow and bland good-by, gave the 
bridle reins a jerk or two, put spurs 
to his horse, rode on and selected 
lots farther up the river. 

The land taken up by Col. Hazel- 
tine in 1761, was situated in the 
west part of the town, where he soon 
afterwards built a log fort upon the 
meadow now owned by Deacon 
Pierce. During the same season, 
the Bairds located their rights near 
the ford of West river. Joseph 
Tyler of Uxbridge, and John Howe 
of Eramingham, commenced their 
clearings in 1764; the former, upon 
the present Bridge farm near the 
east village; the latter, upon the 
Hiram Howe farm in school district 
No. 7. John Burt of Killingly, 
Conn., and Paul Hazeltine of Ux- 
bridge, came in 1765. None of the 
settlers remained here, however, 
during the winter months prior to 
1766. 



1764-1774. 

By an order in council passed on 
the 20th day of July, 1764, King 
George the III declared the western 
bank of Connecticut river to be 
the boundary line between his prov- 
ince of New Hampshire and New 
York. This order was proclaimed 
by Gov. Colden of New York, on 
the 10th day of April, 1765; and 
the governor of New Hampshire by 
proclamation, recommended to the 
proprietors and settlers of “the 
grants," submission and due obe- 
dience to the authority and laws of 
the colony of New York. 

The proprietors of Townshend 
were neither alarmed nor made in- 
dignant by the transfer of jurisdic- 
tion to New York. Management 
and control of their proprietary in- 
terest were little changed thereby. 
Whatever opposition was made to 
these land-titles proved to be of a 
yielding nature, and they submitted 
to the new authority. In due time, 
their New Hampshire charter was 
confirmed by the government of 
New York, in response to a petition 
for that purpose. Agreeably to a 
colonial statute of New York, deeds 
and conveyances of any interest in 
real estate were recorded in the sec- 
retary’s office of the colony, or in 
the county records of the county 
where the real estate was situated. 
This law was in force while the 
town remained under the jurisdic- 
tion of New York. 

MEETING OE THE PROPRIETORS, 
APRIL 5, 1774. 

Notice is hereby given to the pro- 
prietors of Townshend, lying on 
West river, so-called, to meet at the 
house of Paul Hazeltine, in said 
Townshend, on the first Tuesday of 
April next, at 10 o'clock in the 
morning, then and there to act on 
the following articles: 

1. To choose a moderator for 
the meeting. 

2. To see if the proprietors 
aforesaid will stand by Paul Hazel- 
tine aforesaid in the suit which said 



TOWNSHEND. 



537 



Paul Hazeltine is to answer, the 
third Tuesday of April next, at the 
city hall in New York, by being by 
the Supreme Court made defendant; 
or lose the land on which he now 
lives. 

Attest, 

Joh^ Hazeltine. 

March 22, 1774. 

Met at time and place agreeably to 
the notification for said meeting. 

Voted, to send a man to New 
York, with power of substitution, 
to get Mr. Paul Hazeltine made de- 
fendant in the suit depending be- 
tween Luke Knowlton, Esq., and 
John Taylor. 

To choose a committee to notify 
the proprietors of *Fane and New 
Marlboro to perambulate the lines of 
our towns with us, if they will, and 
if they refuse, said committee to go 
with a surveyor and measure the 
lines of the towns of aforesaid, as 
they shall think proper. Voted, 
that John Hazeltine, Esq., William 
Hayward, Joseph Tyler, Benjamin 
Howe and Ezra Holbrook, be a com- 
mittee to do the service spoken of. 

The division line between the pro- 
prietors of Townshend and Newfane 
had not been mutually established, 
and the suit above named probably 
was one of the results of this un- 
marked boundary. But however this 
may be, or whatever may have been 
the object or result of the suit afore- 
said, no attempt was ever made to 
dispossess any claimant under the 
New Hampshire charter of this town 
by virtue of title emanating from 
the government of New York. A 
third division of 50 acres of land to 
each right was ordered on the 29th 
day of May, 1780. The last meeting 
of the proprietors was held on the 
7th day of October, 1782. 

PROPRIETORS’ CLERKS. 

1753, Aug. 29, William Young ; 
1761, May 25, James Taylor ; 1766, 
April 21, Joshua Wood ; 1769, May 
10, Samuel Fletcher ; 1778, June 18, 
Amos Holbrook ; 1782, Oct. 7, Josh- 
ua Wood. 



Persons to whom the township 
were divided and names, are entered 
upon the proprietors’ book as land 
owners: Asa Austin, John Barnard, 
John Barnard, jr., Joshua Barnard, 
Joshua Barnard, jr., Thomas Barnes, 
Daniel Blanchard, Eben Burt, Capt. 
John Burt, Dr. Jonas Butterfield, 
Joseph Chamberlin’s heirs, Amariah 
Chase, Lieut. Henry Chase, Joseph 
Chase, Jonathan Clayton, Moses 
Cook, Caleb Darling, Lieut. Amri 
Doolittle, John Dresser, Rev. Nich- 
olas Dudley, Wid. Elizabeth Dyer, 
John Dyer, Joseph Dyer, Cyrus Fay, 
Thomas Fay, John Fish, Josiah 
Fish, Esq., Benjamin Fletcher, Sam- 
uel Fletcher, Jonas Cray, Caleb Hay- 
ward, Eli Hayward, Levi Hayward, 
Silas Hayward, William Hayward, 
John Hazeltine, Esq., John Hazel- 
tine, son of Silas ; Paul Hazeltine, 
Peter Hazeltine, heirs Silas Hazel- 
tine, Silas Hazeltine, jr., Caleb Hill, 
John B. Hinds, Amos Holbrook, Asa 
Holbrook, Elias Holbrook, Ezra 
Holbrook, Moses Holbrook, Peter 
Holbrook, Timothy Holbrook, Anti- 
pas Holland, heirs; John Holland, 
Benjamin Howe, John Howe, John 
Howe, jr., Michael Johnson, Wil- 
liam Johnson, Dr. Moses Ranney, 
Enos Lincoln, David Lindsey, 
Thomas Lowe, Mathew Martin, Ben- 
jamin Murdock, Ebenezer Ober, 
Samuel Parkhurst, Lovett Partridge, 
Jesse Penniman, Baily Ransom, 
Gardnei Ransom, Stephen Ransom, 
Thomas Ransom, Benjamin Ray, 
Thomas Read, Thomas Rice, Lemuel 
Robbins, William Robbins, Abner 
Sawyer, Ephriam Shepard, David 
Smith, Amariah Taft, Ebenezer 
Taft, Lyman Taft, Joseph Tyler, 
Esq., Susannah Tyler, widow; Wm. 
Utley, jr., James Walden, Jeshurum 
Walker, Timothy Walker, William 
Ward, James Watkins, James Wat- 
kins’ heirs, Patience Watkins, wid- 
ow ; Edward White, Ensign Samuel 
Wiswell, Dr. John Wood, Dr. Joshua 
Wood, Thomas Wood. 

By division of the original rights 
into parts and sale thereof, the num- 
ber of land owners was increased 
from 74 to 98, which is the number 




538 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



to whom the town was laid out on 
pitch and survey. Distributions of 
the land was so correctly done by 
the proprietors* committees, that 
courts have never been called upon 
to decide more land cases from 
Townshend than from any town 
where the land was lotted and drawn 
for in the usual way. No minute or 
record has been preserved of what 
was done at any town meeting in 
Townshend previous to March, 1781. 
By an official signature of Samuel 
Fletcher, it was shown that a con- 
stable, who was a resident town offi- 
cer, was serving here on the 6th day 
of May, 1771. Probably the town 
was organized a few' weeks before 
May of the year 1771, and in con- 
formity with the law r of New York, 
requiring certain town officers to be 
chosen annually on the day named 
in the charter, or on the first Tuesday 
in April. The writer of an article in 
Thompson^ Gazetteer however, says: 
“The first meeting for the trans- 
action of town business was on the 
30th of May, 1771.” 

The following is a copy of the 
census of Townshend, taken early in 
1771, pursuant to directions from 
the governor of New York: 

Heads of families in the town of 
Townshend : John Burt, Moses 
Cook, Benjamin Field, Benjamin 
Fletcher, Samuel Fletcher, Isaac A. 
Hart, Paul Haywood, William Hay- 
ward, John Hazel tine, Esq., Paul 
Hazeltine, Peter Hazeltine, Moses 
Holbrook, John Hopkins, Benjamin 
Howe, John Howe, John Howe, jr., I 
William Johnson, David Lindsey, 
Mathew Martin, Benjamin Mur- 
dock, Ebenezer Ober, Thomas Read, 
Benjamin Street, Joseph Tyler. 

Number of heads of families, 25 ; 
males under 16, 33 ; males above 16 
and under 60, 40 ; males 60 and up- 
wards, 1 ; females under 16, 35 ; fe- 
males above 16, 26; total, 35; blanks, 
females above 16, 1 ; grand total, 
136. Samuel Fletcher, 

Constable. 

Townshend, May 6, 1771. 

In May, 1774, a committee of cor- 



respondence, numbering 51 mem- 
bers, was appointed in the city of 
New York, for the purpose of draw- 
ing out and uniting the sentiments 
of the people in opposition to the 
Boston Port Bill and other laws of 
Parliament, and ertating that public 
opinion of which the first Continen- 
tal Congress, with its resolves and 
recommendations, was the outcome. 
Meetings of the people in Cumber- 
land county were held to consider 
the measures and policy of the Brit- 
ish government relating to the ad- 
ministration of the English colonies 
in North America. The first of these 
meetings was a convention which as- 
sembled at Westminster on the 19th 
day of October, 1774; 18 delegates 
from 12 towns were present, and 
John Hazeltine, a delegate from 
Townshend, was appointed chairman 
of the meeting. That assembly had 
under consideration a letter from 
Isaac Low, chairman of the commit- 
tee of correspondence of New York, 
also the Act of the British Parlia- 
ment laying a tax or duty on tea, for 
the purpose of raising a revenue in 
America ; the Boston Port Bill, so 
called ; and divers other late Acts of 
the British Parliament. After sun- 
dry debates on the subject matter 
of Mr. Low's letter, and on the Acte 
of Parliament above named, the con- 
vention made a statement of certain 
rights that belonged to English col- 
onists in America, and then passed 
the following among other resolu- 
tions : 

“11. That we will defend our king 
while he reigns over us, his subjects, 
and wish his reign may be long and 
glorious, so will we defend our just 
rights as British subjects, against any 
power that shall attempt to deprive 
us of them, while breath is in our 
nostrels, and blood in our veins.** 

1775 — 1777, 

Warrants for calling a county con- 
vention on the 7th day of February, 
1775, were signed by John Hazel- 
tine, on the 30th day of the preced- 
ing January. This body met at 



TOWNSHEND. 



539 



Westminster and delegates from 12 
towns were in attendance. Jolm 
Hazel tine was chosen moderator. 
This convention recommended it to 
their constituents, “ To choose a 
man for their supervisor at the next 
annual meeting, such as they would 
choose if they were to send him to 
New York as their assemblyman ; 
that so the supervisors may select 
two men ou fc of their body, such as 
they shall think most proper, which 
they, the supervisors of the county 
are desired to return to ther constit- 
uents for their consideration and ap- 
probation by a regular vote, when 
called upon to choose assemblymen 
in said county/* 

A standing committee of corres- 
pondence, consisting of 28 members 
from 21 towns, was appointed to cor- 
respond with the committees of cor- 
respondence elsewhere. John Haz- 
eltine was appointed chairman of the 
committee of correspondence ; and 
-he was “Empowered to call the 
county together, by way of their del- 
egates, on any important emergen- 
cy/* It was ordered that on the ap- 
plication of the committee of three 
towns to our chairman, it be in his 
power to call a meeting of the com- 
mittee if he shall think proper, hut 
on application of five towns by the 
committees, that then a meeting 
shall be called immediately/* 

No record has been preserved of 
the election of town officers in this 
town for the years, 1775 and 1776. 
The Dorset convention of July 24, 
1776, was the first representative 
w r hich decided that an appeal to the 
inhabitants of the Grants should he 
made to have them form the same 
into a seperate State. Townshend 
was the only town on the East side 
of the Green Mountains, represented 
in that Assembly. 

The first step taken by the conven- 
tion towards the making of the 
appeal was to declare its purpose in 
the form of a resolution, “that ap- 
plication be made to the inhabitants 
of said Grants to form the same into 
a separate district/’ A committee 
was then raised to exhibit the pro- 



ceedings of the convention to the 
inhabitants on the East side of the 
mountain, and to treat with said in- 
habitants relative to their associat- 
ing with that assembly, Capt. He- 
man Allen, Cob William Marsh and 
Dr. Jonas Fay, in conjunction with 
Capt. Samuel Fletcher and Mr. 
Josiah Fisk, the two delegates from 
this town, were chosen the committee. 
Dr, Jonas Fay, Col, Thomas Chit- 
tendon and Lieut. Ira Allen were 
appointed to prepare instructions 
for said committee. So influential 
and energetic a committee under so 
able guidance would be likely to suc- 
ceed, when success was possible. 

When the convention above nam- 
ed was held inhabitants on the 
West side of the Green Mountains 
very generally favored the move- 
ment for a new State. On the East 
side of the mountains, however, the 
new State party did not number one- 
half of the people. But the party 
was growing fast. The convention 
proposed to ruin an adverse majority 
by sending the wisest and most 
sagacious members of that body to 
labor for this object with the people 
on the East side of the mountains. 

For this town, the plan of the 
convention was so thoroughly ex- 
ecuted, that by the month of Dec- 
ember, 1776, all the inhabitants 
were in favor of independence of the 
Grants. Every member of the con- 
vention, save one, signed the fore- 
going association. Among the sign- 
ers are the names of Samuel Fletcher 
and Josiah Fisk, the delegates from 
Townsend. After Nov., 1776, no 
inhabitants of the town were friend- 
ly to the jurisdiction of New York. 

MILITARY. 

Residents of this town during the 
Revolutionary war, who were in 
active military service, served with 
continental troops, or they belonged 
to the militia of Vermont. Militia- 
men of this town were called ont by 
State officers to fight British troops, 
to defend this State, and to put 
down insurrection at home. Names 
of privates and subalterns upon 




540 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



those ocasions are unknown to us; 
but among the commissioned officers 
were Brig, Gen’l Samuel Fletcher, 
Capt. Josiah Fisk, Capt. John Burt, 
Capt. Josiah Tyler. The military 
company of this town, with Capt. 
Samuel Fletcher at its head, partic- 
ipated in the battle of Bennington, 
and continued in the field until the 
surrender of Burgoyne in the follow- 
ing October. Joseph Tyler, a mem- 
ber of the company, received a pen- 
sion from Vermont, by reason of a 
wound received in that engagement. 
Tradition says that every man be- 
longing to the company Tvas at the 
front during the campaign of 1777; 
and no one can doubt the truth of 
the statement, who knows the char- 
acter and influence of Capt Fletcher, 
or the spirit and patriotism of his 
townsmen. Of the Vermont militia 
assembled at Brattleboro in Jan. 
1784, in order to crush the Yorkers, 
the company from this town num- 
bered 53 men and was commanded 
by Josiah Fisk. In Oct 1781, a 
provision tax was laid by the legis- 
lature for feeding the troops to be 
employed in the service of this State 
during the year 1782. 

Dec. 13, 1781, the town voted as 
follows: That $180 and interest on 

the same since the year 1777, be im- 
mediately assessed, and the same he 
paid to the committee that borrowed 
this sum of John Hazeltme, Esq., in 
the year 1777, for a bounty to the 
men that went into the service. 

During the February session of 
the Vermont Legislature in 1782, a 
.statute was passed requiring “that 
there be 300 effective, able-bodied 
men (including officers) raised in 
the several towns within the State 
(except the towns on Connecticut 
river north of Barnet) to be com- 
manded by 1 major, 5 captains, 10 
lieutenants, 20 sergeants, and 20 
corporals, and to be allowed 10 
drummers and filers. 

In consequence of the country’s 
domestic troubles, the state of affairs 
on the Indian frontier, our relations 
with France, and the claim to bel- 
ligerent rights made by Great Brit- 



ain, the president, by act of Con- 
gress, approved May 9, 1794, was 
authorized to require of the execu- 
tives of the several States to take 
effectual measures, as soon as may 
be, to organize, arm and equip ac- 
cording to law, and hold to march 
at a moment’s warning, the follow- 
ing proportions respectively, of 
80,000 effective militia, officers in- 
cluded, to wit: From the State of 
Vermont 2139 * * * * * 

By reason of orders from Vermont 
officers to carry into effect the fore- 
going law of Congress, a town meet- 
ing was duly called in this town, 
“To act on the request of Samuel 
Fletcher, Esq., and others, to raise a 
sum of money sufficient to make up 
the wages of those men who are 
called upon to march at a moment’s 
warning from this town, to the fol- 
lowing sums, viz: For a sergeant, 

forty-eight shillings per month ; 
corporal and music, forty-four shil- 
lings per month; and privates, to 
forty shillings per month, with what 
is now allowed them by Congress. 
Provided the same be not granted 
them hv the Legislature of the 
State.” " 

Upon this article of the warning 
the town voted on the 8th day of 
September. Although this vote of 
the town was of no consequence, so 
far as expenditure of money is con- 
cerned, still, it is very gratifying to 
know that the inhabitants of Town- 
shend, in a critical time, promptly 
gave the response of a generous and 
loyal people to the call of President 
Washington. 

At this time as in 1794, no resort 
was had to arms; and the National 
laws were enforced no further than 
to have men ready on summons, to 
take the field. 

WAR OF 1812. 

We have the following statement 
dictated to us by Lucius T. Whee- 
loek, in 1869. Early in the spring 
of 1813, I was engaged in recruiting 
men for the United States army, 
and enlisted myself during May of 
that year, receiving the appointment 




TOWNSMEN D. 541 



of sergeant. My commission as en- 
sign is dated in the fall of 1813, and 
I was second lieutenant when dis- 
charged in September, L815, af- 
ter war closed. I belonged to the 
31st regiment of infantry, com- 
manded by Ool. Dana. Of the fights 
in which I participated, the more 
important were those at Chateau- 
gay, the Stone Mill, and the battle 
of Plattsburgh. I remember that 
Stephen Barnard, Thomas Lowe, 
Benjamin Shattuck, John Shattuck, 
Thomas Holbrook, and Thomas 
Parkhurst enlisted from this town 
and served in the last war with 
Great Britain. John Shattuck and 
Lowe were wounded. Lowe be- 
longed to the 11th regiment of in- 
fantry and received a pension dur- 
ing life for wounds received in bat- 
tle at Lundy's Lane. . 

WAE FOE THE UNION, 1861-65. 

The town paid to this State a 
bounty of #400.85 for a recruit from 
the Southern States; also to Mrs. 
Hutchins $100, being bounty due 0. 
S. Hutchins, a three-years man, who 
died in hospital before leaving the 
State for the seat of war. 

SUMMARY, 

No, nine-months men furnished 25 



No. one-year men,.. 13 

No. three-years men 59 

Results of draft 9 

No. substitutes 14 

120 

Bounty paid nine-months men $ 1,875 00 

Bounty paid one-year men 5,177 00 

Bounty paid three-years men. 9,000 85 

Commutations paid 2,400 00 

Paid substitutes 11,500 00 

Paid services and expenses of 
agents to procure men,. 1,060 86 



$31,018 71 

DISTRICT SCHOODS. 

For the last 40 years there has 
been from 20 to 28 weeks' schooling 
yearly in nearly all of the districts. 

he following were chosen superin- 
tending committee of schools, under 
the statute passed in 1827: 

1828, Epaphroditus Ransom, Rev. 
James Kimball, Rev., Joseph M. 



Graves, Dr. W, R. Ranney, Oliver 
Wilkinson, Jr., Samuel Gray, Dana 
Bailey; 1829, Charles Phelps, James 
Kimball, Epaphroditus Ransom, 
Samuel Gray, Oliver Wilkinson, Jr., 
Horace Starkweather, W. R. Ran- 
ney; 1830, Charles Phelps, W. R. 
Ranney, James Kimball, Silas Clark, 
Horace Starkweather, Oliver Wil- 
kinson, Jr., Samuel Gray; 1831, 
Charles Phelps, Oliver Wilkinson, 
Jr., Epaphroditus Ransom, Silas 
Clark, Horace Starkweather, W. R. 
Ranney, Simeon Chamberlain; 1832, 
Charles Phelps, W. R. Ranney, 
Dana Bailey, Simeon Chamberlain, 
Charles Clark; 1833, Simeon Cham- 
berlain, Charles Phelps, Horatio N. 
Graves, Epaphroditus Ransom, 
Oliver Wilkinson, Jr. 

Town superintendents of schools 
chosen in the following years: 

1846-50, 1852-54, Rev. Horace 
Fletcher; 1851, Waits till R. Ran- 
ney; 1855, Rev. John Wood; 1856- 
59, Claudius R. Smith; 1860-63, 
Rev. Chester L. Cushman; 1864-88- 
68, Nelson Winslow; 1867-71, Lin- 
coln E. Shattuck; 1869-70, George 
H. Houghton; 1872-76, Rev. Frank- 
lin W. Olmsted; 1877-78, Prof. C. 
C. Boynton. 

On the 9th of January, 1837, the 
town appointed Clark Wilkinson, 
Samuel Gray, and Horace Howe, 
trustees to receive and take charge 
of such sum of United States deposit 
money as the town may be entitled 
to receive from the treasurer of this 
State, agreeably to an act of the 
Legislature thereof, approved Nov. 
17, 1836. At the same meeting the 
town passed the following resolu- 
tion: 

Resolved, As the sense of this 
meeting, that the money to be depos- 
ited in the hands of the trustees 
shall be loaned to individuals of the 
town with one or more sureties, in 
sums not less than fifty dollars, nor 
over one hundred dollars ; preference 
to he given to those who wish it to 
pay debts, over those who. are in easy 
circumstances. 

r fhe following persons were chosen 
in the years set against their names, 




542 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



to serve as trustees of the United 
States deposit money: 

Clark Wilkinson, 1837-62, Samuel 
Gray, 1837-52, Horace Howe, 1837- 
42, Ralph Brintnall, 1843-45, John 
Blanehin, 1846-65, Charles D. Bel- 
lamy, 1853-58, Charles Clark, 1859- 
65, Alfred A, Ranney, 1864-65, 
James H. Phelps, 1866-78. 

1847, March 29. The town voted 
to borrow fifteen hundred dollars of 
the United States deposit money, for 
benefit of the town. 

UNITED STATES DEPOSIT MONEY. 

Distributed to Townshend on 

census of 1830 _ _$3,308. 67 

Distributed to Townshend on 

census of 1840___ ____ 3,083.51 

Distributed to Townshend in- 
cluding Acton, on census of 

1850___ _______ 3,888.08 

Distributed to Townshend on 

census of 1860 __ 2,921.83 

Distributed to Townshend on 

census of 1870 2,370.43 

SELECT SCHOOLS. 

Commencing in 1826 and ending 
in 1833, during the fall of each year 
a select school was kept at the West 
Village. The terms for 1826 and 
1827 were kept by Mr, Fisher ; 
those for 1828 and 1829 by Mr. 
Cressy ; and that for 1830 by Mr. 
Stuart. These gentlemen were col- 
lege graduates ; the first two of Am- 
herst and the last of Middlebury 
college. 

THE LELAND AND GRAY SEMINARY. 

What is now the Leland and Gray 
Seminary at Townshend, was incor- 
porated by the Legislature of Ver- 
mont in 1834, under the name of 
the Leland Classical and English 
School. The name was given in 
honor of Lieut Gov. Leland, a 
prominent clergyman in the Baptist 
denomination. The school was or- 
ganized under the Woodstock Asso- 
ciation of Baptist Churehe?. In 
1886, through the efforts of Mr. E. 
J, Knapp, a fund of over $11,000 
was obtained for this school, A. F. 
Tilton, A. B., was the first principal. 
Other prominent names appear as 



instructors. Among them are Moses 
Lyford, 11. L. Wavland, 0. B. 
Smith, Horace Burchard, Edward 
Judson, Milon Davidson, and C. 0. 
Boynton. I). G. Smyth is the prsent 
principal. English and classical 
studies are taught. Pupils are fitted 
for any New England college. 

MEECHAJi TS. 

The merchants in Townshend, so 
far back as any record can be found, 
are a Mr. Harris, a Mr. Evans, Doo- 
little & Ripley, John P. Marsh, Joe 
Belknap. When Townshend or Town- 
shend proper was started, these out- 
side stores began to stop business, 
and all business began to be done at 
the centre. Shatter & Wilson, E. 
Lathan, A. Birchard, Eseck Atwood, 
N. Cheney, George Lewis Joy, S. F. 
Thompson, Mr. Converse, S. D. 
Winslow, W. S. Holland, Abner 
Johnson, Henry Weatherbee, Starky 
& Howard, A, Elliott Howard, How- 
ard & Salisbury, Winslow & Good- 
hue, Frank Thompson, Dunton & 
Ballou, L. I. Winslow & E. J. 
Knapp, L. O. Thayer, W. E. Corse. 

The different tinmen in town were 
Wiley & Briritnal, Brintnal & Bella- 
my, Bellamy & Austin, Austin & 
Wilson, Wilson & Wiswell, F. B. 
Ober, O. F. Woods, Charles Clark 
& Son, Higgins & Kenyon. 

PHYSICIANS. 

John Hazelton was a son of Paul 
Hazeltine and grandson of Col. John 
Hazeltine. We have the doctor's 
autograph and give hiB spelling of 
his surname. 

In July, 1775, Dr. Hazelton owned 
and lived upon the farm where John 
Sanderson resides. His house and 
office stood on the old road leading 
to Win dam. The house was built 
in 1785. His first wife was Lieut. 
Amzi Doolittle's sister, by whom he 
had 12 children; seven died in infan- 
cy and two others did not attain the 
age of 10 yearB. His second wife was 
Dr. Nathan Week's sister; children 5. 

During six months of the year 
1781, he served as surgeon of Col. 
Fletcher's regiment of State troops, 




TOWNSHEND. 



543 



and attended upon the garrisons at 
Oastleton and Pittsford. He repre- 
sented this town in the General As- 
sembly of 1791, '94 and *95 He 
died in Manchester, Vt., July, 1822. 

Waifcstill R. Ranney moved hie 
family from Chester, Vt., to this 
village, in 1814, and lived here till 
the fall of 1815, then he went to 
Wardsboro and resided until he came 
back here in the spring of 1820. In 
1822 he moved from the village to 
the farm purchased about that time 
of Ezekiel Ransom. He lived on 
this farm until 1837. when he re- 
moved to the village of East Towns- 
hend and lived there the remainder 
of his days. He was married twice 
and had by his first wife 13 children 
who survived him. He represented 
Townshend in the Constitutional 
Convention of 1828, and General 
Assembly of 1833, and was one of the 
senators from this county in the Leg- 
islatures of 1836, -’37, -'3 8. He was 
elected lieutenant-governor of the 
State. 

As before stated, the children of 
Dr. Ranney were thirteen in number, 
all of whom the father gave a liberal 
education. They were as follows: 
Dr. Evander W, who settled in prac- 
tice and died in New York city, 
Darwin W. who became a teacher 
and afterwards ^minister and died in 
Brattleboro, Stella L. wife of Capt. 
Sheron Gray, who settled and died in 
Townshend, Alfred A. died in Colo- 
rado, Dr. Henry D, now of New 
York, Dr. Lafayette, settled and 
died in New York, Ambrose, a law- 
yer of Boston, and at one time 
member of the national legislature, 
Dr. Stephen E. now of Bennington. 
Dr. James W. who died in New 
York, Helen L. wife of a Mr. Bottom 
of Shaftsbury now dead, Frances L. 
also married a Mr. Bottom of Shafts- 
bury now dead, Dr. Martin L. now 
a physician in New York city, and 
Mary A. now dead, who married a 
lawyer in New York. 

Moses Chamberlain commenced 
practice here in February, 1834. He 
moved to Jamaica after living here 
about one year, and died in that 



town. His wife was a daughter of 
Benjamin Felton, Esq. Anson L. 
Pettee mofed his family in the 
spring of 1835, and occupied the 
house that had just been vacated by 
Dr. Chamberlain. William M. 
Sadd opened his office here in 
the fall of 1837. Near the close of 
1842 he sold out to John Bement, 
and left town in 1843; he married a 
daughter of William Park hurst, 
and now resides at Claremont, N. H, 

Dana Hyde. Before removing 
here from Wardsboro, in 1845, he 
had gained and ever after maintained 
the reputation of a well instructed 
practitioner. His wife was a daugh- 
ter of William Gregory of East Guil- 
ford. In 1826 and 27 he represented 
Guilford, his native towrn, in the 
General Assembly ; and was Judge 
of Probate for the district of Marl- 
boro in 1837 and *38. On his way 
home from a number of professional 
visits in Jamaica and Wardsboro, he 
and his son William were drowned 
while fording the stream below 
North Wardsboro, in April, 1850, 

J ohn W. Gray. Not long after 
receiving the degree of Doctor of 
medicine, he came here in 1851. 
After staying about a year he moved 
his family to Bennington, V t. The 
following Drs. have practiced medi- 
cine and lived in this part of the 
town: Chamberlain, Ranney, Silas 

Clark, Charles Clark, Acherson 
Allen, Starkweather, Perry, Ayer, 
Lovell, Hibbard, Ellis, Downing, 
Kenyon, Terrill, Osgood, and George 
Porter. 

ATTORNEYS. 

Samuel B* Goodhue was admitted 
to the bar at November term, 1796, 
of Windham County Court. He 
opened an office here in 1806, and 
moved from this town in 1809. He 
died a patient at the Insane Asylum, 
Brattleboro, Yt. 

Charles Phelps was a son of 
Timothy Phelps of Marlboro; he was 
admitted to the bar of Windham 
County Court in 1807, and came 
here to reside on the 7th day of 
September of that year. A pair of 



544 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



saddle-bags, with apparel therein, 
and the colt upon whose back he 
rode, constituted the sum total of 
his property- He married the daugh- 
ter of Jennes Houghton of Guilford, 
July 21, 1814, and had six children. 
His wife and four children survived 
him. He was elected member of the 
Vermont Council in 1820-21-22 ; 
Judge of Probate for the District of 
Westminster in 1821-22-24; and a 
Judge of Windham County Court in 
1832-33-34. Holding each of the 
above named offices for three years. 

Popular education always found 
in him a i^ady and earnest sup- 
porter. Through the purchase of 
warrants located in Illinois and is- 
sued to soldiers of the Revolution, he 
became owner of numerous tracts of 
land in that State. Nearly all of 
these lots amounting to very many 
thousand dollars in value, were given 
to Knox College a few months be- 
fore his death. Down to 1830, his 
books and dockets contain abundant 
evidence to show that his profes- 
sional practice was large and remu- 
nerative. At that time his private 
affairs claimed and thereafter oc- 
cupied the greater part of his time. 
His religious training began with the 
dawn of understanding. The libra- 
ries, lectures, public meetings, and 
religious privileges of a superior 
order, which are so common in cities, 
were strong inducements for putting 
an end to a longer country life. The 
residence of a daughter in Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, decided the question. In 
the fall of 1845, he removed with 
his family to that city, where he 
died on the 19th day of November 
1854. 

James H. Phelps, son of Charles 
Phelps, was born in West Towns- 
hend, Vt., September 6, 1817, 
where he has always made his home. 
After graduation at Middlebury Col- 
lege in 1835, he studied law with 
his father, and was admitted to the 
bar of Windham County Court in 
1839. About this time his father 
decided to close his business in Ver- 
mont and remove from the State. 
Settlement of his affairs, which con- 



sisted largely of financial transac- 
tions, was placed at first, partly, and 
then wholly, in charge of the sub- 
ject of this notice. But the matters 
to be handled were many, and were 
of such character that they could 
not be concluded short of a term of 
years. A business thus prolonged 
and which suited the person con- 
ducting it could not easily be aban- 
doned, even when the cause of its 
beginning had ceased to exist 
Hence it soon became a chief means 
of support, and has continued to the 
present day. The town offices which 
the people of his native town have 
iOonferred upon him need not be 
mentioned. He was register of the 
Probate District of Westminster 
from December 1, 1842, to Decem- 
ber 1, 1846 ; a judge of Windham 
j County Court from December 1, 
j 1846, to 1848 ; he represented 
I Townshend in the General Assem- 
bly of 1848, 1849, 1867, and was 
Sfca^e senator in 1854 and 1856. He 
married Miss Sophia A. Robbins, 
j November 7, 1844. Their children 
j are: Eliza Sophia, ( Mrs. Pierce ), 
born June 1, 1851, and Sarah Jane, 
j horn October 20, 1853. 

Minnus Kenney, John Roberts, 
Abishai Stoddard, James M. 
Sharfter, now of San Francisco, 
practiced for a while after being ad- 
mitted to the bar at the time John 
Roberts was here. 

Col. J ohn Hazel tine came from 
Sutton, Mass., in the spring of 1769, 
and during the rest of his life his 
home was in this town. He lived 
in the same house with Samuel 
Fletcher, his son-in-law. 

Col. Hazeltine owned nearly one- 
fourth of the town. This proprie- 
torship required a large expenditure 
of time in procuring settlers to im- 
prove and possibly buy some of his 
unoccupied acres. We are informed 
that his daughters were Rachel, Mrs. 
Joshua Wood ; Jenny, Mrs. Jonas 
Butterfield ; Lucy, Mrs. Joshua 
Barnard, Mehitable, Mrs. Samuel 
Fletcher; and Elizabeth, Mrs, Jo- 
siah Fish. 

His sons were Paul, who died a 



TOWNSHEND. 



545 - 



resident of this town ; Asa, who 
moved from here to Baker sfield,-Vt., 
and died there ; Peter, who lived in 
this town ; and Silas, who was a 
manufacturer in Sutton, Mass, 
Townshend land records show r that 
Colonel Hazeltine was living Sep- 
tember 25, 1777, and that he died 
prior to June 12, 1778. Of his wid- 
ow, Mrs. Jane Ilazeltine, we have 
the following account: ** Col. Haz- 

el tine left a great portion of his 
property to General Fletcher, and 
his widow lived with said Fletcher 
till she died, (Feb. 16, 1810,) at the 
age of 104 years. This old lady was 
very industrious, always spinning at 
the little wheel as long as she lived. 
When she was 100 years old it is 
said that she got up from her wheel 
and danced,” 

From the records cf Sutton we 
learn that the Provincial Grant of 
that town to individuals, is dated 
May 15,1704: that Col. Hazeltine 
was a dealer in lands there from 
June 15, 1726, to Dec. 29, 1768 ; and 
that the births of some of his child- 
ren are dated as follows : Paul, Nov. 
20,1728; Rachel, Feb. 26, 17301 
Abigail, March 14 , 1732 ; Elizabeth, 
Aug. 9, 1 735. 

Peter R. Taft. During the win- 
ter of 1798-99, his father, Aaron 
Taft, came to this town from Ux- 
bridge, Mass., and bought the farm 
where Peter Hazeltine lived, on Taft 
hill. Peter R., then 14 years of 
age, accompanied the family. He 
came all the way On foot and drove 
the cow. In the winter, like other 
farmers' boys, he did chores and 
went to the district school. During 
the other months, he spent his time 
in helping his father carry on the 
farm. His education, however, was 
under the oversight of his father, 
who was a college graduate. Fond- 
ness for mathematics resulted in his 
becoming a land surveyor, and re- 
ceiving the appointment of county 
surveyor. The duties of this office 
often made necessary a long attend- 
ance on bis part at the terms of our 
County Court On such occasions 
he was a willing as well as attentive 



listener, and so gained a knowledge 
of many legal principles which a 
person of his parts would be apt to 
apply correctly in unfolding the 
twist of a complicated law-suit. 
From his first experience as a trial 
justice, the entire public had great 
confidence in him as a magistrate. 
While pursuing his studies, he de- 
voted a portion of his spare mo- 
ments to reading — a habit which 
grew with his advancing years. 
Later in life he was, indeed, a great 
reader. No person was often er 
called upon to fill onr town offices. 
In one position or other his service 
was almost continuous. This was 
the ease also, in Jamaica, to which 
town he removed in 1825. When 
he gave up farming and returned to 
Townshend, in 1837, its voters, with 
unanimity, replaced him in the 
offices which he had so acceptably 
filled in former years. In the ef- 
forts made to establish what is now 
Leland and Gray Seminary, he took 
a very active part. As one of the 
committee for erecting the academy 
building, his foresight and execu- 
tive talent were highly appreciated. 
During his residence in the State he 
was one of the hoard of trustees. 
He was chosen judge of Probate for 
the district of Westminster in 
1830-31-32 and 33; a judge of Wind- 
ham County Court in 1835-38 and 
37; a justice of the peace in 1818 
and served 22 years. In the Gen- 
eral Assembly of 1818, 20, 22 and 
24 he represented Townshend, and 
in 1827, 33 and 34 he represented 
Jamaica, 

At the age of 25 years he was 
married to Sylvia Howard of this 
town, with whom he lived until her 
death in 1866, 

About 1839, his only child, Hon. 
Alphonzo Taft, commenced the 
practice of his profession in Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio. To that city the 
father removed from this town in 
1841, and died there Jan. 1, 1867. 

THE HOWARD FAMILY. 

Chapin Howard came to town in 
1804, and was engaged in the tan- 




546 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ning business at West Townshend. 
He, in connection with his various 
partners, continued in that business 
at West Townshend until the fall of 
1832, when he removed to the East 
Village, where he lived the remain- 
der of his days. In 1834-5-6 he was 
chosen representative to the General 
Assembly. At his death he left a 
widow, a number of daughters and 
three sons, A. C. Howard, Ormando 
S. Howard and Banbridge E. How- 
ard. 

A. C. HOWARD. 

Chapin Howard's eldest son was 
born in West Townsend, March 29, 
1812, and died at his residence in 
the East Village Jan. 9, 1881. In 
1835 he went to Michigan, then a 
territory, where he invested in real 
estate and laid the foundation of his 
future large fortune. March 9, 
1841, he was married to Hannah E., 
daughter of Daniel and Lucy 
(Stephens) Cobb of Windham, and 
took his wife to Townshend, where 
he remained until 1858, when he re- 
moved to Chester, Vt., remaining 
there 10 years, when he purchased 
the homestead of his deceased fa- 
ther, where he spent the remainder 
of his days. At the time of his 
death he was a director of the Peo- 
ple’s National Bank of Brattleboro. 
He represented Townshend in the 
Legislature of 1846 and 1847, and 
Chester in 1859-60. He was also a 
member of the constitutional con- 
vention of 1870. He bequeathed a 
legacy of $10,000 for the benefit of 
the poor of his native town. 

ORMANDO S. HOWARD, 

second son of Chapin Howard, was 
born at West Townshend, Jan. 3, 
1816, and died at Townshend, July 
21, 1889. He was, during his life, 
a resident of his native town. He 
was married April 26, 1839, to Mary 
A. Fisher, and again July, 1852, to 
Mrs. Lucy M. Upham. He had a 
son and a daughter by his first wife 
and two sons and a daughter by his 
last wife. The sons and last daugh- 
ter survive him. 



JOSEPH TYLER. 

Joseph Tyler, born in Uxbridge, 
Mass., May 21, 1737; died at Towns- 
hend, Vt., in the year 1815, aged 
78. 

Ruth, his wife, died in Towns- 
hend, Vt., July, 1825. aged 92. • 

He removed to Townshend from 
Uxbridge in the winter of 1766. 
Three children born to them in Ux- 
bridge were: Lydia, Zacheus and 
Betsey ; children born in Town- 
shend: Ruth, Joseph and Mehit- 

abel. 

His first house was a rude log 
cabin, and surrounded by dense for- 
ests in every direction, when he 
moved his family to Townshend. 
There were then some 15 families 
living near him, all of whom, in the 
spirit of the age, turned out with 
hand-sleds and went to Brattleboro, 
17 miles further down the river to 
help get his family to the new town. 
They had no path and had to be 
guided by the river and marked 
trees. 

Joseph Tyler was a vetfy , con- 
scientious, stern man, and was free 
to rebuke the sins of the early set- 
tlers, which caused him to have 
many enemies. He was no friend 
to Great Britain and Great Britain 
no friend of his, as is shown by the 
British government once offering a 
reward for his head. 

The name of Joseph Tyler ap- 
pears among the 15 who first formed 
a Congregational church in Towns- 
hend in 1778. The first meeting 
house was built of logs. The first 
minister. Rev. Mr. Dudley. 

The Revolutionary war stirred the 
patriotic spirit of Joseph Tyler, and 
he joined a company of Vermonters, 
under Capt. Fletcher, and crossed 
the Green mountains to Ticonderoga 
and thence to Bennington to join 
Gen. Stark's command. He was 
engaged in the Bennington battle 
and was severely wounded, and was 
obliged to leave the service and went 
to his home a disabled man, in con- 
sequence of which he was granted a 
life pension. 




TOWNSHEND. 



547 



Soon after coming home from the 
army he was made a justice of the 
peace and was afterwards elected a 
member of the Legislature for two 
years. 

EBEKEZER BRIGHAM, 

moved to town before Vermont be- 
came a State. He built the house 
where Deacon J. 0. Follet now lives 
in 1801. There were born to him 
six children. He was an important 
man in town affairs. He died in 
1840. The children were John, 
Lyman, Moses, Judith, Wealthy and 
Whitney, all of whom are now dead, 
and mostly lived and died in town or 
adjoining towns. A grandson, Bela 
B. Brigham, is the only descendant 
living at this time in Townshend. 

WM. JAY, 

was a son of Wilder Jay, lived many 
years ago on the farm south of one 
Ober’s present place. His children 
W. L. Jay, now a prominent lawyer 
and President of the Sioux National 
Bank of Sioux City, Iowa. George 
L. Jay also of Sioux City and Presi- 
dent of the Sioux Loan and Trust 
Company. Helen, who is the wife 
of a Mr. Hudson, a merchant of St. 
Louis. 

EORBES 

Brigham Forbes, born in IJ xbridge. 
Mass., in 1803, came with his father, 
Moses Forbes, to Townshend, when 
three years old, and is a much respect- 
ed old man, who still lives at the age 
of 88, about half a mile south of the 
village. 

JOSEPH B. WARE, 

was born in Putney, Vt., Feb. 2, 
1810. In 1839, he married to Mary 
H. Plummer of Brattlefboro. They 
had five children; only one is now 
living, J. H. Ware. Mr. Ware rep- 
resented the town in the Legislature 
of 1880. The fiftieth anniversary 
of their marriage was celebrated at 
their home March 25, 1889. 

DEACOH SAMUEL GRAY, 

was born in Townshend in 1796, he 
died in 1870. He was the only son 



of Jonas and Hannah Gray. He 
married Melinda Johnson. Their 
children were Martha, May, Oscar 
and Aurilla. He faithfully served 
his town in various capacities. He 
was a liberal supporter of Lelandand 
Gray Seminary. At a time of great 
need he gave the institution five 
hundred dollars. 

COL. JOITAS TWITCHELL, 

was born in Winchester, N. H., 
about the year 1805. His father died 
while Jonas was a young boy, and 
Jonas was bound out to a blacksmith. 
He consequently learned the black- 
smith’s trade. At 21 years of age he 
came to West Townshend and work- 
ed as journeyman. He soon after 
married a Miss Robbins of Jamaica 
and moved to East Townshend on 
what was then known as the Tyler 
place. He then engaged in black- 
smithing and farming until his death, 
Jan. 7, 1878. While on the Tyler 
place his wife died, and he married 
for a second wife a Miss Felton of 
Jamaica. This last wife still survives 
him and now lives with one of her 
daughters in Athol, Mass. Col. 
Twitchell had three daughters and a 
son by his first wife and two daugh- 
ters and a son by his last wife. Al- 
though Col. Twitchell was not liber- 
ally educated, he was a man of good 
judgment and common sense, repre- 
sented his town in the Legislature 
and at various times filled all the 
offices in the town. He was also 
president of the Windham County 
Savings Bank at the time of his 
death. 

HISTORY OE THE BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The First Baptist Church was 
formed on the 20th day of Septem- 
ber, 1810, and existed until near the 
close of 1840. The meeting-house 
was built in 1817. The acting pas- 
tors of the church and society are as 
follows : Samuel Kingsbury, from 
ordination in 1808, to 1817 ; Benja- 
min I. Lane, fall of 1817, to 1819 ; 

Lathrop, Jan. 1820, to June 

1821 ; George Robbinson, Dec. 1821, 



543 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



to Dec. 1824; Joseph M. Graves, 
Jan. 1825, to Jan. 1829 ; Simeon 
Chamberlain, Mar, 1831, to Mar. 
1834 ; Hiram A, Graves, spring and 
summer of 1835 ; Nathan Ames, 
1836 ; Charles Farrar, spring of 1837, 
to spring of 1838. 

SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH. 

At the time of the organisation of 
this body a Baptist church had ex- 
isted for 17 years at the West Vil- 
lage. ^ It reported to the Woodstock 
association 103 members, with Rev. 
J. W. Graves, pastor, Samuel Gray 
served as clerk for forty years. 

On the first Sabbath of January, 
1828, it was voted to employ Rev. 
J. M. Graves one-third of the 
time. Voted to Becure the services 
of Elder Kinsbury. The nex year 
Rev. Simeon Chamberlain supplied 
one-half the time. 

The next three years are memora- 
ble as the transition period of the 
church. In 1832 Rev, R, M. Ely 
received a call to be pastor, and 
moved his family into the communi- 
ty. He was the first pastor of the 
church, and the first minister to 
transfer his membership to the 
church and supply its pulpit. In 
1838 Mr. Ely resigned and removed 
to Chester. Rev. W, D. Upham 
supplied the church during hie va- 
cation, and in December following 
became its pastor. His pastorate ex- 
tended through four years and was 
marked by a continuous revival. In 
1844 Horace Fletcher was ordained. 
Mr. Fletcher had graduated at Dart- 
mouth College at the age of 21, the 
first scholar in his class. Five years 
he then spent in teaching and the 
study of law ; was admitted to the 
bar and had spent 15 years in his 
practice. Rev. Horace Fletcher 
grew in intellectual and spiritual 
strength, as well as influence and 
reputation, even into old age. The 
honorary title of D. D., conferred 
upon him from Hamilton Theolog- 
ical Seminary, was justly earned. 
After an uninterrupted pastorate of 
nearly 28 years, he died Nov. 1871. 

Rev. R. R, Printice became pas- 



tor May 1 , 1872, In 1875 Rev. C. 
P. Frenyear was called to the pastor- 
ate. He died May 10, 1876. Rev. 
T. M. Butler settled 1876; dis- 
missed October 29, 1882. Rev. R. 
S. Mitchel settled June 30, 1883 ; 
dismissed July 9, 1887. Rev. W. D. 
Athearn settled Oct, 1, 1888 ; pres- 
ent pastor, 1891. 

The First Restorationist Church 

was organized in 1818, during the 
ministry of Rev. Russell Streeter, 
then of Rockingham, who preached 
in the meeting-house once a month 
for two years. After Mr. Streeter 
went away the Restorationists ceased 
to have preaching at stated inter- 
vals, 

METHODIST, 

Commencing about the year 1830, 
the Methodist Conference having 
charge of this circuit sent some very 
able clergymen who labored as itin- 
erate preachers in this and neigh- 
boring towns to about 1836. The 
first two who entered upon this ser- 
vice were Rev. Mr, Beck ley and Rev. 
Mr. Fuller. They were followed by 
Rev. Zed. Twitenell and Rev. Mr. 
Brewster. In September, 1835, a 
Methodist campmeeting, which 
continued about a week, was held in 
a grove. There was a large attend- 
ance at this meeting from the Meth- 
odist societies at Athens, Newfane, 
Wardsboro, and Londonderry. From 
the spring of 1839 to the spring of 
1843, the people of West Townshend 
and vicinity attended the Methodist 
church. Clergymen: Rev, Harvey 
Guernsey supplying for first two 
years of the term, and Rev. William 
H. Hodges for the last two. 

THE jpTRST CONGREGATIONAL * 
CHURCH. 

Rev. George Porter, in his anni- 
versary sermon, sketches the history 
and growth of this church in the fol- 
lowing manner : 

The first town meeting of which 
w T e have any positive knowledge, 
was held on the 30th day of 
May, 1771. This was ten years 



TOWNSHEND. 



549 



after the first settlers began to occu- 
py the town, and when the resident 
families were 25 in number. When 
and in what number the inhabitants 
were formed into a church, the town 
records say not; but the American 
Quarterly Register states that Rev. 
Nicholas Dudley, born at Epping, 
N. H,, graduated at Harvard College 
in 1767, was ordained at Townshend, 
Vt., June 21, 1777, and was dismiss- 
ed in 1780; thus laboring between 
two and three years. In August, 
1794, Rev. Samuel Oheever, D. D., 
received a call to this church, and 
remained until 1797. From 1797 
the church was supplied by Rev. 
Hezekiah Taylor, J, Bennington, 
and Mr, Whitney, neighboring min- 
isters. Mr. Josiah Moulton receiv- 
ed a call, remaining about a year. 
After Mr. Moulton, the next pastor 
of the church was Simeon Snow, 
about one year. Rev. William Rid- 
dell was born at Coleraine, Mass., 
•Feb. 4, 1778; graduated at Dart- 
mouth in 1793; and was licensed to 
preach at Newbury, Vt., in January, 
1794. He remained in Townshend 
about three years. He married a 
daughter of Rev. Samuel Hopkins 
in 1797, by whom he had seven 
children, one of whom was the well- 
known Rev. Samuel Hopkins Rid- 
dell. 

The church was supplied by min- 
isters from neighboring towns until 
March, 1815. 

L. Whitcomb, ordained and in- 
stalled Aug* 29, 1815; died in Savan- 
nah, Georgia, January 2, 1821. 

Philetus Clark, was ordained 
and installed Nov. 21, 1821; dis- 
missed July 6, 1824. James Kim- 
ball, ordained and installed Jan. 13, 
1825; dismissed Oct. 6, 1830. H. 
N» Graves, ordained and installed 
Feh, 5, 1833; dismissed Sept. 14, 
1848, John Wood came Jan. 1849, 
settled June, 1850; dismissed Apr. 11, 
1854. Remained as pastor till Nov. 
11, 1858. 0. L. Cushman, ordained 

and installed Dec, 22, 1859; dis- 
missed Oct. 15, 1866. A. S. Barton, 
installed Mar, 12, 1867 ; dismissed 
Dec* 13, 1869, F. W. Olmstead, 



acting pastor; called June 13, 1870; 
resigned Oct., 1872, George Porter, 
acting pastor; called July 1, 1877; 
resigned Oct. 1882. H. H. Acte- 
rian, acting pastor; called July 1, 
1883. 1891, present pastor, C. T. 
Switzer. 

CEMETERIES. 

On the farm of General Fletcher, 
and a short distance from the pres- 
ent dwelling-house of John S. Full- 
erton, were buried all who died in 
the district prior to 1799. Use of 
this place for burial purposes was 
abandoned near the close of 1814. 
Here are the graves of General 
Fletcher and some members of his 
family. 

Maple Grove Cemetery is situated 
about 100 rods west of Townshend 
village on the north side of the road 
leading from said village to West 
Townshend, and contains about one 
acre of land. It was given for a 
burial ground by Zatter Butterfield, 
A Mrs. Brown who died in 1812 was 
the first body buried in the cem- 
etery. It was the only cemetery 
near the village until about the year 
1862. In the vicinity of 1880 Mies 
Lucy P. Tyler of Somerville, Mass,, 
and a former resident of Townshend, 
started a fund, the income of which 
was to be used in caring for the 
graves and lots of the friends of the 
donors. The fund has since been 
increased to $350. 

A substantial brick tomb was 
built at a cost of about $500, the 
old tombs removed, the wall rebuilt 
and other work done at a cost of 
about $300. In 1890 there was $200 
expended in grading the grounds 
with money that the late Daniel 
Read gave for that purpose. 

Oak wood Cemetery is located 
about 100 rods south of the westerly 
part of the village of Townshend. 
The land was bought by the town in 
the year 1864, and contains about 
four acres, including the old cem- 
etery, which has been added to it. 
At the time of purchase a portion 
of the grounds were laid out into 
lots, drives and walks; and on June 




550 



VERMONT" HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



11, 1884, J. H. Phelps, S. D. Wins- 
low, 2d, and Henry Salisbury were 
chosen by the town a committee to 
take charge of said cemetery. 

REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL 
ASSEMBLY. 

1778-79, 1807, Samuel Eletcher ; 
1780, Silas Hayward ; 1781, 1785-90, 
Dr. Joshua Wood ; 1782, no choice ; 
1783-84,. Joseph Tyler; 1791, 1794- 
95, Dr. JohnHazelton ; 1792-93-96- 
1803, Ephriam Wheelock ; 1804-06, 
1809-11, John Dyer; 1808-12-13, 
Ezekiel Ransom ; 1814-15, Amri 
Doolittle, jr.; 1816-17-21. Munnis 
Kenney ; 1818, 20, 22, 24, Peter R. 
Taft ; 1819-23, Dana Bailey ; 1825, 
Luke S. Rand ; 1826-27, Epaphro- 
ditus Ransom ; 1828-30, William R. 
Shafter ; 1831, John P. Marsh ; 
1832, no choice ; 1833, Waitstill R. 
Ranney; 1834-36, Chapin Howard ; 
1837--39, John H. Brigham ; 1840, 
Samuel E. Thompson ; 1841-42, 

James McShafter ; 1843, Nathan 

Eisher ; 1844-45, Henry L. Aiken ; 
1846-47, Aurelius C. Howard ; 1848- 
49, 1867, James H. Phelps; 1850, 
William H. Jay; 1851, 53, 1861, 
Francis D. Sawyer ; 1854, Rev. 

Horace Eletcher ; 1855-56, Esek 
Atwood ; 1852, 59, 78-79, Oscar R. 
Garfield ; 1859-60, Abishai Stod- 
dard ; 1862, Jonas Twitchell ; 1863- 
64, Orrnando S. Howard ; 1865-66, 
John H. Converse ; 1868-69, Henry 
Salisbury ; 1870-71, 82-83, Philip H. 
Rutter ; 1872-73, Masenna F. Bal- 
lou ; 1874-75, John S. Fullerton ; 
1876-77, Kev. Franklin W. Omsted; 
1880-81, Joseph B. Ware ; 1882-83, 
Oscar R. Garfield ; 1884-85, Philip 
H. Rutter; 1886-87, Henry Under- 
wood ; 1888-89, Choate Howard ; 
1890-91, E. L. Hastings. 

POST-OFFICE AND POST-MASTERS. 

The first post-office established in 
town was in West Townshend, 
March 23, 1811, and the first post- 
master was made under Madison and 
was Chas. Phelps, who retained the 
office for a long period. The only 
office in town remained here until 



Dec. 25, 1820, when it was removed 
to the East Village, which is nearer 
the centre of the town. Amos 
Doolittle was appointed by Munroe, 
the first post-master in the new office. 
The mail was fora long time carried 
on horseback. In 1824, a gig was 
first used and trips were made week- 
ly. In 1828, the first coach was 
used upon the road. Jn about 1844, 
service was increased lo daily trips 
each way and thus continued until 
carried by rail car, Dec. 20, 1880. 
The following pe»eons were post- 
masters after Amos Doolittle, with 
date of their appointment: 

O. Doolittle, Dec. 18, 1824; John 
P. Marsh, May 21, 1825; Epaphro- 
dBus Ransom, Sept. 14, 1831 ; 
Ezekiel Ransom, Sept. 23, 1834; 
John Roberts, April 11, 1835; Oscar 
F. Butterfield, July 21, 1845; Henry 
M. Weatherbee, May 1, 1851; Oscar 
F. Butterfield, April 5, 1852; 

Nathaniel Cheney, Nov. 21, 1861; 
Henry Salisbury, Sept. 20, 1869; 
Anu C. Howard, Aug. 14, 1885. 

LEGACY OF AURELIUS C. HOWARD. 

It is my will, and I hereby direct, 
that the sum of ten thousand dollars 
be set apart and given to the town 
of Townshend, in the County of 
Windham and State of Vermont, 
the interest of said ten thousand 
dollars to be applied in providing 
for and comfortably supporting the 
poor of said town of Townshend, so 
long as my lineal descendants shall 
not require the same for their sup- 
port and maintenance. At a meet- 
ing duly held on the 19th of Dec. 
1881, three trustees, Horace C. 
Howard, Orman do S. Howard and 
James H. Phelps were chosen to re- 
ceive, manage and have the control 
of the bequest. 

BRATTLEBORO AND WHITEHALL 
RAILROAD CO. 

The town of Townshend has 370 
shares of stock at $100 each, 
$37,000. 

Original stockholders residing in 
Townshend: Junia D, Barber, 2 

shares, $200; James H. Phelps, 6 



TOWNSHEND. 



551 



shares, 1600; Ira R. Batehelder, 1 
share, 1100; N. Pierce, 2 * shares, 
$200; Rev, Mark Carpenter, 3 shares, 
1300; Daniel Read, 3 shares, 1300; 
Adin Holbrook, 1 share, 1100; A. 
Stoddard, 2 shares, 1200 ; A, 0. 
Howard, 10 shares, 11000; Josiah 
W. Taft, 1 share, $100; O. S. How- 
ard, 3 shares, $300; S. D. Winslow, 
2d, 2 shares, $200. Number shares 
taken by persons above named, 36 
at $100; number shares taken by 
the town, 370, at $100. Given by 
tax-payers of Townshend towards 
building the railroad. Shares of 
the town were taken on condition 
that the railroad from Mill. Brook, 
Harmonyville, to Jamaica line, 
should be located on and not re- 
moved from the east or left bank of 
West river. 

IKK KEEPERS. 

The first tavern keeper in the East 
Village was a Mr. Butterfield. He 



was followed by Oapt. James Tag- 
gart, who kept a good house in the 
brick building which was long after 
known as the Ranney residence. 
Before it was converted into a pri- 
vate residence, Chester Rand kept a 
hotel, then following Capt. Taggart 
who, after selling out to Rand, built 
the present hotel now kept by O. E. 
Coombs. Taggart had just com- 
pleted his new hotel when Daniel 
Webster spoke on the political is- 
sues of the day in 1840, on Stratton 
mountain, to the people of Vermont 
living both sides of the Green moun- 
tains. Webster stopped overnight 
with Capt. Taggart on his way to 
Stratton, This is the only hotel in 
the town to-day, and has been occu- 
pied by the following inn-keepers 
after Taggart ; Abner Johnson, 
Allen, Taggart again, Thomas 
Evans, R. M. Flint, Holbrook and 
Burke, 0. H. Willard and the pres- 
ent occupant, O. F. Coombs. 



GRAFTON. 



By CHRISTOPHER W. HALL. 



GRAFTON. 

Boundaries: Chester on the N., 
Rockingham on the E., S. by Athens 
and Townshend, W. by Windham: 
Village about 10 miles from Bellows 
Fall; a daily stage through from the 
Falls to Townshend. 

THE SURFACE OF THE TOWNSHIP 

is broken; hills which dp not seem 
to belong to any clearly defined 
range, rise up in all parts of the 
town and stand facing each other 
in all conceivable positions. Yet 
the soil is fertile, the farmer is 
repaid for his labor by the yield of 
the staple products of this section of 
Vermont. It is a good grazing town. 
The sunny hillsides yield sweet, rich 
feed, so that the cattle and horses of 
Grafton have become widely known 
as among the best in the State. 

SAXTON RIVER, 

which rises in Windham and flows 
southerly through this town, is its 
principle stream. It furnishes a 
good waterpower at Houghtonville, 
Grafton Village and Cambridgeport, 
:at which latter place it flows into 
Rockingham. 

A stream called South Branch, 
rises also in Windham, flows souther- 
ly across the S. W. of Grafton into 
Townshend, and thence back into 
Grafton and unites with Saxton 
River at Grafton Village. 

The town was first chartered, 
Apr. 6, 1754, but as possession was 
mot taken of the grant, it was re- 



chartered, Sept. 1, 1763, by name of 
Thomlinson. 

grantees: 

Johnathan Whitney, Nathaniel 
Holt, Nathaniel Harris, Benoni 
Boynton, Jr., Johnathan Wood, 
Benj. Weatherbee, Isaac Holden, 
Samuel Preston, Jona. Whitcombe, 
Eleazer Davis, Oliver Corey, Stephen 
Shattuck, Ezekiel Chase, Thomas 
Bell, Esq., Jacob Gould, Jr., Jacob 
Gould, Stephen Goodridge, John 
Butt rick, Stephen Stickney, Nehe- 
miah Bowers, Nathan Chase, Joseph 
Worcester, Thomas Warren, William 
Holt, Phillip Goodridge, Peter Read, 
Ephriam Whitney, Samuel Lar- 
rabee, Eleazer Lawrence, Jr., James 
Preston, Joseph Baker, Jr., John 
Baker, Jacob Fox, Stephen Chase, 
Benj. Shattuck, Matthew Livermore, 
Oliver Gould, Thomas Gould, Jr., 
Roger King, Zachariah Whitney, 
Oliver Stickney, J ames Allen, Simon 
Tuttle, Simon Tuttle, Jr., Jonas 
Warren, Oliver Warren, John Fox, 
Jr., Daniel Fox, John Tomlinson, 
Jr., Theodore Atkinson, Esq., Dan 
Warner, Esq., Joshua Stickney, 
James King, Peter Fox, Thomas 
Newman, Esq., John Wentworth, 
Esq., Speaker Sherburne, John 
Thomlinson, Esq. 

On condition of their becoming 
actual settlers, they were given un- 
disputed title to this tract of land 
containing 23,050 acres together with 
1040 acres free. 

The conditions were the same as 



GRAFTON. 



553 



in all the New Hampshire town 
charters. 

It appears that Thornlinson never 
was settled by these proprietors. A 
meeting for the election of town offi- 
cers was appointed for the 1st Tues- 
day of Dec. 1763, which was notified 
by Oliver Corey, who signed himself, 
moderator. 

I find no proof that the town was 
settled for some years after the last 
charter was granted. It is said a 
Mr. Slack was the first settler. 

The first permanent settlement 
was made in the spring of 1780. 
Samuel Spring built a house and 
commenced a clearing on the hill 
between where Samuel Spring, Jr., 
afterwards lived, and where Daniel 
Barton now lives. He was accom- 
panied into town by Amos Fisher, 
Benjamin Wetherbee, and Edward 
Putnam. They came from Winches- 
ter and located in different parts of 
the_ town. They were soon followed 
by David Stickney, Moses and Aaron 
Putnam, Job Gleason, Thomas Kin- 
ney, Asa Fisher and several other 
families. 

The town records on its early 
history are very meagre, some parts 
of them having been destroyed. 
First, is recorded a warrant of Nov, 
2, 1781, from Ira Allen, treasurer of 
the State of Vermont, to Amos Fish- 
er, constable of the town of Thom- 
linson, notifying him of a tax of 10 s 
on each 100 acres of land, and to 
collect it ; to seize and dispose of 
the goods or estate of such person or 
persons as should refuse or neglect 
to pay the same, after giving the 
land owners of the town due notice, 
"Forthwith to pay the said tax or I 
shall make sale.” The constable did 
sell at public vendue, Aug. 5, 1782, 
118 pieces of land, and 61 of those j 
pieces contained 100 acres and up- 
wards. 

The first death recorded was that 
of Asa Fisher, Jr,, son of Asa and 
Esther Fisher, June 19, 1780. 

The first birth recorded was in 
1783 ; the first marriage in 1781. 

The first town meeting of w r bich 



we have any record was in 1783. 
Aaron Putnam was first town clerk. 

They voted to have preaching 
from the neighboring towns that 
season and appointed a committee 
to obtain it. 

In 1785, March 21, they voted at 
the town meeting that each man in 
town should give one day’s work 
towards clearing off a piece of land 
to he used for a burying ground. 

It was also voted that all their ox 
sleds should be four feet wide. In 
this warrant was an article to see if 
the town would take any steps 
towards building a meeting house, 
but no action was taken. 

The town meetings were held in 
private houses till a meeting house 
was erected, 1793; they were held 
there until 1857, when the town 
bought the store of John Barrett and 
fitted up the second story for a town 
hall. 

In these days, the office of holding 
the key of the meeting house was in- 
vested with considerable* dignity. 
At the annual meeting the key was 
struck off to the lowest bidder, who 
was to open the house whenever it 
should be used that year, and sweep 
the house five times. The usual 
price paid for this high trust was 75 
cents per year. 

Town taxes and other dues were 
paid in grain. One year, 1788, £30 
was raised, the whole paid in rye at 
4 s per bushel ; money was scarce. 

Since the town was organized, 
there have been many changes ; the 
first was the change of its name from 
Thornlinson to Grafton, Oct, 31, 
1791. 

In 1816 its limits were extended 
to take in parts of Athens and 
Avery’s Gore, 

In" 1808, John Barrett and Bar- 
zillai Burgess, selectmen, determined 
on being strict guardians of the in- 
terests of the town, pursued the old 
practice general then in the towns 
of " warning out”- — [ordering the 
departure from the town of all per- 
sons they pleased to think liable in 
the future to need assistance from 




554 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the town. A law they had the power 
to promulgate, but not to enforce. 
See warning out, proceedings and 
definitions of, in the history of 
other towns in the past volumes. 
And, see here ! ] Among many 
others, Mr. Daniel Joslyn, an easy, 
mirth-loving, whole-souled farmer, 
was warned to leave. Of which he 
took no notice except to joke over. 
And the energetic young bachelor, 
Barrett, little thought that he was 
commanding his future wife to de- 
part, upon the plea that he believed 
that she might be at some future 
time a town pauper. Had the jovial 
old gentleman seen fit to have obeyed 
the summons, the people of Grafton 
would not have been gladdened years 
afterwards by the genial counte- 
nance of that kind old lady, whose 
sympathetic heart and benevolent 
hand carried joy and gladness to 
many a sinking heart, and supplied 
the wants of so many needy ones. 

Also, a young physician came into 
town with no worldly goods but his 
saddle bags and a gooa name. The 
sleepless eyes of the guardians of the 
town were immediately upon him. 
A paper was put into the hands of 
the constable and read : 

“ To Caleb Hall, Constable : You 
are hereby directed to summons Dr. 
John Butterfield to depart this town 
forthwith; hereof fail not, but make 
due return. 



John B a erett, 
Barzillai Burgess, 



Selectmen. 



And to the fact that the doctor 
did not obey this mandate, Grafton 
has ever since owed much of the 
business energy for which the town 
has been and is still distinguished. 
It is a noted fact that no merchant has 
ever failed in town ; on the contrary, 
all have retired from business with a 
good property. 

The first saw mill was built by Mr, 
Rolles on land n ow owned by Met- 
calf Walker; for building it he was 
to receive one lot of land. He erected 
his mill and sawed one log, which 
gave him a title to the land. 

The first grist-mill w r as built by 



Dr. Fisher, the first physician, who 
moved into town in 1780, and also a 
saw-mill was built on a branch of 
Saxtons River. These it appears 
were the first mills. 

In 1788 two men from Jaitrey, N. 
H., opened a store near the Centre, 
but soon left, and a man from West- 
minster opened one at the Centre. 

In 1782, James Rhoades, a Revo- 
lutionary soldier, whose baptism of 
fire and blood was at Lexington, 
moved here from Keene, N. IL, and 
built the first framed house. It had 
but two or three rooms and the win- 
dows were of ising-glass. 

In 1824, there were 11 school 
districts, 10 school houses, 4 saw- 
mills, 3 grist-mills, 2 fulling mills, 
2 carding machines, 3 stores, 2 tan- 
neries, which would indicate nearly 
as much business as at the present. 
Many old trades have passed away, 
but industries then comparatively 
unheard of are now flourishing, such 
as free-stone quarrying and the 
manufacture of various articles of 
wooden ware. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The people of Grafton have al- 
ways been characterized by zeal for 
public schools; their district schools 
have been good, and the academies 
at Townshend and Chester have 
ever received a liberal support from 
this town; a goodly number have 
been college graduates, one, 

BENJ. W, DEAN, 

served as Secretary of State four 
years, also Register of Probate 11 
years. 

EBENEZER BURGESS, 

another, is now a missionary to 
India. 

CHARLES BARRETT, 

a Grafton graduate, has served as 
State senator two terms, besides 
holding other offices of public trust. 

DAVID PALMER 

studied theology at Newton Semi- 
nary. 



GRAFTON, 



555 



FRANK B. DANIELS 

graduated at Harvard College* 

Many terms of select schools have 
been taught in town, and in 1866 a 
graded gonool with a high school in 
connection, where one may fit for 
college or business, was established 
and has been well supported. 

MINER A LOGICAL. 

Grafton is rich in mineralogical 
specimens. Much of the rock is 
Green Mountain gneiss, together 
with such other kinds as are found 



layer of hornblende is often found 
between two of steatite. (See 
Hitchcock's Geological Report of 
Vermont, Vol. II.) 

The Lower Quarry is the one in 
Grafton. This and the one in Ath- 
ens lie in the same vein of stone 
about 60 rods apart. That soap- 
stone existed there has been known 
ever since the settlement of the 
town. The settlers were accus- 
tomed to go with their axes, cut out 
blocks and fashion them for their 
hearthstones, but quarrying was not 
commenced as a business until about 



in the surrounding towns. i 1825, and then first on a small scale, 

Serpentine exists in small quan- 1 chiefly manufactured for pipes, for 
tities; cyauite or sappar is found ■ water-courses. OoL Miner owned 
about one mile southwest of the vil- the land, sold out lots for working, 
lage. It is in compressed hexagonal- and a number of men quarried each 
prisms in mica slate and massive j for himself; but now the whole 
garnet; sulphuret of iron in small, | quarry is under the supervision of 
brown cubes, and various kinds of j one firm. 

quartz. ; Butterfield & Smith have owned 

steatite and worked the quarry a number of 

" , 3 . years. They have two mills at 

or soapstone. ^ Quite an extensive Cambridgeport where they saw with 
bed of it lies in the southern edge a common mill-saw and prepare for 
of this town and m the northern market a ll the stone they quarry, 
part of Athens. v\ ork was com- which amounts to about 400 tons 
mencea on the quarry in Grafton ail nuallv, worth in the block at an 
first. This has been worked longer, avera g e 0 f $28, but prepared for 
with more profit, and has produced market makes a total of $15,000. 
more stone than any other quarrv in 

Vermont. - the woolen manufacture. 



It has been excavated about 15 ! Woolen cloths have been the chief 



rods in length, 5 or 6 in width and article of manufacture. A factory 
at a depth varying from 10 to 25 was first built by Dean & Alexan- 
feet. The stone lies in stratified der in 1831. Jan. 9, 1839, it was 
beds, as can easily be seen in the burned. Alexander sold out his in- 
edges of the quarry. There are terest after the fire, but it was re- 
seams of rhomb spar and talc that built the same year by Peter W* 
extend along in line or are dissem- Dean, in 1854 enlarged and new 
inated through in small imperfect machinery added. In 1863 it was 
crystals which upon long exposure changed to a corporation and called 
become decomposed and wash out, the “ Grafton Manufacturing Corn- 
tarnishing the surface of the rocks pany,” which, in 1867, was sold out 
below, to Messrs. Sabin & Fairbrother of 

Immediately upon the soapstone Saxtons River. Fairbrother sold 
is found black mica and shady talc, his interest to Sabin who has since 
and in the latter a dark colored ae- conducted the business alone, maim- 
tinolite, and above this is a bed of facturing annually 75,000 yards, — 
hard, compact hornblende of vary- eassimeres, doeskins, but chiefly ker- 
ing thickness which proves a protec- seymeres. 

tor against atmospheric agency. In A smaller manufacture of woolens 
some places upon these quarries a was also carried on many years by 




556 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Mr. Wooley, half a mile below the 
Tillage. A few years since his mill 
was turned into a shop for the man- 
ufacture of wooden ware. 

GRAFTON INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION. 

In February, 1860, a Farmers* 
Club was organized, with S. D. Co- 
nan t, president, and Charles Bar- 
rett, secretary. Grafton claims to 
have organized the first club of this 
character in Vermont. 

THE GREAT FRESHET OF 1869 

did much damage in this town. 
Roads were so washed away in many 
spots, they had to be made in new 
places, and nearly all the bridges in 
town were carried off. It cost the 
town about $12,000 to repair its 
highways* 

HON. DAVID L. PUTNAM 
was born in Grafton, 1811. His pa- 
rents were not wealthy and he only 
had the advantages of a common 
school and a few terms at an acad- 
emy, when he commenced the study 
of law in the office of Daniel Kel- 
logg, Esq., at Saxtons River. After 
admission to the bar, he opened his 
office in Grafton, and rose rapidly 
in his profession. His ability as a 
legal adviser and advocate was 
marked for a man of his years. 

In 1886 he was chosen judge of 
probate, and about this time he be- 
gan to show evidences of insanity, 
which was hereditary, and for a long 
time was of a mild form; his mind 
appeared to be sound, be was keen 
in business and well-balanced in 
judgment; yet upon one subject he 
was most grievously at fault; he 
thought — he was a single man — 
that Queen Victoria was his wife. 
Impressed with this idea he fitted 
up a suit of rooms in almost regal 
style for her which he never suffered 
to" be used, but kept in waiting with 
his table richly spread, a supply of 
dainty food fresh prepared each day. 
He was daily expecting her and went 
down to meet her when the stage 
came in; constantly disappointed he 
never abandoned the idea. 



At first he was rather reticent ex- 
cept with a few particular friends. 
He watched and waited, and at last 
to ease his disappointments took to 
alcoholic drinks and squandered his 
property, finally became wholly in- 
sane, was taken to Brattleboro and 
died there. 

TOWN CLERKS. 

Aaron Putnam 1780-84, Stephen 
Hayward 1785, 88, Amos Fisher 
1789, 1786, 95, 1801, 3, 6, 7, 

Henry Bond 1790, 94, John B. 
Wheeler 1802, 4, 5, Peter Whit- 
comb 1808-14, Rev. Wm. Good ell 
1815-20, David Bancroft 1821-22, 
•Art. Spring 1828-82, Benjamin H. 
Bridgman 1888-57, Charles Barrett 
1858 - 68 , Henry Foster 1869, N. H. 
Bixby 1869 , L. S. Walker 1891. 

Among the 

STATE AND COUNTY OFFICES 

held in town, we notice: 

John Barrett, state senator, two 
terms; P. W. Dean, state senator, 
three terms; Charles Barrett, state 
senator, two terms; Abishai Stod- 
dard (now a resident of Townshend), 
judge of probate, 21 years; David L. 
Putnam, judge of probate, two 
years; P. W. Dean, assistant county 
judge, 5 years; Francis Daniels, 
county commissioner. 

TOWN REPRESENTATIVES. 

Ebenezer Burgess 1786, William 
Sticknev 1787, 88, Charles Perkins 
1789, ifenry Bond 1790-92, Stephen 
Hayward 1791, Ezra Edson 1793, 
David Palmer 1794, 6, 7, Enos Lov- 
ell 1795, Amos Fisher 1796, 97, 
Thaddeus Taylor 1798-1800, 1, 2, 

8, 9, Wm. Hall, Jr., 1799, John B. 
Wheeler 1803, Enoch Hale 1804, 
5, Thos. K. Palmer 1810, John 
Barrett 1811, 12, 13, 14, 16, 19, 27, 
Nathan Wheeler 1815, 17, 18, 26, 
Barzillai Burgess 1820, 21, 2, 3, 
William Stickney, Jr., 1824, 5, 7, 8, 

9, 30, 1, 4, Erastus Burgess 1832, 
John Gibson 1833, 35, Ambrose 
Burgess, 1836, 7, 50, 51; Thomas 
Hill 1838, B. H. Bridgman 1839, 



GRAFTON. 



557 



40, 41, 47, Wm. Whitcomb 1842, 
43, Abishai Stoddard 1844, 5, ’6, J. 
L. Butterfield 1848, 49, 65, 66, 
Lewis S. Walker 1852, 3, Joseph 
Howard 1854, 5, Benj. W. Dean 
1856, 57, Francis Daniels 1858, 9, 
68, 4, Nathan H. Hall 1860, 
Charles Barrett 1861, 2, S. D. 
Oonant 1867, 8, Francis Phelps 
1869, Harlem Phelps, 1891. 

DELEGATES TO CONSTITUTIONAL 
CONVENTIONS. 

David Palmer 1791, Amos Fisher 
1793, Ebenezer Burgess, Jr. 1814, 
Wm. Stickney, Jr. 1822, 8, 36, B. 

H. Bridgman 1843, Abishai Stod- 
dard 1850, Henry Holmes, 1869-70. , 

MILITARY. 

SOLDIERS OF GRAFTON, 1861-1865. 

With the age of each, and his his- 
tory so far as known. Compiled 
from the Adjutant General's re- 
ports: 

Frank H. Amsden, 20, enlisted 
Aug. 24, 1863, 11th Vt., Co. G,‘ 
transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865. 
mustered out Aug. 25, 1865. 

Solon Amsden, 22, enlisted Oct. 1, 

1861, 1st SS, Co. F, discharged Feb. 
8, 1862. 

John H. Avres, 19, enlisted Oct. 
16, 1861, 2d SS, Co. H; died Oct. 3, 

1862. 

Frank J. Blood, 18, enlisted Dec. 

I, 1863, Cav. Co. K; missing in ac- 
tion, March 1, 1864. 

Albert H. Burgess, enlisted Oct. 
1, 1861, 2d SS. Co. H, corp., dis- 
charged Feb. 13, 1862. 

Ambrose H. Burgess, 21, enlisted 
Aug. 8, 1862, prom, corp., Feb. 
1865; mustered out June 24, 1865. 

James C. Butters, 18, enlisted 
Nov. 24, 1863, Cav. Co. C. 

Rufus J. Carver, 31, enlisted Sept. 
1861, Cav. Co. F; discharged June 
27, 1863. 

Myron G. Chapman, 18, enlisted 
March 22, 1862, 4th Vt., Co. F; 
killed at the Wilderness Mav 5, 
1864. 

John W. Curtis, 25, enlisted Oct. 



14, 1861, Cav. Co. F, blacksmith; 
re-enlisted Dec, 30,1803; transferred 
to Co. D, June 21, 1865; mustered 
out Aug. 9, 1865. 

Major S. Damon, 28, enlisted 
Feb. 27, 1862, 7th Vt., Co. G, prom. 
SergT, re-enlisted for Grafton, March 
4, 1864; discharged July 29, 1865 for 
wounds. 

George M. Davis, 23, enlisted 
Sept. 4, 1861, 4th Vt, Co. F, trans- 
ferred to Invalid corps, March 15, 
1864; mustered out Dec. 12, 1S64. 

John B. Davis, 28, enlisted Oct. 
13, 1861, 2d SS. Co. E, wagoner; 
discharged March 22, 1862. 

Geo. M. Dimond, 18, enlisted Oct. 
31, 1861, 2d SS. Co. H, prom. Corp.; 
mustered out Dec. 3L, 1864. 

Randolph Dodge, 23, enlisted Jan. 

8, 1862, 8th Vt,, Co. II; mustered 
out June 22, 1864. 

Nahum B, Dwinell, 19, enlisted 
Sept. 4, 1861, 4th Vt, Co. C, drum- 
mer, discharged May 1, 1862; re-en- 
listed Dec. 15, 1863; mustered out 
July 13, 1865. 

Silas 0. Dwinell, 19, enlisted 
Sept 29, 6th Vt, Co. E, prom. 
Sergt. re-enlisted Dec. 15, 1863; 
transferred to Co. K, Oct. 10, 1864; 
mustered out June 26, 1865. 

I Lewis H, Eastman, 18, enlisted 
Aug. 11, 1862, 11th Vt., Co. G; dis- 
charged July 4, 1863. 

Watson S. Eaton, 26, enlisted 
Aug. 9, 1862, 11th Vt., Co. G, Sergt. 
prom. 2d Lieut Dec. 28, 1863; dis- 
honorably discharged, Oct. 1, 1864. 

Lucius C. Edson, 26, enlisted Aug. 
11, 1862, 11th Vt, Co. G; discharg- 
ed Dec. 20, 1862, 

Jeremiah Falloon, 26, enlisted 
Dec. 17, 1863, 7th Vt, Co, B; re- 
enlisted for Grafton, Feb. 29, 1864; 
!prom. Corp. June 1, 1865; died 
(Sept, 13, 1865. 

John E.. Gates, 23, enlisted Dec. 

9, 1861, 8th Vt, Co, H; re-enlisted 
Jan. 5, 1864, and mustered out 
June 28, 1865. 

Orson G. Gibson, 18, enlisted Aug. 
11, 1862, 11th Vt, Co. G; killed at 
Cedar Creek, Oct 19, 1864. 

Fred J. R. Grout, 24, enlisted 



558 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Aug. 21, 1862, Cay. Co. F; died 
June 21, 1863. 

William Graves, 21, enlisted Nov. 
21, 1863, 6th Vt., Co. E; killed at 
the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. 

Amos Gould, 20, enlisted Aug. 22, 
1864, Cav. Co. E; transferred to Co. 

. A, June 21, 1865; mustered out 
Aug. 9, 1865. 

Orange S. Harris, 26, enlisted 
Sept, 2, 1861, 4th Vt., Co. F; mus- 
tered out Sept. 30, 1864. 

Albert L. Holland, 2d SS, Co. II. 

Don A. Houghton, 30, enlisted 
July 31, 1863; killed at Spottsyl- 
vania, May 12, 1864. 

Charles II. Howard, 18, enlisted 
Oct. 21, 1861, 2 SS. prom. Corp. j 
re-enlisted Dec. 21, 1863; prom. 
Sergt. March 12, 1864; killed 

at Petersburg, June, 1864. 

Ellery Howard, 19, enlisted Sept. 
7, 1861, 4th Vt., Co. K; re-enlisted 
Dec. 15, 1863; transferred to Co. D, 
Feb. 25, 1865; mustered out July 
13, 1865. 

Lucius S. Howe, 27, enlisted June 

I, 1861, 3d Vt. Co. A; mustered out 
July 27, 1864. 

Edward M. Knox, 20, enlisted 
Jan. 6, 1862, 7th Vt., Co. A, Corp; 
prom. Sergt; re-enlisted for Grafton, 
Feb. 29, 1864, prom. 1st Lieut. Oct. 
28, 1864, prom. Capt. Sept. 1, 1865; 
mustered out March 14, 1865. 

Benj. F. Littlefield, 25, enlisted 
June 1, 1861, 3d Vt., Co. A; dropped 
June 21, 1863. 

Geo. J. Miller, 25, enlisted Dec. 3, 
1861, Corp. 7th Vt., Co. C, re-en- 
listed for Grafton, Feb. 29, 1864, 
prom. Sergt. July 29, 1864; mustered 
out March 14, 1865. 

James Oakman Jr., 18, enlisted 
on Dec. 19, 1861, 7th Vt, Co. I, re- 
enlisted for Grafton, Feb. 29, 1864, 
prom. Corp. Dec. 13, 1864, Sergt 
May 1, 1865; mustered out March 
14/1865. 

Austin W. Park, 18, enlisted Aug. 

II, 1862, 11th Vt, Co. G; mustered 
out of service June 24, 1865. 

Leonard I. Park, 29, enlisted Aug. 
11, 1862, 11th Vt, Co. G, mustered 
out June 24, 1865. 



Isaac L, Park, 24, enlisted Sept 
23, 1861, 6th Vt, Co. E, transferred 
to Invalid Corps July 1, 1863; dis- 
charged Get. 15, 1864. 

Dan H. Perham, enlisted Aug. 18, 
1862, Cav. Co. F; killed in action 
June 29, 1864. 

Eldridge G. Meed, 18, enlisted Dec. 
14, 1861, 8th Vt., Co. H; discharged 
June 27, 1862. 

Augustus J. Robbins, 21, enlisted 
May 7, 1861, 2d Vt, Co. A, prom. 
2d Lieut. Co. D, Dec. 2, 1862. 

Eugene W. Robbins, 18, enlisted 
Dec. 23, 1863, 2d Vt., Co. C, mus- 
tered out July 15, 1865. 

Lucian A. Rogers, 24, enlisted 
I Dec. 1, 1861, 7th Vt., Co. H, Sergt. 
re-enlisted for Grafton, Feb. 29, 
1864, prom. 1st Lieut, July 13, 1865; 
mustered out March 14, 1865. 

Charles E. J. Ross, 21, enlisted 
Sept. 14, 1861, 4th Vt., Co, F. trans- 
ferred to Invalid Corps, Sept. 30, 
1863; discharged Jan. 19, 1865. 

G. B. Roundy, 20, enlisted Aug. 
21, 1862, Cav, Co. F; missing July 
13, 1863, supposed to have died at 
Richmond, Oct. 19, 1863. 

Charles C, Sherwin, 22, enlisted 
Sept. 11, 1861, 1st SS., Co. F, mu- 
sician; discharged Nov. 5, 1861. 

Harlan Sherwin, 22, enlisted June 
1, 1861, 3d Vt., Co. A; mustered out 
July 27, 1865. 

Erastus B, Tarbell, 30, enlisted 
June 1, 1861, 3d Vt., Co. A, Corp.; 
discharged Dec. 14, 1861. 

George M. Taylor, 22, enlisted 
Feb. 23, 1862, Cav. Co. F, bugler; 
missing in action June 1, 1864, pa- 
roled prisoner, mustered out, March 
17, 1865. 

George W. Walker, 25, enlisted 
Aug. 11, 1862, 11th Vt., Co. G, 
prom. Sergt. Dec. 27, 1863; mus- 
tered out June 24, 1865. 

Henry Willard, 17, enlisted Aug. 
9, 1862/llth Vt., Co. G; mustered 
out, June 25, 1865. 

John Wyman, 32, enlisted Aug. 
9, 1862, 11th Vt., Co. G; mustered 
out June 24, 1865. 

Loring Wyman, enlisted Oct. 21, 
1861, 2d SS., Co. H; transferred to 
Invalid Corps Sept. 1, 1863, 



WESTMINSTER 



BY RBY. F, J. FAIRBANKS. 



" The BeToIutionory War— 

Who, but the heroes of Vermont 
Were first to strike the blow? 

At Lexington and Bunker Hill, 

Before ft martyr bled. 

The first blood of that glorious war 
At Westminster was shed.” 

—Chaa. C7. Eastman. 



WESTMINSTER. 

In the south-eastern part of the Green 
Mountain State, four miles below Bel- 
lows Falls, on the west bank of the 
Connecticut River, lies the quiet, rural 
town of Westminster ; noted not less 
for its picturesque beauty, than for the 
stirring scenes in which it took an active 
part in the early history of the State. 

This township, embracing an area of 
6 miles square, has for its western 
boundary, Brookline and Athens, with 
Rockingham bn the north, and Putney 
on the south. It is divided into two 
parishes by a natural barrier, consisting 
of a ridge of hills, running diagonally 
through the town and forming a junc- 
tion with the Connecticut at Putney. 

The geographical features of the town 
are peculiar. The principal village, 
which lies in the eastern part, is sur- 
rounded by semicircular ranges of hills 
of moderate elevation, which, with the 
more gradual slope on the New Hamp- 
shire side, forms a vast amphitheatre, 
enclosing within its area the fertile 
meadows that lie spread out beneath, 
and the river of Connecticut that rolls 



between. Nature in this region has 
been somewhat lavish of her gifts. 
Aside from the natural fertility of the 
soil, the beauty of the scenery upon 
either side of the valley is such as to 
attract the attention of the most casual 
observer, and to the lover of nature, 
has charms that delight, but never tire. 

There are three ranges of hills run- 
ning through the township, parallel to 
each other and rising in gradual succes- 
sion, the western being the most elevated 
of the three, with considerable valleys 
between. The West Parish lies to the 
west of the first range, and mostly in 
the second valley, through which runs 
a small stream upon which is situated 
the village. The soil, though not as 
fertile as the alluvial plains along the 
Connecticut valley, is nevertheless valu- 
able for purposes of grazing and agri- 
culture, and yields to the husbandman 
a good return. 

THE GEOLOGICAL FORMATION 
of the eastern part of the township is 
clay slate, and of the western part, eal- 
ciferous mica schist, and in some locali- 
ties gneiss occurs. The meadows along 




2 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



562 



the river in the eastern part consist of 
a rich alluvial soil, resting upon a bed 
of clay. The second plain from the 
river bed consists of a light, sandy 
loam ; underneath this is a stratum of 
gravel, extending from 20 to 40 feet in 
depth, lying upon abed of blue clay from 
two to three feet thick, and this resting 
upon a bed of quicksand. This stra- 
tum of clay dips from the hills on the 
west to the river on the east, and deter- 
mines the depth at which in different 
localities water can be obtained for the 
supply of springs and wells. In some 
parts of this 

CLAY BED 

mineral waters, strongly impregnated 
with iron, are found. Several clay 
beds of excellent quality are found, 
some of which is said to be nearly as 
good as that at Bennington. There are 
also two beds of marl ; one in the west 
part, on the farm of Mr. towles, of 
some 15 acres, covered with a bed of 
muck from 15 to 20 feet thick and 
more. The other is in the east part, on 
the farm of Mr. 0. F. Peck. Both of 
these are said to be 

SHELL MARL, 

and the latter has not yet been noted in 
the Geology of Vermont ; nor are we 
aware that any shell marl has been 
described in Vermont, situated as far 
south. 

THE TERRACES 

at Westminster which contribute so 
much to the natural beauty of the loca- 
tion, are worthy of special mention 
here. These are supposed to have 
formed the river bed of the Connecticut 
at different periods. At Westminster 
village they are four in number and 
correspond with those upon the opposite 
side of the valley. The first, or low- 
est, is that which extends along the 
river bank, and forms the broad alluvial 



plain which is crossed by the Clipper 
Street,” The second extends about one 
mile each way, being somewhat nar- 
rowed at its lower end, is crossed by 
the u Lower Street,” and contains the 
central part of the village. Continu- 
ations of this terrace may be seen ex- 
itending north and south, but now 
separated from it, A portion of the 
third terrace forms the site of the new 
cemetery. 

The same plain is extended both 
north and south. The fourth may be 
seen on land of N. G. Pierce, east of 
the house. The elevation of these ter- 
races as ascertained by Prof. Hitch- 
cock in the geological survey of the 
State, is as follows ; The first is 24 
feet above the present river bed and 255 
feet above the sea ; the second is 94 
feet above the river ; the third, 139, 
and the fourth, 171. We find another 
series of terraces, nine in number, near 
the mouth of Saxton’s River, just below 
Bellows Falls. Their heights above 
the Connecticut are given as 26, 35, 34, 
38, 83, 117, 138, 161 and 226 feet, the 
lowest being 261, and the highest, 461 
feet above the sea* The second and 
third of these are what is called by 
geologists the glacis terrace and are 
said by Prof. Hitchcock to be the most 
perfect specimens found in Vermont. 
Their length is 14 and 16 rods, and 
their thickness 10 and 12 feet. 

Through the principal village, which 
is situated upon the two lower terraces, 
extends a broad and beautiful avenue 
some two miles in length and six rods 
in width, running nearly parallel with 
the river. This avenue, laid out in the 
time of George II., was originally 10 
rods wide, and was called 

THE KING’S HIGHWAY. 

Aside from its ordinary purposes it 
was set apart by the original proprie- 




563 



WESTMINSTER. 



3 



tors as a training field, for which it 
afforded ample accommodations. On 
either side may be seen the neat and 
commodious dwellings of the inhabi- 
tants, and among them some of revo- 
lutionary fame ; for instance, the old 
meeting house, erected one hundred 
years ago, and formerly stood in the 
middle of the Eng’s highway, u Nor- 
ton’s tavern,” with its gambrel-roof, 
upon the Upper Street, and “ Goold’s 
tavern,” on the Lower Street, the for- 
mer the rendezvous of the Tories, and 
the latter of the Whigs, in revolution- 
ary times. 



THE ORIGINAL GRANT 

UNDER MASSACHUSETTS. 

It appears from the original docu- 
ments,* that the tract of land nearly 
answering to the present territory of 
Westminster, was granted to certain 
petitioners from Taunton by The Great 
and General Court of Massachusetts, 
24 Nov., 173f, they having been ad- 
mitted as grantees on the 19th of the 
same month. 

In compliance with many petitions 
for grants of land on the Merrimae 
and Connecticut Rivers, it was ordered 
by the Great and General Court held 
at Boston, Jan. 15, 1735, that a care- 
ful survey be made of the lands between 
the Merrimack and Connecticut Rivers, 

* The volume containing the original records of 
the proprietors of Township No. 1, was discovered 
in 1848, by Mr. Timothy H. Hall, sheriff of Wind- 
ham county, while examining the Cheshire county 
records at Keene, N. H. On giving bonds for the 
safe keeping of this volume, he was permitted to 
take it home with him. The people of West- 
minster voted $20 to procure a facsimile copy, to 
preserve these records from oblivion. The original 
volume was afterward presented to the town of 
Westminster by the judges of the Cheshire County 
Court. The hand writing is of rare beauty, the 
cover of parchment, and the whole in an excellent 
state of preservation. The volume also contains 
the records of the original grantees of Winchester, 
Westmoreland and Claremont. 



from the northwest corner of Rumford 
on the Merrimack to the Great Falls on 
the Connecticut, of 12 miles at the least 
in breadth ; this tract to be divided into 
as many townships of 6 miles square as 
the land in breadth would allow of. 
Also the land on the west side of the 
Connecticut, from said Falls to the 
“ Equivalent Land,” so called, to be 
divided into one or two townships of 6 
miles square if the same would allow. 

A committee of eleven were appointed 
for this purpose and empowered to em- 
ploy surveyors and chainmen to assist 
them in surveying and laying out the 
townships, the province to bear the 
charge and be repaid by the grantees 
who should be admitted. This com- 
mittee were also empowered to admit 
60 settlers in each township, and re- 
quire them to give bonds to the value of 
£40 each for the performance of the 
conditions of their grant. 

CONDITIONS OF THE GRANT. 

Persons who had not received grants 
of land within the space of 7 years last 
past could be admitted as grantees. In 
case a sufficient number of this class 
did not appear others could be admitted 
who had received grants elsewhere, pro- 
vided they had fulfilled the conditions 
of their former grant. 

Each grantee was to 

u Build a dwelling house of eighteen 
feet square, and seven feet stud, at the 
least, on their respective Home Lots, 
and fence in or break up for plowing, 
or clear and stock five acres with En- 
glish grass within three years next after 
their admittance, and cause their res- 
pective Lots to be inhabited ; and that 
the Grantees do within the space of 
three years from the time of their being 
admitted, build and finish a convenient 
Meeting House for the Publick Wor- 
ship of GOD, and settle a learned 
Orthodox Minister.” 

The committee were also 




4 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE: 



564 



“To take care that there be sixty- 
three House Lots laid out in as regular, 
compact, and defensible a manner as 
possible ; one of which lots shall be for 
the First Settled Minister , one for the 
Second Settled Minister, and one for 
the School.” 

In accordance with the foregoing pro- 
visions 28 townships were laid out be- 
tween the Merrimack and- Connecticut 
Rivers, and on the west side of Con- 
necticut River, Township No. 1, now 
Westminster, was granted to a number 
of persons from Taunton, Norton, and 
Easton, Mass., and from Ashford and 
Killingly, Ct. 

GRANTEES. 

The names of those who were ad- 
mitted as grantees were : Joseph Tis- 
dale, Samuel Sumner, Benjamin Rug- 
gles, James Williams, Thomas Clapp, 
Eliphalet Leonard, Seth Staples, Seth 
Sumner, James Leonard, Morgan Cobb 
2d, Edmond Andrews, John Harvey, 
James Leonard 3d, Edward Blake, 
Joseph Willis, Eliakim Walker, Josiah 
Lincoln, Jonathan Paddleford, jun., 
Joseph Barney, John Smith 2d, Joseph 
Wilbore, Jonathan Barney, Ebenezer 
Dean, James Walker, Ebenezer Smith, 
Joseph Eddy, James Leonard 2d, Jo- 
seph Tisdale, jun., James Walker, jr., 
Ezra Dean, Ephraim Dean, William 
Ware, Ebenezer Cobb, Israel Tisdale. 

A copy of the order of the General 
Court for the first meeting of the gran- 
tees of township No. 1 ; 

“ At a Great and General Court held 
in Boston, the Twenty-Fourth Day of 
November, One Thousand Seven Hun- 
dred and Thirty-Six,* the following 
vote passed the Two Houses, and was 
consented to by the Governour, viz. : 

* There is a discrepancy in the records betwoen 
this and subsequent dates. The first meeting of 
the grantees, which must have occurred after the 
grant was made, was in Jan., 1736, and there are 
records of two other meetings of the proprietors 
during this same year, from which we infer that 
the grant must have been made November, 1736. 



Voted : That Mr. Joseph Tisdale of 
Taunton, be, and hereby is impowered 
to assemble the Grantees of the Town- 
ship No. 1, on the west side of the 
Connecticut River, adjoining to the 
Equivalent Land, so called, giving 
timely notice to the said grantees ad- 
mitted into the said township by the 
committee of their court, and to meet 
in Taunton where they live, in order to 
ehuse a Moderator and Proprietor’s 
Clerk, and Committee to allot and divide 
their Lands, and to dispose of the same, 
and to pass such votes and orders as by 
them may be thought conducive for the 
speedy fulfillment of the conditions of 
their Grants. And also to agree Upon 
Methods for calling of Meetings for the 
future.” 

It thus appears that Westminster, 
then known as Township No. 1, or, as 
it was sometimes called, 

NEW TAUNTON, 

in honor of the residence of the greater 
number of the grantees, was the first 
township granted in the State of Ver- 
mont, although the charter of the pre- 
sent W estminster , received from the 
government of New Hampshire, bears 
the date 9 Nov., 1752, being the third 
town chartered in the State, Bennington 
and Halifax having received theirs a few 
years before. 

THE FIRST MEETING OF THE GRANTEES 

was held at the school house in Taun- 
ton, 14 Jan., 1736. A committee of 
six was appointed who should repair to 
Township No. 1, and lay out 63 house 
lots according to the direction of the 
General Court ; each lot not to exceed 
50 acres, nor less than 10, and to pro- 
portion the same according to quality, 
that each lot might be of equal value. 
They were also to select a suitable 
place for the meeting-house and lay out 
a convenient road or roads through the 
town, and also lay out a convenient 
training-field and burying-place, near 




565 



WESTMINSTER* 



5 



the meeting-house plat, and also lay out 
a convenient place (if any there he) 
near to or within said house lots,, for a 
saw -mill and a grist-mill. 

The interval lands were also to he laid 
out into 63 lots, according to quality ; 
each proprietor to pay for one whole 
right (i. e., one house lot and one in- 
terval lot) the sum of 30 shillings to 
defray the cost of the allotment of the 
lands. These lots, one of each kind, 
were, 26 Sept*, 1737, assigned to the 
grantees, each person receiving as many 
rights as he had given bonds for and 
paid. charges. Proposals were also re- 
ceived for building a saw-mill and a 
grist-mill. We have not been able to 
determine the location of this mill. 
There were two streams afterwards 
called “ Mill brooks,” one north of the 
street, now known as u Governor’s 
Brook,” and one south, known as the 
4 4 Underwood Brook,” It is not certain 
that the grist mill was built at that 
time. The oldest inhabitants say that 
their grandfathers used to go to North- 
field to mill. 

The grist mill was undertaken by 
several of the proprietors and, as ap- 
pears from the records of a meeting 
held 8 July, 1740, had been completed 
at that time, and measures were taken 
to open a road to it, for which purpose 
£30 were appropriated. The commit- 
tee to take the matter into consideration 
were of the opinion 

4 4 That the ten rods highway be 
cleared and made passable from the four 
rods highway that is between the 47th 
and 48th lots southward to said saw 
mill ; and so over as far as can be done 
with the thirty pounds.” 

The 48th house lot is the one which 
Joseph Tisdale sold to Richard Ellis, 
and which was drawn to the 45th orig- 
inal right. 

On the 28 May, 1739, a sum to the 
amount of £240 was appropriated for 



the encouragement of the first settlers, 
one half to be paid to such of the pro- 
prietors as should actually repair to No. 
1 during that year and build a dwelling 
house on his lot according to court act, 
and by June 15, 1740, fence in and 
break up for plowing, or dear and stock 
with English grass, 5 acres of land. 
The remaining half to be paid to such 
as should actually inhabit their houses, 
either by themselves or some other 
Christian subject to the King, for the 
space of three months from 15 June, 
1740, each one to draw his proportion 
according to the number of houses he 
should have inhabited at the end of that 
time. 

It appears from the records that one 

RICHARD ELLIS 

did repair to Township No. 1 in 1739, 
built a dwelling house, broke up 5 or 6 
acres of land, and received for his ser- 
vices a gratuity of £45. Several 
others were, during this and the next 
year, engaged in laying out roads and 
building fences and received gratuities 
for their services. The proprietors had 
in project other improvements, such as 
the laying out of lands not already ap- 
propriated and the construction of a 
road to Fort Bummer, when on the 5th 
of March, 1740, the northern boundary 
line of Massachusetts was fixed, which 
excluded Township No. 1 from that 
province. 

LAST PROPRIETOR’S MEETING- AT 
TAUNTON. 

At a meeting of the proprietors held 
at the school house in Taunton, Apr. 
5, 1742, Joseph Eddy was appointed 
agent to wait on the committee of the 
General Court to whom they gave bonds 
for the settlement of the township, to 
acquaint them with their difficulties and 
the labor and money they had expended 



6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



566 



in settling tlieir grant, and to receive 
such directions as might be of service 
to them in securing their rights under 
the jurisdiction of New Hampshire. 
This appears to have been the last 
meeting of the proprietors under the 
jurisdiction of Massachusetts, and the 
settlement was probably abandoned on 
the breaking out of Cape Breton War. 

In the opening of 1751, 

JOHN AVERILL, 

with his wife and son, Asa, removed 
from Noithfield, Mass., to No. 1, at 
which time there were but two bouses 
in the place ; one on the top and the 
other at the foot of Willard's or Clapp’s 
hill, at the southern extremity of the 
10 rods highway. The latter, which 
was unoccupied, was probably the one 
built, by Mr. Ellis and his son in 1739. 
Mr. Averill moved into the one on the 
top of the hill, which had been occu- 
pied by four men, one woman and I wo 
children. The men were William 
Gould and his son, John, Amos Car- 
penter, and Atherton Chafiee. Two of 
these, Gould and Carpenter, removed 
their families from Northfield to No. 1 
during the summer of the same year. 
The first child born in Westminster was 
Anna Averill, in the autumn of 1751. 

WESTMINSTER UNDER NEW HAMPSHIRE 
CHARTER, 

9 Nov., 1752. 

Proprietors : Josiah Willard for 

and in behalf of Samuel Greeley, Jas. 
Hills, John Hunt, Benjamin Far well, 
Robert Usher, Samuel Cummings, 
Josiah BrowD, Peter Powers, John 
Chamberlain, Jonathan Cummings, 
John Usher. Robert Fletcher, Jonathan 
Cummings, jun., Jonathan Willard, 
Prentice Willard, Solomon Willard, 
Ebenezer Field, John Pierce, Nathaniel 
Mattoon, Wm. Wilson, John Taylor, 



Jonathan Hubbard, James Jewel, Jos. 
Ashley, Sam’l Ashley, Josiah Willard, 
jun.,* William Willard, Billy Willard, 
Ephrahim Dean, Wilder Willard, 
Jethro Wheeler, John Averill, Michael 
Gilson . 

On the 9th Nov., 1752, township 
No. 1 was re-chartered by Governor 
Benning Wentworth, of New Hamp- 
shire, and its name changed to 
Westminster. 

Under this charter the township was 
entitled to the privilege of holding town 
fairs as soon as there should be 50 
families resident and settled. It was 
also provided that a town market should 
be opened and kept one or more days 
each week, as might be most advan- 
tageous to the inhabitants. 

The conditions of this grant were 
that every grantee should plant or cul- 
tivate 5 acres of land within 5 years 
for every 50 acres contained in his share, 
and continue to improve and settle the 
same by additional cultivation on pen- 
alty of the forfeiture of his grant. 

A reservation was also made of all 
white and other pine trees fit for mast- 
ing the royal navy. 

A reservation was also made of a 
tract of land as near the center of the 
township as the land would admit, for 
town lots (this reservation to be made 
before any further division of land) ; 
one of these lots to be divided among 
the grantees, each receiving one acre 
and paying for it one ear of Indian 
corn on the first day of January each 
year for 10 years, if lawfully demanded, 
and after that a revenue of one shilling 
a year for every 100 acres he owned. 

The first meeting of the grantees was 
held at Winchester, at the house of 
Josiah Willard, 22 Aug., 1753, and 
met by several adjournments at Fort 
Dummer, 29 Oct. of the same year. 



567 



WESTMINSTER. 



i 



It was decided at this latter meeting 
that those proprietors who had pur- 
chased rights according to the Massa- 
chusetts grant, and now held those 
rights, should have their house lots and 
first division meadow lots where they 
had them before, and have the liberty 
of taking them without a draft, and 
that the rest of the house lots and 
meadow lots be drawn for, and that 
there be six house lots and six meadow 
lots laid out, the house lots to contain 
1 5 acres each and the meadow lots not 
above 4 acres each, after which there 
should be a second division of all the 
meadow land in the township, and also 
a division of upland, each to be divided 
equally into 69 lots, the upland not to 
contain less than 50 acres to each pro- 
prietor. It was also voted to lay out 
the Governor's two shares at the npper 
end of the township (now known as 
the “Church Meadow”), and to lay 
out the whole of the share belonging to 
the glebe or Church of Engl ah d in some 
suitable place, and the share for the 
Incorporated Society where the com- 
mittee should think best. The records 
contain no account of any further meet- 
ing of the proprietors for more than 7 
years. 

INDIAN ALARMS. 

The year of 1753 had been one of 
comparative quiet. During the latter 
part of the summer of the following 
year the Indians began their incursions 
on several of the settlements of New 
Hampshire. Mr. Johnson and family 
were taken captive at Charlestown, 
“No. 4,” and carried to Canada. This 
alarmed the inhabitants of Westminster, 
who were few in number and poorly 
protected, and they removed to Walpole 
where they remained until October, and 
then returned. In the spring Mr. 
Averill and family removed to Putney, 



and the settlement was for a time 
abandoned. 

On the 11th June, 1760, Col. Josiah 
Willard, jun., obtained a renewal of 
the charter of Westminster and called 
a meeting of the proprietors, which 
was held Feb. 4, 1761, at the house of 
John Averill, in Westminster, of which 
Benjamin Bellows, of Walpole, was 
moderator. Measures were taken for 
an allotment of the lands, and prepara- 
tions made for a permanent settlement. 

GRANTEES OF THE RENEWED CHARTER. 

The names of the proprietors at the 
time of the renewal of the charter, 11 
June , 1760, were : 

1 . John Hulbert ; 2. Josiah Willard ; 
3. William Willard; 4. Valentine 
Butler ; 5. Joseph Alexander ; 6. 

Nathan Willard ; 7. Susannah Gilson ; 
8. Oliver Willard; 9. John Arms; 
10. Wilder Willard ; 11. John Moor ; 
12. John Moor, jun. ; 13. Daniel 

Whitmore ; 14. William Willard, jun. ; 
15, Prentice Willard; 16. Ephraim 
Dean; 17. Elijah Cady; 18. Asa 
Douglass ; 19. Samuel Ashley ; 20, 
John Alexander ; 21. Samuel Greeley ; 
22. Jethro Wheeler; 23* Jonathan 
Thayer ; 24. Joshua Wells ; 25, 

Submit Foster; 26.* Nathan Willard, 
jun. ; Joseph Hubbard ; 28. Joseph 
Ashley; 29. Nathaniel Mattoon ; 30, 
John Hunt ; 31. John Taylor ; 32. 
John Pierce ; 34. Andrew Gardner, 
jun.; 35. Jas. Jewel; 36. Manasseh 
Divol ; 37. Simon Hunt; 38. Wui. 
Wilson ; 39. John Arms, jun. ; 40. 
Solomon Willard ; 41. Ebenezer Field ; 
42. Samuel Allen ; 43 Billy Willard ; 
44. Caleb How ; 45, Jonathan 

Hubbard ; 46. Jas, Hills ; 47. Josiah 
Willard, jun, ; 48. Benjamin Farwell ; 
49, Samuel Cummings ; 50. Josiah 
Brown; 51. Peter Powers ; 52, Robt. 
Fletcher, jun. ; 53. Timothy Leatherby ; 




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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



568 



54. Minister ; 55. Henry Sherborn ; 
56. Sam’l Smith ; 57. John Downing ; 
58. Samson Sheaff; 59, Jonathan 
Willard. 

In addition to these 59 shares there 
were 14 shares set off at the northern 
part of the township, two to His Excel- 
lency Renning Wentworth, and one 
each to John Wentworth, Robt, Usher, 
Jno, Chamberlain, Jonathan Cummings, 
John Usher, Jonathan Cummings, jun., 
David Stearns, Byfield Lloyd, Richard 
Wibird, and Theodore Atkinson, One 
share for a glebe for the Church of 
England, and another for the benefit of 
the Incorporated Society for the Pro- 
pagation of the Gospel. 

At a meeting held May 6, 1761, cer- 
tain valuable lands — 50 acres on the 
Mill Brook and some 60 acres at the 
lower end of the Governor's meadow — 
were voted to Col. Willard for en- 
couragement to build a saw-mill and ; 
grist-mill. The conditions upon which 
he was to receive these lands is thus 
expressed in the original records under 
Massachusetts : 

u Provided he shall Build a Good 
Saw Mill and Grist Mill in s d Town 
and saw and grind at the usual Price 
of Sawing at the Neighboring Mill, and 
Grind Likewise at the same Toll Taken 
at the Neighbouring, Mills. The Saw 
Mill to be built by the first Day of 
October next, and the Grist Mill in two 
years if the Town shall Desire the 
same, and keep the said Mills in Re- 
pair ten years or longer, or Deliver up 
s d stream for the use of the s d Proprie- 
tors after y e ten years, if he Refuse to 
Continue to Keep s d Mills in Repair. 
And it is to be understood that if the 
stream that is in s d land be not suffi- 
cient for Constant Water for a Mill, 
then the said Town is to Provide a 
Stream for s d Mill to be built upon, and 
Land for the convenieney of building 
s d Grist Mill on, or the said Willard to 
be Exempted from building s d Grist 
Mill.” 



Liberty was also given for a town 
way through each lot if needed, also 
for a proprietor’s road through the 
Governor’s Meadow, so called, and also 
through the Lower Meadow. A tax 
of 10s. was laid on each right, to defray 
the expense ot surveying and laying 
out the township, also one of 8d. on 
each right to pay Col. Josiah Willard 
for services in getting the charter re- 
newed ; also one of 20s. on each right 
to be worked out on the roads at 2s. 6d. 
per day until the first of .September, 
and 2s. per day from that time till the 
last of December, “ a Team of four 
Cattle to be equal to a man’s Day’s 
work.” 

Willliam Willard, Michael Gilson, 
Bildad Andros, Atherton Chaffee, and 
John Pettey were chosen a committee 
to lay out roads aud make the same. 

The town records for the next 20 
years, except certain records of deeds, 
have not been preserved. 

It appears, however, from other 
sources, that Westminster enjoyed a 
good degree of prosperity, attracting 
settlers from the older provinces, and 
that before the close of 1766, there 
were upwards of 50 families in the 
place, and according to the census 
ordered by the Governor of New York 
in 1771, it was the most populous town 
in this part of the province, the whole 
number of residents being 478. 

THE BOUNDARY CONTROVERSY. 

In the year 1763, there arose a con- 
troversy between the Governors of New 
Hampshire and New York, each claim- 
ing the lands lying on the west side of 
the Connecticut River. Neither of the 
parties being disposed to yield, the sub- 
ject was referred to the decision of the 
King, who, by an order dated 20 July, 
1764, declared “the western banks of 
the river Connecticut, from where it 




569 



WESTMINSTER. 



9 



enters the province of Massachusetts 
Bay , as far north as the 45th degree of 
northern latitude, to be the boundary 
line between the said* two provinces of 
New Hampshire and New York. 0 

In accordance with this decision 
Westminster came uuder the jurisdic- 
tion of New York. On the 26th Mar. 
1772, a new charter was issued by the 
G-overnor of New York to certain 
grantees who conveyed to Col. Josiab 
Willard, then of Winchester, N. IL* 
and he executed releases to such of the 
former proprietors, or their assigns, as 
chose to take titles under the new 
authority. 

Under this charter the government 
reserved for its own use the two rights 
appropriated to the Governor of New 
Hampshire, together with all mines of 
gold, and all pine trees fit for masts, 20 
inches in diameter at one foot from the 
earth. Also a revenue of 2s. fid. for 
every 100 acres granted, to be paid on 
44 Lady Day, or the Day of the Feast 
of the Annunciation of the Blessed 
Virgin Mary.” 

The grantees, or their assigns, were 
required to settle on the tract of land | 
granted them within 3 years from the ; 
time of the grant to the number of one ! 
family for every thousand acres granted, 
and plant and cultivate within 3 years 
3 acres for every 50 acres granted, if 
capable of cultivation. 

We approach now that stormy period 
in the history of the American colonies 1 
which immediately preceded the Bevo - 1 
tution. In the exciting scenes of that 
period the settlers of the New Hamp- 
shire grants have a conspicuous part. | 

In 1772 the coarts of Cumberland 
county, in the province of New York 
(which county embraced nearly the 
same territory as the present counties 
of Windham and Windsor) , were re- 



moved from Chester to Westminster. 
Here was soon to be witnessed the first 
grand uprising of the people of what is 
now known as the Green Mountain 
State, in resistance to the authority of 
the government of Great Britain ; and 
here was to flow the first blood, at least 
in the State of Vermont, in the cause 
of American Independence. 

THE REVOLUTIONARY PROCEEDINGS 
which we are about to relate were but 
the exponent of those feelings occa- 
sioned by the course of the mother 
country towards the colonies, whose 
rule had become too oppressive to be 
any longer endured. 

In the early part of 1774, Isaac 
Low, chairman of a committee of cor- 
respondence in the city of New York, 
to ascertain the feelings of the people 
of the colony with regard to the usur- 
pations of Great Britain, wrote to the 
supervisors of Cumberland county in 
May to ascertain what measures the 
people would be likely to adopt in the 
present crisis. At their meeting in 
June the supervisors took no action* 
upon this letter, and for some reason 
the knowledge of it was kept from the 
people. The secret, however, became 
known to Dr. Beuben Jones, of Buck- 
ingham, and Capt. Azariah W right, of 
Westminster, who communicated it to 
the inhabitants of their respective 
towns. 

Meetings were then called in these 
towns arid a committee chosen to wait 
upon the supervisors at their meeting in 
September, and ascertain if such a let- 
ter had been received by them, and 
why it had not been laid before the 
people of the county, “They made 
many excuses/ 5 says Dr. Jones. “Some 
plead ignorance, and some one thing 
and some another, but the most of them 
did seem to think that they could send 



10 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



570 



a return to the committee at New 
York without ever laving them before 
their constituents, which principle at 
this day so much prevails, that it is the 
undoing of the people.” 

The committees, however, would not 
give their consent to have any return 
made until Mr. Louis* letter had been 
laid before every town in the county. 

Accordingly a convention was called 
to meet at the ’■‘County Hall,” at West- 
minster, on the 19th of Oct., which 
held a session of two days. Here it 
was resolved 

44 That as true and loyal subjects of 
the King, they would spend their lives 
and fortunes in his service ; and that 
they would defend the King while he 
reigned over them, as his subjects, so 
they would defend their just rights, as 
British subjects, against every foreign 
power that should attempt to deprive 
them of those rights, while breath was 
in their nostrils and blood in* their 
veins.” 

On the 5th of Sept, a Continental 
Congress was convened at Philadelphia 
to adopt measures against the usurpa- 
tion of royal authority in the colonies. 
This was followed by a second conven- 
tion at Westminster, on the 30th of 
November, which adopted all the re- 
solves of the Continental Congress and 
the delegates bound themselves, as 
representatives of their constituents, 

4 4 religiously to adhere to the non- 
importation, non-consumption, and non- 
exportation association.” 

On the 7th of Feb., 1775, a third 
convention was held at Westminster, 
whose main object was to obtain, if 
possible, from the legislature of New 
York, the passage of such laws as 
would tend to improve the mode of ad- 
ministering justice in the county courts. 
Their special cause of grievance was 
the 44 great expense and heavy bnrdens ” 
imposed upon them by reason of the 



additional courts that had been estab- 
lished, in consequence of which law- 
suits had increased and charges had 
been multiplied tod families nearly 
beggared. 

The 4 4 acts and resolves” of the Con- 
tinental Congress which had been 
adopted by the people of Cumberland 
county in open convention, had how- 
ever been rejected by the General 
Assembly of New York. And while 
in the other colonies the meeting of the 
Continental Congress had been followed 
by an almost universal suspension of 
royal authority, the higher civil officers 
in the colony of New York remained 
loyal to the King, and the courts still 
continued to be held, but being admin- 
istered- in the interests of the crown 
they were so oppressive as to he almost 
insufferable on the part of those who 
had espoused the liberal cause. And 
those who expressed their dissatisfac- 
tion were denounced as 4 4 guilty of high 
treason,” for with-holding their alle- 
giance from the King. 

The people were no longer willing to 
trust themselves in the hands of those 
whom they regarded as enemies of 
American liberty. And 44 in duty to 
God, to themselves, and to their pos- 
terity, they thought themselves under 
the strongest obligations to resist and 
to oppose all authority that would not 
accede to the resolves of the Continen- 
tal Congress.” 

Such was the state of feeling which 
led to that memorable event in the his- 
tory of this town, known as 

4 4 THE WESTMINSTER MASSACRE,** 
which occurred on the 13th of Mar. 
1775. The scene of this event was the 
44 Old Court House,*’ which stood at 
the extreme north end of the Lower 
Street, on the east side of the road on 
the spot now known as 44 Court House 



571 



WESTMINSTER. 



11 



Hill,” but a short distance from the 
meeting-house which then occupied the 
middle of the highway. This building 
was erected in 1772, at which time the 
courts of Cumberland county were re- 
moved from this place to Chester. 

The following description we append 
from Hall’s Eastern Vermont, where 
an engraving of the 44 Old Court 
House ” can be seen : 

44 In shape it was almost square, the 
sides being about forty feet in length, 
and was built of hewn timber, clap- 
boarded. The roof was gambrel, sur- 
mounted by a cupola or tower, open at 
the four sides. An aisle, ten or twelve 
feet in width, ran east and west, 
through the middle of the lower story. 

A double door was placed at each end 
of the aisle, or in other words, two 
doors opening either way from a center 
fastening. In accordance with a cus- 
tom of the times, the building was in- 
tended to afford some of the conven- 
iences of a tavern. In the southeast 
corner was a kitchen, or cook-room, 
occupied by the jailer, and in the south- 
west corner a bar-room, in which the 
jailer served in the capacity of bar- 
tender. The chimney rose between 
these rooms, and opened into each in 
shape of a large, old-fashioned Are 
place. Another door was cut in the 
south side of the building leading into 
an entry, on either side of which were 
doors to the kitchen and bar-room. 

In the north part was a jail, which 
comprised within its limits two prison - 
rooms, divided, the # one from the other 
by a narrow aisle running north and 
south. This aisle communicated with 
the broad aisle, by a door. Doors also 
opened from the prison rooms into the 
narrow aisle. A flight of stairs led 
from the last entrance to the court- 
room in the second story, which did not 
differ materially from the court-rooms 
of the present day in its arrangement.” 

The courts were held there until 
1781, when Westminster and Marl- 
borough became half shire towns, until 
1787, when New Fane became the 
county town and a new court-house and 



jail were erected there. The old court- 
house in Westminster stood till about 
the year 1806. 

The 14th of March, 1775, was the 
day on which the county court was to 
commence at Westminster. To avoid 
all rashness and unnecessary collision 
with the Court party, it was thought 
best to request the judges to remain at 
home. For this purpose 44 about forty 
good, time men,” went from Rocking- 
ham to Chester to dissuade Col. Chand- 
ler, the chief judge, from attending 
court. He 44 thought it would be for 
the good of the country not to hold any 
court, as things were ; but there was 
one case of murder that they must see 
to, and if it was not agreeable to the 
people they would not hear any other 
case.” Some one said that a the sheriff 
would raise a number of men, and 
there would Be blood shed.” The judge 
assured them upon his word and honor 
that there would be no arms brought 
against them. 

Noah Sabin, one of the associate 
judges, 44 was very earnest to have the 
law go on, as well as many petty offi- 
cers. Col. Wells, the other associate 
judge, was absent, in attendance upon 
the General Assembly at New York. 

There was much debate among the 
Whigs as to what means they would 
adopt to prevent the sitting of the 
Court. It was at length agreed to let 
the Court come together and Aen pre- 
sent their reasons for not wishing it to 
proceed. But upon learning that the 
Court was to take possession of the 
house on the 13th inst., and place a 
strong guard at the doors, they thought 
best to effect an entrance 44 before the 
armed guards were placed,” that they 
might lay before the Court their griev- 
ances before it opened. 

On Monday, March 13, a party of 
Whigs from Rockingham came down to 




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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



572 



Westminster and halted at the house of 
Capt. Azariah Wright, and repaired 
from thence to the school-house on the 
opposite side of the street, and held 
consultation as to the best manner to 
prevent the sitting of the Court. 

Having armed themselves with sticks 
from Capt. Wright's wood-pile, they 
proceeded on their way, and were joined 
by others armed like themselves, and 
on arriving at the court- house, the whole 
party, to the number of about one hun- 
dred, entered about 4 o'clock in the 
afternoon. 

Soon after this, the High Sheriff, Wm. 
Paterson, who had on the day previous 
gone to Brattleborough to obtain assist- 
ance in preserving the peace, came up 
with a large number of men, some of 
them u armed with guns, swords and 
pistols, and others with sticks or clubs.” 

Approaching within abdut 5 yards of 
the door, the Sheriff commanded the 
“ rioters,” as they were called, to dis- 
perse, but obtained no answer. He then 
ordered the u Ring’s proclamation ” to 
be read, and told them, with an oath, 
if they did not disperse within fifteen 
minutes, he would “blow a lane through 
them.” The Whigs replied, they would 
not disperse, but the Sheriff and his 
company might come in if they would 
lay aside their arms, but not without. 

One of the party within advanced to 
the door and asked the Tories if they 
had “ c£me for war,” saying u we are 
come for peace, and would be glad to 
hold a parley with you.” Whereupon 
Samuel Gale, Clerk of the Court, drew 
a pistol, and replied with an oath, he 
would hold no parley with them but by 
this — referring to his pistol. 

The Tories then withdrew a short 
distance after some pretty harsh lan- 
guage, and held a consultation, and the 
Whigs sent out three men to treat with 
them, but with no avail. 



About 7 o’clock Col. Chandler came 
in and they laid the case before him, 
reminding him of his promise that no 
arms should be brought against them. 
He said the arms were brought without 
his consent, but he would go and take 
them away, and they should enjoy the 
house undisturbed until morning, and 
that the Court should then come in with- 
out arms, and would hear what they 
had to lay before them. Having given 
them this assurance, he departed. The 
Whigs then left the house and chose a 
committee to draw up a list of articles 
to present to the Court, which was 
unanimously adopted by the company. 
Some of them then went home, and 
some to the neighbors, having left a 
guard at the court-house to give the 
alarm in case of an attack during the 
I night. 

Meanwhile the sheriff had sent word 
to all the Tories in the ueighborhood to 
come to his assistance. They met 
for consultation at Norton’s tavern,* 
whence they proceeded in small parties 
to the court-house a little before mid- 
night. Their approach was discovered 
by the sentry, who gave order to “ man 
the doors.” * 

The sheriff marched his company 
within about 10 rods of the court-house, 
and advancing towards the door, de- 
manded entrance in tils Majesty’s name. 
Seeing his demand was not regarded he 
told them he should enter quietly if he 
could, or by force if he must. Being 

* This tavern, which was at that time the 
Eoyal inn of the village, is supposed to have 
been built as early as the year 1770 ; it is a large 
two-story house, with gambrel roof, stands on 
the west side of the street, about a mile north 
of Court-house hill, and is now occupied as a 
dwelling-house- John Norton, for many years 
its owner, was of Irish Scotch descent, a man 
of wealth and influence, and was generally re- 
garded as a Tory. The family name in Ireland 
was McNaughton- Wh^ John removed to 
Westminster he omitted the prefix, and 
changed the spelling of the name to Norton, 




573 

twice repulsed in attempting to effect an 
entrance, he then ordered his men to 
fire. 

Three shots were fired which passed 
over the heads of those within. The 
order was then repeated and several 
men were wounded ; one, Wm. French, 
was shot with five bullets, one ot which 
passed through his brain, of which 
wound he died the next day. 

“ Then,” we quote the words of an 
eye-witness, “ they rushed in with their 
guns, swords, and clubs, and did most 
cruelly maim several more, and took 
some that were not wounded, and those 
that were, and crowded them all into 
close prison together, and then told them 
they should be in hell before the next 
night, and that they did wish that there 
were forty more in the same case with 
that dying man. When they put him 
into prison, they took and dragged him 
as one would a dog, and would mock 
him as he lay gasping, and make sport 
for themselves at his dying motions,” 

In this bloody affray, two of the 
sheriff’s party received slight flesh 
wounds, and of the Whig party some 
escaped, ten were wounded, two ot 
them mortally, and seven were, taken 
prisoners. 

Tuesday morning, the 14th, all was 
confusion. At the appointed hour the 
court convened and prepared a state- 
ment of the facts, “ exactly as they 
happened,” in the u very melancholy 
and unhappy affair,” that had occurred 
during the night. It was thought best 
not to proceed with business, and an 
adjournment was made to the second 
Tuesday in June. That session has 
never been held. 

Meanwhile messengeis had been dis- 
patched in all directions and the tidings 
quickly spread. By noon of the next 
day more than 400 hundred persons had 
assembled at Westminster, about half 



13 

of whom were from New Hampshire ; 
Capt. Benjamin Bellows came with his 
company from Walpole, and Capt/ 
Sargent with his from Rockingham, 
another with an organized band from 
Guilford, and the Westminster militia 
were in full force under Capt. Azariah 
Wright. 

The prisoners who had been confined 
the night previous were soon set at lib- 
erty, and before night the judges with 
their assistants, the sheriff and such of 
his party as were engaged in the mas- 
sacre as could be taken, were put under 
arrest. 

It was with difficulty that the en- 
raged populace were restrained from 
doing acts of violence. Some demanded 
that the judges should be brought forth 
and make satisfactory acknowledg- 
ments ; and some threatened to burn 
the court-house and shoot every man 
engaged in the massacre of the previous 
night. Through the influence of Capt. 
Bellows they were dissuaded from car- 
rying their threats into execution. 

The morning of the 15th witnessed a 
renewal of the scenes of the preceding 
day. An inquest was held on the body 
of young French, and the sheriff and 
those of his party imprisoned with him 
were placed in close confinement. 

During the day reinforcements came 
from the southern part of the county 
and from the Massachusetts province, 
and from the west side of the Green 
Mountains, so that upon the morning of 
the 16th it was computed that there 
were “ five hundred good martial sol- 
diers, well equipped for war,” assem- 
bled in Westminster, besides others who 
had come as private citizens. 

A public meeting was held, and a 
large committee chosen, to consist of 
persons out of the county as well as in, 
who, u after the most critical and im- 
partial examination of evidence,” de- 



i 

WESTMINSTER. 




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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



574 



cided that the leaders in the massacre 
should be u confined in Northampton 
jail till they could have a fair trial/ 7 
and those who appeared less guilty should 
be <( under bonds, holden to answer at 
the next court of Oyer and Terminer ” 
to be held in the county. 

Those of the court party who were 
imprisoned were : ‘Thomas Chandler, 
the chief judge, Bildad Easton, a deputy 
sheriff, Capt. Benjamin Burt. Thomas 
Sergeant, Oliver Wells, Joseph Willard, 
and John Morse, who were released on 
the 1 7th on giving bonds with security 
to John Hazeltine. Thomas Ellis, 
against whom no charge was found, 
was released unconditionally. Noah 
Sabin, associate judge, Benj. Butter- 
field, an assistant justice, Wm. Willard, 
a justice of the peace, Wm. Paterson, 
the high sheriff, Samuel Gale, the clerk, 
Benj. Gorton, a deputy sheriff, Richard 
Hilly 'William Williams, and one Cun- 
ningham, were on the 19th sent down 
the river under a guard of fifty men 
and t'wo officers, and confined in jail 
at Northampton. Here they remained 
some two weeks, until they were re- 
moved on a writ of habeas corpus to 
New York, for a regular trial in order 
to tlieir enlargement. We do not learn 
as they ever had their trjal. The Re- 
volutionary War had now become a 
fact, and other interests were absorbed 
in that. 

WILLIAM FRENCH, 

one of the victims of this massacre, 
was a son ofNathaniel French, who lived 
in Brattleborough, near the southern 
line of Dummerston. He was a young 
man of patriotic spirit, and an ardent 
sympathiser with the liberty party. He 
was one of those stationed in the court- 
house on that eventful night of the 1 3th 
of March, 1775, animated by that lib- 
erty loving spirit, whose smouldering! 



fires were now ready to burst forth in a 
general uprising throughout the colon- 
ies. He fell pierced with five bullets in 
as many different places, one of which 
entered the brain just behind the ear, 
and caused his death. 

Dr. Wm. Hill, of Westminster, was 
allowed to visit him between three and 
four the next morning, but his martyr 
spirit had fled. 

The verdict of the coroner's jury to 
investigate the causes of his death is in 
the following words : 

New Y OREL, ) 

Cumberland County. J 

44 An Inquisition Indented and Ta- 
ken at Westminster the fifteenth Day 
of March One Thousand Seven Hun- 
dred and Seventy five before me 
Tim°* Olcott Gent one of the Cor- 
rotiers of the County aforesaid up- 
on the View of the Body of William 
French then and there Lying Dead 
upon the oaths of Tho 8 * Amsden John 
Avorll Joseph Pierce Natha el Robert- 
son Edward Hoton Michal Law George 
Earll Daniel Jewett Zachriah Gilson 
Ezra Robenson Nathaniel Davis Nath- 
aniel Double Dee John Wise Silas 
Burk Elihue Newel Alex 1 * Pammerly 
Joseph Fuller Good and Lawfull men 
of the County afore said who being 
Sw r orn to Enquire on the part of our 
Said Lord the King when where how 
and after what manner the said Wm. 
French came to his death Do Say upon 
their oaths that on the thirteenth day of 
March Instant William Patei son Esqr 
Mark Langdon Cristopher Orsgood 
Benjamin Gorton Samuel Night and 
others unknown to them assisting with 
force and arms made an assault on the 
Body of the said W m French and Shot 
him Through the Head with a Bullet 
of which wound he Died and Not Other- 
ways in witness where of the Coroner 
as well as the Juryors have to this In- 
quisition put their hands and seals att 
the place afore Said/ 7 

Mr. French was buried the same day 
with military honors in the old grave- 
yard at Westminster, and a stone with 




575 



WESTMINSTER. 



15 



the .following quaint inscription, marks 
the spot where he was laid : 

In Memory of WILLI AM FRENCH. 

Son to Mr, Nathaniel French. Who 
Was Shot at Westminster March ye 13th, 

1775, by the hands of Cruel Ministerial tools. 
Of Georg ye 3d, in the Corfchouse at a 11 
a Clock 

at Night in the SSSd year of his Age. 

Here WILLIAM FRENCH his Body lies. 
For Murder Ms Blood for Vengeance cries 
King Georg the third his Tory crew 
tha with a Bawl his head Shot threw. 

For Liberty and his Countrys Good, 
he Lost his Life Ms Dearest blood.’ * 

Young French has been claimed by 
historians as the first martyr whose 
blood was shed in the cause of the 
American Revolution, This claim, 
however, has been disputed, but upon 
how good authority we are not able to 
say. An attempt was made in 1852, 
by some of the most distinguished and 
patriotic citizens of Vermont to obtain 
from the Legislature an appropriation 
for the purpose of erecting a monument 
to his memory. The bill was, how- 
ever defeated by a small majority. 
When Vermont, in 1877, met at West- 
minster to celebrate tbe One Hundredth 
Anniversary of the declaration of her 
independence as a State, measures were 
taken for the erection of a monument 
in honor of lier first blood shed in the 
cause of American liberty, upon that 
sacred spot where that first blood was 
shed and where her independence was 
declared. 

DANIEL HOUGHTON, 
who was mortally wounded at the time 
French was killed, was a resident of 
Dummerston ; he received a wound in 
his body and lived but 9 days. His 
name is not usually found in connection 
with that of French, probably for the 
reason that it was expected for some 
days that he would recover. In the 
records of Dummerston, however, their 



names are coupled together as martyrs 
in a common cause. Hall says that at 
a meeting held at that place on the 6th 
of April following, a committee was 
appointed to “ go to Westminster there 
to meet other committees, to consult on 
the best methods for dealing with the 
inhuman and unprovoked murtherers of 
William French and Daniel Houghton.” 

Houghton died at Westminster at the 
house then occupied by Eleazer Har- 
low, which stood northwest of the 
court-house, and but a short distance 
from it. He was buried in the old 
grave-yard not far from the resting- 
place of William French. A rough 
stone once marked the place where he 
lay, which has since disappeared, and 
no one can tell the precise locality of 
his grave, 

Jonathan Knight, of Dummerston, 
received a buck-shot in his right shoul- 
der, which he is said to have carried 
there for more than thirty years. 

A man by the name of 

WHITE, FROM ROCKINGHAM, 

was severely wounded in the knee, and 
after being cared for three months at 
the house of Azariah Wright, where 
most of the wounded were taken, he 
was conveyed on a litter down the 
river to some place where he could re- 
ceive proper medical attention. 

PHILIP S AFFORD, 

of Rockingham, likewise received sev- 
eral cuts upon the head with a sabre in 
the hands of Sheriff Paterson, dealing 
in turn some pretty effective blows to 
the sheriff's posse, knocking down sev- 
eral of them with his club, by means 
of which he forced his way through 
and made his escape. 

Of the sheriff’s party, Justice But- 
terfield received a shot through his coat 



16 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



576 



sleeve, slightly grazing the skin, and 
another received a slight wound from a 
pistol hall in the head. These were 
probably wounds received from their 
own party as the "Whig party assert that 
there were no weapons carried by them 
but stones and clubs. 

At a convention held here Jan. 15, 
1777, Vermont was declared a free and 
independent State, and Westminster 
was for a time practically the capital of 
the State, The General Assembly 
held its session here in 1780. Here, 
too, was the first printing office estab- 
lished in Vermont, by the firm of 
Spooner & Green, in the year 1778. 
The press and types were removed to 
Woodstock in 1783. 

The State Bank was established here 
in 1807, and removed to Woodstock in 
1811. 

And we should not omit to mention 
here a mode of punishment in vogue in 
those days, by means of 

THE WHIPPING-POST 

and cat-o'-nine tails, applied by some 
person duly authorized. No farther 
back than the year 1800, there were two 
of these whipping-posts upon West- 
minster street ; one at the soldier's bar- 
racks at the lower end of the street, and 
the other stood near by the church. 
The one was used for the punishment of 
deserted soldiers, and the other for the 
punishment of culprits. 

The last person whipped, we are told 
by one who was an eye-witness, was a 
negro woman who had been stealing. 
This instrument of terror to evil doers 
remained standing until about the year 
1804, when it was pulled down by the 
hoys. This relic of a barbarous age 
has given place to better laws. 



EARLY SETTLERS AND DE- 
SCENDANTS. 

RICHARD ELLIS. 

The first person who actually settled 
in Westminster appears to have been 
Richard Ellis, who, with his son Reu- 
ben, came from Easton, Mass., in 1739, 
fenced in and broke up several acres of 
land, and built a house at the foot of 
Willard’s hill, at the south end of the 
Main street, where Harlan Farr now 
lives. 

He bought in September of that year 
three original Rights, drawn to Eliph- 
alet Leonard, for which he paid 60 
pounds. He afterwards bought two 
Rights of Jonathan Paddelford, and 
two of Joseph Tisdale, for all of which 
he paid ^48, u old tender/* 

Reuben, his son, bought in 1740, of 
Israel Tisdale, the 60th Right, being 
the 50th house lot, and 47th interval 
lot. Farther than this we have no 
knowledge of either of them. Their 
names do not again appear in the his- 
tory of the town. Nor do we find any 
record of deeds to give any clue to 
whom they conveyed their lands. 

JONATHAN THAYER, 

of Easton, came here in 1740, and 
made some preparations for settling, 
and it was recommended by a commit- 
tee of the proprietors that he receive a 
gratuity for his services, which, how- 
ever, was not granted. He bought in 
July of that year, of Joseph Tisdale, 
the 49th house lot and 39th interval 
lot. His house lot lay just north of 
one owned by Richard Ellis, which was 
the 48th, and the one on which Mr. 
Ellis built. 

In a deed from widow Rush Tisdale 
in Sept., 1741, and in two others, from 
James Leonard 2d and Job Tisdale, in 



577 



WESTMINSTER, 



17 



1742, Ms name appears as a resident of 
“ No, One,” 

We do not find his name among the 
proprietors under the N. H. charter, 9 
Nov., 1752, but it appears in the list at 
the time of the renewal of the charter, 
11th June, 1760. 

AARON (?) ALEXANDER, 

came from North.fi eld, Mass., to West- 
minster, at a very early period, and be- 
gan to clear and make preparations to 
settle, but was driven off by the Indi- 
ans, and was subsequently killed by 
them. He had a son Aaron, who set- 
tled in Putney, whose daughter Rhoda 
married Eleazer Harlow, who settled 
here in 1758. 

JOHN AVERILL, 

came up from Northfield with his fam- 
ily in canoes in the spring of 1751, and 
occupied the house at the lower end of 
the street afterwards known as the 
Averill place, where Mr. French now 
lives. He had at that time three sons, 
Asa, John and Oliver, and in the au- 
tumn of that same year was born to 
him a daughter, Anna, who was the 
first child born in Westminster. By 
whom this house was built we do not 
know. Hall says that this and the one 
built by Richard Ellis, then unoccupied, 
were the only ones in the place at that 
time ; and the one into which Mr. 
Averill moved had been occupied by 
four men, one woman and two children, 
viz., William Gould and his son John, 
Amos Carpenter and Atherton Chaffee, 
and that Gould and Carpenter removed 
their families from Northfield here in 
the summer of 1751. 

Mr. Averill was a proprietor of West- 
minster under N, H. in 1752, and on 
the French jury in 1755, and Captain 
of Militia in 1776. 

In the spring of 1755, on account pf 



the French and Indian war, he removed 
his family to the fort on the Great 
Meadows at Putney, and returned again 
after the war. 

The Averill family have been promi- 
nent in the history of the town, and 
many of* the descendants are still living 
here, but the name is gone. 

The ancestors were a godly family, 
and such to a great extent have been 
their posterity. 

Mrs. Ephraim Smith, a great-grand- 
daughter of John Averill, now living 
here at the age of 77, well remembers 
going to see her great-grand-father and 
great-gr and-mother when she was a 
little child. 

ASA AYERILL 

settled on the street, and always lived 
on what is now known as the Whittle 
place* He married Anna Chaffee (prob- 
ably a daughter of Atherton Chaffee) , 
by whom he had 6 children : Obed, 

Asa, David, Molly, Experience and 
Anna. He married (2) the widow of 
Major Peter Lovej oy , who had 6 child- 
ren by her first husband, and two by 
Mr. Averill, viz., Mercy and Sally, and 
what was regarded as somewhat re- 
markable, they all lived together in the 
greatest peace and harmony. 

Asa Averill, jr., was a young man 
of much promise, a good scholar, and 
good mechanic. He became somewhat 
noted in these parts as being the first 
man who framed a building by the use 
of the “ square rule.” The barn which 
formerly stood on his father's place is 
now owned by Mr. Hills. 

Obed, the eldest son of Asa Averill, 
built and settled on the u Tower place,” 
now owned by John Leach ; and two of 
his children, Mrs. Ephraim Smith and 
Mrs. James Tower, are now living in 
the parish. 

Asa and David died young. 




18 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



578 



Molly married Jonathan Atwater 
Phippen, who settled here in 1781, and 
has grand-children and great-grand 
children now lining here. 

Experience married Abraham Nut- 
ting, and has several descendants now 
living in the place. 

There is a curious circumstance re- 
lated of the marriage ot Mr. Averill to 
his second wife. It was an opinion 
prevalent in those days that whoever 
married a widow who was administra- 
trix upon the estate of her deceased 
husband, and who through her came 
into possession of anything purchased 
by the first husband, became liable for 
any demands against the first husband’s 
estate. This difficulty was avoided in 
the following manner ; 

A blanket was stretched across a recess 
next the chimney, behind which went the 
bride with her attendants; who divested 
her of all her clothing, and threw her 
clothes into the room. She then reached 
her hand through a small opening in 
the blanket, which was clasped by Mr. 
Averill, and the marriage ceremony 
was performed. He then produced a 
complete assortment of wedding attire 
which was appropriated by Mrs. Averill, 
who soon appeared in full dress, to re- 
ceive the congratulations of her friends. 

John Averill, Jr., was a wheel- 
wright and carpenter. He built the 
first framed house in Westminster, 
which stood on the east side of the 
street, opposite his father’s. He took 
the home place and lived there till he 
died. He had five children : John, 
Daniel, Jotham, Hannah and Olive. 

Jotham and Hannah were never 
married. 

John “was an upright and honorable 
man.” He married Anna Averill, 
daughter of Asa, and afterwards Rhoda 
Wales, and removed to B wanton, Frank- 
lin county, and became a quaker. 



Daniel married for bis second wife a 
daughter of Eleazer Harlow, one of the 
early settlers. He was a very good 
man, and considered as one of the 
“pillars of the church.” 

Olive married a Heald and removed 
to the northern part of the State. 

3. Oliver Averill, third son of John, 
removed to Northfield, this State, 
where his descendants now live. 

4. Anna Averill married Amos ( ?) 
Carpenter, and lived in Westminster 
for a time. 

ATHERTON CHAFFEE. 

The Chaffee family for many years 
had a residence in the parish, but are 
now gone. Atherton died here in 1 776 , 
aged 63. We find at a later date the 
names of Atherton, Clifford, Otis, and 
Constant^ whom we suppose to be his 
sons. 

ATHERTON CHAFFEE, JR., 
settled on the old road to the West 
Parish, to the north of Shubael Peck’s. 
An old barn still marks the spot. He 
had a son, Atherton, who went to 
Canada and died, and who has a daugh- 
ter now living in Walpole, N. H, 

Clifford Chaffee married a daughter 
of Capt. Jesse Burke, one of the early 
settlers, and had a grandson Clifford, 
who received his early education in 
Westminster, became a physician, prac- 
tised a time in the State of New York, 
afterwards removed to Springfield, 

I Mass., and has since been a member of 
: Congress. 

AMOS CARPENTER 

was here when John Averill came, had 
his residence here till 1776, when he 
sold to James Richardson and removed 
to Rockingham. His farm, according 
to the plan of the town, was Nos. 8 
and 9, in the first range of 80 acre lots, 
and is now owned in part by Clark 
Whitney. 



WESTMINSTER. 



19 



•579 



WILltAM GOOLD 

and bis son John were also here in 
1751. There were probably other sons. 
We find Seth, John and Nathaniel, pro- 
prietors here in 1772, at the time of the 
grant from New York.. And at the 
time of the formation of a Baptist 
society in the west part of the town in 
1784, there were three Goolds, Wil- 
liam, Seth and Nathaniel, members of 
that society. 

We have no further information of 
any of these except John, who has num- 
erous descendants in Westminster, 
Windham, Chester, Coventry and other 
towns of this State, as well as in New 
Hampshire and Ohio. 

He was a large land owner in the 
town; we find deeds conveying to him 
5 house-lots and 4 meadow-lots, and 
No. 1, in the first range of 100 -acre 
lots. 

Most of his house-lots were situated 
near where the meeting-house and par- 
sonage now stands. In revolutionary 
times he kept the Whig tavern, in the 
house where Mr. Whitman now lives, 
which then stood upon the opposite side 
of the street. He was a soldier in the 
Revolution and very proud of telling 
stories. 

There is a story of an incident that 
is said to have happened in those days 
which , perhaps, is worth telj in g here. 
A traveller who had stopped at his tav- 
ern over night, found in the morning as 
he was about to start, that he had been 
relieved of a part of his load. Tn the 
absence of any detective police it was 
agreed to adopt the following shrewd 
plan : A rooster was placed under a large 
brass kettle, and each one present was 
to pass round and touch his nose to the 
kettle, and when the guilty one touched 
the kettle the rooster would crow. When 
they had all passed around and an ex- 



amination was made of the noses \ it 
was found that all but one had a black 
nose, and he was adjudged guilty of 
the theft. 

joiiK goolb 

had 4 sons and 2 daughters who also 
had families. 

John Gould, Jr., the eldest, was a 
printer, in the employ of Spooner & 
Green, and afterwards carried on the 
business here himself. His office was 
the old building, a part of which now 
adorns the new part of the present par- 
sonage. He afterwards removed to 
Windham, and thence to Chester, 
where he died. He was the father , of 
9 children. 

Aaron, the next son, settled in the 
West Parish, and had 6 children, two 
of whom, Reuben C. and Mrs. Zenas 
Lord, now reside in the East Parish. 

Jonathan, another son, kept the 
Goold tavern for a while, and then went 
to Ohio. 

Luther also went to Ohio. Of the 
daughters, Abigail married Dea. Na- 
thaniel Kittredge, of the East Parish, 
and Sarah married a Chandler, who 
lived here for a time and then went to 
Townshend. 

ELEA fcEK IIAKLOW 

came from Taunton, Mass., at the age 
of 20, in the year 1758, and settled 
where Charles Willard now lives. He 
built, at first, a plank house, in 1782, 
the one now standing/ He married 
Rhoda Alexander, of Northfield,Mass., 
by whom he had 3 sons and 6 daugh- 
ters. 

Levi, the eldest son, married Eliza- 
beth Ranney, a daughter of Deacou 
Ephraim, and went west as far as the 
top of the hill, between the two par- 
ishes. 



20 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



580 



His sou, Eleazer, lived there, and a 
great grandson of the first Eleazer now 
owns the place. 

Josiah, the second son, died in the 
army, and his children went to Ohio. 

Eleazer, the other son, died un- 
married. 

Of the daughters, Rhoda married 
Ephraim Ranney, son of Deac. Eph- 
raim, and settled in the West Parish. 

Abigail married Waitstill Ranney, a 
son of Deac. Ephraim, and went to 
Chester, 

Hannah married Alfred Spooner, who 
lived here awhile, then removed to 
Woodstock, and from there he went to 
New Orleans and died. 

Lavina married Calvin Britton, both 
of whom died here,. 

Anna, the youngest, married Giles 
Marvin, by whom she had' three child- 
ren, and (2) Zacheus Cole, with whom 
she now lives in the happy enjoyment 
of a serene old age. She is now 85 
years old, and vigorous in body and 
mind. She has had 6 children by her 
second marriage, all of whom are mar- 
ried and living at the present time. Her 
residence y with the exception of 1 6 
months, has always been her native 
place. • • ’ 

CAPT. MICHAEL GILSON. 

_ He; was born in Old Hatfield, Mass., 
in 1781, he came to Putney during- the 
French and Indian war, and enlisted in 
the fort on the Great Meadows. His 
mother and two sisters were with him 
there in 1 755 . He was exposed to all 
the dangers of savage warfare, and 
came near losiug his life. After peace 
was declared ; he - came to Westminster 
and began a settlement by putting up a 
log-house on the meadow at the south 
part of the town, about. 100 rods east 
of where he afterwards built. 



His earliest deed bears date of March, 
1-759,- 

He married a sister of Dea. Sessions, 
took his bride, to the log-house, where 
they ate their bridal dinner of stewed 
beans, served Upon chips for plates, 
with wooden spoons whittled out for 
the occasion. 

After a few years he left the log- 
house and built upon the old stage road, 
where lie kept a tavern for 20 years. 

He was commissioned 1st Lieut, of 
the Westminster Militia in 1788, and 
Captain of the same Co. the following 
year. He was Justice of the Court of 
Oyer and Terminer in 1782. 

He was shrewd at business, had no 
education, except what he acquired by 
attending school one„ week, but could 
read and write enough to do common 
business. He. died at the age of 92. 

Capt. Gibson had no children. 

MAJ. JOEL PAGE 

was his adopted child, and the second 
owner of the farm from the settle- 
ment of the town, until he died 15 
July, 1870, at the age of 79 . 

LIEUT. ZACHARJAH GILSON, 

a brother of Capt. Michael, settled a 
few years later, a little farther to the 
south, on the farm owned by the late 
Richard Ward, He was once taken 
captive by the Indians and carried to 
Canada , but returned here and died . He 
had several sons, Zach'ariah, Michael 
and Benjamin, but has no descendants 
now living in to wii . Zachariab, jr . , 

had a son, Freedom, who now resides 
in Rockingham. 

^ . WILLIAM ( Wtb.LA.RD, ESQ. ; , • 

i He lived at the foot of the Willard 
hill, where Richard Ellis settled in* 17S9. 
Precisely when Mr. Willard e&mb to 
Westminster is not known. He was a 



m 



WESTMINSTER. 



21 



proprietor iu 1752, and a soldier at Fort 
Dimmer as late as 1756, and probably 
came here soon after and lived here till 
he died. 

He was the fifth generation from 
Major Simon Willard, who came to 
this country in 1684* and is supposed 
to be the ancestor of all the Willards 
in this country. 

Rev. Joseph Willard, father of fVfil- 
Upm, was slain by the Indians at Rut- 
land, Mass., 1723, on the day he was 
to have been installed as pastor of the 
church. Joseph, a posthumous spn, 
was born about three months after the 
father’s death. This Joseph, we sup- 
pose to be the one whose family were 
taken by the Indians at Charleston, No. 
4, in 1760, and carried to Canada. The 
widow of Rev. Joseph Willard married 
Rev. Andrew Gardner, who was set- 
tled in Lunenburg, Mass., and after- 
wards at Winchester / N. II . 

COL. .TO SI AH WILLARD , 

• of Winchester, whose name is, familiar 
in the early history of Winchester ,was 
a son of Henry, who was the fourth son 
of Major Simon, His sons, Col. Jo- 
siah, jrw, Nathan, Oliver and Wilder, 
were proprietors of Westminster under 
N. H., hut not resident here. 

Prudence, a daughter of Col. Josiah, 
married William, sop of Rev. Joseph, 
who was slain at Rutland. 

William and Prudence, his wife, are 
both buried in the old grave-yard at 
Westminster. William died in 1804, 
at the age of 83, and Prudence died in 
1794, at the age of 67. 

William Willard appears to have been 
a prominent man in his day ; he was 
justice of the peace in 1766, 7 and 8, 
and again in 1772. Assistant justice 
of the Court of Common Pleas, 1768 
and 1772. 



William had, by his wife Prudence, 
three sons, Joseph, Billy and Lyndes. 
Billy settled on the home place arid 
Joseph where Henry Wells now lives, 
and Lyndes a short distance to the south. 
Billy was prominent among those en- 
gaged in the massacre when French was 
killed, and boasted of having knocked 
him down. Joseph was imprisoned 
with the Tory party, but released on 
bail. Joseph and Lyndes have descend- 
ants now living in Westminster . J oseph 
had a son Joseph, whose sons went from 
here to Washington and became the 
proprietors of * ‘ Willard’s Hotel.” 

JOHK NOIITPX 

came from Farmington, Ct., about the 
year 1760, and kept the “ Norton Tav- 
ern . ” He married Anna Holton, sister 
of Joel Holton, by whom he had ten 
children, one of whom is still living .in 
the parish. Another daughter, who 
married a grandson of WilliamWillarJ, 
Esq., died during the present year but 
a short distance from the spot where 
she was horn, at the age of 88, 

Another married a Campbell, who 
settled in the West Parish. 

Another became tlie wife of Nafhan- 
iel Fullertonj Esq., of Chester, Presi- 
dent of Bellows Palls Bank. 

Mr. Norton was a prominent man in 
the town, held various positions in the 
town offices, and in 1776 was delegate 
with l)r. Elkanah Day to the Council 
of Safety for Cumberland Co. He was 
also a member of the Legislature fo 
1782. 

SAMUEL COKE 

came from Haddam, Ct., about this pe- 
riod, and settled where George Weth- 
erell, who married a grand-daughter of 
Mr. Cone’s, now lives. He built a log- 
house in 1770, the one now standing. 
He had 11 children, 9 of whom lived to 
be married. 



22 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



582 



Joshua settled in the northern part of 
the town, lived there for a time and 
afterwards sold to Jonathan Lane. 

Samuel was a merchant and had his 
store on the upper street. 

John married a sister of Rev. Syl- 
vester Sage and removed to the State of 
New York. 

Ezra T,, lived on the home place. 

MEDAD WEIGHT 

came here in 1761, at the same time 
with his brother Azariah and Joel Hol- 
ton, who were all from Northfield.* 
Aaron Pettey came at the same time 
and camped with them, and so did | 
Judge Eurt, on the spot where Medad 
built. Whether the two last mentioned 
were from the same place we do not 
know. John Norton, we are told, 
camped with them. His daughter 
thinks he came here at the age of 21, 
which would make him here in 1760. 
Mr. Wright became acquainted with 
the locality in carrying supplies up the 
river during the French and Indian 
war. He and his brother, Mr. Holton 
and Mr. Norton all located near each 
other upon the Tipper street. Mr. Hol- 
ton’s house-lot was No. 10, Azariah 
Wright’s No. 11, Medad’s No. 12, and 
John Norton’s No, 13. Aaron Pettey’s 
was No. 17 and Eleazer Harlow’s No. 
18. 

Medad Wright was constable of 
Westminster in 1766. His sympathies 
appear to have been with the New 
York party. He was one of the 30 
who were arrested by the authority of 
the State of Vermont, in 1779, and 
lodged in jail at Westminster for non- 
compliance with the conditions of the 
new Militia law. Among those from 

* Tlitt cteed from Jo hi all Willard to Azariali 
W right, of House-lot No. 11, hears date of April, 
1761. In that deed he is represented as a resi- 
dent of Westminster. 



Westminster who were also imprisoned 
were; Dr. Elkanah Day, Michael 
Gilson, Benjamin Whitney, John Nor- 
ton, Dea. John Sessions, Billy Willard 
and his brother Joseph, and Bildad 
Easton. They , were each tried and 
fined from £10 to £40 each, according 
to the magnitude of the offence. 

Medad Wright had 9 sons, seven of 
whom lived to be married. He mar- 
ried for his first wife, Irene, a sister df 
Joel Holton, and for his second, widow 
Mary Willard. 

Asaph, the oldest of the 9 sons of 
Medad Wright, was a physician and 
lived in the West Parish. 

Rufus lived at the lower end of the 
Upper street, on land now owned by 
Harlan Farr, and died there, of cancer. 

Elihu lived where Joseph Wright 
now does, and one of the daughters 
married J oseph W right, a , grand-son of 
Capt. AzaTiah. Another daughter of 
Elihu married another grandson of 
Oapt. Azariah, and settled in the West 
Parish. A third married Addison 
Dunham, and lives in the East Parish. 

Obed, son of Medad, lived sometime 
on the road towards Ephraim Smith’s, 

I and then went West. 

Hollis settled on the home place, 
where his son, Daniel G., now lives. 
The old house, erected as early as 1770, 
was standing on the spot where it was 
built, until last year, when it was re- 
moved to the other side of the street to 
give place to a .new one. This is the 
only instance in the parish in which the 
home place has descended from fatlier 
to son, from the early history of/ the 
town until the present, time. Another 
remarkable circumstance, of the three 
generations of children bora in the old 
hoqse, only one has been a daughter, 
and that the last child born. 



583 



WESTMINSTER. 



23 



CAPT. AZAEIAH WEIGHT 

settled close by Medad, where Mr. De 
Wolf now lives. He married a S af- 
ford, and had 6 children, all of whom 
settled in town. 

1. Azariah, Jr., the eldest, lived in 
the next house west of Roe Morse. He 
had 9 children, most of whom went to 
Illinois. 

2. Solomon lived in the house just 
west of his brother Azariah. He lived 
to be over 90 years of age, and voted 
71 years. He was fond of history, 
was a great reader, and had a good 
memory. He died with his son, Capt. 
Azariah, at Coventry. He also had 9 
children. 

3. Caleb settled in the West Parish. 
He had 7 children. His son Caleb, 
who died at Newton last year (1869), 
was a man of considerable note as a 
writer and lecturer. 

4. Joseph settled beyond where his 
son Joseph now lives, and had a son 
and three daughters. 

Capt. Azariah Wright was a man 
of great energy and perseverance, and 
bold even to recklessness. Previous to 
his coming to Vermont he served as a 
soldier in the French and Indian war. 
He was captain of the Westminster 
Militia company as early as 1770, and 
a leading spirit in those times. He has 
been called an Ethan Allen on a smal- 
ler scale. The members of his com- 
pany, as given by Hall, are as follows : 
Lieut. Jabez Perry, 1st Sergeant, Sim- 
eon Burk, 2d Sergeant, Jesse Burk. 
Privates — J acob Albee, John Albee, 
Samuel Ames, Asa Averill, John Aver- 
ill, Thomas Averill, Jabez Bates, Silas 
Burk, Atherton Chaffee, Andrew 
Crook, Robert Crook, William Crook, 
David Daley, Jonathan Fuller, Seth 
Goold, William Goold, Francis Holden, 
John Holt, Ichabodlde, Israel Ide, Jos. 



Ide, Robt. Miller, John Pettey, Atwater 
Phippen, Joseph Phippen, Robert Rand, 
James Richardson, Nathaniel Robin- 
son, Reuben Robinson, Edmund Ship- 
man, Jehiel Webb, and John Wells. 

Capt. Wright led his company at the 
time of the Westminster massacre, and 
had them under strict discipline. He 
went with 12 men on an expedition to 
Quebec during the winter of 1776, no 
further record of which has been pre- 
served. 

An incident in connection with a case 
of church discipline serves to show the 
character of the man. Uncle ’Riah, 
as they used to call him, had occasion 
to sho ?t a bear which he found tres- 
passing in his corn-field on the Sabbath, 
for which deed he was to be excommu- 
nicated from the church. At the close 
of the service, Mr. Bullen, the pastor, 
was about to read the letter of excom- 
munication, when Uncle ’Riah presented 
his gun. Mr. Bullen then passed the 
letter to Dea. Sessions, who began to 
read, when Uncle ’Riah levelled his 
piece upon the deacon. The deacon 
then returned the letter to the parson 
with the remark that 4 4 all things were 
lawful but not expedient.” After some 
consultation, the letter was laid aside, 
and the benediction pronounced, and 
the congregation left the house, followed 
by Uncle ’Riah, who locked the door 
and gave a lad a ninepence to take the 
key to the sexton. Capt. Wright died 
herein 1811, at the age of 74. 

JOEL HOLTON 

came at the same time with the 
Wrights and settled close by them. He 
married Bethia Farwell, by whom he 
had 12 children. 

His son, Joel, lived in Westminster, 
where Allen W ells now lives, and had sev- 
eral children, among whom were David 
Parsons Holton, M. D., New York 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



584 



City, and Miriam, Who married Henry 
S. Brown, M. D. 

Zoeth, another son, lived on the 
home place, and Bethia, who married 
John White, father of Rev. Pliny H. 
White, late of Coventry, is still living 
in Westminster, at the age of 87. 

AARON PETTEY 

built just back of Eleazer Harlow, the 
house-lot which he owned being too low 
for a building spot on the street. He 
died in Rockingham in 1788, at the age 
of 45, and was buried here. One of 
his daughters, Asenath, married John 
Lovejoy, who settled upon the place 
afterwards owned by Jonathan Lane. 
Margaret, another daughter, married 
a Burton, of Walpole, and Aaron, jr., 
died in early life, while engaged in the 
study of medieine. 

BENJAMIN BURT 

was also here at this time, and lived in 
the north part of Westminster, just 
beyond Saxton’s River bridge, where 
Charles Chase now lives. Some of the 
older inhabitants say they used to go 
there to grist-mill when they were 
young. 

Judge Burt appears to have been 
quite a prominent man in his time. He 
was sought by his fellow citizens to fill 
many positions of trust in his town and 
State. He was elected member of the 
Council of his State in 1779, and was 
a member of the Assembly in 1781, *86, 
’96, ’97 and ’98. From 1786 to 1802 
he held the position of assistant justice, 
and from 1781 to 1785, was assistant 
judge of the Windham County Court. 

THE DICKINSON FAMILY 
have been associated with the history of 
the town for more than a hundred 
years. Theirs, it is said, was the third 
permanent settlement in the town. 
Dan and Azariah were two of the nine 



that constituted the church at the time 
it was organized in 1767. They came 
from Haddam, Ct., and their father’s 
name was Azariah. They settled in 
the south part of the town ; Dan where 
Dea. Abiel Goo dell afterwards lived, 
on the hill road to Putney, and Azariah 
on the middle road, on what is now a* 
part of the Ward farm, nearly opposite 
of where Zachariah Gilson. settled. 

They both have descendants now liv- 
ing in town. Azariah had two sons, 
Cyrus and Job. Cyrus had two sons, 
Harvey and Alvin. Job had two sons, 
Job and Ephraim, and five daughters, 
one of Avhom married Heman Good- 
ridge, and another became the Avife of 
Jazaniah Hunt, and settled in West- 
minster. 

JOHN MORSE 

came from Sutton, Mass., about the 
year 1768, and settled Avhere the pres- 
ent meeting-house now stands. He 
was a carpenter and farmer, and also a 
great trapper and hunter. He after- 
wards removed to the place where his 
grand-son, John Dorr Morse, lived, and 
has numerous descendants in the place. 
He was the fourth generation from 
Anthony Morse, who came to this 
country in 1637. He was a connection 
of Prof. Morse, inventor of the tele- 
graph, who was also the fourth gener- 
ation from Anthony. 

DEA. EPHRAIM RANNEY 

came from Middletown, Ct., about the 
time of the French and Indian Avar, 
and settled on the Upper street, several 
lots north of Joel Holton. His deed of 
house-lot No. 7, where he lived, which 
he bought of Jonathan Thayer, bears 
date of March, 1761. We are told he 
kept tavern there. He married Silence 
Wilcox, by whom he had 11 children, 
and he lived to see them all married. 



585 



WESTMINSTER. 



25 



He was a man of sterling Christian 
character, and leaves behind a godly 
posterity. He is the ancestor of as 
many as five ministers of the gospel and 
numerous deacons. Eight of his chil- 
dren settled in their native town ; two 
sons and a daughter in the West Parish 
who, with their descendants, have been 
among the substantial citizens of the 
place. Of those who became preach- 
ers of the gospel, are two grand-child- 
ren, Seth S haler Arnold, now living, 
nearly 80 years of age, and Joel Ean- 
ney Arnold, his brother; three great- 
grandsons, Josiak Goodhue, Joseph 
Ranney, Timothy E. Ranney, and a 
great-great-grandson, Henry A. Good- 
hue. 

Ephraim Ranney was one of the two 
first deacons of the church in the East 
Parish, and his son, Elijah, was one of 
the first deacons of the church in the 
West Parish, and he was succeeded by 
his son, Elijah, jr., Ephraim, jr.,| 
Dea. Ephraim’s oldest son, had a daugh- 
ter who married a deacon, and one of 
their sons fills the office at the present 
time. 

Three sons of Dea. Ephraim settled 
near their father ; Joel, where Ambrose 
Arnold’s house now stands ; Benjamin, 
where John Leach now lives ; and 
Janna on the home place. Esther, a 
daughter, married Seth Arnold, who 
lived on the place near by, now owned 
by Mr. Poster. 

BE A. JOHN SESSIONS 
was here at the time the church was 
organized, 11 June, 1767, and was 
one of its first deacons. He settled 
near Michael Gilson, where Mr. Floyd 
now lives, on No. 5 and 6, in the first 
range of 50 acre lots. 

The deacon was sharp and shrewd ; 
quick at a retort, and generally had the 
u best end” of a joke. On one occa- 



sion, in company with several others, 
when the toddy was being passed 
around (it was the custom in those days 
for ministers and deacons to drink), 
some one espied a fly in the toddy, and 
playfully passed it to the deacon to see 
what he would do. He very gravely 
took out the fiy, and held it while he 
took his drink, then put back the fly 
and passed it to the next. 

His daughter Anna married David 
Foster, of Putney, who was elected 
deacon of the church in Westminster in 
the spring, and died the following July. 

One of Ms sons died a dissipated 
man, and one of his grandsons became 
a minister, and a grand-daughter be- 
came the wife of the late Rev. Dr. 
Thurston, of Fall River, 

Aside from the office of deacon, Mr. 
Sessions held the office of chief judge 
of Windham County court, from 1781 
to 1784, and for many years was one 
of the prominent and influential men of 
the town. 

He represented the town in the Gen- 
eral Assembly in 1787. He was also 
commissioned a deputy in the New York 
Provincial Congress, and Convention of 
the State of New York, in 1776 ; also 
a Commissioner to administer oaths of 
office, in 1777 and 1778, and judge of 
the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in 
Aug., 1778. 

NEHEMIAH MCNIEL 

was probably here as early as 1767. 
We find record of a deed of this date, 
conveying to him lot No, 7 in the sec- 
ond range of 50 acre lots, where T, W. 
Wiley now lives. He was born in 
Scotland and died here in 1770. He 
had a son, Nehemiah, who lived on the 
home place, and a son John. Nehe- 
miah was constable here in 1800. 

John was brought up by Dea. Ses- 
sions, with whom he went to live at 8 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



586 



years of age. He settled in Andover in 1 
this State, and had 7 children, one of 
whom settled in Westminster, on his 
grandfather's place, and is one of the 
present deacons of the church. 

JAMES RICHARDSON 

came from Connecticut as early as 1769 
and settled on Rocky hill, where Clark 
Whitney now lives. He had 7 or 8 
children. John, the oldest, married 
Betsey Goodridge, and lived where 
Samuel Spaulding now does, and has 
descendants now living in the place. 

Another son, Derastus, married a 
daughter of Jonathan Lane, and has 
descendants in Westminster. 

THE BURKS. 

Jonathan, and his three sons, Jesse, 
Simeon and Silas, came from Brimficld 
as early as 1771. A deed from “ Jona- 
than Burk, of Westminster,” conveying 
to his “ beloved son Jesse,” house-lot 
No. 22 and meadow-lot No. 39, bears 
the above date. Charles Rice, who 
died Mar. 1, 1830, aged 72, was a son 
of the widow Rice, who married Capt. 
Jesse Burk. A grandson of Mr, Rice 
says his grandfather came to West- 
minster with Capt. Burk when but 3 
years of age, which would give an 
earlier date by 10 years. Jonathan 
lived here for a time and then went to 
Windsor, where he died. 

Capt. Jesse lived where Ira Smith 
now does. He married a widow Rice, 
by whom he had 5 sons and one 
daughter. He was sheriff of the 
county in 1775, His son, Elijah, lived 
on the home place, and one of his sons 
became an editor in Newport, N. H,, 
and has since been a member of Con- 
gress from New Hampshire, 

Simeon married Patty Strong, and 
had 3 sons and 4 daughters. He lived 
on the Albee place, where Mr. Wilcox 
now does. 



Maj. Silas Burk settled where Joseph 
Clark now lives. He was one of the 
jury of inquest when French was 
killed. He married Mary Eastman by 
whom he had 9 children, one of whom 
is now living at the old homestead at 
the age of 90 and says she is “ just in 
her prime.” (See appendix.) 

CREAK BRUSH/ 

was born in Dublin, Ireland, about the 
year 1725, and educated to the profes- 
sion of the law. He came to this 
country about 1762, and for some time 
held the office of Secretary of the Pro- 
vince of New York. He removed from 
New York City to Westminster in the 
latter part of the year 1771, and lived 
in a house that stood a little to the north 
of the meeting-house, which was the 
only one in town that faced the four 
cardinal points of compass. It was 
originally built for Rev. Mr. Goodell, 
the first minister. Mr. Brush was am- 
bitious of power and fond of display, 
and was received with great courtesy 
by the people of Westminster until his 
true c baracter came to b e known . 4 4 But 
as vulgarity of mind became apparent 
and novelty of appearance ceased to 
attract attention, Mr. Brush found, in 
spite of his boasted attainments as a 
man of large information, and his pre- 
tensions to gentility, that his only 
friends were a few high-toned and ar- 
rogant loyalists.” 

He held various offices under the 
government of New York. In Feb., 
1772, he was appointed by Governor 
Tyron as clerk of Cumberland County, 
and was made surrogate of the county 
in April of the same year, and was also 
appointed commissioner to administer 
oaths of civil office. He was a repre- 
sentative to the General Assembly of 

* For an. extended sketch of Groan Brush, see 
Hall’s Eastern Vermont, 603-633. 



587 WESTMINSTER. 27 



New York in 1773-4-5. He had 
large influence in the house, and spared 
no pains to turn it to his own advan- 
tage. Mr. Brush owned large tracts 
of land in Westminster and other por- 
tions of the , New Hampshire grants, 
which after the uprising in the colonies 
in 1775, were confiscated to the State of 
Vermont and sold, and the proceeds 
went into the public treasury. 

During the summer of this year he 
was probably in New York, and in the 
fall went to Boston, then occupied by 
the British, and offered his services to 
Gen. Gage. 

The General, having determined to 
winter his army in Boston, found it 
necessary to vacate some of the resi- 
dences of the inhabitants, and this 
business was entrusted to Crean Brush, 
who was commissioned to receive and 
protect such property as should be en- 
trusted to his care. Having seized 
many goods that were not contraband, 
which were stowed away in vessels in 
the harbor, he endeavored to set sail to 
Halifax, but was taken wiien a few 
days out, by Commodore Manly, and 
Brush and others were made prisoners. 
He was examined and committed to the 
jail in Bostoru on charge of having 
plundered the city, and carried away 
under protection of the British fleet, 
large quantities of goods, wares and 
merchandise, the rightful property of 
the citizens of Boston. He was hand- 
cuffed, and denied the use of pen, ink, 
paper and candles, and forbidden to 
converse with any person unless in the 
presence of the jailer. 

During his imprisonment Mrs. Brush 
was allowed to visit him, and on Wed- 
nesday, the 5th of November, 1778, he 
made his escape in her clothes ; and not 
until the next morning was it discovered 
that the noted prisoner was gone, and 



his wife occupied his place in the cell. 
Mrs. Brush had left a horse tied at a 
certain spot, and furnished her husband 
with the means of escape. 

He immediately set out for New 
York, which place he reached on the 
16th of the same month, after an 
imprisonment of more than nineteen 
months. 

He then directed his efforts for the 
recovery of his property, and to ob- 
tain redress for the injuries he had re- 
ceived, and compensation for the losses 
he had sustained on behalf of the 
King. Not being successful in this, 
and stung with a feeling of remorse, on 
a cold morning in the following spring, 
he determined to put an end to a miser- 
able life, and with a pistol in his hand, 
he. blew out his brains. 

Mr. Brush owned, as it is supposed, 
about 25,000 acres of land in the State 
of New York, and nearly the same 
amount on the New Hampshire grants, 
only a small part of which ever came 
into the hands of his heirs. 

Mr. Brush’s widow afterwards be- 
came the wife of Patrick Wall, who 
was an Irishman by birth, and at the 
time of the revolution, was a tailor in 
Boston. After a residence of some 
time in the city of New York they re- 
moved to Westminster, to the house 
formerly occupied by Crean Brush. 
After her death Mr. Wall married 
Elizabeth Erwin, of W estminster, on 
the 7th of Jan,, 1812. 

Mrs. Wall, previous to her marriage 
with Mr. Brush, had by a former hus- 
band a daughter Frances, who married 
a Capt. Buchanan, and was a widow at 
the time she came with her mother to 
Westminster, with Mr. Wall. Mrs. 
Buchanan is spoken of as a u dashing 
woman,” with an “imperious bearing,” 
which attracted the attention of the 



I 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



588- 



quiet people of Westminster. She is 
said to have been a 44 fascinating 
woman-, endowed with an ease of man- 
ner which she had acquired from inter- 
course with polite society, and pos- 
sessed of a refined taste and many 
accomplishments . ■ * 

During one of his frequent visits to 
Westminster, Gen. Ethan Allen, who 
was at that time a widower, formed an 
acquaintance with Mrs. Buchanan, 
which afterwards 44 ripened into a 
warm, but singularly intermittent friend- 
ship,” 

John Norton, keeper of the tavern, 
playfully remarked to her one day, with 
reference to the prospective alliance, 
44 Fanny, if you marry General Allen, 
you will be the queen of the new State.” 
u Yes,” she replied, 14 if I should mar- 
ry the devil, I should be the queen of 
hell.” 

The aversion, however, with which 
she at times held the character of the 
man 44 whom all feared and few loved,” 
appears to have given place to the ad- 
miration of his nobler traits, and she 
consented to become his wife. The 
novel wedding, which is admirably 
described by Mr. Hall, took place at 
the residence of Gen. Stephen R. Brad- 
ley, of Westminster. 

44 Thus did the step-daughter of 
Crean Brush become the wife of the 
man tor whose apprehension Governor 
Tyron, at the instigation of Brush, had 
on the 9th of March, 1774, offered a 
reward of £100.” 

After the death of General Allen, in 
1789, his widow married Dr. Jabez 
Penniman, of Burlington. 

Crean Brush had by his first wife, 
who died before he came to this coun- 
try, a daughter, Elizabeth Martha, 
whom he left in the care of his rela- 
tives in Ireland. She married Thomas 



Norman, of Ireland, by whom she had 
4 children. By the will of her father 
she became heir to a third part of his 
estate, and having purchased of the 
other heirs their thirds, she became 
heir to the whole property. She. with 
her husband, came to America about 
the year 1795, to recover the property 
to which she had become entitled, and 
had their residence in Westminster un- 
til 1814, when they removed to Cald- 
well, at the south end of Lake George. 

Mrs. Norman is said to have been a 
4 4 lady of fine manners, dignified de- 
portment, and was, in every respect, an 
ornament to her sex.” 

WILLIAM FATEKSON 
is said to have been of Irish-Seotcb 
descent, and supposed to have been 
born in Ireland. He came to West- 
minster soon after his friend Crean Brush 
in 1772 or 1773, and received the ap- 
pointment of the shrievalty of Cum- 
berland county. He was active .as 
high sheriff in the Westminster massa- 
cre, and was one of those imprisoned in 
the court-house at this place, and was 
afterwards removed with others to 
Northampton jail, where he remained 
until the 2 2d of November following. 
Farther than this we have no knowl- 
edge of his life ; his history is shrouded 
in obscurity. 

THE FHIFFENS, 

Jonathan Atwater, Samuel and Jo- 
seph, were here about this time, and 
were all members of the militia com- 
pany, under Capt. Azariah Wright, in 
1775. 

Samuel was here in 1772, as appears 
from a deed from him to Ephraim Ran- 
ney of two lots in the first division of 
meadow, 

Samuel, jun., had house-lot No. 29, 
in 1772, and was a qualified voter i» 
1781. 



t 



589 



WESTMINSTER. 



29 



Samuel and Joseph were members of 
the Baptist society at the time of its 
organization in 1781. 

Jonathan Atwater appears to have 
been the only one who made a perma- 
nent settlement here, or at least who 
has left descendants here. He married 
Mary A-verill, daughter of Asa, by 
whom he had 7 children. He settled 
upon u Phippen Hill,” not far from 
James Richardson. 

His son, David, took the home place. 
He married Hannah Sargent, whose 
mother was a Washburn, and whose 
connections of that name have been 
distinguished in Massachusetts and 
Vermont. 

JOSHUA STODDARD 

was here in 1772, and lived where i 
Porter Rice now does. He married 
Sarah Humphrey, by whom he had 10 
children, most of whom settled else- 
where. 

Daniel, son of Joshua Stoddard, 
went to Sutton, Vt,, and then to Ohio. 
He had 20 children all living at one 
time. 

John settled here. He lived and 
died where Mr. Far well now lives. 

Amasa lived awhile on the home 
place. 

Ezra married a daughter of Dea. 
Abiel Goodell, and went to Billy mead, 
now Sutton. He was killed by the fal- 
ling. of a tree, and his son Ezra was 
killed in the same manner, 10 years 
after, on the same month, and about 
the same time of the month. Ezra had 
7 children, one of whom is judge of 
probate, and another is deacon of the 
church in Westminster. 

BILDAD EASTON, 

noted for his Tory proclivities and the 
active part he took at the time of the 
Revolutionary proceedings in West- 
minster, came here about this period. 



His first child was born in Alstead, 
N. H., in 1772, and the next in West- 
minster, in 1774, at which place 5 were 
born to him afterwards. 

THE ROBINSONS 

were also here at this period, and were 
prominent and influential citizens at 
that time. They came from Attleboro, 
Mass. 

Nathaniel was a deacon of the Bap- 
tist church, and the meetings were 
sometimes held at his house. He held 
various offices in the town, as justice 
of the peace, selectman, and town clerk, 
and at one time received a vote of 
thanks from the town for his valu- 
able services. He was a member of 
the State Legislature from 1778 to 1780. 
He settled on the “ Eaton place/’ mid- 
way between the two parishes, and was 
buried in an old graveyard near his 
house. He died in 1815, in his 9 2d 
year. 

His sons were Reuben, Nathan, Eze- 
kiel, Noah and Titus. He also had 
several daughters. 

Reuben was a soldier in the Revolu- 
tion. He married Abigail Burk, in 
1779, and settled in the West Parish, 
where Reuben Miller now lives. 

Nathan settled on the Tully Clark 
place, and afterwards removed to 
Stowe, Vt. 

Ezekiel also went to Stowe, and he 
and Nathan were members of the 
Legislature, 

Noah* also went to Stowe, and one 
of his sons was a physician. 

Titus, a carpenter by trade, went to 
New Orleans and died there. 

* Noah Robinson was bom in Westminster, 
March, 1802; in early llie settled in Stowe with 
two or more brothers. About the same time 
others of the Robinson family moved to North - 
•field. They were among the moat substantial 
citizens. At Stowe, Noah farmed and held al- 
most every town office. About 1854, he removed 
to W aterbury Centre. Here al so he held m any 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



590 



THE LOVEJOYS 
were also here at this time. 

Benjamin died in 1776, aged 58. and 
is buried here. Also Abijah, who died 
the same year, aged 36. The follow- 
ing lines we take from his gravestone : 

'* liife is uncertain, death 
is suer; sin the wound, 
and Christ the cuer,” 

He was a delegate from Westminster 
to the convention held here 7th Feb., 
1775, 

PETER LOVE JOY 

died here 1793, at the age of 38, and 
may have been a son of Benjamin or 
Abijah. We suppose him to have been 
the Major Peter Lovejoy, whose widow 
married Asa Av.erill. 

He had three sons : John, Samuel 
and Joseph, and some daughters. 

John was the first who settled in the 
Lane district, which was then a wilder- 
ness. He was a cooper and farmer. 
He married Asenath, a daughter of 
Aaron Petty. This district, which in 
1800 was thickly settled and contained 
many of the more prominent families 
in town, and had some 70 to 80 schol- 
ars to send to school, now has but one 
land owner within its limits, not a’ child 
for the district school, and probably 
never will have again, 

Samuel, a carpenter and joiner by 
trade, built on the street and lived 
where D. A. Hills now does. He was 
postmaster for some time and superin- 
tendent of the Sunday-school. 

Joseph died while young. 

Hannah married a Hunt, of Putney, 
and Betsey married a Wyman, of the 
West Parish, 

town offices; was a successful town agent for 
years, He married, first, Calista Russell, and 
second, a sister of Col. Fred E, Smith, of Mont- 
pelier. He left two sons and a daughter. The 
painful circumstances of his death, the news- 
papers of the time chronicled. He died in 1883 ; 
was buried in Stowe.*—' " Argus and Patriot,” 



NATHAN FISK, ESQ. j • 

was a prominent man in the place ; he 
appears to have been here in 1777, from 
the .death of three children buried here 
during that year. He was jail-keeper 
in 1779, at the time Judge Chandler 
was buried. He was justice of the 
peace for several years, and died in 
1788, aged 65. 

DR, ELK AN AH DAY. 

Dr, Day was a resident of West- 
minster in 1775, and was a prominent 
and inhuential man. His residence 
was the place formerly occupied by 
Crean Brush, Not only in town but 
throughout the country he was known 
and respected as a physician. He w as 
a member of a committee of the County 
Congress which convened at Westmin- 
ster previous to the session of 6 June, 
1775, and was a delegate from West- 
minster to the committee of safety held 
at the same place in June, 1776, and 
was chosen clerk. In 1780, we find 
“Maj. Elkanah Day,” one of a com- 
mittee to take into consideration the 
feasibility of a new government formed 
by a union of the eastern portion of 
Vermont and the western portion of 
New Hampshire. 

He was one of the 44 Yorkers,” ar- 
rested for non-compliance with the 
terms of the new militia law in 1779, 
and was fined <£40. He subsequently 
appears, however, as an earnest sup- 
porter of the new government. He 
was chosen with John Sessions to 
represent the town in the New York 
Assembly, in 1779, and was senator in 
1781. 

He received the appointment of 
Major of the southern regiment of the 
State 1778, and in 1782 was adjutant 
under Gen. Ethan Allen, in maintain- 
ing the civil authority of the State. He 
was high sheriff* of Windham couaty 
from 1782 to 1 787. 



591 



WESTMINSTER. 



31 



STEPHEN ROW BRADLEY 
was a descendant of William Bradley,* 
who came to this country with several 
brothers in 1637, and a son of Moses 
and Mary Row Bradley, of Cheshire 
(then Wallingford), Ct. He was born 
20 Feb., 1754. He graduated at Yale 
with the degree of A. B., in 1773, and 
received from his alma mater the de- 
gree of A. M., 1778. 

While in college he prepared an al- 
manac for 1775, of which an edition 
of 2000 copies were published Nov., 
1774. In January after his gradua- 
tion he entered the army as captain of 
the Cheshire Volunteers. In Decem- 
ber of the same year, with the rank of 
adjutant, he received the appointment 
of vendue master and quarter-master. 

He afterwards received the appoint- 
ment of aide-de-camp to Gen. David 
Wooster. In 1778, he was employed 
as commissary, and during the sum- 
mer of 1779 served as major, at New 
Haven. He studied law with Tapping 
Reeve, the founder of the Litchfield 
law school. 

His first appearance in the State of 
Vermont is at the adjourned session of 
the Superior Court at Westminster, 26 
May, 1779, and in 1780, he represents 
the town of Westminster in the General 
Assembly. 

At the session of the court above 
named, he was commissioned attorney 
at law, and received license to plead at 
the bar within the State. He soon took 
a high position, and his learning and 
talents were the admiration of all. He 
at once became prominent as a political 
leader, and had a large influence in lay- 
ing the foundations of the new State. 
He was appointed to present to Con- 

* The first settler of New Haven, Ct., one ot 
whose brothers was an officer in Cromwell's 
Ironsides. 



gress, at its session in Feb., 1780, the 
views and feelings of Verrrfont with 
reference to the claims of Massachu- 
setts Bay, New Hampshire and New 
York. 

The result of his efforts is cqntained 
in a pamphlet, entitled, “Vermont’s 
Appeal to the candid and impartial 
world, containing a fair stating of the 
claims of Massachusetts Bay, New 
Hampshire and New Yoik.” 

This was read before the Council of 
Vermont, at Arlington, 10 Dec., 1779, 
and approved and ordered to be pub- 
lished. It is a masterly presentation of 
the claims of Vermont to independence, 
and among the various pamphlets writ- 
ten at this period upon this controversy 
with New York, “ Vermont’s Appeal ” 
stands pre-eminent.* 

In Aug., 1781, Mr. Bradley was 
commissioned lieutenant of the 1st 
Regiment of Vermont militia, and in 
October follow ing was promoted to the 
office of colonel. This office he re- 
signed in March, 1787, and in Jan., 
1791, he received the appointment of 
brigadier-general of the eighth brigade 
of the Vermont militia. 

The following are among the various 
offices which he held : He was State’s 

attorney for Cumberland county from 
1781-1785 ; select man in Westminster 
in 1782 ; held the office of town clerk 
from 1787-1788 ; from Dec., 1781 to 
March, 1791, register of probate for 
Windham county. On the 21 Feb., 
1783, he was appointed a judge of the 
court of the county, and from Oct., 
1788, to Oct.. 1789, side-judge of the 
Supreme court of Vermont. He repre- 
sented Westminster in the General 
Assembly of the State, in 1780, 1781, 

* He was unable, however, to obtain a per- 
sonal hearing for Vermont, in Congress, at 
that time, and presenting a remonstrance, re- 
turned to' Vermont.— Hall’s “Eastern Vermont.” 




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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



592 



1784, 1785, 1788, 1790 and 1800, and 
in 1785* was elected speaker of the 
house. He was a member of the State 
Constitutional convention in 1791, and 
elected to the Council in 1798, and in 
1789, he was appointed Commissioner 
to establish the boundary line between 
New York and Vermont. 

On the 12 May, 1793, he was ad- 
mitted to practice in the Circuit court of 
the United States. He received the 
honorary titles of M. A. and LL. D. 
from Dartmouth and Middlebury col- 
leges, and was appointed a fellow of 
the latter in 1800, which position he 
held till the time of his death. On the 
17 Oct., 1791, Mr. Bradley, with 
Moses Robinson, were elected as the 
first senators from Vermont to the Con- 



In polities Mr. Bradley was a Repub- 
lican of the school of Jefferson. He is 
spoken of by Mr. Graham, in his 
“ Descriptive Sketch ” of Vermont, as 
“ a lawyer of distinguished abilities 
and a good orator.” “ Few men,” he 
says, “have more companionable tal- 
ents, *a greater share of social cheerful- 
ness, a more inexhaustible flow of wit, 
or a larger flow of unaffected urbanity.” 
The Hon. S. G, Goodrich, known to all 
as “ Peter Parley,” who married a 
daughter of Mr. Bradley, says of him, 
“ He was distinguished for political 
sagacity, a ready wit, boundless stores 
of anecdote, a large acquaintance with 
mankind, and an extensive range of his- 
torical knowledge.” 

W e cannot better conclude this sketch 



gress of the United States ; Mr. Brad- 
ley for the term of four years and Mr. 
Robinson for six.* 

He was again elected for a term of 6 
years from 4 Mar., 1801, and during 
the greater part of the next two years 
he was president, pro tempore, of the 
Senate. f At the expiration of this 
term, he again entered upon another 
term of 6 years from Mar. 4, 1807, 
and in 1808 was again president, pro 
tempore of the Senate. \ On retiring 
from public life Mr. Bradley resumed 
his residence at Westminster, where he 
remained until the year 1818, when he 
removed to Walpole, N, H., where he 
died 9 Dec., 1830. 

* Mr. Robinson took Ms seat in the United 
States Senate, Oet. 31, and Mr. Bradley, Nov, 7, 
1791. On drawing’ lots to determine to which 
of the classes, for 2 years, for 4 years, or 6 
years, the two new senators from Vermont 
should belong, Bradley drew a term for 4 years 
and Robinson for six.— C. K. WinuAMS. 

f In the absence of Aaron Burr, vice-presi- 
dent. 

t In the place of George CJ inton, vice-presi- 
dent, an old adversary in the New York eon- 
troversy, who had been wont to denounce him 
as a Rioter. 



than by giving an extract from his dis- 
tinguished pamphlet, entitled “Ver- 
mont's Appeal 

“The State ot Vermont, we have 
now clearly shown, has a natural right 
to independence ; honor, justice and hu- 
manity forbid us tamely to surrender 
that freedom which our innocent pos- 
terity have a right to demand and re- 
ceive from thoir ancestors. Full well 
may they hereafter rise up in judgment 
against us, if, like profane Esau, we 
mortgage away their birth-rights, and 
leave them at the expence of their lives 
to obtain freedom.” 

Appealing to the inhabitants of the 
United States of America, he says : 

“We have now existed as a free and in- 
dependent State almost four years ; have 
fought Britain s, Canadians, Hessians, 
Waldeckers, Dutchmen, Indians, To- 
ries, and all, and have waded in blood 
to maintain and support our indepen- 
dence, We beg leave to appeal to your 
own memories, with what resolution 
we have fought by your sides, and what 
wounds we have received fighting in the 
grand American cause ; and let your 
own recollection tell what Vermont has 
done and suffered in the cause of civil 
liberty and tbe rights of mankind, and 



593 



WESTMINSTER. 



33 



must we now tamely give up all worth 
fighting for? No, sirs ; while we wear 
the names of Americans we never will 
surrender those glorious privileges for 
which so many have fought, bled and 
died ; we appeal to your own feelings, 
as men of like sufferings, whether you 
would submit your freedom and inde- 
pendence to the arbitrament of any 
court or referees under heaven ? If you 
would, after wasting so much blood and 
treasure, you are unworthy the name 
of Americans ; if you would not, con- 
demn not others in what you allow 
yourselves. 

WILLIAM C. BRADLEY, 
son of Stephen Row and Merab At- 
water Bradley, was born at Westmin- 
ster, 23 Mar., 1782. 

He was a precocious child ; he began 
to write poetry at six years of age ; 
published his first prose work at twelve ; 
the title page runs thus : 

“ THE BIGHTS OF YOUTH, 
Composed, revised, and submitted to 
The candid Header; 

BY 

WILLIAM C, BKADLEY, ESQ., 

Author of the Poem on Alienas and TiehnoUs 
Duel. 

Westminster: 

Printed by J ohn Go old, jun. 

M.DCO.XCIV.” 

At nine he had read the Bible through 
seven times ; was fitted for college at 
eleven, and entered Yale at thirteen. 
He was expelled from college during 
the early part of his course, on account 
of some mischief which he always said 
he never perpetrated, although he 
frankly confessed he {t had done unde- 
tected mischief enough to deserve 
censure.” 

* [Since the above was in print, we have re- 
ceived from Mr. Fairbanks the additional items 
for the Stephen H. Bradley biography: “He 
was in Bennington early in 1788; his rank of 
Adjutant, Vendue-Master and Quarter-Master 
was conferred 17 December, 1776. He was 
States Attorney for Cumberland County, from 
16 June, 1780-1785.“] 



Nothing daunted at the disappoint- 
ment he had met, and the cold treat- 
ment which he received at his father's 
hand, he resolved to become the learned 
man which the college had refused to 
make him. He entered upon the study 
of law at Amherst, Mass., with Judge 
Simeon Strong ; and after the appoint- 
ment of Mr. Strong to the office of 
Judge of the Supreme court, he re- 
turned to his father's office, where, by 
his distinguished talent and zealous ap- 
plication, he acquired a large renown. 
At the age of 17 5 he was appointed to 
deliver a Fourth ot July oration at 
Westminster, which was followed by 
an ode which he had composed. The 
success of this effort contained some 
premonition of the future greatness of 
the man. 

He was admitted to the bar at the 
age of 20, and having been refused per- 
mission to practice in the Supreme 
court on account of his youth, so great 
was the respect he had won for his 
talents, that he was appointed by the 
Legislature attorney for Windham 
county, which secured him access to 
the Supreme court. This office he held 
for 7 years. 

At 24, he represented his native town 
in the State Legislature (1806 and 
1807) ; at 30, was a member of the 
Council, and at 32 was a representative 
to Congress. 

After the expiration of the term for 
which he was elected, at the close of 
the war of 1812, he was appointed 
agent of the United States, under the 
treaty of Ghent, for fixing the North- 
eastern Boundary. This work lasted 
5 years, and was regarded by him as 
the great service of his life. He was 
afterwards elected to Congress for two 
terms (1823-27), which services sub- 
stantially closed his public career. He 




34 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



594 



was, however, a member of the State 
legislature in 1850, and presidential 
elector in 1856, casting the vote of his 
State for John C. Fremont, and# was a 
member of the State Constitutional Con- 
vention the following year. 

Mr. Bradley, during most of his ca- 
reer, was a Democrat in polities* He 
entered upon his political career during 
that brilliant era of Webster, Clay and 
Calhoun, the like of which we have not 
seen since, and probably never shall 
again. In the bright constellation of 
that political firmament, he shone a con- 
spicuous star. He was a man of large 
talent and great learning. He possessed 
a wonderful memory, accompanied with 
rare conversational powers. His ca- 
pacious mind seemed an inexhaustible 
reservoir of learning, wit and wisdom, 
which poured forth in a full torrent from 
his powerful, yet melodious voice, that 
would hold the delighted hearers en- 
tranced for hours. 

The Rev. Pliny H. White says of 
him : “ It is not too much to say, all 
things considered, that he was the 
greatest man Vermont has yet produced. 
Williams may have equalled him as a 
lawyer, Collamer as a reasoner, Phelps 
as an orator, and Marsh may be his 
peer in multifarious learning, but 
neither of them, nor any other Ver- 
monter, living or dead, who has come 
to my knowledge, has been at once 
lawyer, logician, orator and scholar to 
so eminent a degree. He inherited all 
his father’s strength of mind, and added 
to it the most liberal culture which 
books and the best society could offer.” 

Speaking of the Bradley family, Mr. 
White says : ‘ £ Talent and scholarship 

have descended in a remarkable man- 
ner from generation to generation ; and 
not only this, but have continually ap- 
proached nearer and nearer to positive 
genius. 



William C, had extraordinary talents ; 
but his son, Jonathau Bradley, had 
more than talent, — even that indispen- 
sable something termed genius.”* 

Mr. Bradley was as much at home 
in theology as in law, — in fact, theo- 
logical literature was his favorite study. 

He was versed in Hopkins and Ed- 
wards, as well as familiar with the 
German writers of the liberal school, 
“ Theology,” he said, “is the noblest 
profession, law is second to it,” He 
had an extensive acquaintance with the 
Sacred Scriptures, which he was in 
the habit of studying in the original 
languages* He often wrote out exegeses 
of difficult passages, giving his own 
views as to their interpretation. He 
also wrote out his religious vi ews , 
which are preserved among his manu- 
scripts, in a neat and legible hand. 

Few men are as happy in their do- 
mestic life as was Mr. Bradley. His 
grand-daughter, in speaking of this 
phase of his life, says : 

“ When a mere school boy he plighted 
his troth for the first and last time ; 
and that love grew "with his growth, 
and strength, till at eighty-four years 
of age, the tenderness and devotion 
of this happy couple was like the 
blossom of the olive, rare and beauti- 
ful. The object of this life-long love, 
was Sarah Richards, daughter of Hon. 
Mark Richards, of Westminster, and 
she was wholly worthy of his love, in 
person and in character. She was petite 
and graceful, with a beautiful blue eye, 
dark hair, a gentle voice and a quick, 
light step. She was one of the old 
school of gentlewomen ; had met Wash- 
ington in her father’s house at Boston, 
and mingled with the refined and cour- 
teous of that age. Her love and ad- 

* [See biography and portrait of Jonathan 
Dorr Bradley, in the History of Brattleboro, 
this volume,— Ed.] 




595 



WESTMINSTER. 



35 



miration for her husband was deep and 
sincere, and she was unconscious of the 
great influence which she exerted over 
him. He never failed to consult her 
on all important changes, and always 
paid great deference to her opinions.” 

Mr. Webster said of him, that he had 
one of the greatest minds in the country. 

As a specimen of Mr. Bradley’s ora- 
torical composition, we give the closing 
passage of his eulogy upon Mr. Web- 
ster : 

“There may be those, who, looking 
to former opposition, may think that, 
notwithstanding onr friendly relations 
in private, I have already said too 
much. To such I answer, that, old as 
I am, when my heart becomes too con- 
tracted to swell at the manifestations of 
talent, worth and greatness, may it cease 
to beat ! Were I, being in a state of 
safety, to look upon the lion roaming 
in his native haunts, and to behold his 
firm and regal tread, the majesty of his 
countenance j his large, calm eye filled 
with the expression of conscious pow- 
er, how could I withhold my admira- 
tion ? If he was afterwards seen by 
me breaking out of bounds, and scat- 
tering desolation and misery abroad, 
should I be inconsistent in declaring my 
abhorence ? But when the shaft of the 
Mighty Hunter had laid him low, dead, 
prostrate before me, and I looked upon 
his great and noble proportions, and 
the symmetry of his make, I must feel 
that he was indeed created monarch of 
the forest. So has it never been per- 
mitted me to cease admiring and bear- 
ing witness to the great things of Daniel 
Webster, and if it can soothe his mighty 
spirit to have apolitical adversary twine 
the cypress round his tomb, I freely 
offer myself to bear his memory a trib- 
ute which I trust will be also in unison 
with the feelings of the whole House.” 

A BALLAD OF .JUDGMENT AND MERCY. 

(WRITTEN BY MR. BRADLEY IN ADVANCED LIFE.) 

“As at midnight I was reading by my lamp’s 
fitful gleam, 

I fell into a slumber, and behold I dreamed a 
dream ; 



This outer world had undergone a great and 
sudden change, 

And everything around me seemed wondrous 
new and strange. 

No sunlight, no moonlight, no starlight glit- 
tered there r 

A mild and steady twilight seemed to per- 
meate the air; 

And there sat the blessed Jesus. No golden 
tin-one had he, 

But was clad in simple majesty, as erst in 
Galilee. 

Behind him Justice, Mercy, Truth, safe guides 
in earthly things ; 

Their functions now absorbed in him, all stood 
with folded wings; 

And the recording angel, with deeply sorrow- 
ing look, 

Took in his hands and opened the all-contain- 
ing Book. 

There came a distant murmur, as of waves 
upon the shore, 

While throngs on throngs unnumbered into 
the Presence pour; 

By their instincts segregated here, nigh the 
close of Time, 

Rush the bad of every nation, of every age 
and clime. 

They stop astonished, all abashed ; and with 
attentive ear, 

Though the angel’s lips were moving, no ac- 
cents could I hear; 

Yet of that startled multitude, to each like 
lightning came, 

His life’s continued story, its mingled guilt and 
shame. 

From all the records there disclosed, oh! who 
could lift the veil; 

Or of the varied shades of wrong unfold the 
dreadful tale 

Of kingly pride, plebeian spite, of violated 
trust, 

Of mastering force, of hidden sin, hate, cruelty 
and lust! 

Each has due allotment, and with agony ot 
heart, 

The vast assemblage vanished at the thrilling 
word, “ Depart! M 

There was no driving angel, and no extrane- 
ous force ; 

For conscience was accuser, and the punisher 
remorse. 



36 



. VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE* 



596 



When this I saw transacted, upon my face I 
fell! 

The anguish of that moment, no human tongue 
can tell. 

With throat convulsed, and choking, I gasped, 
and strove to cry, 

" Have mercy, Lord ! Oh, mercy have l a sin. 
ner lost am L” 

To look upon that face again, how was it I 
should dare? 

And yet I wildly ventured, with the courage 
of despair; 

When that pitying eye fell on me, beaming 
mercy from above, 

And I saw that smile ineffable of never-dying 
love. 

By so sudden a transition, all stupefied I 
gazed. 

When ifi my members trembling, rose bewil- 
dered and amazed ; 

But kindliest words of comfort the blessed 
Master spoke, 

Which wrapped my soul in ecstacy; and sob- 
bing I awoke.’* 

Mr* Bradley has written much poetry 
that has never been published. His 
office is the repository of a large col- 
lection of manuscripts and documents, 
left not only by himself, but by his 
father. General Bradley, and by his 
father-in-law, the Hon. Mark Richards. 

From these abundant materials an 
extensive biography of the Bradleys is 
in contemplation, and will constitute a 
valuable contribution to the history of 
Vermont, as well as to American liter- 
ature. 

THE BRADLEY FAMILY 
GENEALOGY* 

GEN* STEPHEN K. BRADLEY 
married (1) Merab Atwater ; (2) Thank- 
ful Taylor ; (3) Belinda Willard* He 
had 3 sons and 4 daughters. 

William Czar (by 1st wife), born 23 
Mar*, 1782* 

Stella C. (by 2d wife). She married 
Jonah Bellows,, of Walpole, N* H. 



Stephen Row, drowned in Deerfield 
river* while at Deerfield Academy. 

Adaline G M married S. G. Good- 
rich (Peter Parley) . No descendants 
of the last three living. 

By his second wife he had : 

Louisa, died in infancy, 

Mary Row, married Henry S, Tudor, 
Hartford, Coon. 

William Czae Bradley, son of 
Stephen Row and Merab (Atwater) 
Bradley, born 23 Mar,, 1782 ; died, 
1867 ; aged, 85. He was born and 
died at the Bradley mansion in West- 
minster, He married Sarah, daughter 
of Mark Richards. She died 7 Aug., 
1864, aged 83 years ; four children : 

1. Jonathan Dorr. 2. Mary Row. 
3* Merab Ann* 4. Stephen Row. Mary 
Row and Stephen Row died in child- 
hood. 

1. Jonathan Dork, married Susan 
M. Crossman, of Peacham. Children : 
William Czar (A. B., Harvard Col.) ; 
Richard, Stephen Row, Arthur C. (A. 
B., Amherst Col.), 

2. Merab Ann, married Hon* Daniel 
Kellogg, of Brattleboro* Children : 
Sarah Bradley (married Henry A, Wil- 
lard, Washington, D* C.), Daniel jr*, 
(married Margaret W. May). 

MARK RICHARDS 

was a resident of Westminster for 
nearly 50 years, and occupied a prom- 
inent and influential position in the 
town and in the State. He was born 
in Waterbury, Conn., 15 July, 1760. 
His mother was sister to the Rev. Dr, 
Hopkins, the distinguished theologian 
and divine. He enlisted in the Conti- 
nental army at the age of 16, and .was 
among those whose courage and suffer- 
ings in the northern campaigns have 
given enduring fame to Stony Point, 
Monmouth, Red Bank and Valley 
Forge, At the close of the war, he 



597 



WESTMINSTER. 



37 



settled in Boston, and engaged in 
mechanical and mercantile pursuits. 
Having accumulated a moderate prop- 
erty, he removed to Westminster, in 
1796, and engaged in the mercantile 
business with Eleazer May. 

So correct was his manner of doing 
business, and so popular was he with 
his fellow-citizens, that he was soon 
sought by them to fill offices of trust 
and confidence. In 1801, he was elected 
by a large majority to represent 
them in the Legislature, which se- 
cured for him ever after a position of 
influence in the State. He was re- 
elected to this office in the years 1802, 
’04, ’05. 

In 1806, he was a member of the 
Council of Censors, and was appointed 
sheriff of Windham county the same 
year, which office he held until 1810. 
He was a member of the State Council 
in 1813 and 18l5 ; was once presiden- 
tial elector, and in 1817 he became a 
member of Congress, which position he 
held until 1820. He again represented 
his town in the Legislature in 1824, ’26, 
and ’28, and in 1829 and 30, he. was 
associated with his old friend and col- 
league in Congress, G-ov. Crafts, as 
lieutenant-governor of Vermont. He 
was in the Legislature again in 1832 
and ’34. 

In person and character, he is thus 
described by his son-in-law, Hon. Wm. 
C. Bradley : 

“ Mr. Richards was lean and tall in 
his figure, of pleasant, but somewhat 
formal manners, and in spite of a lame- 
ness with which he had been afflicted 
for the last thirty years of his life, was 
a remarkably active man. 

“The traits of his character were dis- 
tinctly marked. His liberality, though 
great for his means, was discriminating 
and well timed ; his industry and per- 
severance whenever the occasion seemed 
to demand it, were untiring ; his love of 



order was so precise, and descended to 
such minuteness of detail, that it ap- 
peared almost incompatible with much 
expansion of thought, or ready dis- 
patch of affairs, and yet few men can 
be named who united more knowledge 
of human nature, more sagacity and 
promptness in business, than he uni- 
formly displayed.” 

He married the widow Dorr ; their 
daughter Sarah was the wife of Hon. 
Wm. C. Bradley. Mr. Richards died 
in Westminster 10 Aug., 1844, aged 84. 

SETH ARNOLD 

came to Westminster about the year 
1782. He was a son* of Seth and 
Abigail (S haler) Arnold, and born 
in Haddam, Ct.,.3 Sept., 1747. His 
parents both died when he was about 
three months old, leaving him and an 
older brother, Ambrose, as the only 
offspring. 

Seth was 3 years in the Revolution- 
ary war ; was engaged in the battle of 
White Plains, N. Y. ; was twice taken 
prisoner ; was 9 months in a crowded 
prison ship in New York harbor, and 
when it was burned came near losing 
his life. 

He had accumulated a thousand dol- 
lars before the war, which he lost 
owing to the depreciation of currency, 
having only enough left to carry him 
through a period of sickness. In this 
condition, he came to Westminster, with 
only an old pistareen in his pocket, 
worth about a shilling at that time. He 
worked for John Norton six months 
during that summer, at five dollars a 
month. 

In the course of a year or two, he 
entered upon the business for which he 
was prepared, as shoe-maker, tanner 
and farmer. On the 8 Oct., 1786, he 
was married to Esther Ranney, daugh- 
ter of Dea. Ephraim Ranney. As the 
fruits of this union, they had children : 




38 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



598 



Seth S haler, Ambrose Tyler, Esther, 
Joel, Ranney, Phebe, Olivia, and 
Abigail. 

Mr. Arnold was an industrions man 
and prospered in his business, and ac- 
quired a handsome property. He made 
a public profession of religion at the 
age of 89, and lived to the age of 101 
years, 10 months and 3 days ; and was 
able to dress himself the day he died. 

His second son died when a young 
man. 

Seth Shaler, his eldest son, is now 
living at the age of 82, an honored and 
useful minister of the gospel. 

Esther, the oldest daughter, twice 
married, bnt now a widow, is still liv- 
ing in her native town at the age of 78. 
A prominent characteristic of the 
Arnold family has been that of sterling 
religious character. 



Of others who settled in the East 
Parish of Westminster about this pe- 
riod, whose date of settlement is ob- 
tained mostly from the record of deeds, 
are in 1779, 

Jabez Paine, at the south part of 
the town, elected deacon of the church 
in 1812. No descendants in town. 

John Lane, from South Hadley, a 
teacher before he came to Westminster, 
settled on Wellington hill. His son 
Jonathan married Anna, daughter of 
Capt. Azariah Wright, and has nu- 
merous descendents now living in the 
place. 

Benjamin Whitney, whose lot lay 
just north of James Richardson’s, being 
No. 11 in the first range of 80 acres. 

ELIAKIM SPOONER 

appears to have been a prominent man 
in the town ; he was member of the 
Assembly in 1793, ’94, and ’95, and a 
member of the Council from 1802-1807. 



He was a resident of Hardwick, Mass., 
in 1779. We find a deed of this date 
conveying to him several lots of confis- 
cated land in the Government meadow. 

EDWARD GARY, 

Thomas Dunham, Stanton Richardson, 
were here in 1780 ; Abel Carpenter, 
David Daley, in 1781; Richard Dor- 
and, Abraham Shipman, in 1782-83, 
none of whom, that we are aware, have 
descendants in the place now. 

DEA. ABIEL GOODELL 

was here in 1780 ; he came from Pom- 
fret, Ct., and settled at the south part 
of the town on the Putney line. He 
married the widow of Dan Dickinson, 
one of the first members of the church, 
in 1767. 

He had 8 children, among whom 
was his son, Dea. Abiel, who lived here 
for a time, and then went to Lyndon, 
Vt. He had also a son William, who 
was a minister of the gospel, and a 
Son Simon, who was a physician in 
Melville, N. H., who also had a son 
Simon, who graduated at Brown Uni- 
versity, and became a Baptist minister. 

DEA. NATHANIEL KITTREDGE 

was in Westminster as early as 1783, 
and elected to the office of deacon, in 
1820. He lived on what is called the 
“Underwood place,” on Mill Brook. 

BENJAMIN GOODRIDGE 

came from Keene, N. H., in 1782, 
and settled on the hill where Roswell 
Whitney now lives. His father, Ben- 
jamin, came from Middletown, Mass., 
soon after, and lived with him. The 
father and three sons were in the battle 
of Bunker Hill . After the father came 
to Westminster, his son Benjamin re- 
moved to the north of Joseph Wright’s, 
and there lived the remainder of his 
life. He had three sons and three 
daughters. 




599 



WESTMINSTER. 



39 



Heman, one of the sons, settled in 
Westminster, and left descendants. 

Polly, one of the daughters, married 
Dea. Abiel Goodell, jr., one of whose 
daughters became the wife of Rev. Mr. 
Graves, of Iowa City. 

CRAIGE & POMEROY 

were merchants here in 1784, on the 
spot where Mr. Hills now lives. 

THOMAS FULLER 

was here in 1785, and settled upon 
Wellington hill. His son, Judge Aus- 
tin Fuller, of Saratoga, was the first 
baptised child of the East Parish 
church. 

LOT HALL 

was a resident of Westminster in 1783 ; 
he had previously been engaged in a 
naval expedition for the defence of the 
harbor and navigation of South Caro- 
lina, and was twice taken prisoner, 
and once taken to Glasgow, Scotland. 

He possessed a good education, and 
had devoted himself to the profession of 
the law. He was chosen to represent 
the town in the General Assembly in 
1789, *91, ’92, and 1808. As Presi- 
dential Elector in 1792, he east the 
vote of the State for George Wash- 
ington and John Adams. In 1799, he 
was a member of the Council of Censors, 
and for 7 years, from 1794 to 1801, 
was a judge of the Supreme Court of 
the State. 

His services in the latter position dis- 
played much ability, and gained for him 
much credit. In 1800, he was consti- 
tuted a fellow of Middlebury college, 
which position he held until his death. 
His character and merits are thus sum- 
med up by Mr. B. H. Hall : 

“ As a friend, he was constant, con- 
fiding, and generous. As a citizen, 
patriotic, public spirited, and liberal. 
As a husband, obliging, affectionate, 
and gentle. He was ever ready to 



assist the poor in their misery, and the 
afflicted in their suffering. 

His legal abilities were of an high 
order, and were well suited to the times 
in which, and the people among whom 
he lived. 

While on the bench, his opinions 
were prepared with deliberation, and 
his decisions were ever based in justice 
and right. 

His fund of anecdote was great, and 
a memory of surpassingly retentive 
powers enabled him to call up, on any 
occasion, incidents illustrative of what- 
ever topic might be under consideration. 
This remarkable faculty, combined with 
an extensive experience of men and 
things, and an affable disposition, ren- 
dered his conversation not only agree- 
able but instructive. Though dying 
in the fifty-third year of his age, his 
life was an active one, and his personal 
and political influence was felt and 
acknowledged in the community where 
he resided/’ 

The following is a passage from 
Judge Hall’s address upon the character 
of Washington : 

“ Heaven seems to have sent him 
upon the earth, to serve at once as an 
example of that perfection of which 
human nature is capable, and of that 
happiness it may enjoy in private life — 
and at the same time to have literally 
endowed him with those public virtues, 
which sometimes raise human nature 
above itself. In short, nothing seems 
wanting to grace the perfection of his 
character. He sustained adversity with 
firmness, and prosperity with modera- 
tion. The power and sublimity of his 
genius transcend the fame of Caesar, 
and his consummate wisdom and pru- 
dence, that of Augustus, His supe- 
riority in peace, as well as in war, has 
been aekhowledged by all, and even his 
enemies have confessed, with a sigh, 
his great and shining accomplishments, 
and that he loved his country ; and de- 
served the empire of the world. 

Though we cannot expect to reach 
the transcendent height of his public 
honors and military glory, with respect 
I to the exercise of his private and domes- 
i tic virtues, we may, in some measure, 




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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



600 



be imitators of him. Let us then copy 
his bright example. Let us live and 
act as he advises, and in this way shall 
we more convincingly evidence our re- 
gard for his memory than we should 
were we daily to repair to his sepulchre 
and bedew ^Hth tears of sincere regret 
that stupendous monument of our coun- 
try’s salvation.” 

ANOTHER EMIGRATION . 

About the year 1785 or ’86 there was 
an emigration from Worcester Co., 
Mass., some of whom settled in the 
south part of Westminster and others in 
Putney. Among these were Dea. Ja- 
bez Paine (lived where Mr. Clay now 
does), Hezekiah launders (lived where 
James Towers now does) and Major 
Upham, who settled a little to the east 
of Dea. Paine. Washburn, Palmer 
and Brooks settled in the edge of 
Putney. 

JOHN GROUT 

is worthy of mention as being the grand- 
father of six ministers and missionaries 
and missionaries’ wives, besides one 
who died during his seminary course. 
One of these went as missionary to 
Southern Africa, three to Turkey, and 
one to the West. 

John Grout was the fifth generation 
from Capt John Grout, who came to 
this country as early as 1640. Mr. 
Grout was the father of 13 children, 
and one of the sons is now living in 
Westminster. 

LEVI PECK 

came to this place about the year 1788, 
and settled where his son Shubael 
now lives. He married a daughter of 
Joshua Stoddard and was a prominent 
man and much respected. 

REUBEN PIERCE 

was here early in the history of the 
town, he lived to the age of 94. His 
father was killed by the Tories at Ben- 
nington. 



ELEAZER MAY, 

son of Rev. Eleazer May, of Haddam, 
Ct., came to this place in 1789, and 
lived with Mr. Cone, and kept a store 
a few years upon the upper street ; he 
afterwards built the brick store and en- 
tered into partnership with Hon. Mark 
Richards. 

ELLERY ALBEE 

was a man of considerable influence in 
town. He was a man of few words, 
but prompt and efficient in business. 
He held the office of Justice of the 
Peace, represented the town in the Leg- 
islature in 1821, ’22, ’30, ’46 and ’48. 

He was a member of the Constitu- 
tional Convention in 1828, and Judge 
of Probate from 1838 to ’46. 

POPULATION. 

Westminster had formerly many 
more inhabitants than at the present 
time ; it will never be again what it has 
been in the past. 

The population reached its highest 
limit in 1820, since which time it has 
been gradually diminishing, as will be 
seen from the census at different times. 
In the year 1771 the population was 
478; in 1791,1601; in 1800,1942; 
in 1810, 1925 ; in 1820, 1974 ; in 1830, 
1737 ; in 1840, 1556 ; in 1850, 1722 ; 
in 1860 it was 1301 ; in 1870 it was 
1240, East Parish, 818 ; West Parish, 
422, 1880. — See Appendix. 

(The increase of some .200 from 1840 
to 1850 is occasioned by the temporary 
residence of workmen in building the 
railroad.) 

EDUCATION 

has received a good degree of attention. 
The first school in town i * said to have 
been taught by John Webb, who was 
an early resident of the place, and after- 
wards removed to Rockingham. 




601 



WESTMINSTER. 



41 



THE OLD ACADEMY. 

Several years since there was a flour- 
ishing academy in the town. 

John Goldsbury taught the school in 
1849, and in 1850 to 5 51 it was under 
the care of Prof. L. F. Ward, and for 
two or three years after it passed through 
the hands of Mr. W. H. Coburn, Mr. 
Clark, Mr. John Stratton and Mr. 
Maynard. 

In 1854, Prof. Ward again took 
charge of the school, under whose effi- 
cient management it gained great popu- 
larity, attracting scholars from various 
parts of New England. The number 
of pupils was a hundred and upwards, 
and sometimes it reached nearly 200 
students. 

Five catalogues were issued under 
Prof, Ward, and one State Institute 
catalogue. Mr. A. B. Dascomb took 
the school in 1858, and did good service 
for some 3 years, since which time 
there have been only occasional terms. 

THE FIRST PRINTING IN THE STATE 

was done here in the summer of 1788, 
by Judah P. Spooner and Timothy 
Green. In Feb., 1781, the paper called 
the “ Vermont Gazette or Green Moun- 
tain Post Boy” was commenced by the 
first printers in Vermont. Its motto 
was : 

“Pliant as reeds where streams of freedom 
glide, 

Firm as the hills to stem oppression’s tide.” 

It was issued weekly, and continued 
to 1784, when the press was removed 
to Windsor, where it now remains in 
the possession of Preston Merrifield, 
Esq, 

The Vermont Editors and Publishers’ 
Association, at their late meeting, ap- 
pointed a committee to procure this 
press for deposit in the archives of the 
Historical Society, at Montpelier, 



After the removal of Spooner & 
Green from Westminster, the printing 
business wa s carried on in the same 
place by John Goold. 

THE LIBRARIES OF WESTMINSTER, 

There was formerly a valuable cir- 
culating library in the East Parish ; a 
few years since the books were divided 
among the shareholders. 

THE FARMERS’ CLCB 

have had, for several years past, an ex- 
cellent library, but this during the past 
year was sold at auction. 

There is, at the present time, a mag- 
azine club supported by the ladies of 
the parish. 

There are taken from the post office, 
in the East Parish, at the present time, 
6 dailies, 287 weeklies, 73 monthlies, 
and several quarterlies. 

WESTMINSTER IN THE WARS, 

Several of the early settlers were en- 
listed in the French and Indian war, 
and several were in the war of the Rev- 
olution, to whom reference has already 
been made. 

Those who were in the army in the 
late war of the Union for the suppres- 
sion of the Southern rebellion, from 
the East Parish, were : 

Albert W. Metcalf, wounded in hand ; 
Benjamin Cook, died in service ; James 
H. Ellis, Peter Good, Victor Good, 
Wm, H. Chapin ; Milton Pierce, died 
in service ; Ambrose Fairbrother, died 
in service ; Artemas Ellis, died in ser- 
vice ; Henry O. Parker, Alvin J. Par- 
ker, Charles C. Cliapin, Tyler H. Joy, 
Sylvanus Spooner, died in service ; Eli 
Metcalf, A. S. Spencer, M. H. Cook, 
Cornelius Harty, John A. Grout, Ed- 
ward H. Weymouth ; Hollis Wyman, 
lost an arm ; Stephen Wyman, Willard 
Moultrop, William Wood, Hiram Met- 




42 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



602 



calf, Thomas Ash well, Win slow Church ; 
Henry M. Corlew, lost a foot. 

HIKE MONTHS 5 MEN. 

John Jeffrey, John Landon, Brig- 
ham T. Phelps, L.,0. Darling, Ran- 
dall Smith, ji\, Charles S. Adams, 
James P, Shipman, Chas. C. Fisher, 
Franklin G. Ayres, Byron E. Oakes, 
Geo. T. Wetherell, Joel H. Holton, 
William S. Crosset, Geo. H. Whitney, 
Perley- D. Siseho, Robert D. Frit, 
Albert W. Metcalf, George R. Tower, 
Wm. F. Willard, Thomas Hyde, 

HOTELS. 

John Norton kept tavern on the up- 
per street, and John Goold on the lower 
in 1775, the latter of which buildings is 
now standing. Ephraim Ranney also 
kept tavern above John Norton’s at a 
later date. 

Michael Gilson, at the south part, 
kept public house for 20 years after he 
built his house, from about 1765 to *85, 

Asher Southard had a hotel for sev- 
eral years (about the year 1800) in 
the building now occupied by the store 
of R. S. S afford & Co. He was suc- 
ceeded by Aaron Wales for some 10 
years, and he by Joseph Willard, and 
then came John Foster ; in the same 
place, 2 or 3 years, and then Joel Aid- 
rich some 6 or 8 years, and Joseph 
Erwin on the Hunt place, at the south 
part, about the same time. 

Eliakim Spooner about the same time 
kept a public house where Mr. Lord 
now lives, about two miles below Bel- 
lows Falls. 

Samuel Cone had a public house op- 
posite the brick store ; afterwards a Mr. 
Brown can led on the business at the 
same place, about 1810 ; and still later, 
in 1868, Mr. Danforth, now at Marl- 
boro, N. H. 



Since the railroad was built there has 
been less occasion for public houses, 
and there is now but one in the place, 
and that is kept by Allen Wells. 

STORES. 

Eleazer May opened a store on the 
upper street, near Mr. Cone’s, both of 
whom came from Haddam, Ct. Sami 
Cone, jr. was clerk with May, and 
kept store after Mr. May removed* 

There was, afterwards, the firm of 
Pratt & May, and when Mark Rich- 
ards came to town he bought out Mr. 
Pratt and with Mr. May did a large 
business, and, as appears from the old 
account books, rum and toddy consti- 
tuted no inconsiderable part of the 
traffic. They had rum in those days 
that was thought fit for ministers to 
drink, as appears from the fact that the 
parson was a frequent purchaser. 

Richards & May were succeeded by 
Isaac Grout, who carried on the busi- 
ness for two or three years, and he was 
followed by Mr. Nutting, and he by 
Mr. Chase, who has been succeeded by 
the present occupant. 

Craige & Pomeroy had a store for 
many years, from 1784 to 1800, where 
Mr. Hills now lives, and a Mr. Wash- 
burn had a store since 1800 on the site 
of the present parsonage. 

MANUFACTURES. 

The hatting business was formerly 
carried on in the place by Josiah Davis, 
There was, some years ago, a woolen 
mill on the small stream near Harlan 
Farr’s. 

The principal manufacture at the 
present time is that of baskets. There 
are three saw-mills and the same num- 
ber of grist-mills in the parish at the 
present time. There was once a saw- 
mill on the Underwood Brook, or as it 
was formerly called, Mill Brook, prob- 
ably the first one in town. 




6GB 



WESTMINSTER. 



43 



There was , some 60 or 70 years ago, 
an old saw -mill on the Governor^ 
brook, near where Luke Rice lives. 
Benjamin Goodridge built a saw-mill 
some 90 years ago on or near the spot 
where Mr. Goold has one at the present 
time. 

THE PHYSICIANS 

who have practised in the East Parish, 
so far as can be ascertained, are as 
follows : 

William Hill, who was here in 1769 
and attended upon French when he was 
killed in 1775. * 

^ Elkanah Day, who was also here in 
1775. 

Dr. Robinson, who was here in 1 785. 

Dr. Hilerman was here about this 
time, and a noted physician. 

Edward Campbell practiced here 
some 10 years, and then removed to 
the West Parish in 1804. 

Wm. Town probably succeeded him, 
and died here in 1805. 

Dr. Goddard was here about this 
time. 

John Marsh was here in 1808, and 
Dr. Hilerman in 1813, who was a Ger- 
man and a physician of much note. 

Jonathan Badger is spoken of as a 
noted physician about this time ; pre- 
cisely w r hen he was here is not ascer- 
tained. j 

Dr. Jeremiah Foster was buried here j 
in 1827. 

Dr. Barrett was here previous to j 
1820 and was succeeded by Pliny Saf- 
ford about this time. 

HR. S AFFORD 

was the physician of the place for 
nearly fifty years, and died in 1867, an 
honored and useful man. He was suc- 
ceeded by Joseph Chandler in 1866, 
and he by Dr. Stone the following year. 
Dr. Stone remained in the place but a 



few months, it being too healthy for~a 
physician to live, and since that time 
there has been no resident physician in 
the parish, nor in the town. 



THE CHURCH AND MINISTRY. 

As soon as there was a prospect of a 
permanent settlement in -Westminster, 
measures were- taken to organize a 
church, and in the terms of the original 
grant, to u settle a learned and orthodox 
minister,” from which time to the pre- 
sent, Orthodox Congregationalism has 
held the rule throughout the town. The 
only exception being the formation of a 
Baptist Society in 1782, whose member- 
ship was mostly from the West Parish ; 
and a movement to provide for “lib- 
eral preaching ” one-fourth part of the 
time during the ministry of Rev. Mr. 
Sage, which resulted in the erection of 
a new house of worship in the East 
Parish. 

Both of these movements appear to 
have been short lived. 

The church in the East Parish began 
its existence with nine members, one of 
whom was the pastor-elect, on the 11th 
of June, 1767. The names of those 
who composed the church at that time 
were : Rev. Jesse Goode le, William 
Willard, Ephraim Rannev, Bildad An- 
dros, John Sessions, Dan Dickinson, 
Zachariah Gilson, John French, and 
Azariah Dickinson. On the same day 

MR, GOODEIX 

was ordained pastor of the church, 
which relation he sustained about one 
year. During his ministry the church 
increased to 40 members, about one- half 
by letter, and one-half of the whole 
number being males. 

Mr, Goo dell was a graduate of Yale 
College, in the class of 1761, and li- 
censed by the Hartford North Associa- 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



604 



tion in Oct., 1763. He entered the 
Revolutionary Army after leaving West- 
minster, and died in 1779. 

On the 4 May, 1769, Ephraim Ran- 
ney and John Sessions were elected 
deacons. During the same year a large 
and commodious house of worship was 
erected, which remains in a good state 
of preservation at the present day. It 
was many years, however, before the 
house assumed a finished state, pro- 
bably not far from 1800. It is now 
used as a town ball, but is still held in 
great veneration by the older inhabi- 
tants as the sacred place whither the 
tribes went up to worship God. The 
old pulpit, u high up the wall, access to 
it by a flight of several stairs/’ with 
the grave deacon’s seats in front, still 
remains, but the ancient sounding- 
board, threatening, as the young people 
thought; the minister’s head, and the 
large, square pews, with their clatter- 
ing seats, whose music once furnished 
entertainment for the little ones, are 
gone. These relics of the former days, 
as well as most of those associated with 
them, whose lives have passed into his- 
tory, are among the things of the past. 

Between the first and second pastor- 
ates there was an interval of some 6 
years. During this interval the pulpit 
was supplied, at least a portion of the 
time, by the 

REV. SIMON BACKUS, 

of Granby, and five were added to the 
church. 

A receipt from Mr. Backus to Col. 
Stephen Row Bradley, for money re- 
ceived for preaching, bears date, 5 Sept., 
1768. 

On the 6 July, 1774, 

REV. JOSEPH BULLEN 

was ordained pastor, and continued in 
that relation for about 11 years. 



Mr. Bullen was a native of Sutton, 
Mass., and married a sister of John 
Morse, one of the early settlers ot 
Westminster, and a kinswoman of Prof. 
Morse, the inventor of the telegraph. 
“ He was a man of learning, talent, and 
piety, a fine writer, and a clear, sensi- 
ble, and instructive, though not an elo- 
quent preacher.” 

During his pastorate 46 were added 
to the church, the larger part of them 
by profession. In addition to the duties 
of the ministry, he did a large specula- 
tion in land, earned on the mercantile 
business, and the manufacture of potash. 

In 1785, the relation between him 
and the chureh was informally dis- 
solved, and he removed to Athens, 
where he owned large tracts of land, 
and organized there a Congregational 
church. He preached mostly there, as 
Paul sometimes did, at his own charges, 
and twice represented the town in the 
State Legislature. 

He afterwards labored as a mission- 
ary among the Chickasaw Indians in 
Mississippi. He organized the first 
Protestant church in that State ; he la- 
bored in that vicinity for some 20 years, 
preaching the gospel and establishing 
churches, and after a ministry of more 
than 50 years, died at an advanced age 
in 1825. 

After Mr, Bullen left Westminster, 
the pulpit was supplied for a time by the 
Rev. Simon Backus, and others whose 
names have not been preserved. 

On the 24 June, 1790, 

MR. SYLVESTER SAGE 

was called to the pastorate, and or- 
dained on the 13 Oct. following. With 
the exception of about 2 years, his 
whole ministry was given to this church . 
His first pastorate of 17 years resulted 
in the addition of 95 to the church, 56 
of them by profession. 



605 



WESTMINSTER. 



45 



In 1805, on account of the diminished 
resources of the society, from the re- 
moval of some 30 or more from the 
East Parish church to constitute the 
church in the West Parish, Mr. Sage 
was led to ask a dismission, which was 
not granted. 

In 1807, he renewed the request, 
which was granted. In November of 
that year, he was installed colleague 
with Rev. Mr. Weld, of Braintree, 
Mass., and continued there a year and 
6 months, to a day ; after which he 
returned to the church at Westminster, 
with which he remained for 29 years. 

During Mr. Sage’s second pastorate, 
special seasons of religious interest 
were enjoyed, in 1810, T6, ’25, and ’31. 

This last revival, aside from the addi- 
tion of 25 members to the church, gave 
rise to the organization of°a temperance 
society in the winter of 1832-33, and 
it soon became the practice of the 
church not to receive those who indulged 
in the use of intoxicating liquors. 

Mr. Sage was a man handsome in 
personal appearance, of fine social quali- 
ties, clear in intellect, and evangelical 
in doctrine. His reputation as a preach- 
er was such that he was invited to 
preach the election-sermon before the 
State Legislature in 1803, and at sev- 
eral installations, and three of his ser- 
mons have been given to the press.* 

In May, 1838, the 

* He was born in Berlin, Ct.; son of Dea. 
Jedecliah and Sarah (Murry) Sage ; graduated 
at Yale, 1787 ; studied with Rev, Cyprian Strong, 
D-D; licensed by Hartford South Association, 
1787 ; preached as candidate in Shelburne, Mass., 
1790, the church voting on the call 22 for, 22 
against; came directly to Westminster; mar- 
ried, Jan. 20, 1791, Orpah Robinson, of Gran- 
ville, Mass., who died Feb. 18,1792; married 
2d.,Clarrissa, daughter of Rev. Eleazer May, of 
Haddam, Ct., who died Dee. 16, 1836. He 
preached his farewell sermon at Westminster 
the last of April, 1838, and died here Jan. 21, 1841. 



REV. SETH S. ARNOLD 
became acting pastor, and continued in 
that relation for about 2 years, with the 
understanding that he would give way 
to an acceptable candidate for settlement 
when such should be found. Under his la- 
bors the church enjoyed a season of great 
prosperity which resulted in the hopeful 
conversion of between 60 and 70 per- 
sons, and the addition of 41 members 
to the church. 

On the 22 Apr., 1840, 

REV. CALVIN R. BATCHELDER 

was ordained to the pastorate with a 
salary of $450. His connection with 
the church continued 5 years. During 
the first 3 years a low state of religion 
prevailed, when in Feb., 1843, an in- 
teresting work of grace commenced and 
continued for several weeks, which re- 
sulted in the addition of 17 persons, 
most of them converts in this revival, 
to the membership of the church. 

Mr. Batchelder was a native of Wen- 
dell (now Sunapee), N. H., and a 
graduate of Bangor Theological Semi- 
nary, in 1838. He was a u sound 
scholar, a faithful pastor, a good ser- 
monizer.” After he left Westminster, 
he entered the ministry of the Episco- 
pal church, and has been rector of the 
church in High gate, Manchester, Bel- 
lows Falls, and Bethel. 

On the 21 Oct., 1846, 

REV. WILLIAM H. GILBERT 
was ordained to the pastorate, and con- 
tinued in that relation until 5 Mar., 
1851. He was a native of Weston (now 
Easton), Ct. ; was graduated at Yale 
College in 1841. and studied theology 
at Andover and New Haven. Since 
leaving Westminster he has been pastor 
of the church in Ashfield, Mass., and in 
Granby, Ct., and since in the employ of 
the Connecticut Bible Society. 




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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



606 



After Mr. Gilbert’s dismissal the 

REV. J. W. PIERCE 

became acting pastor for 2 years, and 
was succeeded by the Rev. Isaac Es- 
tey for about the same period of time. 

In May, 1855, the 

REV. EDWIN SEABURY 
became the acting pastor until April, 
1858, in November of which year, 
the Rev, Harrison G. Park was in- 
stalled, and dismissed in Mar., 1860. 

These frequent changes in the pastor- 
ate had resulted unfavorably for the 
prosperity of the church. 

For 15 years the membership had 
steadily declined, the loss had been 
twice the gain, and at the existing rate 
of decrease, the prospect was fair for a 
speedy extinction of the church. 

The Lord, however, did not forsake 
his people. He did not break the braised 
reed, nor quench the smoking flax. The 
ministry of the 

REV. ANDREW B. FOSTER, 
which commenced in July, 1860, was 
most happy in its results. ' It was the 
means of reversing this downward cur- 
rent, and of uniting and strengthening 
the spiritual forces of the church. Dur- 
ing the summer of 1861, a special 
season of religious interest was enjoyed 
without any extra effort to produce it, — 
it was remarkably quiet in its opera- 
tions, and confined mostly to the young. 
As the results of this work, 24 new r 
members were added to the church. 
On account of protracted sickness in 
his family, Mr. Foster, at the deep re- 
gret of his people, was compelled to 
leave 26 April, 1863, after a ministry 
of little less than 3 years. He was im- 
mediately succeeded by 

MR. F. J. FAIRBANKS, 
then a student in the Seminary, v T ho 
supplied the pulpit till the first of Sep- 



tember, and was invited to the pastor- 
ate after he should have completed 
another year’s study at the Theological 
Seminary. The pulpit meanw r hile was 
supplied by the Rev. Selah R. Arms, 
Mr. Fairbanks commenced his perma- 
nent ministry with the church on the 
last Sabbath in June, 1864, and was 
ordained on the 31st of August follow- 
ing, and still remains the pastor (1870). 

deacons. 

Ephraim Ranney, 4 May, 1769, to 9 June, 17S1. 
John Sessions, 4 May, 1769, to 1 May, 1820. 

Elijah Ranney, to 24 Get., 1799. 

Abiel Goo dell, 22 Oct., 1795, to 2 Feb., 1829. 
Jabez Paine, 2 July, 1S12, to 3 March, 1836. 
David Foster, 23 April, IBIS, to 26 July, 1818. 
Nathaniel KittreUge, 27 Aug., 1820, to l Dec., 1847. 
Abiel GoodeB, 3 March,. 1836, to 13 Feb., 1839. 
Pliny Safford, 3 March, 1836, to 8 June, 1867. 
John MeXiel, 7 Nov., 1839. 

Sylvester S. Stoddard, 30 Aug,, 1867. 



NATIVE MINISTERS. 

REV. JOEL RANNEY ARNOLD, 

son of Seth and Esther (Ranney) Ar- 
nold, born 25 Apr., 1794 ; studied medi- 
cine, and practised it about a year ; 
then studied theology with his brother, 
the Rev. S. S. Arnold, at Alstead, N. 
H. He was ordained at Chester, N. 
H., 8 Mar., 1820, and had a success- 
ful ministry there of 10 years, which 
resulted in the addition of 110 persons 
to the church. He was installed at 
Waterbury, Ct., in 1831, and at Col- 
chester, Vt., in 1836, at which latter 
place he remained 13 years, and had a 
successful ministry. 

He then spent a year or two in his 
native place, during which time he 
was instrumental in the organization of 
a church at Bellows Falls. He after- 
wards preached at Middlebury, Ct., 
between 2 and 3 years, and in Dec., 
1854, was installed over the South 
Church at Coventry, where he remained 
till April, 1860, after vdiich he preached 




607 



WESTMINSTER, 



47 



a year in Maine* and then removed to j 
Chester, N„ IL, where he died in 1865.'* : 

REV. SETH SHALER ARNOLD * 

son of Seth and Esther Arnold* born 
22 Feb., 1778, was graduated at Mid- 
dlebury, 1812. He taught school a 
year at Bladensburg, Md., and at the 
same time studied theology with the 
Rev. J. Breckenridge, Washington, D. 
C., and on his return to Westminster, 
in 1814, continued his studies with Rev. 
Sylvester Sage, 

In May, 1815, he commenced preach- 
ing in Alstead, N. IL, and was or- 
dained pastor of the Congregational] 
church there in Jan,, 1816, and was 
dismissed in April, 1884. Three re- 
vivals occurred in connection with his 
ministry at this place. < 

Previous to his dismissal, he preached 
2 years in Gilsum, N. IL, and subse- 
quently at Walpole, nearly 2 years, and 
then at Westminster about the same 
length of time. 

He was acting pastor at different 
times at Newfane, Wardsboro, Sax- 
ton's River, Westminster West, Spring- 
field, and Cavendish (in Vermont), and 
Troy ,W estinoreland, Langdon, Charles- 
town, Unity, Lempster and Alstead (in 
N» H.). He also preached 2 years in 
Roxbury, N. IL, between 8 and 4 
years in West Halifax, Vt., and 6 
years in West Townshend, Vt. In 
1864 he retired from the ministry to 
W eathersfield, where he now resides. f 

* His publications are : “ Address at the 
Opening of a Cemetery in Colchester “ Stric- 
tures on a Sermon, Preached in Chester, on 
‘ Revivals of Religion in Jerusalem ; ' ** a Ser- 
mon on “Chance and its Design,” preached at 
tlie burial of three persons who perished in 
the burning of a dwelling-house ; and two arti- 
cles in the “New Englander.”— P, H.W.] 

f He has published one sermon, “ The Intel- 
lectual Housekeeper.” Boston: 1835. 12mo., 

pp. 47; and “The Family Choir,” hymns set 
to music. 



THE RET. WILLIAM GOODELL 

eon of Abiel and Margaret (Brown) 
Goodell. born 18 June, 1788, graduated 
at Middlebury ,181 0 ,and was principal of 
Pawlet Academy one year, and tutor in 
Middlebury College 2 years. Studied 
theology with Rev. Mr. Packard, and 
licensed by the Franklin (Mass.) As- 
sociation in 1818. He was ordained 
pastor of the Congregational church in 
Grafton, Vt., in Sept., 18.15, and dis- 
missed in September, 1820. In Feb- 
ruary, 1822, he began to preach in 
Holland Patent, N. Y M and was there 
installed March, 1828. He was dis- 
missed in March, 1829. He afterwards 
preached as stated supply in Russia, 
Deerfield, Lenox, Howard and Napoli, 
after which he was engaged as eolport- 
eur^of the American Tract Society for 
8 years, and was also employed for 
some time as an agent of the Presby- 
terian Board of Publication. He died 
at Throopsville, N. Y., 26 Oct., 1865, 

THE REV. ISAAC FAR WELL HOLTON, 

son of William and Olive (Rockwood) 
Holton, born 80 Aug., 1812, graduated 
at Amherst College, 1886. He was, 
for a time, one of the Board of Instruc- 
tion in Middlebury College, and has 
been prominently engaged as a writer 
and lecturer. 

NATIVE WIVES OF CONGREGATIONAL 
MINISTERS. 

Frances Goodell, married Rev. Alphetts 
Graves. 

Mary Goodrich, married Rev. William H. 
Gilbert. 

Martha A. Harris, married Rev. Samuel A. 
Rhea. 

Stella It. Nutting, married Rev. A. B. Das- 
comb. 

Esther Goodridge, married Rev. C. A. Dick- 
inson. 




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608 



THE SARRATII SCHOOL. 

BY R, S. S AFFORD, SECRETARY 

We have made some effort during 
the past year to learn of the state and 
circumstances of the introduction of this 
institution into this place ; and although 
positive knowledge has not been gained 
upon all points, we think it reasonably 
certain that its advent was as follows : 

About the year 1813 or T4, Mrs. 
Lusk, afterwards Mrs. Field, gathered 
some children and taught them on the 
Sabbath, in the old General Bradley 
house, that stood where Mr. J. C. 
Richardson's house now stands, and 
she seems to have been succeeded by 
the widow Bela Clapp, assisted by 
Miss Davis, afterwards Mrs. Dea. 
McNiel, in the same house. 

In the year 1817, probably in^he 
month of May or June, the Rev. Mr. 
Sage having been solicited to lend his 
influence in introducing the new insti- 
tution, he appointed a meeting of those 
in favor of the Sabbath School at the 
old school-house, on the spot where 
Dea. McNeil now lives ; it was then 
and there determined to organize a 
school, and the next Sabbath, Mr. Sage, 
in the old meeting-house, announced 
the teachers and their classes. What 
the officers were under this organization 
is uncertain ; probably they had no sec- 
retary, for there are no records in the 
secretary’s hands farther back than the 
organization in 1838, and we cannot 
learn that any were regularly kept. 

Dr, Thayer was active in starting 
the school, and was its first superin- 
tendent, if they had an office of that 
kind he was not a doctor of medicine, 
but received his title from having prac- 
ticed the art of the apothecary ; and 
while he lived in this town was an op- 
erative in Clapp's woolen mill. 



It took 36 years from the time that 
Richard Raikes started the first Sunday 
School in London, in 1781, for the new 
institution to travel from the place of 
its birth, and become firmly seated in 
Westminster, and remembering that 
those were years of slow-sailing vessels 
and slow stage coaches, and few newspa- 
pers, it was as soon as could be reasonably 
expected. And it will be observed that 
just half a century after the church was 
organized here, her co-worker, the 
| Sabbath School, joined hands with her. 

In the early days of the school, the 
scholars were all young, none older than 
14 years ; they learned the catechism 
and verses from the Scriptures, and 
hymns, and the school was discontinued 
during the winter, as there was no fire 
in the meeting-house. 

The earlier superintendents were Dr. 
Thayer, Hon. Ellery Albee and Samuel 
Lovejoy. 

The Hon, Mark Richards was a 
great patron of the school, one year 
furnishing the girls with white dresses 
and blue sashes, in which they attended 
a celebration ; another year offering 
three prizes to those that committed to 
memory the most Scripture. These 
prizes were a handsomely bound Bible, 
a Testament, and a hymn book, and 
were taken by Hannah Davis (now 
Mrs. Newell of Fall River, Mass.), 
Harriet Holton (now Mrs. Noyes, of 
Wallingford, Conn.), and Nancy May 
(now Mrs. Butterfield, of Palmyra, 
N.Y.). 

In the year 1824, Mr. Richards gave 
the school $40, $16 to be divided to the 
four that committed to memory the 
most Scripture and hymns ; $16 to be 
divided to the next eight, and the bal- 
ance to be equally divided among the 
rest of the scholars. Judge Albee was 
superintendent that year and also a 



609 



WESTMINSTER. 



49 



teacher ; he kept a record which gives 
the classes, with the ages of the pupils, 
the number of Sabbaths each attended, 
the number of verses of Scripture re- 
cited by each, the number of answers 
in the Catechism, and the number of 
verses in hymns recited. The school 
that year was held 26 Sabbaths, prob- 
ably commencing with May and ending 
with October. It was divided into 28 
classes, 12 of boys and 16 of girls, and 
there were 115 scholars. 

The teachers were : Ellery A I bee, 
Joel Page, Harry Bellows, now Chief 
Justice of New Hampshire, Daniel 
Averill, Oscar Davis, Win. Goodell, 
Edmund Burke, since prominent in po- 
litical life, Wm. Holton, Jr., Rodney 
Burton, Mercy Averill, afterwards Mrs. 
Swinton, Sally Baldwin, sister of Mr. 
Richaids, Mary Lord, Jemima Hol- 
ton, Sophronia Cone, afterwards Mrs. 
Thresher, and Salome Cone, now Mrs. 
Wetherell, Esther Hills, now Mrs. 
Smith, Phebe Arnold, now Mrs, Isaac 
Holton, Mary Hunt, now Mrs. Fessen- 
den Clark, Mary Ann May, now Mrs. 
Gov. Fletcher, Mehitable Davis, now 
Mrs. McNiel, Anna Cbipman and 
Louisa Chipman, afterwards Mrs. Hodg- 
kins and Mrs. Jones, Merab Bradley, 
afterwards Mrs Judge Kellogg, Julia 
May, now Mrs. Dr. Hoyt, Harriet 
Ann Holton, now Mrs, John Noyes, 
Frances Clapp, Susan Willard, Nar- 
cissa Buxton, now Mrs. Wm. Goodell, 
Salina Stoddard, afterwards Mrs. Bux- 
ton, Hannah May, afterwards Mrs. E. 
A. Holton, and now Mrs. Phelps, and 
Minerva Holton, now Mrs. Gilchrist. 

Selections from the Poems of Hoii. 
Wm, C. Bradley: 

ORDINATION HYMN. 

(Written by Mr, Bradley, at the request t>t a 
grandson, to be nsed at the Ordination of a 
fellow -student in theology.) 



Pabt I. 

Wheu erst in Eden’s leafy shade, 

Man newly felt his Maker’s breath, 

Ere fair temptation’s charms had made 
This world a scene of sin and death— 

No second tongue was needed then 
To tell the Almighty’s high behests ; 

The still, small voice could come to men, 

And find an answer in their breasts. 

But when debased, the torpid soul 
God by his messengers awoke, 

Amid the thunder’s solemn roll, 

The tempest’s blast, the lightning’s stroke. 
Then rose the altars to his name, 

And crowds the ritual splendor saw, 

Heard prophets sing, and priests proclaim 
The awful terrors of the law. 

At length the Fullness from above 
To earth the high commission bore, 

And spoke to men of peace and love 
As never mortal spoke before ; 

And conquering Death, the risen Lord 
Gave forth his great and last command, 

And bid his brethren spread the word 
To every soul in every land. 

Paut II. 

O thou most High l all good and just, 

Hook down from heaven, thy dwelling-place ; 
Behold thy servant take his trust, 

And aid him with thy helping hand 
To do thy work, to do thy will, 

To speak tliy praise, to preach thy word, 
Promote all good, repress all ill, — 

A faitliful steward of the Lord. 

Found him on thine Eternal Bock ; 

Make him a shepherd of thy care. 
Heavenward to gently lead his flock. 

And in his arms thy lambs to bear ; 

To walk upright in wisdom’s ways, 

In which the blessed Jesns trod, 

Until the “ Well done ! ” comes ■with praise. 
Fresh from Ms Father and his God. 

(Written upon the fly-leaf of a Bible 
presented to his daughter, Merab A. 
Bradley) : 

These well-bound leaves an earthly father 
gave. 

Proof of his care, his love, his hope to save ; 
But, oh! the precious word inscribed within, 
The powerful antidote to poisonous sin ; 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



610 



Which guides the wanderer, dries the mourn- 
©r’s eye ; 

Which teaches how to live and how to die ; * 
Which breaks the bondage of the frozen tomb, 
.And makes the joyful soul in life to come; 
Life, too, eternal ; this to me was given 
By Thee, my Father, God, which art in heaven. 

(Found in a watch which he wore for 
many years, written in a beautiful and 
clear hand, but exceedingly minute) : 

“ Little monitor ! by thee, 

Let me learn what I should be, 

Learn the round of life to till. 

Useful and progressive still. 

Thou canst gentle hints impart, 

Bow to regnlate the heart. 

When I wind thee up at night, 

Mark each fault, and set thee right. 

Let me search my bosom too, 

And my daily thoughts review; 

Nor be easy when I find 
Latent errors rise. to view, 

Till all be regular and true.” 

(A news-clip from a letter of Mrs. Mary 
S. P. Cutts, daughter of Consul Jarvis, 
who contributed, before her late la- 
mented death, the History of Weathers - 
field Bow, and its Early Settlers, to 
this work) ; 

Of Hon. Wm. C. Bradley, S. G. 
Goodrich, his brother-in-law, says : 
k4 4 Few passions, except piety and avar- 
ice, survive three-score.’ Then Mr. 
Bradley was a rare exception. The 
passion for books, the love of the beau- 
tiful, remained to the last. A courtier 
might envy the ease and elegance with 
which, when past seventy, he would 
enter a brilliantly lighted drawing-room 
and charm the hearts of all the ladies, 
at least, by his sallies of wit, and the 
grace of his compliments. 

“W^hen visiting Washington, a lew 
years since, an accomplished and fashion- 
able young widow, now the wife of 
Commodore Hahlgren, said to me, 4 1 
have Jately formed a delightful friend- 
ship with an old gentleman of seventy, 
from your State.’ She could hardly 
believe it possible that a man over sev- 
enty years of age, from Vermont, could 



surpass the foreign ministers, many of 
whom visited her, in elegance of man- 
ner, and real bonhommie 

DEATH OF MR. BRADLEY. 

The journals of the State all poured 
their tributes over lus bier. Says 46 The 
Rutland Herald ” ; 

4 4 We regret to announce the dea h o 
the venerable W r m. C. Bradley. . * 

The death of Mr. Bradley dissolves the 
last link which connects the former gen- 
eration of the distinguished men of 
Vermont with the present, and the 
names Richard Skinner, Daniel Chip- 
man, Chauncey Langdon, Charles 
Marsh, Rollin C. Mallory, John Mat- 
tocks, and a host of others of the noble 
men of Vermont who have been his as- 
sociates in public and private life are 
brought before us, all of whom have 
long since preceded him to the grave ■ 

. . . His father was among the 

most prominent of the early men of 
Vermont, the son, inheriting the strong 
native powers, genial characteristics 
and ready wit of his lather, and edu- 
cated amid the influences of that early 
history of our commonwealth, was im- 
bued with* the spirit and inspiration of 
the. principles and habits of the men 
who laid the foundations of our State. 
* # * ■& # 

He was the colleague of Webster, Cal- 
houn, Clay, Mallory and others in the 
palmiest day of the brightest intellects 
that ever graced our National Congress. 
In 1856, he was made the bearer of the 
vote of Vermont to Washington, 43 
years after his first entrance into Con- 
gress, and his retentive memory ena- 
bled him to give many reminiscences of 
the early days, and his great fund of 
anecdote and wit attracted particular 
attention and drew around him a large 
circle of admirers during his stay at the 
Capital. 

Thus has passed away from earth one 
of the most gifted, genial and distin- 
guished men of our good old common- 
wealth, and his memory will long be 
cherished in the hearts of those who 
have been privileged to enjoy his friend- 
ship and society. A gentleman of the 
old school, he enlivened many a social 



611 



WESTMINSTER. 



51 



circle with story, anecdote and wit. In 
his latter life, as in earlier days, he en- 
joyed and honored the companionship 
of the most celebrated and honored men 
of our country. 

He has outlived all of his own imme- 
diate family, having* within a few years, 
buried his much beloved and honored 
son, the late Dorr Bradley, and his wife, 
within a year. Some years since he re- 
moved to Brattleboro to live with his 
kindred, and on the occasion of the 
burial of Iris wife, he returned to West- 
minster with her remains, and on no 
consideration could he be induced to re- 
turn to Brattleboro, preferring to remain 
and die amid the hallowed scenes and 
sacred associations that clustered around 
bis early and active life, and be buried 
with those he loved andamid the people 
who had so long and often honored him 
and unto whom he had been a faithful 
servant and a useful fellow-citizen. A 
few weeks before his death he remarked 
that he should die between the 20th of 
February and the 23d of March, his 
eighty -fifth birthday, and the prediction 
has been fulfilled. 

The grave of William C. Bradley, of 
Westminster and Brattleboro, is covered 
with laurel, and yet the Editor of this 
work would lay one more sprig thereon, 
so the charming countenance and figure 
of this grand old man, tall, large, 
rather — nobly developed, crowned with 
the hoary head, rises up stereoscoped on 
the glass of the past and stands on the 
tablet of memory, one of our earliest 
and noblest friends in this enterprise, as 
we saw him twenty-five years since. 

I think we saw him first in West- 
minster — twice, later, we visited him 
at Brattleboro, For years his honored 
name stood on our published table of 
writers for Windham county, as the 
historian for Westminster. He had the 
papers and the information for it. At 
the last visit — ‘ 4 I'm getting too old to 
write much,” he said , “I did intend to 
have written it out myself. But you 
shall have it. Dorr, my son, must help 



now ; together we can give it, and you 
shall have it.” 

“ I can appreciate the work,” he 
said, at our first visit; “ but you do 
not ask enough for it — all the cost of 
time and labor it is for you, besides the 
publication expenses, you should not 
sell a single number short of a dollar ; 
and don't you give any man a single 
number of it. No matter what he may 
do for it ; he will not do as much for 
the work as you are doing for his town, 
county and State.” 

When we sent the work, as issued, 
he always sent the pay Tor it, saying 
; c the men that furnish your papers 
must be the sons of the town and State, 
not hired writers, but local and patriotic 
historians.” 

He always wrote to us on the recep- 
tion of a new number, and these letters 
are treasures among those of the past 
correspondents of the work, ma 
whom now are in their graves. 

His ehirography was unique, and sev- 
eral of his letters have poetical speci- 
mens of his off-hand writing in verse. 
He was a man weighted with grave 
thoughts, with a rich vein of humor. 
The following was dashed off with 
happy readiness by him in his 85th 
year, — the winter of 1861, — which he 
spent at Washington, after hearing 
Major Anderson had evacuated Fort 
Moultrie for Fort Sumpter. 

BOB ANDERSON, MY JO. 

Bob Anderson, my jo, Bob, 

I wonder what yon mean, 

To drink so many juleps 
In praise of Halloween. 

You need all your wits. Bob, 

To keep the forts, you know ; 

But they 11 slip through your fingers, 

Rob Anderson, my jo. 

Rob Anderson, my jo, Rob, 

When first we were acquaint. 

You were a sweet cadet, Rob, 

And always did your stint ; * 




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612 



But now your shanks are shaky, Rob, 

You stagger as you go— 

Your tongue is thick, your eye is glazed, 
Rob Anderson, my jo. 

Once in the brash with Black Hawk 
You fairly did your share ; 

And so with Osceola, Rob, 

Whose bones you have in care. 

You got lame among the greasers, Bob, 
Though with a wound or so; 

But now weil wound your honor, 

Bob Anderson, my jo. 

Fort Moultrie is a jewel, Rob, 

Fort Sumpter is a gem ; 

But with rafts well made of cotton bags, 
Weil sure# conquer them. 

They now are in your keeping, Rob, 

But soon as cocks do crow 
Weil ease you of the burden, 

Rob Anderson, my jo. 

We’ve watched you in the Nina, Rob, 

That away you might not steal, 

For we know when you’re yourself, Rob, 
You are a cunning chiel. 

But this night you are harmless, Rob, 

Bleep off your drunk, you fool, 

While we steam away to Charleston, 

And keep our bonny Yule. 

Thus sung the boasting heroes, 

Of the palmetto and snake, 

And never dreamed that Robin 
Was such a “ W ide Awake.” 

They gone, he roused Ms mettle, 

And while they took their swipes, 

He stole a mareh upon them, 

And saved the stars and stupes. 

Wm. C. Bkadlkv. 

(The following anecdotes are also 
current of Mr. Bradley :) 

At one time he was engaged in the 
trial of a cause growing out of an al- 
leged fraud in the exchange of horses, 
in which the damage claimed was very 
small, but in the result of which there 
was too much personal feeling. His 
argument before the jury was a master- 
piece of forensic eloquence, in which 
tremendous earnestness was the promi- 
nent feature. Passing from the Court 



House after he had finished, his pastor, 
who had been present during the trial, 
took his arm, and, as they walked down 
the street, said; u Mr. Bradley, I 
wish you would tell me how it is that 
you lawyers become so much interested 
in the trial of petty issues, and so over- 
poweringly in earnest in the argument 
of them, while our ministers, who 
stand between God and a fellow world, 
and whose work it is to arouse men to 
a sense of their eternal destinies, fall so 
far below them in the earnestness ot 
their discourses.” 

“ That is easily explained,” said Mr. 
Bradley, you do not realize that you 
are as near the judgment as we do.” 

One of Senator Bradley's sons pur- 
chased a tract of land north of the Asy- 
lum grounds, in Brattleboro, bordering 
on the Connecticut river. The scenery 
on every side was grand, but the plat 
itself was nothing but sand— -and that 
so dry and clean that with every wind 
it drifted, like snow. His purpose was 
to erect a residence and convert the 
ground^ into a park. 

Having completed the purchase, he 
invited his father to go with him and 
inspect his property. Arriving there, 
his eye took in the beautiful view, the 
bold, wooded bluffs on the eastern bank 
and the green backgrouud to the valley 
on the west. Meantime, his father’s 
eye was filled figuratively and literally 
with the sand over which they were 
driving. The horses sank to their fet- 
locks, the wheels dragged heavily 
through it ; the breeze was forming it 
into little windrows. The son broke 
the silence with the inquiry, u Well, 
father, what do you think of my pur- 
chase ? ” 

Slowly and sadly came the reply, 
“Well, my son, I think had I been 
purchasing real estate, I should have 
selected that which the Almighty seemed 
sometime to have had some interest in.” 




613 



WESTMINSTER. 



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APPENDIX. 

Biographical and Genealogical. 

BY KEY. F. J, FAIRBANKS. 

[Mr. Fairbanks’ history of Westminster was 
written in 1870. The Appendix brings the rec- 
ord down to September, 1885 —Ed.] 



PETER LOVE JOY 

had 6 children : John, married Asenath 
Petty, sister to Aaron Petty. No child- 
ren. A good scholar and influential 
man. Lived on Rocky Hill. He died 
in 1817, aged 54. 

Samuel married Lucy Edwards. 
Children: John, George, and Belinda, 
(p. 590), 

AMOS CARPENTER. 

Here in 1751 ; supposed to be the one 
who married Anna, daughter of John 
Averilh Children: 1. Samuel, married 
Olive Whitney, and had Louise, Thad- 
deus B., De Witt C., Henry H. and 
Sarah Jane. 2. Amos, Jr, 3. Sarah, 
married Alderi Whitney. 4. Hulda, 
married — Bliss (p. 578) . 

ATHERTON CHAFFEE. 

Here in 1751 , died, 4 Mar., 1776, 
aged 63, Atherton, Clifford, Constance 
and Otis Chaffee were brothers, and 
supposed to be sons of Atherton, 
senior. 

1. Atherton, jr., married a Brock- 
way, and lived a little south of the Dorr 
Morse place. Children : Wm., Ather- 
ton, Lyndes, and Phebe. 

2. Clifford, married Anna, daughter 
of Capt. Jesse Burke. Had a son, Cal- 
vin, and a daughter who married a 
Fletcher. Clifford was a physician. 

WILLIAM GOOLB 

and his son John were here in 1751. 
Seth, John, and Nathaniel Goold were 
proprietors under New York in 1772, 



and were probably brothers. Seth died 
Aug. 1844, aged 84, William, Seth 
and Nathaniel were members of the 
Baptist Society of Westminster, in 
1784 (p. 579). 

JOHN GOOLD 

was a soldier in the Revolution and kept 
the “ Whig Tavern,” on the lower 
street. He was a great story-teller. 
He died 26 Feb. , 1809. His children : 

1. John, jr,, married Nancy Graves, 
and lived where the parsonage now 
stands. He was a printer with Spooner 
& Green, and afterwards carried on 
the business himself. He had 9 child- 
ren : John, Nancy, Abigail, Sylvester, 
Lydia, Amos, Allen, David and Polly. 

2. Abigail married Dea. Nathaniel 
Kittredge, and lived on the Underwood 
place. 

3. Aaron married Elizabeth Clark 
and settled in the West Parish. Child- 
ren : Betsey, Polly, Sophia, Reuben 
C., Rebecca, Sarah, Amasa A., and 
Emily. 

4. Jonathan lived in “ Goold Tav- 
ern,” then on the west side of the street, 
opposite where it now stands. Child- 
ren : Frederick II., Anna, Charlotte, 
Orilla, Alden, Harriet, and Electa. 

5. Luther married Betsey Hyde ; set- 
tled in Ohio. 

6. Sarah married a Chandler (p, 
579). 

ELEAZER HARLOW 

came from Taunton ,• Mass., in 1758, at 
the age of 20; settled on house-lot 
No. 18, upper street. He died 13 Jan., 
1822. He married Rhoda Alexander, 
of Northlield, Mass., about 1765. She 
died 2 Nov., 1816. Children : 

1. Abigail, married Waitstill lian- 
ney, son of Dea. Epli. Rariney. 

2. Levi, married Elizabeth Ranney, 
Children : Eleazer, Roxana and Axena, 
Eldad, Elizabeth and Rlioda, 



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614 



8. Rhoda, married Eph, Ranney, jr. 
Children : Hiram and Grant W. 

4. Zilpah, married Daniel Averilh 

5. Hannah, married Alfred Spooner. 
Children; Julia, Nancy, Rhoda, Bath- 
sheba, and Erastus. 

6. Josiah, married *Raehel Brown. 
Children ; Mary, Caroline, Josiah, and 
Alonzo. 

7. Eleazer, not married. 

8. Lorina, married Calvin Britton. 

9. Anna, married (1) Giles Marvin, 
(2) Zaeeheus Cole (p. 579). 

MICHAEL GILSON, 

Here with his mother and two sisters 
in 1755 ; was born in Hatfield, Mass, 
1731. He came to Putney during the 
French and Indian war, and enlisted in 
the Fort on Great Meadows. He 
bought the farm where Maj. Joel Page 
afterwards lived, his deed bearing date 
6 Mar., 1759. He married a sister of 
Dea. Sessions. They came to their 
log-house, and ate their first dinner of 
stewed beans, with chips for plates, and 
spoons whittled out for the occasion. 
No children. A few years after he 
built a house oear by, and kept tavern 
for 20 years. He was commissioned 
1st Lieutenant of Westminster Militia, 
18 Aug., 1778, and Captain of the same 
in 1779. He was shrewd at business ; 
never went to school but one week ; 
could read and write enough to do com- 
mon business. He died 15 Apr., 1823, 
aged 92. His wife, Sally, died 4 July, 
1757, aged 88. 

MAJ. JOEL PAGE, 

An adopted child of Capt. Gilson, was 
born 28 July, 1791 , in the house where 
he always lived, and died July 15,1870. 
A member of the General Assembly in 
1842. Children ; Henry and Bradford 
(p. 580). 



LIEUT, ZACHAEIAH GILSON 

came here soon after his brother Mich- 
ael, and settled a little to the south of 
his brother, on what is known as the 
Richard Ward place. He was one of 
the original members of the church here 
in 1767. . He was once carried captive 
by the Indians to Canada, but after- 
wards returned, and died here 15 Nov., 
1804, aged 67. Anna, his wife, died 
8 Nov., 1826, aged 83. Children : 
Zachariah, Michael, and Benjamin (p. 
580). 

ME DAT> WRIGHT, 

born 27 Dee., 1734, died 3 Dec., 1817, 
aged 82, came from Northfield, Mass., 
with his brother Azariah, and Joel 
Holton, and John Norton, soon after 
the French and Indian war, probably 
in 1760-*61, and camped on the spot 
where his grandson, Daniel C. Wright, 
now lives. Judge Burt camped with 
them. Aaron Petty came at the same 
time. The old gambrel-roof house, 
now removed, was built before the 
Norton tavern. 

Medad was constable of Westminster 
in 1776. He married (1) Irene, sister 
of Joel Holton, by whom he had 8 
sons. He married (2) widow Mary 
Willard, of Winchester, N. H., by 
whom he had one son. . Children : 

1. Asaph, born 26 Jan., 1763, died 
20 July, 1836. A physician in the 
West Parish. He married Lydia Camp- 
bell. 

2. Rufus, born 10 Feb., 1765, died 
31 Oct., 1837. Twice married. Four 
children. 

3. Elihu, born 10 Jan., 1769 ; mar- 
ried a Wheeler. Children : Betsey, 
Emily, Rhoda, and Fanny. 

4. Solomon, born 19 Mar., 1771 ; 
not married. 



615 



WESTMINSTER. 



55 



5. Obed, born 16 Get., 1773. He 
married and went West. Children : 
Heman, Josiah, and Levi. 

6. Hollis, born 22 Jan., 1780 ; mar- 
ried (1) Lucy Beckwith, (2) Betsey 
Clay. Children: Daniel C. , married 
Sarah Cragin, Orin went to Cali- 
fornia. 

7. Medad, born 18 Dec., 1781 ; mar- 
ried and went West. 

8. Neri, born 1 Nov., 1785; mar- 
ried Abigail Bradley (p. 582). 

JUDGE BENJ. BURT 

lived near Bellows Falls, and had a tan- 
nery and grist-mill. He died 10 June, 
1835, aged 96 (p. 584). 

CAFT. AZARIAH WRIGHT 

came from Norfchfield with his brother, 
Medad. His deed of house-lot No. 11 
bears date, 20 Apr., 1761. He died 
27 Aug., 1811, aged 74. His first wife, 
Mary, died 1776, aged 54. His second 
wife, Miriam, died 1797, aged 55 ; one 
of them, a Salford, connection of Dr. 
Pliny S afford. Children : 

1. Azariah, died 23 July, 1 838 ; mar- 
ried ‘ Dolly Page. Children : Hosea, 
Olivia, Orpha, Hulda, Jacob, Polly, 
Amasa, Ruth, and Harriet. 

2. Solomon. Children : Jehiel, Ly- 
dia, Miriam, Clarissa, Mary Ann, 
Azariah, Erastus, Louisa, and Safiord. 

3. Caleb, lived in West Parish. 
Children : Hiram, Polly, Charlotte, Ca- 
leb, Alfred and Adeline. 

4. Joseph lived near where his son 
Joseph did; died 3 Oct., 1805; mar- 
ried Betsey Hawley. Children : Al- 
mira, Julia, Joseph, and Mary. 

5. Mary ; married Page ; 3 daugh- 
ters. 

6. Anna; married Jonathan Lane 

(p. 583). 



JOHN NORTON 

came here in 1761, [at the age of 21. 
Born 21 Jan., 1740, died 5 Dec , 1811, 
aged 71. He built the 44 Norton tav- 
ern,” wdiich has been recently torn 
down. Children: John, Cyrus, Anna, 
Clarrissa, Electa, Susanna, Arad, Lucy, 
Mary, Irene, and Heman (p. 581). 

JOEL HOLTON, 

bora 10 July, 1738, in Northfield, 
Mass., died 12 May, 1821. Came to 
Westminster in 1761, and settled just 
north of Azariah Wright. Children : 

1. Joel, born 5 Oct., 1769, died 10 
Dec., 1846 ; married Phoebe Parsons. 
Children: Erastus A., Minerva, Mir- 
iam, David P,, and Phoebe H. 

2. William, born 26 July, 1771; 
married (1) Olive Rock wood, (2) — 
Shaw. Children : Mary, Reuben, Eliza- 
beth! Bethia, William, Elisha, Olive, 
Isabel, Anson, Isaac F., Wealthy and 
John. 

3. Zoetli, born 21 Jan., 1773 ; mar- 
ried Amanda Loomis. Children : No- 
adiah L., Julia A., Elihu D., Olivia, 
Laura, Anjanette. 

4. Jemima, born 1775, died 1777. 

5. John, born 11 Feb., 1777, died 
1815 ; married Harriet Richards. Child: 
Harriet Ann, married Rev. J. H. Noyes. 

6. Alexander, born 19 Jan., 1779 ; 
married Harriet Warner, and went 
West. Children : Jonathan W., Wil- 
liam A., Ellen M., Alexander and 
Harriet. 

7. Bethia, married John White of 
Springfield, *Vt., father of Rev. Pliny 
H. White. 

8. Erastus, bora 1784, died 1800. 

9. Jemima, born 28 May, 1786, died 
7 July, 1865. 

10. Isaac, born 13 Mar., 1790, died 
26 June, 1850, at Hillsgrove, 111. ; mar- 
ried Phoebe, daughter of S**th Arnold. 
Children: Seth A., Rebecca R., John 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



616 



A., Charles A., Julia E., Anna P., 
Joel A. (p. 583). 

AARON PETTY 

came at the same time with the Wrights 
and Holtons. He died at Rockingham, 
21 Oct., 1788, aged 45. Abigail, his 
wife, died 1777, aged 35. There were 
two sisters and a brother, supposed to 
be the children of Aaron Petty. 

1. Asenath, married (1) John Love- 
joy, (2) Asahel Goodell. She died 
1848, aged 84. 

2. Margaret married a Buxton, of 
Walpole, N. H. 

3. Aaron, graduate of college, stud- 
ied for a physician, died 1803 (p. 584). 

DEA. EPHRAIM RANNEY 

died 9 June, 1811. He married Silence 
Wilcox, who died 10 April, 1811. 
Children : 

1. Ephraim, settled in the West Par- 

ish. Married (1) Johnson of Walpole. 
Children : Ephraim, Calvin, Rebecca, 

Lydia, Hiram, Grant W., and Peyton. 

2. Dea. Elijah Ranney, West Par- 

ish. Married Elizabeth Root. Chil- 
dren : Dea. Elijah, jr., and Joseph. 

Joseph was three times married, and 
had in all 17 children, two of whom, 
Timothy E. and Addison, were minis- 
ters of the gospel. 

3. Daniel (Stockbridge) . Children : 
Daniel, Eunice, etc. 

4. Lydia. Married Wm. Ranney. 

Children : William, Lydia, Achsa, 

Sally and Betsey. 

5. Waitstill (Chester), Married 
Nabby, daughter of Eleazer Harlow. 
Children : Eleazer, Waitstill, A«narilla, 
Nabby and Sophia. 

6. Sally. Married Guild (Chester). 

7. Esther. Married Seth Arnold. 

8. Joel. Married Rebecca Hall. 

9 . Rachel. Married J ob Dickinson . 

10. Benjamin. Married Patty Gill. 



Children : Silence, Angeline, Elmerin 

and Stella. 

11. Janna. Married Phoebe Phelps. 
Children : Janna, Orange and James, 
(p. 584.) 

SAMUEL CONE 

settled on the Upper Street. He died 23 
April, 1802. He married Sally Rich- 
ardson. 11 children, 

1 . Lemuel . Married ( 1 ) Su sanna 
Norton ; (2) Dolly Parker, and went 
West. Several children. 

2. Hannah. Married John Morse. 

3. Sally. Married Warner. 

4. Betsey. Married Parker (Spring- 
field) . Children : Patience, Ann, Eliza, 
Elijah and Darius. 

5. Joshua. Married Wright. Chil- 
dren : Joshua, Jeremiah, Whipple, 

Jason, Mary, Adaline, Samuel and 
Lucius. 

6 . S amuel . Married a Burgess of 
Grafton. One child. Patience. 

7. John. Married a sister of Rev. S. 
Sage. One son, Erastus. 

8. May bell. Married John Hazel- 
tine. Children : Hannah, Orpha and 
Wealthy. 

9. Ezra T. Died 22 Feb., 1851, 
aged 78. Married Rhoda Lincoln. 

Children : Almira, Sophronia and 
Saloina, who married George Weth- 
erell (p. 581). 

CAPT. JESSE BURKE 

came from Hardwick, Mass. He was 
born in 1739 ; died 20 Jan., 1811, aged 
72. His wife died 5 Aug., 1811, aged 
75. Children: Eli, Jonathan, Eliab, 
Jesse, Elijah and Anna (p. 586). 

SIMEON BURKE 

came from Brimfield, Mass. Born 
1735. Died 15 April. 1781, aged 44. 
Married Patty Strong. Children : 

1. Samuel. Married Hulda Wright. 




617 



WESTMINSTER. 



57 



2. Simeon. 

3. Elijah. Married Grace Jeffers. 

4. Elisha. Died 1777, aged 4. 

MAJ. SILAS BURKE. 

Born 1746. Died 15 Feb., 1825, 
aged 79. His wife, Mary (Eastman) 
Burke, died 3 Oct., 1840, aged 97. 
Children : 

1. Philip E. Rom 1766. Married 
Sarah Swan. Children ; Harry, Ira, 
George, Fanny, Laura, Orpha, Mary 
A., Persis, etc. 

2. Mary. Married Eusebius Ball. 

3. Keziah. Married Ariel Aldrich. 

4. Silas. Not married. 

5. Justice. Not married. 

6. Sarah. Married Timothy Clark, 
whose son Joseph now lives on the 
home place. 

7. Anna. Married Luther Brown. 

8. Thankful. Not married. 

9. Lucy. Not married. 

WILLIAM WILLARD, ESQ., 

proprietor of Westminster in 1752 and 
1760, resident here as early as 1767. 
He was a son of Rev. Josiah Willard, 
slain by Indians at Rutland, Mass., in 
1723, and the fifth generation from 
Maj. Simon Willard, who came from 
England in 1634, and settled in Lan- 
caster, Mass., and afterward in Con- 
cord, Mass., and had 9 sons and 8 
daughters, who married and left issue. 
The line is (1) Maj. Simon ; (2) Jo- 
siah ; (3) Samuel ; (4) Joseph ; (5) 
William. 

The mother of William, after the 
death of her husband, married Rev. 
Andrew Gardner (pastor at Worcester, 
Mass., 1719-1722, Lunenburg, Mass., 
1728-1732 ; afterwards removed to 
Winchester, N. IL, where he died in 
1790, at an advanced age). 

William joined the Fort, on the 
Great Meadows, in Putney, in 1755, 



was at Fort Dummer, 1756. He 
married Prudence, daughter of Col. 
Josiah Willard (Lancaster, Mass.), 
who with his sons Josiah, Nathan, 
Oliver and Wilder, were proprietors of 
Westminster, but not residents here, 

William settled at the foot of Wil- 
lard’s or Clapp’s Hill. He died in 1804, 
aged 83. Prudence died 1794, aged 
67. Their children were : 

1. Joseph, who had 2 sons and 3 
daughters. The daughters were Susan, 
Polly and Sophy. The sons, Josiah 
and Joseph, lived in Westminster. 

Several sons of Joseph, jr. (Joseph 
C., ‘Henry A. and Caleb C.), were pro- 
prietors of Willard’s Hotel. Washing- 
ton, D. C. 

2. Billy, married Anna , and 

had 3 daughters ; 

(1.) Belinda, married Stephen Row 
Bradley. 

(2.) — — — ■, married Asa Green. 

(3.) Betsey, not married. 

3. Lyndes, married widow Silence 
McQuesten. Children ; Samuel, 
Lyndes, Harry, John, Dan, Anna, 
Persis and Lavina. 

Samuel married Betsey Morrison and 
their sons and daughters are now living 
here (p. 580). 

I)EA. JOHN SESSIONS, 

judge, justice of the peace, etc. His 
children were : 

1. Samuel; married Bragg, 2 child- 
ren : Julia Ann, married Rev. Dr, 
Thurston of Fall River, Mass. Wealthy, 
not married, 

2. John, who had a son Samuel, 
who is a clergyman in Conn. 

3. Anna, married David Foster, of 
Putney (p. 585). 

DICKINSON FAMILIES. 

Azariah, Dan and Job, Their 
father, Azariah, died in Iladdam, 1788, 




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618 



aged 79. Dan married Margaret Good- 
ell. Children : 

1. John (Orwell, Vt.) ; 3 children. 

2. Elizabeth, married Samuel Lord, 
of Putney, father to Zenasand 9 others. 

3. Dan, jr., removed to the State of 
New York. Several children (p. 584) . 

Azarkh Dickinson died 1808, aged 
75. His wife, Temperance, died 1794, 
aged 60. Children : 

1. Azariah, died 1838, aged 72. 

2. David. 3. John. 4. Abraham, 
(Dummerston) . 

5. Cyrus, died 1846, aged 65 ; mar- 
ried (1) Lucy Adams, (2) Henrietta 
Chandler. By Lucy he had Harvey 
and Alvan. Alvan married Elizabeth 
Titcomb, and is lather to Rev. C. A. 
Dickinson, Lowell, Mass. 

JOB DICKINSON 

settled on the Hunt place* Born 1777 ; 
died 1817. He married Rachel Ran- 
ney, daughter of Dea. Ephraim. Child- 
ren : 

1. Job, married Rebecca Spencer. 
Children : Ira, Rosa, Julia, Fanny, 
George, and Wealthy. 

2. Rachel, not married, died 1865, 
aged 85. 

3. Ephraim. 

4. Mary, married Keyes, of Putney. 

5. Rebecca, married Jazaniah Hunt. 

6. Ira, died young. 

7. Esther, married Heman Good- 
ridge. 

8. Hulda, not married. 

NEHEMIAH MC NEIL 

died 1870, aged 52. Had two sons and 
two daughters. 

1. Mary, died 1848, aged 91. 

2. Anna, died 1844, aged 77. 

3 . N ehemiah lived on the home place, 
died 1822, aged 63. 

4. John, married Abigail Gorham. 
Children : Hannah, Abigail, John, Jo- 
seph, Sarah, Mary, Nancy (p. 585). 



CHARLES RICE 

came from Hardwick, Mass., in 1761, 
with his step-father, Capt. Jesse Burke. 
His father was killed by the Indians. 
He lived on the Luke Rice place ; a car- 
penter, also had a grist-mill. He was 
many years a sexton ; twice married 
and died 1830, aged 72. Children ; 

1 . Bathsheba , married Ben j . Thresh- 
er ; 8 children. 

2. Eliakim, married (1) Mary Webb, 
(2) Anna Lane. Children : Maria, 
Porter, Mary, Luseba, Emeline> Luke. 

3. Mary, married Thos. Baldwin. 
Several children. 

4. Charles, not married. 

JOHN MORSE 

came from Sutton , Mass., about 1768, 
at about 16 years of age, died 1834, 
aged 82. He was the fourth generation 
from Anthony Morse, who came from 
England and settled in Newbury, Mass., 
in 1637, and a kinsman of the same 
generation of Prof. Morse, inventor of 
the telegraph. John’s father was Ben- 
jamin, and his sister, Hannah, married 
Rev. Jos. Bullen, the second pastor of 
the church in Westminster (p. 584). 

John, married Hannah, daughter of 
Samuel Cone, and settled on the lot 
where the East Parish church now 
stands. He was a carpenter, farmer 
and a noted trapper. Children : 

1. John, married Lydia Lincoln. 
Children : Geo. NeLson and John Rowe, 
Samuel C., Albert A., Mark L. 

2. Samuel, Colonel of Westminster 
Militia, died 1834. He married Fan- 
ny Clark. Children ; Samuel C., John 
D., Whipple, Royal T., Fanny E. 

3. Francis, married Nancy Fair- 
brother. Children; Adaline, Hiram, 
Lucia A., Wealthy, Richard. 

RICHARD FAIRBROTHER 

came from Rhode Island ; a soldier in 
the Revolutionary war. 4 4 F earless and 



619 



WESTMINSTER, 



59 



courageous.” Had a bullet shot through 
him at Trenton, and the top of his ear, 
and hair shot off. His children were 
John, Asa, Calvin, Amos, and Nancy. 

JAMES RICHARDSON. 

He married (1) , (2) Molly 

Dodge, He died 1819, aged 77. Ten 
children : 

1. Polly, married Jazaniah Hunt. 

2. John, married Betsey Goodridge. 
Children : Roxa, John Carlton. Electa, 
Amarilla. 

3. Charlotte, married David Wells, 
father to Allen, etc. 

4. James, married Lydia Betterly. 
Settled in Ohio ; 4 children, 

5. Nathan, married (1) Sally Col- 
burn, (2) Lydia Beckwith, Children ; 
Derastus and Laurinda. Derastus mar- 
riee Eleanor Lane. Children : Ama- 
rilla, Rebecca, Ellen, John, Ithamar, 
Lucius. 

6. Mercy, not married. 

7. Elias, not married. 

8. Sally, not married, 

9. Lyman, married Harmony Dun- 
ham, Three children: Lorenzo, Ri- 
ley, Harriet. 

10. Paraelia, married Alfred Ripley 

(p. 586). 

JOSHUA STODDARD 

was from Connecticut. He married 
Sarah Humphrey. Children : 

1 . Hannah , married Levi Peck. 

2. Joshua, married a Lawrence, of 
Sutton, Vt. Children : Joshua, Phin- 
eas, Frederick, Gracia, Abigail, Ann, 
etc. 

3. Daniel (Sutton, Vt., thence to 
Ohio). Twice married. 

4. Ebenezer, went to Canada ; had 
several children. 

5. Ezra, married Jerusha GoodelL 
Went to Sutton, Vt. Children: Ma- 
nila, Harvey, Abiel, Sylvester, Abi- 
gail, Ezra, Abishai. 



6. Isaac, married Miriam Parsons, 
and had John, James, and two daugh- 
ters. 

7. Amasa, married Anna, daughter 
of Lvndes Willard, and had Joshua and 
Ezra. 

8. John, married Mary Hendrick, 
and had Reuben, Melinda, Humphrey, 
Sarepta, Salina, and Prosper. 

9. Keziah, married Amasa Wash- 
burn, of Putney, and bad Minerva, 
Thirza, Sarah, Amasa. 

10. Rhoda, married Moses Webster, 
of Bethel, Vt., and had several child- 
ren (p. 589). 

SAMUEL PHIPPEN 

settled on Phippen Hill. Samuel, jr., 
Jonathan Atwater, and Joseph were 
probably his sons. 

JONATHAN ATWATER PHIPPEN 

died 8 July, 1827. He married Mary, 
daughter of Asa Averill ; 7 children : 

1. Clark; had by his wife Betsey, 6 
children. 

2. Anna. 

8. Priscilla, married — Wood. 

4. Mary, married Joseph Ide, of 
Sheffield, Vt. No children. Died 1848. 

5. Hannah, married Ira Kittredge, 
and had George, Lucia A., and Milo. 

6. David, married Hannah Sargent, 
and had Anna, Mary, Rodney A., Nar- 
cissa, Electa R., Ruth H., Sarah I,, 
Margaret L. 

7. Samuel, married Betsey Drew, of 
Burke, Vt. Eight children : Fannie, 
Mary, Lucius, etc. (p. 588). 

DEA. NATHANIEL ROBINSON. 

Keziah, his wife, died, 28 Aug., 
1795, aged 68. They had 5 sons and 
several daughters. 

1. Reuben, a soldier in the Revolu- 
tion. He married (1 779) Abigail Burke, 
and had Sarah, Eli, Lucy and Release. 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



620 



2. Nathan lived on Tully Clark's 
place. 

3. Noah, who removed to Stowe, 
had children ; Samuel, John, Joseph (a 
physician), Daniel, and Cynthia (p. 
589). 

4. Ezekiel. (Stowe, Vt.) 

5* Titus, (West Parish; thence to 
New Orleans. 

DR. ELKANAH DAT, 

a prominent man, came to the County 
Convention at Westminster to look into 
the monetary affairs of the county, pre- 
vious to the session of 6 June, 1775. 
Delegate to the meeting of the County 
Committee of Safety, held here in June, 
1776, and was chosen clerk. 

In 1780, Maj. Elkanah Day was one 
of a committee to consider the feasi- 
bility of a new government formed by 
a union of Eastern Vermont and West- 
ern New Hampshire. He attended 
French at the time of the massacre ; 
was one of those who opposed the State 
Militia law in 1779, and was fined £40, 
He was, with John Sessions, a Repre- 
sentative in the New York Assembly in 
1779, and Senator in 1781, Major of 
Southern Regiment, 1778 ; Adjutant 
under Gen. Ethan Allen, 1782 ; Sher- 
iff, 1786 and ’87 ; High Sheriff of 
Windham County, 1782-87 (p. 590). 

JOHN DANE 

came from South Hadley, Mass., about 
1779; settled on Wellington Hill; an 
educated man ; had been a teacher. He 
married a Jennings, and had : 

Jonathan, who married Anna, daugh- 
ter of Capt. Azariah Wright, and had 
7 children. 

1. Ithamar, married Lucinda, daugh- 
ter of Scotto Clark, and had Henry C., 
who married Mary Nutting. 

2. Rebecca, married Otis Smith ; 
lived near the Joseph Wright place. 



3. Eleanor, married Derastus Rich- 
ardson, 

4. Anna, married Eliakim Rice. 

5. Erastus, married Fanny Dickin- 
son, and had George and Ann. 

6. Maria, married Peres Clark. Chil- 
dren : Sophia, Guy, Lucinda, Louis, 
Eugene, and Scott. 

7. Esther, married Daniel Upton 
(Milwaukee w Wis.) . Children: Martha, 
Mary A., Henry, etc. 

JACOB ABBE, 

married (1765) Sarah Richardson, and 
had in Westminster, children : Sarah 

(1767), Daniel (1769), Nathan (1771), 
Zarriah (1773), Jacob (1778), Elipha 
(1780), Anna (1784). 

BE A. AB1EL GOODELL. 

♦Here in 1780 ; came from Pomfret, 
Ct. ; lived on the Putney line. He 
married Margaret, widow of Dan, 
Dickinson ; 8 children : 

1. Abigail, married (1) Hezekiah 
Sanderson, (2) Levi Ware, 

2. Abishai (Rockingham) ; several 
children : Anna, William, George, etc. 

3. Margaret, died young. 

4. Jerusha, married Ezra Stoddard. 

5. Abiel (Dea.), married Mary Good- 
ridge. Children : William, Ira, Dan, 
Mary, Fanny, Ann (married Rev. Mr. 
Graves). 

6. William (Rev.), married Mary 
Arms . Pastor , Grafton , Trenton , N . J . 
Children : Ebenezer and a daughter. 

7. Simeon (M. D.), Nelson, N. H«, 

married (1) a Melville, (2) and 

had Simon (Baptist minister). 

8. Anna', married Hezekiah Abbey ; 
several children. 

BENJAMIN GOODRIDGE 

came from Middleton, Mass., soon after 
his son, Benjamin, jr., with whom he 
lived.. He and his three sons were in 
the battle of Bunker Hill. He lived 



621 



WESTMIN STER. 



61 



on Rocky Hill, and afterwards near the 
Joseph Wright place. He married 
Mary Redington, and had 4 sons and 8 
daughters ; Benjamin, Asa, Thomas, 
Levi. Levi lived here awhile. 

Benjamin, jun,, born in Boxford, 
Mass., 21 July, 1746, and died 1805, 
aged 59. Came here about 1782, from 
Keene, N. II. He married (1) Han- 
nah Pingry (born 1764, died 1790). 
Children : Alpheus, Betsey, Polly, Ira, 
Hannah, Ileman, Matilda. He mar- 
ried (2) widow Polly Cooper (died 1847, 
aged 89), and had Riley, Matilda and 
Sally. 

1. Alpheus, born Coxhall, N. Y., 
1772 ; settled in Ogden, N.Y. He mar- 
ried Hopeful Crook ; 9 or 1 0 children : 

2. Betsey, born Coxhall, N. Y., 
1774, died Westminster, 1862, aged 87. 
She married John Richardson, of West- 
minster. 

8. Polly, born Keene, N. H., 1777, 
married Dea. Abiel Goodell, of West- 
minster ; died 1834, 

4. Ira, born Keene, N. H., 1780; 
married Chloe Soule ; lived in Mas sen a, 
N. Y. ; 6 or 7 children. 

4. Hannah, born Westminster, 1782, 
died 1869, aged 86. She married Ar- 
temus Pierce, Londonderry ; 8 or 9 
children. 

6. Ileman, born Westminster, 1785, 
died 1856, aged 71. He married (1) 
Delia Slack, and had Lorenzo and 
Horace. He married (2) Esther Dick- 
inson, and had Herman R , Oetavia, 
and Austin. 

7. Riley, born 1795, died at Council 
Bluffs, la. His widow died at Peter- 
boro, N. H. 

8. Matilda, born 1797, married a 
Gilmore and went West. 

9. Sally, born 1799, married a Gil- 
more. Went to Seymour, Ind. Died 
1865. 



LEVI PECK 

came from Massachusetts about 1778 ; 
born 1757, died 1835. He was a des- 
cendant of Joseph Peck, who came over 
in the ship Ipswich, 1638, and settled 
in Hingham, Mass. The line is : 1. 
Joseph; 2. Joseph, jr. ; 3. Jethniel ; 
4. Iehabod ; 5. Solomon ; 6. Levi. 

Levi, married Hannah, daughter of 
Joshua Stoddard, and had Ara, Uri, 
Shubael, Rhoda, and Mira, 

1. Ara, married (1) Phoebe Mitch- 
ell, (2) Mary Pierce. Went to West- 
moreland, N. H., and thence to Salina, 
N. Y. ; 2 children, 

2. Uri, married Asenath Powers. 
Children : Levi, Susan, Wealthy. Phi- 
lena, Solomon, Uriah, Warren, Irene, 
Melinda, James, and William, 

3. Shubael, married Thirza Wheeler, 
Children : Sandford, Clarissa, Orestes, 

; Charles, Hannah, and Ellen. 

4. Rhoda, married Daniel Fisher, 
Hinsdale, N. H. Several children. 

5. Mira, not married. 

ELEAZER MAY, 

son of Rev. Eleazer May, of Iladdam, 
Ct, Came here in 1789, and lived with 
Mr. Cone, on the Upper Street. He 
kept store for a time, and built the one 
now standing, and was afterwards in 
company with Mark Richards. He died 
in 1845, aged 78. He married Cynthia 
House of Andover, Ct. Children : 
James, Clarissa, Harriet, Mary A., 
Julia, Nancy, John, William, and 
Henry. 

James, married Eveline Moore. 
Clarissa, married Phineas Wales. 
Harriet, married Rev. Horace Fletch- 
er, D. D. 

Mary Ann, married Gov. Fletcher. 
Julia, married Dr. Hoyt, St. Johns- 
bury, 

William (physician), married Thayer. 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



622 



Nancy, married Martin Butterfield. 

John, married Catherine Vose, 

Henry, married (1) Willard (2) 
Farr. 

THOMAS MESSER 

came from Marlow, N. H., in 1790. 
Had 6 daughters ; two died young. 

Hannah, married Ellery Albee. 

Lydia, married Isaac Cobb. 

Nancy, married Sumner Albee. 

Veranda, married Fletcher, of New 
York. 

ARNOLD FAMILY. 

Seth and Esther (Ranney) Arnold 
had 7 children : 

1. Seth Shaler, born Feb. 22, 1788. 
He was a graduate of Middlebury Col- 
lege, 1812 ; studied theology with Rev. 
Mr. Breckenridge, Washington, D. C., 
and Rev. S. Sage, of Westminster ; 
pastor Congregational Church, Alstead, 
N. IL, 1816-1834 ; acting pastor in 
Walpole, N. H., Westminster, New- 
fane, Wardsboro, Saxton's River, West- 
minster West, Springfield, and Caven- 
dish, in Vermont ; and in Troy, 
Westmoreland, Langdon, Charleston, 
Unity, Lempster, Alstead andRoxbury, 
in New Hampshire ; also in West Hali- 
fax, and WestTownshend, in Vermont. 
He married (1) Ann House, (2) Naomi 
Hitchcock. Children : Mary Ann, mar- 
ried Rev. A. Stevens, D. D., Sophia, 

died young, Olivia, married Gage, 

Caroline, married Esq. Waite. 

2. Ambrose Tyler Arnold, born 19 
Nov., 1790 ; married Priscilla Farnum, 
an adopted daughter of Joel Ranney. 
Children : Ambrose, married Catherine 
Cone, and Fenelon, married Amanda 
Richards. 

5. Esther, born 3 Sept., 1792 ; mar- 
ried (1) John F. Hills, (2) Benjamin 
Smith. Children : David A. Hills, 
and a daughter, died in infancy. 



4. Joel Ranney Arnold, born 25 Apr., 
1794 ; married Julia Arnold. He 
graduated at Middlebury College. Stud- 
ied medicine and practised a short time. 
Studied theology with Rev. S. Sage, 
and his brother, Seth Shaler, and was 
ordained at Chester, N. H., where he 
remained 12 or 14 years, then went to 
Colchester, Ct. Children ; Joel Ran- 
ney, a lawyer in Williamantic, Ct., 
John L., Seth Shaler, Edward A., 
Henry A., Julia M., Luther II., Fan- 
ny L m Nathaniel, William, George. 

5. Phoebe, born 29 Jan., 1798 ; mar- 
ried Isaac Holton, a teacher and law- 
yer. Several children. 

6. Olivia, born 31 Oct., 1800; died 
young. 

7. Abigail, born 17 Nov., 1804 ; died 
1869 ; not married (p. 605), 

JOHN GROUT. 

A descendant of Capt. John Grout, 
of Watertown, born in 1765; came 
here from Spencer, Mass., about 1785 
or 6, and settled in the south part of the 
town. He died here Nov. 11, 1843. 
He was a soldier in the Revolution. 
He married Elizabeth Up ham. Chil- 
dren : Hannah, John, Zeruiah, Daniel, 
Isaac, Abigail, Joseph, Lewis, Eliza, 
Betsey, Sylvester, Sally, and Nancy. 

1. Hannah, married Israel Keyes. 

2. John. Children: Lewis (Yale Col- 
lege and Andover Sem., Missionary A. 
B. C. F. M.), Adamantha (Dartmouth 
College, Union Theological Seminary), 
Henry M, (Williams College, and Theo- 
logical Seminary), and five others. 

3. Abigail, married Harvey Bliss. 
Had Edwin and Isaac and a daughter, 
who married Rev. Mr. Van Lennep, all 
missionaries to Turkey, and a daughter, 
Mrs. Montgomery, a missionary in the 
West, 

4. Sylvester, married Cassandra 
Grout ; 4 daughters. 



623 



WESTMINSTER. 



63 



SCOTTO CLARK 

came with his brother Barnabas, from 
Cape Cod, about 1794. He married 
Sarah Sears. Children: Peres, Pa- 
tience, Reuben, Henry, Fessenden, Lu- 
cinda, Scotto, Sophronia, Cleopatra, 
Perez, and Tully. The Clarks are 
descendants of the Winslows of the 
Mayflower. 

CENSUS OF WESTMINSTER. 

1791, 1601; 1800, 1942; 1810, 
1925; 1820, 1794; 1830, 1737; 1840, 
1556; 1850, 1722; 1885, 1377. 

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. 

Stephen R. Bradley, 1791-94, 

Stephen R, Bradley, 1801-13. 

William C. Bradley, 1813-27. 

Mark Richards, 1817-21. 

VERMONT LEGISLATURE. 

Thomas Chandler, Speaker, 1778, 
Stephen R. Bradley, Speaker, 1785. 

GENERAL ASSEMBLY 

met at Westminster, 1780, 1783,1789, 
1803. 

JUDGES OF SUPREME COURT, 

Stephen R. Bradley, 1788, 

Lot Hall, 1794-1800. 

councillors, 1778-1835, 

Benjamin Burt, 1799. 

Eliakim Spooner, 1802-7. 

William C. Bradley, 1812. 

Mark Richards, 1813 and 1815. 

COUNTY OFFICERS, 1778-1850. 
Benjamin Burt, Justice, 1786-1802. 
Elkanah Day, Sheriff, 1786-7, 

Mark Richards, Sheriff, 1806—10. 
William C. Bradley, State’s Attorney, 
1806-11, 

Ellery Albee, Judge Probate, 1838-46. 
Timothy H. Hall, Sheriff, 1844-46. 
Timothy II. Hall, Sheriff, 1848. 



MEMBERS OF CONSTITUTIONAL CONVEN- 
TION. 

Ellery Albee, 1828. 

Timothy Field, 1836. 

Nathan G. Pierce, 1843. 

David Gorham, 1850. 

WINDHAM COUNTY COURT. 

John Sessions, Chief Justice, 1781-4. 
Benj, Burt, Assistant Judge, 1781-3. 
S» R. Bradley, Assistant Judge, 1783. 
Benj. Burt, Assistant Judge, 1783-5. 
S. R. Bradley, State’s A tty., 1781, ’82, 
and ’85. F. J, F, 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 
1870—1885. 

BY BE A. R. S. SAFFOEB. 

September, 1885. — Present number 
of members of the Church, 102. Pres- 
ent number of Sunday School, 163, 
Superintendents of Sunday Schools 
since 1870 are Dea, R. S. Safford, 
Dea. Geo. F, Herrick, Dea. Austin 
Goodridge, H* A. Willard, Dr. W. L. 
Hoisington, 

Dea, S. S. Stoddard died since 1870. 
Dea. R. S. Safford, Geo. F. Herrick, 
Austin Goodridge chosen since 1870. 
Rev. Mr. Fairbanks left here April, 

1871. 

Pastors and acting pastors since then 
are Rev. O. S. Morris, Rev. P. F. Bar- 
nard, Rev. I. L. Sew all. 

SAGE ELECTION SERMON, 

| I have found a remnant of one of the 
sermons of Rev, Mr. Sage. There are 
24 pages left, and the title page is as 
follows : 




64 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



624 



SERMON 

delivered before his Excellency 
the Governor, 

The Honorable 
Council 
and 

House of Representatives 
of the 

State of Vermont, 
at 

Westminster 
on the day of the 
Anniversary Election 
October 13, 1803, 

I 

BY SYLVESTER SAGE, A. M. 

Pastor of the First Church in Westminster, 

Windsor : 

Printed by Alden Spooner. 

In General Assembly, Oct. 14th, 
1803: 

Resolved, That a committee of three 
be appointed to wait on the Rev, Mr, 
Sage, and respectfully present him with 
the thanks of the General Assembly for 
his election sermon delivered yesterday, 
and request a copy thereof for the press. 

Members chosen, Leland, Butler and 
Olds, 

Extract from Journal. 

Attest : Anthony Has well, 

Clerk.” 

The three sermons of Mr. Sage 
which were given to the press were his 
Farewell Sermon at Braintree, his Elec- 
tion Sermon and his Sermon at the In- 
stallation of Rev. Jesse Townshend, 
and I do not know if any are in ex- 
istence, except this remnant I have 
found. 



REPRESENTATIVES . 

1778 — i 884. 

BY R. S. SAFFORD, 

The txmn has been represented for 
94 years ; and has had two represen- 
tatives in the years 1780, ’81 and ’83. 
Stephen R. Bradley served with Na- 
thaniel Robinson in 1780; in 1781, 
Benjamin Burt with Stephen R. Brad- 
ley ; and in 1783, Elijah Ranney with 
John Tufhill ; viz. ; 

Nathaniel Robinson, 1778, ’79, ’80 ; 
Stephen R. Bradley, 1780/81, ’84/85, 
Speaker in 1785, ’88, ’90, 1800 ; Ben- 
jamin Burt, 1781, ’86, ’96, ’97 ; John 
Norton, 1782 ; JohnTuthill and Elijah 
Ranney, 1783 ; John Sessions, 1787 ; 
Lot Hall, 1789, ’91, ’92, 1808 ; Elia- 
kim Spooner, 1793, ’94, 95; Mark 
Richards, 1801, ’02, ’04, ’24, ’26, ’28, 
’32, ’34; Ephraim Ranney, jr.„ 1803, 
’05; William C. Bradley, 1806/07/19, 
’52 ; Eleazer May, 1809, ’10, ’36; 
Isaiah Eaton, 1811 ; Daniel Mason, 
1812, ’13, T4, ’29; Gideon Warner, 
1815, T6, T7, ’25 ; Benjamin Ranney, 
1818 ; Samuel Mason, 1820 ; Ellery 
Albee, 1821, ’22, ’30, ’46, ’48 ; Elijah 
Ranney, jr., 1823 ; Ebenezer Goodell, 
1827 ; John Smith, 1833 ; 1835, none ; 
i David Allen, 1837 ; S. S. Stoddard, 
1838 ; Alvin Goodell, 1839, ’41, ’49 ; 
John McNeill, 1840, ’44 ; Joel Page, 
1 1842. 



THE FIRST TOWN OFFICERS. 

BY HENRY C, LANE, TOWN CLERK. 

The officers of the town chosen at 
the first town meeting, of which any 
record is preserved, Mar. 15, 1784, are 
as follows : 

Moderator— John Sessions. 

Town Clerk — John Tuthill. 



625 



WESTMINSTER. 



65 



Selectmen — Nathaniel Robinson, Esq. , 
Capt. Ephraim Ranney and David 
Heaton. 

Treasurer — John Norton. 

Constables — Edward Goo dale and 
Benjamin Goodrich. 

Listers — C apt. John Brailey,Job Dick- 
inson and Medad Wright. 

Collectors — John Wells, jr. and Lem- 
uel Cone. 

Tithing- Men — John Holt and Joseph 
Willard. 

Grand Jurors — John Wise and Eben- 
ezer Holton. 

Hog Wards — Israel Ide and Charles 
Rice. 

Horse Brander — C apt. Benjamin Whit- 
ney. 

Sealer Weights and Measures — Joseph 
Ide. 

Fence Viewers — Asa Averill, Capt. 
Benjamin Whitney and Stanton Rich- 
ardson. 

Overseers of Highways — Capt. Benj. 
Burt, Samuel Phippen, Joseph Irwin, 
Azariah Dickinson, William Crook, 
Joshua Wells, Jabez Goodale, Wm. 
Hide, Ensign Nathan Robinson. 

Petit Jurors — Billy Willard, James 
Crawford, Jabez Perry, Asa Averill, 
Eldad Hitchcock, Abial Goodale, John 
Holt, Ensign Nathan Robinson, Joseph 
Ide, Thomas Baldwin. 

Pound Keeper — Capt. Jesse Burt. 

FIRST SELECTMEN. 

Capt. Benj. Burt, 1785, *91 ; Capt. 
Ephraim Ranney, 1786 ; Eliakim 
Spooner, 1787 ; John Sessions, 1788, 
"94, 1802, ’03 ; Stephen R. Bradley, 
1789 ; Lot Hall, 1790, ’92 ; Aaron 
Wales, 1793 ; David Clark, 1794, "95 ; 
Reuben Atwater, 1796, '99; Elijah 
Ranney, 1798, 1806, ’07 ; Jabez Paine, 
1800 ; Mark Richards, 1801, ’22, ’24 ; 
Benjamin Smith, 1804 ; Matthias Gor- 
ham, 1805; Aaron Hitchcock, 1808, 



T5, T9 ; Edward Goodell, 1809 ; Wil- 
liam C. Bradley, 1810 ; Elijah Ranney, 
jr., 1811 ; Benjamin Ranney, 1812 ; 
Isaiah Eaton, 1813, T4, T8, ’20, ’21, 
’26 ; Ebenezer Goodell, 1816, 17, ’23, 
27 ; Ellery Albee, 1825, ’34, ’35, ’42, 
’43, ’44; Ezra T. Cone, 1828; John 
Smith, 1829, ’30, ‘31 ; Jared Goodell, 
1832 ; Joel Page, 1833 ; Alvan Good- 
ell, 1836, ’37,* ’51 ; John C. Richard- 
son, 1838, ’46, ’52; Russell Ranney, 
1839, ’47 ; James Titcomb, 1840 ; Ira 
Goodhue, 1841, ’49, ’53 ; Edward* R. 
Campbell, 1843; John Minard, 1845 ; 
Horace W, Stone, 1850; S. S. Stod- 
dard, 1854 ; Edward Hall, 1855 ; James 
May, 1856 ; Ambrose Arnold, 1858 ; 
George Campbell, 1859 ; John C. Rich- 
ardson, 1860 ; Freeman Gorham, 1861 ; 
*63, ’77 ; D. A. DeWolfe, 1862 ; Fen- 
el on Arnold, 1864, ’66 ; Ira Goodhue, 
1865, ’67 ; Henry C. Lane, 1868, ’70 
to ’76, ’78 ; D. C. Gorham, 1869 ; D. 
C. Wright, 1880 to 1885. 

TOWN CLERKS. 

Elkanah Day, 1785; John Tuthill, 
1786; Stephen R. Bradley, 1787, ’88, 
’89; John Sessions, 1790, ’91, ’92; 
Reuben Atwater, 1793 to 98; Gideon 
Warner, 1799 to 1803, ’05, ’07 to ’09 ; 
William C. Bradley, 1804, ’06 ; Syl- 
vester Sage, 1810,* T 2, T4, T6, T8, 
’20, ’22, ’24, ’26, ’28, ’30, ’34, ’36, ’40 ; 
Timothy Field, 1811, T3,T5,’17, T9, 
’21, ’23, ’25, ’27, ’29, ’31, ’33, ’35, ’37, ’89, 
’41, ’43 ; Pliny Safford, 1842, ’44, ’46, 
’48, ’52, ’54, ’56, ’58, ’60, ’62 ; Daniel 
Campbell, 1845, ’47, ’49, ’51 ; N. T. 
Sheafe, 1850; Peyton Ranney, 1853, 
’55 ; Homer Goodhue, 1857, ’59, ’61, 
’63, ’65, ’67, ’69; S. S. Stoddard, 
1864, ’70 to ’81 ; Henry C. Lane, 1882 
to 1885, present incumbent. 

[It wall be seen in the above list that 
Sylvester Sage and Timothy Field 
were alternately every other year town 




66 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



626 



clerk for 30 successive years ; Sage in 
all the years an even number ; Field in 
all the years an odd number, and one 
year after Sage had surrendered the 
held, and that one year over the num- 
ber of Sage, not the successive year, 
but in the next year of an odd number ; 
Field receiving the honor of holding 
the pen of the town one year the long- 
est. Pliny Safford steps *in when Sage 
drops out and holds the ground every 
other year for 22 years, save one, when 
a Sheafe drops in his held one year — 
plucked out the next. In 1870, the 
idea of permanency of the candidate 
in office first prevailed. S. S. Stoddard 
is retained, the first man for two suc- 
cessive years in the office, for II years. 
The present town clerk is serving his 
fourth successive year. — Ed.] 

POSTMASTERS. 

In early days, Hon. J, D. Bradley 
was postmaster, but at what date is not 
known. Dc. Pliny Safford was post- 
master from about 1830 to 1856 ; Be- 
linda Lovejoy was his predecessor, but 
for how many years is not known. 
After Pliny Safford, Henry C. Lane 
served to 1860 ; then Clark Chase until 
1870 ; then Austin Goodridge until 
1885, and now B. F. Sleeper is post- 
master. 

The present population is 1377 ; pre- 
sent grand list, $8548.44. 

SC BOOL SUPERINTENDENTS. 

Past Superintendents : Rev. Alfred 

Stevens, Henry Morse, John B. Morse, 
Rev. P. T. Barnard ; Present : Dr. W. 
L. Hoilington. 

THE ARMY BOYS BURIED IN THE EAST 
PARISH AND IN THE NEW CEMETERY. 

Artemas Ellis, Ambrose Fairbrother, 
Oscar Parker, Milton Pierce, Roswell 
Whitney, Ithamar Richardson, Peter 
Good, John Keaeli. 



The bounties and expenses of the war 
of the rebellion amounted to about 
$27,000. h. c. L. 

JOHN AVERILL. 

Born 1711, died 2 Sept., 1797, aged 
86. Mary, his wife, born 1714, died 
18 Sept., 1809, aged 95 ; came here in 
1751 (p. 577). 

ASA AVERILL, 

son of John, born 1739, died 25 Aug., 
1825, aged 86. He married (3) Betsey, 
the widow of Patrick Wall. He lived 
on the Whittle place. Children : 

1. Obed, eldest son of Asa Averill, 
married Susan Lyman ; 8 children, viz ; 
Phoebe, married Nathan Marvin, Sus- 
an, married (1) John Johnson, (2) Eph. 
Smith, Persia, married James Tower, 
Anna, died at the age of 18, Asa, died 
young, Hanuah, died young, Obed, 
married Harriet Wright, grand-daugh- 
ter of u Uncle Azariah,” David, mar- 
ried Polly Wright, sister to Harriet. 

2. Asa, jr. 

3. David, died young. 

4. Molly, married Atwater Phippen. 

5. Experience, married Abraham 
N utting. 

6. Anna, married John Averill, son 
of John Averill, jr. 

7. Mercy, married Josiah Davis ; 9 
or 10 children. 

8. Sally. 

JOHN AVERILL, JR., 

died 22 July, 1835, aged 87. Chil- 
dren *. 

1. John, born 17 Nov., 1788. “An 
upright and honorable mau . ” He mar- 
ried (1) Anna, daughter of Obed Aver- 
ill, and (2) Rhoda Wales. Children; 
Columbus and Anna by the first mar- 
riage, and several by the second. 

2. Daniel, born 16 Mar., 1781, died 
1 Aug., 1853, aged 73. “A very good 
man.” He married (1) Betsey Vent, 



627 



WESTMINSTER. 



67 



and (2) Zilpah, daughter of Eleazer 
Harlow ; 2 children by the first mar- 
riage, who died young. 

8. Hannah, not married. 

4, Jotham,born 1788 ; not married. 

5* Olive, married a Heald, of Ches- 
ter, Vt. 

OLIVER AVERILL, 

married and settled in Northfield,* V t., 
where his descendants now live. 

ANNA AVERILL, 

the first person born in Westminster, 
autumn of 1751, married Amos (?) 
Carpenter, and lived awhile on Rocky 
Hill. 

REV. FRANCIS J. FAIRBANKS, 

son of Emory and Eunice (Hayward) 
Fairbanks, was born Sept. 8, 1885, in 
Ashburnham, Mass. He married, May 
1, 1865, Abbie S. Russell, of Asburn- 
ham. 

Children : Ernest Hayward, Fran- 
cis Joel, Alice Russell, George Stevens, 
Herbert StockwelL 

Mr. Fairbanks graduated at Amherst j 
College, 1862 ; Princeton Theological 
Seminary, 1863 ; Uniou Theological 
Seminary, 1864; and was licensed 
by Worcester North Association, May, 
1868. He supplied the Congregational 
Church at Westminster, Vt., 1 May to 
1 Sept., 1863. He commenced per- 
manent labor there June, 1864; was 
ordained and installed Aug. 31, 1864; 
dismissed May, 1871. He was acting 
pastor at Ayer, Mass., 1 Jan., 1872, to 
1 Jan., 1874; at Paxton, Mass., 1 
Apr., 1874, to 1 Sept., 1877 ; at West 
Boylston, Mass., 1 Sept., 1877, to 1 
Apr., 1885. 

He has been acting pastor at Sey- 
mour, Ct., since 1 May, 1885. 

His publications are : “A Sermon 
on the War,” in 1864, in the Bellows 

* See Vol. IV., p. 618 , in Oris work.— Ed. 



Falls Times , 4 4 History of Westminster, 
Vt.,” for the Vermont Historical Gazeteer 
[this same], also, a considerable amount 
of miscellaneous correspondence con- 
tributed for the newspapers. F. j.f. 



HON. EDMUND BURKE. 

BY M. E. GODDARD, OF NORWICH. 

Edmund Burke was born at West- 
minster, Jan. 23, 1809, and died at 
Newport, N. II., Jan. 25, 1882, He 
was the son of Elijah Burke, and the 
sixth of a family of 9 children. 

He pursued classical studies under 
Chief Justice Bellows, of Walpole, N. 
H., and studied law with Hon.Wm. C. 
Bradley, of Westminster. 

Immediately after his admission to 
the bar he removed to N. H., where he 
practiced his profession and edited a 
newspaper, settling at Newport, the 
| county seat of Sullivan county. He 
I was elected to Congress at the March 
election, 1839, and served as a repre- 
sentative, 1840- , 46. For a time he 
edited a Democratic newspaper at Nash- 
ville, Tenn. He was Commissioner of 
Patents under Gen. Polk’s administra- 
tion. 

During the remainder of his life he 
resided at Newport and his counsel and 
services were in great request as a pat- 
ent lawyer. He was esteemed one of 
the first authorities in the country in all 
that relates to the subject of patents. 

The facts stated, I have taken from 
a biographical sketch of Hon . Edmund 
Burke, in a pamphlet lately printed at 
Concord, N. H., by the Republican 
Press Association of N. H., and con- 
taining the proceedings of that Associa- 
tion at their 14th and 15th annual 
meetings. Reference may be had to 
said pamphlet for fuller details concern- 
ing Mr. Burke. 




68 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



628 



PR. WILLIAM MAY 

died at his residence in Palmyra, N.Y., 
Sept. 10, 1865, aged 57. He was a son 
of the late Eleazer May, of Westmin- 
ster, at which place he was born in 
1808. He entered Yale College at four- 
teen, passing an examination that ex- 
hibited a rare preparation and intellect- 
ual development. He graduated with 
the honors of that institution. He com- 
menced the study of medicine with Dr. 
Alpheus Fletcher, of Cavendish, com- 
pleting his studies in the Berkshire 
Medical College, at Pittsfield, Mass. 
He practiced a number of years with 
Dr. Fletcher. In 1831, he came, says 
the Palmyra Courier, to Palmyra, and 
was many years a partner with the late 
Dr, D» D. Hoyt in a suceessful prac- 
tice. Since the death of the latter he 
continued his services here, and outside 
of his profession was esteemed as a 
gentleman of intelligence and brilliancy 
among the educated of his class. He 
left a wife and three children. 

Before his removal to Palmyra, he 
practiced several years after first re- 
ceiving his diploma at Berkshire, with 
Dr, Fletcher, his first instructor in his 
profession. 

JAMES MAY, 

a prominent citizen of Westminster, 
died April, 1877, aged 79, He was a 
brother-in-law of ex-Governor Ryland 
Fletcher. 

REV, ISAIAH SHIPMAN, 

born in town, Oct. 15, 1810, was Ad- 
vent pastor at Sugar Hill, N. H., in 
1845 ; called to Worcester, Mass., 1850 ; 
health failing, returned to Sugar Hill in 
1851 ; remained there till 1867, and 
and then took charge at W aterbury , Vt . 
till 1869, when he gave up his charge 
and went South a year. In 1870, he 
settled in Lisbon, N. H., where he died 



of consumption, April 25, 1882. He 
left a widow, two sons and four daugh- 
ters . One daughter marri ed Hon . Wm . 
P. Dillingham, of Waterbury ; one son, 
C. H. Shipman, is a shoe-dealer at 
Montpelier. Rev. Mr. Shipman was 
highly esteemed in his denomination as 
a preacher. [ From obituary, ] 

BARNEY GRANTEES. 

Joseph and Jonathan Barney (page 
564). We have the following from 
Mayor Barney, of Stowe, Vt. : 

The way the Barneys came into Ver- 
mont strange enough is by Joseph Bar- 
ney, of Taunton, or Rehoboth, buying, 
with others, the town of Westminster 
of the Governor of Massachusetts. No 
Barney, however, ever lived in West- 
minster, but almost in every other town. 
The first settlement 1 know of in the 
State was made by a Barney, on an 
island near Brattleboro, 1741 (or 9). 
He left and I have not been able to 
trace him. 

I have the names of their wives and 
children, marriages, births and deaths, 
from the towm clerk of Rehoboth. Hon. 
W. W, Barney, lately member of the 
Legislature from Guilford, has every 
record down to this day of Capt. John 
Barney’s family. I have also much 
about the Grow family ; they came from 
Pomfret, Ct. 

Gov. Chittenden’s daughter, that 
married Thos, Barney, came to Arling- 
ton married, so I suppose they must 
have been married in Salisbury, Ct. 
(Litchfield County). We do not yet 
know the name of this Thomas’ father 
but presume it was Joseph Barne (the 
old way of spelling our name) of Ash- 
ford, near Pomfret, Ct. (Windham 
County). If not, it was a descendant 
of Mary Danforth Barney, of Taunton, 
named after her brother Thomas, of 
Norwich, Ct., grand-niece of Nicholas 



OLD MEETING BOI SE. 





63!) 



WESTMINSTER. 



60 



Danforth, first president of Maine, un- 1 
der the King* 

Constantine was descended from 

Elizabeth — of Swansea, or West 

Haven, Wales, a groat friend of Roger 
Williams (Felt's Hist, of Salem, 263)* 
The peculiarities of Uranius' father, as 
mentioned in your history, came in with 
the marriage of Joseph Barney to Con- 1 
stance Sandries (or Sanders as the name I 
is written also) grand -parents of Con- 
stant me, whose mother was Elsie Whea- 
ton, of the celebrated family of that 
name. 

A V m . B a u x e y , A . M . , H ar v art 1 Cl oil ege . 



CENTENNIAL AN NTVEUSARY 

OF THE: COEGUEGATTONAI, CIIORCH OF 
WESTMUTSTEK* 

Committee of the Church- — T)ea. Pliny 
Salford. M. D., Dca. John McNeil, 
Sylvester Grout, Austin Goodridge and 
J. P. Davis. 

Committee of the Society* — J* C> Rich- 
ardson, F. Arnold, D* C. Wright. 

S. S. Stoddard, Esq., RevonUncf Sec* 
rotary* 

Rev. F. J. Fairbanks, Caw'Esp&ndintf 
Secretary. 

AXXTVEllSAirY FX EXCISES. 

Choir,— floral hall,— services at the 
church, — heavy, loaded tables,— senti- 
ments,- — speeches. (See printed pam- 
phlet, 48 pp.). 

A Skrmon preached in Westmin- 
ster, Yt. , 1 1 June, 1867, by Rev. P. 
H, White, on the One Hundredth An- 
n i v ar s a ry o f th e C on g regati on al Ch u rch , 
with ti Historical Paper, by Rev. Alfred 
Stevens, D t D, Bellows Falls, Yt. 
Printed at the Times Job Office, by A. 
N. Swain, 1867. Rev. F. J. Fair- 
banks and M* W. Davis, Committee of 
Publication^ 1 ^ 

^Fm' ■wbiuh pauipliltft history we are in- 
ilebt^cl to Ilev. Dr. Stevens, of the West. Parish, 
—Ed. 



Page 30 : The day was one of the 

loveliest in June, a day of joyful Te-uo- 
ioru Form or pastors, absent members 
of the church, former residents of the 
place ; a goodly representation from t he 
West Parish church ; former pastors : 
Rev. 8. S. Arnold, of Ascutneyville, 
whose venerable form spoke the. near 
approach of fourscore years ; Rev. W. 
IL Gilbert, Norwalk, Ci., pastor of the 
church 20 years ago : Rev A. B + Fos- 
ter , from 0 ra uge , M nss . Glev gymen and 
friends from abroad beside the orator of 
the day, Rev. P. H. White , with Histor- 
ical Sermon, and the venerable historian 
of the West Parish ; the venerabliTRev. 
Amos Foster, from neighboring Putney i 
Revs. G* II. DeBuvoise, Walpole, N. 
H. ; Levi Loring^ Saxton’s River ; J. 

J C. Chandler, Lewis Grout, West 
Brattleboro : C. L. Piper, West Towns- 
head ; Mr. Moore. Dummerston ; Nel- 
son Bishop, Windsor ; Rev. L r G. 
Dickenson, M. E. Presiding Elder, and 
Rev. W. H. W right, of Bellows Falls. 
There were also present Judge Fuller, 
of Saratoga, N. Y., and bis brother 
from Hardwick, Yt., the oldest baptized 
children of the church, known to be liv- 
ing ; one aged 75, one 73 years, after 
an absence of 70 years, returned to 
visit the spot that gave them birth, and 
join in celebrating the festal day. 

A veil of sadness was thrown over 
the occasion in the lamented death of 
Dr. Salford, whose remains were fol- 
lowed to their resting place upon the 
afternoon of the preceding day. He 
had almost reached Hie age of 80 years ; 
had been 35 years an honored member 
of the church ; 31 years bad held the 
office of Deacon, and had looked for- 
ward to the occasion, which would have 
been a season of much enjoyment to 
him, had he been spared to see it. 

Al the appointed hour, at church, all 
available space was filled, and many 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



650 



unable to gain admission within, occu- 
pied carriages at the windows outside,. 

Services.— V oluntary, 4 4 The Lord 
is in His Holy Temple 5 ” reading of 
the Scriptures , by past Pastor Foster ; 
Invocation, by present Pastor Fair- 
banks; Anthem, “How Lovely is 
Zion,” Rev. Ik H, White, former 
resident of Westminster, preached the 
sermon™ — one hour long — 4 4 But call to 
rermuibravce the former days’* Heb. x., 
32. 

BRIEF EXTRACTS FROM THE SERMON- 

The hundred years during which this 
church has had existence, have consti- 
tuted — jjie most memorable century in 
the history of the world ; with the sole 
exception of that in which Christ came 
from heaven lo earth to make atone- 
ment for the sins of men- Events of 
unparalleled magnitude have succeeded 
each other with unprecedented rapidity, 

as if,” to use the language of an emi- 
nent Scotch writer, 44 they had come 
under the influence of that law of gravi- 
tation, by which falling bodies increase 
in speed as they descend, according to 
the squares of the distances ” Within 
that period, our own country has em- 
erged from the condition of a weak and 
dependent colony, has passed through 
one long and bloody Avar to achieve a 
national existence, and a tenfold blood- 
ier one to preserve that existence and 
make it worth preserving ; and, having 
extended its territory from the Atlantic 
to the Pacific, and increased its popula- 
tion from less than three millions to 
more than thirty-three, it stands to-day 
equal to any of the empires of the other 
continent, if not superior to the greatest 
of them in all that constitutes true 
greatness 

What cause for gratitude to God has 
tliis Church, not, merely that it has had 
existence for a century, but that it has 
existed in such a century, and has been 
identified to some extent with the great 
movements of kL sueh a time as this.” 

Not to dwell longer upon the general 
subject, though the theme is a fascinat- 
ing one, — we come to that which is the 
specific duty, and enjoyment too, of 



this hour ; to 4 4 call to remembrance 
the former days,” in which the fathers 
of this Church laid the foundations of 
many generations , and to put on record 
the facts of its history as fully and 
accurately as the materials at our dis- 
posal will enable us to do. It is to be 
regretted that the records for nearly the 
whole first quarter of the century long 
since disappeared, and that the lack of 
them can be but partially supplied by 
less authoritative documents and by tra- 
dition- 

As long ago as 1736, the first steps 
were taken for the establishment of the 
institutions of the Gospel in this place. 
In that year, the legislature of Massa- 
chusetts, supposing that its jurisdiction 
extended as tar north as Uus, and much 
farther, granted township Number 
One,” as it was then called- to a num- 
ber of persons resident in various towns 
iu Massachusetts and Connecticut* By 
the terms of the charter, the grantees 
were required to build and furnish, 
within three years, '* a convenient 
meeting-house for the public worship of 
God, and settle a learned orthodox 
minister.” In June, 1737, a highway, 
ten rods wide, was surveyed and located 
on a line coincident with that of the 
main street in this village, and extend- 
ing northwardly till it struck the river, 
a burying-ground was established on the 
land doav occupied for that purpose* 
u and the meeting-house plat is fixed in 
the middle of the aforesaid ten Tods 
1 1 igl iway right against th e t w en ty - fou rt-h 
lot,” where in fact a house Avas after- 
wards built- A few persons moved 
into the wilderness and began a settle- 
ment* but the establishment of the 
N 0 rthe rn h o u n da ry 0 f Mas sac h u setts so 
far South as to leave Number One out 
of that State discouraged the settlers, 
and the breaking out of the Cape Bre- 
ton war led them entirely lo abandon 
the enterprise. In 1751, the settlement 
of lire town was again attempted, and 
in 1751 or 3 5 it was again abandoned, 
for fear of the Indians who had recently 
made an attack on Charlestown, N, IL, 
and carried several of the inhabitants 
into captivity- It was not till 1761 
that such measures were taken as se- 
I cured a permanent settlement. From 




WESTMINSTER 



71 



u31 



that time the population rapidly in- 
creased, and at the expiration of ten 
years Westminster was the most popu- 
lous town in Eastern Vermont . 

This Church was organized by a 
council consisting of representatives of 
the churches in Charlestown, Keene, 
Walpole, Westmoreland, and Winches- 
ter, New Hampshire ; North field, and 
Warwick, Mass, ; and Abington, Con- 
necticut, Of the 300 persons, or more, 
who then constituted the population oil 
the town* only nine were found ready 
to he constituted a church* 

At this first ordination, Rev. Mi call 
La w r en ce, o f W i m: h e ster , N * H , made 
the opening prayer ; Rev* Mr, Hedge, 
the ordaining prayer ; Rev. Buliley 01* 
eufct, of Charlestown, N* II., gave the 
charge; Rev, Clement Sumner, of 
Keene, made the prayer aft er the. charge ; i 
an d Bey . Ttu >mas F es send en , o f Wal - 
pole, N, H., gave the right hand of 
fellowship. It does not appear that any ' 
sermon was preached, , * v 

If there was it was probably preached 
by the candidate himself, as was the 
custom a century ago. 

By an act of the Legislature in 1787, 
towns were authorized to levy tuxes 
upon the land for this pnrpsse of build- 
ing houses of worship * * * they 

designed mainly to promote the more 
rapid settlement and increase the value 
of the lands * , * this design was 

recognized iu the preamble of the stat- 
ute. In 1783, at a session held in 
Westminster, the Legislature authorizes 
the towns or parishes not only to build 
meeting-houses, but also to support the 
preaching of the Gospel by taxes asses- 
sed, as well upon the polls and other 
ratable estate of the inhabitants, as 
upon the hands - - . * the parish 

and the town were identical* and all the 
property was liable to contribute for 
religious purposes according to the vote 
of the majority, 

Speaking of the old meeting-house, 
** The pews nearest the pulpit were the 
first built and were occupied by those 
whose social rank was the highest* 
Gen, Stephen B. Bradley occupied the 
wall-pew next the pulpit, on the right 
hand of the minister, and .John Norton, 
with his numerous daughters, had the 



corresponding pew on the left* The 
front pew on the right of the central 
aisle, was the minister's pew, and di- 
rectly opposite, was the pew of the Hon. 
Ma rk B ie h ards * ' f 

Among the converts of the revival of 
1838, was Erastus S h Holton, who after- 
wards employed in the service of God 
a large measure of the remarkable 
energy and business ability with which 
he had before served the world, and 
whose abundant labors in the cause of 
temperance and Sabbath Schools entitle 
him to be held in long and grateful re- 
membrance. Siuee 1809, the whole 
period in which the church has been 
without a stated minister, does not 
amount to a year and a half; 382 have 
united by profession, 108 by letter— 
550 i n all ; trom which deduction must 
he made for persons who have united 
more than once. Of all these, less than 
one-fifth still remain resident members 
of the church* * - - The fathers 

and mothers have rested from their la- 
bors. They who toiled side by side in 
the Christian work* and stood shoulder to 
shoulder in the Christian warfare, have 
received a gracious release from labor and 
conflict. Only here and there one, who 
in strength of manhood or the zeal of 
womanhood, have stemmed the current 
of life, or bore the burden and heat of 
the day, during the first half century of 
the church*!? existence, remains to tell 
us of the former days* We rejoice to 
see here to-day a venerable father in the 
ministry, who as long ago as 181ft gave 
himself in the prime of life to God and 
this church, and who, for nearly 60 
years, lias watched over it and prayed 
for it* and, more than once or twipe, 
has been the instrument in God's hands 
of its deliverance from declension and 
impending death ; and a mother in Israel, 
who became a member in 1811, and 
who, as she looks backward two gener- 
ations to her grandfather, Ephraim 
Ranney, and forward two generations, 
to her grandchildren, children of this 
church, can testify in the fullness of her 
soul, that God is a God that keepeth 
covenant with His people and with their 
children and their children's children 
unto the third and fourth, and even to 
the fifth generation i 




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032 



Upon some of ms the lengthened shad- 
ows of life's evening hours are already 
falling, and the day will soon be gone. 
To some the sun seems to ride high Lu 
mid -heaven. The dewy freshness and 
fragrance of the morning rests upon the 
pathway of others. Rut not one of us 
shall take part in the anniversary which 
this cb nr till will celebrate a hundred 
years hence. What changes will then 
have taken place. We send forth our 
greetings to those who will then cele- 
brate the two hundredth anniversary of 
the Church and may God grant that we 
shall look down upon that scene from 
the upper glory/' 

Psalm. 

Rev, Dr. Stevens introduced. 

[We shall give but brief extracts 
of the address of Rev, Ur. Stevens of 
the West Parish— the substance of his 
discourse being embraced m his partic- 
ular history that follows, of the West, 
Parish.] 

ME. STEVIES. 

“We are admonished our words, 
should be those of a daughter to her 
mother in good old age, glad to hear of 
the prosperity of her child. You will 
allow us to pass by all her faults. 

We have not in them departed from the 
Articles of Faith and Covenant you 
gav e us , w h en , in 1779, you formally 
divided your original parish, giving to 
ns what lies west of the mountain that 
divided the town. I say west of the 
mountain, which means more than the 
narrow strip of Westminster west of 
that ridge. This place was the center 
of worship, as well as of commerce | 
previous to the Revolution. The con- 
gregation worshiping on this plain was 
then gathered from as fax west as Brook- 
line and Athens* The late Theophilus 
Crawford of Putney, who spent his 
childhood and youth on the farm some 
half a mile west of the one now occu- 
pied by Deacon AsaheL Goodell, on the 
old road Leading from this place to New- 
fane, said there were families residing 
in Brookline, who were regular attend- 
ants on Sabbath worship in this place, 
m the early history of the town. They 



passed his lather's house on Sabbath 
morning, the mother and the little ones 
on horseback, often three on a horse, 
the father and larger boys and girls on 
foot, sometimes with bare feet ; making 
a journey out and back not far from 20 
miles, to attend worship. The brave 
old man asked, as he made the state- 
ment, ‘What would the boys now think 
of that?' 

* About 1795, there was a Congrega- 

f tional church formed in Brookline, 
which must have been under the watch 
and care, of the Westminster church for 
years. Her name first appears among 
the churches, Oct. 30, 1797, by a dele- 
gate in the Consociation by the name of 
Ebanezer Wellman, From this time 
she disappears from notice until 1819, 
after which she is quite regularly re- 
ported until 1829. In 1821, she asked 
the Consociation if it was proper for 
them to employ ElderWcllmau to preach 
to them and break bread, he having 
changed his sentiments from the pecu- 
liarities of the Baptist, and was ready 
to fellowship our churches. ‘Answered 
in the affirmative/ 

In 1797, there was a Congregational 
Church in Athens, She reports in the 
Consociation only once, — ■ September 
25th, 1798, by the name of Rev. Jo- 
seph Bullen, a former minister of this 
church, who, after leaving tins church, 
served in Athens for a few years in the 
treble office of minister, farmer and 
miller. This church never reports her- 
self after 1799* Probably what few 
members there were became connected 
with the church in the West Parish in 
Westminster, which was formed in that 
year. 

The families from which this church 
was formed, were, first, the children of 
the early families of this part of the 
town, who seem to have had the “West- 
ern fever," enough to carry them as far 
as the West Parish. Among these 
were the two sons of your first deacon, 
Ephraim Ranuey ; Elijah and Ephraim, 
and a William Ran ney of another fam- 
ily, Aaron Gould and bis brother, Abie! 
Carp eu ter , and Levi Harl o w . Secondly! 
the Goodclls : — A sahel and Edward, 
and a relative of the same name, from 
Aali field. Conn., then Men don. Eph- 




633 



WESTMINSTER. 



73 



raim Wilcox from the same State. 
Thirdly, the Hitchcocks, Heli, Eldad. 
Elisha and Zadock, from Briinfiekl, 
Mass. Fourthly, Ebenezer Goodhue, 
son of the first minister of Putney. 
Fifthly. Capt. Robert Miller and the 
Tu thills from Long Island. Sixthly, 
about the year 1735, the emigration 
from Cape Cod to the parish that began, 
led by Atherton Hall, Esq., with his 
two sons, Atherton and Peter, then 
married men ; followed soon by Mat- 
thias Gorham, with his five sons, — 
Isaac, Matthias 2d, David, William and 
James. Levi Crowell, Elisha Barry, 
Joseph Hamblin, the Halle ts, Howes 
and Gideons. These' families, with 
their sons which I have mentioned, had 
daughters to match. They soon paired 
off, and by a law of progress sacredly 
regarded in those days, multiplied on a 
fearful ratio. Every nook and corner 
of the parish was soon full. There was 
a house in almost every place where the 
soil -was deep enough tor a cellar, as 
may be seen by passing over the sheep 
pastures now on the ridge that divides 
W esiminster from Brookl ine and Athens. 
The church was full every Sabbath. 
The school houses in the parish were 
crowded. It is said three families sent 
thirty scholars one day and had a large 
reserve force at home. ,, 

For the remainder of this happy 
church history, see history of the West 
Parish. 

After the address from the West Par- 
ish, prayer, singing, benediction, pro- 
cession, dinner, toasts. 

SENTIMENTS AND SPEECHES. 

3. Tub Orator op tub Dav— Though not 
Westminster born, j et we claim him as an 
honored son. May his history be as illustrious 
as that of Pliny of old, to whom the genera- 
tions to come may delight to refer forthe facts 
of the past. 

Rev. P. H. White responded. 

2. Reminiscences of the early families of 
Westminster. 

“Father Stevens” responded. 

3. We are favored with the presence ol one 
who has been prominently identified with the 
history of this Church, and lor whose prayers 
and self-denying efforts in her behalf, she 
would express her deep debt of gratitude to- 
day. 



Father Arnold responded with feeling, 
lie was a native of the town of almost 
fourscore years ; he would not be here 
long and did not desire to ; but could 
still remember things which occurred 
when he was but three years old. He 
spoke of families formerly there, but 
now all gone. Ue was educated at 
Middlebury, where he made choice of 
his profession for life to work for God 
and religion, and had never regretted 
that choice, only that he might have 
been more faithful. lie spoke, with tend- 
erness of the memory of the Rev. Syl- 
vester Sago, and of those who were am- 
bassadors of Christ. 

The. remarks of the. venerable man 
were received with the most profound 
respect and attention. 

4. W estm inster— Honored as one of the first 
settlements of the Green Mountain State. May 
she have in history an unblemished page. 
May her sons and her daughters prove worthy 
of their illustrious sires, first tn the cause of 
truth, foremost, in every good word and work. 

Rev. A. B. Foster endorsed this sen- 
timent. He spoke of the beautiful 
scenery with which that place was 
blessed in such rich profusion ; how ho 
first came to Westminster, was travel- 
ing with his wife in Windham county, 
one dark night ; had sought in vain for 
a place of refuge for the night, for 
there were no taverns there ; inquired 
for a minister’s house, — they were gen- 
erally a hospitable class, and kept very 
good taverns, as it was not customary 
for ministers to use tobacco or strong 
drink [laughter] , finally brought up at 
the house of their venerable friend, 
Father Arnold, which resulted in his 
coming to that place as their former 
pastor. 

5. The Ministers and Missionaries— who 
have either directly or indirectly descended 
from families connected with this Church. One 
of their representatives we arc happy to meet 
here to-day. 

Responded to by Rev. Mr. Grout. 

The following by Rev. A. Stevens : 

6. Tire Pas roK of this CHURCH— Favored iu 
the beautiful location of the place, and the 




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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



united Bympattilea of ttie s&opleof liis olwrgre. 
May lw bo abundantly prospered in bis work. 

Responded to by the President of the 
day. 

7. TiTE cutmcil IN WEST WESTMlNSTEtt— 
Honored in the inunitieeat gift of move than 
harp re b enf m t?i n b e rsi lip to elm re E n?s in other 
Stales. Haying: sent out a goodly number of 
influential men she 1ms kept, a good reserve nt 
homy. 

Hon. Homer Goodhue, of Westmin- 
ster West, responded pleasantly ; sub- 
ject, matrimonial alliances between the 
two parishes, — [Cheers.] 

0. Ttre Horn Blut.e— A treasure which each 
may call ids own. yet 'tis the hmltago of the 
race. Wliorevur it goes il scatters Heavenly 
bloeslng# in fteiJuEh* 

Rev. Mr, Gilbert spoke of the Bible 
agency with which he a as connected ; 
of the time when he was pastor of this 
church ; of one who united with the 
church at the age of DO years. 

u. Favored is that Clmrclnviiiob urn earn- 
blue her talent with her piety in serving the 
Lord. 

Judge Ira Goodhue was called out. 
He referred to the first settlers, their 
great physical strength, instanced one 
woman who could take up a barrel of 
elder by the chines and drink at the 
bung, [Laughter.] He did not claim 
that this had much to do with religion, 
but it was the kind of people that made 
good Christians and citizens, and he 
hoped some, of this vigor and vitality 
would be handed down to posterity, 

bj- A T-T, I Joy OR TO TIT K HOARY HEAD— The 
titnmuoUng link between the present and the 
pitat. Wlml hlumgea have taken place during 
the last btitulrart yeftrs ) Wlmt itujuweiuonls 
shall wo make for a hundred years to coined 

Capt. J Mines Titcomb responded for 
the old people, and said that the story 
of his life was nearly told, as bad been 
freshly illustrated yesterday, to which 
event he alluded with much fee ling A 

*The funeral of Don. Pliny SatTord, the brat 
name on the Committee of Arrangements tor 
this Centennial anniversary, wtioae deitrh bad 
occurred Juae S, ISG7* but three davs before. 



lb the pis ess— THe faithful chronicle? or 
eui renl events and tl \ e in vul li able ft ep os i to ry 
of materials for lul u re history- 

Geo. F, Houghton, Esq., of St. Al- 
bans, a native of Guilford, this county, 
responded: u When I see near me 

veteran editors, who are, at this mo- 
ment, chronicling the events of this 
Centennial Jubilee (Rev. Mr. Bishop, 
A* N. Swain, of the Bellows Falls 
Tirtm) I am surprised I should be called 
upon to respond to this sentiment. , . 
These Centennial celebrations are of 
general interest as well as of local im- 
portance. One jubilee paves the way 
for another, and it is a matter of no 
trifling moment that those celebrations, 
holden heretofore at Weston, "VVeathers- 
fleld, Bennington, Poultney, Middlebury 
and Vergeunes, have stimulated town 
and State pride, and awakened an Inter- 
est in local history, which cannot be 
abated. 

If it be proper for me to express my 
hope or tender any advice, I would say 
that by printing the proceedings of this 
Centennial Celebration, you can best, lu 
the language of Mr. Whites text to- 
day, call to remembrance the former 
days/ Those who have been present 
will thank you. Posterity, which de- 
lights in details, will also thank you. 
The expense of such a publication will 
be small in comparison with the ail van- 
tages to be derived. Such a publication 
will show your practical belief in the 
sentiment just read that i the press is 
the faithful chronicler of current events 
and the invaluable repository of mate- 
rials for future history/ n 

13, The Ancient house of god— it. has 
braved the storms uf rm hundred years. May 
it withstand the blasts of many an hundred 
years to come. 

Prof. L. Fi Ward said,— alluding to 
the building in which they were assem- 
bled : 




G35 



WESTMINSTER. 



76 



<L It has been preserved for an hun- 
dred years, and shows for itself whether 
it would last another hundred. It is 
sacred through its age and will bo more 
so in time to come* Here, too, many 
worthies of Vermont have assembled 
as 1 e gisl at o rs . It w as h a re Ethan Ai 1 e n 
bad been, and here (pointing to the old 
pulpit) is the old desk from which c tune 
the old-fashioned preaching which made 
the winked quake. [Applause,] lie 
saw no reason why the building could 
not bo preserved for centuries to come, 
and hoped the people of Westminster 
would preserve it with all its chiseling 
and architecture- 3 ' 

There were others, clergymen, etc., 
friends from abroad, it would have been 
gratifying to have heard from, but for 
want of time the services were con- 
cluded at the hall by singing Old Hun- 
dred, hi which the audience joined, and 
1 1 1 e pr ores s ion then ft }Y m e d , re - p r o- 
eceded to the church, where, with be- 
fitting ceremonies, they united in cele- 
brating the Lord 5 s Supper. Thus closed 
the ceremonies from 10 a. m. to nearly 
5 f. h., a day to be remembered in the 
history of the Church and treas ured up 
in the chambers of the li carts of many. 



C! ENTEN N I A L AN N I VERS ARY 

OF VERMONT INDEPENDENCE, 

AT WESTMINSTER, 

was celebrated 17 Jan., 1877, in the 
church near the site of the old West- 
minster Court House ; the people in the 
East Parish and from the West Parish 
tilling the large church to overflowing, 
and the sacred house, beautiful for the 
occasion with flowers, evergreens and 
mottoes. 

P. F* Barnard presided over the 
meeting ; Rev. Dr, Stevens, of the 
West Parish, opening the cere monies 
by prayer ; a record of the Proceedings 
o f the W BStmin s t er C o n v ei i tion and de e- 



laration were read by John R. Morse, 
a lineal descendant of one of the dele- 
gates who framed it. 

Henry Clark, of Rutland, orator of the 
evening, spoke happily for an hour. 
Letters were read item Gov. Fairbanks, 
and Hon, E, P. Walton, President of 
the State Historical Society, of con- 
gratulation, and regretting not being 
able to attend. 

Rev. Dr, Stevens brought forward 
the fact that the whole territory of Ver- 
mont was added to New York in 1769 
for the consideration of the annual pay- 
ment of one raccoon skin. 

Ralph S, S affqxd gave the location 
and occupants of all the houses in West- 
minster 100 years ago* 

Other speakers made short mid pleas- 
ant speeches. All passed off successfully . 



WESTMINSTER MONUMENT 

TO FRENCH AND IIQUOHTQN. 

177.5 — 1872 — 1873. 

1775; To the memory of William 
French and Daniel Hough- 
ton, shot in the Westminster 
C o urt H o us e . M a r ch ye 13th, 
1 775* 

1572 : To the honor of the Legisla- 

ture ol Vermont, of this ses- 
sion, who voted an appro- 
priation of money to be ex- 
pended in erecting a monu- 
ment at Westminster in com- 
memoration of these said 
patriotic young men, the first 
martyrs of Vermont Inde- 
pendence. 

1873: Nov. 6 * was i na ugu rate d t h e 

monument at W esttainst€r£> — 
a day of honor on the tablet 
of her history. 

Under the base was placed a record, 
signed by 1L C. Lane, one of the select- 
men of the town* stating that the ap- 
propriation for the monument, as then 
erected, was made by the Legislature 
of 1872, including also the date of erec- 
tion, Tins flue monument is of Rye- 
gate Blue Mountain granite. 




76 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



WESTMINSTER MONEY, 

LETTER OF REV* MR, STEVENS, 

. I cannot tell you much 
about the paper money of colonial times. 

I had a few bills, bur pm them into the 
museum at Dartmouth College. I think 
they were struck olF in Spooner's office. 
(This is hearsay*) There was an old 
Mr, John Gould living in Windham 
when I Game here. He was a printer 
in the office. lie had a quantity of the 
type with which the paper was printed. 
He gave a few to me. I have made in- 
quiry for the plate from which the money 
was struck., but in vain. 

As to the money, I was told by the 
late. Henry Stevens that every bill of 
the Westminster money was redeemed 
in full, which every other State failed 
to do. He would be good authority for 
the truth of the fact. 

This Mr. John Gould, to whom I 
have referred, has gra nd-childreu living 
in the county, of whom I have inquired, 
who understand that their grandfather 
was printer in the office of Spooner at- 
the date of the money. This is tradh 
tion, 

[Our “Bank of Continental Money v 
was presented by Henry Stevens, the 
Vermont antiquary 1 whom We have also 
heard affirm what Rev. Mr. Stevens 
has quoted* that Vermont redeemed 
every dollar of her Continental money 1 
and was the only State in the Union that 
did it. 

We have two fresh bills of the old 
Westminster money for seventy -five 
cents. They are half the si/,c of an 
ordinary dollar bill of the present day. 

stands in a slightly oblique circle 
in each corner, within which, round the 
sides, runs a chain border, within each 
alternate link a cluster of roses* and 
within each other alternate Hok 



6SG 

Ear h b o rder has a ix 1 inks . 
The printed inscription ; 

A SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS 
Ute President and Div&tors of 
the Vermont State Bank premiss 

to pa?/— or bearer 

Seventy-Five Cents, at their g. 
Office of Discount a. Deposits | 
at Westminster* on dmiand 
l S 

Cash N o ■ 

.Fjvk. 

We have, ala o , a W es tn i in s ter mo ney 
half dollar bill, of the same sij;e as the 
TLXNY* IJ in whose chain border of 
links alternates with the link of roses 
the u Half D ” link : and ** Fifty C t u 
stands in the lower right band corner, 
And we have one whole, grand, Con- 
tinental Westminster- Money sheet, un- 
cut, as it came from the Spooner press. 
The width of the sheet is that of the 
length of an ordinary #10 bill of to-day, 
the depth of the sheet that of four bills 
with free margin. At the top of the 
shoot is a ii 1.75 " bill ; next below, a 
11 1.50” bill j third, a u l.’2n, Ji and at 
the foot of the two bills it *J * 1 Half 
IV* and “£*”—’ “ LXXV” The bills 
1 1 a v e both m arks . — E i> . ] 

ConHiGE^nAr—TLit; statement on page fj!& 
tit the W©Stmhister Monum«ni'Wii® raised hy 
means dfirtsetl at the Vermont aniiirersary 
at Westminster iu 1S7L Is h mistake, H was 
talked of at Westminster In it could he so 

done. Mr, Fairbanks left the Slate in 1871 — and 
correcting Ills proof Jii Connecticut, 15 years 
after, came to the line, H Wl^Cn Vermont shall 
ra e cl at Westm i natev 1 n 1ST7 It did not read 

well fifteen years alter, He changed it to, 
'* when Vermont to 1877 met at Westminster/* 
supposing it. had been dons as talked of whan 
he left Westminster,— and it passed the press 
before observed, So difficult is a peifect ac- 
curacy on local matters, who would rim a his- 
torical publication without a " Corrigenda? 31 

Also, Jpaff&RHSi line 23* it should read Mary 
Grosman t and line 33, Xtlcliards for HI chard. 



“LXNV. 3T 




WESTMINSTER WEST 



BY REV. A. STEYENS. 



The West Parish of Westminster is 
that part of Westminster lying west of 
the mountain that divides the town* It 
was set off, as a parish, by vote of the 
town, in 1785. The division was made 
legal by the action of the Legislature 
of the State, in 1707. An additional 
act of the Legislature, in 18Q0, appoints 
that the town and freeman's meetings 
of the town, shall be held alternately, 
from year to year, in each of the par- 
ishes. 

The parish Line of the town, com- 
mencing on the northern boundary of 
Putney, at the southwest comer of the 
farm commonly called the Grout place, 
runs northerly to the northeast corner 
of the farm formerly owned by Perez 
Clark, then westerly to the south west 
comer of the farm now owned by Ad- 
dison Dunham, then northerly to Rock* 
ingham. 

Before the definite action of the town, 
making the division, it was regarded a 
distinct parish. In 178*1, the town ap- 
pointed a committee of three from each 
parish, as a committee to build a meet- 
ing-house in the West Parish. The 
committee from the West Parish were : 
Lieut. Wm. Crook, Wta, Goo deli, and 
Lieut. David Hctdou. There is also a 
vote appropriating money for the sup- 
port of preaching in the parish. 

The question of a distinct town or- 
ganisation for the parish was early 
raised. In 1803, the town voted to 
that effect t and appointed a committee 



to lay the subject before the Legislature, 
and secure an organization that should 
make the West Parish a town, called 
Westbury, 

Who was the first settler iu the parish 
is not certainly known, 

jabjoz PERRY | 

from Kehobolh, Mass- (now Seekonk), 
had built a log-house on the land now 
owned by Geo. A. Gotideli, and moved 
into it, as early as 1762. His eldest 
child, 

POLLY JPEliHT* 

was born this year. So far as is known 
she was the first child born iu the par- 
ish. Ah out the same time, 

EPHRAIM "Wl LCOX 

settled on the farm now owned by D. 
C. Gorham. His oldest child, Dia- 
damc, supposed to have been horn in 
town, was horn m 1763. There are no 
dates by which the settlement of fam- 
ilies cau he traced to ari earlier period, 

FRAKC13 HOLOEK, 

from Shirley, Mass,, came into the par- 
ish in 1755 or *5fi, and built a log-hut 
on the farm now owned by Jerome 
Holden, where he lived, mostly alone, 
for some 15 or 20 years. His grist- 
mill was a hollow log and a large block 
of wood hung on a spring-pole, to pound 
the com -meal. Iu this way he made 

*Silwe the above was written, 1 team that 
Polly Perry was bom the year before .Tab cz 
Perry, tier lather, came to Low a. —A. S. 




78 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE* 



638 



his meal until a grist-mill was built at 
Chesterfield, N* H,, some 12 miles dis- 
taut from his home. This distance he 
carried bis grain on his back, and re- 
turned with Ins meal* The only road 
was marked trees. The grindstone* of 
lime -stone, made by himself, is still 
kept on the farm. By using sand for 
grit* iL did good service in sharpening 
the axes that felled the primitive forests 
in the neighborhood. After living in 
this primitive way (1801), for 20 
years, and having rs ached the age of 
Forty* he married Miss Abigail Clawson, 
of Shirley, Mass,, by whom be had 13 
children* 

The earliest record of a death in the 
parish, is in 177-1— Ephraim Wilcox, 
jr., aged 2 years, and Jemima Wilcox, 
aged 7 years. Their graves are found 
a few roads to the east of the school' 
house, in District No. 1. Large forest 
trees have grown over their graves. 

After the dose of the French and 
Indian wars* in 1760, the fears of In- 
dian depredations ceased, in a measure, 
and settlements were, more readily, 
made back from the forts on the river. 
Before 1770, there were evidently quite 
a number of families in the parish. 
The names and history of many of 
them are lost* 

RAXXEY, heatox, axd holt. 

Ephraim Ramey, jr,, David Heaton 
and Jotham Holt, about the year 1768, 
made an opening in the Wests on the 
farms near the present site of the church. 
They were young men, and for some 
time messed together In a log- house 
built by Ranncy, a few feet south of the 
house now occupied by William B, Cut- 
ting. They made their own porridge 
and ate out of a common dish . 

Mr. Heaton was a passionate man, 
and when insulted would leave the 
house* When the porridge was a little 



short of their wants, Ranney and Holt 
had only to insult their mess- mate, and 
they had the dish to themselves. This 
state of things did not long continue, 
Mr. Ranney brought to the log- house, 
m 1771, a wife, and never had any 
wish, afterwards, to be left alone at the 
table. 

Mr* Heaton bu fit for himself on the 
farm now owned by El dad II . Harlow, 
where he lived and died. 

Mr, Holt built a house, near the 
brook, to the east of the church. A 
rude stone in the forest, near the school 
house in District No. 1 , informs us that 
he died in 1 77 5 , T he farms no w o wned 
byEbenezer Hull, Horace Goodhue and 
Mr. Driscoll were settled before 1770, 
but who began the settlement cannot now 
be determined* 

1CHOBOD IDE, 

from Rchobatrh, Mass* (now Seekonk), 
was the proprietor of the lots now 
owned by David Gorham and Geo. A* 
GoodelL in 1770* His name appears 
as one of the first settlers in Chester, 
in 1764* The year he came to the town 
is not known, probably about 1770* 
Jabez Perry, his eon-in-law* had set- 
tled on the farm north of his os early 
as 1762* He had sons* Ichohod, jr., 
Joseph. Jesse, Israel and John, most of 
whom settled on farms near him* The 
name was familiar in the early history, 
but has disappeared entirely in later 
years* Only a few families in the par- 
ish have any traces of the Ide blood. 

RANXEY C RAWFORD, 

Elijah Ranney and James Crawford 
made settlements in the south part of the 
parish as early as 1771 or 7 72. The 
former on the farm now owned by 
Henry P, Ranney, his grandson* The 
latter on land now owmed by William 
Brailey , lying on the old road leading 




633 



WESTMINSTER WEST; 



70 



from Elijah Goo dell* s to George A* 
GoodelTa, He was a soldier in the 
Revolutions evidently a resolute, deter- 
mined man, and true patriot* The 
news of the battle of Lexington reached 
him at sun down. He started the next 
morning before sunrise to join the army, 
leaving his son, Tbeophihis, but D years 
of age, with his mother, to dear the 
burnt field and get in the grain. He 
obtained \i furlough of a few weeks in 
autumn to gather the harvest* This 
done, he left again For the army, leav- 
ing the mother and son alone for the 
winter of 1770. 

That son, when nearly DO years of 
age, said, t; I chopped the wood and 
drove the steers* Mother helped load, 
and we kept warm.* 3 Noble mother 
and boy* Their names shall never die, 
nor their deeds be untold . 

NATHANIEL DOUBLE DAY 

settled in the parish before 1770, the 
year is not known, but it is probable 
that he was one of the first, settlers in 
this part of the town* lie was one of 
the jury of inquest on the body of Win . 
French* who was killed by the British 
troops, at Westminster, Mar* 13, 1 775, 

1 The jury roll says he resided on lot No* 
G, fifth range of 80 -acre lots. An old 
cellar discloses the spot where his bouse 
stood, now far away from any bouse or 
road. 

The farm now owned by Reuben 
Miller, was first improved by his mater- 
nal grandfather. 

REUBEN ROBERTSON, 

came from Attleboro, Mass. The year 
is not known* It appears that a family 
of that name came to town quite early t 
at least some years before the Revolu- 
tion* 

Nathaniel Robinson commenced on 
the farm now known as the Eaton 



place* Noah, another brother, on the 
tii rm now o w ned by Mr . - Ch u r ch * N oa b 
and Reuben are known to have been 
soldiers in the Revolution* 

The farms now owned by Harlan 
D enamor e and E. R* Goodell, were 
settled before 1775- The former by 
Wm Crook, the latter by a Mr. Fuller, 
both of whom, with ft son of Mr, Ful- 
ler, were soldiers in the Revolution. 
The son w T as killed at the battle of Ben- 
nington. 

It is probable that other farms in the 
south and central part of the parish 
were settled before the Revolution, but 
the names of loaders in the settlement 
cannot now be determined* 

HAT 1 ID INCREASE OF THE PARISH. 

From 1775 to 1780, the population 
of the parish increased rapidly* Elisha 
Hitchcock, Heli Hitchcock t EIdad Hitch - 
cock and Aaron Hitchcock, from Rrim- 
field. Mass., Edward Goodcll, from 
Monaco, Mass*, Jabez Goodcll, from 
Mansfield, Ct*. and Moses Goudell, 
from Canterbury, Ct., had settled in the 
pari s 1 j be fo re 1780* Eae h of tl i ese per- 
sons, it is believed, made the first open- 
ings on the farms where they located. 
They all brought Up large Families, and 
lived and died on the farms , where they 
put thoir log-houses when they came to 
town. 

BENJAMIN SMITH, 

from Taunton, Mass., who settled on 
the farm now owned by E. B* Hall, and 

NATHANIEL ROBINSON, 
from Attleboro, Mass** who settled on 
the farm now owned by Mr* Church, 
were in the parish previous to 1775, 
and both were soldiers in the Revolu- 
tion, 

JOHN TTJTHILL, 

a native of South hold, Long Island, 
about the year 1 786 , settled on the farm 



80 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



040 



now owned by Daniel Goddard. The 
year these persons came to town, or 
whether they first broke the forests on 
their farms, cannot now be determined. 

The farms owned by Horace Good- 
hue and Ebenezer Ilall, are known to 
have been early settled, but by whom 
it is not known* The log-houses of the 
first settlers had disappeared and framed 
bouses, of some years standing, bad 
taken their place on them before 171)5. 

There was a large emigration from 
Cape Cod to the parish, led by 

ATHERTON HALL, 

in 1795, with his sons, Atherton and 
Peter, with their families* followed the 
next year by 

BARBARAS .AND SCOTTO CLARK 
and their families. They made their 
journey in 14 days, with an ox-team. 

The Clarks brought their gold to pay 
for their farms* Scottolus, in the- cen- 
tre of a tierce of salt. Barnabas ex- 
pressed his through on the back of his 
oldest son* Joshua. 

The Clarks were followed in 171)8, 
by 

Matthias gorham, 
with his 5 sons, Isaac, Matthias 2d, 
David. William and James. 

PERRY) CROWELL, HAMtfLIX AND 
HAL LETS* 

He was followed by Lewis Crowell, 
Elisha Perry, Joseph Hamblin and 
Howes and Gideon Hallet, all of whom 
1 j ad 1 arge fa m Ui es . D nr i ng the firs 1 1 5 
years of the century, ike natural in- 
crease of the population of the parish, 
was abundant. The largest population 
was between 1815 anil f 25* Since 
1850, there has been a gradual but con- 
stant decrease. In 1870, there was 
not, probably* more than half of the 
p opul ation of 182 5 * T he p op u lat ion of 
18S0 was 480. 



MORAL AND RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 

From the first settlement of the par- 
ish there have been good families, lov- 
ers an d de fen der s of goo d t h i ngs . 
Many of them were but a few genera- 
tions removed from the Puritans, and 
brought with them* to the forests of the 
parish, th eir doctr in e s an d hab its. Sab- 
bath began at sundown on Saturday, 
and ended at sundown on Sunday* All 
were expected to worship somewhere 
on the Sabbath- From the earliest set- 
tlement of the parish most of the fam- 
ilies attended meeting in the east part 
of the town. Their interests were 
identified with the settlers there, as 
they were dependent upon them, to 
a great extent, for a commerce. This 
was their only communication with 
the world outside of the deep valliea of 
the parish. Many years before the 
organization of the parish, the settlers 
hold meetings by themselves, and moves 
were made, looking to an independent 
parish They had deacon's meetings 
before they had any deacons, at which 
the sermons of the able divines of the 
preceding generation were read to the 
families gathered in some private house 
or barn, the good men taking the part 
for which their gifts and graces fitted 
them. Generally, Capt. David Heaton 
set the tune to the psalm. Ephraim 
Wells led in prayer. The readers were 
more varied. All, doubtless, were at- 
tentive and benefited* It was a recog- 
nition of their dependence, upon God, 
and an expression of gratitude to him 
for his blessings upon them j as a com- 
munity, in their rude homos, 

The early families in the parish were 
somewhat divided hi their religious 
views. All* so far as they made any 
pretension to religion, were Congrega- 
tional ists, but unfortunately some, u were 
dry, others wet, CoDgre.gaEionalists. ,J 



641 



WESTMINSTER WEST. 



81 



The families originating from Connec- 
ticut and Massachusetts believed, and I 
built after the example of Plymouth 
Rock. Those from Eastern Connecticut | 
and Long Island were Baptist. There 
was a large common Christian ground 
on which they could, and did, for years 1 
meet and worship together, but like the 
herdsmen of * 4 Gczar and Isaac, they 
strove about water.” This, doubtless, 
delayed somewhat, the definite organi- 
zation of the parish. Though there 
were settlements in the parish as early 
as 1758 or ’59, the first record of a 
meeting to consult for the support of the 
gospel among themselves, was in 1789, 
Jan. 10, 4 * called by Elijah Ranney, on 
petition of the inhabitants of the parish. ” 
The votes at this meeting refer to pre- 
vious action on the subject of support- 
ing the gospel, it was voted : 

44 That allowance be made to Eph- 
raim Wilcox, for money he had paid to 
Mr. Bullcu for preaching, to be credited 
to him on the collection bill, to the 
amount of $11.00.” 

This and other votes assume the ex- 
istence of a society with the Congrega- 
tionalism, for the support of the gospel, 
prior to 1789. 

The town voted, in 1784, 

To divide the money raised to build 
and repair meeting-houses, between the 
East and W cst part of the town, the 1 
division to be made as the Militia line 1 
runs.” 

The Congregational Society, at the I 
meeting of the above date, voted to in- 1 
struct their committee to lay out money j 
raised, in connection with a committee | 
of the Baptists, for supporting preach- i 
ing in the parish. There was, then, a | 
Baptist and a Congregational Society in 
the parish, for the support of the gos- 
pel, previous to 1789, and they divided 
their meetings between the two denomi- 1 
nations. This continued down to 1799. | 
when 



THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 
was organized by a colony from the 
church in the east part of the town. 

BAPTISTS. 

There was a Baptist Society, prob- 
ably, in town some years before this. 
Most of their members resided in the. 
West Parish. In 1 784, over fifty of the 
inhabitants of the town, entered their 
names iu the clerk’s office, under a cer- 
tificate, that they worshipped with the 
Baptists. Among these names is found 
that of Dea. Benjamin Smith, and 
I)ea. Nathaniel Robinson, and other 
names, showing a large influence in 
the parish in favor of the Baptists, as 
early as 1784. 

The date ol the organization of the 
church is not known, neither can it be 
certainly determined that there was ever 
a Baptist church in town, distinct from 
the one in Rockingham, though it is 
quite probable that there was. Elder 
Oliver Gurosey, who lived in the parish, 
and Elder Wellman, who lived in Brook- 
line, were Baptist ministers, whose 
names appear often in the early history 
of the parish. They were uneducated 
men and scorned the need of prepara- 
tion for preaching. 

They opened their mouths for the 
Lord to fill, and pitied the preacher 
that depended on his manuscript. ITere 
was another source of division in the 
parish, one party seeking an educated 
ministry, the other wishing for the gos- 
pel directly from the Lord, without any 
culture of the schools. 44 No man-made 
ministers ” was the demand. The feel- 
ing that existed on this subject is clear 
from what took place at a funeral, in 
1800. Mr. Emerson, the Congrega- 
tional minister, and Mr. Gurnsey, the 
Baptist, met at a funeral . The latter 
was to preach on the occasion. lie an- 
nounced his text, and, as was usual, 




8*2 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 612 



said, 44 The text has occurred to me 
since I came into the room. I shall 
speak from it as the Lord puts thoughts 
into my mind and words into my 
month. 1 ’ The sermon through, while 
the people were taking their last look at 
the corpse, Mr. Emerson complimented 
his Baptist brother tor his sermon, and 
at the same time asked him if he had not 
preached from that text before? After 
some hesitation the answer came in a 
low voice, “ I may have preached from 
it before. I think L have.” The an- 
swer is repeated by Mr. Emerson, so 
that all can hear. 44 You say, then, 
you think you have preached from that 
text before,” and, at the same time, 
added, 44 Have you not preached from 
that text many times before?” The 
low answer comes, T do not know, 
but 1 may have preached frequently 
from the text ; I am preaching in var- 
ious places and cannot say how mauy 
times I have preached from it.” The 
answer is repeated, so that all could 
hear, 44 You say, then, yon do not know 
how mauy times you have preached 
from that text?” This did much to 
check the boasting about preaching 
without preparation. 

The families from Cape Cod, to which 
reference has been made, were mostly 
of the standing order, a s it was called. 
They were large families, and contained 
the material for a large increase of 
the population of the parish. This de- 
cided the history of the parish, from 
1795, in favor <jf tlic Corigregational- 
ists. The Congregationalist ministers 
that are known to have preached in the 
parish, previous to the organization of 
the church in 1799, are Joseph 'Bui km, 
in 1788, Rev. Mr. Churchill, in 1790. 
In 1791, the society instructed their 
committee to lay out the money raised 
in hiring Mr. Freegrace Reynolds to 
preach on probation, if he could he ob- 



tained. or some other man if lie could 
not. There is no evidence that Mr. 
Reynolds or any other man was ob- 
tained. In 1792, the society gave a 
formal call to Mr. Stephen Williams to 
become, their minister and pastor. The 
call stipulates £150 settlement, to be 
paid in quarterly installments, at the 
end of the 1st, 2d, 3rd, and 4 1 b years 
of his ministry, one-quarter cash in 
hand, the remainder in stock or grain, 
wheat at 5 shillings a bushel. Also a 
salary of j£45, to be increased £5 a 
year until it amounted to £65, to be paid 
one-quarter in cash, the remainder in 
stock or grain. This call was not ac- 
cepted . 

It is clear from the doings of the 
society, from year to year, that they 
had only temporary supplies of preach- 
ing before 1800. The names of Mr. 
Wellman and Holman appear as minis- 
ters that were employed at different 
times, the former, a Baptist. Of Mr. 
Holman nothing is recorded but his 
name. The Baptists, too, depended 
upon a temporary supply for preaching. 
Beside Mr. Gurnsey and Wellman, 
above mentioned, there was one Wrn. 
Bowles, a Baptist minister in town, in 
1784, but it does not appear that he or 
any other person was ever settled as a 
pastor of the Baptist church in town. 

The first pastor of the church was 

REV. REUREN EMERSON, 

born Aug. 12, 1771, in Ashby, Mass., 
and graduated at Dartmouth, in 1798. 
He studied theology with Rev. Reed 
Paige, of Hancock, N. H., and Stephen 
Farrar, of New Ipswich, and was or- 
dained at Westminster West, Feb., 18, 
1800 ; was dismissed Mar. 9, 1804. 

Sermon by Rev. Reid Paige, of Han- 
cock, N. H. ; ordaining prayer by Rev. 
Thomas Fessenden, of Walpole, N. 
II. ; charge by Rev, Stephen Farrar, 




64 3 



WESTMINSTER WEST. 



83 



of New Ipswich, N. IT. ; fellowship, 
by Rev. Sylvester Sage, of the mother 
church, Westminster^ a fellowship that 
has never been withdrawn. 

The terms of this settle me tit were a 
salary of £100, to be paid one- half in 
cash, the remainder in produce, at cash 
* price, which is the highest figure the 
society has ever reached in ministerial 
support. Mr. Emerson was of the old 
Hopkinsian type in theology, a clear- 
headed, determined man, a stickler for 
ministerial dignity, rather abrupt in his 
intercourse \ his sermons were terse in 
style, somewhat personal, especially 
when anything occurred in the parish 
that affe cte d h i mse if, IT i s w oo d , w h i eh 
the society had promised* failed one 
cold week. The congregation were 
treated the next Sabbath to a sermon 
from the text, 4 k Where no wood is the 
fire goeth out/* It was evident that the 
fire was in him, and the sermon, though 
it had gone out on his hearth. It 
warmed the whole parish so well that 
the good parson found his yard full of 
ox teams loaded with wood on Monday. 
1 1 is carriage loaned to a neighbor was 
returned injured. This brought out a 
sermon from the text, L i Alas ! master, 
for it was borrowed,” so personal that 
it did more injury to him and the parish 
tli an was done to the carriage. 

Mr. Emerson's ministry was short, 
lie was dismissed by an ecclesiastical 
council, Mar. 9, 1804, 

After he left the West Parish lie was 
settled in Reading, Mass,, where he 
remained until his death in good old 
age, an honored and useful minister. 

Rev. Joseph Brown supplied the pul- 
pit tor nearly two years after Mr. 
Emerson . Of h im little is remembered, 
only he was an old man, and some- 
what absent-minded* His horse, which 
he was loading T slipped his halter, and 



went off in another direction. The 
good pastor did not discover the trick 
until he had tied the halter to the post 
at his door. 

lie was evidently familiar with the 
parishioners t so much, that they felt at 
liberty to joke him. One Peter Hall, 
known by all the parish as Uncle Peter, 
and famous for his jokes, met Parson 
Brown, one Monday morning, return- 
ing from the store with a birch broom 
in his hand, and hailed him, 4 L good 
luck, Mr. Brown, this morning, sold all 
your brooms but one, havn't you?' 1 



REV, TIMOTHY FIELD 



J 

I 



t 



was called by the church, Nov. 18 ? 
1806, and installed Jan, 20, 1807. 
Sermon by Rev. Roswell Shurtldf, 
D.D. ; prayer. Rev. Gersham Lyman, 
TIT : charge, Rev. William Hall ; fel- 
lowship, Rev, Sylvester Gage, 

He was a native of East Guilford, Ct., 
(now Madison), Graduated at Yale, 
1797. His ministry practically closed 
with the year 1834, hut he was not 
formally dismissed until Mar. 31, 1835, 

He was a man of noble form, quick 
in n.ll his movements, a frank, smiling 
face ; he made no display of learning, 
but was above ordinary ability and 
worth as a man and a scholar. His 
sermons were short, terse, delivered 
without gestures, but with the deepest 
emotion. He despised all hypocrisy, 
had no ministerial cant, and always en- 
joyed more than he could express, ex- 
cept by lus tears and laughter. He 
believed the Bible fully, and preached 
it just as he found it, without any 
speculation. 

He despised all display in the pulpit, 
To a certain young minister, who was 
conversing with him about sermons and 



the reasons why they were no more 
effective, he dryly said, i4 It would not 
be much credit to the Lord to convert 




84 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 044 



sinners under such big sermons as the 
young ministers try to preach. 91 

He was a Calvinist in his meed, but 
not an extremes! ; in politics, he was a 
Whig, and always voted and preached 
according to his views in face of all 
opposition. One of his parishioners 
once objected to his voting, because he 
was a minister of Christ, u whose 
kingdom was not of this world . ** His 
quick reply was : k ‘ You that belong to 
the dev IPs kingdom are the legal 
voters . ” 

The parish was greatly improved un- 
der his ministry, in its moral and reli- 
gious chart Wter* At the commencement 
of his ministry the church numbered 
on ly 5 6 jmemb ers . T he re war e re ce i ve d 
by profession during his pastorate, 844, 
'25 by letter. In the year 1825, the 
church reports in its association, 300 
members. The years 1316, *24 and 
*31, wore marked by powerful revivals 
of religion. The fruits of these revi- 
vals mostly united with the Congrega- 
tional church, hut many, it is known, 
united with the Baptist church at. Sax- 
ton’s River, called, after the year 1812, 
u The Baptist Church of Rockingham 
and Westminster/* 

It should he said here that a large 
number of families in the north part of 
the parish nave always connected them- 
selves in society at .Saxton’s River, 
Geographically, they belong there, | 
which makes the West Parish of West- 
minster small in territory. 

i 

REV. PRESTON TAYLOR 

succeeded Mr. Field as pastor of the ( 
e 1 1 u r eh ; i n s ta 1 led Ma r , 31, 183 .5 ; w as I 
dismissed Oct, 13, 1836. 

BEY. JUlULEE WELLMAN, 

his successor, was installed Mar, 6, 
1838, and was dismissed Jan, 5, 1842, 
Mr. Well man had not a collegiate edu- 



cation. He studied theology at Bangor, 
Me*, where he graduated in 1823, was 
installed at Frankfort, Me,, Sept. 17, 
1821, dismissed Jan. 3, 182G p. Installed 
I at Warner, N. H., Sept, 26. 1827 ; dis- 
missed Feb. 15, 1837. After he left 
1 Westminster, he preached 2 years alter- 
nately in Cavendish and Ply mo nth. Yt., 
after which he preached 5 years in 
Cavendish alone- Was installed at 
Lowell j Yt., Oct. 17, 1850, where he 
remained until his death, Mur. 18, 
1855. He was a well read theologian, 
strictly Calvinistic, very confident, 
sometimes dogmatic in stating his 
views : sensitive of Ills rights as a min- 
ister, and anxious about the honor of 
his office. 

REV. ALFRED STEVENS, 

the present pastor, was ordained Feb. 
22, 1843. The whole number received 
Into the church since its organization is 
625 (1867), There have been 668 in- 
fant baptisms. By the first pastor, CO ; 
by Mr, Brown, 45 ; Mr. Field, 164 ; 
Mr, Taylor, 13; Mr. Wellman, 16; 
the present pastor, 60. It will he seen 
by this that the prosperous periods of 
the church have been, when parents 
felt most the importance of dedicating 
their offspring to God in His church, 
according to apostolic usage, and the 
plain direction of Christ, to “ let them 
come because they arc of His king- 
dom.” 

The first deacons of the church were 
Elijah Ranney , a son of the first deacon, 
Ephraim Ranuey, of the East Parish, 
and Edward Go ode 11, They were large 
men, of few words, of strong purpose, 
fast friends of their minister with whom 
they served the church, who sleeps with 
them in our cemetery. 

Their successors were Elijah Ran- 
ney, Jr., a grandson of Dea. Ranney, 
of the East Parish, and Ebeuezer 




645 



WESTMINSTER WEST. 



So 



Goodhue, a grandson of the same by 
marriage* The former was slow in 
his plans am! execution, the latter was 
hasty ; both were good, determined 
men * and did not easily give up a meas- 
ure they attempted to carry. The 
Scotchman’s prayer was appropriate for 
them both r “0, Lord* keep me right, 
for thou knowest I cannot change 
TBE FIRST MEETING-HOUSE. 

The date of the building of the first 
meeting-house in the parish is not 
known. Money was raised for that 
purpose as early as 1784. The location 
was a matter not easily settled, part de- 
siring it near Crooks 1 Mills (now Chand- 
ler's). Some of the timber for it was 
drawn upon the ground there, but Mr. 
Ephraim Wells, the owner of the land 
where the present church now stands, 
gave a lot for the church and land to be 
used lor a cemetery, as an inducement 
to build on the present site of the 
church. The Society accepted his pro- 
position. The house was in existence 
in 179$, and occupied, but in an unfin- 
ished state, as the Society that year 
voted to take measures to complete it. 
It was a high, two- story building, front- 
ing the east ; a front door, and one on 
each side, It was painted white ; with- 
out a steeple or cupola even ; square 
pews, with high hacks ; gallery on three 
& ides , f 1 lied wi tl i y o u n g fol k s e ve ry S ab ■ - 
bath, closely watched by a man ap- 
pointed for that purpose j a moderately 
high pulpit, a deacon’s seat m front of 
It, occupied, rain or shine, every Sab- 
bath, by the deacons, 

This was the place of worship down 
to the winter of 1828 and 9, when it 
was destroyed by fire. 

The present church was erected the 
next year. It. was lirst constructed with 
the orchestra in the rear of the pulpit. 
The good people of the parish so loved 



the house of God, in the former days, 
that they had no need of a bell to ad- 
mo nisli them that the hour of assem- 
bling had come. The church was with- 
out a bell until 1853. Since this year, 
the cheerful sounds of a bell have been 
heard daily from the church tower, ad- 
monishing the parish of passing time, 
and calling them every Sabbath to pub- 
lic worship. It has been rung every 
year, with one exception, by the same 
faithful bellman. 

THE SABBATH SCHOOL 

was organized first in 1816, and has 
been con ti u ued e v cry ye ar s i n ce . It was 
at first only for children. The exer- 
cises were only repeating texts of Scrip- 
ture. The older people gradually be- 
came interested in it. For many years 
it lias been composed of those of all 
ages, from the child up to those over 
fourscore years. There is one person 
now in the school that has been con- 
nected with it. every year since its or- 
ganization, as scholar or teacher. 

THE FIRST SCHOOL, 

From the earliest history of the 
parish the people have manifested a 
good degree of interest in education. 

The first school in the parish, of 
which there is any record, was taught 
in the house of Robert Crook, located 
a few rods to the north of where 
Geo, Campbell^ large sheep-barn now 
stands. This was as early as 1777, 
The families living in what is now 
Dist, No. I, 2 and 4, furnished chil- 
dren for that school. 

It was a log-house. The room was 
warmed by a stone fire-place that would 
receive wood 4 feet long and of any 
th i ck n ess , F ro m 1815 to r S 0 , the 

schools in all the districts were large. 
50 or CO scholars to a school was not 
an uncommon thing, sometimes the 




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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



616 



number was as high as 100 in one 
school. 

Since then the schools have dimin- 
ished greatly in numbers. Where once 
were large schools now there arc hardly 
enough scholars to make a school. 

There was a school taught in a log- j 
house (supposed to be the house of 
Moses Goodell), that stood on the farm 
now owned by Ansel Moulthrop, in 
1790. The next year the school for 
the same neighborhood was taught in a 
log-house on the farm south of this. 

Aaron Hitchcock, in 1793, taught 
in the same neighborhood, in the house 
of Edward Goodell. This is the first 
name that appears on the catalogue of 
teachers in the parish. 

Besides the district school there has 
been generally a select school of one 
term a year in the parish. 

PARISH LIBRARIES. 

The first social library in the parish 
was commenced about the year 1810, 
and continued to 1834. It contained 
about 600 volumes. These were mostly 
histories, theological and metaphysical 
works, and biography. The time of 
travels had not come, and novels were 
not then so much in favor as now. 

The second library was commenced 
in 1836, and now contaios 300 vol- 
umes. Compared with the first, it 
shows quite a change in the tastes and 
habits of the people in reading. It 
would now be a rare thing to find a 
person, young or old, that would take 
from a library the u Spirit of Laws,” 
by Montesquieu, or Butler’s Analogy, 
or Witherspoon** works, and yet such 
books were attentively read formerly in 
the parish, as is evident from the rem- 
nants of the first library now found 
scattered over the parish. 

A third library has made its appear- 
ance this year (1870), with 100 vol- 



umes. It owes its existence to the 
ladies of the parish, and has, of course, 
a bright future. 

There are taken from the post office, 
in the parish this year (1870) : Daily 

papers, 3; weekly, 162; semi-weekly, 

3 ; monthlies, 78 ; quarterlies, 44. 

Saxton’s River office furnishes some 
12 families in the north part of the par- 
1 ish with their mail matter. How many 
papers and reviews are taken from it 
by families in this parish, is not known. 
The number of families that get their 
papers through the West Parish office 
is 80. 

NATIVE MINISTERS. 

Ministers that have originated in the 
parish, and the time of their graduation 
so far as is known : Rev. Calvin 

Hitchcock, D. D., A. B., at Middle- 
bury, 1811. J. Q. A. Edgell, A. B., 
University of Vt., 1827. Josiah F. 
Goodhue, A. B., Middlebury, 1821. 
Joseph A. llanney, A. B., Middlebury, 
1839. Timothy E. Ranney. A. B,, 
Middlebury, 1839. Edwin Goodell, 
A. B., Dartmouth, 1850. Henry A. 
Goodhue, A. B., Dartmouth, 1857. 

, Jerome Allen, A. B., Amherst, 1831. 
'James Wilcox, Beald Wilcox, Eaton 
Mason, A. 1L, Waterville, Me. Anson 
Tuthill, A. B., Waterville, Me. 

REV. JOSIAJl F. GOODHUE, 

born in Westminster West in 1818 ; se- 
nior to most of his class at Middlebury 
by his ardent devotion to study, urban- * 
ity of manner aud earnest piety, he 
maintained a wide influence over his 
classmates there, and his theological 
course was pursued at Andover, during 
• one year of which he was tutor in Mid- 
dlebury College. He accepted a call of 
the church in Williston, Vt., in 1824, 
and remained pastor till 1834, when he 
accepted a call to the Congregational 




WBSTMI NS TER WEST . 



87 



647 



church in Shore ham, Vt*. where he 
spent 24 years. 

The chief value of Mr. Goodhue’s 
ministrations was not an the rhetorical 
finish of His sermons, nor special grace 
of delivery ; but iu the sound character 
of bis discourses and solemn earnest- 
ness with which they were delivered. 
His pastoral labors had a specially 
happy influence, in that he possessed 
that general moral excellence of charac- 
ter which caused his people to sec a 
happy manifestation of the power of 
religion over his own heart and life. 
Eminently a lover of peace, by wise and 
judicious advice he was greatly service- 
able in the many councils lo which he 
was culled, and on occasions calling for 
wisdom and discretion* He was among 
the early and earnest advocates for 
freedom of the captives of the land, 
and brought the vigor of his mind to 
be a r in giving p ubl 1 e $e n t i n i en 1 1 h e right 
tone on this momentous subject* 

His published writings are a Sermon 
on the character of Rev. Thomas A. 
Merrill, D. D*- of Middlelmry, and a 
History of the town of S ho reham, the 
scene of Ins last pastoral labors. Both 
of these productions are happy speci- 
mens of his ability as a writer, 

lie died at Whitewater, Wis., in 
Ma r . , 1802 . — From th r Oonrj i eya tiv it a l 
Quarterly* [See Shoreham, Yol. L] 
NATIVE 1*11 Ysl Cl AN 3 < 

Samuel Hitchcock, A. R. at Middle- 
1 * u ry . 1 8 10 \ M . i > . at Bal i i in or e . A b 
fired Hitchcock, M. D., Dartmouth, 
1837 ; Lieu ry D. Hitchcock, M. D., 
Wo ods lock, 1842; 1 1 a me r O. Ili tch - 
cock, A* R m Dartmouth, 1851 ; M.D., 
New York City, 1856. Alfred Miller, 
A - R. , Middlebury . [ I tied in Fitchburg, 
Mass., Nov. 15, 1877. He was a 
native of West Westminster, Yt., a 
graduate of Middled? ury College, class 



of 1840 ; ami of medicine in 1844, at 
the medical school at Woodstock ; com- 
m enced practi ce at A ah bu i* n ham , M ass * , 
i n 1 8 45 . He t em o ve d to F itchl m rg , M ay , 
1862, and continued in practice until 
his death. He was twice a member ol 
the Legislature, first in 186G, and also 
i n 1 8 7 6 . ] Hen ry Ha rlo w f M.l)., Wo od - 
s to ck , 1 843 - D an lei C a mpbell , ft 1 . 1 > , r 
Woodstock, 1841. Atherton Hall, 
Charles Witt, Mark Raimey, M. D., 
Woodstock. Timothy E. Allen, A.B., 
Amherst, 1858; M. D., New York 
City. Geo. Clark, M. D., Woodstock, 
1841. John Campbell. 

PHYSICIANS THAT HAVE PRACTICED IK 
THE PA KISH. 

Asaph Wright, son of Medad Wright 
of the East Parish, settled in the par- 
ish about 1 787, Edward R. Campbell 
came to the parish in 180.3. John Hall, 
fa. Hall, David Allen, a native of 
Heath, Mass , M. D., at Pittsfield, 
Mass., 1827 ; in practice in the parish, 
1828, continued to 1830. Win. Arms, 
from 1839 to 1840. John Hurd, 1841 
and ’2. Daniel Campbell, from 1843 
to 1855. 

NATIVE LAWYERS 

that have originated in the parish* Na- 
than Hall, A. B., Mitkllebury, 1801. 
James Byron Brooks, A. Ih, Dart- 
mouth, 1869. Kirk W. Wheeler* read 
law at Albany, N. Y* Alfred 8* Hall, 
Dartmouth, 1869. 

OTHER GRADUATES FROM COLLEGE, 

Luther Hitchcock, A* B., Middle- 
bury, 1811* David Campbell, A* Ik. 
Yale, 1850. Holland Wheeler, A* B*, 
Norwich University, Vt, 1858; rail- 
road and civil engineer in Lawrence, 
Kansas* Horace Goodhue, Jr., A.B., 
Dartmouth, 1867 ; professor m North- 
field College, Minn, Gorham Clark, 
A. B . , Mi th 11 elm ry , 1839; teac he r a t 




88 



VERMO NT it fSTO ETC A I > MAG AZIN E . 



64.8 



Grenada, Miss., where he died, 1844, 
Charles Campbell, A* B-. Tale, 
teacher and merchant m Grenada, 
Miss. ; Alfreds. Hall, Dartmouth, 1878 ; 
Horace G oodhue , J r, , Dartmouth , 1 85 7 ; 
George Goodhue, Dartmouth, 1878 ; 
George IT Brooks, Dartmouth, 1860; 
Willie Hitchcock, Amherst, 1875. 

HOTELS. 

A hotel existed in the parish before 
there was a meeting-house, or a school- 
house. The first was kept by Joseph 
Ide, near the top of the hill, on the old 
road that leads from E. E. GoodelTs to 
G e o « A . Goo dell’s. It was a la g- 1 io use 
and did a large business in toddy. This 
was a necessity to meet the wants of 
the traveling community as early as 
17110. Then, us now, the necessity was 
found in the neighborhood of a hotel. 
That log-house was witness to many a 
light to let off the lire of New England 
rum on the brain. The proprietor was 
often obliged to fall back upon his large 
physical organism to keep control of 
his bouse, At one time, he had the 
worst of the light, and was laid in his 
large fire-place, very much to his dis- 
comfort* 

Before 1800, a hotel was kept by 
Josiab 11 endec, in the old house now 
occupied as a shop, by T. O. Dunham. 
From 1802 to ’7. Gideon Warner was 
the landlord in the same house. In 
1804. Ebenezer Goodhue opened a hotel 
in the house now owned by Warren 
Peck . At th e i ns tal 1 a tio n o f M r\ Field, 
in 1807, it was open for what was 
called an ordination ball. There is no 
evidence that any members of the 
church took part iu it ; but being at the 
house of a leading member of the so- 
ciety, and largely patronised by the lead- 
ing families of both pans of the town, 
it shows the tastes and habits of the 
times. A person that was present re- 



marked, years after, u that it was not 
ceitain which had the most attention, 
the fiddle or the toddy -stick. The heels 
kept time to the fiddle, the heads to the 
to d d y ■ - 3 tick . 1 8 Th e h o use n o w o cc u p i ed 
by Ephraim Wilcox for a store and 
dwelling-house was built for a hotel by 
Benjamin Smith, about the year 1805. 
He kept it for a few years only. David 
Johnson was the proprietor for a few 
years. It was known as ^Abel Ed- 
gell's Hotel/ 8 for a number of years, 
and famous for toddy and horse trading. 
About the year 1818, it came into the 
hands of Eprhaim Rummy, and was 
kept for a n umber of years by Gideon 
Warner. 

A remnant of Ins account-book, for 
1815, shows that the good people of the 
parish were none loo temperate. The 
following is a specimen of account, 
leaving out the name : 

41 Dr. to 1 glass of toddy, to 2 toddy, 
to 8 toddys, to 2 milk-pans, to 10 lbs. 

: hog's lard.* 1 The history is this ; The 
1 debtor got drunk, and mistook his door, 
and fell down in the pantry, and pulled 
down after him two pans of milk and a 
pan of lard, yet warm from the kettle. 
He was now ready to make Ids mark in 
the world. It was training day and be 
was too noisy and a little too drunk to 
he respectable. 

The captain, a neighbor of his, un- 
dertook to get him out of the way. 

, Having exhausted his patience in flat- 
tery, and ignorant of the affairs in the 
pantry, he came to a close ling with the 
tipsy man, and by a hard struggle shut 
him up in the barn, when, lo and be- 
hold, he found ins buff pants and vest 
unfit for a captain to wear. 

orchards am* cider. 

The early settlers planted Targe or- 
chards. In the rich soil they came, 
quickly into bca ring, for the use of the 




49 



WESTMINSTER WEST. 



89 



Beil generation. Cider mills became 
an institution In the parish. As the 
craving for strong drink was not fully 
met by cider in its native state, a dis- 
tillery came to their help. It was set 
up by Wainff right Witt* in 1824 or *25. 
The building erected lor that purpose is 
now used by Russell Bailey for a horse 
barn. 

In 1827 or ’28, the still was pur- 
chased by Ebenezer Go odell, and moved 
into a. building erected for it, near the 
beautiful falls on the brook, to the left 
of the road, as you go from the meet- 
ing-house to Charles C, Goode li*s, the 
families in the neighborhood approving. 
The evil of the thing soon was seen, 
and some compensation was made to 
the owner, and the distillery disappeared 
abo ut the year 1 8 3 4 ■ 

THE FIRST TEMFEEAKCE SOCIETY 

was formed In 1881. The meeting for 
the purpose was held in the brick school- 
house, west of the church. The eom- 
mitteo that drafted the constitution were 
Rev, Timothy Field, Eppa Cone, John 
Smith and John B rally, most of them 
known to be not friendly to the move- 
ment. But a constitution was reported 
and accepted by the meeting, pledging 
the members to abstinence from all in- 
to xi eating drinks, as a beverage, with 
a qualifying clause that gave some 
liberty in . the use of cider in certain 
states. This clause, it was thought by 
some, gave too much liberty for the 
good of the members, and a new so- 
ciety was formed in 1841, pledging its 
members without any qualification, to 
abstinence from all intoxicating drinks. 
This society never bad the hearty ap- 
proval of all in the parish, but it doubt- 
less did much to improve the temper- 
ance sentiment. 

Since the temperance reformation, 
keeping hotel in the parish has not been 



a paying business. The house now 
owned by Wm. Field was opened for 
that purpose for a few years. Since 
1880, the house now occupied as a store 
has been opened as a hotel, by different 
persons ; none of them have found it 
profitable. 

saw-mills. 

The first saw-mill, in the parish, wns 
built by Elijah Ranney, on the brook 
nearly east of John Plates, W m . Ab- 
bott, some years later, built one about 
half of a mile below, on the same 
brook. The Ranney mill had served 
its day, and was a matter of tradition 
only, in 1800* Before 1790, William 
■ Crook had pm up a mill on the farm 
now owned by IJarlan Dinsmure. In 
1811, Joshua Clark leased the privi- 
lege of Mr. Cook and built a new 
mill, and ran it until 1830, when he sold 
to Russell Ranney. Another mill was 
in existence as early as 1810, at the left 
of the road, where it is crossed by the 
brook, near the house now occupied by 
Mr. Howe. Joshua Clark built a mill 
in 1809 or TO, It was run by him un- 
til 1859, when it passed into the hands 
of R. C. Gould. In 1885, it became 
the property of Alfred Harlow, who 
built the present mill in 1887, which is 
now the only saw-mill in the parish. 
F. O* Dunham put up a saw-mill in the 
village in 1858, It was burned in 1862. 

0RIST- MILLS, 

The first grist-mill, in the parish, is 
supposed to have been built by Robert 
Crook, on the site at the present mill. 
It was known in 1790 as Crook's Mill* 
and is remembered as^ then, an old 
building. The year it was erected can- 
not now be determined; probably as 
early as 1780* A second mill was 
er acted where the factory afterwards 
| stood, by whom, or when, is not known, 
[Crook's Mill was owned for years by 




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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



650 



Elijah Ranney, add was tended by Mil- 
ler Paine. Dr. Edward R, Campbell 
built a third mill, on the brook a few 
leet below t where it Crosses the road 
leading to Mr. Howe*s. He also, in 
1827, built the mill that now serves the 
parish. It has had many owners, and 
been often changed in some respects, 
but retains about the same look, inside 
and out, as the year it was erected. 

Ru ssell Ranney, in 1 85G, put in a grist- 
mill near Horace Foster's, which made 
the meal for the parish for three years. 
Since then the business hue been carried 
on at the location selected by Mr. Crook 
for a mill, probably in 1780 or J 8I. 

MANUFACTURES, 

The wives and daughters, in the early 
111 story of the parish, of course made 
the cloth used. 

In 1818, Seotto Clark* put in ma- 
chinery tor a woolen factory into the 
building that had been used lor a grist- 
mill, near Thomas Chandler’s. His 
works were burned Dee. , 1728. The 
next season a two-storv brick building 
was erected on the same spot, and 
fi 1 le d wi th in ach inery fo r man u factu ring 
broadcloths and cassimeres. It was 
burnt in 1882. 

CLOTHING WORKS. 

John Cambridge was the first cloth- 
ier in the parish. Before 1812, his 
works were in the building erected for a 
grist-mill, and, after him, used for a 
factory. In 1818, he erected a build- 
ing in the village, in which the clothier 
business was carried on, by diderent 
persons, until 1826 or *7. 

Silsbmy succeeded Cambridge, as 
clothier, and, for a few years, did some- 
thing in the line of manufacturing hats. 
David Duncan succeeded SOsbury, as 
clothier, for a number of years. About 

* See (£3. 



the year 1827 the building was con- 
nected with a wheelwright shop, and 
was occupied for that business by Ly- 
man French and Noah Whitney, until 
1835, when F. 0. Dun bam succeeded 
them as wheelwright. After him Hart 
Halt owned the shop and carried on the 
business for years. In 1841, lie sold to 
Geo, Allen, wllo enlarged the establish- 
ment by adding a large two-story build- 
ing in 1842. In 1843, both buildings 
were burnt. A new and larger build- 
ing was erected the same year, by Mr. 
Allen , and used by him for a 

CARRIAGE SHOP 

until 1854. This year, F. 0. Dunham 
became the proprietor of the shop, and 
continued the business until 1862, when 
the building was destroyed by lire. In 
1868, F. 0. Dunham erected another 
building on the same spot, but it is yet 
in an unfinished state. 

Tanning . 

David Shield is th ought to have been 
the first tanner in the parish. The 
building which stood on the fiat, near 
where Willard Moultrie'S barn now 
stands, was erected in 1788 or *8 3. It 
was large, and answered the double pur- 
pose of a dwelling house and a tannery. 
But a few years later a tannciy wa 
started in the village by Ephraim Wells, 
folio w ed by a Mr . Wy man. The works 
were to the east of the brook, opposite 
the house now owned by Wm. Dean. 
Wm* Simons was his successor in the 
business, and moved the works a few 
rods down the brook. The building 
erected by Mr, Simons for the business, 
was standing in 1843, and then used by 
Amos Ball for a barn, and was burned 
in May of that year. Wm. King suc- 
ceeded Simons as tanner, but did not 
long continue the business in the place. 
Silas Hardy followed him and con tin- 




651 



WESTMINSTER WEST. 



ued the business down to 1830 or ’32, 
when the business ceased in the parish. 

BLACKSMITHS. 

From the earliest history of the par- 
ish the hammer of the blacksmith lias 
been heard ori the spot where the black- 
smith shop now stands. The first smith 
that is remembered, was David Morse, 
followed in the business by Levi Field. 
George W. Holland, Charles Black, 
Daniel Miller and B. F. Winchester. 

Peter Hall worked at the anvil many 
years on the farm known as the Peter 
Hall place. Wain wright Witt did 
something in the same line, near Chand- 
ler’s Mill. James Eaton had a shop in 
district No. 4, near Geo. A. GoodelPs. 

Gideon Warner was the smith for 
the neighborhood west of the church. 
His shop stood near the old house now 
owned by F. O. Dunham. The black- 
smith in the early times was an impor- 
tant character, when all the tools of the 
husbandman and mechanic, and all that 
was worked in iron lmd to pass under 
bis hammer. 

SHOEMAKERS. 

The old people remember Thomas J 
Paine, Phineas Ball, Obadiah Barker, 
Stephen Moulthrip and James Webb, 
who made their yearly visits to the early 
families in the parish, with lap-si ones, 
lasts and bench and did up the shoe- 
making for the year, for the whole 
family. 

Reuben Print ess had a shop iu the 
north part of the parish for many years. 
John Tower, David Hardy, Amos Ball. 
W. B. Hamblin and llusey Ward well 
have carried on the business in the vil- 
lage, following each other, tu the order 
of their names here given. Thomas 
Chandler served the south part of the 
parish as shoemaker, for nearly 50 
years. He still lives, but his lap-stone 



91 

and hammer have been laid by for 
years. 

MERCHANTS. 

Eleazer May. of the East Parish, is 
supposed to have erected the building 
tor many years used for a store. It 
was in existence in 1800, and stood on 
the ground now covered by Mrs. Stow- 
ell’s house. Ebenezer Goodhue occu- 
pied it in 1804, and for a number of 
years following. Alter him, Josiah 
Demming, Gen. Levitt, of Putney, and 
Solomon Mayo, occupied the building 
at different times, for a store. Otis 
Haven, who was a clerk of Gen. 
Levitt’s, was the merchant for a num- 
ber of years. After him, Benjamin 
Baldwin, for a few years. Then Howes 
Hallet. John Goodell occupied the 
building from 1829 to ’33. The next 
name of the merchant that is known is 

R. Burehard. 

The building was burnt in 1839. It 
was rebuilt by David Hitchcock, in 1841 , 
and occupied by G. W. Daniels, from 
May, 1842, to May, 1851. William 
1 Nutting filled the store in 1858. He 
continued the business only part of the 
year. For a few years following, A. 

S. Clark occupied the building. In 
1856, Ephraim Wilcox and. Judson 
Smith filled the store with goods. The 
partnership continued but a short time, 
when Mr. Wilcox assumed the whole 
business, and in a few years moved to 
the building now occupied for a store 
by A. P. Ran nay. 

MILITARY, 

The parish line of the town, run in 
1785, is often referred to as the Mili- 
* tin litieJ* There were two companies 
| of militia in town after that date. 
I That in the West Parish, from 1810 to 
' ’30, was large, often reporting 100 pri- 
vates. The June training was a great 




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#52 



day. It called out all to see* Gener- 
ally there was much noise* quite early, 
about the home of the o timers. The 
one that waked up the captain, and gotj 
the first treat, was the best fellow. 
Toddy was abundant, dealt freely to the 
company by the officers, and to the 
multitude at the store and the hotel, 

EFBUAnr EANNEY, JPU, 

was the first captain* The roil of 
honor (for it was an honor, in the par- 
ish, to be called captain) runs as fol- 
io ws: D a v id Heaton , II el i H t tc h cock , 
Difniel Mason, Elijah Ranaey* Rufus 
Gibbs, Ira Carpenter, Warnwright Witt, 
Joseph Ramiey, Joshua Clark, Stephen 
Tu thill, Howes Hallett, Amos Hitch- 
cock, Alvin Good ell, Russel Kenney, 
Edward Hall, David Hardy, Lyman 
French, Reuben C. Gould, Gideon 
Bemia, F. 0. Dunham, David C. Gor- 
ham, Wm. Field, 

The parish furnished soldiers for the 
army of the Revolution* as follows ^ 
Francis Holden, Benjamin Smith* Jas. 
Crawford, Reuben Robertson, — 
Fuller and son, Charles Holden* 



James Darling, Ransom Miller, Ilcnry 
Baxter* Walter W. Ramiey, and one 
— — Moulfhrip. 1 do not recal his 

given name. They were all killed in 
battle, or died of wounds received in 
battle. 

[How the people of Vermont received 
the ending of the war, is seen 30 clear 
in tins sermon, wo have included it as 
a descriptive chapter, fitting, not for 
this town alone, but for the entire State. 
In VoL I, page 836, is to be seen the 
address of Rev, Silas McKean to a 
body of Vermont soldiers as they go 
forth to the war, and here, this venera- 
ble Pastor speaking to the people while 
the psean of victory yet rings.] 

NATIONAL JOT. 

APRIL 9, 1855, 

The Sabbath after the Capture of 
Richmond, V a ► , by the Federal 
Army. 

From the Pulpit of 
REV, A. STEVENS* 
Pastor of the Congregational Church, 
Westminster West, Vt. 



’WESTMINSTER WEST SOLDIERS 

FOR Tl-lE WAR of THE REBELLION, 

• 

William S. Cady, Justus Hitchcock, 
Henry B. Darling, Jaitfes W* Darling, 
Willard Moulthrip, William P. Dean. 
Orman II olden, Joseph Brooks, Ros- 
well Miller* Henry Hough ton. Ransom 
Miller, Tollman S, Coombs, David C. 
Moulthrip, George Field, J. Foster 
Kimball, J. Hunt Clark, Homer F, 
Buxton, Alfred P. Ranney, Walter W, 
Ratmey, Otis F, Buxton, Henry Bux- 
ton, Jo si ah Hall, Bradley Howe, Geo* 
R. Harlow, G* R. Harlow. 

Of our Westminster West soldiers 
who died in this war, the following are 
the names of all that I can now recall i 



/ mil lift up mine eyes unto the hills t 
from udience emneth my help. My help 
eomeik from the Lord^ which made [h aven 
and Earth.— Psalms 1 21, 1-2 

The last week has been one of great 
excitement and unbounded joy in the 
loyal States, and we doubt not in many 
places in the land of rebellion. Rich- 
mond, the rebel capital is fallen, and 
the arm y of Lee, which has been the 
strength of the rebellion from its begin- 
ning, is retreat i n g in co n fit s ion , b e fore 
our victorious troops, is the news that 
dies over the land with lightning speed, 
on Monday r The nation is frantic with 
joy. The merchant forgets his sales; 
the mechanic and farmer their work* 
The white and Hack unite in demon- 
strations of joy. Eloquence, poetry, 
piety, patriotism and humanity arc 
stirred everywhere and speak the best 




WESTMINSTER WEST. 



98 




they can, the unbounded joy of the na- yet firmness in rulers and people, like 
tion. None could speak too loud or en- the day it falls before our victorious 
tliusiastically the joy for the tidings, army. Then especially will Christian 
The shouts of ‘‘glory, hallelujah !” , principle be called for — true magnanim- 
have rolled up from the mouths of him- 1 it-y, decided purposes, yet a leniency be- 
drods of uegroes, for whose enslave- coming a Christian and victorious peo- 
ment the war was begun. It has been ' pie. The struggles in our breasts 
as when 14 Prophetic Babylon” fell, and between the demands of strict justice 
the nations are in commotion, 4 ‘because upon our enemies, ami Christian for- 
in her would be bought no more the givcncss, must be adjusted carefully and 
bodies and souls of men.” City an- in the fear of God, lest we, under our 
swere.d to city, swelling the wave of joy great injuries, swear vengeance, or in 
until the land was full. This is well, j our great desire for peace, overlook 
It is as it should be. It is the instinc- 1 what justice and the public safety de- 
tive demand of justice. Love of free- mand. Duties will now press upon the 
dom, of humanity, desire for peace and j nation that cannot be performed under 
the establishment of good government, | the inspiration that has pushed on the 
call for and approve of our joy for such war, and kept the armies full and nerved 
a blow at the base conspiracy to destroy | for the fight. Who to blame ? who to 
our government, and build on its ruin a excuse? who to execute? and who to 
power with its cornerstone laid in slav- 1 forgive? what justice and what mercy 
ery — defying the doctrines of Plymouth | demands of us towards our enemies ? 
Rock — mocking at the declaration of ' are questions that will occupy the public 
independence — trifling with humanity j mind, and be differently answered, and 
and the tenderest affections of parents will call out opposing feelings. They 
and companions, and crushing out with j cannot, and must not, be answered un- 
its iron rule all that is filial in children, der the inspiration of martial music, 
and blasting the intellects of millions of As the rebellion falls, and rebels flock 
men and women, and making the word j to take the oath of allegiance, we pass 
of God a sealed book to them. Rich - 1 to new duties and responsibilities. It 
mond was the representative of all this I is not my purpose to speak of them 
infamous purpose. Her fortifications, at this time. What they will be, 
— her hundreds of cannon, her naval cannot yet he fully defined. I would 
preparations, her large army and skill- 1 call your attention to the spirit needful 
fill generals, were for the defence of all to meet them as they shall he developed 
this. They spoke only defiance to all I by the prosecution of the war. The 
attempts to put any restraint upon the text defines in general the position we 
unlimited spread of slavery on this con- ought to occupy as citizens iu our tri- 
tinent. It is meet that joy fill the land uinphs. “ J will look unto the hills 
at its fall — that demonstrations be loud from whence eometh my help. My 
and far spread, clothed with piety, help eometh from the Lord, which made 
adorned with poetry, fired with clo- heaven ancl earth.” The sentiment here 
quence, and made wild with enthusiasm, expressed is beautiful. It is always bc- 
so that ©very citizen can give utterance coming — a humble acknowledgment of 
to the sentiments of a freeman's heart : God's agency in our deliverance, and of 
My heart is, it has been, in all this. | our indebtedness to Him. This feeling. 
But while 1 say this, and say it because i if it were universal, would remove 
I feel it, I say there is a phase of this much of the friction of society, and the 
event that calls for a calmer view, a j affairs of the world, in the State, the 
thoughtfulness that takes us back from family, and the church, would adjust 
our flights of joy, to consider the more themselves harmoniously. Let us con- 
permanent relations we sustain to this aider some of the practical results of 
great, glorious event. looking unto the Lord as our deliverer, 

There has been no time since the re- in this day of triumph, 
hellion began that demands candor, im- 1. It will produce candor, and keep us 
partial purposes, and generous impulses, from party opinions, and rash measures. 




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I have said the triumphs of our arms 
trill bring ucw questions for us to con- 
sider. For our opinions and measures 
we are accountable-, as well as indebted 
to God for permitting u* to form our 
own, aud to enjoy them uUmo lusted. 
This is true of all we do as citizens. 
We cannot hide ourselves from His no- 
tice among the multitude with whom 
we act. Though we cut ourselves loose 
from all restraint and act without re- 
gard to His law, hiding behind parties 
and customs, and constitution al inter- 
pretations, or tin- opinions of great 
names, we are betbre Him, and there is 
a day of reckoning for all we do. No 
recklessness in our opinions and meas- 
ures can prevent the facts that we are 
accountable, as directly as though we 
were the sole actors Our opinions, 
our measures, and the manner we pros- 
ecute them are ours. We should be 
always considerate and view' things as 
we wish to meet them before God in 
judgment. To be thoughtless of our 
dependence upon God in our rejoicing, 
and to forget that it is He that has 
given us the victory is dangerous. We 
should feel to-day that the everlasting 
hills are our refuge. Our whole ap- 
pearance should he that of those seeking 
wisdom of the Lord, aud ready to fol- 
low in the openings of His providence. 
There lias been often impatience during 
the four years of war. We have heard 
unreasonable complaints, am! wholesale 
condemnation of men and measures. 
There has Wen disappointments often, 
and chagrin. There may have been 
reasons for all this, regarding human 
instrumentalities simply. Rut looking 
at things as they now appear, it is man- 
ifest that there has been done a work in 
the land that neither our government 
nor the rebels intended to do. All that 
vexed us, and about which we were 
impatient 9 was need fid to the result 
reached. Delay, defeat, by which the 
-struggle lias been prolonged, has cut 
deep under the foundation of the cause 
of trouble ; slavery has been undermined. 
It has shown ns how shivery had been 
through fill our history, corrupting the 
nation, and Im brining men, and making 
them etna litres that could deiy all law, 
and revel in cruelty, by starvation, by 



confinement and brutal treatment of 
their fellow men. Looking at the re- 
sult of the four years just passed, we 
see we did not comprehend at all the 
divine plan now accomplished. Our 
views were narrow, erroneous. Our 
plans, if they had succeeded, would not 
have brought the result for which we 
now rejoice — the year of jubilee that 
lias come to millions of our race. We 
look with astonishment on the colored 
hosts that have leaped from the condi- 
tion of cattle, or things, to manhood, 
praised for their valor, admired for their 
patient suffering for liberty, and for their 
industry, and thirst for knowledge. 
All theories of emancipation are put to 
shame, except the one that all pro- 
nounced impractical, iitmeditffo. God 
has taught us that what is just to the 
colored race cun be doue with safety so 
far as they are concerned. The lesson 
should humble us to-day, and make us 
more teachable before God, more can- 
did in our judgment about His com- 
mauds, and more thoughtful about His 
ways, and never measure bis doings by 
our hasty and rash conclusions. We 
must view the work before God, and 
bring along the lesson into practical life, 
that we may know our own ignorance, 
and wait before the Lord in hope and 
confidence in all the future un foldings of 
His providence. 

II. Our gratitude will he a selfish 
demonstration unless we look to the 
Lord as our helper. 

The last year of the war has been 
one of almost constant success. All the 
military movements have strengthened 
our C&use and weakened the enemy. 
We talk much, and justly, about the 
skill of our commanders, and the brav- 
ery and endurance of our soldiers. We 
regard them as the cause of success. 
We ought to be thankful for their wis- 
dom and bravery- Wo think we are. 
Rut they are only the gifts of God, 
raised tip for the place they occupy, at 
the time they are needed Lo reach the 
result for which we rejoice. All the 
leading generals, those by whom the 
tide of national fortune has been turned, 
wore in comparative obscurity at the 
opening of our struggle. They came 
to notice as they have been needed to do 




65/i 



WESTMINSTER WEST. 



05 



the work that God had planned. We 
praise them. We will honor them. , 
The coming millions of freemen on this 
continent will honor them. But as 
Christian citizens we must look higher 
than this, “ our help has come from the 
Lord, which made heaven and earth.” 
Here has been the puint of observation 
from which all these movements have 
been directed. The marching and coun- 
termarching of the hosts, North and 
South, East and West, has been under 
His eye, and superintended by His prov- 
idence. The winds, the rain, the cold 
and heat, have held them in check until 
it was time to move. The rivers, swollen 
by His command, have stopped the whole 
until it is time to march. We have, looked 
on with anxiety and some fears, per- 
haps, for the last year, when the move- 
ments manifestly began to converge to- 
wards the heart of rebellion, lest so 
great movements, at so great a distance, 
should not meet to produce the intended ! 
result. 

The nation has waited for the last six 
months, in breathless suspense, seeing 
how one move after another has been 
tightening our bold upon the capital of 
our enemy, until he has been forced to 
abandon his strong holds, aud trust to 
fortune to find others. Skeptical and | 
blind is the mind that does not see a j 
higher than man that has been guiding 
these movements so various, and oper- • 
ating at so great a distance, so as to | 
make the result a unit. Hard is that 
heart that has, to-day, no thanks to 
Him that sitteth upon the everlasting 
hills, and has from thence, by His prov- 1 
idem *6, been guiding to the result for 1 
which we rejoice. When Sherman cut 
himself loose from Atlanta last autumn, 
the world was full of conjectures and 
predictions of what he wished to do, or 
could or would do, or whether he would 
do anything but destroy his splendid 
army. Whatever may have been the 
human plans at the time, we know that 
but one mind knew certainly the result, 
and comprehended all the circumstances 
upou which success depended* It was 
all under the eye of Him, who has by 
His providence guided the whole so as 
to accomplish his purpose in this war. 
Thanks be to Him that sitteth upon the I 



everlasting hills, who has made the 
wrath of our enemies to praise Him, 
and work their own ruin. Let our de- 
monstrations of joy be expressed before 
Him, for He has done all things well. 
It is only by viewing the work as Ilis* 
and accomplishing His purpose, that we 
can appreciate what has been done. 
The fall of Richmond in itself concerned , 
is a small event, It is a representative 
event ; that which it was pledged to de- 
fend falls. The event goes out over the 
land and world affecting all the inter- 
ests at stake iu this war, — the princi- 
ples of republican government — Chris- 
tian freedom — the right to preach freely 
the Gospel — to teach and to learn with- 
out restraint. The slave mother breathes 
freer, feels safer, as she* looks upon her 
loved ones lor it ; her home is guarded 
against the intrusion of the dealer in 
human flesh. The land is opened by it 
to the philanthropist and Christian mis- 
sionary, to look after the ignorant and 
degraded slaves, and teach them the 
way of life from the word of God. The 
event not only affects our national in- 
terest. The church of Christ has an 
interest in it. The field under God’s 
eye in this war is larger than our land. 
Grant’s war map is but a speck of the 
whole. His comprehensive plans, and 
vast moves and glorious results, are but 
the opening of the divine purpose, to 
proclaim liberty to the captives in all 
lands, “ to proclaim the acceptable 
years of the Lord, and the day of ven- 
geance of our God.” We do not to-day 
rejoice and give thanks simply that Gen. 
Grant has been successful. God’s re- 
vealed purpose is a reality. The way is 
opened lor a fuller consummation of the 
purpose of God, that men should dwell 
together, unmolested, in the free devel- 
opment of all their powers and lull en- 
joyment of the fruit of their wisdom 
and toil. It is a small affair that our 
country be saved, if we consider it dis- 
connected from the influence of an en- 
lightened, free Christian people, on the 
general weal of the world. 

It is to be feared that much of the 
joy of the last week lias arisen from 
selfish considerations ; my party has tri- 
umphed, my business will be improved 
by the good news, or my son or com- 




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panion will lie at home again. There 
has been no thought of the effect on the 
more general interests of man— free 
thought, free labor, free worship— free 
enjoyment of all these — free spread of 
Christian principles in the world. If we 
look to the hills, from whence lias come 
our help, we sin dl see that there is a 
wider range for our joy than our land, 
God is here, moving a wheel within the 
wheel, that is turning the whole earth, 
crashing despotism, easting out light 
and knowledge, and overturning and 
o v ertum mg * L u n til He c ome * w 1 Lose 
right it is 1 ' to reign. If we fail to see 
God’s hand in the work, we shall not 
appreciate its connection with the inter- 
ests of Christian civilization and mis- 
sionary movements. Our gratitude will 
not be Christiau, 

HI. There is another feeling that 
ought to cuter largely into our joy— 
humility. It will be forgotten if we do 
not look to God, from whom lias come 
our help. Pride is sin ; boasting is its 
natural language. 8 in is defiant, re- 
be tl jous, an t 1 alw ays co n l i -n t o f h a v i ng 
its own way, and by its own plans. In 
counter tendency to this, we should come 
before God as our deliverer, feel, confess 
and act on the principle that we arc 
weak. It is He that has brought the na- 
tion through the waters, lie lias brought 
the heaps of waters over our enemies. 
Wo love to say, and ought to, our coun- 
try, out government, our naval and mil- 
itary' strength, and our victories. But 
there is danger* in such a time as this, 
that we become vain. Looking unto 
God reveals a more powerful disposer of 
events than ourselves — owning all we 
call ours by absolute right. None can 
dispute it. No power can maintain a 
claim against His. The land is His. 
lie has given it to us as a dwelling-place. 
He has overthrown our enemies that 
have risen lo contest II is right to give us 
the land for a republican government. 
We hold it sacred lo Freedom by the 
best of titles — the gif l of God, Like. 
Pharaoh of old , our enemies said : we 
will pursue, we will overtake, we will 
divide the spoil, our lust shall be satis- 
fied. God has favored our cause. 
They have suuk like lead in the waters* 
They have east away their chariots of 



war in their flight* Like Israel, we 
ought to sing to-day : u Who is like 
unto thee, O Lord? among the Gods 
who is like thee, glorious in holiness, 
tearful in praises, doing wonders ?” — 
Efc, 15 1 9-11. 

liow becoming this song for Israel, 
who had been but a little before hedged 
in by the mountains and the sea. and 
p u rsu ed by th e Egy p t ia n arm y . H ard ly 
less dangerous was our condition four 
years since. A united, treacherous en- 
emy was before us, clad and disciplined 
for war. Traitors appeared everywhere 
in the bind, in the army, in the halls of 
Coo gross * At home and abro ad ad v e rse 
influences met ns. The government 
knew not what to do, or whom to trust. 
Many that were trusted were false or 
heartless to our cause. The Capital was 
swarming with secret foes and declared, 
defiant enemies, holding at the time 
nearly all the munitions of war of the 
nation under their control* The foreign 
nations said the republic is a rope of 
sand, and took it for granted almost 
that we were not as a nation. But there 
was a voice, as of old. to u Abraham :’ a 
U I will give thee the land,” 

To-day all the naval preparations of 
the enemy are in the depths of the sea — 
u they sank unto the bottom us a stone . tr 
Their heavy ordnance, by the thousand, 
has fallen into our hands. Their forts 
and fortifications are abandoned* and 
their strong army, like Pharaoh’s host, 
is floating about to find a place to make 
a stand. 

Looking back four years from this 
time, and seeing what has been devel- 
oped of plans to destroy the nation, and 
the malignant, fiendish determination to 
execute them, and what combinations 
at home and abroad were against us* 
we may a ay to-day, it is the Lord that 
has been our help* or our enemies would 
have prevailed. We were then shorn 
of all our strength but the justice of our 
cause and our patriotic hearts . We were 
tike Samson in the hands of the Phil- 
istines, a sport for our enemies. But, 
thanks be to God, the pillars of their 
wicked fabric have been broken and 
brought dow n ruin on the lands of the 
Confederacy. The Lord has helped us 
this once. It is meet that we rejoice 








with humility, and praise Him for what, 
we see to-day and hope for in the future. 
Especially, when we consider that all that 
we have passed through of suffering, 
in reaching this point of triumph, has 
been justly deserved. God has saved us 
front the brink of ruin, where we had 
rushed by our sins. He has kept us 
from anarchy. He lias weakened our 
enemies. In mercy, he has made all 
our defeats lay iimily the foundation of 
permanent peace* They have all been 
heavy blows against slavery- — the cor- 
ner-stone of rebellion — and teaching the 
slave himself to fed his man hood, and 
arming and disciplining him to defend 
himself. We, in our inhuman it v and 
selfishness did not think of this, did not 
mean it ; yea, the government declared 
a di decent purpose. But God forced us 
to declare liberty to the captive. Defeat 
and reverses attended our cause, and 
strength arid courage came to our ene- 
mies, The whole ark trembled until 
Hands were put to it and washed from 
the wrongs of the oppressed. Before 
God to-day, we ought to take our place 
in the dust and mourn, that we were so 
slow to learn that the negro has the feel- 
ings and rights of a man. God had 
to write it out in blood before we could 
see the self-evident truth— slavery is a 
sin- Thousands of cannon must men- 
ace the capital, with terrific ca mi on ail- 
ing, before the cars of the nation were 
opened to hear God’s command “to let 
the oppressed go free, anti break every 
yoke.” We should humble ourselves 
before God in confession and prayer for 
forgiveness, that millions, guilty of noth- 
ing “ but a skin not colored like our 
own/* have been sunk in all the ignor- 
ance aud degradation of heathen, in tins 
Christian land* and held there by the 
laws of a professedly Christian people. 
It is a si tame to humanity that slavery, 
with all its woes, should have ever found 
supporters in our land, and been de- 
fended by men educated under our Insti- 
tutions. It is a sin and a shame that 
we have insulted the word of God by i 
holding it up as a covert for the abomi- 
nation of slavery, or as an apology for 
continuing it. God has helped us, in 
this war, in a way that has brought out 
to the light of the world the iniquities 



| of the system. It pours out from the 
f plantations and cities of the whole South, 

| in the hundreds of thousands of half- 
naked, half-starved* ignorant and de- 
graded beings, whose affections and 
i chastity have been trifled with by their 
oppressors all their lives. God says to 
the nation : Look at this mass of ignor- 
ance and filth and see what you have 
been defending and conniving at, and in 
some cases defending from my word. 
See your folly, be ashamed of your 
apologies and soft talk about this in- 
iquity that has spewed out all the way I 
have led your victorious troops. 

The m humanity that has appeared, in 
robbing and stabbing the wounded, in 
mutilating the dead on the battle-field, 
and starving and slaying in cold blood 
our prisoners, show us what a barbarity, 
what a dance of cruelty and death wc 
have beeu in different about in a Chris- 
tian land, God’s ways m this thing 
shame us for our opinions and practices 
in relation to the colored race. We 
ought, to humble ourselves In shame and 
self-reproach, that w T e have been for 
years, in Congress, in our State legisla- 
tures, by our public men, trying to save 
the LI nion and make peace at the ex- 
pense of justice. God has helped us in 
a way that shows that the only way of 
peace is to .proclaim liberty to tlie cap- 
tive, as he has commanded, 

IV. We should look unto the hills, 
from whence lias come our help, that we 
may feel our dependence. The rebellion 
has developed a vitality and a strength 
in our government that we had not 
known. Foreign nations have been 
disappointed at the developments of 
wealth, the intelligent action, the moral 
and Christian principles* and the power 
of the government In every respect. 
The ship of siath has met the storm no- 
bly, nml nears the port in safety, defy- 
ing the mad waves that have threatened 
to engulph her. There Is danger in such 
a position. It Is well Lo feel strong ; byt 
it is better to feel that our strength is 
weakness —so much so, at least, as to 
keep us from defiant airs and provoking 
measures. The long and severe military 
training of the country in this war, 
and the large naval and military prepa- 
rations, prepare us for aggression. 




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There is danger that we become impa- 
tient under insult, and jealous of little 
encroachments, and sensitive, to a fault, 
of national honor. The education of 
the nation, at this time, will tend to 
make us feel larfje and defiant, if not 
provocative, as if the world was ours. 
No nation has ever had its power of en- 
durance more severely tried than ours 
in the last four years. Our statesman- 
ship has been proved, our valor on the 
field of battle has been tested, our pat- 
riotism has been tried, our Christian 
principle shown. Jn all we have met 
the demand of the hour successfully. 
But remember that it is the Lord that 
has helped us. If we forget this, there is 
danger that we give ourselves up to rash- 
ness and msult in diplomacy, and make 
a cause of war out of trifles, and waste 
our strength needlessly, and confidently 
boast of strength when we are weak, 
only as the Lord helps ns. That help 
can be sought, consistently, only in a 
just cause. No military preparations, 
however great, will warrant aggressive 
war, or give hope of success in oppress- 
ing the weak, or defying, needlessly, the 
strong. 

V. If we forget the source from 
whence our help lias come, we shall not 
fully prize the government the Lord has 
given mb, and helped us thus- far to de- | 
fend. Many seem to have no other idea 
of a country than a place to live, where 
they can eat and sleep, and. perhaps, get I 
rich ; and that government is regarded as ' 
best that gives them the fullest enjoyment 
in ibis respect. They overlook entirely 
the great end for which civil government 
has been appointed by God. It is for 
the fullest development of the powers of I 
man, as a social, intellectual and moral 
being ; to enlarge the sphere of his use- I 
fulness, and protect and encourage him 
in it. 

That government is best that gives 
the freest, largest range of the human j 
soul in its mission of good-will to man 
and glory to God. God has helped us 
in this struggle that we might have a) 
government for this, a government that 
puts no brand upon the hnnian soul that * 
degrades it, or dooms it to a service not 
required by its Creator. God has helped 
us that there may be no power in law to 



blast the intellect and crush the man- 
hood, pervert the conscience and judg- 
j meat, and degrade the worship of the 
human soul. God has helped us for 
this ; not that we might have a civil or- 
ganization to use for what purpose we 
please, and to manage as party feeling 
or selfish interest may dictate Our 
government is God's gill to this whole 
land, that the wilderness and solitary 
places shall bud and blossom as the rose, 
and all men may rejoice in the salvation 
of our God. He has helped us that there 
might be here the freest, fullest range to 
| human thought ; that, under the culture 
of our free schools, free press, free Bible 
and worship, there may be realized the 
highest attainment of society, in knowl- 
edge, in virtue and Christian devotion ; 
and that from our land may go out an 
enlightening, regenerating influence for 
the world. For this has God helped us. 

We must take no narrow view of the 
results of this war. Make the hills, 
from whence- has come our help, our 
point of observation, and we will sec 
the coming millions of our land rejoicing 
I in the joy of our hearts to-day, and 
thanking God for the results for which 
j we rejoice. All have the means of ed- 
[ ucation within their reach, encouraged 
from childhood to make the most of 
their powers and opportunities. The 
word of God is in a language which .all 
can read. They are restrained by no 
laws but such as hold them to the high 
purpose for which God made man — a 
life of intelligence, of justice and purity. 
We see them all with free access to the 
fountain of light in God’s word, and ra- 
joeing in it as a common inheritance to 
the race. Such is the view of the fu- 
ture of onr land, if we look from the 
hills, from which has come our help. 
We here get a glimpse of the purpose of 
1 the Lord in its present unfolding and 
future promise, and can realize some- 
thing of the greatness of His work in 
unr struggle. We are prepared to ap- 
preciate what he has wrought for us in 
humbling our enemios by the full of 
Richmond. We cau say, sincerely, 
ki U praise the Lord, all ye nations; 
praise him, all ye people, for his merci- 
ful kindness is great toward us.” — 
Psalms 117 : 1, 2. 






WESTMINSTER WEST. 



AN ADDRESS, 

By Rev. Alfred Stevens* 1), D*, 
February 22, 1883, 

THE FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
01 his pastorate with the 
Co Jv£r?i Etr atiok aTj Chit ace, Westminster West. 

Brethren and Friends: 

It is forty years to-day since I was 
installed as yonr pastor. I was fmt 
seen in your pulpit ten months before 
my installation* It was on the second 
Sabbath in April, 1842; tbeie was no 
person in the congregation 1 had ever 
seen before 1 came to town. It was 
a pleasant day. 

I had not thought of being a candi- 
date for settlement when I came among 
you, hut I soon learned that that 
was the expectation among the peo- 
ple. and the congregation was large 
that day ; there was evidently a feeling 
oi anxiety and expectation with most ; 
with some* curiosity to hear a new min- 
ister. I was introduced by Deacon 
As ah el Go ode 11, into a moderately 
high pulpit^ located between the doors 
1 e ad i n g into t h e a u di en ce - ro om . 1 1 w as 
reached by stairs on both sides ; was 
without a carpet. A strong board firmly 
nailed to supports was my resting-place* 
Behind me in the loft were at least 
twenty good singers, supported in the 
service by a bass-vinl^and a date. Near- 
est to me* as I looked from the pulpit, 
and most prominent among the faces 
that met my eye, was that of yonr old 
minister, the Rev. Timothy Field, whose 
looks always told his likes and dislikes. 
In the next pew sat. Zadock Hitchcock, 
then Captain Amos Hitchcock, Atherton 
Hall, David Gotham, Jabez Miller, 
Orion Carpenter anti Lunmn Wilcox* 
In the body pews at the right sat Dea- 
con Elmncsser Goodhue, then Joseph 
Hammy, Esq., Deacon Elijah Ranney, 
Calvin Runney, Mr* Richmond, Elisha 
Berry, Sr. and Jr., and Edward Camp- 
bell. In thv' wall pews on the right sat 
Reuben Prentiss, Daniel Bailey* Aaron 
Gould, Captain Crowell, Abiel Carpen- 
ter and Joseph Hamblin. On the left 
sat Isaac Gorham, Stephen Tuttiill, Eb- 



m 

enezer Good ell, David Hitchcock, Peter 
Hall, John Miller and Ira Carpenter. 
All of these were men who had passed 
the meridian of life, and must of them 
were upwards of saventy years. These 
have all passed into the congregation of 
tl ie dead . M ost u f th e m h ad t H e i r w i v es 
with them that day — noble women, 
mothers of worthy men and woman \ 
they, too, have all passed away. There 
are only three men and a few women 
that regularly worship with us to-day 
that could be regarded as active mem- 
1 bora of the church and society when I 
was installed as yonr pastor, 

I think there is not a farm in the parish 
. that is now owned and occupied by the 
I same persons that held them then . Some 
have passed from the fathers to the chil- 
dren, but most have entirely new occu- 
punts; all are changed in many respects. 
Only a few of your houses bad ever had' 
a coat of white paint, and only two had 
blinds to the windows. There was no 
piano io the parish ; a single inelodeon 
was the only apology for an organ of 
any kind. Most of the music then in 
| the parish was made by the human 
voice* There was no lack of singers, 

| then, in any place in the parish* A iji tie 
' observation will show that there has 
I been a great change in all these partic- 
ulars since 1 have been your pastor. 
But there is one thing that has not 
changed* M y fi i i st serin on a lie r in y or- 
dination , Feb. 22, 1813, was from the 
text, * L F or I am d etc vmhi c d ?i ot to h n ow 
any tiling among you save Jesus Christ 
anti him crucified*” This was the mes- 
sage from me to vour fathers when I 

k » ^ B a * 

was their young minister* This is the 
massage I have borne to you, their chil- 
dren. now i am a gray -headed man, 
1 loved that message then ; Hove it now 
tor the same reason^ u for it is the power 
of God unto salvation to every one that 
belie veth-” 

I have preached often and plainly on 
questions that have arisen from habits 
of the parish that needed rebuke or en- 
couragement, on questions nil acting 
State or national interests, but never 
unless I thought the honor of my Saviour 
I required suck discourse. My ordina tion 
vows demanded that my gospel to you 
should be the gosy.el of Christ* seeking 




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660 



to save the lost* I have tried to be faith- 
ful to those vows. But 1 have much to 
confess of imperfection, to the parish, 
and more to my Saviour. The barren- 
ness of my ministry in conversions hum- 
bles me, aud makes me reluctant to re- 
view U. I think 1 can truly say I have 
studied to preach Christ to you, and 
have not kept back anything of doctrine 
or command that I find revealed iu the 
B i ble . T b e su bject o f salv ati on h as lost 
norm of its interest by repeated discourse. 
It does not seem old ; it is as fresh to day 
as when I first spoke to you of the grout 
love of God for sinners. 

I find I have preached to you 1.400 
sermons fully written, and as many 
more from briefs or entirely extempora- 
neous — some of these from the pulpit, 
but more of them in the vestry or the 
school -houses in the parish. 1 have 
been with you, in my pulpit service, in 
expositions mostly written out, through 
Galatians. Romans, Acts of the Apos- 
tles, the Book of Job, the Gospels of 
John and Matthew. In these discourses, 
which number over 300, we have sat 
together before the Saviour with thebe- 
loved disciple, and heard him speak of 
the divine love manifested in Christ. 
VTe have considered the change effected 
in Saul, the proud Pharisee, by the spirit 
of God, and have followed him in his 
journey mgs, preaching Christ in the 
islands of the sea, in Asia, in Greece 
and at Rome. We have heard him in 
the praying circles by the seaside, before 
k i ugs an d i u th e s cho o Is of ph 1 toso ph cr s , 
Speaking, but always of Christ the Di- 
vine Saviour, able to save. We have 
together considered, in the book of Job, 
how God comes down into human af- 
fairs, how he chastens His children, 
bow He sustains and how He rewards 
the faithful. The richest hours of my 
life have been my communings with the 
great apostle, the beloved disciple and 
the afflicted man of Uz. in my prepar- 
ation to teach you what Christ has been 
to Ids people, and wriuU he is to you and 
me. 

I have preached Christ in your fam- 
ilies, beside the bed of the sick and dy- 
ing, J do not t hink of any family long 
resident in the parish in which I have 
not been called to Bpeuk of Christ to the 



s i ck an d dy ing * I h a ve nftei i be en carri e d 
pear to the heavenly world, as J have heard 
your fathers and mothers, brothers and 
sisters speak of the blessedness of faith 
in Christ in the hour of death. These 
scenes have deepened not a little my in- 
terest iu your homes. Your homes are 
precious to me, for iu many of them I 
have learned how precious Christ is 
when all earthly things fail. The cham- 
bers where the good men and women 
that waited on my early ministry met 
their fate will always be remembered. 
Their words of confident trust I still 
hear- Their looks of resignation to the 
hand of death I still recall, and shall as 
long as 1 remember anything, I would 
not have blotted from my history the 
seasons of comm Linings with good men 
and women that chose me as their minis- 
ter forty years ago, as the hand of death 
was taking them over the river. To 
have repeated the promises and invita- 
tions of 3 the blessed Baviour* in my poor 
way, beside the dying-beds in the par- 
ish, furnishes the most delightful recol- 
lection in the review oi’ the years I have 
spent with you, 

But I must say to- cl ay that all the 
dying-beds that I have visited in the 
parish have not been scenes of Christian 
triumph. Often 1 could only commend 
the dying one to Olirist, asking him to 
come into salvation in the eleventh hour. 
My unfaithfulness has been rebuked as 
I have often tried to speak words for 
Jesus into ears JJast closing in death, 
that should have been spoken before, I 
hear to-day a voice from some of the 
dying-beds that [ have visited, saying, 
4 4 You should have let no opportunity 
pass to point the young and old of your 
flock to Christ, unimproved. 1 " I turn 
to Christ to-day for forgiveness of my 
neglects, thankful that the promises of 
Christ may be repeated with hope on the 
brink of the grave, and that dying eyes 
may be directed to the Saviour the gos- 
pel reveals, 

I have preached Christ Jesus to you 
as y o ti r com fo rt in a ffl icti on . T h e re are , 
I think, only three houses in the parish 
in which I have not attended funerals — 
in some of them as many as seven. I 
have been with you 307 times to the 
graves of your loved ones, and commit- 



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WESTMINSTER WEST. 



101 



ted their mortal remains to the keeping 
of Him who is the resurrection and the 
life. I have been present and officiated, 
in part or alone, at all the funerals that 
have occurred in the parish when I was 
in town, except two. Twice a Uuiver- 
salist minister has been called by the 
afflicted family, a Methodist three times 
and a Baptist four times. We shared 
the services together by, the request of 
the family. I have been called from 
the parish to attend funerals 75 times. 

Of the 607 that have died in the parish 
during my pastorate, 9 were between 90 
and 100 years of age ; 57 between 80 
and 90 , 111 between 70 and 80 ; 30 be- 
tween 60 and 70; 16 between 50 and 
60 ; 12 between 40 and 50 ; 16 between 
30 and 40 ; 16 between 20 and 30, and 
40 under 20 years of age [three since 
over 80— 60 over 80]. Of all these 
it is written, “They died,” Most of 
them are forgotten by a large part of 
those living in the, parish to-day. Many 
of them occupied, forty years ago, the 
same seats in the house of God that you 
occupy to-day. They heard the same 
gospel you listen to from Sabbath to 
Sabbath. With many of them I took 
sweet counsel in the house of God, in 
the social circles and in the houses you 
now occupy Of all of them I can say, 
they were my friends, so far as I know. 

I have attended 95 weddings, 1 have 
preached Christ to the youth of the par- 
ish. It has been a great pleasure for 
me to do it, but the reflection is embit- 
tered somewhat by the thought that the} r 
have not all been led to Christ. That 
they should have spent their minority 
under my ministry, and gone out from 
the parish without the love of Christ in 
their hearts, is my grief to-day. 

I have preached Christ to the busi- 
ness men of the parish — preached him 
as their Saviour, His life as their exam- 
ple, and His law as their rule of life. 
I have called their attention repeatedly 
to their civil duties, and urged them to 
fear God as citizens, in voting, in buy- 
ing and selling, and as neighbors to be 
kind and condescending, to be just, u do- 
ing to others as they would that others 
should do to them.” 

There has been generally harmony 
ant) good feeling in the parish in the 



dealings of man with man ; yet I must 
say there would have been better if all 
had been more thoughtful about the 
practical virtues of the gospel I have 
preached. I know of no difficulty be- 
tween parishioners the years I review 
that did not arise very much from a want 
of good will, and did uot And a settle- 
ment for the same reason. Those that 
have taken with them the spirit of 
Christ in their buying and selling, and 
kept the example of Christ with them 
on their farms and in their shops, have 
lived in peace, generally. 

I cannot, without a good deal of 
trouble, tell how many sermons I have 
preached on the practical virtues of civil 
life. I have preached repeatedly on 
temperance, on honesty in trade and 
politics, on the duty of bearing one an- 
other’s burdens, in taxes in the church, 
the town and State ; on economy and 
diligence in business ; on the duty and 
dignity of labor and the happiness from 
it ; on the sin of avarice and the con- 
sequences of it to the individual and so- 
ciety. Next to the importance of sal- 
vation, I have tried to show the parish 
that the gospel demands generosity in 
business life, a nobleness of spirit in 
civil intercourse that shows that we 
think of something besides ourselves in 
the bargains we make and the votes we 
cast. 

I have labored to make my gospel to 
you commend the service of Christ as 
worthy of your first regard. My am- 
bition has been to make this small par- 
ish tell the most possible for the cause 
of Christ in the world. Wherein I have 
failed to enlist any family or individual 
in a practical way in preaching the 
gospel in all the earth, I feel that I 
have failed in my ministerial work. An 
individual or a church that is not identi- 
fied in a practical way with the movement 
to give the gospel to this sinful world 
cannot long maintain a Christian stand- 
ing that commands respect. 

The church, during the years under 
review, has given to other churches, of 
her members, 113 — some of them our 
most helpful members, as to pecuniary 
aid and Christian influence. This con- 
tribution took the youthful life of the 
church generally. It has weakened our 




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662 



home influence, but, thanks to God, it 
has strengthened others. We have not 
spent the years to enlarge ourselves, but 
the cause of Christ in the world. Our 
home influence is relatively less than it 
was forty years ago, but never, in the 
history of the church, has her influence 
been so extended and efficient for the 
work of the Christian church in the 
world as now. This contribution has 
been made in no narrow sectarian spirit. 
Our Methodist and Baptist brethren 
have shared it — the Presbyterians 
largely. It is our pride that our mem- 
bers are good enough for any evangeli- 
cal denomination, and can work for the 
honor of Christ with any that hold to 
“Christ the head.” 

The benevolent organizations for 
which contributions have been made 
every year are the A, R, C. F* 
M., home missions, A. M. S., and! 
Bible Society. In the early years of 
my ministry a contribution was regu- 
larly taken for the American Tract So- 
ciety. The American Education Soci- 
ety, the Sabbath-school Society, and the 
Society for Aiding Colleges at the West, 
have been remembered in our contribu- 
.tions. We have remembered those suf- 
fering by Are and famine, also. The 
definite amounts that have gone from 
the society in these years cannot be told, 
as no record was kept in the early years 
of my ministry. The ordinary contri- 
bution has never been over $‘300 in any 
one year. There have been two small 
legacies. I think it would not be an 
over-statement to say the total of the 
contribution for Christian work, outside 
of the parish, has been f 10,000. This 
does not include the work of the ladies 
in barrels and boxes of clothing for 
missionaries and orphan schools, which 
will amount to $1,500 more. It will 
be manifest from this that the parish has 
not practiced very much of self-denial 
for the cause of Christ during the years 
under review. 

You are not a prodigal people, but it 
is doubtless true that you have spent, 
since I have been your pastor, many 
times the amount of your benevolent 
gifts in ways of no practical benefit to 
you or your families. I am sure that 
there has been more spent in the parish 



yearly for tobacco than has been given 
for benevolent purposes — I think I may 
add to this the salary of the pastor. We 
should have been richer to-day, as a peo- 
ple, financially, been happier and more 
united, if we had given more gener- 
ously for others 5 good. You have spent 
on the church, in repairs and for bell, 
$5,500 since I have been your pastor. 
There has been a weekly prayer- 
meeting maintained in the parish dur- 
ing my ministry ; the attendance has 
generally been small. For many years 
it was held with the families near the 
church. For a number of years we had 
a weekly meeting for the young people, 
which was quite largely attended for 
some time, but was gradually neglected, 
and revived in different forms as a Bible 
class and a prayer-meeting. The ben- 
efits of these social meetings have not 
been fully prized by the church. As a 
consequence, our years together have 
been, comparatively, barren of conver- 
sions. The great mistake of these years, 
as it appears to me, is, we have been 
more anxious to build up our church 
than to save the lost. This is a com- 
mon mistake. To live is not the whole 
of life. We must do the work of Christ, 
lead men — sinful men — to him for sal- 
vation, if our church has vital growth. 
The person that spends all his thoughts 
in care of his health will always be a 
feeble man. We are placed in the world 
not to live simply, but to do some- 
thing. 

There has generally been a willing- 
ness in the church to share the pecun- 
iary support of the parish, hut time and 
effort have been sparingly given to lead 
sinners to Christ. This is the -great 
work of the Christian. No amount of 
paying in money can cancel the Chris- 
tian’s obligation. 

There have been added to the church 
by profession, during these forty years, 
as follows : 1843, 2 ; 1844, 1 ; 1845. 

6; 1846, 1 ; 1849, 1 ; 1851, 3 ; 1853, 

12 ; 1855, 1 ; 1856, 8 : 1859, 2 ; 1860, 
3 ; 1861, 1 ; 1863, 2 ; 1864, 3 ; 1866 

3 ; 1867, 3 ; 1868, 31 ; 1871, 1 ; 1874, 

2; 1876,3; 1878, 1; 1879,1; 1880, 
1 ; 1882, 2; in all, 94. There have 
been received by letter, 37. We have 
lost by death, 84, and 3 have been ex- 



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WESTMINSTER WEST. 



103 



communicated, making in all, including 
removals, 200, while we have received 
only 131 , which shows a loss of mem- 
bership of the church of 69. We now 
report only 79 members. While we ac- 
cept this as an evidence of my unfaith- 
fulness and mourn over it, I find com- 
fort somewhat in the fact that the larger 
part of our loss has been in the further- 
ance of the cause of Christ. Those we 
have dismissed to other churches have 
taken from us families from which we 
would naturally look for an increase, 
and from which we know the church 
has received large increase. Infant 
baptisms, 100. 

I find a corresponding decrease in the 
population of the parish. Ido not know 
what the population of the parish was 
in 1842, but I cannot count more than 
350 that cau now properly be said to 
belong to the parish. Unless you have 
given thought to the subject, you will 
be surprised to know how many farms 
have been given up to pastures or united 
with other farms, where there were fam- 
ilies living in 1842. I think there are 
24. From some of them the buildings 
have all disappeared ; on others they re- 
main empty or occupied by some tran- 
sient family. On some of these farms, 
in 1842, were large families ; but this 
decrease in houses in the parish is not 
the most discouraging look. When I 
visited the families in the early years of 
my ministry I was greeted by children, 
but in the later years we meet but com- 
paratively few children. It is hopeful 
to be able to say that there has been a 
great improvement in the past few years. 
Though the parish has decreased in 
population, my estimate of its impor- 
tance as a field of ministerial labor has 
not changed. It has been, is now and 
always will be a center of large influ- 
ence, either for good or evil. Ministe- 
rial and Christian labor will not be 
useless. 

When I came here there was no rail- 
road in the state ; none nearer, I think, i 
than Old Concord, Mass , A telegraph 
was not known, A telephone was a 
thing unheard of. These means of 
communication have connected larger 
towns, but have left this parish out in 
the cold. We must go out to get into 



the current that is rushing by. Very 
few come in. We can enjoy only the 
blessedness of giving out* It is worthy 
of our best efforts to make what we give 
of worth to the world. 

I would refer, in this review, to what 
I have not preached. 

I have not preached myself. I do 
not mean by this that I have been free 
from selfishness in my ministry. I know 
there has been too much. But I think 
I can say in good conscience that I have 
not remained these years in any expec- 
tation of wealth or honor of t his world. 
The question has been asked me a 
number of times, if I would accept of 
an invitation to show myself in other 
pulpits as a candidate, I have always 
replied, I was under obligation to the 
West Parish so long as they fulfilled 
thei^ engagements with me, and I had 
evidence I was approved of my master. 
I have not studied to be a popular min- 
ister. Perhaps it would have been bet- 
ter for the parish and the cause of Christ 
if I had been more thoughtful in that 
direction . 

You will bear witness to the truth of 
my words, if I say I have not preached 
my own wants. I do not know how it 
is, but my wants have all been supplied 
in some way, so that no one in the par- 
ish has ever heard any complaint from 
me about my support. I have never 
asked you to increase my salary. If I 
have ever been short in my means, as 
has often been the case, I have regard- 
ed it as the common lot of thousands, 
and waited for some way of relief. 
Ministers are not the only class that are 
obliged to put up with small income. 
When I settled with you, 40 years ago, 
my salary, $400.00, and parsonage, 
valued at $50,00, was ample for my 
support, as my circumstances then were 
and the prices of the means of living 
then ranged. I saved a little the first 
ten years of my ministry, enough to 
pay some debts that had accumulated in 
my education* In 1869, you voluntari- 
ly raised my salary $100.00, and have 
continued the same until the present 
time. I have been remembered a num- 
ber of times by gifts in cash of $100.00 
and more each time. I hav«i a little to- 
day, a home that I can call my own. 



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What I prize more than money, I have 
always had your sympathy in every dark 
hour of my ministry. 

Rut it is due to me and you to say in 
this review, if I could have laid by all 
that I have received from other sources 
than my salary, it would have to-day 
amounted to some thousands more than 
I now have. I do not refer to this 
complainingly, but as an illustration of 
the fact I have stated, I have not sought 
yours. Like Paul, I have sought that 
you might he relieved as much as possi- 
ble of burdens, which you might have 
properly been asked to bear. But I 
think 1 am as well off as my brethren 
in the ministry, who have preached their 
wants and resigned to better their con- 
dition pecuniarily. 

There are but few ministers of our 
denomination (and it is true of de- 
nominations) that have not changed 
parishes since I have been with you. 
In nine-tenths of the removals the ques- 
tion of support determined the action. 
My judgment, which I wish here to 
record, is, a small salary with a home 
is worth more than a large one and no 
home. I have not known a brother 
minister that has become rich by re- 
movals, rarely have they even bettered 
their condition financially. But parishes 
should remember that 40 years has 
made changes in habits of living. I 
do not say it is for the better. The 
fact meets us everywhere. No mother 
in the parish can satisfy her daughter 
with the expense in dress that satisfied 
her when a girl. Fathers do not expect 
their sons to appear in the simple attire, 
or ride in the same kind of a carriage, 
and have only the outfit that met their 
ideas when young. No business man 
or farmer expeets to be satisfied with 
the small avails of the year that was 
enough for the ambitions of his fathers. 
To live in 1883 as our fathers did 50 
years ago is simply to be out of society. 
Societies must consider these facts in 
providing for the support of their minis- 
ters. Ministers cannot grade their ex- 
penses by the standard of living 40 
years ago better than any other family. 
Ministers doubtless must bear their 
share of responsibility for the habits of 
society that have made their homes 



transient, but not wholly. Certainly 
they have had to bear the effects of the 
change in their constant removals, with- 
out bettering their condition. This 
trouble of removal is not with ministers 
simply. Change is a national mania ; 
change in fashions, in business, new 
adventures, something startling in mon- 
ey making, in speed in traveling, in 
grotesque exhibitions of style in dress 
or building. Nothing that has been 
before satisfies. All are on the stretch 
to be ahead. As soon as one reports 3 
minutes, you will hear another say 
2 ; 40, followed quickly by 2 :25. Man 
and beast are put on the track to be 
ahead* Expense is nothing. Be 
ahead is everything. Ministers and so- 
cieties are in trouble from it. What is 
needful for both is to have patience and 
be considerate of each other’s fault in 
this respect, and make the expenses of 
each other as small as possible. I could 
not have said this early in my ministry 
without seeming to hint at an increase 
of salary. Being made at my age and 
with my resignation before you, you 
will accept it, I trust, as thoughtful- 
ness about a successor. 

At my settlement I was allowed two 
Sabbaths a year for myself. But my 
health has been uninterruptedly good, 
so that 1 have not felt the need of an 
annual visit to the springs or places of 
recreation to improve my health. Min- 
isterial vacations are institutions that 
have grown op, or at least grown into 
importance, during my ministry. Min- 
isters need rest like other men without 
doubt, but that it needs to be taken by 
an annual visit to places of fashionable 
resort is more of a fashion than necessi- 
ty. 1 cannot tell the number of Sab- 
baths I have left the parish without a 
supply. I think not the number of 
years of my ministry. Only three 
Sabbaths have I failed to preach from 
ill-health. J can think of only 10 Sab- 
baths that I have not preached all or 
part of the day during the 40 years of 
my ministry. Most of the Sabbaths I 
have preached ; often three times, 

I have had a class in the Sabbath 
School since 1844. It was a large class 
of old men and women, a number of 
them over 80 when I took it. It has 




665 



WESTMINSTER WEST. 



105 



changed many times in that time. It 
is now composed mostly of persons in 
middle life. There were two other 
classes in the school that have retained 
their organization, most of the time 
under the same teachers. Deacon Good- 
hue and his wile. There have been 
nine different superintendents of the 
school during my ministry. They are 
all living to-day, with one exception. 
What we have done in this department 
of Christian work has not been for our- 
selves simply. I think of the large 
families that were connected with the 
school in the early days of my ministry, 
that have not to-day a representative in 
town. I do not know where they all 
are now r , but some of them I know are 
faithful men and women in the church 
of Christ in other places. I have often 
been asked if it was not discouraging to 
preach to a congregation, feeling that 
in a few years most of them were to go 
from the place. It is so ; but I am 
consoled by the thought that I am not 
here to build up this church simply, but 
the church of Christ. In a community 
like ours we must expect that other 
societies and churches are to reap the 
fruit of >vhat we do for Christ, I can 
not mention all the books of the Bible 
that have been made subject of study in 
the Sabbath School since I have known 
it* Early in my ministry the School 
went through the Assembly's Cate- 
chism, each lesson being made the sub- 
ject of the sermon in the morning ser- 
vice. For years we have followed the 
lessons noted by the International Sun- 
day School Committee, We would 
note this as one of the great improve- 
ments in the Sabbath School work 
since 1842 ; destined as we think, to 
work good not to the church simply. 
It is national in its influence, giving to 
the rising generation one rule of life. 

During my ministry the church has 
been invited 83 times to ecclesiastical 
councils with sister churches, w r hich I 
have attended, generally with a dele- 
gate ; three times to organize new 
churches, four to settle difficulties be- 
tween brethren or sisters. The demand 
for councils in the region has been 
mostly to settle and dismiss ministers. 
One of the unpleasant things in my 



history has been parting with ministerial 
I brethren just as I had begun to prize 
■ them as neighbors, and wait in uneer- 
j tainty for a stranger to come to their 
| place. West Brattleboro church has 
had but three different ministers during 
the 40 years of this review. Two pas- 
torates cover most of that period. 
- Grafton has had only two pastorates. 
All the, other churches in the county 
have made frequent changes. Some 
have changed many times, so I can say 
I have made the acquaintance of a large 
number of ministers of the county, I 
can recall the names of 106 different 
ministers that have ministered to our 
churches in the county a longer or 
shorter time, during my ministry here. 
Most of them wei*e good men and 
highly educated. My intercourse with 
them has been generally pleasant and 
profitable. I loved them all, but I 
loved some better than others. All of 
those that composed the Association 
when I joined, May, 1843, have died, 
with one exception. My very dear bro- 
ther Foster still lives,* I would here 
record my appreciation of the benefits 
of the Association to me. Those meet- 
ings I have generally attended with 
great pleasure and profit. I find on file 
between 30 and 50 articles in manu- 
script, that I have prepared for the 
meetings, on questions of interest to our 
churches. 

The years I have spent here have not 
been years of general revival in the 
county, it we except one year, 1864. 
No church, of any denomination, has 
maintained its numbers by additions by 
profession during the years under re- 
view. This certainly is true of the 
churches in rural towns. The young 
life leaves such towns. This is especi- 
ally true of religious families. This 
should be expected, Christianity is in- 
spiring, diffusive, progressive. No 
country or family can settle into a life- 
less condition, content with a living 
simply, that is permeated by the doc- 
trines of the gospel. It is a moral ne- 
cessity that Christian families should be 
the moving influence of the world. I 
wish I had time to read the names of 

* [Deceased, Sept. 22, 1884. See History of 
Putney, this volume, page 259,] 




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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE* 



666 



those that have left the parish since I 
have been the minister, and notice the 
positions they occupy and the influence 
they are exerting in the church and 
state* Some of 113 that we have dis- 
missed to other churches took with them 
families ; all took impressions moral 
and religious here received. The 
membership of the church is less than 
40 years ago. The population of the 
parish is less, but the influence of the 
parish never was so widely felt for good 
as to-day. In many respects it is more 
important that there be maintained vig- 
orous Christian life in such a place as 
this, than in larger. 

We often hear persons speak of cen- 
ters of Christian and moral influences. 
Every moral being is such a center, 
whether he lives on the hills or in the 
valleys, the city or the rural town. 

In closing I say I have had a grow- 
ing impression of the importance of the 
West Parish ever since I have known 
it. Yon must be little among the thou- 
sands of Judah, but there has and can 
still come out of you the rulers of Israel. 
It is the glory of the gospel we preach, 
that it emphasizes the worth of a moral 
being. 

There have gone from the parish dur- 
ing the 40 years under review, 9 phy- 
sicians. They will be acknowledged 
as an honor to the profession by all that 
have known them ; four clergymen, two 
of them have preached the gospel out- 
side of their own land ; also four law- 
yers ; two are now filling professors* 
chairs in colleges. Only one has risen 
to the dignity of an author. A number 
have had the title of professor, as teach- 
ers in high schools, arid in music and 
engineering. But professional titles are 
quite insignificant as showing the main 
current of influence, that has burst the 
bounds of our narrow valley these 40 
years. We must see the business men, 
the intelligent, pious families that dot 
the whole land, presided over by your 
sons and daughters, before we can real- 
ize the importance of the West Parish 
as a center of influence. I have always 
felt it was a great thing to preach the 
gospel here. It is the message of the 
minister that makes him great, not the 
place, Paul never shone in brighter 



colors or found a higher place in his 
wonderful history, than when preaching 
Christ to his fellow prisoners, or tell- 
ing the story of the cross on his jour- 
neyings among the mountains of Asia 
Minor. Everywhere, whether on Mars 
Hill, in the school of Tyrannus or in 
the prayer meeting, by the river side, 
his greatness was in the message he 
bore. No church, however small, or 
limited by geographical bounds, need 
lose self-respect so long as it faithfully 
can say, Behold the Lamb of God that 
taketh away the sins of the world. The 
gloiy of any church must be in the 
cross of Christ. The greatness of a 
minister must be found in the gospel 
message to a lost world. Rather than 
feel that our parish is small* let us look 
upon it as large enough for our best 
efforts, and mourn and ask forgiveness 
of the Master, that we have not more 
fully possessed the land for him. He 
that touches a moral being here or any- 
where else, touches chords that vibrate 
through eternity. As an inducement 
to faithfulness in the field given for us 
to cultivate, I say furthermore, remem- 
ber our time is passing rapidly. Look- 
ing back from the point we occupy to- 
day, I do not see anything that has 
stood still. As I look hack, I see the 
youth aud children of the parish that 
met me 40 years ago, rushing by me, 
some out into the broad fields of active 
life. They are soon lost to sight. 
Some to the grave. The passer-by 
reads to-day the date of their birth and 
death. That is all that is known of 
them. I see, too, those that were then 
the occupants of these farms, passing 
by me. The sound of their driving, 
their threshing, their buying and selling 
soon ceases. The grave holds silent 
watch over them to-day. I see those 
of the parish then approaching man- 
hood, rushing by me, to take the places 
their fathers had just left, striking out 
for larger fields and with a rush grasp- 
ing for more than their fathers had, 
and in a few years of struggle lie down 
in the grave, or they are lost to my sight 
in the great business thoroughfares of 
our growing country. I see, too, the 
aged of the parish that met me then, 
moving by me with halting steps. 



667 



WESTMINSTER WEST. 



107 



They are soon out of my sight. Their 
sun quickly goes down before me. It 
is as still as night where they were. It 
seems but the work of the day passing 
in my dreams at night. No, nothing 
stands still here that is of lasting inter- 
est to me or you or the world. It is 
4he great interest- of humanity that 
crowds upon our thoughts and pushes 
us to the front and onward, and* urges 
us to faithfulness for the Master who 
has given us this vineyard to cultivate. 
This vineyard. Here in this narrow 
valley we find our field of labor. Here 
we measure our strength for usefulness, 
and count the results of our lives that 
are to appear at the judgment day. It 
will not be asked there how much im- 
provement you have made on your 
farms, in your flocks and houses. 
These have their importance, and I am 
proud, as you have occasion to be, in 
the change for the better that has taken 
place since I first knew the parish. 
Rut other things are to determine the 
result of our lives. We are touching, 
in all we do as minister and people, 
that which is to last ; while our oppor- 
tunities are rapidly passing in which 
we can be of any use to the world. 
How many opportunities have been lost 
by neglect since I have been with you, 
I cannot tell. I have anxiety, a shrink- 
ing from the openiog of the books that 
are to show my 40 years passed with 
you. I and you have forgotten much 
of these years, but we shall know it all 
then, I shall never review another 40 
years with you, but I shall stand with 
you in the judgment day. Our years 
together will then be more perfectly re- 
viewed. Nothing will be left to con- 
jecture or doubt. We shall find it all 
written. It will be read, 

I only wish to say these 40 years 
have passed quickly. It seems but a 
little while. They have passed pleas- 
antly. Much has occurred that I could 
wish otherwise, but nothing that has 
produced permanent alienation between 
pastor and people. To have been per- 
mitted to preach Christ Jesus to you 
so long a time is a privilege of which I 
am unworthy. How much longer this 
privilege shall be continued, I shall 
leave to you and the Master to deter- 



mine. I feel thankful to my Heavenly 
Father for these years ; for my health, 
and favor with this town and the county 
and state. My ministerial relations in 
the county and state, and the other side 
of the river too, have been pleasant. I 
feel thankful to this church and society 
for their patience with my many faults 
and their forbearance with me as their 
minister so long. I have not had the 
misfortune to quarrel with my deacons 
or the singers, not often with any of 
the parish. I can account for this only 
on the supposition that they have re- 
garded my thoughtless, foolish words 
unworthy of their notice. 

If it shall be ordered that the present 
relation should continue a little longer, 
I hope it will be peaceful and fruitful in 
conversions of sinners, and growth of 
Christian graces In the church and so- 
ciety. When you wish my active pas- 
torate to close, I hope you will frankly 
tell me. I shall receive it kindly, I 
only ask you to let my pastorate for- 
mally remain, and me have a home 
with you and be of use to you as a 
Christian and a citizen. When I die 
let me rest with your dead. I want to 
wait with them for the morning of the 
resurrection. 



[Rev, Dr. Stevens has also published : 
The Duty of Christians in Time of 
National Calamity ; 

A sermon preached on the Day of 
National Thanksgiving, Aug, 8th, 1865, 
at the funeral of 

SERGT. WALTER W. RANNEY, 

who died of wounds received at the 
battle of Gettysburgh. 

Printed at the Phoenix Job Office, 
Bellows Falls, 1865 — pp. 15.] 



DIED SINCE THE WAR, 

Of the soldiers in the war of 1861-5, 
George Field, Dec, 25, 1879. 

A. Stevens. 




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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



668 



WESTMINSTER. 

EAST AND WEST PARISHES, CONCLUSION. 

Ret. F. J, Fairbanks, the writer of 
the History of Westminster, was the 
minister of the Congregational church 
there from April, 1863, to April, 1871 ; 
40 members being added during his 
ministrations to the church ; during his 
pastorate, he wrote out the history of 
the East Parish. 

Native also of Westminster is the 
Rev. C. A. Dickenson, graduate of 
Harvard and of Andover Theological 
Seminary ; pastor of Portland, Me., 
and Lowell, Mass, — F. J. F. 

Henry Crawford, born in Westmin- 
ster, Sept. 21, 1793 ; fitted at Chester- 
field (N. H.) Academy. He studied 
law with Hon. Wm. C. Bradley, of 
Westminster, and practiced in Walpole, 
N. H., till 1822, when he removed to 
Utica, N, Y., and practiced there till 
his death in March, 1835. — Rev. H. 
White. 

Chas. M. Emerson, son of Rev. 
Reuben and Persis Emerson. Born 
1798, graduated at Dartmouth College 
in 1809 ; studied and practiced law in 
Hartford, Ct . , Providence, R. I. and 
New Orleans, La. ; he married twice. 

GEORGE CAMPBELL, 
a leading agriculturist, died at his home 
in West Westminster, May 22, 1882, in 
his 64th year. He was an enthusiastic 
breeder of Merino sheep, attaining, in 
that industry, a world- u ide reputation. 
In his efforts for the improvement and 
exhibition of his flock, he traveled ex- 
tensively, visiting England, Scotland, 
Germany, France and Spain, and many 
States of our own country. He was a 
spirited exhibitor, his sheep taking 
highest honors at State, National and 
International, as well as local exhibi- 
tions. He made frequent and large 



sales of sheep for shipment to nearly 
every country on the globe where fine 
wool is produced, sending a car-load 
from his own flock to Montana but a 
few weeks before his death. 

He was one of the founders, and, for 
many years, one of the directors of the 
State Agricultural Society, and Vice- 
President of the New England Agri- 
cultural Society ; a staunch democrat, 
— eminently just and public-spirited, 
and commanded the respect of all who 
knew him. Through a long and very 
painful illness he retained his interest in 
public affairs, and especially in the im- 
provement of sheep, which was a work 
of love that ended only with his life. 

He married in May, 1839, Adaline 
Wilcox, of this town. Children ; E. 
L. Campbell, now of Comstock’s Land- 
ing, N. Y. ; and F. G. and C. H. 
Campbell, both ofWestminsterWest,and 
both leading agriculturists ; and Carrie 
C., wife of C. Horace Hubbard, Esq., 
of Springfield. — From Obituaries . 

ITEMS WITH CORRIGENDA. 

BY HENRY C. LANE, TOWN CLERK. 

Capt. Jesse Burke, p. 60. His wife 
Leah Jennings ; and the Hon. Edmund 
Burke ; p. 67, was the grandson of 
Capt. Jesse Burke, p. 56. 

John Lane, married Olive Jennings, 
sister of Leah, wife of Capt. Jesse 
Burke, p. 60. 

Ithamer Lane, married Lucinda, 
daughter of Perez Clark. 

The wife of John Lane was Olive 
Jennings, or she was sister of Leah, 
wife of Capt. Jesse Burke. Jesse 
Burke was the father of Elijah, and Eli- 
jah the father of Hon. Edmund Burke. 
Thus, Edmund Burke’s grandmother, 
Leah, was sister to my great grand- 
mother, Olive. The Clarks, Seotto and 
Perez were my great grandfather and 
grandfather, respectively. 




609 



WESTMINSTER. 



109 



CAPT. THEODORE COLE. 

In 1694, one Thomas Cole, hus- 
band-man, was at Salem, Mass. He 
may have been the one who came to 
the Colony in the Mary and John 
in 1633 and was an original proprie- 
tor of Hampton, but this is uncer- 
tain. He died in Apr. 1679 leaving 
two sons, Abraham and John, the 
latter of whom born in 164- married 
Mary Knight, May 18, 1667. She 
died before 1675, and before 1686, 
he married Sarah Alsbee. He was 
a cooper by trade and lived first in 
Salem, then in Malden and last in 
Lynn where he died Oct. 8, 1703. 

His oldest son was John, born in 
Salem, May 18, 1668. He married 
Mary Eaton and in 1721 removed 
from Lynn to Boxford, Mass., and 
settled in what was afterwards the 
West Parish. He died suddenly, 
Eeb. 5, 1737. His widow died, Oct. 
1,1746. His oldest son, Jonathan, 
born in Lynn, 1696, removed to 
Harvard, Mass., 1696, and in his old 
age to Westmoreland, N. II. where 
he died in 1780. He had three sons: 
Jonathan, one of the grantees of 
Westmoreland, N. H. ; Abijah, who 
died in Harvard, Mass, in 1768; and 
John, a soldier of the Revolution, 
serving as a captain against Bur- 
goyne. He lived his last years in 
W indham, Y t. His descendants are 
found in Londonderry. 

Abijah Cole, named above, was 
the grandfather of Theodore Cole, a 
soldier in one of the expeditions 
against Quebec. On his return, 
1757, he married Sarah Kent of Har- 
vard. He died, 1768, about thirty- 
six, leaving three daughters and two 
sons. Abijah and Asa. Abijah set- 
tled in Prospect Harbor Hancock 
Co. Me., where his descendants are 



very numerous. Asa, born in 1768; 
^his early boyhood was passed in 
Westmoreland, N. H. He learned 
the mill -wright's trade of his step- 
fathei% Samuel Garfield, and worked 
with him in many places in Massa- 
chusetts and in Maine. Jan. 1793, 
he married Anna Goldsmith of Har- 
vard, resided in Hinge and West- 
moreland; died, Dec. 6, 1816, leav- 
ing a wife and large family. She 
was a superior woman and by great 
exertion kept her children with her 
until able to go their various ways 
in life. She afterward married 
Amory Pollard, whom she survived 
and died with her daughter, Mrs. 
Orin Pitkin, in Montpelier, Vt., 
Sept. 4, 1852. 

Children of Asa and Anna Cole: — 
Asa, died in West Medway, Mass, 
in 1872, aged 79. Richard Goldsmith, 
Cashier of a Bank in Burlington 
from 1832 till his death, and a lead- 
ing man among the Episcopalians of 
Vermont. He died in 1864, aged 
69; Sarah, married Asa Farnsworth, 
and died in Londonderry, Vt., aged 
; 35; Benjamin died at Chargres, Pan- 
| ama, 1850, aged 51; Anna Goldsmith, 

! married Rev. Isaac Estey, for a time 
j pastor of the church in Westminster, 

| and long a resident there, died in 
Amherst, Mass, in 1872, aged 70; 
Philena, died in Brattleboro, Vt., in 
1859, aged 55 ; John, long a success- 
ful whaling captain, afterwards at 
Walpole, N. II. and Medway, Mass., 
died in Westmoreland, N. H., 1875, 
aged 68; Susan married 1st, Elihu 
Whitcomb; 2d, Orin Pitkin of Mont- 
pelier, Vt., where she lived many 
years; died at 74, 1873; William 
died at 19, 1830; Theodore; and 
Charles, who died at 37 from inju - 
ries by a whale while in command of 
a whale ship in 1853. 

Theodoee Cole, tenth born of 
Asa and Anna Cole, Westmoreland, 
N. H., May 11, 1813, at 9 years old 
went to live with Abijah French, 
farmer and lumberman of West- 
moreland; lived with him till the 
summer of 1834; the spring of 1835 
when to New Bedford and shipped 
as seaman on a whale ship, voyage, 




110 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



670 



18 months ; his 2d, April 1837, 
round the world, was 2 years; his 
3d voyage, sailing the fall of 1837, 
returned in "42, going out second 
mate in the ship Julian and after a 
year or more transferred to the 
barque Pacific as mate. At thirty, 
he had circumnavigated the globe 
twice. May, 1843, as master of the 
ship Parachute he began his 4th 
voyage, the third around the world 
and most successful. lie returned 
in July, 1845, and in August mar- 
ried Livilla, daughter of Capt. Wil- 
son Gleason, a prominent and life- 
long citizen of Westmoreland, and 
one of the best known of the old 
time drovers of Vermont and N. H. 
Oct. 1845, sailing his 5th voyage; 
gone 2 years, 10 months. Nov. 1848, 
he set sail for the Arctic Ocean and 
Mrs. Cole accompanied him. They 
sailed round Cape Horn to the sand- 
wich Islands, where he left Mrs. 
Cole and steered for Behrings strait. 
He remained one season in the Arctic 
Ocean, discovering the Plover 
Islands, July 15, 1849, although he 
never claimed the title or credit of 
a discoverer. On return to the 
Sandwich Islands, he sailed, Mrs. C. 
again with him, to Hong Kong, 
China, where he prepared for an- 
other Arctic voyage. They sailed 
north through the Japan Sea to the 
Arctic Ocean, where he completed 
his cargo and started for home, ar- 
riving at New Bedford, Mar. 22, 
1851. Having now a competency, 
he decided to give up the sea and as 
idleness was not to his taste, he en- j 
gaged in manufacturing and mer- j 
ehandizing in Brattleboro where he ] 
remained till 1859, when he pur- 
chased a farm in Westminster, where 
he removed and lived for 7 years, 
identifying himself with the inter- 
ests of the town and citizens; in 
1862, representing the town in the ' 
Legislature. In 1867, he removed 
to Waverly Village, Belmont, Mass., 
for better educational facilites. In 
1875, he made a prospecting and 
pleasure trip to California and Col- 
orado, and then moved to West- 
moreland N. H., which town, he rep- 



resented in the Legislature in 1881- 
82; and there he died, July 2, 1885. 

Children of Captain Thodore and 
Mrs. Livilla Gleason Cole were five: 
Lucy, Sarah, and Richard G. are 
dead. 

Pram Theodore, born in Brat- 
tleboro, Vt. June 22, 1853; gradu- 
ated at Williston Seminary in 1873, 
and at Williams College in 1877; re- 
ceived the degree of LL. B. on his 
graduating at the Columbia Law 
School, 1879; admitted to the Bar 
of New York, Dec. 1879; to the Bar 
of Ohio, Eeb. 1880; since which time, 

■ engaged in practice in Columbus, 
Ohio, and has been more or less prom- 
inent in the charitable and politi- 
cal interests of the city. 

William Hejiry, born in Brattle- 
boro, Aug. 19, 1854; went to Wyom- 
ing, 1874; Black Hills, 1875; to Cal- 
ifornia, 1877, 9 years raising grain 
there; married, June 3, 1883; Ad die 
M. Green, San Joaquin Co., Cal. ; 
has one daughter, Edith. He is now 
a farmer, in Westminster, Vt. 

REVOLUTIONARY AND MILI- 
TARY PENSIONERS. 

FROM THE UFTITED STATES CENSUS. 

Names of the pensioners for revo- 
lutionary and military services, age 
of the pensioner and names of the 
heads of the families with whom the 
pensioner resided June 1, 1840: 

Seth Arnold, aged 82; resided 
with SetliS. Arnold. 

Mary Hall, aged 72 years. 

Aaron Bixby, aged 76 years. 

Josiah Victor, aged 81 years. 

DOCTORS OF PORTRAITS. 

Hon. Stephen Row Bradley, M. 
C. aged 76 years; Hon. William 
Czar Bradley, M. C., aged 85 
years. Engraved specially for the 
History of the Town of Westmins- 
ter. Donors : Richards Stephen 

Row Bradley, Esq. ; William Czar 
Bradley, Esq., of Brattleboro, sons 
of Jonathan Dorr Bradley, Esq., 
grandsons of Hon. Wm. C. Bradley, 
great-grandsons of Hon. Stephen 
R. Bradley. 




WARDSBORO. 



By JOHN P. WARREN, M. D. 



WARDSBORO. 

MANUSCRIPT BY THE LATE DR. WAR- 
REN OF BRATTLEBORO. 

The town of Wardsborough is 
west of the centre of Windham 
county in the second tier of towns 
on the eastern slope of the Green 
Mountains, bounded E. by New- 
fane and Townshend, S. by Dover, 
W. by Somerset and Stratton, and 
hT. by Jamaica. The centre of the 
town is 9 miles from Fayetteville 
and 20 from Brattleboro. It was 
granted and chartered by Vermont, 
Nov. 7, 1780, to William Ward of 
Newfane, and 62 associates. An act 
was passed Oct. 18, 1788, dividing 
the town into two districts, to be 
called the North and the South dis- 
tricts. The two districts were sub- 
stantially separate towns, each hav- 
ing a separate board of town officers. 
They met together once in a year 
for the election of State officers and 
a town representative. The districts 
were incorporated Oct. 30, 1810, 
into two distinct towns, the northern 
Wardsborough and the southern 
Dover, surveyed and allotted by a 
*Mr # Camden. 

GRANTEES. 

Goreham Nelson, Joseph Patridge, 
Jacob Hayward, Caleb Cheney, John 
Robinson, Joseph Gibbs, Warfield 
Hayward, Wm. Sprague, Elias Pen- 
niman, Joseph Jones, Jr., Abel 
Munroe, Philip Paine, Moses Rob- 



| inson, Esq., Neh. Nelson, Adam 
Streeter, James Sumner, Oliver 
Chapin, Ephraim Pasket, Jona. 
Jones, Josiah Brown, Daniel Cor- 
bitt, Major Gideon Ormsby, Hannah 
Ward, Samuel Hayden, John Maw 
ney, Samuel Johnson, Timothy 
Jones, Ez’l Jones, Isaac Kimball, 
Eben. McFarland, Thos. McFar- 
land, Isaac Chapin, Moses Green- 
wood, Abraham Ball, Silas Brown, 
Jona. Temple, Jr., John Jones, Col, 
Eben. Walbridge, His Excellency, 
Thos. Chittenden, Esq., Joshua 
Parker, Oliver Wilder, Aaron Hud- 
son, Abial Lyon, Amos Hail, Ed- 
ward Harris, James Hail, Jr., El- 
kanah Woodcock, Jona. Edcomb, 
Silas Hamilton, Elisha Blake, Henry 
Woodhouse, John -Hamilton, Eben'z 
Hatron, Col. William Williams, 
Amos Shepardson, Elijah Alfords, 
James Roberts and Philip Gurdon. 

FREEMAN'S ROLL, 1796. 

Ithamar Allen, John Jones, Abner 
Holbrook, Eben'z Sears, Jacob 
Chamberlain, Thomas Jewett, James 
Wallis, John Ganson, John Wallace, 
Daniel Warren, Lemuel Braley, 
Thomas Love, Abner Perry, James 
Slade, Thomas McDaniels, Nathan 
Ganson, William Strickland, Searle 
Fairbank, Samuel Davis, Richard 
Hiscock, William Bradley, Eli Per- 
ry, William Hall, Rufus Harvey, 
Aaron Clark, Asa Barney, Timothy 
Wood, Eben'z Sparks, Eben'z Bills, 
Joseph Underwood, Jos. Dix, Abner 



670 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Allen, Phillip Newell, Edward 
Walker, Paul Davis, John Stacy, 
Hiram Newell, Lemuel Bryant, 
Thaddeus Wright, Richard Hunt, 
Noah Sherman, Penel Sherman, 
Richard Crowinshuld, Thomas 
Woodward, Asa Underwood, Roger 
Birchard, Silas Wright. In all 48. 

MARCH MEETING. 

The first annual March meeting 
warned by Luke Kuowlton, justice 
of the peace, was held at the dwell- 
ing house of John Jones in AVards- 
borough, Tuesday, March 14, 1786, 
and Luke Knowlton was chosen 
moderator; Aaron Hudson, town 
clerk; Ithamar Allen, John Ganson, 
Abner Holbrook, Eben. Sears, Jacob 
Chamberlain, selectmen, and duly 
sworn ; Philip Newell, treasurer, 
sworn; Thomas Jewett and Abner 
Slade, constables, sworn ; James 
Wallis, Abner Perry and Roger 
Birchard, listers, sworn ; Samuel 
Davis and Edward Walker, grand 
jurors, sworn; Abner Allen, super- 
visor, sworn; Samuel Brian t, leather 
sealer, sworn; Elijah Baldwin and 
John Jones, tytliingmen, sworn ; 
Bazaleel Gleason, horse brander ; 
John Ganson, Silas Wright, Elkanah 
Woodcock, Thaddeus Wright, Sam- 
uel Davis, John and Abner Perry, 
highway surveyors, and sworn. 

FIRST SETTLERS. 

Zadock Thompson in his Gazet- 
teer of Vermont, 2d edition, 1840, 
states, upon what authority is un- 
known to the writer, that John 
Jones and Ithamar Allen were the 
pioneers in the settlement of the 
town. It is shown, however, by the 
town records that Samuel Davis and 
wife came into town about one year 
prior to that of Mr. Jones and Mr. 
Allen, as his eldest son, Ebenezer, 
was born May 18, 1779, being the 
first birth in the town ; whereas 
Jones and Allen did not arrive in 
town with their families until June, 
1780. 

Mr. Davis purchased a lot of land 
in the west part of the town on 
which he lived many years, and 



reared a large family. Mr. Davis' 
native town was Milford, Mass. 

Mr. Allen removed from Stur- 
bridge, Mass., with his family, and 
began a settlement in the north- 
westerly part of the town where he 
resided until 1804, when he left 
town. 

Mr. Jones, born in Milford, Mass., 
came from Orange, Mass., with six 
sons and three daughters, and com- 
menced a mile or more southeast of 
the centre of the township. His 
eldest daughter married Lemuel 
Braley, and the second Nathaniel 
Gould. These are believed to have 
been the first marriages in town. 

Other settlers who came early 
were Phillip Newell, Asa Wheelock, 
Abner Holbrook, Elijah Holbrook, 
Josiah Brown, Thomas Jewett, 
Aaron Hudson, Elkanah Woodcock, 
Stephen Warren, John Stacy, Asa 
Underwood, John Holbrook. A 
large majority of these were young 
men under 30, of an intelligent class. 
Some of the number were veterans 
of the Revolutionary army. 

COJSTGREGATIOJSTAL CHURCH. 

BY BEY. JAMES TUFTS, JR. 

The Congregational church was 
organized at the house of John Rice, 
May 1, 1793, consisting of 12 mem- 
bers — 8 males and 4 females : John 

Smith, Abner Hazelton, John Jones, 
Samuel Chapin, Lemuel Bryant, 
Edward Walker, Daniel Hazelton, 
Asa Jones, Abigail Jones, Elizabeth 
Smith, Eunice Walker and Beaulah 
Chapin. 

Rev. James Tufts was ordained 
the first pastor, Nov. 4, 1794, and 
continued pastor 42 years, and for 
five years senior pastor. 

REV. EBEN'z. G. BRADFORD 

was installed colleague pastor, Oct. 
5, 1836, and dismissed in 1842. 

REV. WILLARD BRIGHAM 
was ordained over the North church. 

REV. S. G. TEXXEY 

was ordained over the South church. 

The churches have since united. 




WARDSBORO. 



671 



RET. JAMES TUFTS 

was born in New Braintree, Mass., 
of William and Margaret Tufts, 
Sept. 30, 1764 ; gardnated at Brown 
University, 1789, and completed his 
theological studies with Ur. Em- 
mons of Franklin. He was ordained 
Nov. 4, 1794, at the house of Col, 
Dan'l Reed. 

The first postoffice in town was 
kept by Mr. Tufts. He wag post- 
master for over 29 years, and his 
house was the only office for the 
three towns of Wardsboro, Stratton, 
and Somerset. 

He died a happy death, Aug. 11, 
1841, aged nearly 77, and was bur- 
ied among his own people, beside the 
graves of those at whose funerals he 
had officiated. 

THE FIRST MINISTERS WIFE IN 
TOWN, 

Submit Hayden (Mrs. Tufts,) was 
born in Grafton, Mass., April 18, 
1777, daughter of Daniel Hayden 
and Submit Flag Hayden, and mar- 
ried to Mr. Tufts, Feb. 1807. 

Children : Submit J., — Tufts, 
horn Feb. 29, 1808 ; married Allen 
Morron, in 1835, has lived mostly in 
Aurora and Clinton, N. Y., edu- 
cated their son at Hamilton College. 
Mrs. Submit Tufts Morron died 
Sept. 14, 1878. 

Eliza Tufts, born Sept. 9, 1809, 
married Hollis T. Robinson, Esq., of 
Newfane, 1830. They lived in Can- 
ada till 1848 ; since then in Wil- 
liams vi lie, Vt. Mrs. Eliza Tufts 
Robinson died Feb. 15, 1885. 

Nancy Tufts, born May 29, 1811, 
married Hon. Marshal Newton, of 
Newfane, 1836 ; has lived in Fay- 
etteville, Vt. 

RET. JAMES TUFTS, JR., 

born Nov. 2, 1812, graduated at 
Yale College in 1838. He taughtin 
the Academy in Fairfield, Ct., two 
years. W as superintendent of schools 
in Windham county, 1848-M9 ; has 
resided in Monson the last 33 years, 
engaged in teaching; was married 
in 1855 to Mary E. Warren, daugh- 
ter of Dr. J. P, Warren, Wardsboro. 



JOHN TUFTS, 

born Sept. 11, 1814, married D. S. 
Barber of Townshend, 1847 ; justice 
of the peace, State senator two years. 
He sold the home farm in Wards- 
boro in 1850, removed to a farm in 
Geneseo, 111. He died Feb. 15, 1885. 
He was a man who will long he re- 
membered for the good he has done 
—one of those men whose very pres- 
ence is a rebuke to evil. He leaves a 
wife and six children — five sons and 
one daughter, all of whom but one. 
Dr. A. H. Tufts of Sioux Falls, 
Dak., were present at the funeral. 

The youngest of the family of the 
old pastor of Wardsboro church was 
Fanny Woodbury Tufts, born April 
17, 1816 ; married Dr. John Cooke, 
Manchester, Vt., died in English- 
town, N. J., June, 1865. 

THE BAPTIST CHURCH 
of Wardsborough was organized 
Oct. 1792, by a council composed of 
five pastors and delegates, Elder 
Aaron Leland of Chester, modera- 
tor, and John Dyer of Jamaica, 
clerk. 

ELD. SIMEON COOMBS 
was installed in 1795. He was from 
Massachusetts and was the first 
preacher, and had the reputation of 
being a zealous minister. The dea- 
cons were Lemuel Braley and Eben- 
ezer Bears. 

The society erected their meeting- 
house on land of Noah Sherman in 
1795. 

ELD, STEPHEN CHOATE 
succeeded Elder Coombs in 1803 ; 
ordained over this church in 1806 ; 
continued his labors until 1811, 
when they were terminated by death. 

After the decease of Elder Choate, 
Elder Calvin Orcutt was pastor until 
1815 ; Elder John Shepardson until 
1818; Elder Lyman Glazier preached 
from 1818 to 1824 ; Elder Joseph 
Gambill, pastor, 1824-1830. 

Elder P. B, Fish from 1830-1836, 
preached for the church. 

Elder J oshua Vincent was ordained 
over the church at the close of Elder 
Fish's pastorate. 




VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



em 



METHODIST CHURCH. 

The earliest Methodist preaching 
began in 1825. It was connected 
with Jamaica, Windham, Fayette- 
ville, and Stratton, and called New- 
fane Circuit. In 1831 the name of 
the circuit was changed to Wards- 
boro. During the year the M. E. 
church was organized under the su- 
pervision of Rev. Guy Beckley and 
colleague, Rev. J. M. Fuller, with 
29 members, and increased during 
the year to 44. Up to this and the 
succeeding year, the meetings were 
held in school houses and private 
dwellings in different parts of the 
town. 

In 1832 their church edifice was 
built. 



rocky/’ but in neither of these re- 
spects is it as much so as some of 
the adjoining towns. Between this 
town and Dover there is a range of 
high hills — a spur from the Green 
Mountains, which extend from west 
to east parallel with and nearly on 
the line which separates the towns. 

The eastern part of the town is 
comparatively level. At the ex- 
treme western section upon a high 
bluff there is presented one of the 
most magnificent landscapes on 
which the eye ever rested. The 
crests of the Green Mountains, Mon- 
ad nock, Aseutnev, Wackuset, and 
White Mountains are distinctly in 
view in a cloudless day. 

CENSUS POPULATION. 



THE PREACHERS 

during this period were Revs. A. 
Adams, Z. Twitehill, A. K. Howard, 
H. Johnson, Charles Olin, H. I. 
Wooley, B. D. Brewster, C. W. 
Leavings, W. B. Locke, H. Nutter, 
G. W. Perham, M. Spencer, C. R. 
Harding. 

In 1842, the M. E. Church be- 
came an independent station under 
the care of one pastor. From this 
period to the present, 1870, the fol- 
lowing pastors have received ap- 
pointments by the Vermont Confer- 
ence : Revs. I. Smith, C. W. Kel- 
logg, I. A. Kellogg, I. A Sherburn, 
P. P. Ray, I. W. Bemis, H. East- 
man, K. Hadley, I. L. Smith, D. 
W T ells, H. I. Forest, W. B. Howard. 
C. P. Flanders. Succeeding Mr. 
Flanders was Rev. George E. Chap- 
man. Some of the number were 
veterans of the Revolutionary army. 
Their moral and religious character- 
istics were soon manifested by their 
inaugurating measures for the sup- 
port of the preaching of the gospel, 
and for common district schools ; for 
it is recorded :< “ April, 1789, that 
the town voted to raise a certain sum 
for preaching.” 

FACE OF THE TOWNSHIP, SOIL, ETC. 

As has been represented, the sur- I 
face of this township is “ very un- ! 
uneven and some parts of its 



In 1791, 483 ; 1800, 868 ; 1810, 
1159 ; 1820, 1016 ; 1830, 1148 ; 1840, 
1102 ; 1850, 1112 ; 1860, 1004 ; 1870, 
866 . 

The timber is a large growth of 
the sugar and white maple, beach, 
j birch, ash, bass wood, spruce and 
hemlock. There was also a large 
growth of the white pine at an early 
period of the settlement. 

The town is well watered. The 
main stream, the North Branch, so 
called, is formed chiefly by the union 
of two rivulets which rise one in 
Somerset, the other in Stratton and 
near the base of the Green Moun- 
tains, and uniting with some other 
streams flows through the entire 
length of the town and falls into the 
West River in Jamaica. 

MATTHEW MARTIN 

came into town with his family of 
four children from Brattleboro, in 
1796, and built the first grist-mill, 
and first saw-mill. He died Jan.1831, 
aged 94 years. 

BUSINESS. 

There are now in town 2 grist- 
mills, 6 saw-mills, 2 tanneries, 6 dry 
goods and grocery stores, 2 taverns, 
7 school districts and houses, 4 
meeting-houses, viz: 2 Congl., 1 
Bap., 1 Metli.; shops for the manu- 
facture of buckets, pails, boxes. 



WARDSBGRO. 



673 



sieves, etc., have been in operation 
some years at a place called Ilnion- 
ville. 

The first fulling and dressing-mill 
for cloth was built bv Shepard Ellis, 
1802. * j 

A machine for carding wool was | 
built by Joseph Crosby a few rode 
east of the centre of the town in 
1806 and he soon came with his ; 
family. In connection with his card- 
ing machine, Mr, Crosby built a 
cabinet-shop, and his son-in-law, | 
Joseph Sweetser, built a tannery; 
about this time, also, came other; 
mechanics and among them Jo&ph 
Wilder, the blacksmith, and since 
the place is known as Wilder Hollow. 

AUTOMATIC LATHE. 

Within the last few years, Fred- 
erick Baldwin, a native of the town, | 
by his own unaided efforts has in- 
vented and put in operation a 
machine, which he styles the auto- j 
matic lathe, and which can among j 
other things, turn bed-posts, fish- j 
poles of any desired length, and the [ 
most delicate penholder. Rights j 
patented have been sold in all the j 
New England States. Mr, Baldwin, | 
has of late made some improvements 
to render his lathe more practical by j 
which house-mouldings, etc., of any 
style can be wrought. 

FIRST SCHOOLS. 

It cannot be determined with ac- 
curacy who taught the first district j 
school in town, Mr. William Simp- 1 
son, a son-in-law of Mr. John Jones, 
taught several winters in the east 
part of the town. William Allen, 
son of Sylvester Allen, taught a 
school in the winter of 1800, at the 
dwelling-house of Elijah Holbrook 
in the west part of the town. These 
were among the first, if not the very 
first teachers, Stephen Choate 
taught school in 1803. 

SAMANTHA ROBBINS, 
was an accomplished teacher. She 
married Clarendon Mussey of Mid- 
dlebury, this State, and went a mis- 
sionary to India, where she died a 
few years since. 



MARY KIDDER, 

a daughter of John Kidder of this 
town was for a time a teacher of 
schools at the West. She has now 
gone as a missionary and teacher to 
Japan, 

PAUL DAVIS, 

one of the earliest settlers in town 
and town clerk in 1788. 

REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS, 

Of these were John Stacey, Sam- 
uel Kenney, Hinsdale Hammond, 
Asa Wheelock, Stephen Warren, 
Elisha Converse, Daniel Read, 
Eph ? m. Rice, Nath’l Chamberlain, 
Adam Howard, Edward Walker, 
Gideon Brimhall, David Harris, 
Thomas Bogle. 

JOHN STACEY 

participated in the battle of York- 
town, Virginia ; but does not appear 
ever to have been a pensioner. 

SAMUEL KENNEY 

served during the war of the Revo- 
lution in the artillery and had a dis- 
charge in the hand-writing of Gen- 
eral Knox, which was shown to the 
writer, and for which the soldier was 
required no other voucher to entitle 
him to a pension from the Govern- 
ment. 

ASA AVHEELOCK AND HINSDALE 
HAMMOND. 

Asa Wheelock and Hinsdale Ham- 
mond were both at the battle of Sara- 
toga ; Wheelock appears on our pen- 
sion list ; Hammond does not. 

STEPHEN WARREN 
was at Boston in 1795 ; at the battle 
on Long Island in 1778, 

ELISHA CONVERSE, 

j also a hero of the Revolutionary 
time, was in the battle of Bunker 
Hill. 

OUR REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS. 
Daniel Read, Asa Wheelock, Ephhn. 
Rice, Gideon Brimhall, Nath’l Cham- 
| berlain, Daniel Harris, Thomas 
j Bogle, Edward Walker, Samuel 
| Kenney. 




6 74 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



An interesting reminiscence of an 
event which occurred while that 
portion of the army under the com- 
mand of Gen. Washington was en- 
camped in the State of New Jersey, 
in 1778, from the mouth of two of 
the above witnesses, and commu- 
nicated verbally to the writer, was 
as follows : 

An order had been given to build 
a breast- work within the lines, and a 
squad of men detailed to perform 
that service under the charge of a 
corporal who felt the grave responsi- 
bility of the position which had been 
assigned him, but who knew not 
Gen. Washington personally. As the 
work was nearing completion, the 
General attended by his staff officers, 
came to inspect it, and perceiving 
the need of some more pieces of turf 
to round off the breast-work, spoke 
to the corporal to lay it, to which he 
indignantly replied that he was a 
corporal and did not lay turf. With- 
out uttering a word in reply the 
General removed his gloves and laid 
on the turf and passed along the 
line. Many of the soldiers of the 
party knew the General and before 
he was out of their sight three 
rousing cheers and “a tiger” were 
given for the general, and the cor- 
poral was from that time, made the 
scorn and derision of the army, as 
he deserved to he. 

THE MILITIA. 

The first militia company here 
was commanded by Gap t. Dan 5 ! Read, 
afterward known as Gren. Read. His 
successor in office was Abner Perry. 
The first captain in the north dis- 
trict was 

GAFT. NOAH SHERMAN. 

The company was formed about 
the year 1799 or 1800. They first 
met for drill in the month of June 
on the farm of Ithamar Allen in the 
northwest part of the town. 

FIELD OFFICERS : 

Daniel Read was promoted to the 
office of brigader general at an early 
period in the history of the town, j 



He was a gallant and meritorious 
officer. 

Of the subordinates, Abner Hol- 
brook, Jonathan Robinson, Holland 
Plimpton were colonels ; Henry 
Wheelock and William Kelly, Jr., 
were majors. 

SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF 1812, 

Daniel Read, John Braley, John 
Caffrey, Fuller Boyle, Joseph Smith. 

ROLL OF HONOR. 

SOLDIERS OF WAEDSBORO, 1861-1865 
— VOLUNTEERS FOR THREE YEARS. 

Volunteers for three years, cred- 
ited under the call of President 
Lincoln for 300,000 volunteers, of 
Oct. 17, 1863: Charles A. Allen, 

Benj. F. Billings, Albert W. Bissett, 
Geo. M, Bissett, Francis N. Brown, 
Calvin Cook, Edward Fitts, died; 
Lyman D. Grover. Erwin E. Han- 
cock, Sam’l Harrington, Merrill L. 
Hodgkins, Milton L, Howard, Ed- 
win 3. Johnson, Geo. H. Johnson, 
ErastusH. Jones, Henry A. Kilburn. 
Warren N. Needham, Daniel Perry, 
Erwin L. Putnam, Geo. N. Putnam, 
Romanzo G. Rice, Orrin L. Rice, 
John W. Sanders, Bradford F. Scott, 
Newton I. Scott, Charles W. Smith, 
Edwin R. Smith, Robert H. Smith, 
Stillman Smith, William Smith, 
Lewis A. Tyler, Alvin H. W^hite, 
Charles A. White, Cyrus M. White, 
Erastus N. White", William F. 
White. 

VOLUNTEERS FOR THREE YEARS, 

Credits under subsequent calls of 
Oct, 17, 1863: John Armstrong, 
Edward B. Bissell, Leroy L. Bryant, 
Stephen Burroughs, Daniel Ohe- 
hinn, Ebenezer Holman, James 
Humphrey, Leroy Holland, William 
H. Parsons, William Scott, Sewell 
Simpson, Franklin Squmister, Philip 
Fast? h ere au. 

VOLUNTEERS FOR ONE YEAR. * 

R. Jonathan Babcock, Elmer 
Fitts, John M. Hammond, Emery 
S. Jones, Natffi A. Kilburn, Daniel 
M. Stocker, Cyrus M. White, Geo. 
A. White. 



WARDSBORO. 



675 



VOLUNTEERS EE- ENLISTED. 

George M. Bissell, George Clough, 
MerrellL, Hodgkins, Henry A. Kil- 
burn, Waitstill R. Pettee, feomanzo 
G, Rice, 

VOLUNTEERS FOE KIKE MONTHS. 

Elbridge Bissell, Wm, F. Clarke, 
Merrick J. Dowley, Ciias. G. Fletch- 
er, Hamilton L. Howard, Gilbert If. 
Ingram, “Chandler Leonard, Sidney 
L. May, Samuel L. Parsons, War- 
ren JPierce, Augustine W. Richards, 
Francis C. Sprague, Dan'l M. Stock- 
er, Otis Ward, John M. White, Wil- 
liam H. Young. 

DRAFTED AND PAID COMMUTATION. 

Guy C. Hartshorn, Edwin S. 
Johnson, Henry M. Kidder, Elliot 
May, Oscar M. Newell, Charles E. 
Nichols, Sam'l S. Perry, Welcom, 
A. Ramsdell, Chas. E. Simonds, 
Elon N, Taylor, Charles A, White. 

PROCURED SUBSTITUTES. 

Mark Pierce, Geo. H. Smith, 
Henry A. White. 

ENTERED SERVICE. 

Lewis A. Tyler. 

TOWN CLERKS. 

Aaron Hudson was chosen first 
town clerk, March 14, 1786, Paul 
Davis, Mar. 5, 1787; Rufus Harvey, 
Apr. 27, 1790: Asa Wheelock, Mar, 
7,1791; Rufus Harvey, Mar, 3, 1794; 
Asa Wheelock, Mar. 9, 1807; and re- 
elected each successive vear until 
1840. J. P. Warren, Mar. 2, 1840; 
John Tufts, Mar. 7, 1842; Silas Dex- 
ter, Mar. 4, 1844; J. G. Higgins, 
Mar. 13, 1850; A. J. Dexter, Mar. 6, 
1866, and holds the office at the pres- 
ent time, 1870. 

REPRESENTATIVES. 

Aaron Hudson was chosen first 
representative in 1786; Asa Whee- 
Tock, 1789 to *97, '98 to 1803, 1807 to 
1815; Daniel Read, 1797, 1805, '06, 
*54, '55 ; Abner Perry, 1803, '04; Ste- 
phen Presson, 1815, '16 Paul Whee- 
ler, 1817, *18, *25; Pearley Fairbanks, 
1800, *20 Abner Holbrook, 1821, *22; 



Jonathan Robinson, 1823, '24; Leland 
Fairbanks, 1826, '27; Freeman Hol- 
brook, 1828; Nathaniel Ward, 1829, 
'30; Silas Dexter, 1831, '33; Emery 
Wheeler, 1832, '37, '38; Solomon 
New f ell, 1836, '39; John P, Warren, 
1840, 41; Lyman W. Johnson, 1842, 
'43; Justice Knowlton, 1848; Wales 
A. Bridges, 1851, *52; Erasmus 
Plympton, 1854, '55; Holland Piymp- 
ton, 1856, *57, 1864, '65; Avery J. 
Dexter, 1858, '59; Dennis Wells, 1861; 
Henry N. Fitts, 1862, '63; N. B. 
Johnson, 1867; Lyman M. Newell, 
1867, '68; Martin Leonard, 1869; 
David H. Egan, 1870. No choice 
1834, *35, '44, '45, '46. 

COUNTY SENATORS. 

Emery Wheelock, 1841, '42; John 
Tufts, 1849, 1850. 

MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF 
CENSORS. 

Daniel Read, 1797; Asa Wheelock, 
1822, 1828; Emery Wheelock, 1836, 
'43; Henry Ilice, 1850. 

ASSISTANT JUDGES OF COUNTY 
COURT. 

Jonathan Robinson, 1824; Emery 
Wheelock, 1836, 1843. 

FIRST JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

Aaron Hudson, Asa Wheelock, 
Rufus Harvey, Josiah Brown, Dan- 
iel Read, Perley Fairbanks, Nathan- 
iel Cheney, Asa Felton. 

MERCHANTS. 

The first merchant who kept a 
store in town was 

JOHN HOLBROOK, 

who came from Newfane in 1789 or 
'90, and established himself and fam- 
ily near the residence of John Jones. 

OTHER EARLY MERCHANTS. 

Josiah Brown opened a stole at the 
Centre, 1800 — perhaps a year or two 
earlier. In 1804 he sold to Nathan- 
iel Cheney, who came from Orange, 
Mass., with a family of five children. 
He also kept the first tavern. Mr. 

1 Cheney sold his store, etc,, in 1814. 



676 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Benjamin Head opened a dry 
goods and grocery store at the North 
Village, then known as “Martin's 
Mills," 1803. 

He remained in town a short time 
only and was succeeded by two young 
men, Brown & Stevens, from New 
Hampshire, Mass. Brown & Stevens 
sold to Nath'l Chapin, and Jonathan 
Robbins bought of Chapin in 1810. 
Other merchants who sold goods in 
town at an early day were Leland 
Fairbanks, Nathaniel, Jr., and Adin 
Thayer. 

PHYSICIANS. 

The first physician in town was 
Dr. Samuel Wheeler. He was suc- 
ceeded by Dr. Paul Wheeler,of whom 
mention is made elsewhere in these 
papers. 

Of those who have practiced here 
are Dr. Thomas Barker, whom the 
writer remembers as an eccentric 
and intemperate man, who soon left 

town. Drs. Allen, W. R. Ran- 

ney, J. P. Warren, C. W. Barber, 

Austin, A. H. Gilman, A. H. 

Pettie, H. Ranney, S. Ranney, A. 
Johnson, S. R. Billings and brother, 
E. P. Burton, Dana Hyde, M. F. 
Bliss, Hungerford and F. Mar- 

tin. Drs. Bliss and Martin alone 
remain in town. (1870.) 

ASA WHEELOCK, ESQ. 

was born in Shewsburv, Mass., in 
1759. He came to town before the 
close of the Revolutionary war, 
1782; purchased a lot of land about 
a mile southeast of the centre of the 
town. This became his permanent 
residence. After making this pur- 
chase for a homestead, he returned 
to his regiment in the army, until 
the peace of 1783. He was twice 
married. His first wife, Lucy May- 
nard of Shrewsbury, died of con- 
sumption, and a few years after, he 
married Abigail Read of Worcester, 
Mass. Three sons were the fruit of 
the first, and two sons and four daugh- 
ters of the second marriage. He 
was chosen town clerk in 1791, and 
held the office 36 years; was a jus- 
tice of the peace 54 years; represent- 



ed the town in the legislature 20 
years, and was twice elected a mem- 
ber of the constitutional convention 
of the State. He died. May 23,1842, 
aged 83 years. 

PAUL WHEELER, M. D. 

was born in Rutland, Mass., 1771. 
In childhood and in youth he was 
in full health. When about eighteen 
his father sent him to Leicester 
Academy where he studied English 
and Latin, and commenced the 
study of medicine at twenty-one, 
with Dr. Reuben Walker, Barre, 
Mass., whose office he left after two 
or more years with out-fit of horse, 
saddle, bridle, medicines, medical 
books, surgical instruments and 100 
silver dollars, to see what dame 
fortune had in store for him in the 
new settlements of Vermont. 

Having an uncle in the South dis- 
trict, he commenced practice near 
him, 1794, but soon removed to the 
South district where he made his 
permanent home. Middlebury col- 
lege conferred upon him the honor- 
ary degree of M. D. in 1825. He 
was our representative three years 
to the legislature, and held many 
other offices in the gift of the town. 

From 1803 to 1814, Drs. Marcus 
Robbins, Chester Thayer, Shela- 
math Hall and Eli Perry, were edu- 
cated in his office and practice. 
After 1836, the Doctor relinquished 
practice. He died suddenly July 
24, 1846, aged 75 years. 

WILLIAM WARD. 

from whom the town took its 
name, was born in Mendon, Worces- 
ter, County Mass. He married Hannah 
Taft of that town in 1778, and soon 
removed with her to Newfane, Vt. 
In the record of the town he is styled 
Col. Ward. One writer, speaking 
of him, asserts he was chosen the 
first representative, 1778, to the leg- 
islature; but this is a mistake as the 
records do not show it. 

It has been said of him that be- 
fore the war of the Revolution, he 
and some others went to Canada for 
a load of furs and were arrested on 



WARDSBORO. 



m 



the suspicion of being spies, thrown 
into prison and he died there. ' The 
others who were taken with him 
were released, soon after his death. 
His widow married Moses Joy of 
Putney, where she died in February, 
1842, aged 86 years. 

HOH, ABATER HAZELOTE, M. C., 

son of Daniel Hazeltine, one of the 
early settlers, was born June, 1798; 
graduated at Williams College, 1815, 
at the age of 22 years; commenced 
the practice of law in Jamestown, 
N”. Y. ; served two terms in Congress 
from 1888 to 1837; was several years 
district attorney and county judge 
four years. He died Dec. 14, 1879, 
at the age of 86. 

Laban Hazeltine studied medi- 
cine in town and practiced in James- 
town, N. Y., for many years. He 
was a man of superior and well cul- 
tivated mind and a much esteemed 
physician and citizen. 

Abraham Hazeltine studied medi- 
cine with the writer and practiced 
in Warren, Pa. He was much be- 
loved as a man and physician. 

Jon’a. B. Kidder, son of Samuel 
Kidder, graduated at Middlebury in 
1821, in the 17th year of his age. 
He has been a teacher and occasion- 
ally preached. 

Rev. Corbin Kidder graduated at 
Amherst College in 1828, and stud- 
ied divinity at Andover, Mass. He 
was ordained at Saxonville over a 
Congregational church, and after- 
ward settled in West Brattleboro. 
He died in Popple Grove, 111., De- 
cember, 1874. 

Rev. Pascal P, P. Kidder, broth- 
er of the above, was graduated at 
Yale College in 1886, and is an 
Episcopal rector in Western New 
York. 

Alberoni Kidder has been a Con- 
gregational minister in the West, 
but has retired from the ministry. 

Samuel Kidder died while a 
student of Lane Seminary. Ohio in 
1841. 

These four sons were born to 
katha jViel kidder, 
who with four other brothers came 



into town from Dudley, Mass,, and 
bought farms adjoining each other 
and were all exemplary citizens. 

Nathan E. Felton was graduated 
at Middlebury, 3821. He studied 
law and is in practice in Haverhill^ 
NT. H. 

Rev. James Tufts, Jr. , son of Rev. 
Jame Tufts, was graduated at Yale 
College in 1888. 

Lafayette Ward took bis A. B. at 
Dartmouth College in 1846, and de- 
voted his life to teaching, 

James S. Thayer was graduated at 
| Amherst in 1838, He was a lawyer 
of distinction in New York. 

Professor R. L. 0, Robbins, a 
graduate of Middlebury in 1835, is 
now a professor of Greek in that 
college. 

David Robbins, father of profes- 
sor Robbins above mentioned, was a 
noted teacher, and for many years 
county surveyor. He died in the 
great sickness of 1813. 

J. Parker Warren and Mark War- 
ren, sons of David Warren, read law 
and were admitted to the bar, 

Luke Warren, son of David War- 
ren, is a physician in the West, 

Calvin Ward practiced law several 
years in Springfield, Yt., and also 
in Newfane. 

Adams Davis, son of Samuel Da- 
vis, the first settler, studied law, 

Oliver Plympton, a son of Abner 
Plympton, entered the ministry and 
preached in Peru. He died in 1813, 
and was buried on the day he was to 
have been married, 

Frederick Wheelock is in the prac- 
tice of medicine in Albion, Mich. 

Daniel Walker studied medicine 
and settled in Georgia. 

G. W. Barber practiced medicine 
many years in De Peyster, N. Y., 
but became insane and committed 
suicide. 

Chas. A. White graduated at 
Williams College in 1817, graduated 
at the Dartmouth Medical College 
in 1820, and practiced medicine over 
50 years. 

Edward Jenner Warren, son of 
John Parker Warren, was an alum- 
nus of Dartmouth College. He be- 




678 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



came eminent as a lawyer and judge 
in North Carolina. 

Lieut. John Wheelock Warren* 
son of John Parker Warren* en- 
tered Williams College in the^ class 
of 1860* but was compelled by fail- 
ing health to relinquish the course. 
At the outbreak of the rebellion he 
enlisted in the 1st Wis. Cavalry and 
served in that Regt. till March, 1865* 
when he was mustered out. He was 
several times wounded and for some 
months was a prisoner of war in the 
prison at Salisbury, N. C. He died 
at Rrattleboro* March 27, 1875. 

Samuel Jl. Warren, son of John 
Parker Warren* graduated at Yale 
College in the class of 1860. He 
read law and was admitted to the 
bar of New York in 1862. 

Miles Knowlton graduated at 
Hamilton College, N. Y., and has 
been a missionary in China the last 
15 years. 

George Gaiker graduated at Wes- 
leyan University, Conn. He studied 
law and became a judge in the West. 

Levi Knight, Jr., is a teacher in 
Georgia. 

Wales Gheney was educated at 
the Military Academy, Norwich, 
Vt. 

PROF. R, D. C, ROBBINS. 

[by LYMAN M. KNAPP. ESQ., MIDDLEBURY,] 

Rensselear David Chanceford Rob- 
bins was born in Wardsboro, in 1812. 
He was left an orphan at the age of 
two and a half years, with a sister 
who afterward married Rev. C. 
Muzzy of the Madura Mission* where 
she died early in the missionary ser- 
vice. 

His first years were spent on a 
farm* with such opportunities for 
education as a common school afford- 
ed* until he was 16, when he attend- 
ed the academy at Brattleboro for a 
time, and afterward that at Chester, 
teaching a district school in the win- 
ter. ne spent a year in New Jersey 
as a teacher, pursuing his classical 
studies meanwhile. In the spring 
of 1832, he entered Middlebury Col- 



lege and graduated in 1835. In this 
class, one of the largest ever gradu- 
ated at Middlebury, and peculiarly 
rich* as it seems to the author* in 
every variety of talent, he distin- 
guished himself by his fidelity and 
completeness in every department of 
study* and especially by his profici- 
ency in the classics.— Studious and 
hearty in his intimacies he quietly 
mastered his place and his work. 

In the autumn of 1835 he visited 
the South, then an inviting field for 
Northern teachers, and spent a year 
in that employment* but returned in 
the winter of 1837* and for nearly a 
year had. charge of the academy in 
Royal ton. 

He entered the Theological Semi- 
nary at Andover in 1838* but was in- 
duced to spend a year at Middlebury 
College as tutor* when he returned 
to Andover and graduated with his 
class in 1841. His ardent relish for 
classical and sacred literature had 
here found its gratification and led 
to his continuation at the seminary 
till he received his appointment to 
the Greek professorship at Middle- 
bury College. 

Professor Robbins lias published a 
translation of Hengstenbeog's 
“ Egypt and the Books of Moses 
an annotted edition of Xenophon's 
Memorabilia, and various historical* 
biblical and classical articles in the 
Bibliotheca Sacra and Biblical 
Repository. He also edited Prof. 
Stuart's work. 

DR. DANA HYDE* 

a much esteemed physician, and his 
son 10 years of age were drowned 
near the North Village in thebranch 
that falls into West River* April 26* 
1850. The Doctor was at the time 
residing at West Town sh end Vil- 
lage. Having business in Waresboro, 
be started at 10 A. m., with horse and 
wagon to go to the North Village ; 
hearing the bridge that way had been 
swept away by the flood, he took the 
hill, or old road through the south 
part of Jamaica, some farther than 
the stage-road. About three o'clock, 
he started back, and thinking, doubt- 



WARDSBORO. 



67 9 



less, to save some travel by fording 
the stream, though cautioned against 
making the attempt, he made it. On 
the abutment of the bridge, he took 
a view; the water was high and swift, 
the ford-way full of rocks, yet he re- 
sumed his seat in his buggy and 
drove in. He scarcely reached mid- 
way, as seen by a man who watched 
with anxiety the attempt, when the 
body of the wagon, connected to the 
axle by a king-bolt not keyed, separ- 
ated from the fore-wheels, throwing 
the Doctor and his boy into the 
water upon the rocks, causing the 
instant death of both. The alarm 
was given at the village and the 
bodies rescued and carried home the 
same night. 

DEATH OE JUDGE WARREN. 

From the Washington , Carolina 
Paper , of Dee . 16, 1876. 

We are pained to have to announce 
the death of one of our most honored 
and esteemed townsmen. The Hon. 
E. J. Warren died at his residence 
on the morning of Sunday, Dec. 
10th inst. He was born in Vermont, 
Dec. 23, 1826, and came to live in 
this town soon after he arrived of 
age. He taught school here for a 
short time. In 1849, he obtained 
license as an attorney, and soon took 
a place in the first rank of the pro- 
fession along with men of such abili- 
ty as Hawks, Sparrow, Rodman and 
others. 

He represented the county of 
Beaufort in the Convention of 1860, 
and several terms in the Legislature- 
In 1871-72 he was Speaker of the 
Senate. At the close of the war, he 
was appointed a Judge of the Supe- 
rior Court, which office he held un- 
til the adoption of the Constitution 
of 1868. He discharged its duties in 
such a way as to receive the entire 
approbation of all who appeared be- 
fore him, whether as attorneys or 
suitors. His reading in the law had 
been unusually extensive, and its 
principles were familiar. He rarely 
erred in their application. Natural- 
ly of a warm and earnest temper, he 



had decided opinions on most ques- 
tions, political or other, and he had 
decided likes and dislikes among in- 
dividuals, but on the Bench, to all 
persons, in every case, he was patient, 
attentive, and courteous. Every 
argument was fully heard and care- 
fully weighed, and his quick, culti- 
vated judgment enabled him to give 
a prompt decision. His perfect im- 
partiality was never questioned. He 
will be long remembered by all who 
practiced before him as the model of 
a Judge. 

MRS. H. T. ROBINSON. 

At her death it was written [in 
the obituary — see page 8 of this 
history.] tc She was the second 
daughter of the late Rev. James 
Tufts of Wardsboro, of whose family 
of six children only two now sur- 
vive — Mrs. Newton of Newfane and 
Rev. James Tufts of Monson, Mass. 
Mrs. Robinson was married in 1830, 
and survived her husband but two 
weeks. She was a woman of rare 
mental ability, possessing a tena- 
cious memory and an extensive fund 
of information upon most literary 
and scientific subjects — which, how- 
ever, owing to her extreme sensi- 
tiveness, was known only to her 
most intimate friends. Her famil- 
iarity with the Scriptures was well 
known; in the midst of great trials 
she always found consolation in the 
precious promises contained therein. 
She was the mother of four child- 
ren — three sons and one daughter — 
to whom she gave most of her edu- 
cational advantages. William H. 
and James T. were residents of 
Peoria, 111., for 20 years previous to 
their decease, and were widely 
known as successful business men. 
Henry J. died in early manhood 
from the effects of malarial fever 
contracted in Kansas, whither he 
had gone as a pioneer. The daugh- 
ter has been spared to take care of 
her parents in these later years of 
declining health and strength. By 
a strange coincidence, the death of 
Mrs. Robinson^s brother. Deacon 
John Tufts of Geneseo, 111., took 




680 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



f lace of the same day as her own — 
’eb. 15, 1885. 

Thus brother and sister took their 
flight almost together from their 
homes, where they were greatly 
loved, and entered into the rest that 
remaineth for the people of God. " 

IN MEMORIAM. 

“AN OLD LANDMARK GONE," 

\Mratileboro Paper. ] 

In Dr. J. P. Warren, who died at 
his residence on Green street, Sat- 
urday, Sept. 14, 1878, Brattleboro 
loses one of those patriarchal land- 
marks of a former generation, who 
are so instinctively honored, and 
Windham county is deprived of 
what was once one of its largest and 
most vigorous intellects. Until 
within a few days of his death he 
seemed to be in the most robust 
health, enjoying life with as much 
zest as many men 40 years younger. 
He was bom in Wardsboro, Aug. 20, 
1795, and at his death was a trifle 
over 83. He studied medicine, first 
with Dr. W. R. Ranney, and after- 
wards with Dr. Jonathan A. Allen 
of Brattleboro, and graduated from 
the Dartmouth Medical College in 
1820, He continued in practice in 
Wardsboro until 1842, earning an 
excellent reputation as a physician, 
and being called to nearly every 
part of the county. He represented 
the town in the Legislature in 1839 
and 1840. Leaving Wardsboro, he 
removed to Chesterfield, N. H., ■ 
where he remained a few years. He j 
afterwards resided several years in | 
Fayetteville, taking the place of Dr. j 
Olds, removing to Brattleboro about I 
20 years ago. 

In 1820 he married Lucy May- 
nard Wheelock, who still survives 
him [died Sept. 15, 1880], a sister 
of Judges Henry and Emery Whee- 
lock, who have both been prom- 
inent men in the county. His fam- 
ily numbered nine sons and three 
daughters, seven of whom are now 
living. His oldest son, Charles, 

died in this village in early man- 
hood. His second son, Edward 



J enner Warren, was a judge of the 
Supreme Court of North Carolina; 
he died in 1876. Five of the sons 
were in the late war. Lieut. John 
Wheelock Warren, a veteran of the 
1st Wisconsin cavalry, was several 
times wounded and for some months 
a prisoner of war in a rebel prison; 
he died in this town in 1875. Capt. 
Frank E. Warren, a veteran of the 
8th Vermont volunteers, took part 
in all of the engagements of his 
regiment, and was wounded at the 
battle of Winchester, Va. His 
youngest son, Charles Herbert, was 
killed in action. His second daugh- 
ter, Jennie, died in Michigan in 
1880. 

Dr. Warren was a man of noble 
presence and rare dignity, and while 
familiar with the best works in lit- 
erature, devoted much time to read- 
ing in the line of his profession’. 
He was particularly fond of botany, 
mineralogy and chemistry, and 
made one of the best collections of 
minerals in Southern Vermont. His 
educational advantages, supple- 
mented by a tenacious memory, 
practical judgment, vigor and 
strength of mind, made him, locally 
at least, one of the great men of the 
county. Some eight years since he 
prepared a history of Wardsboro 
which is now in the hands of Miss 
Hemenway for publication. 

ROBERT BABCOCK. 

Died in Wardsboro, Vt., August 
23, 1863, aged 104 years and six 
months. 

Very few, probably who read that 
brief notice, gave it more than a 
moment's attention, or thought of 
anything more than the extraordin- 
ary old age to which the subject of 
it attained. But Robert Babcock 
served his country in the war for In- 
dependence, and was an actor in 
one of the most gallant exploits of 
the war. Of the actors in that ex- 
ploit, he supposed himself to be, and 
there is no reason to doubt that he 
was, the last survivor. 

Rather more than two lines are 
due to the memory of such a man. 



WARDSBORO. 



681 



and though his porsonal history is 
unknown, and perhaps of small ac- 
count except as connected with that 
event, it is proper to record in this 
connection the facts of the transac- 
tion. 

The capture of Gen. Lee by the 
British in the summer of 1777 , was 
a serious damage to the American 
arms, not only by depriving them of 
his services, which were immediate- 
ly needed, but by embarrassing them 
in vain endeavors to effect an ex- 
change of some British officers for 
him. This they could not do, as 
they had no officer of equal rank. 
In this emergency, William Barton, 
then a lieutenant-colonel in the 
Rhode Island militia, and afterwards 
a resident of Vermont and founder 
of the town of Barton, conceived 
the bold idea of capturing a British 
general, and so effecting the re- 1 
lease of Lee. Sir Wm. Prescott, 
the commander-in-chief of the Brit- i 
ish forces in Rhode Island, had his 
headquarters at the house of a 
Quaker, named Overing. on an 
island near the main land. Bar- 
ton planned an expedition for his 
capture, and on the night of July 
10, 177 % taking with him 40 picked j 
men in two boats, he eluded the vig- 
ilance of the ships and gunboats by 
which the island was surrounded, 
and arrived undiscovered at the 
headquarters of Gen, Prescott. 
He was not aware of their ap- 
proach -till they arrived at the very 
door of the chamber in which he 
slept. The door was closed and 
fastened, and the Americans were 
considerably delayed in their endea- 
vors to effect an entrance. At length 
a negro, named Prince, converted 
his head into a battering-ram, and, 
drawing back a little distance he 
pitched head-fore-most through the 
door, and surprised the General in 
his bed. Without allowing him time 
even to dress, Gen. PrescotPs captors . 
marched him to the boat, reached | 
the bay in safety, and eventually de- 
livered their prisoner at Washing- 
ton's head-quarters. The capture 
caused a great deal of chagrin to the 



British and no less exultation 
among the Americans. It had the 
designed effect and secured the spee- 
dy exchange of General Lee. 

Among these forty picked men was 
Robert Babcock, then only nine- 
teen years of age. His share in that ex- 
ploit was among the choicest recol- 
lections of Ins life, and after he had 
outlived a century nothing delighted 
him more than to recall and narrate 
the adventures of that eventful 
night. 

BEY. EBEJSTEZEB G. BBADFOKD. 

BY BEY. PLINY II. WHITE. 

Rev. Ebenezer Green Bradford 
died in Leverett, Mass., August 29, 
1861, aged 60 years, 3 months and 5 
days. He was a lineal descendant in 
the seventh generation from the dis- 
tinguished William Bradford, one of 
the May-flower Pilgrims, and for 
thirty years Governor of Plymouth 
Colony; and through him was related 
to John Bradford , the intimate friend 
of Rogers, Hooper, Latimer and 
Ridley, and like them a martyr at 
the stake in Smith -field. 

He was the fourth son of Rev. 
Moses and Sarah (Eaton) Bradford, 
and was born in Erancestown, N. 
IL, May 24, 1801. He was graduat- 
ed at Amherst in 1827; studied theol- 
ogy at Andover one year; finished 
his course with Rev. John M. 
Whiton, D. D., of Antrim,- N. H., 
and was licensed by the Union Asso- 
ciation, at Goffstown, N. H., Au- 
gust 12, 1829. His first settlement 
was at Colebrook, N. IL, where he 
was ordained February 29, 1832. 
Rev. James Tisdale, of Guildhall, 
Vt., preached the sermon. 

He was dismissed from Colebrook 
in February, 1830, and received a call 
from the Congregational Church in 
Wardsboro, Vt., May 30, 1836, and 
was there installed October 5, 1836. 
His brother, Rev. Moses B. Brad- 
ford, of Grafton, Vt., preached the 
sermon. He was dismissed May 24, 
1S42, and removed to Wisconsin, 
where he was a stated supply of the 

S. Presbyterian Church in Platt- 
ville, a year and three months; of 




682 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



the Congregational Church in Prairie 
du Lac, three years and two months; 
and of the Congregational Church 
in Waupun, three years. 

In December, 1850, he commenced 
preaching at Princeton, Wis., organ- 
ized a Congregational Church there 
in 1852, and continued his labors 
with that church till March 30, 1861. 
His health failing, he returned to 
New England, and gradually sank of 
paralysis, 

Peter Hammond, of Geneseo, 111., 
died on the anniversary of his 102d 
birthday. Until within a few* months 
Mr. Hammond, despite his great 
years, enjoyed almost perfect health; 
retained the full measure of his fac- 
ulties; walked to church nearly a 
mile on pleasant Sundays; read with- 
out glasses and seemed as happy and 
connected with life as any of his 
children. The father of Mr. Ham- 
mond was one of the patriots of the 
Revolution, and took part in the 
destruction of the tea in Boston har- 
bor, Subsequently he removed to 
Wardsboro, Windham county in this 
state, then a wilderness, where he 
died in 1842, aged 94 years. Peter 
remained at Newton with his grand- 
parents until his mother made the 
journey on horseback after him, a 
distance of 125 miles, and returned 
with him, he walking the entire way 
by her side. In 1802, he married 
Charlotte Holbrook, daughter of a. 
prominent citizen of Wardsboro, and | 
for 53 years they continued to reside i 
in the house which he built and oe- [ 
cupied soon after their marriage. At 
the death of his wife, in 1856, Mr. 
Hammond moved to Geneseo, 111. | 
At the age of 100 years, his physi- j 
dans declared that there was not a j 
diseased organ in his body. 

Squire Elmer, born in Somers, Ct. , ! 
1781, was a soldier of 1812, for 2 j 
years; at 37, one January day, out on j 
business, so froze bis feet that he j 
had to have both amputated, and for 
47 years after was a hard working 
man, always walking upon his knees, 

JACKSON NEWELL, ESQ. 
died in Shelburne, Mass,, Mar. 26th, j 



aged 68 years. He was a native of 
Coleraine, Mass, but through all the 
years of active business life resided 
in Wardsboro. He w r as a merchant 
for about thirty years, 

PttOF. L. F. WARD, 

whose life was given to education, 
who has been already mentioned in 
this history among the educated and 
distinguished sons of Wardsboro, 
land who was deceased about two 
i years since, we think, on the 25th 
| anniversary of the Powers Institute, 
at Bernardston, was thus eulogized 
in the speech at the evening of the 
1 grand day for Bernardston, by the 
i orator of the occasion, P* W. Will- 
iams, Principal of the Davenport 
(la.) high schools: 

Prof. L. E. Ward was the first 
principal of the institute. For seven 
years his life was the life of the insti- 
tute, He brought with him the 
vigor of youth, the ambition of man- 
hood and the discrimination of ma- 
turity. As a teacher his illustrations 
were homely and pointed, his logic 
clean and his meaning never ob- 
scure; with a rich gift of language be 
never failed for the right word. Soon 
after Prof. Ward became connected 
with the school, he demanded a 
boarding-house, and Cushman hall 
was built. Under his administration 
the school was a success, and in 1860 
there were 600 pupils connected 
with the school, a number not since 
reached. Prof. Ward was the chief 
and attractive instructor of the first 
few years. He formed a library and 
organized debating clubs. He tried 
in 1860, to get the Legislature to ap- 
propriate $20,000 for the purpose of 
organizing an agricultural depart- 
ment, and the General Court in 1869 
was petitioned to found a normal 
school department in connection 
with the Powers institute. Both 
schemes failed. After he left this 
school he was for three years super- 
intendent of the Northampton 
schools, a member at one time of tbe 
Vermont council of censors, served 
in the Legislature for two years and 



WARDSBORO. 



683 



for three years was member of the 
state board of education* He died 
dast year from over-work and the 
greatest monument of his life is this 
institution which he loved and for 



which he did so much* The old 
pupils that still live are now scat- 
tered and each is spreading his little 
censor of influence secured from the 
master hand. 




WHITINGHAM. 



By CLARK J1LLSON. 



This Town has In Its archives a copy of its original Charter, issued 
before the Revolution by the Province of New York, 



WHITINGHAM, 

NEW YORK AND NEW HAMPSHIRE 

CLAIMS, OR THE FORTY YEARS* 
CONTROVERSY. 

In 1750 the Province of New 
York claimed all that tract of coun- 
try now known as the State of Ver- 
mont, and the Province of ^ New 
Hampshire exercised jurisdiction 
over the same territory to such an 
extent that it became known as the 
" New Hampshire Grants/* While 
this difficulty was in progress, both 
New York and New Hampshire 
chartered towns within the disputed 
territory, and in some cases, the au- 
thority of both Provinces was exer- 
cised over the same township. 

The controversy between these 
governments lasted 40 years, and re- 
sulted in admitting into the Union 
the State of Vermont, in 1791, it be- 
ing the first accession to the IB orig- 
inal States. 

CUMBERLAND TOWNSHIP. 

Previous to the Revolution, the 
southeastern part of the State was 
known as “ Cumberland/* and 
erected into a county by that name 
in 1776. 

The southwest corner of this 
county had been called “ Cumber- 
land Township/* but had not been 
chartered by that name, therefore, 
its limits were undefined. 



THE WHITING PETITION, 

On the seventh day of January, 
1767, a petition was presented to the 
lieutenant-governor of New York, 
by Nathan Whiting, Samuel Pitch, 
Eleazer Fitch, James Smedley, 
David Baldwin, Andrew Myers, 
Samuel Whiting, Robert Aiton, 
Amos Hitchcock and Nathan Haines 
Whiting, covering a part of this ter- 
ritory, which was referred to a com- 
mittee of His Majesty*s Council, 
who reported favorably, and the pe- 
tition was granted. 

The Patent was ordered to issue, 
but for some unknown reason the 
matter was delayed for three years. 

THE SEVEN GRANTEES. 

On the 26th day of January, 1770, 
Col, Nathan Whiting renewed the 
petition in behalf of himself and his 
associates, setting forth that the 
lands prayed for were vacant and 
had never been granted, but were 
still vested in the Crown, He also 
stated that this land was part of a 
tract called “ Cumberland/* but 
that no township coveringthe same 
had ever been granted. Upon this 
petition, letters patent were issued 
on the 12th day of March, 1770. 

The grantees were seven British 
soldiers, who were thus rewarded by 
their fidelity in the King*s service. 
Their names were Nathan Whiting, 



WHITINGHAM. 



685 



Samuel Fitch, Eleazer Fitch, James 
Smedley, Andrew Myers, Robert 
Aiton and Samuel Boyer, who were 
all the persons then interested in 
said lands. 

THE TOWNSHIP NAMED WHITING- 
HAM. 

The township thus granted and 
chartered was named Whitingham. 
It occupied a position near the 
southwest corner of Cumberland 
county and was laid out six miles 
square, with more flourish and cere- 



ment, but still remain Vacant, and 
Vested in the Crown. 

Your Petitioner therefore hum- 
bly prays, that the Letters Patent 
ordered on the said former Petition, 
may Issue for the Quantity of Land 
found to be vacant, and in the 
Names of Nathan Whiting, Samuel 
Fitch, Eleazer Fitch”, James Smed- 
ley, Andrew Myers, Robert Aiton 
and Samuel Boyer, who are all the 
persons at present interested in the 
premises. 

And your Petitioner, in behalf of 



mony than attended the founding himself and his Associates, Doth 
of Rome. further pray, that the said Seven 



The following is the second peti- 
tion of Col Whiting, and the one 
upon which the grant was made, 
and the patent or charter issued : 

“ PETITION.” 

“To the Honorable Cadwallader 
Colden, Esquire. 

His Majesty's Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor and Commander-in-Chief of 
the Province of New York, and the 
Territories, in America: — 

In Council. 

The Petition of Colonel Nathan 
Whiting, in behalf of himself and 
his associates, 

Humbly Showeth, 

That your Petitioner and his As- 
sociates, on their former Petition, 
obtained an Order of His late Excel- 
lency, Sir Henry Moore, with the 
advice and consent of the Council, 
bearing date the twenty-seventh day 
of January, One Thousand Seven 



Thousand acres, together with the 
following Tracts granted to or sur- 
veyed for reduced Officers, to wit: 
Three Thousand acres granted to 
the Petitioner, Nathan Whiting; 
Two Thousand acres granted to 
Lieutenant James Eddington ; Two 
Thousand acres granted to Lieuten- 
ant John Nordbergh; One Thousand 
acres granted to Lieutenant James 
Etherington; Three Thousand acres 
Surveyed for Captain John Walker; 
Two Thousand acres Surveyed for 
Lieutenant Thomas Gamble, and 
Two Thousand acres Surveyed for 
Lieutenant Dennis Carleton, may be 
erected into a Township by the 
Name of Whitingham, with the 
usual privileges, 

And your Petitioner, as in Duty- 
bound, shall ever pray, &c. 

New York, 26th 

January. 1770. 

Nathan Whiting, in 
behalf of himself and his 



Hundred and Sixty-seven, for grant- Associates.” 



ing to them and their Heirs, the 
quantity of Ten Thousand acres of 
a certain Tract of Land, lying on 
the west side of the Connecticut 
River, known by the name of ‘ The 
Township of Cumberland.' That 
they have since procured an actual 
Survey of said Land, and find the 
, Vacant Land to contain only the 
quantity of Seven Thousand acres. 
That the same, though part of the 
Lands formerly claimed by the Gov- 
ernment of New Hampshire have 
not been granted by that Govern- 



GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

This township is located in the 
southeast corner of Windham coun- 
ty, and bounded on the north by 
Wilmington, east by Halifax, south 
by Heath and Rowe in Massachu- 
setts, and west by Readsboro. 

The surface is hilly, but as a gen- 
eral thing the high lands are well 
adapted to grazing and the other 
crops. Immense forests formerly 
covered the soil, and beech, birch, 
maple, spruce, ash and hemlock were 





686 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



abundant, but the original growth 
was largely wasted nearly a century 
ago, by being burned to the ground, 
for the ashes, and to get rid of the 
timber for which there was no mar- 
ket. 

The center of the town is located 
upon an eminence belonging to a 
range of hills running nearly north 
and south, through the entire length 
of the town, with Deerlield river at 
their feet on the west, and North 
river on the east. 

WHITIN' GH AM SCENERY. 

From the summit of these hills 
may be seen a large tract of pictur- 
esque country, embracing a portion 
of the Green Mountain range, while 
near, and several hundred feet below, 
Sadawga pond glistens like a dia- 
mond. 

Among these elevations is Bur- 
lington hill, noted for its bleakness 
♦during the winter months. Streeter 
hill is another sightly location, from 
which may be seen Haystack Moun- 
tain in Searsburgh, the Monadnock 
in New Hampshire, Wachusett and 
Grey lock in Massachusetts. 

In the northeasterly part of the 
town near the village, of Jackson- 
ville and east of North river, is a 
rocky elevation known as “Hosley 
hill,” and on the other side of the 
river are the u Holbrook ” and 4< Tip- 
pet hills.” 

The hills in the westerly part of 
the town near Lime Hollow, and 
along the easterly banks of Deer- 
field river for several miles are ex- 
tremely rugged, and the land about 
them unsuited to cultivation. The 
best crop raised here is “ All in your 
eye,” and consists of the most mag- 
nificent natural scenery, rarely sur- 
passed by any found in foreign lands. 

Deerfield river, a stream of con- 
siderable size and importance, flows 
through a portion of the town, at its 
northwest corner, and also at its 
southwest corner, which is in con- 
formity with the original “ set out,” 
wherein care was taken that the 
Length thereof doth not extend 
along the banks of any river other- 



wise than is conformable to our said 
Royal Instructions.” 

The stream rises in Stratton and 
runs in a southeasterly direction for 
about 50 miles and falls into the 
Connecticut near Greenfield, Mass. 

North river runs in a southerly di- 
rection, through the easterly part of 
the town, and unites with the Deer- 
field near Shelburne Falls, Mass. 
There are numerous other streams 
in town flowing north, south, east 
and west, which indicate an uneven 
surface, well supplied with water. 
These streams furnish motive power 
for numerous industries. 

There are no large bodies of water 
in this town, for the reason that there 
is not room enough between the hills, 
but there are several small sheets of 
water of more or less importance. 
Sadawga pond is the largest and best 
known. It is located within a mile 
of the centre of the town, where the 
first church was built, in a westerly 
direction. It is estimated to cover 
from 300 to 500 acres, with indica- 
tions that it has sometimes been 
more than three times its present 
size. It bears upon its surface a 
floating island of some fifty acres in 
extent. This accumulation is increas- 
ing from year to year, and within the 
last 50 years has been changed in 
form and size very materially. 

It is claimed this pond was named 
in honor of a “Lone Indian” who 
continued to dwell about its shores 
after his tribe had moved on. It is 
said that “Old Sadawga” lived by 
hunting and fishing, and that he oc- 
casionally made a trip to Northamp- 
ton and Springfield to dispose of his 
furs and other articles in the market, 
and that while goingdown Deerfield 
river in his canoe, he was wrecked 
at Shelburne Falls and drowned. As 
this Indian was known to the first 
settlers of the town, his traditionary 
fate is not improbable. 

In the northerly part of the town 
there is a pond, in early times called 
Beaver dam, but of late, Fuller pond. 
It formerly covered 50 acres, and is 
so situated as to have an outlet at 




WHITINGHAM. 



687 



each end, both of which reach the 
Deerfield, one near the north part of 
Whitingham and the other near 
Shelburne Falls, but nearly 30 miles 
apart. 

This body of water has decreased 
in size so that in a dry season less 
than five acres are covered with 
water. Traces of the old dam, prob- 
ably built centuries ago, are still 
visible, and under the surface may 
be found parts of trees of considera- 
ble size bearing tooth marks of the 
beaver. 

Near the northeast corner of the 
town is a sheet of water known as 
Roberts’ pond, covering some 30 
acres. A small stream runs from it, 
but none into it from the surface ex- 
cept the rainfall, which can have 
little to do with the amount of 
water it contains. 

1 

GEOLOGY OF THE TOWHSHIP. 

Whitingham contains geological 
features worthy of notice. The rock 
formation is gneiss, but its compon- 
ent parts are not so blended as to 
constitute granite suitable for build- 
ing purposes. 

In the easterly part of the town 
talcose schist abounds to some extent, 
but not to render it of great value. 
The western half of the town 
abounds in limestone of excellent 
quality, and in such proximity to the 
surface as to render it comparatively 
easy to be quarried. 

Sixty years ago the manufacture 
and sale of lime constituted the prin- 
cipal business of the town, and next 
to agriculture was the chief industry 

BOWLDERS. 

Near North river about one mile 
below the present village of Jackson- 
ville may be seen a bowlder 61 feet 
in circumference and 10 feet high 
above the ground. Its angles have 
not been worn as is commonly the 
case with bowlders, but looks like a 
block split from an immense ledge 
and not transported any considerable 
distance. 

Near this place are several gravel 



mounds, produced by the action of 
the ice and water during the glacial 
period, and it is believed that this 
rock was formely carried down this 
valley in a mass of gravel which pre- 
vented its being worn by attrition. 

This result of glacial action is of- 
ten noticed, and it is not uncommon 
to meet with a moraine, even in this 
hilly country, and these deposits 
are made up largely of gravel inter- 
spersed with bowlders of various sizes, 
from a few pounds to several tons* 

The largest bowlder in New En- 
gland, called “The Green Mountain 
Giant,” may be seen in the westerly 
part of Whitingham upon a hill 500 
feet above the Deerfield, and within 
two miles of that stream* It stands 
upon a flat rock, is 40 feet in length, 
its horizontal circumference 125 feet, 

I its height 32 feet, its cubic contents 
40,000 feet, and its weight 3,400 tons. 
The angles of this rock are guite 
sharp, indicating that its journey, if 
a long one, was made when incased 
in ice or a mass of earth. 

There are several other large bowl- 
ders in the town, notably the one 
standing on a flat rock at the highest 
point on Tenny Hill, much higher 
than the one last mentioned, and 
within half a mile of Massachusetts 
line. 

Gold, silver and lead have been dis- 
covered in several localities, but not 
in quantites to warrant an extensive 
outlay in mining operations, though 
some of the ore, recently found, is 
said to be quite rich. 

There are numerous veins of quartz 
in the rock formation where traces 
of gold may be found, but whether 
these veins are sufficiently extensive 
and rich to become remunerative is 
yet undetermined. A mining com- 
pany was formed here and incorpor- 
ated by the Legislature in 1867, but 
no startling results have been devel- 
oped during the 17 years of its ex- 
| istance. 

In the westerly part of the town, 

| in the village of Sadawga, is 



688 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



A MINEBAL SPRING 
to which many people resort on ac- 
count of its medicinal qualities. An 
analysis of the waters show that they 
contain muriate of line, carbonate of 
lime, muriate of magnesia, carbonate 
and per-oxide of iron, allumina with 
an acid trace. It is said to be a spe- 
cific for cutaneous eruptions, scrof- 
ulous humors, dropsy, gravel, chronic 
ulcers, liver complaint and many 
other diseases. This spring was dis- 
covered in 1822, and has been sought 
for more or less ever since. David 
Eames, a much respected citizen of 
the town, claimed that the use of 
these waters saved his life. 

While this water has some med- 
icinal qualities, its taste is not much 
different from ordinary spring water, 
and its hygenie properties, as repre- 
sented by the chemist are in no way 
indicated by the taste. 

THE NATIVE FOBESTS. 

In early times the town was cov- 
ered with a heavy growth of tim- 
ber, beech, birch and maple being 
the principal hard woods, and spruce, 
hemlock and balsam the soft. 

No pine timber, of any considera- 
ble value, ever grew in Whiting- 
ham, and only now and then an oak. 
Hemlock trees in some parts of the 
town were of immense size, ranging 
from three to five feet in diameter. 

It will be seen that the town pos- 
sessed few attractions for the set- 
tler, while there were many ob- 
stacles to contend with before the 
soil could be made productive. The 
climate, the location, uneven sur- 
face, the lack of a well defined pol- 
icy in matters of government, all 
conspired to discourage a speedy 
and successful settlement; but 

THE PIONEEBS 

were a hardy race; courted the op 
position of the elements and of man. 
They caused the forests to vanish 
before their sturdy^ stroke; took is- 
sue with wild beasts and unfriendly 
men; established their independence 
by solemn decree and forced civil- 



ization to establish a new, free State, 
the first to be admitted into the 
Federal Union. 

The inhabitants of Whitingham 
bore an active and honorable part 
in all these struggles, and from that 
day to the present time have shown 
themselves worthy of the Green 
Mountain State. 

EABLY SETTLEMENT. 

On the 12th day of March, 1770, 
by virtue of a New York patent, 
Whitingham became the property 
of the following grantees: 

Nathan Whiting, Samuel Fitch. 
Eleazer Fitch, James Smedley, An- 
drew Myers, Robert Aiton and 
Samuel Boyer. 

It was ten years before the town 
was organized by the choice of of- 
ficers, during which time large ac- 
cessions had been made to its popu- 
lation. The census of Cumberland 
was taken in 1770-71, which dis- 



closes the following facts: 

White males under 16 3 

“ “ over and under 60.. 4 

“ females under 16 3 

“ “ over and under 60. 4 

* Total.. 14 

Heads of families. _ , 4 



Whitingham as laid out in 1770 
was only a part of Cumberland. 

SILAS HAMILTON AND BOBEET 
B BATTEN 

were the first settlers and were in 
town as early as 1770. 

The Bratten family came from 
Coleraine to Whitingham in 1770. 
They came around through Wilming- 
ton. Mrs. Bratten, the wife of 
Robert, was a brave and resolute wo- 
man. On their way to Whitingham 
from Colerain, Mrs. Bratten climbed 
a tall tree in Wilmington and there 
discovered the valley of the Deer- 
field river. They pursued their 
course in that direction and marked 
trees as they went. Their house was 
some distance up the river from 
where Cyrus Wheeler now resides. 
They returned to Coleraine in the 



WHITINGHAM. 



689 



fall and came back three times before 
they made a permanent residence in 
Whitingham, Here they commenced 
farming in a small way, A small 
iron kettle served as a water pail, 
milk pail, and was also used for cook- 
ing. The milk of one cow was di- 
vided among several families. On 
the 19th of Slay, 1780, known as the 
“ Dark Day, 15 Mrs. Bratten set out 
an apple tree on this farm which has 
since been called grandmother’s ap- 
ple tree. 

Silas Hamilton was from Western, 
(now Warren,) Mass., and became 
an extensive land owner in Whiting- 
ham. He was engaged in 

shay’s rebellion, 

and for this offence was tried and 
sentenced to stand one hour in a pil- 
lory and be publicly whipped on his 
naked back 20 stripes. The charge 
against him was “For stirring up 
sedition in this Commonwealth.” 

Mr. Hamilton was not alone in this 
business, as Vermont was the place 
of refuge for many of the insurgents 
including Shay himself. 

ADAM WHEELER 

of Hubbardston, Mass., was captured 
in Vermont by a party of govern- 
ment men under Royal Tyler, Esq., 
but they were only able to hold him 
four hours, when he was liberated by 
a party of 40 sympathizers from over 
the line in the State of New York. 

James White of Coleraine was 
convicted of high treason and sen- 
tenced to death, hut was subsequent- 
ly pardoned. 

FIRST THIHGS. 

Mr. Hamilton was the first repre- 
sentative from Whitingham to the 
Legislature of Vermont in 1778. 

While this early settlement was 
in progress, the town was without 
roads and the people were obliged 
to travel by marked trees. They 
were obliged to have their grain 
ground at Greenfield, transporting 
it there and back on foot. 

The first child born in town was 
John Nelson, Jr. 



Thomas Riddle was the first per- 
son who died in town. He was 
taken sick while on a visit. His 
home was in Connecticut, He could 
not be carried home as there was no 
way of transportation except on 
horseback. He was buried in Whit- 
ingham. 

During the 10 years from the time 
this town began to be settled up to 
1780 when it was organized, the in- 
habitants were quite extensively en- 
gaged in an industry w r hich might 
have been remuneratve at the time, 
but of no permanent advantage. 

This was cutting wood and timber 
to be burned for the ashes, the same 
being leached and the lye boiled 
down to salts and potash. 

This method of clearing off the 
land and carrying away what the 
soil so much needed, worked an in- 
jury to the farms from which they 
will never recover. If one-half the 
cleared land in this town was covered 
with the original timber to-day, it 
would greatly add to the value of 
the town. 

We have now passed over a period 
of great privation on the part of the 
settlers, who had cast their lot on a 
sterile soil, away from the comforts 
of civilization, among wild beasts, 
in a climate unfriendly to pioneer 
life. 

Up to this time there is no record 
of any religious expression on the 
part of the people, or that any cler- 
gyman had ventured to set foot upon 
the soil of Whitingham, 

It was now near the close of the 
Revolution. Independence had been 
declared by the colonies four years, 
and by Vermont three years. The 
English government was not much 
respected in Vermont, and the in- 
habitants sought to acquire titles to 
their lands through the General As- 
sembly. About 1780, Silas Hamil- 
ton and seven others petitioned for 
a grant of 3,000 acres of land in 
Whitingham. 

' This petition was referred to a 
committee, who reported through 
their chairman as follows : 

“ The Hon. General Assembly : 



690 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Y our Committee report as their opin- 
ion, that the three thousand acres of 
land in the Township of Whiting- 
ham as Referred to in the Petition 
of Silas Hamilton to be granted to 
said Hamilton and the settlers named 
in said Petition thay Paying a Meat 

Consideration and that his 

Exelancy and Council be Directed 
to Make out a Charter of Incorpor- 
ation for the same with the Reserva- 
tions and Restrictions Necessary. — 
Jomr ThroOp, Chairman.’’ 

This report was referred to the 
Governor and Council and the peti- 
tion granted. 

The criminal code of Vermont in 
1780, made nine offences punishable 
by death, as follows: treason, mur- 
der, arson, rape, bestiality, sodomy, 
bearing false witness against a per- 
son for the purpose of causing his 
death ; mutilation: either by cutting 
out or disabling the tongue, or put- 
ting out an eye, or by emasculation, 
and blaspheming the name of God. 

The first town meeting of which 
we have any record, was held on 
Thursday, March 30, 1780, when 
the following business was trans- 
acted: 

i( Att an annual Town meeting 
March 30, 1780, the men whose 
names are under Ritten ware Chosen 
to Ofis. 

Town Clerk: Eliphalet Hyde. 

Selectmen: James Angel, Eliphalet 
Hyde, Silas Hamilton. Treasurer: 
Silas Hamilton. Constables: Abner 
More, Levi B hum way. Highway 
Surveyors: Abner More, Thos. 

Hunt, Ebenezer Davis, John Nelson 
Jr. Listers: Thos. Stearns, Eliphalet 
Hyde. Collectors: Levi Shumway, 
Abner More. GrAiid Juror: Thomas 
Stearns. Sealer of weights and meas- 
ures. John Butler. Deer Rief: 
Amasa Shumway, Thomas Stearns. 

At this time the town had a popu- 
lation of not less than 200. 

The grand list of 1781 shows who 
paid the taxes at that time and indi- 
cates to some extent the population 
of the town. 



FIRST GEAKD LIST. 

“ John Nelson, John Nelson Jr., 
Benga’ Blodgett, Samuel Day, John 
Blushfield, Thomas Blodget, Thomas 
Day, John Howard, Jonnhan Shum- 
way, James Howard, Amos Green, 
James Reed, Benj. Blodgett Jr., 
Ebenezer Davis, Isaac Fuller, Samuel 
Nelson, Leonard Pike, Eliphalet 
Gusten, Daniel Wilcox, Elijah 
French, Daniel Holloway, Luther 
Washburn, Bille Clark, Levi Shum- 
way, Amasa Shumway, Benijah 
Lampher, James Angel, John Butler, 
Samuel Butler, Elihue Blake, Jabez 
Foster, Calvin Fuller, Levi Boyd, 
Charles Dodge, John Rugg, Nathan 
Lee, Henry Lee, Abner More, Thomas 
Hunt, Jonathan Barton, Jonathan 
Dix, Timothy S. Berton, Capt. 
Eliphalet Hide, Moses Hide, Jona- 
than Edge comb, Roger Edgecomb, 
Beriah Sprage, Thomas Sterns, 
Sterling Sterns, Nathaniel Davis, 
Brinsele Peters, Silas Hambleton, 
Robert Bratten, Robert Bratten Jr., 
Joseph Coleman.” 

The listers for this year were Hen- 
ry Lee, Benjamin Blodgett and 
Eliphalet Gusten. 

The Brattons, Robert and Moses, 
and Leonard Pike, settled in the 
north-west part of the town, and 
James Angel, Eliphalet Gusten and 
Benijah Lamphear in the south-east 
part. John Butler and Silas Hamil- 
ton settled in the north-eastern sec- 
tion. Butler built the first grist-mill 
in town on North river. 

The earliest deed on record was 
from Robert Bratten of Whitingham 
to John Torrey of Halifax, and is 
dated Jan. 2nd, 1780. 

In 1780, the town made provision 
for paying taxes in the following 
manner: 

i( Voted that the town tax be paid 
in wheat at 4 s. per bushel, Rey at 
3 s., Corn at 2 and 6, Oats at 1 and 
6, Flax at 8 d. per pound, sugar 5 
d. per pound.” 

Although pioneer life was not 
pleasant in many respects, there was 
constant call for unclaimed lands in 
Whitingham, by those who desired 
to become permanent settlers. 




WHITEST GH AM. 



691 



On the 15th day of October, 1857, 
600 acres of land were granted by 
Vermont to J onathan Hunt and Arad 
Hunt, described as follows, viz: 
u Three lots in the town of Whit* 
inghara, being a part of three thou- 
sand acres of land granted to Capt. 
John Walker, said lots containing 
one hundred and ninety-six acres in 
each lot and are numbered 2, 3 and 
5, as expressed in a certain indenture 
of release made to the said Jonathan 
Hunt and Arad Hunt, by Samuel 
Wells.” 

This grant was made in such a 
way as to render the location doubt- 
ful, unless the three lots were more 
clearly defined than was customary 
in those days. 

The people of Whitingham at this 
time, as a rule, were law-abiding, so 
far as they had any law to abide by; 
bin habits of intoxication sometimes 
required a check from some official 
source in cases where the law could 
not be appealed to with satisfactory 
results. 

In 1787 the people of Whitingham 
adopted a method unique in its con- 
ception and salutary in its applica- 
tion. 

The number of cases treated by 
this humiliating process is unknown, 
but one specimen has been preserved 
and may be found among the towm 
records, recorded by Amos Green, 
who was then tow r n clerk. The 
selectmen who issued this suggestive 
hint were Samuel Day, Daniel Wil- 
cox and Isaac Lyman. It has no 
parallel in municipal dictum and is 
as follows: 

“ Whereas the mismanagement 

and bad conduct of A. B. of 

Whitingham in times Past has ap- 
parently Brought himself into such 
Difficulty that his Family may feel 
the fatal effects of it in many In- 
stances, Particularly afor their Daly 
support, which to prevent we, the 
subscribers, Do agreeable to Law 
hereby take Inspection of S ? d A. 
B/s futer affairs under ourEmediate 
Care, and hereby Notify the Publick 
that we act as Overseers on S ? d A. 
B’s futer affairs, and warn all that is 



or may be concerned with S’d A. B. 
to govern themselves accordingly. 

Whitingham, June 30, 1786.” 

In 1790 an effort was made to se- 
cure a burial place, and the town 
(t Voted to Except the land of 
Calvin Munn and fence the same.” 

Nothing was done about the fence 
during the year and on the 7th of 
Mar. 1791, the town was not satisfied 
with the Munn lot and choose a 
Committee “ to search for a more 
convenient place.” The lot less 
than half a mile north of where the 
old meeting house stood was finally 
selected. 

Gambling and like devices were 
resorted to for the purpose of raising 
money for religious and charitable 
urposes, Churches, roads and 
ridges were built, repairing loss by 
fire and paying the State debt, by 
lottery: clearly showing the tendency 
of the human mind to be lured by 
expectation that something is liable 
to turn up. 

These lotteries were not only 
legalized by towns, but the State 
was concerned in the same demoral- 
izing business. 

Vermont has passed 24 acts, grant- 
ing lotteries for various purposes, 
the first being dated Feb. 27th, 1783, 
and the last one, Nov. 8th, 1804. 
Nov. 8th, 1792, an act was passed 
granting a lottery to raise 150£ for 
building a bridge over Deerfield 
River at Readsboro. 

It was thought that these lotteries 
had a tendency to relieve the burden 
of taxation, while it only changed 
the burden from one class to another 
by bringing the gamblers to the 
front in charitable and religious 
work. 

It is to be presumed that the 
town meetings were legally called, 
but none of the warrants were re- 
corded during the first 14 years. 

The first recorded warrant for a 
town meeting was for the meeting 
held March 3, 1794. The principal 
matter before that meeting was in 
relation to building a meetinghouse. 

Dec. 30, 1794, at a town meeting, 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



692 



Jonathan Hunt received 15 votes 
for member of Congress. 

Persons to whom land was grant- 
ed in Whitingham by authority of 
Vermont, 1780 to ~1796: 1780, 

Silas Hamilton, Thomas Stearns, 
John Butler, James Roberts, Abner 
Moor, James Angel, Charles Dodge, 
Eliphalet Hyde; 1781, Robert Brat- 
ten and seven others, whose names 
are unknown; 1782, Samuel Wells; 
1787, Jonathan Hunt, Arad Hunt; 
1796, Amos Green, Samuel Moulton, 
Thomas Day, Samuel Day, James 
Howard, Seth Howard, Benjamin 
Nelson, Benjamin Blodgett, Benja- 
min Blodgett, Jr., Samuel Nelson, 
Solomon Moulton, Asaph White, 
William Nelson, Thomas Blodgett, 
Abisha Blodgett and Daniel Wal- 
lace. These grants were supposed 
to cover all the unoccupied land in 
the town. 

The liberality of the town in al- 
lowing its citizens to pay their taxes 
in “truck and dicker,” and the rais- 
ing of money by games of chance 
did not turn out to be a complete 
remedy for all the financial ills, and 
numerous farms were sold under the 
hammer. 

May 80, 1798, the town collector, 
Amasa Shumway, held a great sale 
of land in Whitingham to satisfy 
demands for taxes. The exact con- 
dition of these sales does not appear 
to have been recorded. There were 
75 lots sold at a cheap rate; 100 
acres in lot No. 7 for $L.37, and an- 
other lot of 79 acres for 98 cents. 
It would be interesting to know 
whether any of the titles under this 
sale were ever perfected. 

1799. 

The last year of the century was 
the most prosperous the town has 
ever seen. Large numbers were 
added to the population, log huts 
were abandoned and more modern 
houses built. The forests were 
cleared away, roads and bridges 
built, schools established and gen- 
eral thrift pervaded the town. The 
old meeting house was built this 
year, which was a great relief to 



church-goers. This house was made 
free to all denominations, by a vote 
of the town. The population at this 
time was 868. 

WITCHCRAFT. 

What was known as the “Salem 
witchcraft,” 200 years ago lingered 
in the minds of the people more than 
a century. 

Near the close of the last century, 
there lived in the southeast part of 
Whitingham an elderly woman by 
the name of Lamphear, who had the 
reputation of being a witch. 

Julius Clark, a young man who 
lived near Mrs. Lamphear, claimed 
that he was bewitched by her and 
so thoroughly under her influence 
that he was unable to get ofl his bed 
for ten years. When the old lady 
died, he at once recovered and lived 
to old age. 

Another man supposed himself to 
be one of her victims, and would ex- 
ert himself in every possible way to 
avoid her influence. He related 
numerous instances where the spirit 
of this harmless old woman was 
wont to revel among its victims, 
and his sincerity was not to be 
doubted, for he had never been led 
to believe that witchcraft could only 
exist in a distempered mind. 

Whether a belief in witchcraft 
had a tendency to weaken the re- 
ligious sentiment of the people is 
not clear, but about this time objec- 
tion was made to paying taxes for 
the support of a minister who did 
not preach the right doctrine, and 
the town, by vote made the way 
clear for unbelievers as follows : 

I “Voted that all persons who will 
come forward to the selectmen and 
declare that it is against their cop- 
science to pay any sum of money 
for the purpose of hiring preaching, 
that it shall be the duty of the 
selectmen to abate tbeir taxes.” 

Several persons filed a certificate 
for abatement, but I fail to find that 
any action was taken thereon. The 
following may be found in the town 
records : 




WHITINGHAM. 



693 



Whitingham, July 5, 1802. 

“ I do not agree in religious opin- 
ion with the majority of the inhab- 
itants of this town.” 

Caleb Riber.” 

Among the early settlers and 
those prominent in business and 
town affairs, near the close or the 
last century, were Nathan Green, 
J arnes Roberts, J-abez Foster, Amasa 
Shumway, David Eames, James 
Reed, Reuben Lamphear, Francis 
Porter, Amos Green, Calvin Munn, 
Jonathan Hall, Baxter Hall, Reuben 
Brown, Amos Brown, Joshua Cole- 
man, Samuel Day, Ambrose Stone, 
Samuel Parker, David Jillson, Wil- 
liam Goodnow, Jesse Hull, John 
Roberts. Samuel Preston, Isaac 
Chase, Joshua Newell, Abraham 
Chase, Abiather Winn, Levi Boyd, 
Martin Stickney, Abel B. Wilder, 
Eli Higley, Jeremiah Kingsbury, 
Samuel Martin, Hezekiah Murdock, 
Thomas Nelson and many others. 

These men assisted in advancing 
the material prosperity of the town, 
and took special pride in the suc- 
cess of agricultural pursuit in which 
they were all more or less eiigagad. 

The first recorded warrant for a 
town meeting was for the meeting 
held the third of March, 1794. The 
time of this meeting was occupied 
in discussing matters relative to 
building a meeting house. On the 
6th of July, 1795, the town voted : 
“ That they will build a house for 
public worship, 40 feet wide and 50 
feet long, by a majority of 29 against 
eight.” 

This meeting house was framed 
and raised during the summer and 
autumn of 1799, by Levi Conan t of 
Halifax, and was finished off later 
by Justus Hall, also of Halifax. 

Nov. 14, 1803, the town “ Voted 
to raise the money that is necessary 
to purchase the military stores nec- 
essary to supply the town as the law 
directs.” 

“ Voted that the place to deposit 
said stock of ammunition shall be in 
the upper loft of the meeting house 



in a chest to be made at the expense 
of the town for that purpose.” 

This house stood on a hill, in a 
climate far from being mild in win- 
ter, and yet it was used for religious 
purposes and town meetings during 
19 winters before there was any fire 
in it. No chimney was put in when 
the house was built ; but time 
brought its changes, and on the 21et 
day of December, 1818, the town 
voted, “To have a stove and pipe 
erected in the meeting house.” 

When Whitingham celebrated its 
centennial in 1880, the east side of 
this house had been torn away, and 
the speaker’s stand erected close to 
and partly within this open space. 

The oration was delivered h J 
Clark Jillson of Worcester, Mass., a 
native of Whitingham. His re- 
marks in relation to the old meeting 
house were as follows ; 

“Eighty-one years ago to-day, 
this very spot was busy with the 
preparation for the erection of this 
grand old structure ; the inhabitants 
of the town who have permitted the 
mutilation of its walls and allowed 
it to be shorn of its inward beauty — 
its unique pulpit, its square pews, its 
extensive galleries so tastefully dec- 
orated, emblematic of New England 
life 200 years ago — ought to be in- 
dicted for the desecration of the 
altars of their fathers. 

Your modern churches, built to 
gratify the morbid tastes of those 
who worship fixtures more than the 
Deity, lack that spiritual presence 
that every person cannot but feel 
when he enters this consecrated tem- 
ple. It was built by a sturdy race of 
men, living entirely by the labor of 
their own hands, but having brains 
sufficient to admit of a conscience. 
Two of your modern churches have 
had at least a private burial, while 
this ancient building still stands. If 
it had been left unoccupied and un- 
disturbed, it would have outlived 
them all, standing upon this hill a 
monument to the memory of our 
fathers, a memorial of their unflinch- 
ing integrity, their perseverance un- 
der stress of limited means, their 




694 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



unfaltering fidelity to the Christian 
faith, and their willingness to do 
what they thought to be right. 

On the night of the 14th of Octo- 
ber, 1883, this house was cut down 
by some reckless vandal whose soul 
was steeped in the dregs of depravi- 
ty, whose unholy work was too dis- 
graceful to bear the light of day. 

Farewell, dear old landmark of 
our fathers ! Your presence was a 
benediction, your loss will be a per- 
petual sorrow.” 



The amount of credits to the town 
of Whitingham, given to each volun- 
teer who has enlisted and been mus- 
tered into service, the time of actual 
service by each man, dating from 
the time of muster into the service 
to the time he was mustered out, 
discharged or deceased, (not count- 
ing fractions of a month,) together 
with the amount of bounty paid to 
each man by the town, will be seen 
by the following table : 




WHITINGHAM. 



69o> 



NAMES. 


Term of 
Credits 
to Town. 


Time of | 
Actual 
Service. 


Amount 
Town 
Bounties. | 


REMARKS. 




yrs. 


mo. 


yrs. 


mo. 






Aldrich, Francis H, 


3 

*4 




2 


9 






Allard, Henry J. 






5 


$615 




Atherton, John 


3 




1 


6 


300 




Barker, Augustus 


3 




2 


4 






Barnes, Levi N. 


3 




1 


2 


300 




Burke, Frederick 


1 






10 


700 




Barker, Charles A. 




9 




9 


100 




Ballou, George E. 




9 




9 


100 




Ballou, Joseph L. 




9 




9 


100 




Bickford, Aimer in C. 
Bickford, Sylvester 


3 




2 


9 




3 




2 


9 






Bishop, Emerson 


3 




1 


8 




Died in service. 


Bishop, Isaac D. 




9 




9 


100 




Blanchard, Joy N. 


3 




1 


1 




1st Regiment Cavalry. 


Blanchard, George F. 


3 


9 


1 


6 


400 


Killed in battle of Cedar Creek. 


Bray, David 


3 








675 




Briggs, Eli S. 


3 




1 


6 


300 




Brown, Mirvin M. 


3 


9 


2 


3 


400 




Brown, Henry B. 


6 




3 


5 


300 


Re-enlisted. 


Brown, Lansford H, 


3 




1 


3 


800 


Died in service of disease. 


Brown, George F. 


3 








425 


Deserted before muster in. 


Brown, Benjamin P. 


1 






10 


250 




Burrington, Robert 


3 




1 


3 




Discharged for disability. 


Cady, Aaron L. 


3 








300 


Died on the way to Regiment. 


Clark, Zimri 


3 








300 


Died before Co. left Brattleboro. 


Chase, George A. 


3 




2 


11 






Comstock, James II. 


3 






8 




Died in service of disease. 


Conners, John 


3 








675 


Deserted on way to Regiment. 


Cutting, Asa 
Davis, Lewis A. 
Davis, Lysander 


3 




2 


11 




3 

6 




1 

3 


3 

10 


300 


Killed at Fredericksburg. 
Re-enlisted. 


Danforth, Charles 


3 






3 


700 


Killed at Petersburg. 


Dix, Hosea 


3 




1 


1 




Died in service of disease. 


Dole, William E. 




9 




3 


100 


Died in service of disease. 


Eaines, Joseph II. 




9 




9 


100 


Easton, Solomon G. 




9 




9 


100 




Eames, Luther 


6 




3 


10 


300 


Re-enlisted. 


Easton, Chauncy C. 


3 




1 


0 


300 




Edwards, Abiathar P. 


3 




3 








Eddy, George P. 


3 




1 


6 


300 


Re-enlisted from a Mass. Regt. 


Eddy, John A. 


3 




1 


6 


300 


a a £( 


Esty, Henry W. 


1 






10 1 


600 


Resident of Readsboro. 


Fairbanks, Odid C. 




9 




9 


100 




Fairbanks, Edwin 


3 




2 


11 




Resident of Heath, Mass. 


Fairbanks, Freeman A. 


3 






3 


300 


Died in service of disease. 


Freeman, John 


3 ! 






9 


750 




Foster, Gustavus 


"3 1 


1 




6 






Gillett, Henry O. 




9 




9 


100 




Gillett, Elliot F. 




9 




9 


100 




Griffin, Henry W. 




9 




9 


100 




Griffin, Alfred B. 




9 




4 


100 


( Discharged, and died of dis- 


Goodnow, Henry S. 
Graves, Joseph D. 




9 




6 


100 


( ease contracted in service. 


3 




1 


6 


300 


Griffin, Hollis B, 


3 


f 


1 

1 


4 


300 

i 





696 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



NAMES. 


Term of 
Credits 
to Town, 


Time of 
Actual 
Service. 


Amount 

Town 

Bounties, 


I 

REMARKS. 

r 




yrs. 


mo. 


yrs. 


mo. 






Hescock, Ambrose E. 




9 




9 


§100 




Hicks, Merritt G. 


3 




1 


9 




Killed in action at Petersburg. 


Hatch, Elisha P. 


3 




2 


9 






Holbrook, Selah H. 


6 




3 


6 




DT d, ent’d service under draft. 


Holbrook, Rufua C. 


3 






0 




Died of disease in service. 


Howell, Frank A. 1 


3 




2 


1 




Re-enlisted for Wilmington. 


Hull, Horace A, 


3 




1 ! 


6 


BOO 




Jillson, Rinaldo E. 




9 


! 


9 


100 




Jillson, Horace T. 


3 




1 


2 i 




Died in service at Fort Slocum. 


Lambert, Michael 


3 




1 


6 


300 


1 


Lake, Daniel G, 


3 






10 


500 




Langdon, Peter, Jr. 


1 






8 


700 




Larned, Thomas J. 


3 




1 


4 




Reported as deserting. 


Mason, Henry 1 




9 








Never joined Regiment. 


Morse, Frederick N. 




9 




9 


100 




Morley, Elias S. 


6 




3 


7 


300 


1st Reg*t Cavalry, re-enlisted. 


Moore, Charles 


3 






5 


475 


Died in service of disease. 


Murphy, David 


3 




1 


6 


300 




Murphey, Patrick 


3 




1 


6 


300 




Newell, Edward 




9 




9 


100 




Newell, Hiram 




9 




4 


100 


Died in service of disease. 


Newton, Albert E. 


3 




2 


2 




Killed at Chapin’s Farm. 


Neenan, James 


3 






2 


550 


Deserted, 


Nelson, Charles 


S 








475 


Deserted before joining Reg’t, 


Olden, Daniel 


3 






10 


300 


Died in service of disease. 


Parker, Edgar 




9 




9 


100 




Pike, Amos W. 




9 




9 


100 




Pason, James H. 


3 








675 


Deserted, never joined Reg’t. 


Pike, Lewis 


6 




2 


6 


300 


Re-en. died of wounds received. 


Pierce, George H. 


6 




1 


6 


600 


Drafted, paid commutation. 


Ravey, James 


3 




1 




365 


Died in service of disease. 


Reed, Wm. H. 




9 




9 


100 




Reed, Alfred 




9 




9 


100 




Reed, Elmer J. 




9 








Sick, never joined Co. 


Reed, Winslow T. 


3 




1 


6 


300 




Rice, Daniel M. 


3 


9 


l 2 


3 


400 


Enlisted for 9 raos.and Yet. Vol. 


Rice, Charles H. 




9 




4 


100 


Died in service of disease. 


Stetson, Albert C. 




9 




9 


100 




Stanley, George B. 


3 




2 


9 






Stafford, Isaac B. 


3 




1 


2 


300 


Died in service of disease. 


Streeter, Joseph J. 


6 




1 1 


6 


600 


Drafted, paid commutation. 


Sherman, Albert N. 


1 






9 


600 


In 1st Cavalry Regiment. 


Shumway, Chandler C. 


1 






9 


600 


t( u 


Toby, Henry A. 


3 






4 




Discharged for disability. 


Tooiv, David A, 


3 




1 


6 




Died in service of disease. 


Tooly, John H. 


3 




3 




100 


En.for Wil’n, trans.to W’dham. 


Tucker, John B. 


3 










Discharged for disability. 


Warren, Charles 1 


3 






6 






Wilcox, Luman C. 




9 




2 


100 


Died in service of disease. 


Wilcox, John F. 


1 






9 


600 




Wilcox, Zackary T. | 


1 






9 


600 




Wheeler, James W. 


3 




2 


3 




Reported as deserting. 


Wrinkle, Thomas 


3 




1 1 


6 


300 






271 


6 


131 


9 


§24030! 






WHITIN GH AM. 



697 



Of the above list of men that 
were credited to the town of Whit- 
ingham, eighteen were non-residents 
of the town. Four were citizens of 
Massachusetts, one of the town of 
Readsboro, and thirteen were obtain- 
ed from abroad, and their residence 
has not been ascertained. To the 
eighteen non-residents, the town 
paid $9,415 bounty, and to the 
eighty-nine of our own men was paid 
$14,615, averaging $523 and a frac- 
tion over to foreigners, and $164.21 
to our own townsmen. The whole 
amount of credits by men mustered 
into the service is 27l£ years, and the 
time of actual service is 131} years. 
The credits by non-residents is 43 
years, and the actual service 12-J 
years. 

The aggregate amount of bounties 
paid by the town to volunteers, and 
to men furnishing substitutes, is 
$31,030. The expense of procuring 
volunteers, and other incidental ex- 
penses connected with the raising of 
recruits in 1862-3 and 4, cannot be 
less than $1500, making the total 
amount $32,530. 

Besides the list of men credited to 
the town in the foregoing table, 
there are six men credited to Whit- 
ingham whose names are not given. 
They are probably substitutes fur- 
nished by enrolled men, and some at 
least, if "not all, have entered the 
naval service of the United States, 
instead of the army. 

Four men enrolled and liable to 
draft in Whitingham, enlisted in 
other towns. Winchester E. Hol- 
brook enlisted in Hartford, Conn., 
was a prisoner for a long time, and 
came home sick, and died a short 
time after from disease contracted 
in the service. David Jilson enlist- 
ed in a Reg't in Massachusetts. 
James S. Bigelow enlisted in the 
town of Halifax, went into the 8th 
Reg't in the same Company with 
some of our men, and was killed at 
the battle of Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 
'64, David Atherton enlisted in a 
New York Reg% and was in Ander- 
sonville prison some eight months. 

The enrolled men who furnished 



substitutes to the credit of the town 
for three years, are the following; 

Hosea B. Ballou, Joseph I. Chase, 
Royal Chase, Royal S Faulkner, 
Willard Faulkner, Jr,, Eli T. Green, 
Edward L. Roberts, Benj. F. Rob- 
erts, Henry M. Roberts, Albert C. 
Stetson, Norris L. Stetson, George 

N. Upton, George W. Wheeler, 
Ichabod N. Wheeler. 

Each of these men received a 
town bounty of five hundred dollars. 

In July, 1863, sixteen men were 
drafted from the town of Whiting- 
ham, fourteen of whom paid the 
$300 commutation as provided by a 
law of . the United States, and one, 
Charles C. H. Williams, procured a 
substitute, and Selah H. Holbrook 
went into the service under the draft. 
The following are the men who paid 
commutation ; 

Henry S. Blanchard, Alonzo S. 
Bliss, Elliot A. Brown, Russell D. 
Brown, Elisha J. Corking, Charles 
W. Dix, Joseph Dix, Francis W. 
Fairbanks, Levi B. Faulkner, Geo. 
H. Pierce, Henry S. Reed, Charles 

O. Stone, Joseph J. Streeter, Thad- 
deus E. Wheeler. 

Two of those who paid commuta- 
tion, George H. Pierce and Joseph 
J. Streeter, afterwards volunteered 
and went into the service. 

In many instances in this brief 
sketch of the soldiers from Whit- 
ingham, the only available source of 
information was the reports of the 
Adjutant and Inspector General of 
the State, and consequently are not 
so definite as would have been made 
had not my time to collect facte 
been so limited. L. Bbowst. 

Whitingham, Feb. 23, 1867. 



THE CENTRE VILLAGE. 



This village, so long the centre of 
attraction and business interest for 
the whole town, fills a place in the 
history of Whitingham of more im- 
portance than those now on the stage 
of active life would suppose. For 
nearly half a century, during the 
most progressive period, it was the 



698 



VERM OFT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



cherished centre for every section of 
the town. And not only that, but 
the most active, enterprising busi- 
ness place to be found in this sec- 
tion of the county. Both secular 
and religious interests centered here, 
and all classes felt this to be the 
common center of attraction. The 
old church, now ruthlessly destroy- 
ed, was built about the commence- 
ment of the present century, and 
was the pride of the whole town, for 
whose benefit it was erected, and for 
many years from two to four hun- 
dred devout worshippers, in the sum- 
mer season, would assemble within 
its walls, on each returning Sabbath, 
to test their devotion to the reli- 
gious ordinances of that age. 

STORES ANT) MERCHANTS. 

The first store in this immediate 
vicinity, of which we can find any 
account, was built by William ana 
Joseph Goodnow, in 1804 The 
following have been merchants in 
town: John Foys&Adm Thayer, 

Rev. Linus Austin & Asahel Booth, 
Ephriam Smith & George Board- 
man, Emory Greenleaf & Royal 
Houghton, Henry Goodnow, Eli 
Higley, Reuben Mims, Mims & 
Chase. John Joyes and Adin 
Thayer? sold to Rev. Linns Austin 
and Asahel Booth. Austin sold his 
interest to Booth. 

Meantime another store had been 
.started on the lower side of the way, 
near where Henry Goodnow*s dwell- 
ing house now stands. Ephriam 
Smith, who had been keeping a gro- 
cery store over at a place called the 
“Corners,” near the late “Farmers* 
Inst. Go's/’ place of business, moved 
to the centre village, established a 
general store, and did an extensive 
business alone for a few years; and 
afterwards in company with George 
Boardman, under the firm name of 
“Smith & Boardman,” for several 
vears. They were succeeded by 
fernery Greenleaf and Royal Hough- 
ton, who traded on that side of the 
way, in the firm name of “Greenleaf 
& Houghton,” till about 1820. This 
village and the whole town was rap- 



idly gaining in population and 
wealth, and had already become a 
town of no small importance in the 
county and in the State. This was 
when cities and large towns and vil- 
lages had no such magnetic attrac- 
tion for enterprising young men as 
we witness in these mor*e modern 
times. The best native talent was 
retained at home, to guide the public 
interest, and establish institutions 
indispensable to an exalted civiliz- 
ation. 

Greenleaf & Houghton was suc- 
ceeded on the lower side of the way 
by George Boardman; and it was 
there where Henry Goodnow, whose 
career as a merchant and citizen, 
is familiar to most of the people of 
this town, took his first lessons in 
the mercantile business. He work- 
ed as clerk under Boardman till 
about 1833, when he bought out 
Boardman, and was the owner of the 
store and responsible party in trade, 
on that side of the way ever after 
that. He did an extensive and 
profitable business for the next ten 
years, and accumulated a property 
that with prudent management 
would have made him one of the 
most wealthy merchants in this part 
of the State. But his ambition for 
wealth prompted him to invest too 
much in land speculations, and real 
estate securities in Readsboro, and 
other towns, when lands were high, 
and still rising; and this, together 
with some losses in the lumbering 
and mill business in Hartwellville, 
and the extensive litigation in which 
he became involved, used up his spare 
capital, and. the decline in the value 
of real estate, which he held too long 
in hopes of better prices, together 
with the accumulating taxes and 
costs of litigation, which he was 
I compelled to pay, has reduced him 
to a position that 35 years ago would 
have been thought impossible. 

In 1824 or 1825, Eli Higley, long 
a resident and leading citizen of 
Whitingham, and an active, enter- 
prising business man, formed a part- 
nership with Asahel Booth, who was 
trading in the store built by Messrs. 



WHITINGHAM. 



099 



Goodnow, and built a new store and i 
hotel near the old one first built, i 
They did business under the firm < 
name of “ Higley & Booth,” for two 1 
or three years after the completion ] 
of their new store ; then Higley sold i 
out to a Mr. Houghton, and the firm < 
changed to “ Houghton Booth.” 
They did a more extensive business : 
in trade for a few years than any : 
other store ever did in Whitingham. 
They continued trade there till Geo. 
Boardman and Reuben Winn bought < 
them out in 1833. The store was 
then run in the name of “ Boardman 
Sn Winn ” for a year or two, when 
Winn bought Boardman’s interest 
and run the store alone for a short 
time, when he took in Rufus Chase 
as a partner, and the store was run 
in the firm name of “Winn & Chase” 
till Chase died in 1846. 

For nearly half a century before 
this, this hill had been the common 
business centre for the whole town, 
and for many years drew a large 
share of the trade of adjoining towns. 
There was a time when this hill was 
the most central mart for all kinds 
of merchandise known in this part of 
the county. The people all took an 
interest in its progress. A spirit of 
enterprising emulation pervaded all 
classes. The common people were 
of necessity industrious and econom- 
ical in their habits ; the theory of 
living upon other people’s earnings 
had not yet become popular; few, if 
any, in this section of the country 
adopted that course. Manual labor 
was no dishonor to any class of citi- 
zens ; even professional men could 
work on the farm a portion of the 
time without detriment to their pro- 
fessional standing. They duly ap- 
preciated its invigorating effect on 
both their physical and mental pow- 
ers. And the people were bound 
together in fraternal feelings of sym- 
pathy for each other s welfare. “ Ev- 
ery man for himself and the devil 
take the hindmost,” had not become * 
the paramount rule of action. If 
any were unfortunate, the whole 
neighborhood felt it a privilege, as 
well as a duty, to render charitable 



assistance. At that age the people 
not only of this town, but of all 
other towns in this part of the State, 
were a hardy, industrious, self-re- 
liant race of people, depending en- 
tirely upon their own labor and their 
own resources for the support of 
themselves and their families. Farm- 
ing was the almost exclusive bus- 
iness of the whole town, and the 
products of the soil and the growth 
of stock on the farm afforded a lib- 
eral surplus annually to most of the 
inhabitants. Farming paid then, as 
well as other pursuits. Dairying 
business was then profitable, and al- 
most every farmer was, to a greater 
or less extent, engaged in it. From 
five to 20 cows might be seen in 
every farmer’s yard, besides a good 
flock of sheep and other stock ; me- 
chanics and laborers were under no 
necessity of sending to city markets 
for the necessaries of life ; the neigh- 
boring farmers had an ample supply 
of the finest quality. 

The sound of the woodman’s axe 
and the noise of the flail gave as 
much satisfaction half a century ago 
as the hum of machinery at the pres- 
ent time. So, too, the noise of the 
shuttle and the music of the spin- 
ning wheel, were cherished with as 
much delight by the ladies of that 
age, as that of the organ and piano 
of to-day. We cannot too greatly 
revere the memory of our fathers 
and mothers for their noble home 
virtues and the lessons of economy 
they taught us ; their industrious 
and persevering energy, and the 
graceful course they pursued in the 
culture of domestic economy and the 
arts of civilization, in this then al- 
most wilderness town. We of the 
present time can have hut limited 
conceptions of the hardships and 
privations they cheerfully endured 
for the benefit of their posterity, and 
to found such institutions for human 
society as tend to an enlightened 
and progressive organization. May 
the successive generations ever 
be grateful for their exemplary 
wisdom in laying the found- 
ations of social and progressive ele- 



700 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ments of the highest form of civiliz- 
ation in an undeveloped and grow- 
ing township. 

But to return to our narrative of 
the centre village. While this 
place remained the common centre 
of the whole town, the store and 
hotel had ail the business they could 
attend to, and scarce a day passed 
in the winter, when the weather was 
favorable, but that from ten to 
twenty-five teams might be seen 
there during the business hours of 
the day. It was no uncommon oc- 
currence to have an hundred tierces 
of lime bought and sold in a single 
day. Mechanics too, of every occu- 
pation, were kept constantly busy to 
supply the wants of the farming 
classes, then more than twice as 
numerous as now. This was the 
most progressive and prosperous 
days of the town; from 1815 to 1835. 
As early as 1838, the trade and busi- 
ness of this long cherished centre 
began to decline. Jacksonville be- 
gan to he a place of some impor- 
tance, and drew quite a share of the 
business from this common centre. 
About that time, Cyrus , and Mat- 
uren Ballou conceived the idea of 
starting a store to be called the 
^Farmers Interest Co. ?> of which 
we shall give a more definite account 
hereafter. 

In former times, when this hill 
was the common centre of attrac- 
tion, on every public day the 
village would be thronged with 
people from every section of the 
town, — for the double purpose of 
conferring with each other upon 
social and business matters, and 
having a good time generally. Not 
the least enjoyable of these holiday 
gatherings for all classes, old and 
young alike, was “June Training 
Day /’ when almost the entire town 
would assemble; the young men for 
a jolly game of ball, and other 
athletic sports common in those 
days, arid the old men to relate the 
news of the day, and enjoy a social 
chat over their glass of toddy and 
lemon punch, of which at that time 
it was no dishonor to partake. 



On one of these training days, the 
boys as usual had taken their posi- 
tion on the public common for a 
game of ball, and when they had 
got nicely started in their game, the 
Captain of the militia company, feel- 
ing perhaps a little too proud of his 
authority, marched his men directly 
on to the grounds they occupied evi- 
dently with a view of routing and 
driving them off. The boys, in the 
true spirit of ^young America/’ 
loudly protested against such inva- 
sion of their supposed rights, but 
finally, with generous magnanimity 
yielded to the Captain, and took a 
position in the highway a little be- 
low- The Captain, elated with his 
success in routing the boys, after 
drilling his company a short time, 
marched them back into the high- 
way, formed them into platoons 
with fixed bayonets, for the purpose 
of marching them down the road 
directly over the boys’ new quarters. 
But this time they were determined 
to resist such unwarrantable en- 
croachments of their rights. And 
as the Captain approached with his 
platoons covering the entire width 
of the highway, Jonas Brown, a tall, 
bony, athletic fellow ( but having a 
bad impediment of speech,) stationed 
himself in the center of the high- 
way, ball club in hand, with his 
comrades on his left, and as the 
platoons approached, straightened 
himself up at full length, stamping 
his foot upon the ground, as if to 
give force to his order, exclaimed 
“Hah, hah, half the road!” 

The Captain, paying no attention 
to his order, marched his men with 
their bayonets covering the whole 
road, intending to scare the boys off; 
but when they came within reach, 
they unceremoniously knocked the 
bayonets right and left with their ball 
clubs, and some of the soldiers were 
seen gathering themselves up from 
the ground amid the shouts and 
cheers of the crowd. The Captain, 
seeing the determination of the 
hoys, and by the shouts and cheers 
of lookers on, finding their sympa- 
thies were with them, retreated in 




WHITINGHAM. 



701 



disorder. Chagrined at the defeat 
of his military prowess in routing 
the boys, he dispatched an orderly 
to the office of the local laywer, 
John E. Butler, with his complaint, 
and for a warrant to arrest the ball 
players, for breach of peace, assault 
and battery, etc. But he was still 
more stumped, when his messenger 
returned with the opinion of the 
lawyer, that in view of the circum- 
stances, he was the aggressor — that 
the boys had equally as good right 
to the public common, or highway, 
with their ball clubs, as he had with 
his bayonets. And finally the 
Captain, with his men, peaceably 
withdrew to another place to drill, 
a wiser, if not a better man. 

CHURCH HISTORY. 

Although the Methodist church 
organization has never been the] 
leading religious denomination in 
the town of Whitingham, since the 
Baptist church was formed, in 1808, 
it undoubtedly held precedence of 
any other religious organization. 

From the published proceedings 
of the Vermont Methodist State 
Convention, held at Montpelier, 
September 20th and 21st, 1870, and 
the historical statistics therein re- 
corded, we find that the Whiting- 
ham Circuit was one of the three 
first formed in the State. 

We give here the names of the 
Methodist ministers that have 
preached in Whitingham, under 
the direction of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Annual Conference: In 1799, 

Peter Vannest; in 1800, Michael 
Coats, Joseph Michell; in 1801, 
Daniel Bromley; in 1802, Elijah 
Ward, Asa Kent; in 1803, Phineas 
Peck, Caleb Dustin; in 1804, John 
Tinkham; in 1805, Ebenezer Fair- 
banks, David Goodhue; in 1806, 
Laban Clark; in 1807, Andrew 
McKain, Major Curtis; in 1808, 
Reuben Harris, CyprainH. Gridley; 
in 1809, and 1810, Samuel Cochran; 
in 1811, Reuben Harris, Cyrus 
Culver; in 1812, Cyrus Culver, John 
Reynolds; in 1813, Andrew McKain, 
Stephen Richmond; in 1814, Gil- 



bert Lyon, DanielBreyton; in 1815, 
David J. Wright, Phineas Dean; in 
1816, Samuel Eighmey, Sherman 
Minor. The minutes and records 
show no preacher sent to Whiting- 
ham, by the Methodist Annual Con- 
ference, from 1815 to 1843. 

The Rev. Asa Kent, who was sent 
here in 1802, relates an incident, in 
one of their meetings in Whitingham, 
as given in the record of the Ver- 
mont Methodist State Convention at 
Montpelier, in September, 1870. 
In the early history of the Methodist 
denomination in Whitingham, Rev. 
Mr. Kent is quoted as saying: “One 
important office at that day, was the 
Tithingman, who, armed with a 
long rod, at once weapon and staff 
of office, presided over the Sabbath 
congregation, with full power 
to remind unwary hearers by a 
thrust from his wand, of any undue 
disposition to sleep, or other indis- 
cretion/' 

In 1843, the Whitingham Circuit 
was revived, and the Annual Con- 
ference took measures to supply the 
people with preaching. The Rev. 
John L. Smith was assigned the pas- 
torate for that year. The records 
shows no preacher sent to this town, 
from that time, till 1849, when the 
Rev. Mr. Smith was again sent 
here, and preached in 1849 and 1850. 
In 1852, John Tylor; in 1858, Moses 
Spencer; in 1859, Michael R. Chase; 
in 1860 and 1861, Zenas Kingsbury; 
in 1865 and 1866, John S. Little; 
from 1867 to 1872, Hubbard East- 
man; in 1873, J. H. Gaylord; in 
1874, E. H. Bartlett; in 1875, Hub- 
bard Eastman; in 1877, 78 and 79, 
R. B. Fay; in 1880, F. T. Lovett; in 
1881 and 1882, J. Hamilton. 

The Methodists have never since 
the organization of the Baptist 
church, in 1808, been the leading 
religious denomination in the town 
of Whitingham. Although they 
have ostensibly built two churches, 
one at the village of Sadawga, in 
1861, and one at Jacksonville, both 
were built mostly by subscriptions 
from the local inhabitants, outside 
the Methodist church or society. 




VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



702 



FORMATION OF THE BAPTIST 
CHURCH. 

The Baptist was the first perma- 
nent church organization establish- 
ed in this town. It was organized 
in 1808, and its records have been 
very well kept to the present time. 
We give an account of its formation 
as shown by the records. 

“At Whitingham, Sept. 8, 1808, 
a number of the Baptist brethren 
met according to previous appoint- 
ment, opened our meeting by prayer, 
then proceeded to consider the du- 
ties we owe to each other, and of 
the local distance of sister churches. 
After these serious considerations, 
we mutually agreed to form ourselves 
into a church, if thought expedient 
by council; proceeded to choose 
Walter Eames to serve as Glerk, and 
agreed to send to four Baptist 
-churches to assist in imbodying said 
church, viz. : First Guilford, First 

Coleraine, Heath and Halifax. 

These brethren, after due consul- 
tation, finally fixed the 18th day of 
October next as the time to call the 
council for the purpose indicated, 
and adjourned their meeting to that 
date. And on the 18th day of Oc- 
tober, 1808, the council met at the 
meeting-house in Whitingham Cen- 
tre, according to the previous request 
of these brethren, consisting of the 
four churches above named, by their 
Pastors and delegates, and after 
solemn prayer to God for direction, 
proceeded to examine the articles of 
faith and covenant presented by the 
brethren present, and voted to ac- 
cept them. The brethren and sis- 
ters that assented to them, and sub- 
scribed their names, were as follows: 

BROTHERS. 

Josiah Brown, William Franklin, 
Joseph Olden, James Warren, 
Joseph Stone, Walter Eames, Jonas 
Brown, James Carpenter, Joseph 
Brown, Joel B. Eames. 

SISTERS. 

Milicent Brown, Sarah Franklin, 
Leah Olden, Susanna Howe, Lucy 



Tar bell, Katharine Eames, Lois 
Brown, Esther Eames, Dorcas Sabin, 
Oliye Eames, Esther Eames, 2d. 

At a meeting in September of that 
year, the church being desirous to 
join the association then called the 
“ Leyden Association/* requested 
their Pastor, Rev. Mr. Spaulding, to 
draft a letter to the association set- 
ting forth their request. They also 
voted to call a council to ordain Rev, 
Mr. Spaulding; he remained two 
years. 

For the next four or five years 
this church had no settled minister 
but was supplied with preaching 
most of the time, by different minis- 
ters from Coleraine, Heath, Wil- 
mington and Halifax. In 1816, 
Rev. Linus Austin, came here and 
commenced preaching on the 12th 
day of December, it w r as decided to 
give him a call, and he became pas- 
tor of the church. 

At a church meeting January 23, 
1819, a unanimous vote of satisfac- 
tion with the labors of Elder Austin 
was passed, and the same meeting 
voted to pay him one hundred dol- 
lars yearly, for his labors. The 
church continued to gain in num- 
bers, by the untiring labors of their 
pastor, and the more active members 
of bis charge. 

In 1824, the church contained 61 
members, 28 brothers and 33 sisters. 
At a meeting October 7, 1824, the 
records show a withdrawal of fellow- 
ship with Samuel Tyler, and during 
the previous year three ^ere dis- 
missed from the church, two died, 
and two were added, leaving the 
whole number at that date, 60. The 
next annual report shows one dis- 
missed, leaving 59. 

In January 1826, Elder Paul 
Hines, and his wife Sally Hines, 
were taken into the church by letter 
from the Chesterfield Church, and 
in March following, he was employ- 
ed to preach three-fourths of the 
Sabbaths, Rev. Linus Austin having 
resigned his pastorate. Rev. Paul 
Hines continued his labors as Minis- 
ter during that year. 

On the 4+b day of Dec. 1827, 



WHITINGHAM. 



703 



Rev. Amherst Lamb, and his wife, 
were received by letter from the 
church of Guilford. He was soon 
after installed as Pastor of the Bap- 
tist Church in Whitingham, where 
he remained a long time, and per- 
formed. the greatest part of his 
clerical labors. 

In 1833, the Baptist meeting 
house iri the centre village on the 
hill was built, with but little funds 
from outside the church. We find 
no record of the time it was dedi- 
cated, but it was in the fall, or early 
winter of that year. 

June 1, 1839, Foster Hartwell was 
accepted as pastor. 

May 11, 1845, Rev. Amherst 

Lamb came back from Oharlemont, 
and again labored with the church. 
For the next ten years there were 
no very notable changes in the con- 
dition and progress of this church; 
it still continued to be the leading 
church in town. 

In October, 1857, Rev. Erastus 
A. Briggs came from Hinsdale, E”. 
H., preached to the church till Jan- 
uary, 1858, when he was ordained, 
and became pastor of the church, 
with which he faithfully labored till 
his death, June 4, 1861, He was a 
sincere and beloved pastor. 

Rev. Thomas Wrinkle came to 
this church, was called by the 
brethren Sept. 9, 1861, from the 
Baptist church in Colebrook, Conn., 
and was installed as pastor of this 
church. He officiated as pastor of 
the church till he was mustered into 
the army, Jan, 5, 1864. He served 
in the army about a year and a half, 
when he got a discharge and came 
home. And on the 31st of March, 
1865, letters of dismissal were grant- 
ed by the church to him and his 
family, and a letter of recommenda- 
tion as minister of the Gospel was 
given to him to the Baptist church 
m Bernardston, or any other church 
of the same faith and order. And 
in June of the same year, letters of 
dismissal were given to James War- 
ren, and Linus A. Warren, and 
their wives Philena and Sophrona 
Warren, and letters of recommenda- 



tion to the Baptist church at Shel- 
burne Falls, Mass. Henry Dodds 
and family also had letters of dis- 
missal and recommendation given at 
the same time. 

April 3, 1866, Rev. P. T, Briggs 
was next pastor. 

At a communion service, Jan. 5, 
1878, the church extended the hand 
of full fellowship to Deacon Aldis 
Brown, from whom such fellowship 
had been withheld for some time. 

June 1, 1870, Rev. S. P. Bennett 
was ordained by council. He and 
Rev, E. D. Wilcox supplied the 
church with preaching till June, 
1872, when Rev, W. D, Hall from 
Springfield, Yt., commenced his 
labors with the church as pastor. 
He was ordained June 12, 1873, and 
continued to preach till Oct. 25, 

1874, at which time he closed his 
labors with the church. The church 
next employed the Rev. Mr. Woos- 
ter as a supply, and he occupied 
the desk from Feb. 1, till March 7, 

1875. - 

June 20, 1875, Rev. J, G. Bennett 
was employed, and commenced his 
labors with the church. In Octo- 
ber, 1876, Rev, Mr, Bennett re- 
signed. Rev. E. D. W T ilcox then 
came as a supply, and he and Rev. 
Jacob Davis supplied till the last of 
March, 1877. 

The Rev, L. Tandy was their next 
minister. He came April, 1877, 
and commenced his labor as pastor 
May 13, 1877. He closed his labors 
as pastor May 4, 1879, Rev. Origen 
Smith was called June 1, 1879, and 
labored with them to the time of his 
death, Dec. 21, 1884. 

Since the death of Rev. Origen 
Smith, the Rev. Mr. Oolesworth has 
been the pastor, 

UNI VERSA LIST SOCIETY. 

We find no record of any society 
or organization of Universalists in 
Whitingham till Jan, 1, 1817. 

On the 15th day of March, 1817, 
a meeting was held to see if they 
would employ Rev. Hosea Ballou to 
I preach the Gospel, any part of the 
| ensuing year. 



7G4 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



The meeting was then adjourned to 
Sept, 6, 1817, at which time it w T as 
“Voted to request the General Con- 
vention to receive this society into 
the fellowship of said convention, 
and Messrs. Waste and Whitney be 
a committee to prepare a request.” 

From this time forward, for the 
next fifteen years, this society kept 
up its organization ; annually elect- 
ing its proper officers and supported 
preaching more or less each year. 
And after Rev. Hosea F. Ballou 
came to this town in 1833, he was 
the regular minister of the Univer- 
salist denomination while he Jived in 
town. 

At an adjourned meeting h olden 
January 28, 1850, it was voted to 
build a meeting-house. According- 
ly they chose a building committee 
of three to contract for and super- 
intend the building of said house. 
James Roberts, David Jillson, and 
Leonard Brown were chosen for said 
committee. 

The house was built in the sum- 
mer of 1850, and on its completion 
and acceptance by said committee, 
the pews, were mostly sold, and the 
avails applied to cancel the debt. It 
was dedicated in the early part of 
the winter of 1850 and *51, and Rev, 
Hosea F. Ballou was employed to 
preach one-half the time for the 
next four or fivo years. 

On the 13th day of May, 1851, at a 
special meeting of the society, an 
arrangement was made with Parley 
Starr, David Jillson, and Martin 
Brown, to take the unsold pews, and 
for that consideration to discharge 
all indebtedness of the society for 



building the meeting-house. On 
the 28th of December, 1856, Rev. 
H. F. Ballou tendered his resigna- 
tion, It was accepted, and he spent 
the rest of his life, in Wilmington. 

Rev. Jeremiah Gifford preached 
one-half the time after April 1st, 
1857, till March, 1862. 

N. C. Hodgden commenced his 
labors as pastor, June, 1862, preached 
three years; since that time there 
has been no settled minister, but 
Rev. Jeremiah Gifford has preached 
to the society most of the time. 
The Universalist society has been 
the leading religious organization 
in the village of Jacksonville, 
ever since its fromation in 1849. 
Present Pastor, E. W. Pierce. 

BBBE-WILL BAPTISTS. 

In 1830, a meeting of a number 
of the inhabitants of the northeast 
part of the town was held, and they 
formed themselves into a church by 
the name of the “Free-Will Baptist 
Church.” 

In the summer of 1831, a meeting- 
house was built, and public worship 
was held therein for the next ten 
years. The ministers that preached 
in that church during that time, 
were Rev. Daniel Leonard, Calvin 
Buckland, Jacob Oouliard, Russell 
Barrett, and Peter S. Gates. Calvin 
Buckland, and Peter S. Gates were 
for a long time residents of Whit- 
ingham, but they afterward removed 
to Halifax, where they died. 

This church and soeiety have been 
annihilated, their house of worship 
demolished, and not a vestige is left 
to mark the place where it stood. 



whitingham. 



705 



JACKSONVILLE. 



JACKSONVILLE. 

This village, now the most im- 
portant business centre in the town 
of Whitingham, is situated in the 
northeastern part of the town, on 
the banks of North River. It is a 
narrow gorge between the abruptly 
rising hills on the east, and the more 
gradual slopes from the centre ridge 
on the west. The fall of the river is 
rapid in this locality, and affords 
many good sights for water power 
mills, and manufacturing establish- , 
ments. It is a thriving village of 
about 760 inhabitants. Contains 
two churches, an excellent school- 
house, with two school-rooms, and a 
large village hall for public purposes, 
lectures, concerts, exhibitions at 
agricultural fairs, town meetings, 
etc., etc. There are two stores, one 
hotel, two saw-mills, one grist-mill, 
sash and door shop, carriage shop, 
two blacksmith shops, an establish- 
ment for manufacturing apple jelly, 
three shops for manufacturing but- 
ter boxes and tubs, besides a tin shop 
and several other industries in the 
line of manufacturing different kinds 
of goods. 

EIBST SETTLEMENTS. 

The earliest trace we can get of 
any settlement in this place, was 
about 1808. There were then three 
families living in this vicinity: a 
Mr. Patrick Peebles, living on, or 
near the place where Josiah French 
now lives, ran a grist-mill then own- 



ed by CoL Isaac Martin. Obed Fos- 
ter lived on a place later known as 
the “ Burn’s place,” the house stand- 
ing a little hack from Dea, L. A. 
Warren’s barn. And a man by the 
name of Brown, lived near where 
Albert C. Stetson’s house now 
stands. 

People settled here for a per- 
manent residence, as fast as houses 
could be built or tenements procured. 
It gained so rapidly for two or three 
years, that some wag in the centre 
village of the town gave it the name 
of “New Boston.” 

Laban J. Childs from Wilming- 
ton, came here about 1838, and kept 
a grocery store in connection with 
Charles Foster, near the site of the 
drug store. Mr. Childs soon built a 
new store and dwelling house. Mr. 
Childs and his brother Adin T. 
Childs, went into trade on an ex- 
tensive scale. 

About 1838, Capt. Elias Stone 
went into company with Willard 
Foster, in the lumber and turning 
business. They did a large business 
in that line for several years, that 
added materially to the growing im- 
portance of the place. But Parley 
Starr and Martin Brown were at 
that time the two central figures in 
business. 

This village had become of ac- 
knowledged importance as a busi- 
ness centre in the town of Whiting- 
ham, as early as 1841 and gained 
very rapidly for the next decade. 




m 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



David Jillson, Jr,, long a noted 
citizen of Whiting ham, left his old 
farm on the “ Streeter hill ” in the 
spring of 1846, and came to this vil- 
lage and bought the place that Dr, 
Wilcox had bought and began to 
build a house upon the fall before 
his death. He was a prominent and 
worthy citizen, a man of ample 
means, a leading citizen in town 
affairs and represented the town in 
the General Assembly. 

In 1850, Amos A, Brown and his 
father, Amos Brown, left the old 
farm that the old gentleman had 
lived on for nearly half a century, 
came to this village, built a house, 
and made this their residence the 
remainder of their lives. Amos A, 
was for a long time deputy sheriff. 
He was a man of keen sensibilities, 
but took affectionate care of his 
father and mother in their old age, 
careful to provide for all their 
’wants. His health failed when he 
was in the prime of life; hs died 
the 2d day of January, 1869, aged 
52. His father and mother both 
lived to old age, 

Norris L, Stetson, so long known 
as a merchant hi Jacksonville, was 
a native of Wilmington, came here 
in 1850. In 1867, ‘he built the new 
store that he now occupies. In 
1870, Wells P, Jones, a native of 
Dover, came to this village and 
went into partnership with him, 
and the business was carried on by 
Stetson & Jones for 13 years, N. L. 
Stetson has been the leading mer- 
chant in Jacksonville, and a leading 
and influential man in social and 
business circles ; not only in this 
village, but throughout the entire 
town as well. Has been postmaster 
in Jacksonville for 20 years past; 
was town treasurer and trustee of 
the public school fund for many 
years, and represented the town in 
the General Assembly in 1867 and 
1868, 

E. L. Roberts, a native of Whit- 
ingham, established a store in the 
upper part of the village, opposite 
the store lately occupied by M. W. 



Btickney, where he carried on the 
clothing business in connection with 
his general merchandise. He was 
an active, persevering business man, 
and after he left the store was dep- 
uty sheriff, and one of the select- 
men of the town for several years. 
He went from this town to Proctors- 
ville, in the county of Windsor, 
bought a store and went into trade 
there a few years, but left there and 
went to Winchester, N. H., where 
he now is. 

In 1867, Parley Starr built the 
store where M. W. Stickney lately 
traded. 

The business of E. J. Corkinsand 
the Holbrooks is of no small im- 
portance to this place ; although 
they do not live in the immediate 
village, their business affairs all cen- 
tre here, and their freighting and 
trade is all done here. And they 
are really a part of the inhabitants 
of Jacksonville* 

Parley Starr has done more for 
this village, by way of donations or 
voluntary contributions, than any 
other, and perhaps more than all 
other men living. 

The businss interests of Jackson- 
ville at the present time consists of 
three stores, and one hotel; E. E. 
Putnam’s saw-mill and box factory; 
Porter’s grist and saw-mill, in con- 
nection with their box business; 
Stetson Brothers’ saw-mill and box 
shop, cider-mill and apple jelly 
works' the sash, door, and under- 
taker’s shop of Leonard Brown, 
blacksmith, harness, and carriage- 
makers’ shops in the immediate 
village, and the saw-mill and chair- 
stock shop of E, J. Corkins a mile 
below, make Jacksonville one of the 
most productive villages of its size, 
in southern Vermont. 

POST OFFICES AND FOSTMASTEKS, 

The following is a list of the 
postmasters, with the date of their 
appointment, in each of the post- 
offices in the town of Whitingham: 




WHITINGHAM. 



707 



WHITINGHAM. 

Names of P. M. Date of Appointment, 

Adin Thayer October 26, 1816 

Lenus Austin August 31, 1820 

Royal Houghton May 25, 1826 

Elliot Brown. March 13, 1827 

Horace Roberts.. August 8, 1829 

John E. Butler January 3, 1888 

Nathan L. Butler .February 16, 1843 

Reuben Winn May 28, 1850 

Henry Goodnow ___ .August 27, 1853 

Thomas Wrinkle January 7, 1862 

Newell B. Hall.. .December 3, 1863 

Nehemiah Sprague. .... October 26, 1864 

Joel Wilcox .... March 20, 1867 

Russell A. Stafford May 6, 1869 

Henry 8. Goodnow .....June 7, 1870 

Reuben Winn... June 15, 1874 

Discontinued -_Feb. 20, 1882 

POINT PLEASANT* 

Saxton Plumb April 10, 1826 

James Roberts November 19, 1831 

Changed to Jacksonville — Nov, 4, 1834 

JACKSONVILLE. 

Saxton Plum November 4, 1834 

David D. Wilcox March 14, 1839 

Laban J. Childs January 24, 1845 

Adin T. .Childs ....July 29, 1845 

P. H, Sumner June 21, 1847 

Norris L* Stetson October 22, 1851 

Martin Brown June 27, 1854 

George D. Foster _____ January 15, 1858 

Ira Stafford August 20, 1856 

Paul H. Cud worth. ..April 15, 1857 

Edward L, Roberts February 28, 1860 

Norris L. Stetson.. „ Februray 20, 1865 

Albert C, Stetson. October 25, 1867 

Norris L* Stetson March 28, 1870 

Herbert G. Porter .December 21, 1885 

8ADAWGA. 

George W, Chase December 31, 1861 

Eli T. Green ____July 26, 1865 

Chas. T, Murdock. .. .November 30, 1865 

Samuel B. Pike j, March 26, 1866 

Cyrus Temple .... March 25, 1868 

Hosea W. Brigham December 9, 1872 

II. C. Millington .December 16, 1878 

Ch’d to Whitingham. _ February 23, 1882 

WHITTING II AM. 

*George S. Goodnow. .February 23, 1882 
*Was not commissioned. 

Horatio N, Hix March 31, 1882 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF 
IMPORTANT FAMILIES. 

GREEN FAMILY, 

Nathan and Amos Green were 
amongst the earliest settlers of the 
town of Whitingham. Their names 



appear in the early records as prom- 
inent men in the public affairs of 
the town. They came from Hamp- 
den County, Mass. ; their father* 
Roberts Green, settled in that coun- 
ty in 1743, He married Sarah Rog- 
ers, Oct. 11th, 1744 ; purchased a 
tract of land and established a home 
in the western part of the town of 
Wales ; and the present line between 
Wale% and Munson runs through 
the old farm where he first settled. 

Nathan and Amos were born in 
Wales ; Nathan, the 28th day of 
March, 1756, but the records of the 
town of Wales do not show the date 
of the birth of Amos, He was 
younger than Nathan, married Mary 
Nelson, and removed to Whiting- 
ham, Vt., when the town was almost 
an unbroken forest, procured a large 
tract of land about the centre of the 
town ; and later he deeded to the 
town, the ten acres of land called 
“The Common,” for public pur- 
poses; and also a lot for the burying 

f round, north of the centre village, 
[is name appears in the first Grand 
List that the records show taken in 
town 1781 ; he was chosen Town 
Clerk the second year of the town's 
organized existanee, and constantly 
held some of the important offices in 
town while he remained in Waiting- 
ham ; about fifteen years* He had 
four children by his first wife, all 
born in Whitingham, where she 
died. He then returned to Wales* 
and married two other wives. 

Nathan Green, the common ances- 
tor of the Green families in Whiting- 
ham, married Sarah Shields, May 
10th, 1780, and immediately remov- 
ed from his native town to Whit- 
ingham, Vt. He, with his wife* 
were amongst the pioneer settlers of 
this new township ; they came when 
it was nearly all the w*ay from Green- 
field an entire wilderness* and were 
obliged to travel on foot or horse- 
back. 

His family consisted of eleven 
children, five sons and six daugh- 
ters, all born on the farm where he 
first settled. Most of them settled 
and spent the principal part of their 




708 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



lives in their native town. Their 
names and the date of their births 
were as follows : 

Hannah Green* born January 31, 
1781, married Lincoln Hall* went to 
Pennsylvania. 

Alfred Green* born November 11* 
1783* married Clarissa Smith of Hal- 
ifax, Vermont. 

Rhoda Green, b. July 12,1785 ; 
Lydia Green* b. April 17, 1787 ; Pol- 
ly Green* b. June 21* 1789 *• Anna 
Green* b. October 21* 1791 ; Nathan 
Green* Jr. b. December 3* 1793 ; 
Twins, b. March 17* 1795; Daniel 
Green* b. December 18, 1796 ; Sally 
Green* b. March 3, 1799. 

Nathan Green* died at his home 
Sunday* March 6, 1838. 

Sarah (Shields) Green* died May* 
—1843. 

Hannah Green married Lincoln 
Hall, left Whitingham and went 
to Pennsylvania. 

Alfred Green, bought lands off the 
southwest part of his father’s original 
purchase, and established a home, 
where he and his wife spent their 
long and useful lives, and where they 
both died. He was one of the most 
notable men of Whitingham; d, July 
19, 1873. His wife d. June 21* 
1868. 

Their family consisted of four 
sons* and three daughters* viz: Eli 
Green* b. Oct. 9* 1812* m. Elvira 
Dix of Whitingham, Jan. 5* 1835. 
Alfred Green, Jr., b. Aug. 7*1814, m. 
first, Gratia Carley of Whitingham, 
Aug. 27, 1837. She d. July 14, 

1843. He m. for a second wife, 
Mrs. Clarinda Murdock, Jan. 16, 

1844. 

Reuben Green, b. Feb. 18, 1817; 
m. first Lydia Waste of Whitingham, 
Oct. 30, 1842, 

Polly Green, b, Feb. 2, 1819; m. 
first, Jonathan Carley of Whiting- 
ham, Sept. 5, 1837; she m. second 
Luther Gale. 

Asa Green, b. Oct. 6, 1821; m. 
Juliana Wheeler of Whitingham, 
April 19, 1849. 

Miranda Green, b. Nov. 11, 1824; 
m. S. D. Faulkner of Whitingham, 
Nov, 11, 1845. 



Clarissa Green, b. Dec, 18* 1833; 
m, D. B, Flint* Jan. 12, 1853. 

Rhoda Green* m. David Hosley* 
Jr.* Dec, 4* 1805; she d. July 26* 
1806. David Hosley* Jr., then m. 
Lydia Green, April 14, 1807. They 
had a family of eight children, four 
sons and four daughters. 

Susan Hosley, b. April 8* 1809; 
m. Horace Allard, April 3, 1841. 

Alexis C. Hosley* b. Oct. 13, 1810; 
m, Eliza Robertson* Feb. 24* 1834. 

Alonzo D. Hosley* b. Mar. 13, 
1813; d, July 26, 1815. 

Rhoda Hosley, b, Oct. 16* 1814; 
d, 1872. 

Fernando C. Hosley, b, June 4. 
1816; d. 1863. 

Joel G. Hosley* b. Oct, 13, 1820; 
d. Jan, 1* 1837. 

Matilda Hosley* b. Sept. 2, 1824; 
d, March 7, 1846, 

Calista Hosley* b. June 25* 1830; 
d. 1860. 

David Hosley* Jr.* lived in Whit- 
ingham till about 1837* iyhen he 
went to Charlemont, Mass, and d. 
Nov, 13* 1847; Lydia (Green) Hos- 
ley, d. Dec, 3, 1864. 

Anna Green, b. Aug. 21* 1791* m, 
Abner Kingsbury in 1811. 

Children : Lncetta, b. April 13* 

1813; George, b. Feb. 9, 1815, 

Hannah, b. Dec. 14* 1818; d. Aug, 
20* 1854, 

Nathan Green* b. March 20, 1820; 
<L in Illinois. 

Uriah, b. May 2* 1822. 

Elliott* b. Feb. 18* 1824. 

Abner Kingsbury* d. in Illinois, 

Anna (Green) Kingsbury* d, June 
10* 1847. 

Nathan Green* Jr.* b. Dec. 3* 
1793; m. Lydia Lesure* June 20* 
1816. 

Children: Jane Green* b. Dec. 
31* 1821; m. John P. Dix of Whit- 
ingham, April 14* 1839. 

Linus Green* b. June 9, 1825; m. 
Martha Raymond* Feb. 3, 1863. 

George Green* b. March 27, 1827; 
m. Mary P. Bower* Jan. 25* 1854. 

Susan Green, b. March 22* 1829; 
m. Bradford L. Bowen* Jan. 23, 
1853. 




W IIITIN GUAM. 



709 



Jane (Mrs. Dix) settled in this 
town, d. at her home April 12, 1860. 

Nathan Green, Jr., d, *Nov. 30, 
1837. 

Lydia (Lesure) Green, d. Feb. 24, 

1863. 

Daniel Green, b. Dec. 18, 1796; 
m. Mary Parker, Jan. 13, 1820. Set- 
tled on the farm known as The 
Elder Ballou place,” 1834; removed 
in Sept, to Brownhelm, Lorain 
County, Ohio. 

Children: Mary Ann, b, March 
4, 1821, d. in Brownhelm, Sept. 29, 
1835. 

Freeman, b. April 26, 1822; m. 
Lucy M. Bristle, May 2, 1843. 

Sophrona, b. April 3, 1828, m. 
Horace Peasley, April 3, 1848. 

Alfred D., b. Sept. 25, 1829, d. 
Aug. 24, 1831. 

Fannie S., b. May 29, 1831, d. 
May 2, 1832. 

Daniel Green, d. in Ohio, Oct. 9, 
1849 

Mary (Parker) Green, d. in Ohio. 
Sally Green, b. March 3, 1799, m. 
Enoch R. Bowen, Nov. 14, 1819. 
They spent most of their lives in 
Whitingham. Children : 

Alfred, b. Oct. 14, 1820. 

Daldana, b. April 30, 1822. 
Diantha L., b. Feb. 8, 1824. 
Diana, b. Jan. 24, 1826 ; d. Nov. 
1826. 

S. Diana, b. March 16, 1827. 
Mercy L., b. April 14, 1830, m. 
Warner Streeter j d. July 1, 1867. 

George H., b. July 25, 1832 ; d. 
March 19, 1834. 

Henry A., b. May 15, 1835. 
Minnie, b. June 4, 1840. 

Mr. Bowen went to Shelburne 
Falls, Mass., where he and his wife 
both died. 

Enoch R. Bowen, d. Oct. 28, 1878. 
Sally (Green) Bowen, d. Jan. 20, 
1870. 

Eli Green, children : 

Elvira Melissa, b. Aug. 13, 1838 ; 
m. George W. Chase, April 30, 1859. 

Eli Theophilus, b. April 13, 1840; 
m. Mary E. Blanchard, Dec. 25, 

1864. 

Newton Reuben, b. Nov. 8, 1842 ; 
m. Emma R. Hull, June 4, 1865. 



Harriet Azubah, b. June 6, 1845 ; 
d. Dec. 29, 1847. 

Mary Ellen, b. Feb. 4, 1847 ; d. 
April 11, 1848. 

Frank Ashton, b. Jan. 15, 1849 ; 
lives in St. Joseph, Mo. 

Alfred Green, Jr., lived in Jack- 
sonville till 1853 ; d. Aug. 18, 1864, 
at the age of 50. 

His children born in Whitingham, 
were : 

Sally Luana, b. Oct. 29, 1838 ; d. 
July 22, 1864. 

Merritt Sanford, b. June 18, 1841 ; 
d. May 30, 1860. 

Gratia M., b. June 24, 1843, d. 
Aug. 23, 1843. 

Mrs. Gratia ( Carley ) Green, d. 
July 14, 1843. 

Alfred Green, Jr., for a 2d wife, 
m. Mrs. Clarinda Murdock, Jan. 16, 
1844. Their ch. b. in Whitingham, 
were : 

Beniamin E., b. July 7, 1846 ; d. 
Jan. 15, 1848. 

Ellery B., b. Feb. 11, 1848 ; d. 
Oct. 14, 1850. 

Forrest Denrel, b. May 1, 1852. 

Eli Gilmore, b. July 16, 1854. 

Mrs. Clarinda ( Murdock ) Green, 
still lives in Massachusetts. 

Dr. Reuben Green of Boston, to 
whom we are chiefly indebted for the 
data from which we give this sketch 
of the Green family, is the third son 
of Alfred Green, Sr. At the age of 
23, he left his native town and spent 
three or four years in travel and 
study, after which he went to Bos- 
ton, where he has been engaged in 
the practice of his profession for 
more than 30 years. 

Children : 

Charles Reuben, b. Aug. 5, 1843; 
m. Caroline E. Wayler, Nov. 17, 
1876 ; lives in St. Louis, Mo. 

Jareb Alonzo, b. Nov. 5, 1845 ; m. 
Lucretia R. Drew, Oct. 4, 1867 ; 
lives in St. Louis, Mo. 

William A., b, Aug. 10, 1849 ; d. 
Nov. 25, 1850. 

Emma 0., b. Feb. 24, 1852 ; d. 
Feb. 3, 1853. 

Frank Eugene, b. July 30, 1854; 
m. Mary A. Green, Nov. 8, 1876 ; 
lives in Boston. 



710 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



Ella Mary, b. Not, 16, 1856 ; m. I 
Albert J. Marston, June 8, 1877 ; 
lives in Leominster, Me. 

Flora Estelle, b. June 4; 1859. 

Robert A., b. April 30, 1861. 

Lydia (Waste) Green, d. June 14, 
1868. 

Dr, Reuben Green m. for a second 
wife, Mrs. Rebecca L, Tilton, July 
6, 1869. 

Asa Green, youngest son of Alfred j 
Green, settled in bis native town. j 

Children : 

Nathan A,, b. April 4, 1850 ; m. ! 
Ella J. Jewell, Oct. 2, 1876. 

Mary J., b. Dec, 20, 1851; m. 
Schuyler Murdock, lives in Whit- 
in gham. 

Alfred C., b. Sept. 20, 1853; d. ! 
July 31, 1873. 

Alonzo W., b. Oct. 9, 1855; m. 
Cora A. Lynde, Nov. 12, 1878; d. 
Sept. 11, 1880. 

Alice C., b. Oct. 3, 1857; m. Nor- 
man F. Tain ter, April 13, 1878 ; 
lives on the Asa Green homestead, 

Asa Green died at his home, Oct, 
1, 1866, 

Polly Green m. Jonathan Carley, 
1837, Children : 

Alfred, b. Dec. 13, 1838; d. March 
24, 1840, 

Rufus W., b. July 26, 1840. 

Hattie Aurora, b. Feb. 28, 1842. 

Alfred G., b. Jan. 14, 1847, 

Herbert H., b. Feb. 18, 1850; m. 
Callie S. Holies, May 31, 1874. 

Clara Amanda, b Dec. 4, 1853; 
m, Daniel Shepardson, Nov. 28, 
1872. 

Eli Winthrop, b. May 24, 1857. 

Jonathan Carley, d. Jan. 17, 1857. 
His widow, Polly (Green) Carley, 
aftewards married Luther Gale, 
May 25, 1862. Mr. Gale d. Oct 27, 
1877. 

Miranda Green, ni. Shepard D. 
Faulkner, Nov. 11, 1845. He accu- 
mulated a large property and was 
one of the wealthiest farmers that 
ever lived in Whitingham. 

William A., b. Sept, 14, 1814; m. 
Alice Starr, Sept. 21, 1877, is now 
cashier of the People’s National 
Bank at Brattleboro. 



Emma M., b. Oct. 19, 1854; m. 
Henry H. Holbrook, May 4, 1873. 

Emma (Faulkner) Holbrook, d. 
Dec. 17, 1882. 

Clarissa Green, m. David B. Flint, 
Jan. 12, 1853; went to Orange, 
Mass. 

We shall not attempt a further 
detail of the fourth and fifth gener- 
ation of the descendats of the Green 
family in Whitingham, as they 
nearly all left the town at an early 
age. Some of the children of Sally 
(Green) Bowen, however, spent most 
of their lives in this town. Alfred 
Bowen was for many years a prom- 
inent business man in Whitingham, 
d. Dec. 18, 1877, age 57, 

Henry A. Bowen lives at Shel- 
burne Falls. 

BROWN FAMILY. , 

There is no family name that fills 
a more conspicuous place in the 
town’s history for the first half of 
the current century, than that of 
Brown. Not that anything peculiar 
marked their course of life, or that 
they were the most active leaders of 
that age, hut they were men of stem 
integrity, industrious and enterpris- 
ing farmers, and wielded an influ- 
ence both in the church and in bus- 
iness matters in the town, more sal- 
utary in effect, than any other one 
family ever did. The five brothers 
and one sister (whose husband’s name 
was Brown), that settled in Whit- 
ingham, were from a family of 12 
children, nine brothers and three 
sisters, all natives of New Ipswich, 
N. H. Their paternal ancestor, 
Josiah Brown, was a direct descend- 
ant of the sturdy stock of English 
yeomanry, and he and his children 
inherited the persevering energy of 
our Pilgrim Fathers. He was a 
man of marked ability and influence 
in the town where he lived — a true 
patriot, a devoted Christian, an ac- 
tive participator in the Revolution- 
ary struggle; fought in the battle of 
Bunker Hill, and his company was 
the last to retreat before the British 
regulars. 




WHITINGHAM. 



m 



The names of the five brothers i 
that settled in Whitingham from 
1795 to 1807, was Josiah, Joseph, 
Jonas, Amos and Nathan; and the 
sister's name was Sarah; she mar- 
ried a man by the name of Reuben 
Brown. The five brothers were all 
members of the Baptist church. 

Josiah Brown married Milicent 
Wright, and came to Whitingham | 
about 1795, settled on the farm now j 
owned by Joseph W. Morse, 
where he lived till he went to Ben- 
nington with his son Edmund, and j 
lived there with him the rest of hisi 
days. He had a family of nine j 
children, five died in infancy or 
quite young. The names of the four 
that lived to he men, were: Rufus, I 

Clement, Edmund and George W. i 
Rufns was the most prominent man 
of the four; was often elected to im- 
portant offices of trust in the town, 
was clerk of the Baptist church five 
years, and once represented the 
town in the General Assembly. He 
was a thrifty, well-to-do-farmer, — 
owned and lived on the same farm 
for 55 years, and died at his home, 
Aug. 9, 1875, at the age of 78. 

Clement spent most of his life in 
Whitingham, but moved to Halifax 
a short time before he died. He 
married Polly Eames, had no ehild- 
dren, died at Halifax, Aug. 7, 1849, 
aged 49. 

Edmund lived with his father on 
the old homestead farm, till they 
sold out and went to Bennington, 
where he and his father both died. 
Edmund bought a farm there and 
followed farming the remainder of 
his life. Josiah Brown died at Ben- 
nington, Jan. 20, 1858, at the ad- 
vanced age of 91. Edmund also 
died there at his home, Oct. 11, 
1866, aged 61. 

George W. acquired a good educa- 
tion in early life, . left this town 
when a young man, went to the 
State of Pennsylvania. 

Joseph Brown married Sally Pres- 
ton, came to Whitingham about the 
same time his brother Josiah did, 
and settled on the farm north of 
and adjoining his brother^, on 



which he spent his whole life, and 
where he died March 2, 1827. His 
family consisted of two sons and one 
daughter: Joseph W., James P. 

and Jemima. The boys were known 
as Wright and Preston; the former 
was long and well-known as Gapt. 
Brown, lived and died on the old 
farm his father first settled on, 
sometime before the commencement 
of the present century. He took an 
active interest in startingand build- 
ing up the business interests of the 
village of Jacksonville; was a prom- 
inent and active member in the 
TTniversalist Society. He died at 
his home July 18, 1855, aged 63. 

Preston married a highly re- 
spected lady, and had a respectable 
and intelligent family of children. 

Jemima was an invalid for many 
years. 

Jonas Brown, familiarly known 
as “Deacon Jonas, ^ married Lois 
Russell, came to Whitingham in 
1797, settled on the farm (then an 
entire wilderness) lately owned by 
S. D. Faulkner. He had a family 
of twelve children, seven sons and 
five daughters, one of which died in 
infancy, the rest all lived to matur- 
ity, and most of them to a good old 
age. 

His children were trained with 
scrupulous care. 

Harvey, although not amongst 
the oldest of the children, made 
himself one of the most noted 
school teachers Whitingham ever 
produced. Besides that, he was a 
noted citizen of the town, was fre- 
quently elected one of the select- 
men and other town officers, and 
twbee represented the town in the 
General Assembly. 

Jerimah, the oldest son, went to 
Stamford, in the county of Ben- 
nington, when quite a young man, 
and died there Mar. 4, 1849, at the 
age of 53. Russel, one of the younger 
brothers, of whom mention is made 
under the heading of the Baptist 
church, was a scholar. He died in 
Williams College in 1835, at the age 
of 23. Martin, whose career as a 
business man was most fully devel- 




712 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



oped in establishing and building up 
the business interests of Jackson- 
ville, died in the prime of life at the 
age of 51, All the rest of this 
family were industrious and worthy 
citizens, of more than ordinary in- 
telligence, Most of them had large 
families, and many of their numer- 
ous descendants have left Whiting- 
ham for a broader field. 

Amos Brown, married Bally Tar- 
bell, and came to this town and 
settled on his old farm, so long 
known as the Esquire Amos Brown 
farm (now owned by Charles H» 
Waste), near the beginning of the 
present century. His family, that 
lived to maturity, consisted of three 
sons and two * daughters. Elliot, 
the oldest son, studied medicine, 
and practiced his profession here 
with satisfactory success for several 
years, was deeply interested in the 
public affairs of the town, energetic 
and persevering in whatever he 
undertook, was town clerk for years, 
postmaster two years, and was a 
noted party leader in the centre 
village. He went to Shaftsbury, 
practiced his profession there a few 
years, then went to Wisconsin where 
we suppose he still lives. 

Aldis and Amos A., the other 
two brothers, remained in Whiting- 
ham, Aldis has long been one of 
the solid and thrifty farmers; has 
owned and lived on the same farm 
for more than half a century. He 
has had two wives, and a large and 
interesting family of children, most 
of whom have left their native town, 
and are now extensively engaged in 
business in different sections of the 
country, 

Amos A. lived with his father on 
the old homestead till 1849, He 
was more of a public man than 
Aldis; was deputy sheriff of this 
county for a number of years, and 
often held offices of trust in this 
town; was an active business man 
in matters pertaining to the interest 
of the town. He lived with, and 
took care of hie father and mother 
in their last years, and died at his 



home of a lingering disease, Jan 2, 
1860, at the age of 52. 

One of the sisters in this family 
married F. G. Davis, of this town, 
and spent her whole life in Whiting- 
ham. She died in Dec., 1849, at the 
age of 40, The other sister married 
Dr. Gorkins, who practiced a few 
years in the county of Bennington, 
then they went to Wisconsin, where 
she died at the age of 44. 

Nathan Brown married Betsey 
Goldsmith and came to Whitingham 
about 1810, and settled on the farm 
lately known as the “Elder Lamb 
place/ 5 Their family consisted of 
two sons and two daughters, that 
lived to maturity. This family was 
the most remarkable for literary and 
theological talent of any family in 
town. Nathan, was a noted scholar 
from his early boyhood ; he went to 
Williams college, where he gradu- 
ated with the highest honors as a 
scholar and a theologian, very 
young. He was sent to China and 
Japan where he spent 23 years as 
missionary .of the Baptist church; 
he then returned to his native coun- 
try, edited and published a paper 
called “The American Baptist” a 
few years, then returned to foreign 
countries, where he died Jan. 1, 
1886. He has translated the New 
Testament into many foreign lan- 
guages, has written and published 
many valuable theological works, 
both in English and foreign lan- 
guages. To do justice to his history 
would require more space than we 
can allow in this volume. 

William G., the younger broth- 
er, was also a ripe scholar, 
and a devoted Christian. He 
had a superior talent for poetry, 
as the many specimens now 
extant clearly prove. He ranked 
high in the volume entitled “Ver- 
mont Poets and Poetry/ 5 He is still 
living, in the State of Wisconsin. 

The elder sister in this interesting 
family married Jonathan Ballard of 
Charlemont, Mass.; had a large fam- 
ily of children, most of them now 
occupying prominent positions in 
society and in the church. She is 




WHITIN GUAM. 



713 



living with her son, her husband 
having died about 20 years ago. The 
younger sister died unmarried. Sept. 
9, 1872, age 54. 

Reuben Brown’s wife, the sister 
of these five brothers that settled in 
Whitingham, had an intelligent 
family of 11 children. She was a 
woman of extraordinary ability, and 
an acknowledged leader in the social, 
moral and religious circles of that 
age. This family left Whitingham 
about 1825, went to Jefferson Coun- 
ty, N. Y. 

WASTE FAMILY. 

Bezaleel Waste, the paternal an- 
cestor of the Waste family in Whit- 
ingham, was born in 1742 ; Joanna 
Waste, his wife, in 1743. They 
lived a few years in the vicinity of 
Cape Cod, and Ebenezer Waste, Sr., 
so well known in this town 50 years 
ago, was born there in 1768. His 
father, Bezaleel Waste, with his fam- 
ily, removed from Cape Cod to the 
town of Hague, near the shore of 
Lake George, in 1790. Ebenezer, 
soon after, left his father’s family 
and settled in the town of Somerset, 
in the County of Windham, He 
lived there about 10 years, and his 
three oldest children were born there. 
In this lone wilderness his principal 
business was hunting and trapping, 
for which he possessed superior skill. 
He managed to accumulate $1,200, 
chiefly by the sale of furs and skins, 
captured with rifles, dogs and traps. 

He married Lydia Baldwin of 
Mansfield, Conn., October 5, 1796, 
and immediately moved into the 
wilds of Somerset, where they lived 
till 1804, when they moved to Whit- 
ingham. 

His family consisted of three sons 
and one daughter. 

Charles Waste, horn July 3, 1798, 
went to the State of Ohio when a 
young man, married there, was a 
civil engineer, was killed Sept. 15, 
1821, by the fall of a tree, leaving a 
wife and one child, who afterwards 
came to Whitingham. 

Ebenezer Waste, Jr., born Octo- 



ber 20, 1801, married, first, Rebecca 
Fuller. She died June 26, 1826. 
He married, second, the widow of 
his elder brother, Charles Waste 

Uriah Waste, born June 1, 1804, 
died unmarried Feb. 6, 1856. 

Deborah Waste, born Aug. 12, 
1807, married Levi Sumner, a native 
of Whitingham. They settled in 
Heath, Mass., where he died. She 
is still living on. the old homestead 
with her son, Oscar A. Sumner. 

Bezaleel Waste died Sept. 2, 1818, 
aged 76. Joana, his wife, died May 
20, 1815, aged 72. Ebenezer Waste, 
Sr., died at his home, Dec. 13, 1847, 
aged 79. Lvdia, his wife, d. Aug. 
29, 1845, aged 76. 

Ebenezer W aste and his two sons, 
Ebenezer Jr., and Uriah, lived to- 
gether on the same farm, ever after 
they came to Whitingham. 

The family of Ebenezer Waste, 
Jr., consisted of three children, two 
daughters and one son, by his first 
wife. 

Lydia Waste, b. June 26, 1822, 
m. Dr, Reuben Green of Boston. 

Amelia Waste, b. May 5, 1854, m, 
Diodorus Sawyer, Sept. 1847 ; they 
lived on the old Waste homestead. 
She d. March 17, 1884. 

Charles Waste, b. Nov. 15, 1825, 
m. Hattie S. Warren of Whiting- 
ham, 

I Rebecca Fuller Waste, wife of 
Ebenezer, Jr., d. at her home, June 
26, 1826. 

By his second wife, Ebenezer, Jr,, 
bad one daughter and two sons ; the 
daughter m. Lyman Stone of Roy- 
alston, Mass, 

George E, Waste, in, a lady in 
Boston, lives in San Francisco, Cal. 

Lewis Sanford Waste went to 
Michigan, m. there, has one or more 
children. 

Ebenezer, Jr., d. at his home on 
the old farm, June 17, 1878, aged 77. 

Lucinda Waste, second wife of 
Ebenezer, Jr., d. April 3, 1854. 

STICKKEY FAMILY, 

Silas Richard Stickney, the com- 
mon ancestor of the Stickney fam- 
ilies in Whitingham, was a native of 



714 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



Tewksbury, Mass., b, April 7, 1751, 
m. Sarah Upton of Reading, Mass, 
in 1774, by whom he had seven chil- 
dren, She d, in 1793. He m. for a 
second wife, Betsey Preston of Whit- 
ingham, Vt. He first settled in 
Temple, N. H., and on the alarm of 
war, April 19, 1775, marched to 
Cambridge — was one of those who 
were willing to pledge their fortunes 
and their lives for their country in 

1776. On the 13th of May, 1777, 
he marched under Captain Josiali 
Brown, of New Ispwich, N. H., to 
Ttconderoga — was in John Starks* 
brigade of volunteers, that marched 
from New Ipswich and joined the 
army under General Gates, at Still- 
water, July 19, 1777, and was in the 
battle of Bennington, August 16, 

1777. And from the pay roll of re- 
cord, it appears he was discharged 
on the 20th of September. 

Silas and Martin Stiekney, two of 
his sons, were for a long time well 
known in Whitingham, both born 
in Temple, N. H. ; Silas, August 8, 
1779, in. Eunice Wood of Temple- 
ton, Mass., June 22, 1803, came to 
this town and settled. It was then 
an unbroken wilderness, but he brave- 
ly encountered the perils and hard- 
ships of pioneer life, while clearing 
up his farm, and establishing a 
future home for himself and family. 
He spent his whole life on the same 
farm where he cut the first tree. 
His wife d. June 18, 1840. He in. 
a second wife, Clarissa Foster, of 
Wilmington, Vt., May 4, 1842. She 
d. April 21, 1848. 

His children, all by his first wife, 
were as follows : 

Silas Stiekney, b. April 8, 1804, 
m. Matilda Garner. 

Sarah Stiekney, b. Oc. 2, 1805, m. 
Duane Stimpson, first ; Calvin Clark, 
second. 

Martin Stiekney, b. May 19, 1807, 
m. Charlotte Stiekney, first; Mrs. 
Martha (Preston) Lamb, second. 

Susan Stiekney, b. Feb. 13,. 1809, 
m. John Haradon. 

Stillman Stiekney, b. Nov. 18, 
1810, m. Emeline Powers. 



Rufus Stiekney, b. July 8, 1812, 
in Adeline Kendal. 

Silas R. Sticknev, b, April 20, 
1814, d. Dec. 26, 1844. 

Harvey Stiekney, b. June 2, 1816, 
m, Mary A. Lake. 

Lydia Stiekney, b. Jan. 4, 1819, 
now living in Whitingham unmar- 
ried. 

Silas Stiekney d. at his home in 
Whitingham, Nov. 17, 1857, at the 
age of 78- 

Most of the children of this fam- 
ily left Whitingham at an early age, 
settled in different parts of the State 
of Mass. Martin and Harvey were 
the only two of the sons that stayed 
in this town. And Martin d. at his 
home, Dec. 6, 1874. He left but 
one child, a son mamed Lewis, who 
is now living in Jacksonville. Har- 
vey has three sons, two of which 
are living in Mass., and the other, 
M. W. Stiekney, lives in Brattleboro. 
Sarah (Stimpson-Clark) lived and d. 
in this town ; she had four eons and 
1 three daughters; Martin D. Stimp- 
son, b. May 5, 1828 ; Joel C. Stimp- 
son, b. Sep. 16, 1829 ; James M. 
Stimpson, b, June 80, 1831, d. Jan. 
10, 1842. Her first husband, Duane 
Stimpson, d. Sep. 7, 1831. 

I She afterwards m. Calvin Clark 
| of Whitingham, June 1, 1837. 

| Their children were Francelia E. 
Clark, b. March 23, 1838; Dora A. 
Clark, b, July 28, 1839; d. Feb, 11, 
1864; Lucy L, Clark, b. April 7, 
1841; d. May 31, 1864; Zimri A. 
Clark, b. Jan, 31, 1844; enlisted in 
the army and mustered into service 
at Brattleboro, Jan. 5, 1864; was 
sick and obtained leave to go home 
to Whitingham, and died there be- 
fore his company left Brattleboro. 
Francelia E,, now Mrs. Pike, is still 
living in Whitingham, 

Mrs. Clark died at her home in 
Whitingham, Jan. 4, 1882, at the 
age of 76, 

Martin Stiekney, born in Temple, 
|N. H., April 22, 1784; m. Hannah 
White of Middletown, Mass., Oct. 
I 30, 1808; and came to Whitingham 
I and settled on a farm, north of and 



WHITINGHAM. 



715 



adjoining his brother Silas* farm* 
where his ten children were born: 

Prentice B. Stickney, b. April 9, 
1809; m. Margaret B, B razor. 

Martha Stickney, b. Sept. 20, 
1810; m. Daniel Cobleigh, 

Hannah Stickney, b. May 4, 1813; 
m, John S. Trott. 

Elizabeth Stickney, b. Feb. 13, 
1815; died unmarried in 1839. 

Charlotte Stickney, b. Nov. 9, 
1817; m Martin Stickney. 

Olive H. Stickney, m. * Robert R. 
Ed wards. 

Fannie Stickney, m. David Ed- 
wards. 

Samuel B. ? d. in infancy. 

Diana, b. March 4, 1827; m. Dan- 
iel A. Cheney. 

Mary Jane, b. July 3, 1832; in. 
Wright P. Hall. 

Mrs. Hannah (White) Stickney, 
d. in Whitingham, Aug. 29, 1850. 

Martin Stickney died at the home 
of his daughter, Mrs. Cobleigh, in 
Templeton, Mass., March 1, 1863, at 
the age of 79. 

This family all left Whitingham 
before 1855, except the wife of Mar- 
tin Stickney, and settled in differ- 
ent parts of Massachusetts, and none 
of their descendants ever lived in 
this town. 

DEATH OF CAPT. STICKNEY. 

Oapt, Almon L. Stickney, who 
died in his chair at his home in 
Marlboro, Yt., last Sunday, at the 
age of 53 years, was a man whose 
life record was unusual and full 
of romantic incidents. He was 
born in Whitingham, his parents 
being Silas and Matilda Stickney. 
He ran away to sea at the age of 15 
years, and for 32 years followed the 
life of a sailor, serving in all capaci- 
ties, but for most of the time as a 
captain. He made the trip around 
the world several times, and was for 
a number of years engaged in whal- 
ing, making numerous trips to the 
Arctic seas, visiting Iceland and 
Greenland. For a time he followed 
the business of the merchant marine. 
He had sailed to different parts of 



South America, Asia and Africa. 
His home when on shore was at New 
Bedford, and later at North Adams. 
He had the distinction of being the 
captain of the first vessel which 
made a trip with a cargo of corn 
direct from Chicago to London. At 
one time he taught astronomy in a 
private evening school at Chicago. 

Ills health began to break down 
about 10 years ago, and being com- 
pelled to give up his life on the sea 
he moved to Whitingham in 1885, 

| and two years later to Marlboro, 
i where he has since carried on a gen- 
eral country store. His wife was 
Mary Russell of New Bedford, who 
survives him. He has a sister, Mrs. 
Partridge, who lives in North Ad- 
ams. An uncle, Harvey Stickney, 
lives at Jacksonville. M. W,, 6. 
H. and I. L. Stickney, well known 
in Brattleboro, are his cousins. 
Capt. Stickney’s logbook shows 
many thrilling situations which he 
passed through. He was of direct, 
forcible ways, and was admirably 
fitted for the life he followed. — 
Windsor Journal. 

BRIGHAM FAMILY. 

We shall not take space here to 
trace the genealogy of the Brigham 
family back to the first landing of 
their ancestors in New England; 
but the four Brighams that for- 
merly lived in Whitingham were 
from a family of 12 children, 10 of 
which lived to maturity. Their fa- 
ther’s name was Edmund Brigham, 
born Oct. 9, 1758, at Westboro, 
Mass.; moved from there to Phillip- 
ston, and from thence to Temple- 
ton, where he died April 22, 1841. 
The names of the four brothers that 
lived in this town were John, Lys- 
com, Edward and Dexter. John 
was born in Westboro, Mass.; mar- 
ried, first, Rebecca Smith of Phil- 
lipston. Mass., came to Whiting- 
ham in 1808, settled on the farm 
where Albert J, Faulkner now lives, 
then a wilderness, where he spent 
his whole life. He had seven child- 
ren by his first wife, three sons and 
four daughters, one of which died 




YERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



716 



quite young. His first wife d. Feb. ! 
23, 1833. 

He m. for a second wife, Hnldah 
Wheeler of Halifax, Yt., Dec. 24, 
1833, by whom he had three children, 
one of which d. in infancy. He m. 
for a third wife, Rebecca (Bardwell) 
Goss; she d. July 5, 1844. He m. 
for a fourth wife, Betsey (Preston) 
Brigham, widow of his brother, Lys- 
com Brigham. For nearly half a 
century he was the most prominent 
leader in the section of the town 
where he lived. 

His six children by his first wife, 
were Freeman, Harriet, Mariah, Ad- 
dison, Elvira, and Francis. Freeman 
married Mariah Smith, lives in Bos- 
ton, Mass. 

Harriet m. Luke Farnsworth of 
Halifax, Yt., d. in 1872. 

Mariah m. Merrick Chase of this 
town, who lived in Jacksonville and 
in the centre of the town for about 
ten years. He was deputy sheriff for 
this county for a number of years. 
He went to Illinois, where he now 
resides. 

Elvira m. Joseph Goodnow, a 
native of Whitingham, who lived on 
the old Joseph Goodnow farm, and 
d. there Sept. 14, 1847. They had 
one son, b. in Whitingham, Dec. 28, 
1843. His widow m. Nathaniel J. 
Lord of Athol, Mass., where they 
now reside. 

Addison, b. Jan. 25, 1824, m. 
Emily 0. Parmelee of Wilmington, 
Yt. He resides in Boston, Mass., 
has two children. 

Francis, b. Aug. 1, 1826, m. Mil- 
licent A. Brown, daughter of Rufus 
Brown of Whitingham; went west, 
resides in Chester, Howard Co., 
Iowa. 

The two children of John Brig- 
ham byhis second wife were Minerva, 
b. March 16, 1836, and Hosea W., 
b. May 30, 1837. Minerva m. 
Charles H. Nelson, b. Oct. 22, 1825, 
at Wardsboro, Yt., lived in Whiting- 
ham till be enlisted in the army. He 
was either killed or died of disease 
in the United States service. 

Hosea W., m. Florilla R, Farnum, 
a native of Whitingham, and studied 



law in the office of H. N. Hix of 
Sadawga, and was admitted to the 
bar in 1872. He practiced in this 
town till the fall of 1881, and went to 
New Hampshire, where he now re- 
sides, practicing his profession. 

Lyscom m. Betsey Preston, a 
native of Whitingham, settled on the 
farm where J. L. Shippee now lives, 
lately known as the u Dea. Warren 
farm/' where he d. Nov. 19, 1844. 
He had a family of six children; 
three only lived to mature age, 
Abigail, Mary, and Lewis L. Abigail 
m. Elisha Hagar of Halifax, Vt., re- 
sides in Heath, Mass. Lewis L. m. 
Marcia A. Shearer of Coleraine, 
Mass. 

Edward m. Laura Cummings of 
Phillipston, Mass., settled on a farm 
just over the line of Whitingham, 
in the town of Heath, Mass. He 
had a family of five children, only 
one of which, Charles E. Brigham, 
is now living; he m. Sarah A. Lake 
of Whitingham, and resides in Fitch- 
burg, Mass. Joseph L., his young- 
est son, enlisted in the army and 
d. in the service. 

Dexter, wdiose home was in Whit- 
ingham, was a cripple; he never 
could walk without crutches. But 
for all that he was an active, busi- 
ness man. He d. very suddenly at 
his brother John's, Nov. 4, 1832, at 
the age of about thirty-two years. 

CHASE FAMILY. 

We cannot go back in the geneo- 
logical history of this family beyond 
David Chase, the paternal ancestor 
of the Chase families in Whitingham. 
He was the son of Benoni Chase, b. 
in Douglass, Mass., April 17, 1752; 
m. Jemima Humes* of Douglas. 
Their children b. in Douglas, were 
Abraham Chase, b. Sept. 25, 1772, 
m. Betsey Rich and moved to Whit- 
in gharo, Feb, 16, 1797. Was long 
one of the prominent and wealthy 
citizens of the town in its most 
■prosperous days, often elected to 
| positions of trust in town affairs; and 
d. at his home in Whitingham, May 
i 11, 1854, aged 81. 



WHITINGHAM 



717 



Isaac Chase, b. Jan. 29, 1775, m. this town, followed that business to 
Susanna Fuller, came to Whiting- the time of his death, 
ham, Feb. 3, 1800, was a thrifty and The Isaac Chase family of seven 
prominent farmer. He d. at his children were as follows : 
home. Mar. 30, 1825, aged 51. Moses Chase, b. March 2, 1800, m. 

Jacob Chase, b. Feb. 15, 1780, m. Anna Briggs, Oct. 7, 1821. Settled 
Anna Morse, and moved to Whiting- on the farm where his son, J. B. 
ham, Jan. 31, 1806, settled on a Chase, now lives; d. Oct. 6, 1850, 
farm where he spent his whole life, age 51. 

He and hi6 wife were both members Aaron Chase, b. Nov. 2, 1801, m. 
of the Baptist church. He died at 1st, Lucy Corkins, Oct. 18, 1726 ; 
his home, Aug. 9, 1858, aged 78. 2d, Esther Scott, May 15, 1852, went 

Samuel Chase, b. Feb. 22, 1782, to North Adams, where he died, 
m. Mable Balcom, and moved to Isaac and Susannah Chase, (twins) 
Whitingham with his father, David b. July 14, 1804. Isaac d. Oct. 10, 
Chase, in Feb. 1815; he d. in Nov. 1806. Susannah m. Baxter Adams, 
1854. went to North Adams, where they 

Benjamin Chase, b. Sept. 7,1786, died, 
m. Sarah Sprague, moved to Whit- Isaac Chase, Jr., b. June 19, 1801, 
ingham, Feb. 15, 1815; settled on m. Harriet Goodnow, June 19, 1833. 
a farm, where he spent his whole He lived on the old homestead where 
life. his father lived and died. He was 

These five brothers, all prominent for a long time one of the most 
and enterprising farmers in the most wealthy and respected farmers in 
prosperous days of the town, and Whitingham. He died at his home, 
their families and descendants that Hiram Chase, b. Oct. 9, 1812, m. 
remained in this t«wn, make an im- Annis Hall, April 23, 1835. Settled 
portant factor in the town's history, in the town of Marlboro, where he 
The family of Abraham Chase still lives, a wealthy and respected 
consisted of five sons, as follows: farmer. 

David Chase, b. Dec. 12, 1798; m. The family of Jacob Chase con- 
Irene Kingsbury, Feb. 12, 1818, sisted of eight children ; five sons 
spent his life in Whitingham, was a and three daughters, 
prominent and wealthy farmer; lived Warren Chase, b. Nov. 30, 1805, 

on the same farm nearly sixty years, m. Anna Fairbanks, (date un- 
He d. June 15, 1880, aged 83. known,) bought and lived on the 

Samuel Chase, b. Feb. 22,1802, farm where his son, Wilbur F. Chase, 
m. Betsey Clements, lived in Whit- now lives. He died at his home, 
ingham till about 1835, then went April 4, 1861, aged 56. 
to Bennington, engaged in farming, Lydia Chase, b. Jan. 13, 1808, m. 
and was one of the wealthy farmers Emory Hull. Lived in Whiting- 
in that town. ham till her husband died in 1840 ; 

Jacob Chase, b. Feb. 8, 1804, m. a few years after she went to Susque- 
Lucinda Boyd, was a rich farmer, hanna. Pa., where she died, 
and lived in Wilmington. Levi Chase, b. Aug. 26, 1810, m. 

EJlis F. and Elliott F. Chase Sarah Harris, was a farmer, settled 
(twins), born July 31,1812. Ellis in Heath Mass. ; d. Feb. 9, 1851. 

F., m. 1st, Sally Boyd, 2d, Lydia Jacob C. Chase, b. May 21, 1815, 
Stanley. Elliot F., m. 1st, Hannah m. Caroline Gore. Came to Whit- 
Foster, 2d, Eliza Green (dates of ingham in 1865, bought the Joseph 
marriage not know). Ellis F. and Goodnow farm, lived there 10 years, 
Elliot F. Chase both settled in Whit- then sold and went to Jacksonville, 
ingham, engaged in business at Jack- where he still lives, a wealthy and 
sonville a few years; Ellis F. remov- respected citizen, 
ed to Halifax, where he now lives. Minor Chase, b. Sept. 7, 1817, m. 
Elliot F. also went to farming in Lucinda Tarbell, lived with his 




718 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



father on the old homestead some! 
time ; d, Aug, 8, 1881. 

Lucy A, Chase, b. Nov, 9, 1819 ; 
4. Jan. 81, 1838. 

Willard Chase, b. Dee. 5, 1823 ; 
<1. Nov. 21, 1825. 

Samuel Chase had a family of five 
•children, three sons and two daugh- 

Rufus Chase, b. Oct 11, 1805, m, 
Mary Hall ; d. April 26, 1846. 

David Chase, b. April 15, 1809, m. 
Betsey Tainter, settled in Whiting- 
ham ; d. March 21, 188-7. 

Fanny Chase, b. Feb. 21, 1818; d. 
April 13, 1831. 

Paulina Chase, b. Oct. 21, 1822; 
m,, first, Asel Rice; second, Charles 
-Bowker; third, Newman Oarley. 

The Benjamin Chase family was 
five sons and two daughters. 

Sumner Chase, b. April 21, 1807; 
m. Roxanna Faulkner, March 16, 
1851. He spent his whole life in 
Whitingham, and was an invalid 
for a number of years. He d. Feb. 
2, 1885, 

Jemima Chase, b. Dec, 11, 1809; 
m. P. B, Putnam,* Dec. 5, 1830; 
went West, where she died. 

Merrick Chase, b. Dec. 13, 1811; 
in. Mariah S. Brigham, Sept. 11, 
1834; spent his early life in Whit- 
ingham, and was an active business 
man. He moved to one of the 
Western states where he now lives, 
and with his sons is engaged in 
farming; they are wealthy and pros- 
perous. 

Abraham Chase, b. Jan. 5, 1820; 
m. Catharine Reed, April 23, 1844; 
he is a prominent man in the busi- 
ness affairs of the town, a wealthy 
farmer, a close observer of men and 
things, of more than ordinary sa- 
gacity ; an independent thinker, 
frequently elected to offices of, trust 
and responsibility in town business, 
a man of decisive opinions in all 
matters of public or private interest. 

Luana Chase, b. Feb. 21, 1821; 
d. Sept. 3, 1854, age 33. 

Royal Chase, b. Aug. 3, 1827; m. 
Margaret Howard, July 4, 1851; is 

farmer, has spent his whole life in 
Whitingham. 



PBESTOK FAMILY. 

Capt. Samuel Preston was a prom- 
inent and influential man in the 
town of Whitingham in the early 
part of the present century. He did 
much to establish and guide the in- 
stitutions best calculated to enhance 
the literary and social, progress of 
the people of this comparatively 
new township. He was often elect- 
ed to positions of trust and respon- 
sibility in town affairs. 

We have no genealogical history 
of the Preston family, but Capt. 
Samuel Preston, the paternal ances- 
tor of all the Prestons of Whiting- 
ham, was a native of Littleton, N. 
H., b. May 18, 1769; m. Susanna 
Phelps in August, 1797. They 
came to Whitingham in June, 1800, 
and first settled on the farm that 
Rufus Brown afterwards owned and 
lived on for more than 55 years. 
They bad a family of 11 children, 
all bom in Whitingham except the 
oldest. 

Sophrona Presffon, b. Jan. 1, 
1798; m, Elijah P. Stone of Whit- 
ingham. Betsey Preston, b. July 11, 
1800; m, 1st, Liscom Brigham; 
2d, John Brigham. George Preston, 
b. March 12, 1802; m. Esther A. 
Dennison of Halifax. Susanna Pres- 
ton, b. Jan. 27, 1804; m. Thomas 
Smith of Whitingham. Polly Pres- 
ton, b. June 3, 1806; m. Ira Lover- 
ing of New Hampshire. Sally Pres- 
ton, b. June 13, 1808; m. Erastus 
Hall of Readsboro. Osmyn Preston, 
b. Oct. 27, 1811; m. Clarissa Dix 
first; Effa Lamb, second. Lorenzo 
Preston, b. Dec. 3, 1814; m. Lucy 
Clark of Whitingham. Alcander 
Preston, b. Dec. 14, 1817 ; m. 

Wealthy Porter first; Jane Bolton 
second, both of Rowe, Mass. 
Martha Preston, b. Aug. 13, 1820; 
m. Arad Lamb first; Martin Stick- 
ney, second. Abiathar W., b. March 
19, 1823 ; m. Betsey A. Bond of 
Whitingham. 

The five brothers in this family 
all spent a large share of their lives 
in this town, though none of their 
descendants remain here; they were 
active, enterprising citizens, pos- 



WHITINGHAM. 



719 



sessed of more than ordinary intel- 
ligence. In town affairs, and pub- 
lic matters generally, they took a 
prominent and active part. 

Four of the sisters in this Preston 
family spent their lives, or most of 
their lives, in this town. Sophrona, 
Mrs. Stone, spent a long and well- 
directed life on the same farm where 
they first settled. She d. March 31, 
1881, aged 83. Betsey, Mrs. Brig- 
ham, lived in Whitingham nearly 
all her life; d. April 8, 1884, aged 
74. Susanna, Mrs. Smith, spent 
her life in Whitingham, d. Jan. 21, 
1856. Martha, Mrs. Lamb-Stick - 
ney, still lives in Whitingham. 

TAIMTER FAMILY. 

Deacon Jonathan Tainter, the 
parternal ancestor of the Tainter 
family in Whitingham, was b. in 
Westboro, Mass., 1755 ; m. Jemima 
Root, of Somers, Ct., Sept, 21, 1776. 
A few days after, he joined the army 
under George Washington, and serv- 
ed in New York and New Jersey till 
the close of the campaign in 1778. 

Josiah W. Tainter, so long a res- 
ident in Whitingham, was the oldest 
son of this Dea. Jonathan Tainter, 
b. Jan. 26, 1782, m. Molly Davis, of 
Somers, Ct., Aug. 26, 1803. He 
settled in Whitingham, on the farm 
that James M. Tainter now lives on, 
and spent his life there. He was 
one of the thrifty farmers, of which 
the town of Whitingham was made 
up, for the first quarter of this cen- 
tury. He was a member of the Bap- 
tist church more than forty years. 
His family consisted of six children, 
three sons and three daughters. 

Rebecca, b. Jan. 15, 1805, m. Ben- 
jamin Fames, a native of Whiting- 
ham, but spent most of his life in 
Halifax, Vt. 

Betsey, b. Sept. 8, 1809, m. David 
Chase, Oct. 6, 1829. He d. March 
21, 1837 ; she m. second, Isaac Allard. 
She m. third, Henry Goodnow of 
Whitingham, and is still living. 

Norris D., b. March 6, 1812, m. 
Sarah Martin of Whitingham, Sept. 
2, 1834. His wife, Sarah (Martin) 



Tainter, d. at her home in this town. 
He has one daughter, Mrs. Lucinda 
(Tainter) Dix, also living in town. 
He m. second, Mariah Stratton, of 
Heath, Mass. 

Lydia, b. July 5, 1814, m. Joseph 
Farnum. She d. at her home in 
1879. She had two daughters, one, 
Mrs. Upton, now lives in town. 

Josiah W., b. March 1, 1818, m. 
Elizabeth Russell of Massachusetts, 
Nov. 5, 1838. He was killed on the 
railroad by falling beteen two cars, 
Feb. 20, 1854, at 35 years of age. 

James M., b. April 5, 1821, m. 
Catherine Lake of Whitingham. 
He has spent his whole life on the 
farm his father settled on when he 
first came to town, about 80 years 
ago. Has a family of four sons, 
three of which now live in Whiting- 
ham. 

A Deacon Jonathan Tainter, a 
brother of Josiah W. Sen., came to 
Whitingham in 1804. He m. a wife 
from Marlboro, Vt., a daughter of 
Dea. Benjamin Bowman, Dec. 31, 
1821. emima A., sister of Josiah W. 
Tainter, Sen.m. Joel C. Shumway 
of Whitingham. 

There was a Dr. Stephen Tainter 
settled and practiced medicine in 
Whitingham a long time; he was 
the first settled physician in town 
of which we can find any account. 
He was born in Westboro, Oct. 13, 
1760, and came to this town some 8 
or 10 years after its organization, 
practiced here with success till 
about 1803, when he left town and 
went to Gainsville, N. Y. He mar- 
ried Elizabeth Gorham, a native of 
Barnstable, bom Dec. 20, 1760; she 
died in Whitingham, Oct. 3, 1801. 
He was Uncle to Josiah W. Tainter, 
so long and well known in Whiting- 
ham; was said to be a very skillful 
physician, a man of superior ability, 
a scholar, and a poet. He was 
through life a member of the Con- 
gregational church, served in the 
Revolutionary war, was drummer 
boy at the battle of Bennington, 
and was also at the taking of Bur- 
goyne in 1777. 




720 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ROBEETS FAMILY. 

We have no reliable record of the 
genealogy of the Roberts family, 
back of JameB Roberts, the paternal 
ancestor of the Roberts families in 
Whitingham. James Roberts was 
amongst the first settlers in the 
town; he came from Connecticut 
when the town was almost an entire 
wilderness, settled on and cleared 
up the farm known as the “ old 
James Roberts farm. " He was a 
very prominent man in the early 
history of the town; his name first 
appears in the records as one of the 
town officers, in 1783; and from 
that to 1800, was constantly in some 
important office in town and state. 
Was one of the selectmen of the 
town ten years: and was town clerk 
five years, before the commence- 
ment of the present century; repre- 
sented the town in the General 
Assembly, in 1794; and afterwards 
represented the town in the General 
Assembly of the state, for seven 
consecutive years, from 1797 to 1803, 
inclusive. This is a longer succes- 
sion of years than and other one 
man held that position. He again 
represented the town in 1806 and 
1807; besides filling many positions 
of trust in the town, and county and 
state. 

He married Eunice Nimms of 
Greenfield, Mass., and they spent 
their lives on the farm where they 
first settled, and the same has re- 
mained in the Roberts family to the 
present day. They had four sons, 
who spent most of their lives in 
Whitingham. For the first quarter 
of a century of the town's organized 
existence no man did more to estab- 
lish an order of things best calcu- 
lated to elevate the people in social 
and civil progress, than James 
Roberts. 

There was but one man, and that 
was Jabez Foster, that was his 
equal; the records show that these 
two men of all others, were the most 
conspicuous figures in public affairs, 
constantly entrusted in the most 
important positions. 



James Roberts, Senior, died at his 
home, March 12, 1825, aged 79. 
His wife, Eunice (Nimms) Roberts, 
having died about two months be- 
fore, aged 66. 

Judge John Roberts, the oldest 
son, so long and well known as one 
the leading citizens of Whitingham 
in its most prosperous days, lived on 
the place lately known as the “Ellis 
Gates place;" was a lawyer by pro- 
fession, a prominent man in all 
public matters, both in town and 
state; and was one of the judges of 
the county court for several years, 
and represented the town in the 
General Assembly for five consecu- 
tive years, from 1819 to 1823, inclu- 
sive; and also served as member of 
the council. He again represented 
the town in legislature in 1832 and 
1833. He left this town about 1836, 
went to Townshend, where he prac- 
ticed in his profession the remainder 
of his life. 

John Roberts and two sons, John 
and George, born in Whitingham; 
John was a lawyer, lived in Jackson- 
ville and practiced his profession till 
about 1855, when he went to the 
State of Illinois. George also went 
to Illinois; enlisted in the army from 
that state, and it is said he died in 
the service. None of the descen- 
dants of the John Roberts family 
are now living in Whitingham. 

James Roberts, long and well 
known by most of the people now 
living in this town, was less a public 
man than his brother John. He 
buried three wives, had a large, in- 
telligent, and active family of chil- 
dren, Three of which, by his first 
wife, one son and two daughters, are 
still living; the son, James M. Rob- 
erts, is now living on the original 
homestead farm, where James Rob- 
erts, Sr., first settled. He has spent 
most of bis life in this town, although 
he went west to the State of Illinois, 
when a young man, spent ten years 
there, at farming and herding. The 
daughters, Mrs. Goodnow, has spent 
her whole life here. Mrs. Bement, 
now lives in Baldwinsville, Mass., 
but has spent the greatest share of 



WHITINGHAM. 



721 



her life in Whitingham. Her hus- 
band, John W. Be ment, was a phys- 
ician, practiced medicine in Whit- 
ingham Centre, and in Jacksonville, 
for many years before he went to 
Bald winsville, where he died* They 
had four sons, only one of which 
now lives in town; they were all ac- 
tive business men. The business 
career of E. L. Roberts is fresh in 
the memory of the people of this 
town. B. F. Roberts, although he 
lives in Halifax, his business inter- 
ests are mostly in Whitingham, and 
he is as well known here as though he 
was a citizen of the town. Oscar 
Roberts, one of the brothers, is a 
physician, living in Pittsfield, Mass. 
Henry M., the youngest son, re- 
mains on the old homestead. All 
four of these brothers are possessed 
of ample means. 

Horace Roberts was a lawyer by 
profession, and as he died nearly 
half a century ago, his eccentric 
habits and general characteristics 
are not familiar to the present gen- 
eration. He was a man of marked 
ability, a violent partizan in politics, 
unsparing in his denunciations of 
the whig party, and especially of the 
leaders in this town, and through- 
out this State. He settled and prac- 
ticed law in the centre village about 
10 years. He married a lady from 
Greenfield, Mass., by the name of 
Minims ; they had one son, who was 
but a small child when his father 
died, Dec* 16, 1837, aged 51. 

Thomas Roberts never married ; 
lived with his brother James Rob- 
erts on the old homestead farm, 
where he d. June 21, 1866, aged 76. 

We do not trace in this sketch the 
descendants of this noted family be- 
yond the third generation from their 
common ancestor ; the descendants 
of the Roberts families to the p rea- 
gent time w r ould take too much 
space, as they are quite numerous. 

CAKLEY FAMILY. 

The Oarley family is another of 
the families in Whitingham that oc- 
cupy a conspicuous place in the 
town's history, of which we have no 



genealogical record. But from the 
records in possession of some of the 
descendants of that family, we glean 
the following : 

Jonathan Carley, the paternal an- 
cestor of the Carley families in this 
town, was the son of Joseph Carley, 
a native of Leicester, Mass. He 
moved from there to Spencer, Mass., 
where Jonathan Carley was b, March 
16, 1760. This family of Joseph 
Carley subsequently moved to Hoo- 
sack, N. Y., from which place Jon- 
athan Carley ( afterwards known in 
Whitingham as Lieut. Carley,) en- 
listed in the Revolutionary army, at 
the age of 16 years. He was a mem- 
ber of an Artillery company, and 
served faithfully in the army, as his 
discharge, signed by George Wash- 
ington shows, six years, two months 
and nineteen days. He was dis- 
charged with honors for his faithful 
service, June 9, 1783, 

He was in several of the most se- 
vere battles of the Revolution, for 
instance, at Whiteplains, German- 
town, Monmouth, Yorktown and 
others; at Yorktown he fixed the 
fuse to the shells that finally took 
Cornwallis. At the battle of Mon- 
mouth, he stood by his gun, loading 
and firing till he was completely 
overcome by heat, or sun stroke, the 
blood starting from his ears. At 
the close of the war in 1783, he re- 
turned to his father's home, was 
then between 23 and 24 years old. 
In 1785 hem. Elizabeth Kentfield, 
and settled in Pownal, in the County 
of Bennington, where his oldest 
daughter, Betsey Carley, was b. In 
the summer of 17S8, he moved to 
Whitingham, where he spent the 
rest of his life. He had a family of 
four sons and three daughters, one 
of which died in infancy. The four 
sons, Rufus, Jonathan, jr., Wash- 
burn and Joseph, and the two daugh- 
ters, Betsey and Polly, all lived to a 
good old age ; and three of the sons 
and one of the daughters spent their 
lives in this town. The oldest 
daughter m. Thomas Shum way, and 
spent most of her life in Readsboro. 
The other m. David Jillson, jr,, a 




722 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



well-known and prominent citizen 
of Whitingham, and spent her life 
here. Jonathan Oarley, jr.* left 
this town when a young man, and 
has not lived here since. 

Rufus* Washburn and Joseph Car- 
ley* long prominent and well-known 
citizens of their native town* spent 
their lives in Whitingham. Their 
father (known as Lieut, Carley) was 
a man of notoriety in his younger 
days. 

PARKER FAMILY. 

Capt. Samuel Parker was a prom- 
inent and influential man in the 
early part of the present century. 
He hafl three wives* and a large fam- 
ily of children ; four sons and two 
daughters by his first wife. Their 
names were Rufus, Wyman* Samuel, 
Flavel, Sally and Polly. Sally m. 
Joseph Goodnow, long and well 
known in Whitingham. Polly m. 
Daniel Green, of whom mention is 
made in the Green family. 

The four daughters by his last 
wife were Fanny* Betsey* * Sophrona 
and Sophia ; all spent most of their 
lives in Whitingham except Sophia, 
who m. Everett Williams. Fanny 
m. Schuyler Murdock first, and Ab- 
salom Pike second ; she is still liv- 
ing. Betsey m. George Bond first, 
and Reuben Winn second ; she spent 
her life in Whitingham, except a 
few of the last years she lived at 
North Adams, Mass. ; she d. there. 
Sophrona m. Linus A. Warren, a 
native of Whitingham, and has spent 
her life in this town, except four or 
five years at Shelburne Falls, Mass. 
She is now living in the village of 
Jacksonville* and is among the old- 
est of its inhabitants. 

We have not been able to obtain 
a correct account of the births and 
deaths of this family in detail ; but 
suffice it to say that for the first half 
of the present century, few, if any* 
families in Whitingham acted "a 
more conspicous part in the forma- 
tion of its history. 

The family of John Fuller* and 
his descendants* who have been life- 
long residents of Whitingham, are 



men of marked ability, have many 
times been elected to responsible 
offices of trust in the public affairs 
of the town, and have contributed 
their full share to the business pro- 
gress of the town of Whitingham. 

PROFESSION AL MEN. 

Dr. Stephen Tainter was probably 
the first settled physician. He 
practiced medicine in this town 
some 10 years before the commence- 
ment of the present century. 

Dr, Bugbee practiced a short time. 
Dr. Tainter left; but the next reg- 
ular settled physician was Dr. Abel 
B. Wilder* who was succeeded by 
Dr. Nathaniel Smith, a native of 
the town of Halifax, in 1821. He 
was the most prominent and able 
physician that has lived in Whiting- 
ham since the beginning of the pres- 
ent century. 

Dr. Horace Smith, a student of 
Dr. Nathaniel* was the next regular 
physician in the centre village, 1835 ; 
he sold out to Griswold & Thompson 
and they practiced till John W. 
Bement came in 1839; he practiced 
several years, then went to Jackson- 
ville. He finally left there and 
went to Baldwinsville* Mass., where 
he died. 

Dr. E. A. Dean succeeded him in 
Jacksonville. He came there in 
1853, and practiced till 1861. Dr. 
E. H. Harvey was associated with 
Dr. Dean in practice* a few months 
before Dean left town. Dr. Fred 
Temple, a native of Heath, Mass., 
then practiced in Jacksonville two 
or three years and his brother, Dr. 
Cyrus Temple, so well known in 
Whitingham, came to this town 
from Heath* and settled in the 
village of Sadawga. He was a lead- 
ing spirit in that village while he 
waB there ; he was one of the select- 
men of the town in 1810. 

Dr. Barnard practiced in Jackson- 
ville a short time, before Dr. F. B. 
Johnson came there in 1870; who 
has practiced there from that time 
to the present. Dr. F. D. Stafford 
has been the physician at Sadawga 




WHITINGHAM, 



723 



(now Whitingham,) since the death 
of Dr, Temple. 

Of the legal profession, John and 
Horace Bober ts, both native born 
citizens of Whitingham, were 
amongst the first that made the 
practice of law a business. John 
Roberts was assistant judge of the 
County Court for a long time, Hor- 
ace Roberts went to the centre vil- 
lage about 1825, practiced law there 
for nearly 10 years, John E» But- 
ler succeeded him in practice. Henry 
Closson lived in the centre village 
and practiced law some 8 or 10 years 
and went to Springfield, Vt., in 
1837. 

John E. Butler practiced till 1843, 
when he was succeeded by his broth- 
er, Nathan L. Butler, who practiced 
there till 1854. He was succeeded 
by H. N. Hix and A. W. Preston, 
who practiced in company one year, 
in the name of “ Hix & Preston,” 
when they dissolved partnership, 
and each practiced for himself till 
1858; then Preston went to North 
Adams, Mass,, where he still lives 
and practices his profession. Wil- 
liam H. Eollett practiced a few 
years before Preston left. He went 
to Halifax, where he died. H. N. 
Hix left the centre village in 1869, 
went to Badawga village, where he 
has practiced his profession to the 
present time. 

Hosea W, Brigham practiced law 
in the village of Sadawga a few 
years in company with H, N, Hix; 
he left town in 1881. Charles S. 
Chase has been there since 1880, 

John Roberts, Jr., practiced in 
Jacksonville from 1847 to 1855, 
when he went West. W. S. Myers 
was there a year or more about 1860 
or 1861. A. A. Butterfield came to 
Jacksonville in 1868, and has prac- j 
ticed there to the present time. 

Of the clerical profession, Rev. 
Linus Austin, Ebenezer Davis, 
Hosea F. Ballon, and Amherst 
Lamb, are the principal clergymen 
that have lived in Whitingham for 
any great length of time ; and 
enough is said about them in the 
tdiurch history. There have been 



some others residents in Whiting- 
ham for a number of years. Rev. 
Hubbard Eastman, Calvin Buck- 
land, and Peter S. Gates, have lived 
and preached in Whitingham for 10 
years or more; besides the circuit 
preachers mentioned in another 
place. 

TOWN OFFICERS SINCE 1800. 

TOWN CLERKS. 

Jabez Foster, who was elected in 
1799, held that office till 181 $*;. 
Ephriam Smith, from 1818 to 1823;. 
Emory Greenleaf, from 1823 to *27; 
Elliot Brown, from 1827 to ’33; 
Rufus Chase, from 1833 to *37; 
Leonard Brown, from 1837 to *40; 
Hosea F. Ballou, from 1740 to *57; 
Hosea B, Ballou, from 1857 to the 
present time. 

TREASURERS. 

Nathan Green, from 1800 to 1804; 
Hezekiah Whitney, from 1805 to 1827; 
Elisha Putnam, from 1828 to 1830; 
Ebenezer Waste, from 1831 to 1832; 
Nathan Brown, from 1833 to 1835; 
Nehemiah Sabin, from 1836 to 1840; 
Houghton Sawyer, from 1841 to 1848; 
Hosea F. Ballon, from 1849 to 1855; 
Amherst Lamb, from 1856 to 1862; 
E. P. Hitchcock, from 1868 to 1865; 
N. L. Stetson, from 1866 to 1878; 
James W. Hatch, from 1879 to 
1882; Charles S. Chase, from 1883 to 
1884; James W. Hatch, from 1885 
to 1886. 

REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL 
ASSEMBLY. 

The following is a list of the rep- 
resentatives from the town of Whit- 
ingham, by which it will be seen 
that the town must have been organ- 
ized for the'purposes of representa- 
tion in the Legislature of the State, 
as early as 1778, and Lieut. Silas 
Hamilton was elected and served for 
that year; but the records do not 
show that Whitingham was again 
represented till 1784. 

1778, Silas Hamilton; 1784, 85, 




724 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Isaac Lyman; 1788, James Roberts; 
1789, 90, Isaac Lyman; 1791, 92, 93, 
Jabez Poster; 1794, James Roberts; 
1795, 96, Jabez Foster; 1797, 98, 99, 
1800,1801,1802,1803, James Roberts; 
1804, 1805, Jabez Foster; 1806, 1807, 
James Roberts; 1808, 1809, Jabez 
Poster; 1810,11, Amos Brown; 1812, 
not represented ; 1813,14, Rufus Hos- 
ley; 1815,16, Ephriam Smith; 1817, 
not represented; 1818, Amos Brown; 
1819-23, John Roberts; also served 
as member of the Council; 1824, 
Amos Brown; 1825-26, Horace Rob- 
erts; 1827, Schuyler Murdock ; 
1828-29, Simeon * Morse ; 1830, 
Schuyler Murdock; 1831, Amos 
Brown; 1832-33, John Roberts; 1834, 
Nathan Brown; 1835-36, Obed Fos- 
ter; 1837, William Bond, Jr. ; 1838, 
Obed Foster; 1839, James Roberts; 



1840-41, Elisha Putnam; 1842-43, 
Harvey Brown; 1844, Rufus Brown; 
1845, Hosea F. Ballou; 1846, Rufus 
Carley was elected, but did not at- 
tend on account of ill-health; 1847, 
Waters Gillett; 1848-51, Eli Green; 
1852, Parley Starr; 1853, Philander 
H. Sumner; 1854, Albert Sanford; 
1855, Hosea F. Ballou; 1856, Parley 
Starr; 1857, David Jillson; 1858, 
Truman H. Streeter; 1859-60, Al- 
fred Fuller ; 1861, Horatio N. Hix; 
1862, Elijah S. Allen ; 1863-64, 
Waters Gillett; 1865-66, Amherst 
Lamb; 1867-68, Norris L. Stetson; 
1869-71, Lucius P. Morey; 1872-3, 
Parley Starr; 1874-5, Wells P, Jones; 
1876-7, Henry O. Gillett; 1878-9, 
Wells P, Jones; 1880-1, A. A. But- 
terfield; 1882-3, Amelius A. Wilder; 
1884-5, Elijah S. Allen, 



FAYETTEVILLE. 



FAYETTEVILLE. 

The first frame house in Fane was 
built in the summer of 1768 by Jon- 
athan Park, in the yard in front of 
what we term the old Parke house, 
just north of the Fayetteville hotel, 

Nathaniel Stedman, Thomas Hig- 
gins, Artemus Bruce, Ephriam Ful- 
ler, and Thomas Green were among 
his early neighbors. Fuller settled 
on the first farm north of the vil- 
lage, now owned and occupied by 
M. 0. Howe, Green came from 
Worcester and built his cabin on the 
hill about half a mile west of Park, 

Artemus Bruce came September 
22, 1776, He built the first saw 
mill in this part of the town. He 
had three sons; Ephriam, Artemus 
Jr., and Elijah; from the latter of 
whom Mansfield Bruce, the Baptist 
divine, is a deeendant. Samuel, a 
son of Ephriam, built a dam and 
first occupied the privilege, where 
now stands F. 0. Burditt's cabinet 
shop, about 1820. He rented a por- 
tion of the shop to a clothier. From 
them the line of occupancy 

deeended to Ide, Kidder and Bur- 
ditt About 1815 Thomas Cook 
built a dam and trip-hammer shop 
near the bridge south of the village. 
From him it passed to Newman & 
Newton, scythe manufacturers, and 
from them to Joseph Green, in 1823, 
who continued the busihess until 
1839, In 1840 he erected a grist 
mill with a sash and blind shop on 
the second floor. From him it 

passed to E. 0. Walker, in 1351, 
and from Walker to the present 
owner, Frank Wellman, who is en- 
gaged in the manufacture of lum- 
ber. 

Soon after the opening of the 
Brattleboro and Whitehall Railroad 
Charles N. Davenport of Brattle- 



boro, and Geo. W. Underwood, 
started a steam mill at the north 
end of the village, for the manufac- 
ture of lumber and chair stock, 
which is now occupied by Mr. Un- 
derwood. 

The county buildings were locat- 
ed on the Park flats, in 1825, Mr. 
Park giving the land to the country 
for a common so long as the build- 
ings remain here. It was proposed 
to call the place Parkville, but Mr. 
Park was decidely opposed to the 

§ lan, and at the suggestion of Gen. 

ield it was named Fayetteville, in 
honor of Gen. Lafayette, who visited 
this country for the last time in 
1824. 

During the early growth of the 
village, religious meetings were held 
for several years in the court house. 
About 1830 the several religious 
sects united and erected the Union 
church, in 1831. One of the arti- 
cles of the association provided that 
each sect should have the right to 
occupy the desk, in proportion to 
the number of pews said sect owned 
in the house. This union was dis- 
solved in 1838, and the Congrega- 
tionalists erected their new house 
in 1839. The Universalists contin- 
ued to occupy the old house until 
about 1853, when they found them- 
selves unable to sustain a pastor. 
From that time the house began to 
decay, and in 1872 it was remodeled 
and is now called Union Hall. 

In 1845 the enterprising farmers 
of the county organized and estab- 
lished the Windham County Fair at 
this place, and with the exception 
of a year or so at Brattleboro, and 
six at Westminster, it remained here, 
and as a whole was a successful and 
prosperous society until the estab- 
lishment of the Valley Fair atBrattle- 




726 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



boro. The last County Fair was 
held in 1889. 

The Windham County Savings 
Bank was chartered in the fall of 
1S53. Upon its organization the 
Hon. Austin Birchard was chosen 
treasurer, the duties of which posi- 
tion he faithfully discharged for 
twenty years, retiring January 1, 
1874, at the advanced age of eighty, 
leaving the institution with a cap- 
ital of $184,500. 

Merchants from 1780 to 1891: 

Luke Knowlton, John Holbrook, 
A. and B. Birchard, Birchard & 
Sawyer, Sawyer & Miller, Geo. 
Smith, Goodhue, Winslow & Park, 
Holbrook & Co., Winslow Brothers, 
N. M, Batehelder, Anthony Jones, 
Geo. A. Morse, Phelps & Sanford, 
Baker & Merrifield, -William L. 
Williams, Eager Brothers, Dunklee 
& Lamb, S. P. Miller, Goodnough 
& Morse, E. W. Blodgett, Edwards 
& Pierce, A, V. May. 

Daniel Kellogg was the first post- 
master, and began to render accounts 
at Newfane on the first of October, 
1811. The following lists give the 
names of the several postmasters at 
each office, together with the dates 
of their appointments, as found in 
the record books of the P. 0, De- 
partment at Washington, D. C. 

heweaste, wotdham county, 

YEKMONT. 

The office was established, July, 



1811: Daniel Kellogg, appointed 

postmaster, July, 1811; Jonathan 
Nye, Feb. 24, 1812; Adolphus 
Wing, Oct. 23, 1815; Henry Kel- 
logg, June 2, 1817; Martin Fields 
Nov. 2, 1818; David W. Sanborn, 
Nov. 17, 1819; Charles K. Field r 
June 21, 1825; 

On the twenty-fifth of November, 
1825, the name of the office was 
changed to Fayetteville: 

Charles K. Field, appointed P. 
M., Nov. 25, 1825; Roswell M. 
Field, May 1, 1826; Ira McCollum, 
April 26, 1830; Dexter Holbrook, 
Nov. 25, 1831; Wright Pomeroy, 
Nov. 4, 1834; Jacob Dunklee, Jr., 
Dec. 27, 1837; Franklin Sawyer, 
May 10, 1841; Jacob Dunklee, Jr, r 
May 16, 1845; John P. Warren, 
Sep . 29, 1849; Jacob Dunklee, Jr., 
October 20, 1853; Samuel P. Miller, 
Aug. 5, 1861; Chandler Wakefield, 
Oct. 26, 1864; Amherst Morse, Oct. 
24, 1865; Francis W. Fairbanks, 
Jan. 6, 1868; William H. Goodnow, 
Aug. 26, 1868; Elliott W. Blodgett. 
Feb. 12, 1874. 

January 20, 1882 the name of 
the office was changed to Newfane: 

Elliott W. Blodgett, re-appointed 
P. M., Jan. 20, 1882; John D. 
Pierce, appointed June 15, 1883;. 
Frederic 0. Burditt, June 28, 1888; 
Newton M. Batehelder, Mar. 29 r 
1889. 



WILLIAMSVILLE. 



WILLI AMS VI LLE. 

This village derived its name 
from William H. Williams* in early 
years the owner of the larger portion 
of its business interests. It doubt- 
less owes its origin* and* in a large 
degree, its subsequent growth* to the 
natural advantages afforded by the 
stream upon which it is situated. 
The development of these advan- 
tages commenced at a very early 
date, as the natural result of their 
being more available than any other 
to the inhabitants of the village on 
the hill. 

Eeferring to the town records we 
find that the first conveyance of mill 

S ropertv was made in 1790* in 
'ctober of which year John Wheeler 
sold to Winslow & Jones* a grist 
mill and saw mill standing where 
Hovey’s saw mill now does. This 
property frequently changed hands 
till it came into the possession* soon 
after 1800, of Win. H, Williams* 
who built the first carding mill in 
1810* and operated it until his 
decease in 1866* when it was bought 
by S. M. Hovey and converted into 
a mill for the manufacture of lum- 
ber and chair stock, 

During the war of 1812-15 a small 
woolen factory was erected near the 
carding mill, by William • H. 
Williams and Hezekiah Robinson* 
but was run but a few years. 

In April* 1794* Thomas and 
Darius Wheeler purchased the 
privilege now owned by A. L. Sim- 
eon* and built* during that or the 
following year* a fulling mill and 
an oil mill. These mills were sold 
by the Wheelers, in February* 1801, 
to Win, II. Williams, who continued 
the business until his death. The 
mills were entirely swept away dur- 



ing the great freshet* September 23* 
1815, but were immediately rebuilt. 
This property was purchased in 1874, 
by H. H. Hoyt, who put in a circu- 
lar saw and other wood-working 
machinery. 

A grist mill was built* near the 
site of the present mill* about the 
year 1786, by Ebenezer Morse. Wm. 
H. Williams, built the present mill 
in 1839* and retained it till 1864* 
when it was purchased by D. B. & 
D. J. Lamson. It was now owned 
and operated by G. B. Lamb & J. 
H. Merrifield. 

Amasa Lincoln came to this vil- 
lage in 1817, and built a small 
tannery in which he continued busi- 
ness till 1840, It was subsequently 
enlarged and operated by different 
parties till 1876. 

The building now used by 
Wheeler & Morse, in the manufac- 
ture of butter tubs and kegs, was 
built by Ephriam Hall, Jr. 

The manufacture of wagons and 
sleighs was commenced here* in 
1858, by H. H. Hoyt* who built* the 
same year, the carriage shop now 
standing. Geo. W, Dickinson pur- 
chased an interest in the business in 
1869. In 1872 Mr, Dickinson became 
sole proprietor and has since con- 
tinued the business. 

A, M, Merrifield erected a steam 
mill here in 1890* and gives employ- 
ment to 15 men, in the manufacture 
of chair stock. 

Merchants from 1814 to 1891: 

Wm. H. Williams & D, W. San- 
born, Huntington Fitch, Wm. L. 
Williams, H. F. Houghton & Lucius 
Walker, John R. Blake, 0. H. 
Oune & Francis Goodhue, Jason, 
Duncan Jr,, Henry Wheeloek & 
John A. Merrifield, H. N. Miller & 



728 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



George Clark, AbelS. Ward, Martin 
Perry & G. L. Howe, S. II. Sher- 
man, 0. L, Sherman, Abel S. Ward, 
John D. Blake, Amherst Morse, J. 
H, Merrifield, 0. E. Park. 

Chas. K. Eield came to this 
Tillage in March, 1826, engaged in 
the practice of law, remained two 
years and then removed to Wilming- 
ton. Returning in 1855, he remain- 
ed till 1861, when he sold out to 
Kittredge Haskins, and removed to 
Brattleboro. Hon Hoyt H. Wheeler, 
formerly of the Vermont Supreme 
Court, and now XL S. Judge for this 
state, commenced the study of law 
with Mr. Field, in this village. 

Mr. Haskins remained here in 
the practice of his profession till 
September, 1862, when he enlisted 
and entered the army. In the fall 
' of 1863 he removed to Brattleboro. 

Geo. W. Davenport opened a 
law office here in Slay, 1865, and 
remained till January, 1867. 

Dr. Simon Taylor, son of Rev. 
Hezekiah Taylor, was the first phys- 
ician to settle in this immediate 
vicinity. He commenced practice 
here in 1813, and died in 1818. Dr. 
James Cutler came here about 1817, 
but remained only a few years. Dr, 
Sewall Foster came the same year, 
and remained till 1823, when he re- 
moved to Shelf ord, P. Q. , where he 
became highly distinguished as a 
physician, and received many polit- 



eal honors. Dr. John Wilson settled 
in this village about the year 1820, 
and remained till 1835, when he 
sold out to Dr. Orville P. Gilman, 
and removed to Brattleboro. Dr. 
Gilman remained but a short time. 
Dr. Elihu Halladay practiced here 
from about 1833 to 1838. Dr. C. S. 
Blakeslee came in May of the latter 
year, and soon buiLt up an exten- 
sive and successful practice. He 
removed to Brattleboro in 1882, 
Dr. H. B. Chapin came in 1856, 
and remained in this village and 
vicinity about fifteen years. Dr. 
Geo. H. Harvey located here in 1873, 
^ind Dr, John Heard in 1874. They 
were followed by Dr E. S. Weston, 
who sold in 1881 to Dr. P. P. White, 
The following is a list of the per- 
sons who have been postmasters at 
this place, together with the respec- 
tive dates of their appointment: 

Charles K. Field, appointed F. M., 
May 20, 1826; Jason Duncan, Jr., 
Nov. 30, 1826; Charles W. Joy, 
April 16, 1838; Horatio N. Miller, 
June 28, 1847; John A. Merrifield, 
July 9, 1851; Henry F, Houghton, 
Aug. 27, 1853; Oscar L. Sherman, 
Oct. 18, 1856; Gardner L. Howe, 
July 20, 1861; Charles E. Park, 
Sept. 13, 1865; Albert N. Sherman, 
Sept. 23, 1885; Charles E. Park, 
June 24, 1889, who is the present 
incumbent. 



PONDVILLE. 



PONDV1LLE. 

The Baptist Society at this place 
was formerly called u The Baptist 
Society of Marlboro and Newfane,” 
and worshiped for many years in a 
meeting house standing on the farm 
now owned by A. & A, Williams, in 
the extreme northern part of the 
former town. The present site was 
selected on account of its more cen- 
tral location, and the church build- 
ing now standing was erected in 
1841. Upon the completion of the 
new house, a bell was presented to 
the society by Caleb Pond, then a 
wealthy merchant of Hartford, 
Conn., but formerly a member of 
this church. From him the Tillage 
derives its name. 

Here may be found a saw-mill. 
Wool-carding mill and a grist-mill, 
one store and about twenty dwelling 
houses. 

The mills were established about 
fifty years ago by David B. Lamson, 
and are now owned and occupied by 
W. E. Bingham & Sons. 

L « A. Phillips & Co., commenced 
the mercantile business here in 
1840, and have been followed by 
James Charter, Ira Pierce, Joshua 
Morse, Moses Merrifield, Lawson 



B. Morse, D. J. Lamson, Edward 
Adams, William H. (rood now, 
Thomas A. Morse and Beniamin 
E. Morse. 

A post office- was established at 
this place Apr. 10, 1884, and Mary 
A. Morse was appointed post- 
mistress. Upon the death of Mrs. 
Morse, Feb, 7, 1888, Benjamin E. 
Morse was appointed. The office 
was discontinued April 1, 1888, but 
was re-established May 15, 1880, 
with Benjamin E. Morse as post- 
master. 

BRATTLEBORO AM) WHITEHALL 
RAILROAD, 

After several unsucessful efforts, 
Newfane finally voted to aid in the 
construction of the Brattleboro and 
Whitehall Bailroad to the amount of 
$24,800, being about eight times its 
grand list, and issued bonds there- 
for. The road was opened for 
business Nov. 18, 1880. J, J. 
Green, who had been an active pro- 
moter of the enterprise, was ap- 
pointed station agent at Fayette- 
ville. He was on the train which 
went down with West Biver bridge 
at Brattleboro, Aug. 18, 1886, and 
received fatal injuries. 



HIRAM ADOLPHUS CUTTING, 



HIRAM ADOLPHUS CUTTING 

A. M., M. D., PH. D., 

of Lunenburgh, Vermont, born in 
Concord, Yt., Dec. 23, 1832. 

The Cutting family is of Welsh 
blood; its ancestors specially distin- 
guished themselves in the Holy 
Wars for the recovery of Jerusalem 
from the hands of the Saracens, by 
raising, equipping and commanding 
a corps of soldiers, , and by fitting 
out and commanding veesala. For 
this service they, received, through 
the Heraldic College a coat of arms 
bearing: — “Shield with silver "set- 
ting of light in red, on a blue relief, 
and a scallop shell in gold/* The 
Crest is “a silver device — Griffin 
•collared in blue; holding a scallop 
shell in gold within his claws/* 

Asa Gutting, the first American 
progenitor, emigrated from Wales, 
settled in Massachusetts, and died 
in 1707, leaving three sons. His 
great grandson, George Cutting, of 
Athol, Mass., was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary army. Oliver Cut- 
ting, of Concord, Vt., was the son 
of George, and the father of Stephen 
0, Cutting, who married Eliza Reed 
Darling on the 2d of September, 
1830. Mrs. Gutting was a great- 
granddaughter of J ames Reed, the 
first Brigadier General commission- 
ed by the Provincial G digress at the 
•commencement of the Revolution, 
and one of the commanders in the 
historic battles of Bunker Hill, Ben- 
nington, Valley Forge and Mon- 
mouth. General Reed*s ancestry 
was of illustrious character. Directly 
descended from the Cornwalls of 
England, who were part of the pro- 
geny of Henry II, King of England, 
he was as near to that Monarch as 






the royal house of England and 
France. Henry II was himself a 
descendant of the Emperor Charle- 
magne on the one side, and of the 
Saxon King Egbert on the other. 

Royal blood is little esteemed in 
this republican country, except as it 
manifests itself in the moral and 
physcial qualities, which constitute 
the real kinghood of men. Hiram 
Adolphus, son of Stephen C. and 
JEriza Reed (Darling) . Cutting, de- 
rives na adventitious aid from ances- 
try or Wealth. Entering the district 
l^noo^iio^ Rig native locality at an 
early he suffered so much from 
the habit of stammering that he 
could neither read nor recite aloud, 
until he was ten years of age. Yet 
his educational progress was remark- 
able. Finding the motto: — “What I 
will, I find a way to accomplish** on 
a printed piece of paper, he adopted 
it, applied it to the cure of his im- 
pediment and in six months wholly 
relieved himself of that painful 
affliction. 

When eleven years of age he en- 
tered the Essex County Grammar 
School, walked several miles daily to 
and from it, and diligently appro- 
priated whatever advantages its fall 
terms had to offer. 

Young Gutting, in his sixteenth 
year, was licensed by the County 
Superintendent to teach, and was 
engaged by that official — Rev. Joseph 
Marsh — to take charge of a school 
in his district. An average of 45 
pupils, of whom one-half were older 
than the teacher, attended. The 
superintendent spoke of it “as the 
best school in the county/* 

The term of the preceptor’s en- 
gagement was extended from two to 
three months. HiB reputation was 




HIBAM A, CUTTING. 



731 



'established, and from that on, until 
the attainment of his majority, lie 
taught school from three to five 
months every year. He also attend- 
ed school at St. Johnsbury East, and 
the St. Johnsbury Academy, in the 
.spring and fall, -^-sometimes, both — 
.and served in them as assistant 
teacher. 

Agriculture to which he was ac- 
customed had few charms for the 
joung man. Medicine attracted, 
and from the age of 15 he studied 
its theory and practice, under the 
tuition of Dr. Geo. 0. Wheeler of 
.St. Johnsbury. Zeal was not al- 
ways tempered by discretion in his 
Ians of study. Beading that two 
ours of daily sleep sufficed the need 
of Napoleon Bonaparte, he attempt- 
ed to make a similar amount an- 
swer for himself, of which the re- 
sult was a physical break down, that 
disabled him at the age of 20 from 
entering the Junior class, for which 
he was prepared, at college. Life 
was periled, but he recovered. The 
health acquired as a land surveyor 
from his 14th year contributed, 
doubtless, to speedy recuperation. 
Such was the celebrity acquired in 
this pursuit that he has frequently 
been called upon since then to settle 
intricate questions relative to 
boundary lines. His earnings were 
double those of an ordinary farm 
hand, and were judiciously laid up 
or expended in furtherance of ulte- 
rior objects. His genius was singu- 
larly resourceful and practical. He j 
framed a barn which his father had 
contracted to do, and so successfully 
that thenceforward he acted as mas- 
ter mechanic, correctly laying out 
the work for 10 or 15 workmen on 
buildings, mills and bridges; much 
of which was done before and after 
the daily session of his school. 

At 19, be became assistant to D. 
H. Hill, one of the first proprietors 
of an itinerant daguerreotype car in 
Vermont. For this, he was by nat- 
ural endowment, especially fitted. 
He had already manufactured a 
small telescope and a compound 
microscope, and with the latter had 



I successfully studied microscopic an- 
atomy. lie now with the knowl- 
edge of the laws of light already 
gained, readjusted the lenses of the 
camera, so that they cut a sharper, 
better portrait, than any hitherto 
obtained, Business crowded upon 
the associates, and richly remuner- 
ated both. Mornings and evenings 
he canvassed for subscribers for 
Sears* Pictorial Histories, and 
thus doubled his salary. Evening 
study was, also, assiduously pros- 
ecuted, and he found time to con- 
duct a series of experiments upon 
growing plants and the flow of maple 
sap. An account of these he pub- 
lished, and other observers have veri- 
fied hie statements, which are now 
accepted as scientific facts. Many 
other matters of natural history 
were scrutinized, and subsequently 
led him to investigate the food, of 
plants and the proper time for be- 
stowing it. His opinions on these 
| points were much controverted, but 
are now practically accepted by 
thousands. The result of his ex- 
periments has been the demonstra- 
tion of the fact that nitrogen as usu- 
ally applied to the soil, seldom pays 
its cost; that it is often an actual 
damage to the crop ; and that farm- 
ers by judicious experimentation, 
can ascertain the needs of their own 
holdings, and thus obtain maximum 
crops for minimum outlays. (See 
Agricultural Beport ofVermont from 
1881 to *84 and *80.) The Doctors 
industries are manifold. Jan. 1, 
1855, John G, Darling, and H. A. 
Cutting opened a store at Lunen- 
burgh, Mr. Darling was the uncle 
of Mr. Cutting and a successful mer- 
chant at Concord. The terms al- 
lowed either partner to dissolve the 
association at his pleasure. The 
partnership lasted 25 years; when 
Mr. Cutting purchased the entire 
stock and business and has since car- 
ried on the store alone, Mrs. Cutting, 
in his absence, efficiently taking care 
of the same. 

The year 1806 was the only un- 
profitable one of his associate mer- 
cantile experience. In July a fire, 




732 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



supposed to have been caused by the 
spontaneous combustion of rags with 
which the painters had wiped up 
linseed oil and then cast in a heap, 
consumed the store with most of its 
contents. His loss was heavy and 
was aggravated by the destruction 
of a very extensive geological collec- 
tion* and of more than a thousand 
volumes* mainly scientific works that 
had been placed in the second story 
of the building. Not one geological 
specimen out of 25*000 was saved. — 
The blow was staggering ; but by the 
aid of friends he built a new store 
and re-established his business by 
December after. The new store is 
32 by 96 feet with two wings* 24 by 
40 feet* in one of which is a lecture- 
hall admirably fitted up for audience 
and experiment, seating 150 persons. 
On the top is an observatory * con- 
taining meteorological instruments 
for recording the direction and velo- 
city of the wind. Accurate meteor- 
ological records have been kept by 
Dr. Cutting from Jan. 1, 1848, to the 
present. 

PROFESSOR CUTTING. 

The Smithsonian Institute pro- 
vided him with a full set of meteor- 
ological instruments* and appointed 
him one of its special observers. He 
now acts in a similar capacity for 
the War Department. His observa- 
tions* now extending through a 
period of 50 years* and made at an 
elevation of 1210 feet above the sea 
level* in Lat. 44° 28 ; Lon. 71° 41' 
show the mean annual temperature 
to be 41.46° and the annual rainfall 
to be 14.19 inches. The latter in- 
cludes a mean annual snowfall of 86 
inches. 

The medical ambition of Dr. Cut- 
ting revived as soon as he found 
himself in possession of a suitable 
microscope and of the necessary 
books. As an instrumental inves- 
tigator, he studied microscopic an- 
atomy and disease for 14 years. He 
devised new methods of mounting 
and preserving specimens* which are 
now numbered by the thousands, 
many of which are injected and pre- 



pared in the best and most scientific 
stvle. 

In 1870* he and Dr. G. B. Bul- 
lard of St. Johnsbury* studied pri- 
vately under the tuition of Prof. E. 
E. Phelps of Dartmouth College* 
and prepared various objects for 
purposes of illustration. Professor 
Phelps soon declared he would no 
longer continue his instruction to 
Cutting, who was more proficient 
than his teacher, and insisted he 
should lecture at Dartmouth. He 
accordingly announced a lecture by 
his old pupil* met him at the depot* 
conducted him to the hall, intro- 
duced him to the faculty* and in- 
vited an explanation of his methods 
of study, mounting, comparing, etc.* 
of anatomical objects. This given* 
the professor presented the lecturer 
with the diploma of M. D. from the 
college* accompanying the presenta- 
tion with a few felicitous remarks. 
From Nov. 3, 1870* the date of this 
event* to the present time. Dr. Cut- 
ting has made many microscopic ex- 
aminations for different New Eng- 
land physicians. The results of 
; these labors are as beneficient as 
■ they have been accurate and satis- 
saetory. Life has repeatedly been 
saved from destruction. His pro- 
fessional practice is large* and his 
skill and success has been the topic 
of much conversation. 

From 1863 to 1888 Dr. Cutting 
was postmaster of Lunenburgh. 
Five-sixths of the voters asked for 
his appointment* and have been re- 
warded by the increase of the mail 
service from thrice a week to twice 
daily, by prompt dispatch of docu- 
ments* and by the institution of a 
money order office. His own mail 
matter was equal in amount to that 
of all the other inhabitants of the 
town. 

During the war for the preserva- 
tion of the Union, the doctor proved 
himself to be worthy of his old 
crusading and revolutionary sires. 
Unable by reason of ill-health to 
serve in person* he enlisted no 
less than 160 men. He himself 
made the preliminary examina- 



HIRAM A. CUTTING. 



733 



tion as to physical fitness, and that 
with such care that only one man 
was rejected by the surgeons. The 
cost of transportation was thus saved 
to the people. He also, under ap- 
pointment from Governor Wash- 
burn, ably cared for the families of 
the absent soldiers, as directed by 
the State law, and when this strug- 
gle had ended, he was importuned 
to collect the bounties, back-pay, 
pensions, etc., of the veteran pa- 
triots, and took out a license as a 
claim agent, and prosecuted hun- 
dreds of claims to successful issue. 
His enemies attributed this success 
to other causes than the proper prep- 
aration of each case in detail ; and 
in 1872 affirmed that he was defraud- 
ing both the Pension office and the 
claimants. The former detailed a 
special agent to investigate the 
charges which he found both menda- 
cious and malicious, and reported 
so warmly in favor of Dr. Cutting, 
that June 3, 1873, he was appointed 
examining surgeon of the Pension 
Office. He also holds the office of 
special notary public and of master 
in chancery. 

The scientific eminence of Dr. 
Cutting naturally led to his ap- 
pointment as State Curator of Nat- 
ural History, by Governor Stewart, 
Nov. 4, 1870. This gave him ex- 
clusive control of the State collec- 
tions. Most of them had been pur- 
chased of the widow of Zadoe 
Thompson. The moths had injured 
or destroyed the birds, and the min- 
erals were unnamed and unclassified. 
The doctor very soon clothed the 
whole with a new appearance. Fine 
specimens represent now the birds 
of Vermont. The minerals have 
been re-arranged and labeled. Thou- 
sands of specimens have been added 
to their number which is so great as 
to imperatively demand additional 
room for their proper display. 

Dec. 22, 1870, Dr. Cutting re- 
ceived the further appointment of 
State Geologist from Gov. Stewart 
and re-appointment from Gov. Con- 
verse in 1872, and was subsequently 
confirmed in the office until change ] 



should he necessary. In this rela- 
! tion he has rendered material aid to 
J the industrial interests of the State 
i by his original researches into the 
| capability of various building stones 
j to withstand heat and change of 
! climate. He has also ascertained 
I and formulated their weight, spe- 
| eific gravity, capability of resisting 
j pressure and of absorbing moisture. 
In connection with Prof. G. W. 
j Hawes, late of the Smithsonian In- 
| stitute, he has microscopically dem- 
| onstrated the superiority of some 
j Vermont marbles over other Ameri- 
j can and European products ; and 
; scientifically shown that the Suther- 
| land Falls marble stands in the 
I front rank in respect to compaet- 
| ness and durability. 

Dec. 24, 1880, Dr. Cutting was 
by Gov. Farnham appointed to a 
position in the board of agriculture; 
was elected secretary at its first ses- 
sion and charged with the arrange- 
ment of its meetings and the ex- 
penditure of the moneys granted by 
the State. In this important post 
he has merited and received uni- 
versal approbation. His reports 
from 1881 to 1886 received uni- 
versally high enconiums. 

[ The editor of the New England 
I Farmer (Feb. 10, 1883), commends 
| it as the best ever published, and 
recommends that it should be sub- 
I sti tuted for the reading hooks now 
used in schools. 

The large number issued has been 
wholly inadequate to the demand. 
Reappointed secretary of the board 
in 1882 and ? 84. 

Millions of dollars would probably 
be added to the value of agricultural 
products in Vermont were the out- 
lays for plant food expended in har- 
mony with his views. Whether 
potash, phosphoric acid, or any oth- 
er kind of plant food be most need- 
ed can, in his opinion be best deter- 
mined by the observant and judi- 
cious farmer. The quantity and 
mode of application can he decided 
by wise experiment. 

The Connecticut board of agri- 
culture endorse his doctrines, and 



734 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the United States Commissioner of 
Agriculture in his report of 1861, 
gives them the sanction of his au- 
thority. 

The popular estimate of Dr. Cut- 
ting in this special relation is thus 
voiced by Editor Cheever of the 
New England Farmer : 

“ Secretary Cutting is wonderfully 
well informed as a scientist ; — being 
familiar not only with physiology, 
anatomy and medicine ; but is also 
somewhat of a specialist in the stud- 
ies of botany, mineralogy, entomol- 
ogy, meteorology and chemistry.” 

As chairman of the Board of the Fish 
Commission of Vermont, appointed 
by Gov. Earn ham, Feb. 30, 1881, 
Dr. C. was no less useful. He at once 
inquired what had been done, and 
with what success, and began the 
survey of unstocked waters. 

During 1883, he with his col- 
league, Herbert Brainard, planted 
many food carp and trout in all fav- 
orable waters, and vigorously did 
what he legally could to protect the 
fish already planted. His published 
report is as worthy of study as his 
opinions on plant food and growth. 

In 1885 he was commissioned as 
State delegate to the “ International 
Forestry Congress,” and in 1886, as 
representative to the “Agricultural 
Congress” at St. Paul 

Collegiate corporations and scien- 
tific societies have been quick to rec- 
ognize the many-sided merit of Dr. 
Cutting’s services. In 1868 the Nor- 
wich University conferred the degree 
of A. M., and that of Doctor of Phil- 
osophy in 1879. In 1881, he was j 
elected an honorary member of the 
A I T Fraternity connected with the 
college. He is an active member of 
the Vermont Medical Society and 
one of its officers ; a member of the 
White Mountain Medical Society of 
New Hampshire, and several other 
medical societies ; also Fellow of the 
American Association for the Ad- 
vance of Science : member of the 
American Association of Microscopy, 
member and officer of the Vermont 
Historical Society ; member of the 
New Hampshire Historical Society ; 



the Wisconsin Geographical Society ; 
j The Essex Institute, (Salem, Mass.); 
: The Providence Franklin Society ; 
: American Institute of Christian 
| Philosophy ; American Forestry 
: Congress, of which he is vice-presi- 
; dent ; American Chemical Society ; 
| Association of American Economic 
! Entomologists ; Society of Natural- 
ists, Rome, Italy ; etc., etc. In brief, 
he is a member — active, correspond- 
ing, or honorary, of no less than 89 
scientific, literary or medical socie- 
ties, scattered throughout America 
and Europe. 

His fame as a lecturer is solid and 
widespread. The clergy of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal and other churches 
first urged him to lecture on the 
Bible and Biblical history. In the 
former of these denominations he is 
an active and valued member. Next 
came pressing demands for lectures 
on the “ Revelation of the Micro- 
scope,” and on kindred subjects. 

Popularity brought the usual pen- 
alty of excessive requirement. Lec- 
turing twice or thrice daily, an hour 
and a half at a time, he could not 
meet the general wish, and he writes 
his lectures out — though an effective 
extemporaneous speaker, in order 
that they may be published and thus 
reach the more inquirers. In the 
latter shape they have often been 
sold to the Western press. The oral 
utterances have been chiefly confined 
to New England, and particularly to 
Vermont. Literary and scientific 
critics are invariably eloquent in 
their praise. 

The printed works of Dr. Cutting 
will perpetuate the memory of his 
eminently useful life for centuries 
after his tongue has lost its elo- 
quence and his hand its cunning. 

He is a paid correspondent of 
many magazines and papers. His 
contributions are in the “ Boston 
Journal,” The “ Christian Herald of 
Detroit” “The Weekly Call” of 
San Francisco,. “ The Architect and 
Builders News,” (Osgood Co.) of 
Boston, “ The Green Mountain 
Freeman” of Montpelier and in 
many others. 




HIRAM A. CUTTING. 



735 



He has acted as Agricultural 
Editor of the St. Johnsbury Repub- 
lican and also Littleton Journal of 
He w Hampshire, 

He has published boohs and pam- 
phlets: “ Plant Growth and Fertili- 
zation several Monographs on In- 
sects* “Ventilation of Farm Houses/* 
— Mining in Vermont/' “Parasitic 
Insects of Domestic Animals/** “ In- 
sect Enemies/* “Climatology of 
Vermont/* “Microscopic Fungi/* — 
“ Notes on Building Stones/ 5 
“ Paper on Plant Growth/* ‘‘Notes 
on a hail storm in Concord/* “ Fore- 
telling Storms/* “ Catalogue of Birds 
of Vermont/* “Farm Experiments/* 
“Milk,” “Genesis and Geology/ 5 
and different “ Reports on Ormfchol 
ogy,** and Natural History in con- 
nection with the State Cabinet* He 
was associate editor of the Archives of 
Science; Editor of the Agricultural 
Report of Vermont, 1861 and 1862 , 1 
1863 and 1864, 1865 and 1866, and! 
as such did much literary labor. 

The scientific and philosophical i 
apparatus used by Dr. Cutting in 
his researches are very valuable. 
His microscope and its connections, 
including objects mostly prepared 
by himself are valued at $5,000 
Telescope, speeroscopic and battery 
with coil have cost as much more. 
Chemical apparatus for testing rocks 
and for the assay of minerals are of 
the best pattern. A stereopicon 
and microscopic connections for ex- 
hibiting minute objects on screens 
to an audience, and upwards of 

2.000 transparencies for illustrating 
science and history, are owned by 
him. He possesses novel and inter- 
esting arrangements for testing and 
analyzing the air, for detecting im- 
purities in rooms, &c., &c. Most of 
Ins costly and admirable set of met- 
eorological instruments were manu- 
factured by James Green of New 
York. His library consists of about 

16.000 vols, largely medical and 
scientific, and selected with skill. 
He has besides, a good collection of 
miscellaneous books and documents 
which he lends to the public, whom 
he permits to consult his library at 



will. The building is in connection 
with his residence. Properly sub- 
divided, books shelved in glass cases, 
— with an office-room, 16 by 17 ft. 
No private collection in the country 
(to our knowledge,) agricultural, 
medical, scientific, theological, excels 
in interest and value. There are 
not a few r single volumes that cost 
from $25 to $100 each. 

His cabinet, attached to the libra- 
ry, and of the same finish, is divided 
so as to afford the most possible shelf 
room. The specimens, of the first 
quality, are all labelled and arranged 
in harmony with the designs of 
Dana, and is richly worthy of minute 
study. The cabinet contains over 
25,000 specimens, and is just what 
might be expected of the first living 
scientist of Vermont— "where rocks 
are marble.* His observatory is a 
circular structure with revolving 
dome, and contains a telescope of 
first class character, manufactured 
by Alvin Clarke & Sons of Cam- 
bridge, Mass. This is the only ob- 
servatory in Vermont, The Doctor 
lectures on Natural Science to the 
students of the Methodist Seminary 
at Montpelier, and to those of Nor- 
wich University at Northfield. These 
lectures are highly appreciated. 
His farming is chiefly experimental. 
The great crop of his more than 
200-acre estate is hay. This some- 
times amounts on his experimental 
fields at one cutting to 3f tons per 
acre. The land is upland. It w r as 
worn and neglected when it came 
into his possession, but has been 
brought into good condition by the 
methods recommended in his lec- 
tures and writings, and it has far 
more than compensated for outlays. 
The stock is young cattle and horses, 
with cows enough to supply all de- 
mands for milk. The Dr. moreover 
owns a grist mill, a cider, shingle and 
planing mill, and a butter-tub fac- 
tory. These properties he pro- 
nounces convenient to have, but not 
remunerative as investments. The 
Doctor is necessarily a busy man. 
He thoroughly masters whatever he 
takes in hand and has no leisure. 



736 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



His excellent memory has been made | 
more retentive by cultivation, and | 
holds distinct and clear whatever, 
has been committed to its keeping. ! 
His observant faculties are compre- 
hensive and conjoined with ability 
to create as well as to understand 
whatever mechanism he examines. 
In reading, he absorbs the contents 
of a book with readiness and ease. 
He never went to a dance, drank in- 
toxicating liquors, tea, or coffee, and 
never used tobacco or stimulating 
drugs in any form. Hitherto, he 
has eaten common food, only, and 
his drink has been cold water. His 
child motto: — “What I will, that I 
accomplish/* has been exemplified, 
without exception by hie whole 
life. 

The Doctor has given liberally to 
his church, been generous to the 
poor and to the working classes, — 
retained two of his women servants! 
for 18 years, and all his farm- f 
hands for several years or since j 
he contracted for their service, I 
and he finds both men and 
women willing to exchange their 
labor for bis capital at equitable rates. 
All his employees are paid on Satur- 
day evenings, and none of them are 
permitted to drink, smoke, or swear. 



Such a man, many-sided, re- 
sourceful, positive, bringing things 
to pass,— must have, enemies; it can- 
not be otherwise, while human na- 
ture is what it is; all leaders of the 
race, to say nothing of the Divine 
Man, had them. But the issue is 
sure to vindicate the reputation of 
those who have freely and honestly 
given their knowledge, judgment 
and experimental results to their 
fellows for the public good. As 
geologist, metallurgist, mining ex- 
pert, practical and consulting scien- 
tist, he is not excelled in New Eng- 
land, if in the United States. Such 
a life is a various blessing to man- 
kind. 

He was married Feb. 3, 1856, to 
Maranda Ellen Haskell of Lennox- 
ville, C. E. ; Mrs. Cutting died 
March 3, 1886, aged 54 years. 

Their union was childless, but the 
doctor has an adopted son, Burt A. 
Cutting, born Sept. 24, 1878. 

Postcript, Dr, Cutting in 1886 
resigned his State offices and has ac- 
cepted the appointment under the 
United States department of agri- 
culture of “ State Statiseal Agent 
for Vermont/' which position gives 
him more time to attend to scien- 
tific work as well as to his profession. 




GUILFORD. 



Bij Gen, J, W. Phelps. 

THE OLDEN INDEPENDENT TOWN: 

The only Independent, Republic Town ever in Vermont. 



GUILFORD. 

BY GEN. J. W. PHELPS , 

^ Here insert the account of Guilford from 
hompson’s Gazetteer fc of Vermont, edition 
1842 .) 

[Fine, old General, he has gone to his grave, 
his manuscript History of Guilford that he 
desired to see in print, hut never did, we will 
open and commence to give verbatim.] 

“Guilford, a post town in the south 
part of Windham county, is in lat. 42, 
47* and long. 4° 26, and is bounded, 
north by Brattleborough, east by Ver- 
non, south by Leyden, Mass, and 
west by Halifax. It lies 50 miles south 
from Windsor, 31 east from Benning- 
ton. It was chartered April 2, 1754, to 
54 proprietors, principally of Massa- 
chusetts, and contained 23,040 acres. 

When granted the town was a perfect 
wilderness, yet by the charter, the 
grantees were to hold their first meet- 
ing for the choice of officers, &c., on 
the first of May 1754, and on the first 
Tuesday ever afterwards. It seems 
the town was organized by and under 
the very grant itself. Power was giv- 
en to the grantees to transact the busi- 
ness of the town as a majority should 
see fit, subject only to the control of 
the parliament of England. 



This little, enterprising band compos- 
ed of Samuel Hunt, John Chandler, 
David Field, Elijah Williams, Micah 
Rice, Ira Carpenter and others, having 
little to fear from the nominal power 
of parliament, in the wilderness of 
Vermont, assumed the title* which was 
virtually created by their charter, of a 
little independent republic. 

By the records of their first meet- 
ings they appear to have been govern- 
ed by certain committees, chosen for 
the purpose of surveying the lands, 
laying roads, drawing the shares or 
lots, taxing the rights <fcc. ; but their 
greatest object was to procure and en- 
courage settlers. Their meetings were 
held at Greenfield, Northfield, Hins- 
dale or Brattleboro, until 1765, when 
their first meeting was held at Guil- 
ford. There was a condition which if, 
not performed, went to defeat the grant. 
The grantees were to settle, clear and 
cultivate in five years, 5 acres for every 
50 in said township. Although much 
time and money had been spent in mak- 
ing roads and clearing lands, yet, on 
the 20th of March 1764, the grantees 
by a special committee chosen, peti- 
tioned the Governor of N. H. for a 
conformation of their grant and an ex- 
tension of the time, stating that the in- 



4 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



tervention of an Indian war had made 
it impracticable for them to fulfil the 
conditions of the charter. Their pray- 
er was granted, and the time for set- 
tling the town extended to the first of 
January 1766. From the time the char- 
ter was confirmed in 1764, the town be- 
gan to be rapidly settled by emigrants 
from Massachusetts and other New 
England states. Through the policy of 
the original proprietors, the first set- 
tlers began upon lots of 50 acres, in 
order to fulfil the conditions of the 
grant. So rapid was the, increase of 
population that the town became the 
largest in the state as to numbers. Yet 
there was not a single village in the I 
township, or rather the whole township 
was a village — all the hills and v allies 
were smoking with huts. 

By the charter 350 acres were called 
a share and all the proprietors shares 
alike. The reservations in the charter 
consisted of “one whole share to the 
society in England for propagating the 
gospel in foreign parts ; one to the first 
settled minister of the gospel ; and one 
whole share for a glebe for the minis- 
try of the church of England as by law 
established.” The Goverror was not 
unmindful of his own interest. He re- 
served 500 acres to be located by itself 
for his own. The town w T as laid out 
into 50 and 100 acre lots. The public 
rights were fairly located, but the 
Governor's fell upon the only mountain 
in town, which still bears the name of 
authority upon the map — u Gov. Moun- 
tain.” 

Although no reservation was made 
in the grant for the use of schools, yet 
one whole share was located for that 
purpose. That was a just and gener- 
ous act of the proprietors but it was 
not the same liberality that governed 
them when they located, sold and set- 



tled one whole tier ot 100* acre lots,, 
beyond the extent of their charter. 
That was the case and the same is held 
by the town to this day. 

“All the pine trees suitable for mast- 
ing the royal Navy” were reserved to 
his Majesty. This shews the attention 
the English nation paid to the navy : 
one hundred miles from the ocean where 
was such reservation made. What has 
been related with a little “proclamation 
money,” was the price of the charter. 

The first land was cleared in 1758, 
by Hon. Jona. Hunt, and Elisha Hunt, 
on the farm now oecuppied by the Rev. 
Asa Haynes. The first settlement was- 
made by Micah Rice and family, in 
September 1761, on the place now oc- 
cupied by Jeremiah Green! eaf Esq. r 
Mr. R’s widow died in 1832. aged 95* 
years, and his oldest son is now living, 
here, aged 80. 

Soon after followed Jonathan Bige- 
low, John Barney,, Daniel Lynd, Wm- 
Bigelow, Ebenezer Gooden ough,, Paul 
Chase, Thomas Cutler, John Shepard- 
ardson, and others. They came into 
town by the way ot Broad brook. I3e- 
gining at the mouth of that stream on 
Connecticut river in Vernon, and pass- 
ing up on its banks they found their 
way into Guilford. — That was then the 
only road, and even that was impassa- 
ble with teams. The first settlers had 
either to boil . or pound their corn, or 
go 15 miles to mill with a grist upon 
their backs. 

It appears by what records can be 
found, that the town was wholly gov- 
erned by a set of officers chosen annu- 
ally by the people under their charter, 
until the 19th May, 1772, when the in- 
habitants at a “district meeting assem- 
bled” in the district of Guilford, vot- 
ed that Guilford was in the County of 




GUILFOBD. 



Cumberland and province of New York 
and chose officers of the town agreea- 
bly to the laws of that province* At 
that meeting a record was first made in a 
regular town-book which was purehsed 
by the original proprietors some years 
before. By that record it appears John 
Shephardson was chosen “district clerk, 
John Barney, supervisor, ” &c. and the 
meeting was then adjourned to a day 
after the annual metting by the charter. 

Having renounced their charter, and 
there being no government which real- 
ly exercised authority over them they 
continued to legislate for themselves, 
and tradition says that good justice 
was done, yet one principle of the char- 
ter was still adhered U>, none but pro- 
prietors, or those who held under them, 
had a right to rule or vote in their 
meetings. Thus was this little republic 
regulated by a town meeting which was 
adjourned from time to time, without in- 
terruption from abroad, or contentions 
at home, until the year 1776; then the 
town was beset with violent tories and 
Yorkers on the one side and brave 
Whigs and New-states-men on the 
other. The Whigs united with these 
opposed to the claims of the state of 
New York, that and the succeeding 
year out- voted the tories and the York- 
ers- In 1776, the town voted to pay 
the expenses of Benjamin Carpenter 
their deligate to the Westminster Con- 
vention of 1775, They voted to raise 
9 soldiers for the Continental army, e- 
quip them with arms and powder, give 
them a bounty of £4 “bay money/ 1 by 
a tax upon the inhabitants of the town, 
and it was done. 

They, also, resolved no man should 
vote for town officers who was not 
qualified according to the direction of 
the Continental Congress.” Under that 



resolution their committee chosen for 
the purpose excluded tories from the 
polls, vi et armis. and the poor, if quali- 
fied, participated in the government. 

The title of the town as belonging to 
the state of New York, was left out of 
the records. To give some idea of the 
laws passed by the old republic of 
Guilford, we will quote the following r 
passed the next year, 1777. 

Voted, not to let any person vote in 
this meeting, but such as have <£40 real 
or personal estate. 

Voted, John Barney and Benjamin 
Carpenter be a committee to go to 
Windsor, in June next to hear the re- 
port of the agent sent to Congress con- 
cerning a new state. 

Voted, that any person, who shall, 
for the future, pretend to hold lands by 
bush possession shall be dealt with by 
the Town, as a breaker of the peace of 
the town, a rioutous person &c. Attest. 

Elijah weloh, T. Clerk. 

They further chose a committee to 
establish the price of labor, all kinds 
of produce goods, wares and merchan- 
dise. The report of the committee was 
adopted as the law of the town. All the 
articles mentioned were a legal tender 
for debts with a penalty for the article 
sold, or the value thereof with costs. — 
The punishment of offenders was va- 
rious, such as “beech-seal," fines, &c-, 
but the most disgraceful of all was to 
be compelled to embrace the Liberty 
Pole with both arms, time specified by 
the committee of inspection, or judges. 
There was again an entire change of 
politics in 1778. It appears by the rec- 
ords that a warrant and notification foi 
a town meeting was sent from the 
Council at Bennington and a meeting 
held upon the same, when it was “voted 




VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



not to act agreeable to said warrant.” 
and the meeting was dissolved. 

In 1779, after doing the customary 
town business, 

“Voted, Lovell Bullock, Timothy 
Root, Henry Sherbaru a committee to 
defend the town against the pretended 
state of Vermont, and to represent the 
town in County Committee.”* “Hen- 
ry Sherburn, Elliot and Hezekiah Stow- 
ed” all violent “Yorkers were chosen 
to take special care of the powder and 
lead and other town stores,” and the 
meeting adjourned to the next year. 

In 1780, a like meeting was held. 
There is the following record for 1781 : 

‘ ‘Then all the people met together, 
that means to stand in opposition a- 
gainst the pretended state of Vermont, 
and acted on the following articles, viz : 

“Voted to defend themselves against 
the insults of the pretended state of 
Vermont.” 

“Voted, Peter Briggs and William 
Bullock for a Committee to send to 
Charlestown Convention. t 

Veted that Hezekiah Stowell keep the 
names of those that are against said 
pretended state.” 

Also, May 1782: 

“ Then the people met in general and 
voted to stand against the pretended 
state of Vermont until the deseisionof 
Congress be known with lives and 
fortunes.” 

“Voted to receive the instructions 
which came from New York, &c. 

“Voted, and chose Henry Evans, 
Daniel Ashcraft, and Nathan Fitch, to 
forbid the constable acting. 

♦See Slade’s Vermont State Papers, p. 60. 

fState papers 128; also Part 2d, p. 60. 

♦See part 2d, p. 78. 



These appear not to be regular meet- 
ings of the town, but of the Yorkers, 
who had gotten possession of the town 
books and stores by a majority of votes 
in 1778. They in turn excluded the 
other party from the polls by force of 
arms. Frequently a company of York- 
ers came from Brattleboro to stand sen- 
try at their meetings, when skirmish- 
es ensued and hostile shots were ex- 
changed. 

The Whigs and Vermonters, also, 
kept up their system of govenment by 
regular and stated meetings, but their 
records were lost, as will be related 
hereafter. In their tnrn, they sent hos- 
tile scouting parties to Brattleboro to 
the assistance of their friends in that 
town. The Vermonters had a sheriff in 
Guilford, and their party had, also, a 
constable, who continued to collect 
taxes for the support of their cause. — 
Those friendly to the new state paid 
without compulsion, while the property 
of the Yorkers, both real and personal, 
was sold at the post for taxes. For 
that reason the committee before men- 
tioned was chosen “to forbid the con- 
stable acting,” and their doings were 
spread upon the records of the town, 
by proclamtion as follows : 

To all the officers of the civil au- 
thority under the pretended state of 
Vermont : 

You are hereby forbid to proceed 
against any person, or persons that 
owns the jurisdiction of the state of 
New York, according to what is rec- 
commended in a handbill by Congress, 
bearing date June 2, 1780, and we do 
hereby forbid the constable venduing 
those numbers hereby given him.” (re- 
ferring to certain lots on the plan of 




GU1LDF0BD. 



7 



the town) u and we hereby forbid you 
on your apparel. 



Henry Evens,* ) 
Dan Ashcraft, > 
Nathan Fitch, ) 



Committee 

Chosen. 



A true record, — Attest, 

Samuel Bixhy, Town Clerk,” 
The Yorkers held a like meeting in 
1783, April 29, and adjourned to their 
annual meeting, 1784f 



both parties kept secret their own re- 
cords. During this confusion and jeal- 
ousy, one party stole the records of 
the other and hid them, together with 
their own, many deeds and proprietor’s 
papers, under the earth in the pound, 
in order to conceal them from the oth- 
er, There they lay through some sad 
misfortune until they were totally spoil- 
ed. When discovered and dug up they 
could not be read. 



From 1778 to 1783, the town was 
governed principally by their former 
laws. Both parties had their commit- 
tees, and the Yorkers although in au- 
thority, could not govern the town, 
yet, in connection with the tories, pre- 
vented anything being done under the 
direction and government of the new 
»tate.+ In this state of things, Ethan 
Allen arrived in town at the head of 
100 Green Mountain Boys ; but as we 
have already given an account of his 
proclamation and proceedings, we shall 
uot repeat them here 4 

From 1783 to 1791, no record of the 
proceedings of the town are preserved. 
In March of the year last mentioned ^ 
the town was for the first time, duly 
organized under the constitution and 
laws of Vermont. William Bigelow 
was chosen town clerk who came, 
peaceably into possession of the pa- 
pers and records of the town that 
were to he found. Traditon says, the 7 
years in which no records were kept, 
both parties held public and private 
meetings but that it was a perfect rule 
of arnaehy. The Yorkers although 
they had the town books, dared not re- 
cord their proceedings in them, and 

*H. Evens was one of the five who were 
banished and their property confiscated. 

fSee Gov. Chittenden's remonstrance* &c., 
same page 1S3. 

2 See part second, p. 77. 



During that time the Yorkeis hav- 
ing been socloseJy pursued by the mil- 
itary and civil authority of Vermont 
and their property, mostly confiscated 
fled to the state of New York and set- 
tled on the grants made by that state 
to the New York sufferers. Almost a 
whole township, now called Bain bridge 
was first settled by emigrants from 
Guilford. This accounts for the so rap- 
id decrease of the population from 1784. 

While the town was* independent of 
any power superior to the town meet- 
ing assembled, refugees from the neigh- 
boring states flocked into it, but when 
the law came, they fled. 

The violent Yorkers found but lit- 
tle peace under the energetic and per- 
severing measures of the State’s attor- 
ney for Windham County. To him the 
people of Guilford are indebted for the 
establishment of Mw and order, with- 
out the effusion of blood, and the disper- 
sion of the riotous. Migrations have 
not only been westward, but north- 
ward and eastward. Most of the towns 
in the northern and middle parts of this 
state contain inhabitants from old Guil- 
ford. 

Although the town has decreased in 
population, it has increased in opu- 
lence. Where one farmer now occu- 
pies and improves, formerly lived half 
a dozen, or more; and you now see one 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



8 

respectable dwellings, instead, of as 
many log-lints. 

Since 1791, there has been nothing 
remarkable in the history of the town. 
From that time the inhabitants have sup- 
ported the character of free and inde- 
pendent farmers, very jealous of their 
rights, and for many years noted for 
their strong prepossessions in favor of 
the political school of Jefferson. 

THE HON. BENJAMIN CARPENTER. 

was a member of the first convention 
in Vermont, held at Dorset in 1776. 

In those trying times with the brave j 
sons of the Green Mountains, when i 
they had not only to oppose the power, 
lul State of New York, the claims of 
New Hampshire and Massachusetts, 
the tories and Yorkers at home, and j 
the menacing threats of Congress, 1 
abroad ; but the power of his Majesty’s 
legions in war, that brave patriot with 
an allowance of three days’ provisions 
upon his back, would cross the Green 
Mountains on foot by marked trees, to 
attend the legislature at Bennington, 
for the purpose of devising ways and j 
means of defense against all the ene- 
mies of the state. I 

As deligate to the Assembly, as a 
member of the Council of Safetjr, as 
Lieut. Governor of fhe State, he deserv- 
edly holds a conspicuous place in the 
early history of the State. 

Upon a large white marble tomb- 
stone in the west part of Guilford, is 
the following inscription :* 

HON. JOHN SHEPARDSON 

born in 1718, was a firm patriot of the 
Revolution, and held the offices of 
judge of the supreme court and mem- 
ber of the council for several years. 
He died in 181 J. 



HON. SAMUEL SHEPHARDSON, 

born in 1757, w as a useful member of 
society and had the honor of sitting as 
a member of the council several years. 
He died in 1813. 

HON. WILLIAM BIGELOW, 

one of the first settlers of the town, 
always a father to the people ; bora in 
1751 ; was a judge ol the county court 
which office he held with good reputa- 
tion to himself, and died in 1814. 

* SACRED TO THE MEMORY 
of he 

Hon . BENJ. CARPENTER , Esq . 
Born in Rehoheth , Mass . A . D. 1726 , 
A magistrate in Rhode Island in 1764 . 
A public teacher of righteousness . 

An able able advocate to his last for 
Democracy , 

And the equal rights of man. 
Removed to this toion A. IX 1110 . 
Was a field officer in the Revolutionary 
war . 

A founder of the first constitution and 
government of Vermont , 

A Councillor of Censors in A . IX 1194. 
A member of the Council , aud Lveut. 
Governor of the State in A . Ih 1719. 
A firm professor of Christianity in the 
Baptist church 50 years. Left this world 
and 146 persons of lineal posterity , 
March , 2*9, 1804 , 

Aged 18 years , 10 months and 12 days , 
with a strong 

Mind and full faith of a more 
' Glorious state hereafter. 

Stature about six feet — weight 200 . 

Death had no terror. 

Among the early settlers of the town 
since 1796, might be mentioned the 
names of Hon. Royal Tyler, Hon. Ja. 



GUILFORD, 



9 



Elliot, Hon. Richard Whitney, Hou» 
Mieah Townshend, Hon. Henry Sey- 
mour, Hon, Gilbert Dennison, Hon, 
Samuel Elliot, Hon. John Noyes, and 
many others of less note, who are most- 
ly identified with the history of the 
state, but who have since removed 
from the town. 

Guilford was the birthplace of Hen- 
ry Denison, Esq., the late poet of 
Georgia, also of the Rev. Wilbur Fisk, 
late president of the Wesleyan Univer- 
sity at Middletown, Ct. 

THE REV . ROYAL GIRLEY 

was the first settled minister in Guil- 
ford. II * was of the Congregational 
order, and received the right of land j 
reserved and located for that purpose. 
He was settled in the year 1775, and 
died soon after. He was a young man 
of science, much respected for his pious 
and aimable deportment. The second 
of the same order was the 

REV. HENRY WILLIAMS, 

who was settled in 1779. Rev. Bunk- 
er Gay of Hinsdale preached his ordi- 
nation sermon. The text was “Death 
in the pot.” He was a violent Yorker 
aud when the town submitted to the 
state authority, he left with his politi- 
cal hretheren. The third, the 

REV. ELIJAH WOOLAGE, 

was settled in 1794, and dismissed in 
1799. The next of that order was the 

REV. JASON CHAMBERLAIN. 

He was settled in 1807, and in 1811. 
being elected professor of languages in 
the University of Vermont, by his own 
request was dismissed. Afterwards, 
the Rev. Elijah W oolage returned, and 
was received for a time, but dismissed 
in 1818. 

An Epi scopal church was formed in 
the East parish, Nov. 8, 1818, by the 
name of 



CHRISTS CHURCH, 

and on the 8th of May, 1819, the 
Congregational Society voted to unite 
with the Episcopal society, and invit- 
ed their minister, the Rev. A. L. 
Baury, to perform divine service at 
their meeting-house, in the centre of 
the to^yn, half of the time. An Episco- 
pal society was formed for that pur- 
pose, and a union of the two societies 
was effected, and so has continued to 
this time [1842]. 

THE EPISCOPAL MINISTERS, 

who have officiated here are : 

The Rev. Alfred L, Baury from Sep- 
tember, 1820, to I ay, 1822 : 

The Rev. Samuel Shaw from 1 822 
to 1831; 

The Rev. Jacob Pearson from 1832 
to 1836: 

The Rev. Luman Foote 1837 to 
1838 : 

The Rev. John B. Pratt from 1838 
to 1841. 

The present minsier*. Is the Rev. 
Frederick A. Wadleigh. [1842] 

This church consists of about fifty 
communicants. 

THE BAPTISTS 

are the most numerous sect. Among 
the ELders who have had the care of 
churches in this town may be men- 
tioned Elders Willis, Hicks, Snowe, 
Allen, Packard, Leland. Bueklin, Wil- 
son, Lamb and Bruce. Their present 
minister, [1842,] is Elder Milo Frarey, 

THE METHODISTS 

have several classes and there are two 
ministers of this order in town : Rev. 
Asa Haynes, the Rev. John L. Smith. 
There is also, 

A UNI VERBALIST SOCIETY 

here, 'and their present minister is the 
Rev. William N. Barber. 



10 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE* 



There were formerly a very few of 
the fanatical sect called Dornlites here** 
The Congregationiists built the first 
meeting-house, the Baptists the second* 
The Episcopal church was built and the 
Methodist chapel more recently. 

The town has a neat and convenient 
town-house, built in 1821, and situated 
near the Centre. 

VILLAGES. 

There is a village at the west, one at 
the south, one at the east, and one at 
the Centre of the town ; the two lat- 
ter, much the largest, yet, neither con- 
taining mure than 25, or 30 houses. 

EARLY PHYSICIANS. 

Elijah Welch was the first physician 
that settled in town. 

Simon Stevens and Dana Hyde were 
the principle physicians for about forty 
years. 

SCHOOLS. 

The town is divided into 15 school 
districts in each of which is a school- 
house convenient for teaching from 50 
to 100 scholars. In them schools are 
kept most of the year. 

The public school fund has amount 
ed to $210 yearly, arising from the 
lands. From that sum, deducting rents 
of the propagation rights, $79, taken 
up by the original proprietors, leaves 
$131 still annually in the treasury, a- 
rising from the glebe and school lots. 
The funds of the latter were nearly 
lost to the town as follows; In 1777, 
the town voted to sell those lands a- 
mounting to 350 acres and put the 
money at interest for the benefit of 
schools. It was done, and the price of 
*A band of ludicrous fanatics that sprang 
up in Leyden Mass, and extended its conquests 
into some of the Windham Comity towns;— 
born in 1797, died in 1998.— See Thompson’^ 
Gazetteer, Part II. page 202. 



the lands received in specie which was 
lent by the Whig administration of the 
town in 1777, to the recruiting officers r 
for the purpose of tempting the soldier 
to enlist into the service of his country. 
In payment of the loans continental 
hills were received, which turned out 
to be of little or no value. Small as 
is the fund, it has been of great use to 
the town. 

In 1818, a “Female Bible and 
Prayer Book Society was established 
for the purpose of distributing those 
precious books to the poor of the town, 
and at the same time a 

SUNDAY SCHOOL 

was formed, both of which are under 
the Episcopal church, A library, con- 
sisting of about 300 volumes, styled 

GUILFORD SOCIAL LIBRARY,” 

established in 1790, was sold at auc- 
tion, by vote of the society, in 1818. 

CLIMATE AND LONGEVITY. 

The air and climate are remarkably 
wholesome. The oldest people in the 
town cannot remember any remarkable 
season of mortality. Most of the in- 
habitants live to a good, old age, and 
the physicians remark that not one to a 
hundred die annually. It is not un- 
common in town for people to live 
the age of 100 years. 

THE AGRICULTURE. 

The earth is naturally covered with 
a deep, strong and rich soil, with a 
sufficient mixture of earths to make it 
warm, and, at the same time, to pre- 
vent its leaching. The hills make ex - 
cel lent sweet pastures, and the low 
lands are fine for tillage The farms 
consist of from 100 to 500 acres, each, 
which keep through the year, from 10 
to 40 cows with other stock sufficient 
for the concerns of the farm. Of later 




GUILFORD* 



11 



years some of the more wise have turn- 
ed their attention to the raising of 
sheep, for which the hills are best suit- 
ed. The land is naturally covered with 
maple, hemlock, walnut, beech, birch, 
ash, bass, butternut and elm. A few 
traces of black oak, locust and syca- 
more are found. The most useful tree 
is the 

MAPLE. 

The farmers take as much pains 
to keep and preserve an orchard of 
maples as of apple trees, from which 
each manufactures from 50 to 2000 lbs. 
annually, mostly for their own use, but 
when plenty it becomes an article of 
commerce. Reside butter andcheese for 
which the town is famous, it produces 
beef, pork, poultry, and the finest of 
horses for market. Wheat does not grow 
well upon the old fields. Apples, pears, 
peaches, plums, , cherries and quinces 
grow and bear well. As the stumps 
and roots decay, some of the hills are 
washed by the rains and have decreas- 
ed in value. The prudent farmers have 
set out shade trees upon their hills, 
which not only preserve the grass from 
the scorching rays of the sun, but the 
roots prevent the ground from washing. 

FACE OF THE TOWNSHIP. 

Free from rocks, stumps and shrubs, 
most of the hills and v allies are smooth 
on the surface, and in summer present 
to the eye a most delightful scenery. 
The town is hilly, but not mountain* 
ous. Except Governor Mountain, near- 
ly the whole is subject to cultivation - 
East mountain, so called, extending the 
whole length of the town, north and 
south, is the largest hill. It is about 
one mile wide , descending grad ually 
to the east and south, and, except the 
bluffs on the west side, is cleared and 
cultivated. Even the west side is cov- 
ered with excellent timber. On the top 



of this hill live some of the greatest 
dairy-farmers in town. There, you 
literally see, u cattle upon a thousand 
hills.”* 

GEOLOGY OF THE TOWN. 

The rocks are principally mica slate* 
lying in tight ledges, interspersed! 
with strata of quartz, and running 
from north to south. Impure garnets. 
| are plenty in the mica slate, and some- 
I good specimens of rock crystal have* 
been found. Quartz and schorl in va- 
rious mixtures are found some having 
all the appearance of lava. Gn the 
east side of the town is a range of ar- 
gillaceous slate, which is manufacture 
ed into roof and writing slate. Rolled 
rocks of granate, from huge masses to 
small pebbles, appear on almost every 
lot. On some few lots is limestone, and 
on others , bog iron ore, but neither 
suflicienty pure or plenty for manufac- 
ture. 

A slight volcanic eruption is said 
to have taken place here a few years 
ago upon the farm of Mr. Maxwell. 

Gneiss and hornblende slate, with 
those mentioned compose the princi- 
pal rocks in town. Rocks of all kinds 
are not sufficiently plenty for the use* 
of the farmer without much expense. 
In the banks is found good sand, and 
in the low lands as pure clay, perhaps, 
as any in Vermont. On the farm of 
Maj. E. Houghton, is a 

MINERAL SPRING, 

which is the resort of pnvalids, troubl- 
ed with scrofulous and other cutane- 
ous diseases. It is situated in a piece of 
low, marshy ground, and the water is 
impregnated with magnesia, lime, sul- 
phur and iron ♦ The bubbles that arise 
in the spring, on meeting a torch held 
upon the surface, will explode with a 
flame. 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



MfLL-PIUVrLIGES. x 

Green River Is a rapid stream run- 
ning south through the west part of the 
township, and Broad brook, a smaller 
stream, running east through the north 
part. There are two small streams , 
branches of Brhad brook, which run 
north, one through the centre, and the 
other at the foot of the east mountain 
on the west side and empty into Broad 
brook. On both the former are fine 
m Ill-privi liges and water sufficient at 
all seasons of the year. The banks and 
bottom of these streany are clean, the 
waters limpid and they contain trout. 
Eels and suckers are found in most of 
the ponds ; but not in plenty. 

There are now in town : 1 paper-mill ? 

1 extensive tannery, 2 comb factories, 

2 oil mills, 2 grist-mills, 6 saw-mills, 
one clothier’s works and carding, ma- 
chine, 4 stores and 4 taverns. A large 
cittern factory, situated in the East 
Village, was burned in 3820,.. 

STATISTICS OF 1840. ✓ 

Horses, 255; cattle, 2,312; sheep, 
2.94$ ; swine, 790 ; wheat, bu. 920; 
barley, 1.940. oats, 4.630; rye, 690; 
buckwheat, 30; Indian corn, 9.028; 
potatoes, 31.795; hay, tons, 3.438; 
sugar, lbs. 12.555; wool, 6.472, lbs. 
Population 1525. c. s. & j« b. p. 

The foregoing account is taken from 
Thompson’s Gazetteer of the edition 
of 1842 which account has already 
become oue of the antiquities of the 
town. It was Composed by two per- 
sons at two different periods, the first 
article being written by Cyprian Stevens 
a young lawyer of Guilford, about the 
year 1820, and the remainder by the 
Rev. John B. Pratt, an Episcopal cler- 
gyman, which brought; the narrative 
down to 1840. We now propose 
to extend this notice to embrace the 



year 1868, which enters fully upon the 
second century of the settlement of the 
town. 

But before giving the few unimpor- 
tant items of later date, we think that 
it might interest the reader to have a 
more detailed view than has yet been 
given of those of an earlier period . 
To this end, we shall begin with the 
original charter of 1754, follow this 
with the charter of 1764, and then add 
some of the first proceedings under 
these charters together with incidents 
that may appear to he possessed ofTn- 
terest. By this means the reader may 
see the precise manner in which one of 
those extraordinary emanations of pop- 
ular freedom, the “corporate town/’ 
or township, has grown up from its 
first initiation in the wilderness of a 
new country, and gradually assumed 
the form of regular government and 
established society. 

It was not in peace that the town was 
suffered to grow into shape: the obsta- 
cles incident to the opening of a new 
country were not the only obtaeles that 
the first settlers had to contend with : 
but it wip amid threatened Indian 
raids, Revolutionary disturbances and 
domestic conflicts of a peculiarly in- 
volved and perplexed character that 
the foundations of their little munici- 
pality were laid. The very act of the 
government of New York in erecting 
the district and country to which they 
belonged into a county, called Cum- 
berland Coulity, at one time being re- 
voked by the King and Councils and 
again being re-established by them was 
accompanied by so much uncertainty 
and indecision as to leave the inevita- 
ble misapprehensions on the part of the 
people; and then subsequently, the fair 
promises, but faint execution with 
which New York maintained her juris- 




GUILFORD. 



13 



diction, and the wavering and evasive 
course pursued by Congress, together 
with the new and strange assumption 
of authority on the part of “the new 
state,” all tended to confuse and dis- 
tract society and render the organiza- 
tion a work of peculiar difficulty ; a 
bare reflection of this difficulty will be 
seen in the proceedings of the town- 
meetings sometimes, where these pro- 
ceedings seem glowering with the ill- 
suppressed hostility of opposite par- 
ties. Yet, it can be clearly perceived 
that this conflict arose from no disrup- 
tive spirit of antagonism existing in 
the community itself, but from the 
want of a clear and definite course on 
the part of the superior authorities to 
which the town was subject. Society 
in America was undergoing a change ; 
it was letting go the hold of the past 
and groping its way with uneertniney 
into the untried future. Reset by the 
claims of rival authorities to its allegi- 
ance finding itself oppressed with the 
confusion and arnachy thus occasioned, 
the town at times, acted for itself as an 
independent colony, just as the Grants 
themselves subsequently did when they 
setup to be anew state; but sensible of 
the limited extent of its dominion, it 
appeared willing to transfer its allegi- 
ance to that party which might have the 
best original claim to it ; in perfect ac- 
cord with, and even in advance of the 
general sentiment of the day in respect 
to throwing off the yoke of the moth- 
er country, as will appear by the re- 
markable proceedings, July 5, 1775, 
they were forward in shewing their loy- 
al deference to the authority of the 
Continental Congress, and would have 
readily complied with whatever decis- 
ion that new power might have 'made, 
whether in favor of New Hampshire, 
New York, or even “■the pretended 



State of Vermont. 5 ’ But while they 
warmly aided the Revolutionary war 
of the Colonies’ they were hardly pre- 
pared for that other revolution within 
a revolution — the independence of the 
Grants ; their material interests had 
become too intimately involved. — 
Events, however, have thus far shown 
that that second revolution was fortu- 
nate and appropriate to the condition 
of things. * * * 

THE ORIGINAL CHARTER- 

Province of George II by the 
New Hampshire grace of God of 
Great Britain 

France & Ireland King, Defender of 

the faith et. 

To all persons to whom these 
presents shall Come Greeting Know 
Ye that We of onr Especial Grace 
certain Knowledge and mere Motion 
for the due Encouragement of Settling 
a New Plantation within our aid 
Province by & with the Advice of oqr 
Truly & well beloved BINNING 
WENTWORTH, Esq. our Govern- 
or & Commander in Chieff of our 
Said Province of New Hampshire in 
America and of our Council of the sd 
Province HAVE upon the Conditions 
& Reservations hereafter made Given 
& Granted and by these Presents for 
Us our Heirs A Successors Do Give & 
Grant in Equal Shares unto our Lov- 
ing Sujects Inhabitants of our sd Prov- 
ince of New Hampshire and his 
Majesty’s other Governments and to 
their heirs <k Assigns for Ever 
whose names are entered on the 
Grant to be Divided to and amongst 
them into Sixty four Equal Shares, 
All that Tract or Parcel of land Situ- 
ate lying & being within our Province 
of New Hampshire containing by Ad- 
measurement twenty three thousand <fe 
forty Acres which tract is to contain 



14 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Six Miles Square and no more ; Out of 
which an Allowance is to be made for 
Highways & unimprovable lands, by 
Rocks, Mountains, Ponds & Rivers 
one thousand A forty Acres free ac- 
cording to a plan thereof made & pre- 
sented by our Sd Governors orders and 
hereunto Annexed Butted & Bounded 
as follows Viz, Beginning at the South 
East Corner of Halifax at a stake in 
the Province Line thence running Six 
Miles due East to the South West Cor- 
ner of Hlnsdell, thence due North Six 
Miles to the North West Corner of 
Hinsdell, thence due West by Brattle- 
boro Six Miles to the North East Cor- 
ner of Halifax aforesaid, thence due 
South Six Miles by Halifax to the 
Bounds first mentioned- — and that the 
same be and hereby is Incorporated 
into a Township by the Name of 
Guilford and that the Inhabitants that 
Do or shall hereafter Inhabit said 
Township are hereby declared to be 
Enfranchised with <fe Instituted to all 
<fe every the Privilges & Immunities 
that other towns within our sd Prov- 
ince by La w r Exercise Enjoy, and 
that the first Meeting for the Choice of 
Town Officers, agreeable to the ^aws 
of our sd Province Shall be held On 
the second Tuesday in May next which 
meeting shall be Notified by John 
Chandler, jun’ Esq who is hereby also 
appointed the Moderator of the first 
Meeting which he is to Notify & Gov- 
ern agreeable to the Laws & Custom 
of our sd Province : and also the An- 
nual Meeting for Ever hereafter for the 
Choice of such Officers of sd Town 
shall be held the first Tuesday in March 
Anuualiy TO HAVE & HOLD Sd 
Town Tract of Land as above Express- 
ed Together with all the Priviledg- 
es Appurtenences to them Respec- 



tive heirs & Assigns upon tho follow- 
ing Conditions Viz, 

That Every Grantee his Heirs shall 
Plant or Cultivate five Acres of Land 
within the term of five Years for every 
fifty Acres contained in his or their 
share or proportion of Land in Sd 
Township and Continue to improve 
& Settle the same by Additional Culti- 
vation in penalty of Forfeiture of his 
Grant or Share in Sd Township and its 
reverting to his Majesty his heirs & 
Successors to be by him or them re- 
granted to such of his Subjects as shall 
Effectually Settle Cultivate the same 

That all White & other Pine Trees 
within the Sd Township fit for Masting 
Onr Royal Navy be carefully preserv- 
ed for that Use and none to be cut or 
felled without his Majesty’s Especial 
Licence for so doing first had & ob- 
tained, upon the Penalty of the For- 
feiture of the Right of such Grant his 
Heirs or Assigns to us our Heirs & 
Successors as well as being subject to 
the Penalty of any Act or Acts of 
Par lament' that now are or hereafter 
shall be Enacted. 

That before any Division of the Sd 
Land, be made <fe amongst the Grantees 
a Tract of Land as near the Centre of 
the Township as the Land will admit 
of shall be reserved & Marked out for 
Fair Lotts one of which shall be allot- 
ted to Each Grantee of the Contents 
of one acre yelding and paying there 
for to us our Heirs Successors for 
the space of ten Years to be computed 
from the Date hereof, the rent of one 
Ear of Indian Corn on the first day of 
January Annually if Lawfully De- 
manded the first Payment to be made 
on the January next Ensuing the Date 
hereof namely on the First Day of 
January that will be in the Year of our 




GUILFORD. 



10 



Lord Christ one thousand seven hun- 
dred & sixty four one Shilling Proc- 
amation money for every hundred 
Acres he so owns settles or Pos- 
sesses and so improves or for a 
Greater or Lesser Tract of the sd 
Sd Land : which Money shall be paid 
by the respective Person above sd ^ 
their Heirs or Assigns in our Council 
Chamber in Portsmouth or to such 
Officer or Officers as shall he appointed 
to receive the same and this to he 
In Lieu of all other Rent & services 
whatsoever IN TESTIMONY here- 
of We have Caused the Seal of our 
Province to be hereunto affixed. 
Witness Benntng Wentworth Esq., 
our Governor & Commander in Chieff 
of our Sd Province the Second Bay 
of April in the Year of our Lord Christ 
1754 and in the ’27th Year of his 
Majesty's Reign 

By his Excellency’s Command 
Penning Wentworth 
With advice of Council Province 
of New Hampshire April 2 1754 

THEODORE ATKINSON SECY 
Entered & recorded in the Book of 
Charters for the Province aforesaid 
Page 197198199 per Theodore Atkin- 
son Secy. 

Upon the back of the charter is the 
following i 

The Names of the Grantees of 
the Town of Guilford : 

Elijah Wiliiams, Seth Dwight, 
David Field, Samuel Field, William 
Morris, Mathers Clessen, Eleazer 
Hawks, Eleazer Barnard, Joseph Bar- 
nard, Obediah Dickinson, Samuel 
Barnard, Jun. Charles Coates, James 
Morris, Salah Barnard, Samuel Par- 
fridge, John Ames, David Wells, 
Aaron Scott, John Allen, Jun., Rich- 
ard Crouch, John Chandler, Gardner 



Chandler, John Chadwick James Boyd 
John Curtis, John Chadwick, Jun.. 
Nahum Willard, Benjamin Green. 
N ath anzel Green , T imothy Paine , 
Benjamin Eager, Peter Green, Samu- 
el Williams, John Curtis, Jun., Eben- 
ezer Cutler, George Bruce, Asa Flagg, 

| Samuel Mower, John Boy den, John 
Chandler, Jr., Samuel Wentworth of 
Boston, Benjamin Pollard, Jonathan 
Martin, Jun*, Elisha Higgins, John 
Billings, Thoms Warren, Philip Whee- 
ler, Da Carpenter, Samuel Carpenter, 
Leonard Janis, Theodore Atkinson , 
Richard Wibird, Daniel Warner, His 
Excellency Benning Wentworth, Esq., 
a Tract of Land to Contain five hun- 
dred acres which is to be laid out in 
one body, one whole share for the In- 
corporated Society for the Propaga- 
tion of the Gospel in foreign parts ; one 
whole share for the first settled Minis- 
ter of the Gospel in Said Town ; one 
whole share for a Glebe for the Minis- 
try of the Church of England as by 
Law Established — Caleb Howe, John 
Wentworth, Joseph Blanchard, Eleaz. 
Williams, William Rawson Jun., Win. 
Johnson. 

Entered and recorded with the Origi- 
nal Charter on the other side, the 2d 
of April 1754 Book of Charter page 
199 200. 

u p r Theodore Atkinson Secy 

THE CONFIRMATORY CHARTER, 

which with the original charter is care- 
fully preserved in the town records is 
as follows : 

u province of New Hampshire 

GEORGE THE THIRD by 
the Grace ol God of Great Britain 
France and Ireland King Defender of 
the Faith &c 

To all whom these presents shall 
come Greeting 




16 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



“WHEREAS our late Royal grand- 
father King George the Second of Glo- 
rious memory, did of His special Grace 
and mere motion for the Encourage- 
ment of settling a new plantation in 
our said Province of New Hamp- 
shire by his letters Patent or Charter 
under the Seal of our said Province dat- 
ed 2d day of April 1754, and in the 
twenty sixth year of His Majesty's 
Reign grant a tract of land equal to 
Six Miles square bounded as therein 
expressed to a number of our Loyal 
£ ubjects, whose Names are entered on 
the same, to hold to them their Heirs 
or Assigns on the conditions therein 
declared to be a town corporate by the j 
Name of Guilford as by Reference to 
the said Charter may more fully ap- 
pear. 

And Whereas the said Grantees 
have represented that by the Interven- 
tion of an Indian war since making 
the said Grant it has been Impractica- 
ble to Comply with and fulfill the Con- 
ditions and humbly Supplicated us not 
to take advantage of the breach of the 
conditions, but to Lengthen out and 
grant them some Reasonable time for 
Performance thereof after the Imped- 
iment shall cease. ' 

Now Know Yee that we being wil- 
ling to promote the end proposed have 
of our further grace and Favour sus- 
pended our claim of the Forfieture 
w'ch the said Grantees may have In- 
curred, and by these Presents do grant 
unto the said Grantees their Heirs and 
and Assigns the term of one year from 
the 1st January 1775 for Performing 
and fulfilling the conditions, matters 
and things by them to be done, which 
term is to be renewed annually if the 
same impediment remains untill Plena- 
ry instructions shall he received relat- 



ing to the Incident that has prevented 
a Complyance with the said Charter 
according to the Intent and meaning -of 
the same 

In Testimony whereof we have 
Caused the Seal of our said Province 
to be hereunto affixed Witness Ben- 
ning Wentworth Esq, our Governor 
and Commander in Chief of our Prov- 
ince aforesaid the 20 day of March in 
the year of our Lord Christ 1764 in 
the fourth year of bis Majesty's Reign 
By his Excellency's Council 
B, Wentworth 
with advice of Council 

T. Atkinson Jun Secy 
Province of New Hampshire 
June 8th 1764 recorded in the first 
book of Charters P 466 

P. Atkinson Jun Secy 



HlARLrY PROCEEDINGS OF THE PROPRIE- 
TORS UNDER THEIR CHARTER. 

4 4 Winchester 

July 14th 1761 at a legal meeting 
of the Proprietors of the township of 
Guilford in ye province of New Hamp- 
shire being duly warned & met agreea- 
ble to an act made empowering to call 
meetings on the 14th July 1761, ye 
proprietors proceeded & made choice 
of Capt Samuel Hunt for moderator 
of the meeting 

2 Voted and made choice of David 
Field proprietors clerk 

Sd Voted to accept of Capt Nath'l 
Dwights Plan of ye fifty acre Lots 
laid out by him 

4 Voted to draw ye Lots 

5 Voted to adjourn ye meeting to 

ye first tuesday in august to meet at 
Northfield at ye house of Capt Samuel 
Hunts at 10 of ye Clock in sd day 
test Samuel Hunt moderator 




t 



GUILFORD. 



August ye 4th 1761 then ye proprie- 
tors of Gilford met at ye time and 
plane to which ye meeting was ad- 
journed 

lly Voted to Raise a tax of 5 dollars 
on Each Right to pay the cost of Lay- 
ing out ye Lots on sd township & 
clearing and making what Roads shall 
be thought proper & other contingen- 
cies 

21y Voted & chose Elijah Williams 
Esq. & Messrs Eli Barnard & David 
Field Assessors 

3d Voted chose Capt Sam’l Hunt 
Treasurer 

4th Voted & chose Mieah Rice Col- 
ector 

51y Voted to Lay out what now 
Remains in Common In sd township 
in hundred acre Lots 

6 Voted and chose Capt Nathan 
Willard David Field & Asa Rice to be 
a committee to Lay out sd Land 

71y Voted that any five of ye Pro- 
prietors by applying to ye Clerk by a 
writing under their hands desiring a 
meeting of sd Proprietors setting forth 
ye time place and articles to be acted 
upon in sd meeting & the Clark setting 
up notifications in Gilford Rrattlebury 

Northfield fourteen days before sd 
meeting shall be a good & Legal warn- 
ing untill ye Proprietors of sd town of 
gilford shall determine otherwise 

8th Voted to dismiss this meeting 
Test Samuel Hunt Moderator 

Greenfield Decern ye 23 1761 
at a Legal meeting of the proprietors 
of Gilford Elijah Williams Esq was 
chosen moderator of the meeting 

21y that house Lot number sixty three 
be sequestered for a school in said 
town and that there be one full share 



17 

of Land not yet drew for Left for sd 
use viz three hundred acre Lots 

3 Voted that Capt Nathan Willard 
Esq Levi Goodman John Inswell Mi- 
cah Rice & Lieut Johnathan Dicker- 
man be a committee & Lay out such 
Rhodes as are necessary in ye township 
of gilford and report to ye proprietors 
there doings thereon as soon as may be 
ye above said roads are to be Laid as 
near ye centre of sd township from 
south to ye north as may be <fc also from 
ye west part of sd township toward ye 
grate river as near ye centre of ye town- 
ship as the nature of ye ground will 
admit of 

4 Whereas at A a former meeting it 
was voted to Lay out ye common or 
undivided Land in gilford into hundred 
acre Lots now voted to draw three hun- 
dred acres to each proprietor at the 
same time making a reserve for Roads 
wherever they shall pe Laid in sd town 
with out any consideration to the own- 
er of such Lott or Lots where any 
Rhode or Rhodes may be Laid viz the 
two rhodes now voted to he Laid out 
the votes on ye loose paper here to be 
entered 

5 the tickets or numbers of the Lot 
being prepared voted to draw ye same 

6 Voted yt ye ehainmen be allowed 
4s pr Day 

7 Voted yt Elijah Williams Esq Eb 
Barnard & David Field be a commit- 
tee to Receive <fe pass accounts & give 
orders on ye Treasurer for ye payment 
of ye same 

Elijah Williams Mod 

“Greenfield Deeember 16th 1762 
at a Legal meeting ye proprietors of 
Gilford Elijah Williams Esquire was 
chosen moderator then voted to Ad- 
journ the meeting to the House of Da- 




I 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



18 

vid Field of Brookfield there to meet 
at nine a clock in ye morning the 
next day having met 

1st they voted and made choice of 
Capt Samuel Hunt David Goode- 

nough to be a Comt’ to Lay out a 

Road through ye town of Gilford from 
the East side to the West side of sd 
township as near the centre as may he 
and make return of ye same at ye next 
meeting 

21y V oted and made choice of David 
Field and Major Selah Barnard to be a 
committee to vieuw and Lay out a Road 
from the south to the north Line of 
Gilford as near to the centre of Sd 
township as may be with convenience 
and make return of their doings at ye 
next meeting 

31y voted and made choice of Elijah 
Williams Esq Mess Ebenezer Barnard 
& David Field to confer and determine 
what articles shall be acted upon in 
in their next meeting in order to com- 
plete the settlement of ye sd town of 
Gilford and that the Clark be desired 
to publish the same in the Boston 
weekly newspaper three weeks succes- 
sively 

Elijah Williams mod’r 

Brattle Bury Sept 14 1763 at a 
Legal meeting of ye proprietors # of ye 
township of Gilford Elijah Williams 
Esq was chosen moderator 

21y David Field was chosen propri- 
etors Clerk 

3 Voted that Elijah Williams Esq be 
added to the committee formerly chose 
to vieuw and Lay out a road from ye 
north and south side of Gilford & also 
voted yt Mr Allen be added to ye 
committee formerly choose to Lay out 
ye Road East & West through ye town 
Voted that Mr Josiah Allen John 
Arms and Deacon Wm Nichols be a 



committee to audit accounts with ye 
treasurer 

Voted that Mr Sami Allen Mr Da- 
vid Goodenoug Nathaniel Smith Dca 
con Wm Nichols Josiah Allen be a 
committee to vieuw ye Lot No 40 viz 
ye house Lot and see if they can find 
a convenient place for a meeting-house 

field and Burying-place and make 

Report at this meeting Viz at ye ad- 
journment 

Voted the Clark be desired to pur- 
chase two books one for the treasurer 
and one for the proprietors Clark 

Voted that ye Collectors be desired 
to post all of those Rights of Land 
that have not yet paid their taxes in 
order for sale to pay ye taxes Laid on 
Sd rights 

Voted to adjourn this meeting to ye 
17th of Sept at 10 a Clock then to 
meet at Joseph Stebbins in Hinsdale 

October 17th 1763 ye proprietors of 
Gilford met at ye time and place to 
which ye meeting was adjourned and 
then upon hearing ye Report of ye 
committees before chosen to vieuw ye 
ground in order for Laying out Rhodes 
it was thought advisable to Establish no 
Rhodes therefore voted that Josiah 
Allen Micah Rice Nathaniel Smith 
David Goodenough & David Scott be 
a committee to elear and do what else 
is necessary upon .the rhode Leading 
from fort Dummer unto Gilford and 
also from ye South East corner of Gil- 
ford to go a course yt will bring them 
as near the centre of Gilford as may 
be and further 

Voted that those who have or may 
be paid out of the next tax it shall be 
raised on ye proprietors or any. other 
Rhodes if shall be made to accommo- 
date the present settlers untill ye pro- 
prietors order otherways 




GUILFORD . 



19 



2 Voted that those that shall work 
at ye Rhodes shall be allowed in the 
fall 2 s 8d pr da? and in the summer 
3s pr day and if any person who shall 
work at ye roads does not perform a 
days work be shall be allowed no more 
than ye committee thinks proper 
Voted that Colonel Josiah Willard 
and Mr Daniel Jones both or either of 
them be desired to get ye charter of 
Gilford Renewed by prefering a peti- 
tion to ye governor and council of 
Newhampshire petition in behalf of ye 



proprietors for that purpose 








Micah Rice Dr to a ticket 


0 


12 


0 


Abishai Rice Dr to a ticket 


0 


12 


0 


Oliver Harris Dr to a ticket 


0 


12 


0 


David Field cash for one 


0 


12 


0 


Levi Goodenough Dr to a ticket 0 


12 


0 


John Frissel Dr to a ticket 


0 


12 


0 


Eb Barnard Dr to a ticket p* 


Field(do) 


Lt Billings Dr to a ticket 


0 


12 


0 



David Wells Dr to 4 tickets £2 80 
The foregoing is a correct copy of 8 
loose leaves of a small memorandum 
book in the town Clerk's office of Guil- 
ford, copied f by Rodney B. Field, 
August 28, 1860. 

THE FIRST TOWN-MEETING. 

The first record of any regular meet- 
ing held in the town is dated : 

u May ye 19 th 1772 Then the free 
holders and other Inhabitants of the 
Tract of Land called Guilford in the 
County of Cumberland and Province 
of New York met together and by a 
majority of votes made choice of : 

“1 Samuel Williams Esq Modera- 
tor of Sd meeting 

2d John Shepherdson Town Clerk 

3 John Baruey Supervisor 

4 John Shepherdson William Bul- 
lock & Othniel Williams Assessors 



5 Chose Daniel Williams Hezekiah 
Howe David Goodenough & Joel Cut- 
ler Constables 

6 Josiah Allen Hezekiah Stowe l 
Josiah Scott Othniel Wilkins and Sam- 
uel Bixby Commissioners for Laying 
out Highways 

7 Jotham Bigelow Micah Rice 
Silas Rice David Steel Jeams and Ba- 
con fence viewers 

8 Hezkiah Stowell field Driver 

9 Hezekiah Stowell Pound Keeper 

10 Josiah Allen Collector 

11 Thomas Town Treasurer 

12 Edmund Bemis Gad Smith Joel 
Cutler and John Barney surveyors and 
overseers of the highway 

13 Zephaniah Shepherdson Hezeki- 
ah Stowell aud John Barney overseers 
of poor 

14 Daniel Boy den Paul Chase Thom- 
as Cutler and David Stowell swine 
Constables 

15 Asa Rice Sealer of Weights and 
measures 

16 David Stowell Sealer of Leather 

17 Voted that, sheap rams should 
not go at large from the first of Sep- 
tember to the middle of November 
next 

18 Voted that swine should go at 
large this year 

19 Adjourned Sd meeting to the 
third Tuesuay in May next 

John Shepherdson District Clerk 

u May 18 ye 1773 Then the free- 
holders and other Inhabitants of the 
District of Guilford in the County of 
New York met together and by a ma- 
jority of votes made choice of 

1 David Joy Esq moderator of Sd 
meeting 

2 Thomas Cutler Town Clerk 



20 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



3 John Barney Supei visor 

4 Samuel Nichols Treasurer 

5 Lovell Bullock and Jotham Bige- 
lo Collectors 

6 Benjamin Carpenter Esq William 
Bullock and John Shepherclson As- 
sessors 

7 Paul Chase Joel Cutler Zephani- 
ah Shepherdson and Silas Rice con- 
stables 

8 Asa Rice Samuel Nichols Esq 
John Shepherdson Thomas Cutler 
John Ranney Commetiess for Laying 
out Highways 

9 Zephanlali Shepherdson Daniel 
Lynde Dr David Stowell Jeams Cutler 
William Rums dale Paul Chase Over- 
seers cf the Highways 

10 John Barney Hezekiah Stowell 

Zephaniah Shepherdson Overseers of 
the poor 

11 Hezekiah Stowell Pound Keeper 
and Field Driver 

12 Samuel Melody Giles Robard 

Gad Smith Samuel Curtis Fence 
Viewers * 

13 I rancis Rice Seth Rice Daniel 
Lynde and Seth Gooding Swine Con- 
stables 

14 \oted that swine be shut up and 
not go at large this year 

15 Adjourned to the Thurd Tues- 
day in June at three o’clock afternoon 

pr John Shepherdson District Clerk 

On the adjournment of the annual 
meeting which was in June ye 15th 
1773 after opening the meeting firstly 
made choice of Othniel Wilkins Town 
Clerk of sd meeting 

Secondly voted to Dismiss Jotham 
Bigelow from serving in the office of 
Collector Lieut John Shepherdson to 
serve in his place Sd meeting adjourn- 



ed to the third Tuesday in May next 
at the Meeting House 
May the 17th 1774 Then the free- 
holders and other Inhabitants of the 
town of Guilford in the County of 
Cumberland and Province of New 
York meet together and by a majority 
of the votes made choice of 

1st Samuel Nichols Esq Moderator 
of sd meeting / 

2d Elijah Welch Town Clerk 
3d Lovewell Bullock Supervisor 
4th Elijah Welch h Timothy Root 
Assessors 

5th William Bollock and John Bar- 
nard Collectors 

6th John Shepherdson & Hezekiah 
Stowell overseers of the Poor 

7th John Shepherdson David Good- 
enough John Barney Committee for 
Laying out Highways 

8th Benjamin Carpenter Othniel Wil- 
kins Jr Abel Rice Ichabod Packer Tim- 
othy Root Francis Rice & James Ba- 
con Overseers of the Highways 

9th Abijah Rogers <fe Samuel Curtis 
Fence viewers 

10 Stephen Shepherdson Manasah 
Bixby David Stowell John Barber 
Constable 

11 William Bigelo John Rickey 
Sarn’l Allen and Ebenezer Toby Hogg 
Constables 

12 Voted hoggs shall be shut up 

13 Hezekiah Stowe! Pound Keeper 
The meeting adjourned to thursday 

the 26th of May 1774 

“May 26th AD 1774 Then met to- 
gether according to adjournment and 
1st Dismissed William BulloekYrom 
serving as Collector and made choice 
of Mieajah Rice to serve in his room 
2d Joel Cutler serves Constable for 
John Barber lastly 




GUILFORD, 



21 



Chose Thomas Cutler Assessor 

The meeting adjourned to the third 
Tuesday in May 1775 

pr Elijah Welch Town Clerk 

Guilford May ye 6th AD 1776 

Then this Town meet together ac- 
cording to request and 
1st Made choice of Samuel Nichols 
Esq Moderator of said meeting 

21y Elijah Welch Town Clerk 

3d Voted to let none vote for Com- 
mittees town officers &c but such as are 
qualified according to the Direction of 
the Honorable Continental Congress 
and made choice of Israel Gurley Tim- 
othy Root and Hczekiah Stowel for a 
Committee to inspect and see that there 
is no other that vote but such as are 
qualified 

4 Made choice of Samuel Nichols 
Esq Israel Gurley Deacon Thomas 
Cutler and Levi Gooden ought to serve 
this Town as a Committee of inspec- 
tion or safety 

5 Made choice of Deacon Thomas 
Cutler Janies Bacon Levi Bullock Ith- 
amer Goodenough Zephaniah Shop- 
herdson Hezekiah Nathaniel Carpen- 
ter David Stowel John Noyes Silas 
Cutler and Joseph Dexter surveyors of 
Highways 

6 Made choice of Asa Rice and Da- 
vid Goodenough overseers of the Poor 

7 Made choice of Hezehiah Stowel 
sealer of weights and measures 

8 David Stowel Joel Cutler and 
Stephen Shepherdson a Committee for 
laying out Highways 

9 Voted that those men who have 
blocked up the Roads by falling Trees 
or any other way shall clear them on 
their own cost 

10 Voted that all roads laid out by 
a Committee chosen for that purpose 



shall be laid open by the tenth day of 
November Next and that any Person 
may throw down Bars and fences of 
those who neglcet to fence out the Rode 
and the owner of such Lots and inclo- 
sures shall sustain the Damage with- 
out any redress after the date above sd 

11 Made choice of Samuel Nichols 
Esq Town Treasurer 

12 Made choice of John Barney 
Edward Houghton and Capt William 
Bullock Assessors 

13 Made choice of Simeon Edwards 
and James Cutler Collectors of Town 
Rates 

14 Voted that sheep and hoggs Shall 
not run at large 

15 Made choice of James Barney 
Elijah Welch Benjamin Chase and 
Daniel Edwards Hogg Constables 

16 Voted to pay Benjamin Carpen- 
ter his expense money that he has ex- 
pended at Westminster as a deligate 
for the town 

17 Voted to adjourn this meeting to 
the first Monday in May next at nine 
o’Clock in the morning 

Attest Elijah Welch Town Clerk 

Guilford June 3d 1776 

The lown of Gulford met being 
Legally warned and 

1 Made choice of Samuel Nichols 
Moderator 

2 Made choice of Samuel Nichols 
Esq first Committee Man for the Coun- 
ty Samuel Gurley 2d Ditto 

3 And made ehoicee of Simeon 
Edwards and Elijah Welch Town 
Committee in, their places sd meeting 
Dysolved 

pr Elijah Welch Town Clerk 

The Town of Guilford met together 
and first made choice of Samuel Nic- 




22 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.' 



ols Esq Moderator of sd Meeting 
(* ‘Guilford July ye 5th 1776” date for, 
before two last lines of the last page.) 

It was put to vote to see if we should 
Raise a Bounty for the soldiers that are 
ailed for Now and it was voted that 
we should by subscription and that it 
should be recorded in the town book 
and what each man subscribed 

3d was voted that the committees’ 
Clerk should Record the proceedings 
ofjthis meeting and make a return of 
it to the Town Clerk 

4 it was voted that we should make 
up the bounty of, each man Four 
Pounds Bay money 

5th they Rescinded the 2d Vote of 
this meeting and voted it should be 
raised b}' a Rate 

6 Voted the Constable of Safety of 
the Town of Guilford shall see who 
onght to pay Rates to make up this 
Bounty for the soldiers and who 
ought not 

7th Voted to Choose a Committee 
to Raise this money for the Bounty 
aforesd’ and chose Esq Nichols Capt 
John Barney and Paul Chase 

8 Voted to Raise Ten Men to go 
into the service of this Colony 

9 Voted that Capt Barney stand a 
Committee Man to go to Brattlebor- 
ough with some of the Committee in 
order to send for Fire Arms aud pow- 
der and send by Col Smith 

a true copy of the Proceedings of 
sd Meeting 

Levi Goodenough Com’t Clerk 
pr Elijah Welch Town Clerk 

Feb 20th 1777 the Town of Guil- 
ford met together according to request 

first made choice of Maj Shepherd- 
son Moderator of sd meeting 



2 Voted to adjourned to the house of 
Hezekiah Stowel 

3 Voted to choose a Committee of 
Nine Men to state th6 Price of Labor 
Provisions Mercantable Goods <fcc and 
to make to the Town for their appro* 
bation and made choice of Capt John 
Barney John Noyes Levi Goodenough 
Timothy Root Adam Whiting Hezeki- 
ah Stowel Daniel Wilkins Deac Thom- 
as Cutler and Peter Briggs for the a- 
bove Committee 

4th made choice of John Noyes 
County Committee man and voted to 
adjourn this meeting to the 6th of 
March one o’clock afternoon 

March 6 met according to adjourn- 
ment and first on Maj Shepherason be- 
ing absent made choice of John Noyes 
Moderator in his stead and the com- 
mittee above sd Proceeded and made 
report to the Town as follows 

Viz, Good merchantable wheat shall 
not exceed 60 cts pr Bu 

Good Rye shall not exceed 40 cts 
pr Ditto 

Good Indian Corn 30 cts pr Ditto 
Oats 18 cts pr Ditto 
Peas and Beans 60 cents pr bushel 
each 

Good Yallow Potaters shall not in 
the Spring exceed 20 cts pr Bushel 
Spannish Potaters T6 in the Spring 
Good Flax Seed shall not ezceed 60 
pr Bushel 

Good salt shall not exceed 10 c pr 
Bushel allowing one Penny a mile per 
Bushel for Land carriage from the Por 
of Delivery <fcc 

Good West India Rum and New 
England Rum and molasses and Mus- 
covado sugar shall be sold on the same 
as they are stated in the New England 
I States 




GUILDFORD. 



23 



Farming Labors in the summer sea- 
son shall not exceed 30 ets pr day and 
so in usual proportion at other seasons 
of the year and the labor of Mechanics 
and Tradesmen and other Labor to be 
computed according to the wages and 
customs that hath been Practiced a- 
mong us computed with fanning labor 
Pork weighing from Fire to seven 
score at 3 ets pr lib from 7 score to ten 
ets Pound and all above Ten Score 
4 ets 

Good Grass Beef of the best quality 

shall not exceed 24 (illegible) and 

so inP ro]>ortion for Stall fed Beef and 
Likewise Beef of an inferior quality 
Raw Hides shall not exceed 3 ets pr 
lb 

Good well tanned Sole Leather shall 
not exceed 14c pr lb 
Mens Neat Leather Shoes of the 
best sort shall not exceed 90 ets prpair 
and other shoes in proportion accord- 
ing to their qnality 

Good merchantable Wool shall not 
exceed 20c per lb 

Good merchantable Flax shall not 
exceed J s pr lb 

Good Yd wide Tow Cloth shall not 
exceed 2s lOd pr yd and so in propor- 
tion to its width and quality 

Coarse Linning to be computed after 
the rate of Tow Cloth 

Good Striped Flannel shall (not) ex- 
ceed 36c pr Yd and other Flannels ac- 
cording to their widdth and quality 
the other woolen cloths in like propor- 
tion 

Good Merchantable Hay in the Cot 
shall not exceed (illegible) pr tun and 
in the spring 36s pr tun 
Good cheese shall not exceed 5c pr lb 
Good Butter shall not exceed 19c 
per lb 



Tallow shall not exceed 18c (or 8c 
pr lb 

Hogs Fat shall no exceed 17c pr Id 

Good Pine Boards clear stuff shall 
not exceed ’36 (?) pr Thousand and 
covering Boards finch thick at 24s pr 
thouhsand and other Boards accord- 
ing to thir Quality compared to Pine 
<fe Good Clean Salted Pork 8 ( ?) pr H 
wt 

This Town unanimously came into 
and adopted the above stated Prices 
and if any Person in this Town shall 
sell any of the commodities herein 
specified to any Person in the Neigh- 
boring towns at a higher price than 
is here stated shall forfeit the value of 
sd article to this Town — And if any 
Person or Persons Directly or Indi- 
rectly shall Receive or take a Greater 
Price for any of the above mentioned 
articles than is here stated he shall for- 
feit and pay the value of sd article or 
articles the one half to and for the use 
of the Town and the other half to the 
complainant 

And we the Inhabitants of Guilford 
in Town Meeting assembled Do Charge 
and apoint the committee of sd Town 
to hear and determine all cases and 
complaints that shall Legally come to 
your or their knowledge so far as it 
Respect this Town in the aforesd* ar- 
ticles together with cost of suit and if 
he or they are found Guilty they shall 
pay cost of suit 

By a Unanimous Vote of this Town 
And chose Maj John Shepherdson one 
of the Committee of Inspection 

Attest Elijah Welch Town Clerk 
Guilford March ye 6th 1777 
Guilford April 7th 1777 

This Town meet according to cus- 
tom and Unanimously Past the followd 
ing votes (viz) 




24 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



1st Chose Levi Goodenough Moder- 
ator of the Meeting 

2d Made choice of Elijah Welch 
Town Clerk 

3d Chose Samuel Nichols Esq and 
David Stowel County Committee Men 
4th Made choice of Timothy Root 
Phineas Rice Hezekiah Stowel Levi 
Goodenough and Simeon Edwards to 
serve this Town as a Committee of 
Safety for the year Insuing 

5th Chose Adam Whitney and 
James Cutler Constables 

6th Chose Thomas Cutler Town 
Treasuerer 

7th Made choice of Thomas Cutler 
Sami Bixby and John Noyes Asses- 
sors 

8th chose William Bigelow and 
Micah Rice Collectors 

9th Chose Hezekiah Stowel Daniel 
Wilkins David Denison and Samuel 
Allen committee for Laying out Roads 
10th Made choice of Eben’r Fitch 
David Stowel John Noyes Danl Ed- 
wards Joseph Dexter Samuel Allen 
Hezekiah Horton Jr Newhall Earl, 
Elijah Welch Thomas Cutler Daniel 
Ayres and Mannassah Bixby survey- 
ors of Highways 

11th Voted that each Freeholder 
shall work 6 Days and that under age 
3 Days apiece and that any Person be- 
ing duly warned by the Surveyor Re- 
use, to work without a reasonable ex- 
cuse shall pay a fine of six shillings 
for each days Neglect and the Town 
Committee to Grant out Warrants on 
having a complaint from the Surveyors 
12th Voted to shut up sheep and 
hogs and not let them Run at large 
13th Jesse Demmich James Cutler 
David Joy Jun’r David Davis Con- 
stables 



14th Chose John Barney Thomas 
Cutler David Stowel John Shephcrson 
and David Denison Fence Viewers and 
Hezekiah Stowel Pound Keeper 
15th It was unanimous vote of this 
town to Sell the Right of Land in town 
called the school Write to be sold at 
Public Vendue to the highest Bidder 
and the use of the Money to be applied 
to the Maintaing a School and for no 
other 

16th Chose Hezekiah Stowel Asa 
Rice John Barney Thomas Cutler 
Daniel Wilkins a Committee to sell sd 
Land and Give a Deed in the name of 
and behalf of the Town 

Voted to adjourn this Meeting to the 
first Monday in April 1778 

Guilford July 3d 1777 
This Day Lieut Josiah Allen Capt 
Daniel Wilkins Hezekiah Stowel and 
Joseph Elliot was sworn as constables 
Men for this town Before me 

Elijah Welch Town Clerk 
Tuesday May the 13th A D 1777 
The Town of Guilford Met together 
according to Request and 

1st Chose Samuel Nichols Esq 
Moderator 

2d Voted not to let any Person 
vote in this meeting but such as have 
Forty Pounds Personal or real estate 
3d Voted that those Persons that 
have settled on Lands without Purchas- 
ing them and Refuse to buy Sd Lands 
of the owner shall be Emediately Dis- 
sesst. But those that dont mean to hold 
by possession and are willing to buy of 
the Right owner when to be found to 
Remain in peaceful Possession urtil he 
can have an opportunity to Buy sd 
Land 

4th Voted that those that have Run 
a Bush Fence Round Lots to hold them 




GUILFORD. 



25 



by virtue of that shall Emed lately quit 
sd Land and not to proceed in that 
manner any more — and voted that 
Person that shall for the future pretend 
to hold Lands by such a title shall be 
dealt with by the town as a breaker of 
the peace of this Town and a Boutons 
Person 

5th Dismiset Simeon Edwards and 
Timothy Boot from serving as a com- 
mittee of Safety for this Town and 
made^choice of Joseph Elliot and Dan- 
iel Wilkins to serve in their place 

6th Voted that the Committee for 
Laying out Highways shall be excused 
working at the Highway as many Days 
as they are on that Business Day for 
Day 

7th Chose John Barney and Benj'n 
Carpenter a Committee to go to Wind- 
sor in June next to hear the Report of 
the agent sent to Congress concerning 
a new State 

Voted to dissolve this meeting 
Attest Elijah Welch Town Clerk 

Monday April 6th 1778 

Then the inhabitants of Guilford ac- 
cording to adjournment 

lly Made Choice of Thomas Cutler 
Moderator 

21y Made Choice of Thomas Cutler 
Town Clerk 

31y Made Choice of Thomas Cutler 
Ichabod Packer Peter Briggs David 
Denison and Nath’l Fitch Committee- 
men 

41y Made Choice of Henry Evans 
and Daniel Boyden Constables for the 
present year 

51y Made choice of David Elliot 
treasurer 

61y Made Choice of Henry Sherbum 
Simeon Edwards and Joseph Elliot (? 
Sentence in copy not complete.) 



71y Made choice of Theophilus Wad- 
leigh and Joseph Goodwin Collectors 
Sly Made Choice of David Denni- 
son Nathan Wals worth with Samuel 
Bixby Hezekiah Stowel and Mieah 
Bice Committee for Laying of Rhodes 
91y Made Choice of Nathan Fitch 
David Denison Amos Smith Benjamin 
Morten Joseph Elliot John Barney Ju* 
Hezekiah Stowel William Ramsdale 
Daniel Lynde Jr and Levi Bnllock 

10 Voted that sheep and hogs shall 
not run at large 

11 Voted that horses shall not run 
on the common 

12 Made Choice Edmund Bemis and 
David Fisher Hog Reeve 

13 Timothy Larabe Silas Bice and 
Jesse Dimraich Fence Viewers 

14 Voted to Adjourn to the first 
Monday of March next at nine o’clock 
at the meeting-house 

Thomas Cutler Town Clerk 
Monday January 12th A D 1778 
The Town of Guilford meet togeth- 
er according to Notification and 

1st Chose Daniel Wilkins Moderator 
2d Made Choice of the following 
men to Squadnn out the town into 
school Divisions (Viz) Deacon Thom- 
as Cutler Hezekiah Stowel 1 John Noyes 
Daniel Knight and Major John Shep- 
lierdson 

The meeting Di solved 
Attest Elijah Welch To wn Clark 
Tuesday March 3 A D 1778 
This town meet according to a war- 
rant and Notification from the council 
at Bennington and chose Deac’n Thom- 
as Cutler Moderator of Sd Meeting 
2d It being put to vote whether the 
town would act agreeably to sd warrant 
and the town voted not to act 



26 



VERMONT HIST ORICAL MAGAZINE. 



3 Voted to dissolve the meeting 
Per Elijah Welch Town Clerk 

Tuesday, May ye 1779 then a town 
meeting was held in Guilford accord- 
ing to adjournment 

Mr Simeon Edwards was chosen 
Moderator 

Henry Sherburn Town Clerk 
and Samuel Bullock Supervisor 
William Bullock Jesse Dimmich 
Hezeldah Stowel assessors 

Job Whitney and William Edwards 
Constables 

Asa Rice and Levi Bullock Poor 
Masters 

Asa Rice Hezekiak Stowel and 
Simeon Edwards a Committee to Lay 
out Roads 

Joseph Elliot William White James 
Cutler Henry Sherburn David Safford 
William Edwards Nathan Carpenter 
Ichabod Packer and Phineas Rice Sur- 
vors of Roads 

Timothy Larabe and Micah Rice 
Fence Viewers 

Hezekiah Stowel Treasurer 
Lovel Bullock Timothy Root and 
Henry Sherburn Committee to Defend 
said town against the pretended State 
of Vermont and to represent Sd' town 
in County Committee 

Hezekiah Stowel William Bullock 
Joseph Elliot Lovel Bullock and Tim- 
othy Root to alter the Road through 
Maj Hunts Land 

Joseph Elliot Hezekiah Stowel and 
Henry Sherburn a committee to take 
care of the town store of powder and 
lead 

This meeting adjourned til the third 
Tuesday in May in the Year of 1780 
Henry Sherburn Town CJerk 



Tuesday March 16th 1780 
Then a town meeting was Held in 
Guiltord according to a warrant and 
acted on the following articles Viz, 

Article 1st Chose William Bullock 
Esq Moderator to govern sd meeting 

At 2 Voted Samuel Bixby town clerk 
At 3 Deae Thomas Cutler supervisor 
4 Chose Ebenezer Fitch Asa Rice 
Capt Timothy Root List & Assessor 
„ Made choice of Wm Bulloqk Si- 
mon Edwards Esq Hezekiah Stowel 
County Committee 

At 5 Made choice of Nathan Fitch 
James King constables 

6 Capt Asa Rice Lieut Timothy Root 
Poor Masters 

7 Ebenezer Fitch Lovel Bullock 
Thomas Cutler Committee men for to 
lay out Roads 

8th Frederick Stowel Nathan Ave- 
ry Ichabod Packer Joel Cutler Daniel 
Knight Daniel Boy den Micah Rice 
Surveyors of Roads 

9 Joseph Elliot Hezekiah Stowel 
Henry Sherburn a committee to take 
care of the town stores of powder and 
lead 

10 this meeting is adjourned till the 
third Tuesday in may in the Year of 
1781 

pr Samuel Bixby Towm Clerk 

Guilford ye 10th of January 1781 
The people meet together all them 
that mean to stand in opposition against 
the pretended state of Vermont and 
acted on the following articles (Viz) 

First — Made choice of David Joy 
Esq Moderotor to govern sd meeting 

Secondly— Voted to defend them 
selves against the insults of the Pre- 
tended State of Vermont 




GUILFORD. 



Thirdly Read the Hand Bill bearing 
date the Fifteenth day of November 
one thousand seven hundred and eighty 
that the convention gave at Walpole 

Fourthly — Voted to send a Com- 
mittee to Charlestown to a seat in the 
Convention 

Fifthly— Voted William Bullock 
Capt Peter Briggs the Committee 

Sixthly — Voted that Hezekiah Stow- 
el shall keep the names of those that 
are against the pretended State of Ver- 
mont 

Seventhly— Voted to Dissolve this 
meeting 

a true copy per Sami’ Bixby town 
Clerk 

Guilford April ye 24th 1782 

Then the people meet in general and 

Art 1 Chose Capt WaLs worth Mod- 
erator to govern sd meeting 

Art 2 Chose Daniel Shepherdson 
Jot ham Bigelow Capt Wals worth a 
Committee men of Convention 

Art 3 Voted the old committee shall 
stand good for the committee of Inspec- 
tion 

Guilford May ye 13th 1782 

Then the people meet and made 
choice of Jotham Bigelow Moderator 
Art 2 Voted to stand against the pre- 
tended State of Vermont so called un- 
till the deseision of Congress with your 
lives and fortune 

Art 3 Voted to Receive the Instruc- 
tions that come from New York that 
Mr Daniel Shepherdson Brought from 
there as your agent 

Guilford June ye 10 1781 

Then the people meet in general in 
Defense of their property and 



27 

Voted to choose committee out of the 
company to forbid the constables act- 
ing 

Voted Henry Evans Capt Ashcraft 
Capt Nathan Fitch the committee men 
to forbid the constables 

Guilford June ye 10th 1782 
We the Committee chosen by this 
Body of People have forbid and Do 
hereby Ever forbid your Vendning 
these Numbers hereby given and the 
Blank Lands and undivided Lands in- 
cluded — We Do hereby forbid you up- 
on your apparrel 

Henry Evans the 

Daniel Ashcraft Committee 
Nathan Fitch men 

Attest true copy Sami Bixby Clerk 
Guilford June ye 10 1782 
To all the Officers of the Civil au- 
thority under the pretended State of 
Vermont you are hereby forbid to nro- 
ceed against any person or persons 
that own the jurisdiction of New York 
according to what is reccommended to 
us by Congress in a handbill Bearing 
date June 2d 1780 pr order of com- 
mittee 

True Copy Attest Benoni Cutbith Clerk 
A True Copy Sami Bixby Clerk 
Guilford June ye 10th 1782 
„ Voted Edward Carpenter Sami ' 
Bixby James Packer Sami Stafford a 
committee men of convention 
Voted David Culver Benoni Cut- 
bith Nathan Avery Phineas Rice Jo- 
siah Rice a Committee of Inspection 
a True Copy Sami Bixby Clerk 

Wednesday March 25 1782 
The Free-Men of the Town of 
Guilford Met according to Law for the 
choice of Town Officers and proceded 
as Follows (Viz) 




28 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE* 



1st Made choice of Gov*r Carpen- 
ter Moderator 

2’ly Samuel Shepherdson Clerk 

3’ly Major Simeon Edwards Lieut 
William Marsh & Mr Ephraim Nich- 
ols Select Men 

4th Capt Level Bullock Treasurer 

5th Mr Nich’ Pullen and Mr Abel 
Joy Constables 

6th Mr Dan’l Stowel Nieh’s Pullen 
Edward Barney Dan’l Smith and Mr 
Joseph Densmore Listers 

7th Mr ’Nich’s Pullen and Mr Abel 
Joy Collectors 

8th Mr Amasa Smead Leather Seal- 
er 

91y Capt David S towel Levi Good- 
enough Esq Samuel Nichols Grand 
Jurors 

iOtli Lieut William Bigelow Capt 
Comfort Starr Capt David Dennison 
and Esq Joseph Dexter Ty thing Men 

11th Mr Joseph Bullock Li Wm 
Bigelow Amos Gore Elijah Porter 
Isaac Wild and Mr Isaac Smith Hay 
wards 

12th Mr Abraham Avery and Benj’ 
Bnckland Brander of Horses 

13th Capt David Stowel Sealer of 
Weights and Measures 

14th Ens Paul Chase Theophilus 
Wadleigh Daniel Knight Timothy 
Chickering Ezra Pratt Hezekiah 
Sprague Dan'l Boyden Benj* Buck- 
land Mr Manassah Bixby Wm Rams- 
del Silas Rice Zeph'n Shepherdson 
Maj Edward Barney Benoni Cutbith 
Hezekiah Stowel Capt D Denison Lt 
Stephen Gould and Mr Elijah Rath- 
burn Surveyors of Highway 

15th Voted the Select Men be a 
Committee for Laying out Highways 



1 6th Mr Manassah Bixby Capt John 
Barney Capt Comfort Starr Lt J Noyes 
Amos Smith Paul Chase Capt Lovel 
Bullock D Joy D’n Cutler Lt Stephen 
Gould Timothy Root Jeddidiah Well- 
man Caleb Carpenter Capt D Denison 
Wm Stowel Ezra Pratt Job Whitney 
Matthew Pullen Amos Gore William 
White Joel Cutler Capt Elijah Gore 
Edw'd Barney Joseph Carpenter Sam > l 
Bixby Elijah Porter Wm Smalley and 
Lt John Richey petit jurors 

17th Voted that the Select men of 
this town have the authority to bind 
out all strolling Indolent persons who 
Impose themselves on sd town 

18th Voted that this present meeting 
be and is hereby Dissolved 

Attest Samuel Shepherdson T C 
Guilford April 3d 1782 
Pursuant to legal Warning the In- 
habitants of the town of Guilford met 
at the meeting house in sd town and 
proceeded to act on the following arti- 
cles )viz) 

Dissolved sd meeting 
A true record Attest Sam” Shep- 
herdson T C 

Guilford ye 31st of March Anno 
Domino 1783 

The Freemen of the town of Guil- 
ford met at the meeting house in sd 
town for the choice of town Officers 
and petit jurymen according to law 
and proceeded in the following manner 

(viz) 

1st Made choice of William Bul- 
lock Esq moderator 

2d Samuel Sheperdson town clerk 
3d Dn ? Thomas Cutler Mr William 
Smalley and Mr Joseph Dinsmore Se- 
lect men 

Capt Love! Bullock treasurer 



GUILFORD. 



29 



5tti Nicholas Pullen and James- Cut- 
ler constables 

6th Mr Matthew Pullen Edward 
Barney John Richey and Jonas Nich- 
ols listers 

7th Mr Paul Chase and Benjamin 
Dean collectors 

8th Capt David Stowel leather seal- 
er 

9th Maj Simeon Edwards and Mr 
Ephraim Nichols grand jurors 

10th Mr Caleb Carpenter and Mr 
Abel Joy ty thing men 

11th Mr Danl Stowel and Mr Jonas 
Nichols Haywards 

12th Mr Benjamin Buckland brand- 
er of horses 

13th Capt David Stowel Sealer of 
Weights and measures 

14th Maj Simeon Edwards Caleb 
Carpenter Paul Chase Ephraim Nich- 
ols Peter Briggs Abel Joy David Smal- 
ley Jeddidlah Wellman Stephen 
Gould and David Denison Surveyors 
of highways 

15 Lieut John Noyes Joseph Good- 
win Ens’ Edward Barney Capt Steph- 
en Shepherdson Lieut Moses Fish 
James Cotier Lieut William Marsh 
and Joseph Bullock petit jurymen 

Voted that this meeting stand ad- 
journed to the third Monday in April 
next at this place at two of the clock 
P M on Sd Day 

A true record attest Samuel Shep- 
herd son T Clerk 

Guilford ye 2 1st of April 1783 

The Freemen of ye town of Guil- 
ford met according to adjournment ana 
proceeded to act in the following man- 
ner viz 

1st Voted that the Select men be a 
committee for laying out highway s 



2d that the 2d constable be Dismis- 
sed 

3d that Lieut John Richey serve as 
2d constable for the town of Guilford 
4thly that the present meeting be 
and hereby is Dissolved 

A true record attest Sami Shepherd- 
son town clerk 

Guilford Tuesday ye 21st April 1783 
The Freemen of the town of Guil- 
ford met according to Law for the elec- 
tion of Representatives Gov Dep Gov 
& Co according to an act of Assembly 
Regulating the same proceeded as 
follows 

1 Made choice of Benjamin Carpen- 
ter Esq and Dn’ Thomas Cutler to rep- 
resent this town in the General As- 
sembly 

2d gave in their votes for Governor 
Dept’ Gov and treasurer 

3dly Gave in their votes for coun- 
cillors according to law 

A true record attest Sami Shepherd- 
son town clerk 

April ye 29th 1783 then the free- 
holders and other Inhabitants of the 
District of Guilford in the County of 
Cumberland and State of New York 
met together and by a majority of votes 
Made choice of Edward Carpenter 
moderator 

2d Samuel Bixby town clerk 
3d Made choice of Adonijah Put- 
nam supervisor 

4 Hezekiah Stowel treasurer 

5 William White Sami Stafford col- 
lectors 

6th 7th Hezekiah Stowel Abraham 
Avery Asaph Carpenter assessors 
8th William White Sami Stafford 
constables 



30 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



9 Edward Carpenter Mieah Rice 
Ichabod Packer commissioners for 
laying out highways 

David Culver Hezekiah Broade Mi- 
eah Rice Jotham Bigelow Newhall 
Earl Nathan Stark James Packer Na- 
than Avery David Thurhur Seth Clark 
overseers of the highways 

11th Jotham Bigelow Ichabod Pack- 
er Samuel Melendy overseers of the 
poor 

12th Jotham Bigelow Elijah Wal- 
worth Hezekiah Stowel field drivers 
13tb Wm White Sam* Melendy Asa 
Rice James Packer Asaph Olden fence 
viewers 

14 Zephaniah Shepherdson Asa 
Stowel Ephraim Gale Daniel Harring- 
ton swine constables 

15th this meeting adjourned to the 
annual monday in may 

pr Sam’l Bixby town clerk 
Guilford the 8th day of March 1784 

At a meeting of the Inhabitants of 
the town of Guilford being legally 
warned 

1st Made choice of Deacon David 
8 towel moderator to govern sd meet- 
ing 

2d Made choice of William Smalley 
town clerk 

And then adjourned to the 18th day 
of March 

Thursday the 18th Day of March 
1784 

The town met according to adjourn- 
ment and proceeded to choose town 
officers by Nomination 
1st Made choice of Dea Thomas Cut- 
ler and William Smalley and Joseph 
Dinsmore Select Men 

2d Made choice of Lovel Bullock 
for the year ensuing treasurer 



3d Made choice of Nicholus Pullen 
and Jonas Nichols and Daniel Boyden 
Constables for the year ensuing 

I Job Whitney and Stephen Gould 
and Rufus Fisk ty thing men 

5 David Stowel and Daniel Stowel 
sealers of leather 

’ 6 Maj Simeon Edwards and Eph- 
raim Nichols Grand Jurors 

7 Joseph Bullock Caleb Carpenter 
Rufus Fisk tithing men 

8 Samuel Read Stephen Shepherd- 
son Jr Ephraim Gale Williams Marsh 
for hay wards 

9 Benjamin Buekland Brander of 
horses 

10 David Stowel sealer of weights 
and measures 

II John Noyes Samuel Mack wain 
Job Whitney Captain David Denison 
Jeddidiah Wellman Paul Chase Eliku 
Root David Stowel Daniel Knight Ste- 
phen Gould John Stafford Jr survey- 
ors of highways 

Voted that the constables should col- 
lect the town rates 

a true record William Smalley town 
clerk 

At a meeting of the Inhabitants of 
the town of Guilford Being Legally 
warned on the 7th day of September 
1784 . 

Made’ choice of William Bullock 
Esq moderator 

made choice of Lieut John Noyes 
Lieut William Bigelow Captain David 
Stowell Committee to settle with the 
treasurer of said town 

Voted that the town be divided by 
the centre line for the purpose of mak- 
ing the two large Bridges one at James 
Davidson mills the other at Green 
River 




GUILFORD. 



31 



Voted that a committee of four two 
from each part of the town Lieut John 
Noyes and John Slaughter for the west 
side and William Bigelow and Stephen 
Gould for the East side Be a commit- 
tee foj Bridges 

Voted that the surveyor of high- 
ways are empowered to call out the 
people under their respective com- 
mands to work on the roads and 
Bridges when they shall think proper 
And then adjourned to Thursdy the 
23d day of September instant then to 
meet at two o’Clock afternoon 

The above is a true Record Attest 
Win Smalley T C 
Thursday the 23d Day of Septem- 
ber 1784 

The town of Guilford met according 
to adjournment and 

First Voted to raise a tax of one 
Penny on the Pound on the Grand 
List for the year 1784 

2d Voted that Joseph Bullock and 
Amasa Smead be collectors for the a- 
bovetax 

3d Voted that the collectors of the 
old town tax for the year 1781 be di- 
rected to take the same in grain at the 
following price wheat 4 j 8 per Bushel 
Rye at 3 j 4 pr Bushel Corn 2 | 5 pr 
Bushel and Flax ait 0 J 8d pr pound 
Voted that the select men be em- 
powered to engage a master workman 
for the bridge at Mr James Davidsons 
mill 

And then dissolved this meeting 
The above is a true record Attest 
William Smalley T C 

Guilford the first day of April 1784 
Then appeared Nicholas Pullen Con- 
stable and drew out the Name of Mat- 
thew Pullen to serve as Juryman at 



Westminster in May next A true rec- 
ord William Smalley town clerk 
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of 
the town of Guilford at the meeting 
in said town on Monday the 1 Day of 
March A D 1785 

Made choice of Mr Joel Bigelow 
moderator and then adjourned to the 
house of Mr Joel Bigelow in said 
town and then proceeded to Reconsid- 
er the vote above mentioned and then 
Made choice of William Bigelow 
moderator 

and then made choice of William 
Bigelow town clerk 

And Benjamin Carpenter Esq first 
select man 

And then made choice of William 
Bigelow Second select man 

And then made choice of Paul Chase 
! the third select man 

And Lieut Timothy Root town 
treasurer 

And Lieut Elihu Root first constable 
And Ensign Edward Barney second 
constable 

Joseph Bullock and Rufus Fisk John 
Noyes John Connable and Samuel 
Allen listers 

Capt David Stowel leather sealer 
Capt Asa Rice and Mr Joel Bigelow 
Grand Jurymen 

Capt Hezekiah Stowel and Lieut 
Amos Fish and Jeremiah Weatherhead 
and Lieut Paul Chase and Mr James 
Packer Jr ty thing men # 

Ephraim Nichols and Joshua Lynde 
and Richard Bailey and James Dennis 
and Joseph Gallop and Amos— ( ?) 
hay wards 

Benjamin Bucklin horse brander 
And Capt David Stowel sealer of 
weights and measures 



32 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE* 



Daniel Roy den Phillip Maxwell Da- 
vid Gums Capt Lovell Bullock Josiah 
Rice John Noyes Joseph Olden Capt 
Daniel Wilkins John Slater Surveyors 
of highways 

James Houghton pound keeper 
Ephraim Nichols and William 
Marsh Captain Asa Rice committee to 
settle with the old treasurer 

Samuel Shepherdson and David Da- 
vis collectors for the town tax 

And then adjourned this meeting to 
the last Wednesday in March 1785 
A true record Attest William Big- 
elow town clerk 

Wednesday the 30 Day of March 
Then the town of Guilford met ac- 
cording to adjournment 

First made choice of William Smal- 
ley Clerk Protemporary 

Secondly Voted thai William Bul- 
lock Esq Maj Simeon Edwards and 
Benjamin Bucklin be a committee to 
see what situation the town is in respect 
to the town Debts and make report im- 
mediately 

Thirdly Voted that a Pound be made 
as near to Capt Hezekiah Stowells as 
can be with convenience 

Fourthly Voted that a tax of one 
penny farthing on the pound as it stands 
in the grand list of the year 1784 be 
assessed and raised immediately to an- 
swer the debts of the town 

Fifthly Voted that a committee of 
three be chosen to call on the old com- 
mittee to account concerning the school 
lands and the men chosen are Major 
Simeon Edwards Capt David Stowell 
and Mr Joel Bigelow 

Sixthly Voted the quietry act (twen- 
ty for It and three against it) 

And then dissolved the meeting 



Attest William Bigelow town clerk 
Guilford November ye 1st AD 1785 
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of 
the town of Guilford the town being 
met according to Notification at the 
meeting house 

Made choice of Col Benjamin Car- 
penter moderator to govern sd meeting 
Secondly called on the committee 
that was chosen to settle with the old 
committee that had the care of the 
school money and the report was that 
there (was ) three hundred and fifty 
pounds ur about that Due from the old 
Committee 

Thirdly Voted that a committee be 
chosen to settle with the old committee 
and make report at the next meeting 
the Persons chosen Maj Simeon Ed- 
wards and Capt David Stowe! and Mr 
Paul Chase 

4 voted that any person that lives 
remote from the school house in their 
District to which they belong shall have 
liberty to draw their money for the use 
of the school where they send 
Attest Wm Bigelow town clerk 

At a meeting holden in Guilford by 
the Inhabitants thereof at Mr Joel Big- 
elows of said town on "Wednesday the 
2d Dav of Dec’r 1785 

Firstly made choice of William 
Smalley moderator 

Secondly Voted that the money that 
the school lands was sold for should be 
received of the old committee as it is 
now and to petition the Assembly to 
ratify the sale of the school lands 
Thirdly voted that the Districts 
should be Numbered and that they 
should begin at the northwest corner 
of said town (and) run East 
No 1 Benjamin Bucklin 



GUILFORD. 



No 2 Paul Chase 
No 3 Abel Joy 
No 4 Timothy Root 
No 5 David Stowell 
No 6 Daniel Wilkins 
No 7 Edward Barney 
N o 8 Ichabod Packer 
No 9 Hezekiah Sprague 

Attest William Bigelow T C 

Guilford March ye 13th 1786 

At the annual meeting of the Inhab- 
itants of the town of Guilford holden 
at Mr Joel Bigelows in said Guilford 
according to Notification 

Firstly made choice of William 
Smalley moderator to govern said 
meeting 

2d Made choice of William Bigelow 
town clerk 

3d Made choice of William Bigelow 
and William Smalley and Benjamin 
Bucklin Select men for the ensuing 
Year 

4 Made choice of Maj Simeon Ed* 
wards constable for the year ensuing. 

5 Made choice of Amos Fisk ( ? or 
Fish ) and David Gain's and Josiah 
Rice and Hezekiah Horton Jr Listers 
for the year ensuing 

6 Made choice of Timothy Root 

7 Made choice of Capt Amasa 
Smead and Capi David Stowell Grand 
jury. men for the Year ensuing 

8 Made choice of Capt David Stow- 
ell Sealer of Weights and measures and 
Leather 

9 Made choice of Caleb Carpenter 
William Marsh Ephraim Nichols Ab- 
ner Stebbins Samuel Curtis Solomon 
Barrows John Noyes Eleazer Brown 
Comfort Streeter Survejmrs of high- 
ways 



33 

10 Made choice of Benjamin Buck- 
lin Brander of horses 

11 Made choice of Edward Bar- 
ney Simeon Edwards and Joseph 
Goodwin Fence viewers 

12 Voted the Surveyors shall have 
Power to put in sub surveyors 

Nxtly Made choice of Hog Consta- 
bles Caleb Carpenter and Abijah Rod- 
gers Thias Johnson and Joseph Weath- 
erhead and Daniel Wilkins and John 
Olden William Packer and Isaac Toby 
Nxly Made choice of Capt Lovell 
Bullock Collector of town taxes 
Likewise made choiee of William 
Bigelow Supervisor 

Jeremiah Weatherhead and James 
Packer and Edward Barney and Da- 
vid Smalley tithing men 

Voted that the Select Men shall be 
empowerng to look into the situation 
of the old Collectors bills and cancel 
what they think proper 

Voted that two Pence on the Pound 
on the Grand List of the town of Guil- 
ford shall he raised to defray the 
charges of the town 

Then adjourned the meeting to the 
first Monday of may next 
The above is a true Record 
Attest William Bigelow town clerk 

Guilford Juue ye 13th 1786 
At a meeting Holden at Mr Joel 
Bigelows Legally warned for to choose 
a Deligate to set in a convention to be 
holdeu at Manchester for the Purpose 
of Establishing a New Constitution 
Proposed by the Council of Censors 
When met Made choice of Mr Wm 
Smalley 

Secondly voted that the accounts of 
Col Benjamin Carpenter and Capt John 
Barney and Levi Goodenough Esq 
shall not be allowed 




VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



34 

The above is a true record of the 
proceedings of the town 

William Bigelow town clerk 

J an u ar v ye 1 5 1786 
At a meeting of the town of Guil- 
ford Legally warned for the Furpos of 
settling the Dispute concerning the 
school Lands 

Firstly made choice of Col Benja- 
min Carpenter moderator of sd meet- 
ing 

Secondly Voted to ratify the sales 
of the school Lands by giving leases to 
the persons that bought the same 
Thirdly voted to receive the money 
that the school Lands was sold for as 
the sum was in November 1785 which 
sum was <£311-3-2 according to the 
report of a committee chosen by the 
town the 30th day of March A D 
1785 — Signed David Stowell for 
Committee 

4 Voted to make alterations in the 
school Districts and Likewise 
Voted that the Select men put it in 
the warrant at March meeting to have 
all Persons that want any alterations 
to make report at sd meeting and then 
dissolved the meeting 

The above is a true record 
Attest William Bigelow town clerk 
Guilford March ye 5th 1787 
At the Annual meeting of the In- 
habitants of the town of Guilford ac- 
cording to a Notification Holden at 
the widow Lueretia Houghtons in said 
Guilford 

First they made choice of William 
Smalley Esq moderator of said meet- 
ing 

Secondly made choice of William 
Bigelow Esq town clerk 

Thirdly made choice of Wm Bige- 
low and Wm Smalley Esq and Mr 



Benjamin Bucklin Select men for the 
year ensuing 

Fourthly made choice of Maj Sim- 
eon Edwards and Mr Daniel Boy den 
constables 

Fifthly made choice of Nathan Hor- 
ton William Ramsdell Abner Stebbins 
James Packer Jr Listers 

Sixth — made choice of Mr Abel Joy 
Collector of town taxes 

Seventh — made choice of Capt Da 
vid Stowell Leather sealer 

Eighth — made choice of Mr Paul 
Chase and Capt Lovell Bullock Grand 
Jury men 

Niuth — made choice of Squire Max- 
well and Comfort Starr and Isaac 
Brown Jr and Jeremiah Packer and 
Joseph Bullock and Jabez Franklin 
and Samuel Allen ty thing men 
Tenth — made choice of Mr Mat- 
thew Pullen Edward Carpenter Wm 
White Joshua Lynde Abel Joy Jonas 
Nichols Simeon Terrell Arnasa Sinead 
and Josiah Bigelow David Stowell Na- 
than Avery 8 amuel Stafford Edward 
Barney David Culver Caleb Ellis Na- 
than Walsworth David Smalley W 111- 
iam R Eddy Surveyors of Highways 
Eleventh Benjamin Bucklin Brand- 
er of horses 

Twelfth Job Salisbury John Healey 
Ephraim Whitney Joseph Weather- 
head Andrew Wilkins Ephraim Ed- 
wards Augustus Belden John Conna- 
ble Haywards 

Thirtenth Eli hue Field Pound 
Keeper 

Fourtenth Mr Paul Chase Thomas 
Wells John Noyes Fence viewers 
Voted that any School District that 
could agree for any alterations might 
and that the town would ratify the 
same and likewise 




GUILFORD. 



35 



Voted that the District No 7 should 
be divided according to the vote of 
said District 

Then Dissolved this meeting 

Attest William Bigelow town clerk 

At the annual meeting of the Inhab- 
itants of the town of Guilford for the 
Year 1788 the Inhabitants being met 
according to the warrant for that pur- 
pose at the house of widow Lucretia 
Houghton 

Firstly made choice of Wm Smal- 
ley Esq Clerk, protempory 

Secondly made choice of Wm Big- 
elow Esq town clerk for the ensuing 
year 

3 — Made choice of Wm Bigelow & 
Wm Smalley Esqs and Benjamin 
Bueklin Select men for the Year en- 
suing 

4 Made choice of Joseph Bullock 
Constable and Collector of town taxes 

5 — Made choice of Wm Smalley 
town treasurer 

6 — Made choice of Benjamin Bnllen 
[Pullen ? An unquestionable B ; we, a 
long way before, have been ha ving Ben- 
jamin Pullen, and suppose this may be 
the man ; but, we follow copy. This 
long transcribe of the old records is 
fair, though fine writ, mostly ; occa- 
sionly, only, we have found a w ord or 
mark illegible ; twice or so bearing a 
suspicious look that where the old re- 
cord was undecipherable, marks were 1 
made as near like the copy as possable) 
6 made choice of Benjamin Bullen 
(possably, Benjamin Ballou) Ephraim 
Nichols . Stephen Gould John Noyes 
Listers for the Year ensuing] 

7 voted that David Stowell be seal- 
er of Leather 

And likewise that Thomas Cutler 
Wm Marsh Edward Barney Grand 



jury men 

And Elihu Field Pound Keeper 

8 Capt Amasa Smead Caleb Car- 
pentei John Noyes Philip Maxwell Da- 
vid Gains titheing men 

And then voted that Wm Smalley 
and Dana Hyde and Zephaniah Shep- 
herdson John B Carpenter Haywards 

And then voted that Joseph Bullock 
Benjamin Crrpenter Stephen Chase 
Paul Chase Daniel Boyden Joseph 
Edwards James Cutler Jonathan Aid- 
rich Jr Job Whitney Solomon Barrows 
John Hammond Isaac Thayer John 
Noyes Daniel Smith Augustus Bel den 
Nathan Stark David Gains Surveyors 
of Highways 

And David Stowell Sealer of weigh t & 
and measures 

And then Dissolved this meeting 
Attest Wm Bigelow town clerk 

At a town meeting Legally warned 
and in and for the town of Guilford 
held on ye 4th Day of December A D 
1788 

Firstly Made choice of Col Benja- 
min Carpenter Moderator to Govern 
sd’ meeting 

2 Voted that Joseph Bullock should 
collect the Remainder of a tax which 
was taken from Simeon Edwards and 
likewise Receive twelve shillings out 
cf said tax for a compensation 

3 Voted that a tax of one Penny on 
the Grand List should be assessed on 
the said town 

Guilford December ye 4 th 1788 
Attest Wm Bigelow town clerk 

At the annual meeting holden at 
Guilford March ye 7th 1789 Being Le- 
gally warned and the Inhabitants being 
met according to the warrant 



36 __ VERM ONT HISTORICAL^ MAGAZINE 

1st Made choice of fm Bigelow I M And then made choice of Daniel 



Esq Moderator of sd meeting 

2d made choice of William Bigelow 
Town Clerk 

3d Made choice of William Bigelow 
Esq first Select man 

4 Made choice of Mr Benjamin 
Bucklin the second Select man 

5 Made choice of Mr Ephraim 
Nichols the third Select man 

And then made choice of Insine 
Paiil Chase Town Treasurer 

And then made choice of Lieut 
Timothy Root Constable i 

And afterwards Dismissed said Root 
and made choice of Mr Daniel Boy- 
den Constable By said Root being his 
Bondsman 

And then made choice of John 
Fitch Joshua Lynde Philip Maxwell 
Abel Joy Listers 

then made choice of Captain David 
Stowell Sealer of Leather 

,, And made choice of Elihu Root 
and Thomas Wells Grand jurors 
„ And then made choice of Elihu 
Field Pound Keeper 

j, And then made choice of Capt 
Edward Barney Thomas Cutler tythe- 
men 

And then made choice of John Sla- 
ter Cyril Carpenter Capt Comfort Starr 
Col Joel Bigelow Manassah Rixby Jo- 
nas Nichols Theophilus Wadleigh Sal- 
mon Gooden ough Amasa Smead Jos- 
eph Weatherhead Josiah Bigelow Eb- 
enezer Fitch James Clark David Cul- 
ver Stukely Stafford Augustus Belden 
Peter Aldrich Joseph Stanhoop Jr 
Nathan Culver Surveyors of High- 
ways 

„ Then made choice of Caleb Car- 
penter tytheing man 



Boyden Paul Chase Augustus Belden 
Fence Viewers 

And then made choice of Capt Am- 
asa Smead Sealer of Weights and 
measures 

„ and then made choice of William 
Bullock James Boyden Seth Shepherd- 
son Osman Marsh Haywards 

,, and then made choice of Samu- 
el Shepherd son Town Collector 

,, and then voted that the Division 
of the District No 7 <fc No 8 accord- 
ing to their own agreement shall stand 
and hereafter be known by the name 
of School District No 10 

„ and then voted that Deacon 
Thomas Cutler Isaac Terrill and The- 
ophilus Wadleigh shall come off from 
School District No 3 and should go to 
District No 4 

„ The above is a true Record attest 
Wm Bigelow Town CJerk 

March ye 8th 1790 
The Inhabitants of Gilford being 
met at the house of Widow Lucretia 
Houghton Innholder in said town of 
Guilford by a legal warrant Tor their 
annual town’ meeting 

Firstly made choice of Wm Bigelow' 
Esq Moderator of said meeting 

2d Made choice of William Bigelow 
Town Clerk 

h 3d — Made choice of William Bige- 
| low Esq first Select man 

4 — „ ,, of Mr Benjamin Buck- 

lin 2d Select man 

5 — Made choice of Lieut John Noyes 
third Select man 

6 — Made choice of Ensign Paul 
Chase treasurer of said town 

7 Made choice of Samuel Shep- 
herdson Constable 



GUILFORD. 



8 — ,, ,, „ Capt David Stowell 

Leather Sealer 

„■ — ,, 5 , v Samuel Shepherdson 

Collector 

, 3 — ,, 1V ,, David Stowed and 

Timothy Root Grand Jurors 

„ — „ „ „ Elihu Field Pound 

Keeper 

,, — ,* „ „ Paul Chase Benja- 

min Bucklin Samuel Allen Elihu Root 
James Packer Jr Abel Whitney Will- 
iam Culver fcytheing men 

„ made choice of B Carpenter Elihu 
Root William Packer Timothy Root 
Listers 

,, made choice of Henry Ward Isaac 
Barber James Houghton William 
Marsh Jun'r Edward Thurber Jr Ben- 
jamin Eddy Haywards 

,, made choice of Joseph Bullock 
John Barney Jr Manassah Bixby Dav- 
id Davis Samuel Melendy Fence View- 
ers 

5 , Surveyors of Highways District 
No 1 William Hines Joseph Slater 
Benjamin Bucklin 

No 2 William Marsh John Hinckley 
No 3 Mcihasl Rice and Gideon Bowker 
No 4 Philip Maxwell Nath’l Jacobs 
No 5 Aaron Wilder Henry Ward 
No 6 James Barney (Jonah Cutting 
No 7 No 8 Capt Daniel Ashcraft — 
No 9 Squire Maxwell Nathan Shirk 
No 10 Joshua Culver James Packer Jr 

„ Benjamin Bucklin Sealer of 
weights and measures 

Voted that Elihu Root Nathan Ave- 
ry John B Carpenter serve as Sextons 
for Digging Graves for . the dead the 
year ensu big 

Voted to choose a Committee to set- 
tle with the Inhabitants of the school 



37 

Lands Chose John Noyes Peter Briggs 
William Bigelow Lovell Bullock E- 
phraim Nichols to make report 

[The above and within is a true 
Record of the votes of said town 
Attest Win Bigelow Town Clerk 

[A few records are here added r 
which will still farther serve to illus- 
trate the workings of the township 
government. — J. w. p. ] 

“July 26 AD 4774 

Samuel Melendy complains and says 
that Eunice Merri am wife of Samuel 
Melendy and Theophilus Merriam 
her son are at his House, they being 
tranelient Persons and he the Sd Sam- 
uel Melendy Determining to take the 
steps the Law Directs with them Ther- 
fore he brings this complaint 

pr Elijah Welch Town Clerk 

December the 29th 1774 

Hezekiah S to well has entered com- 
plaint that Itbamar Haley <fc Moly his 
wife with Comfort Lidea James Nan- 
cy & Asa their children came to Guil- 
ford on December the 1st 1774 and be- 
ing determined to clear this town from 
any cost that might arise by reason of 
them Therefore he brings this com- 
plaint 

pr Elijah Welch Town Clerk" 

REPORT OF ROAD COMMITTEE. 

“We the subscribers Regularlf chos- 
en by the freeholders and other Inhab- 
itants of the District of Guilford to 
sarvein sd District as corneetion en 
for Laying out Highways — We have 
laid out the following Highway 

First Beginning at Brattleborougb 
Line Near the house of David Joy Esq 
Being the Northeast corner Lot of sd 
District thence westerly as the way is 




as 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



now Traveled by Jeams Kings Will- 
iam Ramsdel Samuel Nichols Esq — 
and so by the mills and thence to Hez- 
eklah Stowels and by the meeting 
house still westly Down the hill then 
northerly to Broad Brook thence west- 
erly as the road is trod to John Shep- 
herdson and then then North westly to 
the lot of Joseph Peek and so to the 
house of Benjamin Carpenter thence a 
new untroden way still about the same 
point of compass to the south end of 
Governers Mountain so called and Be- 
tween the Governers Mountain and 
the Picked mountain so called and 
mainly about the same point to the 
Line of Halifax then Returned and 
Began another Rhoad at the foot of 
the first mentioned mountain thence 
easterly up the hill and so to Edward 
Barneys and so to Caleb Coles and 
thence up the hill to Paul Chases Barn 
and so by the north side of sd* Barn 
Down the hill to John Barneys 

The aforementioned Rhoades we 
marked with a marking vr on the 
northerly side of sd Rhodes marked 
Thus H W (three straight marks un- 
der H W) the marks under the Letters 
to signify the number of Rods the road 
is in width 

Guilford April ye 23 1774 

John Shepherdson ) Commetimen 
John Barney V for Laying 
Thomas Cutler ) out highways 

Reeinded April y* 23 

A True Copy Examined 
Thomas Cutler Town Clerk 

Guilford April ye 21st A D 1784 

This may certify that I have attach, 
ed in favor of Sylvanus Fisk all the 
Real estate of Giles Roberts Samuel 
Bixby William White James Davison 
David Ashcraft Henry Evans Joseph 
Peek Adonijah Putnam Joshua Nourse 



David Goodenongh Joseph Elliot in 
order to have the attachment Recorded 
I Lodge this with the Town Clerk 

pr Nicholus Pullen Constable 
A true Record Attest 
William Smalley Town Clerk 
Windham County State of Vermont 
Recorded this 30th Day of April 1784 
The following Instrument was Re- 
ceived to Record March 5 A D 1784 
Attest 

Samuel Shepherdson Town Clerk 
This may certify all People whom it 
may concern that I the Subscriber 
have Attached Eighty Acres of Land 
belonging to the farm of Nathaniel 
Carpenter Sd attachment Levied on 
the 4th day of March instant and Laid 
on the East side of sd farm in favor 
of Sylvanus Fisk Guilford March the 
5th 1784 

pr JN ieholus Pullen Dept’ Sheriff 
A True Record Attest 

Samuel Shepherdson Town Clerk 
[The foregoing records furnished by 
Rodney B. Field then town clerk, the 
General resumes the pen.] 

DIFFICULTIES OF JURISDICTION, 

The difficulties between the Yorkers 
and new statesmen occasioned some 
bloodshed and a very considerable dis- 
play of military force. On the 9th of 
September 1782, Ethan Allen at the 
head of 250 Green Mountain Boys en- 
tered Windam County from Benning- 
ton, 'which was as noted as a centre of 
opposition to New York as Guilford 
was for its attachment to that State . 

Allen, arrived at Marlboro, was there 
joined by companies from that town, 
Wilmington and Dummerton, which 
swelled his command to 400 men, — 
This force was sent off to by detach- 
ments to various points in the adjoining 



GUILFORD. 



39 



towns and with the most considerable 
one, he in person repaired to Guilford. 
He there made several arrests and with 
his prisoners continued on with the 
view of turning them over to the civil 
authorities at Westminster, He had 
not gone far before he was fired on by 
a party of Yorkers. 

Tradition speaks of one Rroadstreet 
who was designedly aimed at for Allen 
who rallied the Yorkers for their bad 
markmanship ; being a large man and 
his clothes only having been cut by a 
bullet. 

The Vermonters were brought to a 
stand and they made threats to kill 
one of their prisoners for every one of 
their party who should be injured, 

Allen made an announcement to the 
inhabitants in the most emphatic terms 
that unless they peacefully submitted 
to the authority of Vermont, he would 
“lay their town as desolate as Sodom 
and Gomorrah, by — ” It does not ap- 
pear that he met with any farther op- 
position on this occasion. 

In 1783, an act was passed at West- 
minster to raise 100 men for the pur- 
pose of assisting the civil authority in 
carrying into execution the law in the 
southern part of the County of Wind- 
ham. But on the eve of the troops be- 
ing employed a party from Guilford 
assisted by several from Brattlebor- 
ough made an attack about midnight, 
Jan. 16, lf’84, upon the head quarters 
of Gen. Fletcher, a hero of Bunker 
Hill, which was at an inn in Brattle- 
borough. 

Major Boy den, Constable Waters 
and some others holding office under 
the new state were lodging at the same 
inn ; and the Major and a traveler were 
wounded by some of the thirty bullets 
that were discharged into the building. 



Constable Waters, who had render- 
ed himself odious by his enforcement 
of the collection of state taxes from the 
Yorkers was captured and taken away. 

This inn was about a quarter of a 
mile N. W. from where the asylum 
for the insane now stands, on the road 
to Newfane. 

THE SPIRIT OF 76 AWOKE UP. 

State troops were already assem- 
bled in the neighborhood, and on the 
morning of the 19th amidst a snow- 
storm, they took up their line of march 
toward Guilford. They consisted of 
companies from Wilmington, Marlbo- 
ro, Townshend, Rockingham, West- 
minster, Putney and Dummerston, a- 
mounting in all to upwards of 300 men 
with one piece of artillery. The .route 
which they followed was what is now 
known as “the old road to Guilford.” 

From before so considerable a force 
whose numbers were augmented still by 
rumor, and which met with welcome 
from the adherents of the opposite 
party, the Yorkers retreated toward 
the southern part of the town. After 
one or two ineffectual stands they at 
length fired on their pursuers and 
wounded two men, Joel Knight of 
Dummerston and Sergeant Fisk, whose 
wound proved mortal. They then fled 
into Massachusetts. 

On the 22d Ethan Allen again ar- 
rived in town with another party from 
Benninigton ; but, after a consultation 
with the officers from the Eastern side 
of the mountains, it was not thought 
proper to follow into Massachusetts — 
and they decided to retire. The com- 
panies from Windham County reached 
Brattleboro that night; and some of 
them were dismissed to their homes, 
while others continued on with the 
prisoners to Westan inter. 



40 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Two companies, — the one com- 
anded by Elijah Knight, the other by 
Benjamin Whitney, the first, consist- 
ing of 20 men, the latter, of 65 men. 
were left in Gnilford and its vicinity 
till near the close of the following 
March with the object of preserving 
order, and preventing the return of 
those who had fled into Massachusetts. 

OOODENOUGH AND SPICER. 

In this state of things, David Good- 
enough, who held a commisiion of Lt. 
under New York, attempted to return 
to his home. He was accompanied by 
a friend, named Spicer. On the even- 
ing of the 5th of March, having ad- 
vanced about half a mile within the lim- 
its of Guilford, they were chalenged 
from/the roadside by a man under arms 
“Who comes there r” Endeavoring 
to make their escape, they leaped the 
fence and started for the woods, but 
they were pursued and fired on by 
Knight’s party, and Spicer was mor- 
tally wounded. Goodenough escaped 
unhurt. Spicer was a citizen of Mass- 
achusetts, had had nothing to do with 
the differences between the Yorkers 
and Vermonters, and he had served 
in the Revolutionary War, having re- 
ceived his discharge only the preceding 
June. He wfis shot in two places one 
of the balls having “passed through 
his trunk,” and the dying man was 
treated with great harshness and sever- 
ity : and, indeed, those inhabitants of 
the town who had given their allegi- 
ance to New York, long remembered 
the irritating plunderings and exactions 
to which they had been exposed by 
some of the troops who were senta- 
gainst them. 

Of quite a different tenor from their 
martial movements is the traditionary 
story told of the opposition which was 



manifested, doubtless by the Vermont 
party of the town against the Rev. 
Henry Williams who had distinguish- 
ed himself by an ardent zeal in the 
cause of New York. One Sunday 
morning on going to his pulpit to 
preach, as usual, he found it occupied 
by a dead horse, with head erect, fore- 
feet upon the reading desk, and the 
bands which were then worn by clergy- 
men, around his neck ! It is evident 
that the controversy had reached the 
moral foundations of society, and had 
need of being brought to a termina- 
tion. 

POPULATION. 

The population of Guilford at a- 
bout this period, was probably, nearly 
as large as it ever has been since, and 
perhaps greater. We can find no rec- 
ord of the number of the inhabitants 
previous to 1771, and none between 
1772 and 1791. In the year 1771, it 
was 436, of whom three were black 
males and two black females. 

A schedule of the inhabitants is ex- 
tant, dated May 11, 1772, in which the 
names of the heads of families are 
recorded, which gives 586 souls. — 
By the year 1791, it had increased to 
2432, or about one fifteen hundredth 
part of the then population of the 
United States. From that period it 
has steadily decreased until the census 
of 1860, when it was only 1292. — 
It is now, probably, somewhat larger 
than it was at the last census. It has 
ranged : 

1791,- 2432 | 1800, - 2256 
1810, - 1872 | 1820, - 1862 
1830, - 1760 | 1840, - 1525 
1850, - 1389 | 1860, - 1292 

This decrease of the number of in- 
habitants is owing to several causes r 



GUILFORD. 



41 



th e party differences to which we have 
alluded ; the decrease in the virgin 
richness of the soil; the greater induce- 
ments offered by the fertile fields of the 
West; the great difficulty in the way 
of an inland, agricultural community 
becoming a manufacturing people un- 
der the hitherto unfriendly policy of the 
general government, rendering it im- 
possible for its small capital at home 
and abroad and the more favorable sit- 
uation of Brattleboro as a natural cen- 
tre of the trade of the county. Rut 
still, the town has much to receom- 
mend it; its cheerful hills and streams 
lie pleasantly to the sun ; its soil re- 
sponds generously to good and careful 
tillage, and its climate is healthy ; — 
many of its first born sons, of whom 
not a few hav« died during the last dec- 
ade, often attaining to the age of be- 
tween 80 and 90 years. 

It is not long since we have convers- 
ed with those whose axes helped shear 
the land of its pristine forests, and in- 
deed, though our own memory extends 
back only fifty years, we can remem- 
ber when it was customary to “clear a 
piece” of forest every year for the 
purpose of bringing the land under 
cultivation. Some of those pieces are 
now again covered with a heavy growth 
of timber. 

GRANT TO THE SOCIETY FOR PROP AG A- 

XI KG THE GOSPEL IN FOREIGN PARTS. 

One whole share of land, as seen by 
reverting to the charter was granted to 
the above society, whose seat is in Lon 
don — the oldest Protestant missionary 
society in the world. But many beleiv- 
ed by the Revolution, the title to the 
lands thus granted in the state properly 
vested in the government of Yermont, 
and hence, in 1794, the Legislature 
passed an act directing them to be used 



for school purposes. But, after the 
treaty of Ghent in 1815, an agent of 
the society visited Yermont and trans- 
ferred the rights of the society in these 
lands to a Board of agents in favor of 
the Episcopal Church of the State. 
The claim, however, was not defini- 
tively settled till 1841, after a long, 
costly and troublesome course of lit- 
igation in which Daniel Webster was 
council for the State, and the case had 
been carried up to the Supreme Court 
of the United States. The rents of 
these lands throughout the entire State 
amount to some $3000, and they are 
appropriated first to the support of 
the bishop, and the remainder to the use 
of the church in the state. The Epis- 
copal church of Guilford has received 
of late years $100 annually from this 
fund. 

As the glebe lands were designed for 
building up and establishing, as a state 
| institution, a peculiar form of religion, 
which is contrary to the tenor of our 
constitution, those lands are eonsiderd 
as rightly vesting in the state and they 
accordingly remain, as disposed of by 
the act of 1764, for the benefit of 
schools. 

THE GOVERNOR’S GRANT. 

The mercenary disposition manifest- 
ed by Governor Wentworth in making 
use of a public office to enrich himself 
and family, does not appear to have 
been much respected by the original 
proprietors of Guilford since they loca- 
ted his tract of 500 acres on the least 
valuable land of the town, on a mount- 
ain which has ever since gone by the 
name of Governor’s Mountain, and 
which may be regarded as a perpetual 
monument of the disapproval by the 
people of a venal exercise of the func- 
tions of public office and trust. 




42 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



The present proprietors of that i 
land derive their title by purchase from t 
the Governor’s heirs 

VILLAGES AND NOTED DISTRICTS. 

There are four villages in town, viz : 
East Village in the N. E. corner of the 
town ; Guilford Centre, near the mid- 
dle; Green River in the western part 
and Hinesburgh in the N. W, corner. 
The last inconsiderable — a collection 
of ten or a dozen buildings : the three 
former are nearly of the same size, 
containing each from 20 to 30 edifices, 
in which they have raised but very lit- 
tle for nearly half a century. The East 
Village, also, called Algiers, is proba- 
bly the. largest of the three, and may 
contain within a mile’s radius some 40 
houses. Within this limit there is an 
excellent water-power which has never 
been brought into use. 

Besides these villages there is a col- 
lection of houses to the southward of 
Guilford Centre which used to be call- 
ed South Neighborhood, 

South Hollow is a deep, narrow val- 
ley in the eastern part of the town con- 
taining some very fine farms. It runs 
nearly north and south, and is several 
miles in length. 

To the eastward of this hollow and 
seperated from it by East Mountain is 
a region which is called the Slate Rock 
from the principal slate quarries being 
in that quarter. 

In each of the three principal villa- 
ges there is a tavern and a small store. 
There is, also, a post' office in each on 
a mail route, running from Brattlehoro 
to North Adams, Mass, 

LITERATURE. 

There was at one time a circle of 
literary men in Guilford, whose ambi- 
tious aspirations had an elevating ef- 



fect on the tone of society, and whose 
influence was felt long after they had 
left the town. Between 1790 and 1800, 
Royal Tyler wrote “The Algerine 
Captive’ % a work of merit and of con- 
siderable celebrity. In the course of 
this work, the author gives a graphic 
picture of the horrors of the slave 
trade. He, also, wrote a play at this 
period, probably, the third ever writ- 
ten in America, (the writer, himself, 
having written the first two,) called 
“The Georgia Spec, or Land in the 
Moon”, which ridicules the fever then 
prevailing for spculation in Georgia 
lands. It was repeatedly played on the 
Boston stage and was received with fa- 
vor. He was,. also, a prolific writer for 
various periodicals, one of which was 
a spirited paper, the “Farmer’s Weekly 
Museum, at Walpole, N. H. 

Judge Tyler resided in Guilford a- 
; bout 11 years, 1783-1800, when here- 
moved to Brattlehoro, where he died in 
1836. His widow, who survived him 
about 80 years, died 1865. eg. 94 years. 
She contributed largely by her talents 
and the natural grace and refinement 
of her sex to give a stimulus to the am- 
bition of the literary circle alluded to, 
of which her husband was the head 
and inspiring example. 

Of this circle, we may mention John 
Shepherdson, James Elliot, his broth- 
er, Samuel, J. H. Palmer, John Phelps, 
Henry Denison and Miss Elizabeth 
Peck. These were all poets, and the 
two Elliots and John Phelps became 
lawyers. 

james elliot was born in Essex Co. 
Gloucester, Mass. At the age of fifteen 
we find him in a store in Guilford. He 
devoted himself to reading and in the 
perusal of Rollings History, he gained 
a thirst for military glory. The Indi- 
ans were active in their hostilties upon 



GUILFORD. 



the settlements northwest of the Ohio* 
and on July 17, 1793, he enlisted at 
Springfield, Mass, as the first noncom- 
missioned officer in the Second U. S« 
Sub Legion, commanded by Capt, Cor- 
nelius Lyman. Having performed a 
term of service against the insurgents 
in Pennsylvania, and against the Indi- 
ans in Ohio, he returned to Guilford, 
Aug. 23, 1796, and in 1798, published 
a volume, called 4 ‘The Poetical and 
Miscellaneous Works of James Elliot, 
Citizen of Guilford, Vermont, and 
late a Non-Commissioned Officer in 
the Legion of the United States/ 

Many of the pieces are versifications 
Of the odes of Horace. Among the pure 
original effusions is one on “The Au- 
tumnal Season”, addressed to Royal 
Tyler of which the four, concluding 
stanzas are: 

Oh Thou ! my early and my constant friend I 
In thee the fruits of early knowledge shine; 

In thee the gTaces and the virtues blend 

A soul sincere, a feeling heart, are thine. 

In thee lias nature various powers displayed ; 

Art, eloquence and taste, alike to grace 
The bar, the senate, or the studious shade, 

To wield the sword, or tread the walks of 
peace. 

On thee, long may the rays of science fall, 

And in thv life and writings greatly glow r 
Long be thy useful life— and thine be all 
The bliss that conscious virtue can bestow. 
Be thine throughout life's varigated year, 

The meed of genius and the poet's lays; 

And in thy autumn may bright suns appear, 

To gild the happy winter of thy days. 

Considering the peiiod at which our 
author wrote, soon after the close of 
the Revolutionary war, his ideas of e- 
quality may be considered as possessed 
of peculiar interest. We give his 
ODE TO EQUALITY. 

All hail, divine Equality! 

Benignant daughter of the sky ! 

Sister and friend of Godlike Liberty ! 



Descend from the etherial plains, 

Proclaim on earth, Jehovah reigns! 

’Tis Nature’s King who rules on high, 

Oe’r countless equal worlds equal power 
maintains l 

Thou gentle, soothing, soverign balm of woe* 
And purest bliss that human beings know, 

Tis thine to cheer old age and guide the 
youth: 

Gome issue from thy calm retreat, 

And fix on earth thy peaceful seat, 
Attended by the radiant Orb of Truth! 

On Reason's basis build thy throne; 

Exalt the peer and prince to Man, 

And humble all the ig-noble clan! 

Beneath Oppression’s iron rod, 

Obedient to a tyrant's rod, 

No more, the wretched, human race shall 
groan — 1 

Oh ! come with Virtue in thy train, 

And o’er the Universe extend tliy glorious 
reign! 

The hook contains 25 short essays, 
called “The Rural Moralist,’ ’which had 
been generally published in “The New 
England Galaxy.” Of these, one was 
written by his brother, Samuel Elliot, 
ami another by John H. Palmer, then 
a youth of seventeen. They are appar- 
ently imitations of Addison, Steele and 
other English authors of that time and 
are quite creditable' to the writers. But 
the most interesting part is a journal 
kept by the writei during his military 
service. 

FROM THE ELLIOT JOURNAL. 

At Springfield, Mass., Aug. 7, 1794, 
he writes : 

‘ ‘Information is received that the in- 
surrection in the western counties of 
Pennsylvania is assuming an extremely 
serious aspect. 

On the 16th of July, at dawn of day 
100 of the rioters attacked the house of 
Gen. Neville, the inspector of the rev- 
enue; The General with the assistance 
of his servants and family, i s said to 
J have defended his house for upwards 




44 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



of an hour, wounded a number of the 
rioters, and ultimately obliged them to 
retire. 

On the following day, haying aug- 
mented their number to five or six hun- 
dred, they renewed the attack. In the 
meantime a sargeant and twelve men, 
■detatehed from the garrison at Pitts- 
burg, (all recruits and several of whom 
inarched from this place on the 2d of 
April) had taken possession of Gen, 
Neville's house. The General escaped 
before the attack began and the insur- 
gents permitted his lady and. the females 
of the family to retire. The attack then 
commenced, the little party defended it 
for a considerable time, with a degree 
of bravery which displays an illustrous 
example for the imitation of those who 
may hereafter be called to support the 
laws of their country. 

The Corporal, whose name was 
Doud, conducted in a manner which 
ought to immortalize liis name. 

Ebenezer Walker and William Grig- 
ley, two lads of seventeen } T ears of age, 
natives of Massachusetts, fought with 
astonishing bravery. 

Three of the soldiers were wounded 
and four of the insurgents killed — 
James Mc’Farland, the leader, was 
killed, and a number of them were 
wounded. 

Our little band of heroes were ulti- 
mately forced to surrender, and the ri- 
oters burned the house and out-houses 
and all the propert}^ which they con- 
tained ; but either because they respect- 
ed their courage, or dreaded the re- 
sentment of government they immedi- 
ately liberated the soldiers. 

AUG. 12 

An account is this day published of 
an attack on Fort Recovery, in the 
Western Territory, by the Indians, 



on the morning of the 30th of "June. 
The enemy were repulsed with great 
slaughter ; but they again renewed the 
attack, keeping a very heavy and con- 
stant fire all that day, and by intervals 
during the night and morning of the 1st 
of July, but were ultimately compell- 
ed to retreat between the hours of 12 
and 2 o’ clock of that day, with loss 
and disgrace, from the field, where on 
a former occasion, they had been en- 
tirely victorious. 

AUG. 20. 

The President of the United States 
has issued orders for embodying 1300 
of the Militia of New Jersey, Pennsyl- 
vania, Maryland and Virginia to sup- 
press the insurrection. 

AUG. 30, 

Cap. Lyman with a detachment of 
recruits, embarked at Springfield for 
Middletown. 

New Brunswick, Sep. 9. 

The Militia of New Jersey and 
Pennsylvania drafted by order of the 
President to oppose the Pittsburg riot- 
ers, are now in motion and will rende- 
vous in Trenton and Carlisle. 
sep. 24. 

Arrived at Carlisle. Carlisle is a 
large and handsome borough, shire of 
the County of Cumberland, 120 miles 
west of Philadelphia * * * The bar- 
racks are situated a quarter of a mile 
east of the town, and are large, but 
decayed buildings, capable of contain- 
ing several thousand men. 

sep. 28 . 

This morning an express passed 
through town on his way to Philadel- 
phia with information of a victory 
gained by the army under General 
| Wayne, over the Indians, on the 20th 
! ult. on the river Miami of the Lakes. 



GUILFORD, 



45 



Three troops of cavalry from the 
city of Philadelphia arrived this day. 

Oct 2d 

150 infantry arrived from Philadel- 
phia. Gen. Mifflin, who was appointed 
second in command, arrived this day. 

Governor Lee of Virginia, who is 
vested with the chief command of the 
Federal army, under the order of the 
President, is now moving toward the 
scene of rebellion, 'at the head of 8000 
men from the states of Virginia and 
Maryland. 

Oct 3 & 4 

On these days large bodies of artil- 
lery, cavalry and infantry arrived from | 
various quarters. The President, Gen. 
Washington, arrived on the 4th. 

Oct. 6 

President Washington reviewed the 
troops under arms, amounting to be- 
tween three and 4000 men. 

From Carlisle the march was to 
'Chamber sburg, and there the Presi- 
dent arrived on the afternoon of the 12 
Oct. “without any escort, attended only 
by the Secretary of the Treasury, Col. 
Hamilton, who acted as Ms aid de 
camp.” He left on the 13 for Williams- 
port, Maryland, where the Maryland 
and Virginia lines are to rendevous. 

On the 17th Oct. the author arrived 
at Bedford, a town of fifty or sixty 
houses. 

Oct. 18 

Large bodies of troops arrived from 
the eastward. Governor Mifflin arriv- 
ed this day. 

Oct. 19 

The number of troops at Bedford in- 
cluding those that arrived this day, a- 
mounted to between five and 6000, 



I entirely surrounding the town. * * * 
Many men of independent fortunes and 
,the most respectable character were in 
the ranks as private soldiers. All ranks 
and conditions of men were united in 
| one common band of citizen soldiers, 

| and appeared ro be irresistably deter- 
mined to vindicate and maintain the 
violated majesty of the laws. It was 
deservedly styled “The Army of the 
Constitution.” * * # 

This day, the President and Gov. 
Lee arrived in town from the encamp- 
ment of the Maryland and Virginia 
lines[about 30 miles south of Bedford] 
and were received with a discharge of 
15 camion. 

The following general order was is- 
sued : The President of the United 

States directs that Capt. Lyman who 
commands the detachment of conti- 
nental troops shall be annexed to the 
light corps under the command of Col. 
R. Pherson. 

Opt. 20 

The troops were paraded and re- 
viewed by Generals Lee and Mifflin, 
who express their approbation of the 
soldierly appearance, spirit and good 
conduct of the army in general. 

Oct, 21 

The President being about to return 
to Philadelphia to attend the approach- 
ing session of Congress, made an ele- 
gant address to Gen. Lee, expressing 
generally his approbation of the ap- 
pearance, spirit and good conduct of 
the army, and his warmest wishes for 
their success in the cause of rational 
liberty, and the support of the laws of 
their country. This address and the 
order to march to Pittsburg was pub- 



and*oceupied a circular encampment, lished to-day. 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



46 

The town of Washington, the “cen- 
tre of the territory of sedition,” is 
graphically described: “the country," 
he continues, “trembles around us and 
the late insurgent, inhabitants are as 
humble and submissive as they had 
been insolent and daring before the ar- 
my appeared* David Bradford, whose 
abilities, influence and exertions placed 
him foremost on the list of rebels, had 
descended the Ohio with a number of 
associates, intending to reach the Span- 
ish territories ; and many more of the 
fomentorsof discord were seeking their 
safety in flight. 

Nov. 17 

Arrived at Pittsburg * * the whole 
of the Federal army was now at this 
place, except about 1500 who were left 
at Washington. The number now at 
Pittsburg was calculated at 12 or 1300. 

from NOv. 17 to 24 

Those who had been principally con- 
cerned in the rebellion, and who did 
not choose to abandon their country, 
w ere now generally secured ; and the 
professions of repentance in the delud- 
ed inhabitants at large, had the appear- 
ance of sincerity. In order how r ever- 
to preclude the possibility of a renewal 
of the unhappy scenes that had lately 
distracted this country the Command- 
er in Chief, General Lee, continued at 
Pittsburg, and was employed in organ- 
izing a body of 1500 men to be com- 
manded by Gen. Morgon, who estab- 
lished his head quarters on the Monon- 
gahela, a few 'miles from Pittsburg, 
for the purpose of enforcing an exact 
obedience to the government. 

Nov. 26 

Gen. Lee left Pittsburg on his re- 
turn to Virginia. 

The Continental troops to which the 
author belonged continued on down the 



Ohio and arrived in Cincinnati on the 
29th December. The Spaniards were 
then at work on fortifications at the 
mouth of the Ohio. 

The whole journal during the ser- 
vice of Sergeant Elliot in Ohio is in- 
teresting, and we would like to give it 
entire, did space admit : we conclude 
with the following entry on the 3d of 
August : 

“This day the treaty was concluded 
and signed by Gen. Wayne, on the 
part of the United States, and the Sa- 
chems, Chiefs, and warriors of the 
Wyandot, Deleware, Chipeway, Otte- 
way, Shawanee, Miami, Potawatamy, 
Eel River, Nee a ? Kickopoo and Kas- 
kias, — nations or tribes of Indians.” 

Not long after the publication of this 
work, Mr. Elliot was elected to Con- 
gress, where he served. 1803 — 1809. 

He then published a paper in Phila- 
delphia. After this, he entered the ar- 
my as a Captain, but after a brief pe- 
riod of service, returned to Vermont 
where he finally became the Clerk of 
the Court of Windham County, in 
which position he died at Newfane on 
Nov. 10, 1839. 

An incident connected with his life 
while in Guilford shews that the peo- 
ple of that town did not entertain so 
high an opinion of the right to vote 
as is manifested at the present day, — 
It appears that at a freeman’s meeting 
Jan. 1793, for the electon of a Feder- 
al representative, only eleven voted 
while the number of qualified electors 
, in town was fcrnr hundred ! But at the 
election in 1797, there was a consider- 
able improvement, about one hundred 
voted. 

john phelps, a contemporary of 
James Elliot, and a warm friend and 
admirer of Judge Tyler, was the* au- 




GUILFORD. 



47 



thor of several pieces of poetry one of 
which, called “New England” became 
quite popular in its day. He composed 
several Christmas hymns for choir at 
the usual celebrations of Christmas at 
Christ Church, Guilford, which are 
still extant. ; and in 1835, he published 
a compilation, called the “Legal Classic, 
or the Young American's first book of 
Rights and Duties, ” a small work of 
about 150 pages. He was also the au- 
thor of one, or more political pam- 
phlets. 

His wife, Mrs. Almira Phelps, pre- 
pared, for the press, one edition of 
her Botany in Guilford, and wrote sev- 
eral other works of instruction on 
chemistry and other subjects, some- 
where between 1830 and 1835. 

MISS STELLA PHELPS, 

daughter of John Phelps, wrote nu- 
merous pieces of verse, some of which 
were very flatteringly received by the 
public. 

From : 

L INES ON THE DEATH OF A'FATHER. 

By Elisabeth Peck, 

Say, Spirit ot my Fattier! dost tliou know 
When oft my mother at the silent eve 
Ascends with all the “luxury of woe,' 

To weep in silence o’er thy dewy grave? 

Oft at that lonely hour, when all is still* 
When labor ceases, and the laborer sleeps, 
She climbs with hasty steps the village hill, 
And o’er thyjhiimble grave in silence weeps 
Oh! if thy blessed spirit, lingering near, 
Would soothe her woes and bid her sorrows 
cease. 

Wipe from her grief- worn cheek the trick- 
ling tear 

And to her throbbing bosom wliisper peace. 
*********** 

From : 

THE GRABS. 

Lowly my lot— 

Among the flowers of gorgeous dyes 
And thousand perfumes that arise, 

T am forgot. 



Yet through the earth 
All flesh that move in gentle mood 
For carpet, sustenance and food 
Must own my worth. 

My name is grass : 

And though of poor, ignoble birth 
And cmslied and trampled to the earth 
By all that pass. 

I stronger grow, 

My roots with firmer fibre'prest, 

My leaves in hrigliter verdure drest, 

And brighter glow. 

And learn of me 

When in grate mortals rudely spurn 
And ills for blessings give, to meek return 
Sweet charity. 

JEREMIAH G REENLE AF 

entered the,U. S. service from Guilford 
during the war of 1812, and was pro- 
moted to a lieutenant in 1816; at what 
period he left the service and returned 
to his home, we have not learned ; but 
at about that period he published a work 
on grammar, called “Grammar Simpli- 
fied,” which is regarded by many even 
now as the plainest and best treatise on 
that difficult subject which has ever 
been produced. It first appeared in 
1821 and speedily run many editions, 
the 20th edition being published in 
Brattleboro in 1822. At a later period 
he prepared a modified form of this 
work called the “Labor Saving Gram- 
mar,” wdiieh was published in 1855, 
but it is not equal to his original trea- 
tise. 

Since that period the published liter- 
ature of Guilford has consisted almost 
exclusively of an occasional piece of 
poetry; generally by, some young lady. 
Some of these productions are posses- 
sed of considerable merit but it is ev- 
ident there is not such literary aspi- 
ration as existed formerly. The fresh- 
ness and attending life in a newly open - 
ed country have already felt the effects 
of time and are like the music of the 




48 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



birds that pass away with the vernal 
season. 

THEIPIAN SOCIETIES, LYCEUMS AND 
AMUSEMENTS. 

Of a kin to literary circles are 
Theipian Societies and debating clubs. 
Of these, several have arisen* from 
time to time, though they have never 
continued for any lengthy period. 

Between the year 1825 and 1832, a 
Theipian Society was established by 
the young people of the East Village 
which enacted several plays on different 
occasions. Their exhibitions were held 
in the ball of the tavern ; and one of 
the principal plays brought forward 
was Sheridan’s 4 ‘Pizarro.” 

But generally shorter and more a- 
musing plays were selected, 

A strolling company of players a- 
hout this period came from Albany to 
Brattleboro to exhibit there: but as 
Gen. Jonathan Hunt, a resident of 
Brattleboro, a member of Congress, 
and a person much beloved by the peo- 
ple, had recently died, the inhabitants 
were averse to gayety at that time and 
the players exhibited for a night or 
two at Algiers. 

It was in the hall above mentioned, 
that Potter, the Magician used always 
to exhibit his performances. This Pot- 
ter was a mulatto, who had been 
brought away from Southern slavery 
by a New Hampshire sea captain ; and 
he was one of the most expert jug- 
glers of the age. He always drew a 
full house whenever he came ; and with 
the proceeds of his art he finally re- 
tired from active life and built a house 
in Andover, N, H. where he died some 
years since. 

The hall of the tavern was design- 
ed chiefly as a dancing hall. It was 
there thanksgiving balls and dances, 



so called sleigh-rides, used to be held, 
and occasional dancing-schools. 

The tavern, itself has been the cen- 
tre of various changing scenes. 

A Masonic lodge once held their 
meetings in its hall ; but in course of 
time a hot dispute arose about the re- 
lation which such societies bore to a 
free government, and in the earnest 
conflict of opinion the lodge succumb- 
ed. In those days the very passe tigers 
in the stage coach that stopped to 
change mails were heard in sharp dispu- 
tation about masonry. The coach ar- 
rived from the south about 9 o’ clock P. 
M. Sometimes the driver announced his 
approach by winding a melodious tin 
horn ; and not until he had dashed a- 
way did the usual knot of villagers 
depart. 

Among the amusements of the villa- 
gers who ^spent their evenings around 
th e-barroom fire were telling stories and 
singing songs which were often enliven- 
ed by a circulation of mugs and half- 
mugs of flip and punch. A blind miller 
by name of Stevens composed songs and 
set* them to music. The refrain, in 
which all joined, of one, ran: 

Tims as through life we go, I would have 
you to know 

There are slaves in high life as well as in 
low. 

The celebration of 

THE FOURTH OF JULY 

was seldom omitted at least so far as 
the consumption of powder extended 
and we remember festivities on one 
occasion in honor of the victory of 
Lake Erie, 

Shooting matches were frequent du- 
ring the winter. 

Base ball was played by the young 
men on Fast day ; and once, at least, 
i while snow was on the ground, there 




GUILFORD, 



41 > 



whs a hunt for the white rabbit. Elihue 
Field, the keeper of the tavern and the 
post-office was the leading spirit in this 
sport, and often were the corners of 
his bar-room decorated at the close of 
a day’s hunt with the fowling-pieces of 
the party and the rabbits which they 
had shot. 

He, also, took a lively interest in the 
political affairs of the country ; and 
when the great speech of Webster 
was t inging through New England, we 
remember to have been struck by his 
appearance on one occasion: a tall, 
slim man with a large bright black eye, 
as stretching forth his hand, he repeat- 
ed the following passage: 

“I shall enter on no encomium upon 
Massachusetts; she needs none, there 
she is. There is Boston, and Concord 
and Lexington and Bunker Hill, and 
there they will remain forever* The 
bones of her sons, falling in the great 
struggle for Independence, now lie 
mingled with the soil of every state 
from New England to Georgia ; and 
there they will lie forever.” 

k THE FINE ARTS. 

No person from Guilford, as we are 
aware of, has ever distinguished him- 
self as au artist ; but a young. gentle- 
man,' — Richardson, Billings — pro- 
duced several oil paintings between the 
years 1840 and 1850, which evinced a 
high degree of artistic talent and ge- 
nius. Unfortunately he died at an early 
age ; had he lived, he promised to be- 
come the equal of the artists, Mead 
and Brown, of whom he was the cotem- 
porary, who are natives of the two ad- 
joining towns of Brattleboro and Ley- 
den. 

AGRICULTURE. 

The dairy interests, which used to 
be very great, the butter and cheese 



of Guilford ranking first in the Boston 
market, is now reduced to a compara- 
tive small scale, there being but little 
cheese produced, and much less butter 
than formerly. The pastures are great- 
ly worn out and need renewal by fer- 
tilizers, which can hardly take place so 
long as the labor of the town contin- 
es to seek as it has done for the last 
forty years, the more fertile fields of 
the West. That princple of the soil, 
phosphate of lime, which goes to form 
bone and also lime, was so thoroughly 
exhausted during the dairy period that 
the cows came at length to suffer from 
the bone disease, and in many cases 
could hardly stand to graze from the 
weakness of their ’bones, the phos- 
phate of lime necessary to their strength 
having been almost entirely taken from 
the soil and carried off in butter and 
cheese to Boston. It was at one time 
customary for the principal farmers to 
carry to that market the product of 
their own daries ; going in the winter 
season with two, and sometimes four 
horse-teams, and returning in the course 
of two weeks with a supply of grocer- 
ies for the year. 

The land produces excellent crops of 
corn, grass, and oats; but does not 
yield potatoes as well as formerly. — 
Stock-growing may now be considered 
as the principal interest, and efforts 
have been made during the last five 
years to introduce good breeds of cat- 
tle, horses and sheep. Bone-dust, ei- 
ther given in meal, or liberally strewn 
upon the pastures is found to be an ef- 
fectual cure for the bone-disease. Not 
enough grain is raised for the consump- 
tion of the stock, and a great deal of 
corn is imported from the West for this 
purpose. 

Fruit thrives so well that the proper 
care need only to be taken to insure 




50 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



success in its cultivation. Peaches have 
always been produced to some extent, 
ever since introduced, while the pre- 
cious plums and pears of Mr, Briggs in 
the north-west part of the town, shew 
what can he done in that way by intel- 
ligence and attention. The southern 
slopes, where well sheltered from the 
northern winds, would doubtless yield 
good grapes; but unfortunately the cul- 
tivation of that fruit is not genial to the 
habits of the people, and but few as 
yet have attempted it. 



STATISTICS OF lSoO. 

Value of farms, $413,223,00: 
Fanning implements $12,998,00: 
Number of horses 294 : 

Number of milk cows, 608 : 
Number of working oxen, 409 : 
Other cattle, 908: 

Sheep, 2281 : swine, 329 : 

Value of livestock, $64,523,00: 
Bushels of corn raised, 13.614: 
Bushels of oats. 13.186: 

Bushels of rye, 663 : 

Bushels of barley, 2.664: 

Value of orchard products, $1,978: | 
Pounds of cheese, 30.250 : 

Pounds of butter, 55.569: 

Tuns of hay, 4.684: 

Pounds of hops, 2.361 : 

Pounds of mapJe sugar, 30.856 : 
Bushels of beans, 336: 

Bushels, of potatoes, 17.357: 

Gallons of molasses, 400: 

Value of animals, slaughtered $17.321 : i 
Bushels of wheat, 214: 

In 1863-64, an effort at associated 
action was made for the improvement 
of the stock of the town, and a 



farmer's CLUB 

was formed at the Middle of the town, 
of which Mr. Charles Lynde became 
president. 

A good breed of cattle was intro- 
duced, and a corresponding movement 
was made at the same time by Mr. 
Perry Melendy of the East Village, 
and others ; and at the same time an- 
other movement was made by Mr. 
Bryant Melendy of South Hollow, to 
improve the breed of horses, which 
promises some success. Mr. George C. 
Hall of New York, has also kept some 
fine horses in town, where he purchas- 
ed a farm for this purpose. 

The statistics of 1860 exhibit a very 
considerable falling off from the census 
of 1850. This may be owing in part to 
some defect in the taking of the census ; 
but still there has doubtless been a de- 
crease iti the agricultural products of 
the town. 

STATISTICS OF 1860. 

Horses, 261 ; cows, 556 : 

Oxen, 324 : other cattle, 804 : 
Sheep, 2.506 : swine, 310 : 

Wheat, 1033 bushels: 

Rye, 241 bushels: 

Corn, 7735 bushels: 

Oats, 6377 bushels: 

Wool, 8615 pounds: 

Sugar, 47.026 pounds: 

Hops 10.311 pounds: 

Hay, 4408 tuns : 

Butter, 34.8-70 pounds: 

Cheese, 9995 pounds: 

It would be well to have the census 
taken by the town constable, qv some 
other person of the township, and to 
have a copy entered upon the record 
of the town. 




GUILFORD. 



51 



RELIGION. 

It appears from the church records 
of Brattleboro that arrangements were 
made as early as 1769, 'between the 
inhabitants of that town and those of 
Guilford for the support of Mr. Reeves, 
a Congregational preacher. The people 
of Guilford were to pay half the sala- 
ry, £ 60, New York currency, and one 
sixth of the settlement, which was also 
£60, and Mr. Reeves was to preach 
half the time for them, they losing the 
time when bad weather prevented his 
preaching there.” 

The first edifice erected for Congre- 
gational service was located upon one 
of the highest hills, at what is called 
Guilford Centre, though the village, so 
called, is about a mile to the north- 
ward of the geographical centre of the 
town. 

The early settlers, descendants of 
the pilgrims, on entering and taking 
possession of a new country, seem to 
have associated their religious condi- 
tion with that of the Jews on entering 
the Holy Land, and their idea of wor- 
ship was always connected with the act 
of going up to the temple of the Lord.’’ 
There is moreover, a natural associa- 
tion between religious sentiment and 
elevated position. 

The size of the township from its 
origin in early colonial, times, arose, 
doubtless, from the limits over which 
a congregation of healthy, energetic 
persons could conveniently travel, on 
foot, if necessary in going to and re- 
turning from church. It was in fact 
the religious parish that determined the 
size of the civil municipality ; and when 
Benning Wentworth made his town- 
ship grants embrace six miles square, 
he was following a custom that had al- 
ready become established by usage. 



Persons from all parts of the town 
used to attend this church, 'and at times 
the roads were thronged on the Sabbath 
by those who wended their way to it. 

The house though large, was often 
more than filled, so that many sat a- 
round the doors outside. It was built 
during the last decade of the last cen- 
tury, at a time when the town had at- 
tained its maximum population. The 
graveyard was on one side of it, and 
the large two-story mansion of Doct. 
Hyde on the other. This church was 
as we remember it, a large, two-story 
weather-stained building, without a 
steeple, a circular window at the gable- 
ends, large, square pews, the seats on 
hinges, and an upper gallery extending 
round three sides. The congregation 
stood while at prayers, and the seats 
were raised to give more standing 
room. When the prayers were finished 
the seats were lowered and were usual- 
ly allowed to fall to their places with a 
great clatter. There was no means of 
warming this edifice in winter, since 
it was before the days of furnaces and 
stoves; but ladies often carried small 
foot-stoves made of tin, which were 
heated by a cup of coals placed within. 

In summer when the weather had 
become warm, young ladies appear- 
ed in white dresses ; and as wheeled 
vehicles had hardly begun to be intro- 
duced, many rode on horse-back. Fol- 
lowing the primitive custom of the 
times, some of the foot-travelers carri- 
ed an extra pair of shoes with them, 
which they put on in the place of an 
older and poorer pair just before en- 
tering the church, leaving the old pair 
tucked away outside. Boys and girls 
often went barefoot in summer time, 
and when they attended church, they 
carried their shoes in their hands until 
they reached the church door. 




52 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



After the union of the Congegation- 
alists with the Episcopalians of the East 
Village in 1819, this church was still 
used on alternate Sundays for a time ; 
but finally, it went into the possession 
of the Universalis ts who arose in town 
and by them was taken down in 1837, | 
and put up in a new shape, in the vil- 
lage at the foot of the hill. The man- 
sion of Dr. Hyde was destroyed by fire ; 
and nothing now remains upon the hill 
from which these two stately edifices 
used to overlook the country around 
except the grave-yard. The monu- 
ments there will shew by their inscrip- 
tions that the town has seen better 
days. 

Across an intervening valley, stood 
another similar edifice with the same 
weather-stained appearance, and the 
same circular windows in the ends. — 
It was designed for the use of the Bap- 
tists. At what precise time it was built 
we have no authentic Information. It 
was never entirely finished, and was j 
taken probably clown about the year ! 
1833, for the purpose of being rebuilt 
in Brattleboro, where it is now called 
the “Valley Mills.” 

A smaller building nearer Hines- 
burg and on a lower site was erected in 
1816, and has been in constant use by 
the Baptists ever since. It has recent- 
ly been repaired and ornamented with 
the addition of. a small steeple. It con- 
tains about 40 pews, and may average 
an attendance of 100 persons. In 1860 
it was presented with a communion 
service of silver by Mr. E. Blake of 
Spingfield, Mass. 

It w^ould appear from the records of 
this church that the early settlers of 
Guilford were largely composed of 
Baptists, since at one period there were 
four considerable societies in town of 
that denomination. 



BICHARD WILLIAM'S CHURCH, 

so called, was organized in 1780, and 
by the close of the following decade it 
numbered 100 members. 

This congregation was probably lo- 
cated in South Hollow or the eastern 
parts of the town aod perhaps in both. 
There was formerly a church edifice 
in East Guilford which has long since 
been taken down and moved. 

SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The second Baptist church was con- 
stituted in 1781. Its preacher in 1796, 
was Rev. Whitman Jacobs. 

THIRD BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The Third Church was constituted 
in 1782. It was located in the north- 
ern part of the town and the Reverend 
Peleg Hicks was its presiding elder for 
some 18 years, when in June 1800 it 
became united with the Second Church. 
It is now the only Baptist society in 
town. 

FOURTH BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The Fourth Church was constituted 
in 1797, in the southern part of the 
town. In 1802, Benjamin Bucklin be- 
came its pastor and preached some 20- 
years. It then dissolved. 

These church societies usually as- 
sembled in dwelling-houses, barns, 
school-houses and groves ; the only 
established place being those which we 
have already mentioned. 

THE BAPTIST MINISTERS 

who have officiated for this church 
since the Rev. Milo Tracy are: 

Rev. Edmund H. Smith, 1842 ; 

Rev. Samuel S. Kingsley, 1848 : 

Rev. Henry Archibald, 1852: 

Rev. John Hunt, 1855: 

Rev. Joseph B. Mitchell, 1857: 



GUILFORD. 



53 



Rev. J. P. Huntington, 1859 : 

Rev. Geo. Carpenter, 1861: 

Rev. Jonas G. Bennet, 1864: 

Rev. Samuel Fish, 1867 : 

The members are gratified with the 
belief that the church is now in a re- 
viving condition. It has remained as 
a bright light through the darkest peri- 
ods of the town’s decline, and has been 
the centre and principle of Christian 
union and social comfort to some of 
our substantial and most worthy fam- 
ilies. 

We are indebted for the principal of 
these facts to Dea. John carpenter, 
Church Clerk, who is a native of the 
town, and is now [1869 or ‘70] seven- 
ty six years of age. 

THE EPISCOPAL CHRUCH EDIFICE 

of the East Village has been newly slat- 
ed, painted and thoroughly repaired 
since 1860, for which service the par- 
ish gratefully acknowledged the assist- 
ance of Mrs. Jane McMillan of Cleve- 
and, Ohio, a native of Guilford. 

This church used formerly to have, 
an attendance of about 300 ; but of 
late years it has been maintained under 
great disadvantages ; its members hav- 
ing been gradually, but constantly re- 
duced by death and emigration until 
regular attendance numbers only be- 
tween forty and fifty persons. Yet 
these are full of hope that their days 
of greatest trial are past, and that they 
may transmit to future times a wor- 
ship which with its old pleasant mem- 
ories has been such a warming source 
of union to themselves and their fa- 
thers. 

The clergymen who have officiated 
in Christ Church since the ministra- 
tion of the Rev. Frederick Wadleigh 
from Sept. 18, 1841 to June 30, 1845, 
are : 



Rev. John B. Pratt, a second time, 
Aug. 23 1846 to Aug. 8, 1850. 

Rev. G. C. Eastman, May 18, 1851. 

Rev. Ethan Allen, October 1855 
to May 19, 1867, at which time this 
worthy pastor died. 

Rev. Silas M. Rogers, from Aug. 4, 
1867. 

THE METHODISTS 

have a small chapel at Green River 
which was built some years ago and 
which has been recently repaired. Its 
erection and the support of service 
there were largely due to the efforts 

of MR. SAMUEL CUTTING. 

According to tradition the first 
Methodist preaching in Guilford began 
about seventy years ago. We have 
this statement from 

MR. AMHERST LAMB, 

an exhorter in the church. Between 
the years 1820 and 1830 this sect ex- 
hibited the greatest activity and seems 
to have attained its widest influence. 

The preacher now is the 

REV. A. G. BOWKER, 

and service is held by him in succes- 
sion at the East Village, at Guilford 
Centre and at Green River. The at- 
tendance at all three places numbers 
considerably less than 100 persons. — 
Mr. Bowker was preceded in the mi- 
nority by the Rev. Hubbard Eastman. 

UNIVERSALISM IN GUILFORD. 

In 1829, MATTHEW HALE SMITH, who 
has since distinguished himself as a 
clever newspaper writer and as the 
author of several works, among which 
is ‘-Sunshine and Shadow in New 
York/' came to Guilford to preach 
Universalism, then, comparitively, a 
new doctrine in that part of the coun- 
try. He was a young man of talent, a- 
I bout 18 years of age, and, he soon be- 




54 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



came very popular with his hearers. — 
He preached in the old Congregation- 
al church at Guilford Centre ; but does 
not appear to have remained long since 
in 1832 ? he returned to Hartford. Ser- 
vices were held from that period at in- 
tervals until about I860, since which 
they have entirely ceased. 

CONGREGATIONAL CHUROH. 

In 1855, a small church for Congre- 
gational service was erected in the 
East Village, the 

REV. MOSES G. GROSVENOR 

became the preacher and continued in 
that office with intermissions, laboring 
with zeal and. fervor until I860, when 
he removed to the West. 

Since the departure of Mr. Grosve- 
nor, there has been only occasional 
preaching at this church, and general- 
ly by the Methodists. The Young 
Men’s Christian Association of Brat, 
tleboro have recently held prayer-meet- 
ings there on Sunday afternoons. 

The attendants on services there was 
never considerable. Its erection does 
not seem to have been occasioned by 
any growth of religious interest, or the 
want of additional church accomoda- 
tion ; for there was already a sufficient 
number of such edifices in town to seat 
nearly, if not all the inhabitants.— 
From the most reliable statements we 
have been able to procure, not more 
than one person in six, or five at far- 
therest. attends church of any denomi- 
nation. The religious spirit of the peo- 
ple as evinced by church-going, when 
compared with what it was forty 
years ago, exhibits a marked contrast 
and decline. 

EDUCATION. 

But though the maintainance Of re- 
ligous worship has undergone a change 
the educational interest of the town 



appears to have been kept up with un- 
abated care and attention. 

There are 14 districts in town and 
though the number of pupils in each 
is less than half what it used to be 
j though the expense is doubled and we 
are not so many to bear it as formerly. 
Summer and winter schools are still 
held in each district. The winter school 
now, is often kept by young ladies, 
where the services of a male teacher 
used to be considered necessary. 

A general progress in these schools 
during the last generation is noticea- 
ble particularly in this, that it is not 
un frequently the case that the more 
advanced scholars in arithmetic are 
taught algebra. 

A general social improvement among 
the people is also remarked in the great- 
er number of musical instruments of 
the higher order that are met with in 
the houses of the inhabitants. Young 
ladies may be heard playing the piano 
or melodeon where twenty years ago 
such instruments were hardly known. 

During the present decade the cur- 
rency of the country and prices of ev- 
ery thing have been inflated by the 
war of the Rebellion, and the wages 
of teachers have correspondingly risen 
with those of other classes of employ- 
es. The average pay of male teachers 
20 years ago was about $14 a month ; 
of female teachers five or six dollars 
per month. The average at this time 
is about $30 for male teachers and 
from $12 to $16 for female ; but when 
females teach winter schools their wag- 
es are about the same as those of 
males. 

Select schools have dccasionly been 
established in town ; but they have 
never been maintained for any consid- 
erable length of time. 



GUILFORD. 

COLLEGIATES. 



The following are the names of men 
who as far as we can learn, have en- 
tered college from Guilford : 

Dana Hyde. Jr. -U. V. M.~ Doctor: 
Timothy Phelps, „ ,, „ Lawyer : 
Henry Denison, do, Lawyer & Ed. : 
Erastus Root, ,, Doctor: 

Timothy Root, Amherst, Cong. Cl. : 
Isaac Bucklin, Baptist Clergyman : 
William Bullock, William’s College : 
Ebenezer Boyden, Yale, Epis. CL: 
Justin Carpenter, Union, Lawyer: 
Mark Carpenter, „ Bap. CL ; 
Ira Carpenter, Middlebury , Teacher ; 
Samuel Gregory, Teacher: 

Amos W. Hart, Middlebury, ,, : 

Henry W. Allen, Hobart, Epis. CL : 
Alex. Y. G. Allen, Gambia, ,, : 

Besides these, Gen. J. W. Phelps 
graduated at the West Point Military 
Academy in 1836, and entered the 
army. * 

James M. Tyler graduated at the 
Albany Law School in 1860 and be- ; 
came a lawyer. 

. John Phelps received an honorary 
degree of A. B. from the University 
of Vermont in 1811. 

Amos W. Hart, mentioned, spent 
but one year in Middlebury ; he then 
pursued his studies in Germany. 

Samuel Gregory is President of the 
College of Female Physicians, Boston. 
Mass. 

Hosea Ballon , President of Tufts 
College, Mass, is a native of Guilford 
Alex. V. G. Allen is Professor in 
the Theological Seminary, Cambridge, 
Mass. 

The Rev. Wilbur Fisk has been pre- 
viously mentioned as a native of the 



55 

town. On window No. 14 in the 
Metropolitan Memorial Methodist 
Episcopal Church, Washington, D. C. 
is the following inscription: 

“Wilbur Fiske, D. D., John Demp- 
ster, D. D Founders of Methodist 
Theological Schools in America.” 

James and Daniel Packer, natives 
ol the town, became Baptist clergy- 
men. 

LAWYERS AND PHYSICIANS, 

Royal Tyler Elisha Bigelow and 
John Phelps have been the principal 
practicing lawyers of the town. There 
has been no resident lawyer in Guil- 
ford since 1835. 

Drs. Dana Hyde, Sr, and Benjamin 
Stevens were the earliest settled physi- 
cians of whom there is any record. 
Both resided on the hill near the old 
Congregational church, and both rear- 
ed each a son to the medical profes- 
sion: Drs. Dana Hyde, Jr. and Benj- 
amin W. Stevens, the latter of whom 
is still living in town at the age of 80 
years. 

Drs. Edwin and Elisha Cross, and 
Frank Burdick have practised medi- 
cine in town for short periods of time 
and Dr. N. Webster is now in prac- 
tice. 

MILITARY. 

At what time military trainings be- 
gan in Guilford we have no precise in- 
formation ; but as early as 1775. an 
organized band is mentioned as being 
present from there at the disturbances 
of Westminster. Those disturbances 
sprang from the general spirit of lib- 
erty, independence and disaffection 
then prevailing againfet the mother 
country which was greatly aggravated 
still by a belief on the part of the set- 
tlers that the royal court then about to 




•56 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



set at Westminster would give descis- 
ions averse to their land claims and 
titles. The sitting of the court was re- 
sisted by the “liberty men,” who were 
in turn attacked by the court party, or 
tories, and several of their number 
wounded, two of them mortally. — 
The band from Guilford marched to 
the support of the “liberty men.” 

In 1 782, seven years after this event, 
we have the record of three compa- 
nies in town, the names of whose offi- 
cers are given. And even earlier still 
in February 1776, a company belong 
ing to Guilford is mentioned in a re- 
port of Col. Benjamin Carpenter to 
the New York Provincial Congress. 
From this time the militia organization 
of* the town appears to have been kept 
up with great spirit for more than half 
a century. About the year 1830, this 
spirit began to decline and by the close 
of 1840, had nearly expired, the last 
June training having taken place, it is 
said, ill 1846. 

Perhaps at no time did the military 
spirit run higher than dui ing the dec- 
ade between 1820 — 1830. Atone time 
of this period, there were three large 
foot companies in town besides a cav- 
alry company which was made up in 
part from Brattleboro. The cavalry 
and one company of infantry were 
called volunteer companies, while the 
other two companies were usually term- 
ed “flood- wood”; so called from being 
made up from all kinds of men ; every 
one between the ages of 18 and 45 ; 
with certain exceptions, being obliged 
to train and furnish his own musket, 
equipments and uniform. No compa- 
nies in regular service ever made a bet- 
ter appearance than the two volunteer 
companies ; their uniforms were exceed- 
ingly martial in appearance, and their 
.arms and equipments were complete ; as 



were, indeed, also, those of the flood- 
wood. 

The infantry volunteer company 
uniforms consisted of a blue coat trim- 
med with yellow, large eagle buttons, 
white drill pants, gaiters or boots, 
white vest, leather stock, and leather 
helmet with high tin crest from which 
flowed long, red horse-hair, while from 
a cockade on the left 'rose a tailored 
feather plume with white top. 

This cavalry had for its Captain be- 
tween the years 1823 and 1829, Philip 
Martin, a soldier of the war of 1812, 
a man of great military spirit and char- 
acter and of devoted patriotism. His 
father had served in the Revolutionary 
war, and he, himself, had a son, who 
served in the department of the Gulf 
during the War of the Rebellion. 

The cavalry uniform consisted of red 
coats, blue pantaloons and helmets like 
the infantry, but trimmed with bear- 
skin, as also, were their holsters. Their 
arms consisted of a long sabre, a brace 
of brass mounted pistols, and they usu- 
ally rode fine horses. 

When the first Tuesday of June ar- 
rived, all these trooqs swarmed from 
the hills and vallies to training at the 
“middle of the town.” The thunder 
of the bass drum, the rattle of the 
snare drum, the fife, bugle and clario- 
net awakened the slumbering echoes ; 
bright armor and showy uniforms 
gleamed amidst the green foliage then 
all in its prime, and the town was all 
astir, gingerbread, lemons and oranges 
and apples scarcely less valued t^an 
they at that season, cider, pop-beer, etc 
were offered for sale from waggons at 
every turn; rum, punch of the most 
delicious kind was mixed in unstinted 
quantities at the store and tavern; the 
troops marched and countermarched, 
maneuvered and fired blank cartridges ; 




GUILFORD, 



57 



the rolls were called and. unlike the ! 
practice in Shakespear’s time, all who 
were absent, not those present, were 
pricked, and never was there a more 
enjoyable time for all both old and ! 
young than June training day* 

In the fall of the year when the 
stress of the summer work was over, 
a more extensive military parade was 
made and the companies of several 
neighboring towns joined together for 
“general muster.” At musters 

SHAM FIGHTS 

were held, where the maneuvres appro- 
priate to real battles were performed, 
and at times a band of men represent- 
ing Indians in dress and warfare style, 
formed a part of the contending scores, 
making some piece of woods on the 
field ring with the medley of their yells 
and the crack of their rifles. 

At one of these musters held at Brat- 
tleboro, Sept. 11, 1816, the Guilford 
Light Infantry Company was on the 
ground by daylight in the morning but 
its ardor was somewhat damped by 
being ordered to take the left of the 
regimental line instead of the right, a 
position which its commander, Captain 
Martin claimed by virtue of commis- 
sion, if not by the excellence of his 
company. The order being reitereated 
he marched off his company and mus- 
tered, inspected and drilled it by 
itself; as the men were proud of their 
old warrior captain, they would sus- 
tain him in anything that he might do. 
He was court martialed, but finally 
acquitted. Gen. Jonathan Hunt, then 
a candidate for Congress, acted as his 
attorney ; and doubtless political con- 
siderations had much to do in occasion- 
ing as well as settling the discord* 
Since that period, the population has 
rapidly declined, the young and enter- 



prising going to the West. Of all the 
military activity that once existed in 
Guilford — of all the paraphernalia in 
which it once exhibited itself, by the 
year 1850, hardly a vestige remained. 
It would probably have been impossi- 
ble then to have found half a dozen 
muskets or parts of uniform in town, 
and such was actually the case on the 
break out of the Rebellion in 1861. 

Since that war an effort has been 
made the State to revive the mili- 
tia, and Guilford has been associated 
with Vernon in raising one company 
as part of the 12th regiment of the 
State. 

THE Y(Ali OF 1812. 

We have no means of ascertaining 
fully the names or number of men 
who went from Guilford to the War of 
1812, since no record of them was 
kept as there ought to have been on 
the town book. 

The follow ing names have been fur- 
nished to us, taken chiefly from the 
muster roll of the 2d Company of the 
31st United State’s Infantry which 
was in the Battle of Plattsburg, and 
may be relied on as correct, viz r 
Sergt. Philip Martin : 

Private Samuel Roberts : 

“ Asa Bullock: 

“ Joel Bolster, Jr: 
u Benjamin Dennis : 

44 Rodolphus Eddy: 

44 Theophilns Wadleigh: 

. John K. Chase: 

44 George Carpenter : 

44 Joshua Culver, Jr 

Besides these it is known that Eph- 
raim Gale, Jr. and Jonathan Chase 
served in the cavalry, and that Joseph 
Jacobs died in the service. 




VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



The war of 1812 was not very pop- 
ular in New England, and it had not 
a few opponents in Vermont; "but im- 
mediately on its declaration by our 
Government, June 18, 1812, a compa- 
ny of old men called the “Silver Grays” 
was organized and drilled, many of 
* whom had been Revolutionary soldiers. 
‘They called themselves “minute men”, 
and with their silver locks rendered im- 
pressive by Revolutionary memories, 
they made an imposing appearance, 
forcibly to the rising generation to sus- 
tain the country in her hour of need. 

The names of some of this company 
of the Silver Grays as handed down 
by tradition: 

Gen. Aaron Barney : 

Isaac Noyes : 

James Noyes : 

John Phelps : 

Cyrus Carpenter: 

Samuel Shepherdson : 

Joseph Roy den: 

Nathan Hatch: 

James Packer : 

James Slaughter: 

Aaron Franklin : 

Elihu Field, Sen. : 

David Baker: 

Jonah Cutting : 

Joel Bolster, Sen. : 

Paul Chase : 

Cyrus Martin : 

William Marsh : 

Ephraim Gale, Sen: 

Andrew Wilkins : 

Thomas Lynde: 

Jason Makepeace: 

William Hines: 

Fred Ashcraft: 



The officers known to have gone 
from Guilford to the War of 1812 
were : 

Jeremiah Greenleaf, 2d Lieut. 3 1st 
Infantry : 

Benj, W. Stevens. Surgeon: 

Jonathan K. Chase, Captain of 
Cavalry : 

Isaac Noyes, Captain of Infantry: 

After the war, Beniamin W. Stevens 
returned to the practice of medicine in 
Guilford, where he still remains at an 
advanced age. 

THE WAR OF 1861. 

The number of men furnished by 
Guilford for the War of the Rebellion 
as credited in the reports of the Adju- 
tant General of the State is 124 men. 
Not all of these were inhabitants of 
the town : some of them were procur- 
ed elsewhere. Several were negroes, 
who had joined our regiments in the 
South. The sum total of bounties paid 
to these men amounts to $3,656.29. 
The highest bounty paid to any one 
man being $1050. It will be seen that 
the town furnished one man for about 
every ten of its inhabitants, and at a 
direct cost of $ 27 for every man, wo- 
man and child. The names of nil these 
men cannot now be given ; we here re- 
cord such as we consider authentic. 

Volunteers for Three Years, 
Previous to October 17, 1863. 

Flip has Ackely : 

David G. Baker : 

Herbert C. Baker: 

Charles Bixby : 

Thompson Burdick : 

George P. Burrows: 

Andrew Cattley : 

Henry R, Chase: 

James Clifford: 




GUILFORD. 



59 



Myron L. Corbett: 


G eorge Wheeler : 


John W. Cross; 


Herbert M. Worden: 


Samuel C. Cutting : 


Volunteers for Three Years. 


Edmund Fisher; 


Subsequently to October 17, 1863. 


Thomas FILm: 


Harvey D. Barrett; 


Lorenzo Frizzell; 


George Bowen; 


Edward P. Gregory: 


John Carroll : 


Stephen Gregory ; 


Otis F. Childs: 


Eleazer Grover; 


Gilbert Clark : 


Henry A. Grover; 


William Dolan: 


Thomas Harmon: 


Frank Dyer : 


Elbridge G. Hill: 


Thomas Erwin: 


George W, Hill; 


Charles P. Howard: 


Elisha H. Jaquith : 


Franklin Marter: 


Owen Jones : 


Joseph Marter; 


Robert G. Jones; 


Thomas Monohan: 


Robert J. Jones: 


John O’Neil: 


Edward K. Kep linger ; 


Frank J. Puffer: 


Elbridge F. Lynde : 


Amos F. Smith: 


Francis J. Lynde: 


William Smith; 


Lewis H. Lynde: 


George Wells: 


Daniel H. Marsh : 


George A, Wells: 


William Martin : 


William Winslow : 


Gilbert Me Clure : 


Volunteers for One Year. 


Gilbert D. McClure: 


Samuel B, Boyden : 


Patrick Moore: 


David D . Brown : 


Osipan Nelson: 


Langdon J. Grover: 


Horace S: Warren: 


George C, Williams; 


Charles S. Williams : 


Ezra W. Plum: 


Herbert 8. Pierce: 


Moses W. Robinson; 


Frederick W. Rice: 


James M. Warner 


Lucius B. Shepherdson: 


Lynde A. Starke: 


Lewis Spears: 


Volunteers .for Nine Months. 


Charles D. Stevens; 


John R. Baker : 


Herbert E, Taylor : 


Herbert S. Bangs : 


Rufus C. Thorn ; 


Charles R. Bardwell: 


Thomas E. Toby : 


Samuel Boyden: 


Emery L. Tubbs : 


Hollis H. Burnett: 


Roger A. Tubbs: 


John F, Burnett; 



60 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



Joel Flagg, Jr. : 

Austin A. Hill * 

Samuel S. Hunt: 

George A. Jacobs : 

Samuel B. Ward; 

Henry W. Jacobs : 

Frederick H. King: 

Jason Mann: 

Elmer Mason: 

George 11, Ryder: 

Loren Sbepberdson: 

Sanford A, Smith : 

Grove L. Stoddard: 

Frederick A, Thompson : 
William II. Tyler: 

Orrin F, Wilson: 

Entered U. S. Navy, 

John Chase : 

William Closson : 

Charles Fullerton : 

Thomas O’Neil: 

Peter Patterson : 

ENTERED SERVICE. 

William M*. Evans: 

Allen J. Potter : 

Francis, Berton: 

John Watson : 

Charles Smith: 

Patrick Nagle. 

John E. Tyler: - 
John Wallins: 

John Stevenson : 

William Cook : 

John Dunn: 

Mannel Broughton : 

James Granson: 

KILLED, DIED AND WOUNDED ; 

The following is a list as far as can be 

ascertained. 



KILLED. 

George A, Jacobs: 

George W. Hill: 

Elbridge F. Lvnde: 

John W. Cross: 

Herbert Pierce : 
died. 

Charles S. Williams: 

Elbridge G. Hill : 

Stephen Gregory : 

Moses W. Robinson; 

Edmund Fisher : 

Elisha Jaquitkr 
George A. Wells: 

John F. Burnett: 

Robert J. Jones; 

Fred W. Rice: 

Lewis Spears; 

WOUNDED- 

Herbert E. Taylor : 

Edward K, Keplinger ; 

Lewis H. Lynde: 

Patrick Moore : 

Emery L. Tubbs. 

Of the wounded, one case is of such 
peculiar interest that we will append 
an account of it : 

HERBERT E. TAYLOR, 

Sergt. Co, F 4th Vermont Infantry 
enlisted, Aug. 81, 1861 ; wounded in 
the Battle of the Wilderness: First 
wound in the small of the back, right 
side of the spine, by a piece of shell, 
weighing 3T2 oz., from bore of our 
own guns. It passed through to the 
left side of the spine where it remained 
four months and was then removed by 
Dr. Geo. F. Gale of Brattleboro ; also 
at the same time, he received a gun- 
shot wound in the left foot ; the ball 
of which remained in the wound four 




GUILFORD. 



61 



weeks. A piece of the heel-bone was 
afterwards removed by Dr. Gale. He 
recovered. 

Officers of the Wak of 1861. 

General J. W. Phelps and General 
Charles E. Phelps, sons of John Phelps, 
are. both natives of Guilford. The first 
entered the service as Colonel of the 
First Regiment of Vermont Volunteers 
and the Second as Lieut. Colonel of the 
Maryland Seventh. 

Colonel Halbert S. Greenleaf, son of 
Jeremiah Greenleaf, was also bora in 
Guilford. He commanded the 52d, 
Massachusetts Volunteers in the De- 
partment of tne Gulf, 

Besides there were : 

Henry R. Chase, Major, of the 
11th Vermont Vols. 

Roger Tubbs, Lieut., of the 11th 
Vermont Vols. 

Thomson Burdick, Lieut, of a 
Colored regiment 

Frank E. Burdick, Surgeon of an 
Illinois regiment. 

William W. Lynde, Capt . , 8th 
Vermont Vols. 

Henry H. Pierce, Lieut., of 7th 
Connecticut Vols. 

Frank II. Houghton, 2d Lieut. 
17th Ohio Battery. 

William W. Lynde, Captain, 8th 
Vermont Volunteers. 

MANUFACTURES. 

The various branches of manufac- 
ture which have sprung up in the town 
since its first settlement have generally 
flourished only for a short time. Nu- 
merous efforts have been made to ren- 
them stable, but they have not thus far 
met with much success. We give a 
list of such as have been pursued at 
different periods, viz : 



Agricultural implements ; 

Barrels, bed-steads, chairs, — cabinet 
furniture; boots and shoes; brick, 
brooms, buttons; 

Carriages, carts, sleighs and sleds; 
cider-brandy, combs, cotton-yarn; 

Harmonicons, harness-trimmings, — 
hats of all kinds ; 

Inkstands; leather; linseed-oil; malt; 
ox-yokes, ox -bows; plows ; whiskey. 

Some of the first cast iron plows 
ever made in Vermont, were made in 
Guilford. 

Fulling, cloth-dressing, wool-eard- 
ing were formerly carried on at three 
or four establisments,but these branches 
of industry, as large factories arose, 
went gradually into disuse They are 
still oecasionly met with, though not 
in Guilford, the last in town, having 
disappeared some 15 years since. 

Yet a family of the old style is seen 
now and then where the woman raises 
ten or a dozen children, does all her 
own work and spins and weaves enough 
to clothe them all, herself and husband 
included. 

The domestic linens manufactured 
in town some forty to fifty years ago, 
might compare favorably with those 
produced in any other quarter of the 
globe. 

Elegant furniture was manufactured 
at that period by Eliliu Field, a son of 
one of the original proprietors of the 
town. His side-boards which it was 
common to see in all the principal resi- 
dences of those days were noted tor 
their beauty of design, convenience of 
use and excellence of workmanship. — 
though no longer in fashion they are 
frequently seen in Guilford and the 
adjoining towns at this day. 




62 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



The manufactures now existing may 
be represented by four principal sl&te 
quarries, one brick-yard, three black- 
smith shops, one paper-mill, four per- 
ambulator shops, one shop for chair- 
stuff and bed-steads, one grist-mill and 
seven saw-mills. 

The slate quarries and brick-yard 
have been in operation for more than 
half a century. The quarries gave 
employment at one time, between 1850 
I860, to over a 100 men ; some 50 or 
60 are now employed upon them. — 
The slate is of the best possible quality, 
of a dark blue color, hard, firm, with 
a metallic ring, and apparently of un- 
ending durability. The quaries extend 
along a line of some six miles in the 
eastern part of the town, and occur at 
points amidst the prevailing formation 
of rough, gnarled mica slate. 

MEDICAL SPUING. 

In 1868, the Medical Spring at the 
Centre Village, after having remained 
unnoticed for many years, was again 
brought into use. In that year, Mr. 
James Dalton, formerly from Boston, 
Mass., but more lately from Calcutta, 
Hindostan, and who was spending a 
time at Brattleboro for his health, and 
turning his attention to the traditions 
concerning it, and being convinced of 
its value, Mr. H. purchased, together 
with several other gentlemen, the old 
Houghton farm on which it is situated 
and commenced bottling the water for 
market. Before the close of the year, 
many cases of bottles had been sent to 
Boston. An excellent dissertation on 
the qualities of the water had been 
published in pamphlet form by Doct. 
Root of Guilford, 51 years previous. 
The qualities then ascribed to it were 
confirmed by a recent analysis made by 
Dr. Charles T, Jackson, State assay er 



to the commonwealth of Massachu- 
setts and analytic and consulting chem- 
ist, Its ingredients are : 

Carbonate of lime per gal. 15.80 grs. 

„ „ soda „ „ 2.4,0 „ 

„ ,, iron ,, ,, 2.99 ,, 

,, magnesia „ 0.60 

Chloride of sodium , ,, 2.41 ,, 

Insoluable silieia 0.60 „ 

Organic vegetable matter with traces 
of intrate of potash and traces of sul- 
phate of soda 0.40 ,, 

Solid matter per gal, 30.80 „ 

Carbonic acid gas 30 cubic inches, 
or 13.74 grs. per gal. 

The water is tonic and ante acid in 
its effects. 

NAVIGATION OF THE CONNECTICUT. 

The town of Guilford does not bor- 
der upon the Connecticut River, but it 
approaches it to within about a mile at 
its nearest point, — near enough to feel 
the warming effect of its waters, and 
thus to enjoy in its eastern borders a 
growth of the sunny chestnut above its 
usual latitude. 

To a town from which so large an 
amount of produce went annually to 
market as from Guilford in former 
years, the navigation of the river was 
a matter of great importance. It was 
hoped that steam might be introduced 
upon it to advantage Its waters main- 
tained a greater average depth in those 
days, before so much of the pristine 
forests were cut away, than it does 
now, and its current was already a 
channel of considerable commerce with 
Hartford and the towns on its banks 
by means of long pole-boats. These 
boats while ascending the river and 
when the south wind was fresh, would 
often hoist large, square, lug sails, and 



GUILFORD. 



63 



when the canvass bellied out full, noth- 
ing could be more beautifully pictures- 
que than* their stately march as they 
steadily stemmed the , current among 
the fields and villages along its course. 

In anticipation of a successful issue 
to schemes of improvement by the 
navigation of the river, the town con- 
structed a road to the last village down 
Broad Brook to the Connecticut, which 
had never been accomplished till to- 
wards the close of the decade follow- 
ing the year 1820. But the ascent of 
a small steam- wheel steamer, as far as 
Barnet, effected by much pushing and 
hauling, was all the result accomplish- 
ed at this time, and, though other par- 
tial attempts were made, the subse- 
quent introduction of railroads and the 
reduction of the number of inhabitants 
by emigration, rendered farther efforts 
unnecessary* 

The following is the record of town 
action : 

REQUEST FOR TOWN MEETING. 

Jan'y 20th A. D. 1825 

To the Selectmen of Guilford ; 

We the undersigned, inhabi- 
tants and freeholders of said Guilford, 
request that a Town meeting be called 
for the purpose of choosing a cleligate 
to the Windsor Convention on the 15th 
of Feb'y next, for the purpose of tak- 
ing into consideration the navigation 
of Connecticut River, which we con- 
sider of Vital importance to the town 
of Guilford. 

Willard Martin, 
Cyprian Stevens, Edward Houghton, 
Edward Houghton, Jr. Philip Martin, 
Beuj W. Stearns. 

Notification : 

These are to notify and 
warn the inhabitants of the town of 
Guilford who are legal voters to meet 



at the Town House in said Guilford, 
on the 7th day of July next, at one 
o’clock P* M. for the following pur- 
pose, to wit : 

1st To choose a ’ oderator to govern 
said meeting. 

2d To see if the inhabitants will vote 
to choose some one person to represent 
the town of Guilford in a Convention 
to be holden at Windsor in the Coun- 
ty of Windsor & St of Vt. on the 15th 
day of Feb’y next to take into consid- 
eration the propriety and devise the 
best means of rendering the waiers of 
Connecticut River navigable for boats 
and uniting the waters of Magog Lake 
therewith. 

3d To transact any other business 
thought proper when met. 

Aaron Barney, ) 

Wm, Bigelow, v Selectmen. 

El ih u Field, ) 

A meeting was held agreeably to the 
foregoing notice, and chose William 
Martin Esq. Moderator. Then voted to 
send a delegate to the Windsor Conven- 
tion. 

2d Voted, seven dollars be paid out 
of the Treasury for the expenses of 
said delegate. 

3d Voted to choose a delegate, a 
first and second substitute. 

4th Chose John Phelps, Esq. Dele- 
gate, Cyprian Stevens, Dana Hyde Jr. 
substitutes. 

5th Voted and chose 

Jonah Cutting, 

Guy Arms, 

Jos. Boy den, 

Philip Martin 

a Committee to make an estimate of 
the products and transportation to and 
from market, number of tons <fcc. 

Report made & accepted, handed 
over to the Delegate. 




64 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Voted to dissolve said meeting. 

A true record of notice and proceed- 
ings thereon. 

Attest. Cyprian Stevens, Town Clerk. 

REPRESENTATIVES. 

From the origin of the State gov- 
ernment to the present time. 

March 1778 : Benjamin Carpenter 

& John Shepherdson. 

October 1778: Comfort Starr 

& Levi Goodnoe. 

1779: David Stowe! 1 & John Noyes. 
1780: David Thurber 
& Levi Goodhue. 

1781 : William Bullock 
& John Shepherdson. 

1782: William Smalley: this being 
the first year that the town did not have 
two representatives. 

1783 : Benjamin Carpenter 
& Thomas Cutler. 

1784: Love well Bullock 
& William Bullock. 

1785: William Bigelow. 

1786, 7, 90, 96, Peter Briggs. 

1788: Benjamin Carpenter. 

1789, 91-5, William Bigelow. 
1799-1804, 1809-11, John Noyes. 
1805-8, Gilbert Dennison. 

1812, 15, 2!, 28, 9, Aaron Barney. 

1813, Jonah Cutting. 

1814, 18, John Phelps, 

1816, 19, 22, 25, Willard Martin. 
1820, 24, Joseph Boy den. 

1823, Amos Billings. 

1826-27, Dana Hyde, Jr. 

1830, 33, Russell Hyde. 

1831, 32, Ward Bullock. 

1834, Nathan Courant. 

1839, 44, 45, John Lynde. 

1841, Isaac Brown. 



1842-3, Elihu Field. 

1846, 56, Samuel L. Hunt. 

1847, 48, Nathan P. Chain. 

1849, 50, Aaron C. Barney. 

1853-4, Cyrus Carpenter. 

1857, 8, 67, 8, C. C. Lynde. 

1859, 60, Levi Boyden. 

1861, William W. Barney. 

1862, 65, 66, Stephen Smith. 

1863, 64, Samuel L. Hunt. 

State and County Officers. 

The following are some of the State 
and County Officers from Guilford: 
Benjamin Carpenter, Lieut. Govern- 
or, 1779 ; Member of the Governor’s 
Council, 1788 ; Member of the Council 
of Censors, 1785 : 

John Shepherdson, Judge of the 
Supreme Court from 1778 to 1779: 
Royal Tyler, State’s Attorney from 
1796 to 1800; elected Judge of the 
Supreme Court in 1801. 

Samuel Sheperdson, Member of the 
Governor’s Council, 1803, 4, 5; Regis- 
ter of Probate in 1806: 

Gilbert Dennison, 1806-40; Mem- 
ber of the Governor’s Council, 1809 
and 10; Sheriff from 1811 to 1819; 
Assistant Justice from 1817 to 19 : 
John Phelps, Register of Probate, 
1809 to 12; Member of the Council of 
Censors in 1820, 34; Member of the 
Governor’s Council in 1831 and 1832; 
one of the College of Electors 1828. 

Cyrus Carpenter was Sheriff in 
1852-3: 

Samuel L. Hunt was Senator in 
1861 : 

Paul Chase was at one period Depu- 
ty Sheriff, probably about 1820. 

I Aaron Barney served many years as 
I High Bailiff. 




GUILFORD 



65 



Col. Russell Hyde was Deputy 
Slier iff for a period of several years. 

During the corn harvest in October, 
the old style 

HUSKING 

was very common ; sometimes, in barns ; 
out of doors, if the weather was fine. 
The weather during that season is often 
very pleasant, and the moon ‘ with her 
quiet light and benignant expression 
gave an additional exhileration to the 
feelings, besides that naturally awaken- 
ed by the abundance of the golden corn 
fields. The h ushers, generally a score 
or so, were seated in front of a large 
pile of ears; some in chairs, and others 
oil large pumpkins. Maudlin songs and 
stories were invariably the aceompani- 
ent of this kind of sport, which was 
usually followed at the house by a 
treat of pie and cheese, with an occa- 
sional drink of rum from the farmer’s 
wife and daughters. * 

QUILTINGS. 

The young girl was taught industry, 
economy, exercise of taste, forecast, 
etc, She was taught to sew, sometimes 
when four years old. The odd bits and 
ends of calico dresses were cut and 
basted for bed -quilt blocks by the moth- 
er and given to Miss to sew. The cov- 
er to her quilt she was expected to fin- 
ish by the time she became marriage- 
able and it was to be a part of her mar- 
riage outfit. When the girl had attain- 
ed somewhere near her majority, eight- 
een, or somewhere near, a quilting was 
given. All the young ladies of the 
neighborhood assembled at her house 
to complete the bed-qniJt. Stories and 
pleasant chat enlivened the busy after- 
noon, folJowedby tea, after which tlie 
beaux were expected. 



porous. 

It is told of Dr. Dana Hyde, Sen. 
that it became a custom with him when 
called up late at night to attend a pa- 
tient at some distance, as was not un' 
frequently the case, lie would inquire 
on entering the sick-room: “Well ! are 
you going to die?” And, the Patient: 
Oh 1 I do’nt know, Doctor, but, I am 
very sick I 

The Doctor, after feeling the pulse 
of the patient, examining his tongue? 
and finding, perhaps, a case of indiges- 
tion from over-eating, or something of 
the kind, “Well, do you know what 
porous means?” 

Patient : No, Doctor, I do,nt know 
what it means. 

The Doctor: Well, porous is the 
Latin for hog !” 

On inquiring into the truth of this 
story, we learn that the case as given, 
certainly occurred once. 

OUR ARCHITECT. 

The Master Carpenter of the old 
Congregational Church was William 
Shepherdson, or as he was usually call- 
ed, “Uncle Bill Shepherdson.” The 
frame- work being ready, was put up, 
according to the custom of the times, 
by a “raising-bee,” — a large number 
of men who voluntarily came together 
for the purpose. The frame was thus 
put up, from ground-sill to ridge-pole, 
in a very short time. When the raising 
of the church had thus been completed, 
it is a well-attested fact that “Uncle 
Bill” put one foot over his neck, and 
on the other hopped the full length of 
the ridge-pole, from end to end ! 

OUR STRONG MEN. 

Mr. Thomas Hines, who at the age 
of 89 is still living (1869) with his son 
in Brattleboro, came to Guilford with 



66 



VERMONT HISTO RICAL MAGAZINE. 



his father from Rhode Island when 9 
years old. It was from bis father that 
the village of Hinesburg was named. 
As he grew up he became a mil] -w right 
and was employed in putting up the 
machinery of many of the finest mills 
that were built in the surrounding 
country, He was six feet one inch in 
height, weighed 209 pounds and could 
lift nearly four times his own weight. 
He speaks of using an ash-log on one oc- 
casion, 20 ft. long and 14 in. through 
the butt, one end of which was an over 
weight for two ordinary men, but the 
whole of which he lifted with ease. 

But there was another man in town, 
Nathan Cutler, taller than he by sever- 
al inches, who has taken him up with 
one arm and carried him off the ground 
in spite of himself. 

This Mr. Cutler was noted for his 
extraordinary power. It is said at the 
raising of a barn where it took 18 men 
to put up one of its sides, he and John 
Phelps together alone put up another, 
I heard a man say that he saw him once 
place himself under a horse, weighing 
900 pounds and lift him upon his back 
and shoulders from the ground. 

a • 

WRESTLING WITH BRATTLE BOB IAN S . 

It was formerly customary to form 
kt wrestling rings” and challenges were 
given out for the championship of these 
rings. The victor was called the 
4 ‘Bully of the Ring,” and was looked 
upon by the young men as an object of 
envy. The raising bees alluded to were 
favorite occasions for forming these 
rings. At the raising of the old church 
or meeting house as it was called, in 
West Brattleboro, the Guilford boys 
were challenged by the Brattleborians 
for the usual wrestling match. Twelve 
were chosen on each side. Dr. Hyde, 



Sr. a very powerful man, was the first 
to enter the ring from Guilford. He 
alone, threw nine of the Brattleborians 
in succession, and a man by the name- 
of Jacob Baroaby, threw the other 
three. 

THE FIRST WAGGON. 

The first waggon that ever came into 
town was brought in by John Phelps in 
1810. It was of a light blue color with 
wooden springs and cost $65. Pre- 
vious to that time, people when they 
rode to meeting or to parties, used lo- 
go in large lumber waggons, on horse- 
back ; the women often mounted on pil- 
lions behind their fathers, brothers,, 
husbands or lovers. 

A ease of 

BREACH OF PROMISE 

occurred in the early days of the town 
which occasioned much merriment. — 
A maiden lady by the name of Anna 
Good enough received an offer of mar- 
riage from Deacon Jonathan Allen, 
who, however, subsequently changed 
his mind, On coming to inform her of 
the change in his intentions, she ex- 
pressed regret; said if it must be so, it 
must; but it was a disappointment to 
her. The Deacon replied that he was 
willing to make good the damages, if 
she would let him know what they 
were. She said that she thought that 
they ought to be as much as a dollar, 
or four and sixpence at least; and the 
affair was amicably settled on that ba- 
sis; hut the Deacon became unenvia- 
bly famous by it. 

THE GUILFORD SORRELS. 

The early settlers were fond of good 
horses. Jonathan Aldrich raised a pair 
of sorrels about the year 1806, of the 
Wild Air or Deer breed, one of which 
would trot a mile in less than three 



GUILFORD. 



67 



minutes with Aldrich who weighed up- 
wards of 200 on his back. This horse- 
was sold for $800, which considering | 
the time was a large sum to be paid for 
one horse, ! 



NAHUM CUTLER, j 

The Village of Algiers owes its ori- 
gin largely to the enterprise of Nahum 
Cutler, a native of the town of Guil- 
ford who was in many respects a re- 
markable man. This Village was be- 
ing, built up during the first 30 years 
of this century, the city of Algiers in 
Africa became particularly noticeable 
in America. * * * The idea of Algiers 
and its Bey as its head officer was call- 
ed, became impressed upon the public 
mind ; and as Mr, Cutler was a promi- 
nent character, standing in a similar 
relation to ‘the village which he was 
building up that the Bey did to the 
city of Algiers, he was called the Bey 
of Algiers, and the village thus got its 
name ; though its proper name is East 
Guilford 

Mr. Cutler was born in 1776. He 
was a man of gigantic stature, being 6 
feet six inches in height, and his mus- 
cular strength was in every way pro- 
portionate to his size. He had astrong 
intellect, was an original thinker, pos- 
sessed an intuitive knowledge of men 
and was generally able to control them. 

On attaining his majority, he went 
to Connecticut and there took advan- 
tageous contracts for supplying Hart- 
ford and other places with water ; which 
he did by means of pine logs bored 
out for the purpose. While thus em- | 
ployed he became aeequainted with a 
Miss Adams of Hartford, an heiress, 
who was as diminutive in size as he 
was large, whom he married. It was 
doubtless through her influence that he 



became attached to the Episcapal form 
of worship, which he subsequently aid- 
ed to introduce into his native town. 

Returning to Guilford in 1802, he 
devoted his future to building up man- 
ufactures and business generally. A 
company comprising himself, Elihue 
Field, Artemas Gale and others set in 
operation a carriage-maker’s shop, cab- 
net-maker’s shop, blacksmith’s shop, a 
cotton-factory, distillery etc. 

The} 7 erected a building for stores r 
and shops called the Tontine, in which 
there was at one time a drug-store,. 
The national flag was often seen flying 
from it and the people, animated by an 
intense activity were much given to^ 
the consumption of gun-powder which 
they often exploded from the old-fash- 
ioned 56 pound weights at other times- 
than on holydays. Besides shops and 
a new tavern there was a church, a 
school-house, and a number of dwell- 
ings erected. Previous to this time 
the village consisted chiefly of the 
residence and grist and saw mills of 
Mr, Levi Boy den, a tavern, school- 
house and a few scattered houses. It 
prospered till about 1820, when on the 
close of the war with Great Britain 
and the restoration of commercial re- 
lations with that country, its manufac- 
turing interests began to decline, and 
Mr. Cutler and some others of its 
business men went to Western New 
York. The impulse thus given to man- 
ufacturing, however, continued to be 
felt for many years afterwards; but it 
could not compete against the low 
priced labor of Europe, — the low 
tariff imposed by the dominant polit- 
ical party of the country and the grea- 
ter attractions that were offered by the* 
virgin soil and new life of the West. 
Mr. Cutler removed fiom Cayuga 




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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



County New' York in 1 836 to the State 
of Pennsylvania, where be died in 
1840. His widow still survives. (1869) 

We have alluded elsewhere to Mr. 
Cutler’s great strength. It is told of j 
him while someone was boasting of ! 
the power of a horse which he had 
purchased. Mr. Cutler offered to draw 
against the horse, the load to be on aj 
stone-boat, up hill, each to carry the ! 
same weight. Three men, whose unit i 
ed weight was nearly 600 pounds were 
piled upon Mr. Cutler’s head and 
shoulders, and the boat for the horse ! 
was weighted with 11 bushels of corn-! 

j 

Mr. C. drew the boat by falling for, 1 
ward upon his hands and then rising- ] 
repeating the operation ; the weight of j 
the men on his shoulders, actually ! 
helping to propel the load forward ; : 
while the load of corn was as much as | 
the horse could well bear, to say noth- j 
ing of dragging, the boat, lie could 
not budge an inch. 

It is said that he afterwards ran a; 
race of four rods weighted with the | 
same men against another man un~ | 
weighted, who was to run eight rods, j 
and won it, 

* Retiring from Office. i 

Instances have occurred, where per- 
sons hay e been selected to office through j 
a long series of years. John Lynde | 
acted as town clerk for 15 years, con- 
cluding his period of service in 1854. 
His immediate predecessor , Ward Bul- 
lock, served from 1825 to 1839. And j 
in concluding this imperfect sketch of j 
the Town of Guilford, we cannot do j 
better than to repeat the words which ■ 
this last named clerk entered upon the I 
records at the close of his official ea- 1 
reer as follows : 

“Here close the arduous duties of 
fourteen years service as Town Clerk, 



I now bid adieu to the cares and 
troubles of office with pleasure, and 
with pleasing anticipation of enjoying 
in quiet the sweets and pleasures of 
private life the few remaining days of 
my earthly pilgrimage and w r ith a de- 
vout and fervent prayer to the Father 
of the spirit of all flesh that the rich- 
est and choicest blessings of heaven 
may rest on my immediate successor 
in officer that he be endowed with wis- 
dom from on high to guide and direct 
him in all the duties of his official sta- 
tion, as well as in the more pleasing 
ones of private life; and may he be so 
fortunate in the discharge of those du- 
ties as to receive the approbation of an 
approving conscience, an approving 
people and the approbation of his God. 
And may God save the people !” — 
And with a hearty response to this sen- 
timent, we thus close this historical 
sketch of the Town of Guilford. 

Apiil 1. 1869. J. W.-P. 

GEN. JOHN WOLCOTT PHELPS 

BY CECIL HAMPDEN CUTTS HOWARD. 

It has been truly said “The world 
knows nothing of its greatest men.” — 
Of the late General Phelps, who as a 
soldier and author, gained but a par- 
tial recognition of his merits before his 
death, it is perhaps the most appropri- 
ate thing that could be uttered. 

He died in his native town. Guil- 
ford, of heart disease, Feb, 1 1885 at 
the age of 71 years and 3 months. 

Of his early life, prior to his enter- 
ing of the West Point Military Acad- 
emy at twenty, we have but little re- 
cord. Spent in the company of his pa- 
rents and man} 7 who have since be- 
come distinguished, it is not to be 
wondered at that he was always so 
much interested in literature and phys- 




GUILFORD. 



69 



ieal pursuits, to that degree that it 
showed itself all through his later life. 
His great- grandfather, Charles Phelps, 
of Northampton, Mass, was the first 
lawyer who ever came to live within 
the limits of the State of Vermont. — 
His grandfather, Timothy Phelps, was 
also a lawyer and held' many positions 
of trust. 

His father, John Phelps practised 
law in Guilford, and the substantial 
mansion of ye olden time and the law 
office which he used are still standing. 

General Phelps’ father was married 
twice, and of eight children, the subject 
of our sketch was the sole survivor. 

The second wife of his father was 
Mrs. Almira Lincoln, the celebrated 
teacher and author by whom he had 
two children, descendants of whom 
are now living in Baltimore. * 

In 1836, General Phelps graduated 
from West Point into the army a short 
time before the out-break of the war 
with the Creek Indians As early as 
1838, his gallant conduct was conspic- 
uous in the action of Locha Hutchee^ 
in January of that year. 

After the war, he was put in charge 
of the emigration to the West of the 
Cherokee Indians. To quote his own 
words in connection with this subject 
he has said: 

“I had always believed the Indians 
more sinned against than sinning and 
later in my life, I finally came to use 
my pen in their behalf.” 

Many skirmishes and other duties in 
the South and in Canada occupied his 
time until the out-break of the Mexi- 
can war, in which for tw T o years he 
lead a company and was prominent in 
the battles of Vera Cruz, Coutreras, 
and Cherubusco. For gallant conduct 



he was breveted, but declined to accept 
the promotion. In 1850, he received 
a regular promotion. For some years 
afterward he was away from civiliza- 
tion and had the hardest kind of border 
experiences. In a diary written later, 
while in Brattleboro, he says : 

“In the spring of 1852, I was oblig- 
ed to leave Brownsville, Texas, be- 
cause the -government would not sus- 
tain me in my efforts to execute their 
orders for the suppression of filibuster- 
ing attacks from our'territory on Mex- 
ico. It left me in the lurch among sav- 
ages whose cunning was exhausted in 
quiet, yet constant efforts to destroy 
the government under which they liv- 
ed. I went then to Europe, simply be- 
canse I was not prepared to resign, 
having devoted my whole life singly 
to the service, and remained abroad 
one year. 

While in Europe lie visited many 
places of note, and on his return wrote 
and published his first volume, entitled 
“Sybilline Leaves.” This is connected 
with his journal and very original. 

In 1859, he resigned his commission 
after having served awhile under Gen- 
eral Johnson in the Utah expedition,, 
and then returned to Brattleboro, hav- 
ing completed nearly 23 years of mili- 
tary services. 

Much of the intervening space be- 
tween his leaving the army and the 
out-break of the war of rebellion was 
spent in writing articles against the ag- 
gression of the slave power. In a sketch 
of the war he pens the following ac- 
count of his services : 

“At the out- break of the Rebellion I 
volunteered my services to lead the first 
company of Vermont volunteers which 
together with one regiment from Mass- 




70 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



aehu setts, and one from New York un- 
der my command, took possession of 
the mouth of the James River, thus 
securing that strategic point for subse- 
quent reduction of the Rebel Capital. 



work instead cutting wood for market, 
and other labor. In reply to this I de- 
cidedly refused to become a slave-dri- 
ver, and resigned my commission and 
came to Vermont.” 



From the mouth of the James Riv- 1 
er I was ordered to the South West, | 
where. I occupied Ship Island with a ; 
brigade of New England volunteers, 
and subsequently took part in the re- 
duction of New Orleans. 

I garrisoned the Fort near the mouth 
of the Mississippi, and was the first to j 
enter the Custom house as the citadel 
■of New Orleans. 

I then took possession of the Rebel 
works north of the City. The gun- 
carriages of these works were still 
burning, having been set on fire pre- 
vious to their falling into the hands of 
the government troops. The guns had 
been spiked , but New England ingenu - 
tv soon restored them to fighting or- 
der. At Carrolton, named by me, Fort 
Parapet, our camp was swarming with 
negroes which the government com- 
mands was ordering to be returned 
to their masters. I began organizing 
slaves as soldiers. The reasons for 
this movement were these : 

First, men were wanted for holding 
the strategic points which had fallen 
into the possession of the Government, 
at Vicksburg, Red River, Port Hudson, 
etc. Second every slave when made a 
soldier, not only could help hold a 
strategic point, but could help throw 
bullets at Ills old masters, instead of 
supporting them in the rebellion with 
his labor. In short, there was every 
military reason in favor of the meas- 
ure and none against it. 

I was ordered however by the Govern- 
ment commander to cease organizing 
negroes as troops, and to set them at 



The given, words coming as they do 
from his own pen tell the world much 
more forcibly than could be done in the 
language of another. 

In a short time after his resignation, 
the plan at first presented by him was 
adopted, and before the war ended 
colored troops were plentiful. 

In December 1862, General Phelps 
was waited upon by a number of promi- 
nent people who asked him to return 
to his post. He accompanied some of 
them to Washington and held an inter- 
view with President Lincoln. The re- 
sult was his immediate return to Brat- 
tleboro, as President Lincoln would 
not accede to some things which Gen- 
eral Phelps deemed important. Presi- 
dent Lincoln offered him a commission 
as Major General of Volunteers, or in 
other words as chief officer in com- 
mand of black troops. General Phelps* 
love of army life, his long service in 
the same, and every surrounding cir- 
cumstance combined to make him re- 
sent the proposition. It gave him no 
credit for previous service, and he could 
not honorably consent to losing any part 
of the credit due to him for the long 
time spent in active service. In addi- 
tion to this, the fact that his idea of 
increasing the army by organizing and 
arming the freedmen should have been 
taken later, though so violently oppos- 
ed at first, and acted upon through 
President Lincoln’s proclamation of 
emancipation embittered the rest of his 
life. He was ever after severe and bit- 
ter in his estimation of President Lin. 
coin’s character, regarding him a weak 




71 



GUILFORD. 



mao and a “time- server.’ 5 He liad a 
deep sense of justice and his faith once 
shaken , was not easily restored. 

Returning to Brattleboro, he realiz- 
ed that henceforth his life mast be in a 
great raeasiue spent among books, for 
his tastes were such that he could not 
mingle to any great degree with his fel- 
low men. His friends were few, but 
true, and the best of them were so un- 
fortunate as to misunderstand his mo- 
tives. He wrote much and made use of 
his linguistic talents to translate a 
work from the French on Secret Societ 
ties. His study was his earthly para- 
dise. .He lived in a giant, old house on 
Asylum street in Brattleboro. It was 
at some distance from the street and 
overhanging trees shaded the winding 
walks by which the house was reach- 
ed. On the front and one side a broad 
piazza surrounded the house, and at 
the end of the piazza was a bay-window ¥ 
The house was a two-story frame struc- 
ture of simple design. 

As you entered by the fiont door, 
you found before you on the right a 
flight of stairs leading to the second 
story. On the left of the hall were t wo 
doors* the one leading into the draw- 
ing-room, and the other into the par- 
lor. These were furnished very sim- 
ply and connected by folding- doors 
They were like a soldier’s quarters. In 
every room the long windows came 
down to the ground and opened out 
on the piazza beyond. 

Opening out from the parlor was his 
study. In the wide bay-window he 
wrote day after day, and in fancy we 
can see him now, sitting at his table 
writing, around him on every side the 
collection of books which he had gath- 
ered from time to time in his travels. 
Before him through the vine-covered 
bay-window he could see the village 



| street and beyond where Mount Wan- 
| tastiqut arose. In front of the window 
was his garden. In summer and fall it 
was his delight to treat the children to 
pears and apples which grew on his 
fruit trees. 

It was before he left this home that 
he wrote the book, called “Good Behav- 
or,” The work was intended as a text 
book for schools, and was adopted later 
in St. Louis and other cities. The chief 
aim he had in writing it was his idea 
that children should be taught good 
manners in school, as well as at home, 
thereby ensuring to all a knowledge of 
many of the rules of good breeding, so 
often unwittingly broken ; obviating 
many of the dfficulties which arise in 
the later life of many public school 
pupils. We quote from the book, as 
partial illustrations of its character: 

“Conversation is a reflex of charac- 
ter, let us therefore cultivate a tone of 
mind and a habit of life the betrayal 
of which need not put us to shame in 
the company of the pure and the rest 
will be easy.” 

“True politeness has been de lined, 
benevolence in little things. We are not 
to be polite, because we wish to. please, 
but, because we wish to consider the 
feelings of others; because in a word, 
we desire to carry into every act of our 
daily life the spirit and practice of that 
religion which commends us to do un- 
to others as we would they should do 
unto us.” 

The first lessons taught young sover- 
eigns should be the respect and kindly 
regard which they owe each other.” 

General Phelps was greatly interest- 
ed in educational matters and for many 
years was President of “The Vermont 
Teachers Association.” He was, also, a 
leading officer of The Vermont His- 



72 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



torical Society. Besides the works men- 
turned, he wrote as his last published 
work, a small volume on Madagascar- 
He contributed largely to various peri- 
odicals throughout the country: among 
them “The Century,” “The Christian 
Union.” and “The Independent,” as 
well as many scientific periodicals. 

Believing that “the Masonic Lodge 
was the cause of much of our country's 
evils, he was always opposed to secret 
societies of every kind. His prominence 
in the matter, led to liis becoming the 
nominee for President of “The Amer- 
ican Party in the presidential election 
of 1880. 

Perhaps upon no other subject was 
he so tbouroughly misunderstood- ex- 
cept by the few. His temperament was 
such, however, that he could not stand 
idly by when anything arose to claim 
his attention, as being wrong or unjust. 
He never disguised his sentiments, but 
was always open and frank in regard to 
his convictions. His friends honored 
him for being so true to his conscience. 

In 1883, be married Mrs. Anna R 
Davis, and soon after went fo reside in 
his native town. Previous to this he 
sold his Brattleboro residence and trav- 
eled a short time. 

During his life in Guilford, after his 
marriage, he was very active in the 
affairs of the community and also kept 
up his literary activity. 

He was an earnest advocate of the 
Metric System, and the week before 
his death delivered a lecture upon that 
subject which was highly instructive 
and interesting. 

And, not the least among his litera- 
ry abilities may be counted his art of 
letter-writing, in which his love of poe- 
try was plainly portrayed, and wheth- 



er he expressed his thoughts in poetry 
or prose, he was always at ease. 

He had studied law and been admit- 
ted to the bar, thus adding another to 
his long list of accomplishments. He 
never practiced the profession, although 
he would doubtless have succeeded ad- 
mirably in it. 

In person, he was a man of com- 
manding presence, nearly six feet in 
height, with a well developed, power- 
ful frame aud dignified bearing. 

He was a man of deep religious feel- 
ing and strongly attached to his church* 
Fond of young people, his face frame- 
ed in snowy beard and hair, with the 
light of a genial countenance radiating 
therefrom, will never he effaced from 
the memory of bis friends. He* passed 
away peacefully during the night of 
February 1st. leaving a wife and in- 
fant son to survive him. 

The following original lines, written 
in a friend's album by him apply to his 
own life. 

“Let us reflect though sorely tried, 

‘Neath cold, intemperate skies, 

Yet on drear winter's farther side, 

A pleasant summer lies. 

A more truthful and eloquent tribute 
to his memory was never given than 
that by Col. llawkin’s in the New York 
Times soon after his death which we 
give as follows : 

“General John W. Phelps whose 
death was announced in your paper this 
morning, was one of the most notable 
officers of the army. He was an accom- 
plished soldier of the highest and best 
type, a patriotic citizen with an un- 
| blemished reputation, a scholar, well 
versed in mathematics, science, history* 
several of the dead and four or five of 
the living languages. 



GUILFORD. 



73 



Is a soldier, lie was all Jhafc the best 
authorities demand, and even more, for 
it might be said of him that he posses- 
sed an inner sense of duty which no 
written formula could prescribe. It 
was his faithful care, intelligence and 
attention . to his whole duty as a com- 
manding officer, and above all, his ex- 
ample of indefatigable industry which 
made his command one of the best dis- 
ciplined, best drilled and most efficient 
in the whole army. He was not much 
of a believer in the extra, unofficial, 
off-duty dress parade business. Neither 
was he a martinet. He had the rare, 
good sense to accept the volunteer ar- 
my for exactly what it was. He weigh- 
ed its defects and measured its virtues 
and governed the performance of his 
duties accordingly. He knew he could 
trust its patriotic sense of duty and in- 
telligence to imitate a good example, 
and its willingness to follow where it 
could not he driven : and there never j 
was a commanding officer more implic- 
itly obeyed, or more confidingly trust- 
ed. 

It was my good fortune to have been 
ordered to his command at Newport 
News, Va. soon after the outbreak of 
the Rebellion in 1761. When I report- 
ed to him with my regiment, I was 
given to understand that we were en- 
gaged in a most serious undertaking, 
involving as it did the national life, 
and that we could only hope to over- 
come our foes by taking advantage of 
all our resources, (he was the first to 
urge the organization of negro troops) 
and moulding our raw material into a 
well disciplined army ; that the accom- 
plishment of the latter was the imme- 
diate work in hand ; and work he made 
of it, such as many of us never dream- 
ed of before ; but we soon saw the neces- 
sity for labor, and the good sense in- 



volved in his orders and criticisms, and 
all worked with a will, officers and men 
to reward the great industry of a com- 
mander who had won our affection and 
deep respect. We went to him as chil- 
dren go to a school and left him after 
three months tuition, a thoroughly well 
disciplined regiment, of whose after 
record he was justly proud. 

To that kind hearted, quaint old man 
with his perfect sense of justice, the 
officers and men of my regiment owe 
a debt of gratitude, which can only be 
effaced from their memories when the 
last survivor of that command shall 
have passed away. This little state- 
ment, inadequate as it is, is the tribute 
I bring to the grave of an honored 
friend of a quarter of a century : I could 
not do less ; I wish I could do more. — 
Take him for all in all, I have never 
known a man so free from the hypocri- 
sies, sins and vices which make human- 
ity despicable, as was John W. Phelps. 

Rush C. Hawkins. 

New York, Feb. 3, 1 885. 

As indicative of the high order of his 
poetic genius, we append the two fol- 
lowing, “Day” and “Night:” 

DAY. 

On such a day as this, so fair and bright, 

All redolent with the breath of violets ; 

While the gay, summer cloud revives in the 
deep, 

Serenity above, and gleefully the wavelet 

Laughs responsive from below; 

While songs of birds and city murmurs 

Blend with music of playful fountains 

And bright sunbeams dash their threads of 
gold 

Amidst leaves and flowers, and throw oer 
all 

A magic gauze, through which nature 
glances 

Like beauty through her veil— 

On such a day, 0 God! 

The gladdened soul, like the cloud Jn ether,. 

Swims in the joyous spirit of thy works 

And thanks thee that it lives. 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



74 



NIGHT. 

And now again ’tis night' and such a night! 
With her stars all bright, 
hike jewelled princess, o’er whose dusky 
brow 

The eleetrie light doth catch and play. 

As of emotions deep and tremulous; 
Whitest the full rose sips at her dewy breath 
And opes the sweets of a swelling heart; 
Whilst the moist earth doth teem with quiet 
joy, 

With all the promise of a fruitful year— 
Sweet with the perfume of myriad dowers. 
Gay with the fairy lanterns fireflies light— 
And plaintive with the song of whip-poor 
will, 

When loving hearts for the first time feel 
The strange communion of this human life 
With the deep-hid mysteries of the stars, 

[To which, we will append a poem 
by the father of General Phelps, see the 
poets of Guilford, page 46.] 

MOONBEAM, 

Br Jons* Phelfs, Esq. 

Moonbeam soft from heaven descending 
With silver light; 

Radiant o’er yon mountain bending 
Through shades of night, — 

Now rising from the gates of heaven, 

By light wing'd zephyrs gently driven, 
Floating high o’er silent eve’n, 

Clear and bright. 

Amidst cerulean stars you glitter, 

High in air. 

In shades where wanton wood-nymphs titter 
Yon repair: 

And in yon glen Nareissa ramble ; 

On hills of shepherdesses gambol, 

Or in lier car bright Venus amble. 

You sport there. 

Fring'd round the curling clouds high riding 
With lucid glare, * 
Swift on aerial pinions gliding. 

Soft and fair; 

Now over yon proud banners streaming, 
Bright on the waves of ocean gleaming, 
Through mist and vapor dimly beaming, 
You float there. 



[Also from the Author of the nice 
book of Botany written at Guilford, 
Mrs. Almira Lincoln Phelps, Ihe schol- 
arly and gifted widow of John Phelps. 

“A FAREWELL TO VERMONT. 

BY MRS. LINCOLN PHELPS. 

Land of the Mountains Green, and rugged 
soil;— 

Of cascades wild, of swiftly gliding streams 
Of darkly waving pines and stately firs;- 
Of gloomy ravines and romantic dells ;— 

Of haunted glens and sweetly smiling dales ! 
Land of my beauteous, mountain home, fare- 
well ! 

Yet still I linger;— for, to me, thou art 
A land of beauty, picturesque and rich 
In native charms;— aland for poets’ dreams. 
For patriot’s visions, and for angel’s thought. 
Methinks there’s inspiration in the breeze 
Reflected from yon mountain’s pine-clad side, 
Breathing aerial music to ray soul— 

Then dying ’mid the groves with cadence 
sweet. 

********* 

There is poetry in science when it leads 
To gaze upon the rainbow’s glorious arch , 

To follow echo to her grottoes wild, 

To trace the circling planets in their course. 
And watch the bud first bursting into bloom. 
Nature, I owe thee much;— if I have felt 
Aught of the firm resolve, or wish sublime, 
’J?is that I drank from thee the heavenly 
draught. 

And gave thy moral image to the world. 

And, O, ye venerable oaks! whose shade 
Embosoms the dear spot I now must leave, 
Adieu, ye ancient friends! and may, some- 
times, 

Thy feathered songesters thrill in pensive 
notes 

Their sorrow for me, gone I for dear to me 
Their matin song and vesper-hymn hath been, 
Sweet home, adieu! flowers that I've loved to 
To tend, watching with care maternal for your 
bloom ; 

Others may cull your sweets, enjoy your 
charms, 

May twine my woodbine o’er the trellis neat, 
May guide the Lonicera’s spiral way, 

Or train the pensile Lycium’s graceful stalk. 




GUILFORD. 



75 



O, ye have been my pride, ye twining race, 
Who have so beautified and cheered my 
bowers; 

And I have fancied as I’ve seen you climb, 
‘Twas gratitude that urged your upward way. 
And gave luxuriant blossoms for my care. 
E'en on the very verge of winter's frost, 

Your bloom still lingers, as if fain ye would 
Cheer nature’s gloom, and soothe this parting 
hour. 

My grateful Sower, methinks I hear thee ask 
Why thus 1 leave thee to a stranger s care ; 
Perchance, uncared for, trampled under foot 
By the rude hind as valueless and nought, 

My honeysuckle sweet, list to my words. 

Thou *rt a dear, docile plant, and pleasant ’tis 
To train thee in the way that thou shouldst go 
But I must tell thee, there are flowers on earth ! 
Created for far pnrei skies than these. 

They are allied to thee in outward form, 

Being made of earth and beautified by God 
With shape and color, lovely to the eye. 

But God to these sweet flowers has given 
Immortal spirits to survive decay. 

In yon fair sylvan land a garden blooms 
Of those immortal plants and fitting ’tis 
That skillful, patient hands should lend their 
aid 

To train them for the ends which God ordains. 
As step by step thy upward way I *ve trained, 
So must I guide them in their onward course 
Up learning’s height, and virtue’s rugged 
way. — 

Such labor calls me hence, but yet methinks, 
When frost of time shall settle on my brow, 
And age ask respite from the cares of life. 
Like Noah’s wandering dove, my flowers, my 
birds, 

My ancient trees, again I'll come to you. 

Here stands my home, above the busy town. 
Peeping through clustering oaks with col’mns 
white 

And fair proportions. Quick the eye of taste, 
Beholding from the bustling street below, 
Pauses to mark its beauty, and admire 
A scene so fair. Ionian portico and verdant 
lawn, 

Piazza, graveled walks, and garden, fair, 

All, all, adieu! No stranger shall intrude 
Within these halls sacred to studious thought. 

Here, the fragment of the poem we 
have, breaks or ends.] 



WILBUR FISK, D, D. 

BY KEY. ALONZO G. HOUGH* 

To the eastern branch of the Meth- 
dist Episcopal church the name of 
Wilbur Fisk will ever be an inspiration 
and his memory a perpetual benidie- 
tion. He was born in Guilford, Aug. 
31, 1792, of old Puritan stock and 
joined the church in his eleventh year. 
In 1809, he went to the Grammar 
School at Peach am, and in 1814, grad- 
uated with honor at the Brown Uni- 
versity, Providence, R. I. Being the 
first Methodist minister of the Eastern 
states who had the advantages of a 
collegiate education. From the time of 
his entering the ministry in 1818, he 
took a deep interest in ministerial cul- 
ture. Craftsbury, this state, was his 
first field of labor. In 1819 and 1820, 
he was stationed at Charlestown, Mass, 
and then took charge of the Vermont 
District as presiding elder. In the third 
year of his presiding eldership, he was 
elected as principal of the Wesleyan 
Academy, Wilbraham, Mass, and in 
1830, was called to the presidency of 
Wesley ans University, Middletown, 
Ct. of which he was one of the found- 
ers. This position made him more than 
ever a leader in the cause of education 
in the church. Fisk led the whole 
Methodism of the East in educational 
enterprise. Young men from every 
part of the nation were attracted to the 
institution by the fame of its president, 
and under the influence of his charac- 
ter they were moulded for positions of 
usefulness in the colleges and semina- 
ries which rapidly sprang into being 
throughout the United States under the 
patronage of the church. 

In 1829, Wilbur Fisk was honored 
with the degree of D. D. by Brown 

*The Methodist pastor of Ludlow when this- 
was written, now of Montpelier, 




76 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



University, and in the same year he 
declined the presidency of La Grange 
College and a professorship in the Uni- 
versity of Alabama. He was twice 
elected to the episcopacy, but declined 
the office saying “If my health would 
allow me, to perform the work, I dare 
not accept, for I beleive I can do more 
for the cause of Christ where I am 
than I could do as a bishop/’ 

Without great brilliancy of genius, 
remarkable literary acquisitions, or the 
very highest order of intellect, but en- 
dowed with vigorous and evenly bal- 
anced faculties, good sense, quick sa- 
gacity, and a thorough devotion to the 
mission he found himself called to ac- 
complish, Wilbur Fisk was instrumen- 
tal in giving .to Eastern Methodism, 
through her educational institutions, a 
position of respect and power, and he 
rescued the church from the imputation 
of ignorance which had been cast upon 
her by the educated clergy of other de- 
nominations. When Mr. Fisk entered 
the ministry there was not a literary 
institution of my importance under 
the patronage of the church. His life 
work marked a new epoch in her his- 
tory, and his saintly character exempli- 
fied the doctrine of perfection which 
has ever been prominent in her teach- 
ing and the right hand of her power, 
she distinguishing qualities of men like 
Feneion, Channing, Edwards and 
Fletcher of Madeley, not in his nature, 
giving peculiar grace and charm to his 
features, which were harmonious, and 
to his voice which was softly flexible 
and deep. His manner in the pulpit 
was marked by dignity, and his elo- 
quence was of the highest order. Dr. 
Stevens writes its effect: “No imagina- 
tive excitement prevailed in the audi- 
ence as uuder Max ’s eloquence, no 

tumultous wonder as under Baseorab’s, 



none of Cookman’s impetuous passion 
or 01 in’s overwhelming power ; but a 
subduing, almost tranquil spell, of ge- 
nial feeling, expressed often by tears or 
half suppressed ejaculations; something 
of the deep, but gentle effect of Sum- 
merfield combined with a higher intel- 
lectual impression. 

For many years his life was an in- 
cessant struggle with pulmonary dis- 
ease. He died at Middletown, Feb. 22, 
1838. 

Among his writings are “The Cal- 
vinist Controversy,” “Travels in Eu- 
rope,” “Sermons and Lectures on Uni- 
versalism,” “Reply to Pierpoint on 
the Atonement,” and other tracts and 
sermons. 



FAMILY OF FELD OR FIELD. 

BY RODNEY B. FIELD. 
ZECHAEIAH FIELD, SOD Of Jollll and 

grandson of John Field, the Astrono- 
mer, born in East Ardsley, West Rid- 
ing of Yorkshire, England about 1600, 
emigrated to New England, in 1629 ; 
settled in Dorchester, Mass, in 1636 ; 
removed to Hartford, Ct. in 1659 ; to 
Northampton, Mass, in 1663 ; to Hat- 
field where he died, June 30, 1666. — 

He married Mary Children : 

Mary, b. abt. 1643; m. Joshua Car- 
ter of Nhn. and Dhd. who was killed 
with Capt. Laihrop at Bloody Brook, 
Sept, 18, 1675. 

Zeehariah, b, 1645, 

John, b. 1648. 

Samuel, b, 1851. (2) 

Joseph, b; 1658. 

2 Samuel Field, son of Zeehariah 
and Mary (1) set. in Hatfield, Mass, 
where he was killed by Indians while 
hoeing corn July 13, 1697. He was a 
sergeant and under Capt Turner at 




GUILFORD. 



77 



<the Turner's Falls fight, May 19, 1776. 
He m. Aug. 1676, Sarah dau. of Tho- 
mas Gilbert of Hartford, Ct. d. about 
1710. — Children: 

Samuel, b. Sept. 27, 1678 (3) 
Thomas, b. June 30, 1680. 

Sarah, b. June 30, 1683 ; m. Nov. 8 
1702, Samuel Warner of Springfield, 
Mass. 

Zechariah, b. Aug. 29, 1685. 
Ebenezer, b. Mar. 17, 1688. 

Mary, b. July 23, 1690; m. June 26, 
1712, Jonathan Hoyt of Deerfield ; d. 
.June 26, 1780. [On her 68th marriage 
-day.] 

Josiah, b. 5, 1692. 

Joshua, b. April 9, 1695. 

3 Samuel Field, son of Samuel and 
.Sarah (Gilbert) (2)b. in Hatfield, Mass. 
Sept. 27, 1678. Hp settled in Deerfield 
in 1714 where he d. Aug. 28, 1762. 
He was in the fight at the destruction 
of Deerfield, Feb. 29 1704; and was 
wounded in a fight with Indians, Aug. 
25, 1725, for which he was granted 200 
nacres of land He m. Jan. 10, 1706, 
Mary, daughter of Joseph Edwards of 
Northampton and wid. of Daniel Hoyt 
Jr. of Deerfield, who was killed, Feb. 
29,1704. She was b. Sept. 15, 1675 ; 
d . July 25, 1747.— Children : 

Elizabeth, b. April 16, 1707, 

Samuel, b. Feb. 20, 1709 ;died, Oct. 
24, 1726. 

David, b Jan. 4, 1712 (4) 

Eunice, b May 9, 1714; m Nov. 14, 
1735, Joseph Smead of Greenfield. 

Ebenezer, b Oct. 2, 1723 ; d Oct. 14, 
1723. 

DAVID FIELD, SEN. 

son of Samuel and Mary Edwards (3) 
b. in Hatfield, Mass. Jan. 4, 1712 ; set- 



tled in Deerfield where he d. Apr. 19, 
1792. He was one of the Council of 
Safety of Massachusetts, and his name 
was signed to an order on Col. Thomas 
W. Dickinson of Deerfield, dated May 
5, 1775 to furnish 15001b Beef for the 
troops to be raised by Col. Benedict 
Arnold for the capture of Fort Ticon- 
deroga. He was Commissary General 
under General Stark at the Battle of 
Bennington, Aug. 16, 1777, with the 
rank of Colonel. He was one of the 
original proprietors of Guilford. He m 
in 1740, Thankful, dau. of Thomas and 
Thankful (Hawks) Taylor of North 
field, b. in Deerfield, July 18, 1716 ;d. 
March 22, 1803. — Children : 

Mary, b. Oct. 31 f 1741 ; m. Sept. 1, 
1755, Rev. James Taylor of New Fair- 
field, Ct. 

Samuel, b. Sept. 14, 1743. 

Rufus, b. July 20, 1745; d. July 26, 
1746. 

David, b. May 4, 1747. 

Tirzah, b. April 16, 1749 ; m. (1) 
Nov. 8, 1771, Jonathan Ashley, Jr. of 
Dfd. (2) Aug. 27, 1792, Rev. Jona- 
than Leavitt of Heath, Mass. d. Nov. 
22, 1792. 

Oliver, b. Sept. 13, 1751. 

Elihue, b. Oct. 16, 1753. (5) 

Thankful, b. Mar. 25, 1758 ; m. Jan. 
25, 1775, Col. Thomas W. Dickinson 
of Deerfield, d. Jan. 21, 1836. 

Hiland, b. Sept. 5, 1761 ; m. Consid- 
er Dickinson of Deerfield; d. Oct. 31, 
1831. 

4 ELIHUE FIELD, 

son of David and Thankful (Taylor) 
(4) b. in Deerfield, Mass. Oct, 16, 1753, 
and in 1787 removed to Guilford, Vt. 
where he d. Aug. 23, 1814. He was a 
soldier of the Revolution and a promi- 



78 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



nent man in town. He was U. S. Dep- 
uty Marshal for taking the census of 
1810, and U. S. Dept. Assessor of In- 
ternal Revenue at the time of his death. 
He m. Dec. 29, 1774, Hepsibah, dau. 
of Thomas and Prudence (Smith) Dick- 
inson of Deerfield, b. May 10, 1758 ; 
d. Mar. 80, 1843. 

Gratia, b. Apr. 11, 1776; m. Dec, 9, 
1798, Thomas Lynde of Guilford ; d. 
Sept. 3, 1860. 

Rectina, b. Nov. 6, 1777 ; m, Dec. 3, 
1795, Richardson Houghton of Guil- 
ford ; d. Aug 23, 1846. 

Henry, b. Aug. 18, 1779. 

Elihue, b. June 6, 1781 . (6) 

Pliny A. b. June 2, 1783. 

Matilda K. b. May 14, 1785; m. 
July 11, 1811, Robert Stevens of Jor- 
dan, N.Y. ; d. April 13, 1858. 

Filana, b Dec, 12, 1787; m William 
Smith of Geneva, N. Y, d April 15, 
1857, 

Charlotte, b. Oct, 29, 1791 ; d, Au- 
gust 22, 1794. 

Charlotte, b. Feb. 8, 1795 ; d. Nov- 
ember 5, 1870. 

6 elihue field, son of Elihue and 
Hepsibah (Dickinson (5) b. in Deer- 
field, Mass. June 6, 1781, settled in 
Guilford where he d. Sept 3, 1874. 
He was a prominent man in town hold- 
ing various town offices. He was Adju- 
tant of the 1st Reg. 1st Brig. 1st Rev. 
of Militia during the War of 1812 of 
which the duties were very onerous, 
but were performed to the satisfaction 
of his superior officers. He was ap- 
pointed, Jan. 1, 1819, Postmaster and 
held the office 20 years, and represen- 
ted the town in the Legislature in 1842 
and 1843. 

He m. April 13, 1808, Pamelia dau- 
of Ithamer and Prudence (Dickinson) 



Rurt of Deerfield, b. Dec. 27, 1783, d.. 
Aug, 10, 1872, — Children; 

Rodney Burt, b. Feb. 25, 1809, (7) 
Cora Arabella, b. Dec. 30, 1810; m. 
Aug. 15, 1836, Samuel Houghton Jr; 
of Guilford, d. Mar. 7, 1875. 

Laura Pamelia, b. July 25, 1812 ; d,. 
July 29,1833. 

Jane Sophia, b Feb. 18, 1816; died r 
Aug. 27, 1819, 

Jane Sophia, b. Sept. 2, 1820; died 
Dec. 23, 1866. 

7 iiodney burt field, son of Elihue 
and Pamelia (Burt) (6) b. in Guilford- 
Feb. 25, 1809, where he now, 1879,. 
resides. He was a member of the last 
Constitutional Convention of Vermont 
held at Montpeliar, June 1870, and 
member of the Legislature 1870-72 ; 
Postmaster for 13 years, [dead ab, 5 yrs- 
He m, Nov. 6, 1833, Louisa Had- 
dock, dau. of Richard and Mary C. 
(Kimball) Chamberlin, b, in Hull, L. 
C. Sept. 7, 1810. — Children : 

Richard Elihue, b. Oct. 15, 1834, d.. 
Sept. 21, 1837. 

Pamelia Jane, b. Oct. 7, 1836 ; d. 
Sept. 25, 1857. 

Cora Arabella, b. Sept. 6, 1838 ; d. 
Jan. 5, 1839. 

Ida Jane, b. July 21, 1842; d. June 
25, 1853. 

Julia Paulina, b. May 11, 1845 ; d- 
June 29, 1872. 

Clifford Kimball, b. Oct. 9, 1848/ 
George Pliny, b; May 20, 1851. 

FAMILY OF ABIJAH PRINCE. 
(colored.) 

Abijah Prince, bora in Wallingford^ 
Ct. 1706, a servant of the Rev. Benja- 
min Doolittle, the first minister of 
Northfield, Mass, settled in 1718.— 
After the death of Mr. Doolittle, he- 



GUILFORD. 



79 



was the 4 Servant of Captain Ebenezer | 
Wells of Deerfield. In 1851, he was 
-allotted a share In the undivided lands 
in Northfield, which from running the 
state line was in Vernon, Vt. which he 
sold in 1788. On his marriage he set- 
tled on a little stream south of the 
cemetery and near where the R. R, de- 
pot now stands in Deerfield, which still 
hears his name, “Rijah's Brook,” In 
1764, he removed to Guilford, Vt. and 
took possession of a lot, given him 
by Col. David Field, but soon after re- 
turned to Deerfield where he remained 
several years. He was an original 
grantee, named in the charter of Sun- 
derland, Vt, and the only one who set- 
tled there. He returned to Guilford in 
his old age where he died, January 19, 
1794, JE 88, The place where he lived 
-and died is still called the ^Bijah Lot.” 

He was familiarly known as u Bijah , » 
and Caesar, his oldest son was baptised 
by the Rev, Jonathan Ashley as son of 
44 Bijah, negro, and Lucy, his wife.” — 
He was married, May 17, 1756, by 
Major Elijah Williams to Lucy Terry, 
•^servant to Ebenezer Wells.” She was 
brought from Rhode Island to Enfield, 
€t. when 5 years old (date unknown) 
and said to have been of pure African 
blood. She was baptised “on her mas- 
ters' account,” June 15, 1785. 

Lucy was a noted character and her 
house was a great place of resort for 
the young people, attracted thither by 
her wit and wisdom, often shown in her 
rhyme and stories. The best cotempor- 
ary account of the Bars fight, August 
25, 1845, is her poetic one in Holland’s 
History of Massachusetts — Deerfield. 

After settling upon the Sutherland 
grant, the title to the property was 
contested by Col. Eli Bronson, and the 
matter finally gut into the United States 



Court, Colonel Bronson employed two 
leading Vermont lawyers: Gen. Steph- 
en R. Bradley, and Royal Tyler, the 
wit and poet and afterward Chief Jus- 
tice of Vermont. Isaac Tichenor, after- 
ward Governor of Vermont, managed 
the case forBijah. He drew the plead- 
ings, and Lucy argued the case before 
the court. Hon Samuel Chase of Ma- 
ryland, the presiding judge, said Lucy 
made a better argument than he bad 
ever heard from a lawyer in Vermont. 
Desiring a liberal education for one of 
her sons, probably, Festus, she applied 
at Williams College. He wasrejected on 
account of his race ; the indignant moth- 
er argued the case in a 4 3-hours speech' 
before the trustees, quoting abundantly 
text after text from the scriptures in 
support of her claims for his reception. 
She died in Sunderland at a very advan- 
ced age. — Children : 

Caesar, b Jan, 14, 1756 ; came to 
Guilford in 1776 ; was admitted to full 
communion in the L ongregational chh, 
in Guilford ; was one of the covenant- 
ers in the settlement of the Rev. Henry 
Williams, January 1779. lie removed 
to Sunderland where he died, 

Duruxa, b. June 1, 1758, died insane 
in Sunderland. Drusella, b Aug, 1860, 
the 7th, — a poetess, d Nov. 21, 1854. 

Festus, b Dec. 12, 1763, a natural 
musician, could play upon any instru- 
ment, he went to New York; d in Dor- 
set, Vt, in 1818. 

Tatnai, b Sept, 2, 1765, lived with 
Capt. E. Hunt, Northfield, Mass. 

Abijah, b June 12, 1769, settled near 
Balls town, N.Y. 

Lucy came every year to visit Abi- 
gail's grave as long as long she lived. I 
regret the date of her death cannot be 
ascertained ; from what 1 have heard 
my mother say, Lucy must have been 
alive in 1809 or 10. 




80 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



baptism of all the children is found in 
the Records of the Rev. Jonathan Ash- 
ey of Deerfield. 

LUCY [PENNY] PRINCE’S POETICAL AC- 
COUNT OF THE FIGHT AT THE BARS IN 
DEERFIELD. 

August ’twas the twenty-fifth, 

Seventeen hundred and forty -five, 

The Indians did in ambush lay, 

Some very valient men to si ay ; 

The names of whom I’ll not leave out; 
Samuel Allen like a hero foute ; 

And though lie was so brave and bold; 

His face no more shall we behold. 

Eleazer Hawks was killed outright 
Before he had time to fight; 

Before he did the Indians see 
Was shot! and died immediately. 

Oliver Amsden, he was slain, 

Which caused his friends much grief and pain. 
Simeon Amsden they found dead, 

Not many rods from Oliver’s head. 
Adonijah Gillett we do hear. 

Did lose his life that was so dear ; 

John Sadler fled across the water. 

And so escaped this dreadful slaughter. 
Eunice Allen see the Indians coming, 

Did hope to save herself by running; 

And had not her petty -coats stop’d her, 
The awful creatures bad not eatehed her. 
Nor tommy hawked her on the head 
And left her on the field for dead. 

Eunice Allen died, March 1828, I 
receollect having seen her when a boy. 
She was not scalped as all the old ac- 
counts say ; was b 1738 ; was 90yrs. old. 

ELIZABETH PECK, 

born in 1780, removed here with her 
father's family w T hile yet young. They 
had for neighbors and Mends the fam- 
ilies of Judge Tyler and the other lit- 
erary persons of the town. The socie- 
ty of these friends stimulated her na- 
tive talent; she wrote considerably for 
her own amusement ; but was so diffi- 
dent about it, it w r as not known t«> her 
friends generally till after her marriage 
when Judge Tyler seeing a poem of 
hers, entitled “What is it to be Happy ?” 
had it inserted in a newspaper publish- 
ed at Newfane. It was received so fa- 
vorably her friends proposed she should 
collate her pieces, add to them and have 
a volume published ; but surrounded by 
a large family of children, and her 



health delicate the project was abandon- 
ed. She m. Rethuel Ranger of Colraine 
Mass. Apr. 3, 1804; died at 44. yrs. 

THE VIOLET. 

Sweet Violet, earliest of fair Flora’s train, 
Why dost thou shun the cultivated plain, 
And hide thy beauties in this lonely dell? 
Say, why 

Thy modest beauties shun the public eye, 
And in such solitude delight to dwell? 

Sweet harbinger of Spring’s delightful reign, 
I sought thee in my rambles through the. 
fields. 

But ne’er thy hdanteous form could find 
Till lately, in this mossy glen, 

I found thee,fhalf concealed; 

And midst the leaves confined. 

Methinks, I have the modest flower’s reply : 
It is security, I court, 

And therefore from the gay resort; 

Of pride and fashion, noise and strife. 

And ail that can embitter life, 

With early speed I fly. 

While here from care and danger free. 

The friends of Nature visit me; 

Delighted with my simple charms. 

While with my various sweets, 

I deck their green reheats; \ 

Secure from all alarms. 

ELIZABETH PECK. 

capt. john barney, one of the first 
settlers, came here, 1764, with his wife, 
Rebekah Martin, from Rhehohath, Ms. 
They raised 12yehildren, six sons and six 
daughters who m. lived in Vermont; the 
sons, mostly, went; West the youngest, 
aaron, Brig. Gen. Vt, Militia, Town CL 
justice t>f the peace, had two sons, Ze~ 
nas, who went West, and Aaron Chase, 
who mar. Charlotte, dan. of Lovell Bul- 
lock, had 3 sons, 3 daughters ; the eldest, 
Wra.W. is the present town clerk, now 
8 yrs. All the rest live in the vicinity. 

Previous town clerk, Sam’l Hunt, 27 
yrs. Selectmen, 1883-85 : Francis G. 
Taylor, Wm. H. Tyler, Amos S. Gallup, 
1886-89 : A. S. Gallup, Frank E, Ward, 
JoeJ Flagg, Jr, Geo. E. Houghton cons, 
previous constable, J. H. Richmond. 



LONDONDERRY. 



By MISS NANCY COCHRAN. 



LONDONDERRY. 

This township is situated in the 
N. W. comer of Windham county, 
bounded N. by Landgroye and Wes- 
ton; E. by Windham; S. by Jamai- 
ca, and W . by Winhall and Land- 
groye. 

CHARTERS. 

It is the western division of a 
township granted by New York, 
Feb. 13, 1770, to Col. James Rogers 
of Londonderry, N. EL, and by him 
named Kent. The grant was be- 
stowed upon Rogers for services in, 
the French war, and through his in- 
fluence it was first settled, just be- 
fore the Revolutionary war. In 
1778, Colonel Rogers, who was a 
torry, fled into Canada and his lands 
were confiscated. The town was 
again chartered by the government 
of Vermont, April 20, 1780, Edward 
Aiken, Samuel Fletcher and Jona- 
than Tyler, a committee appointed 
by the legislature to carry out a 
resolve passed March 16, 1780, re- 
granting the town. In this charter 
the township is called Londonderry, 
after Londonderry, N. H., from 
which the first settlers came. The 
first settlers who came, in 1773, were 
Col. James Rogers, James Patter- 
son, Samuel Thompson, Edward 
Aiken, James McCormick and John 
Woodhurn. The last three in the 
division of the town by the legisla- 
ture in 1795, fell to the part cut off 
for Windham, to which history we 



will leave the history of these three, 
* — Mrs. L. B. Wood's Windham. 

THE 1IRSX TOWH MEETING. 

In March, 1777, we have a record 
of a regularly organized town meet- 
ing : 

“Colonel Rogers, moderator. 

Deacon Edward Aiken, town 
clerk. 

Town committee: Dea. Edward 
Aiken, James McCormick, Robert 
Mack, Capt. Edward Aiken, John 
Woodhurn. 

Constables: Hugh Montgomery, 
Nathaniel Aiken, 

Selectmen: James Miller, John 
Woodhurn, Edward Aiken. 

Listers: Robert McCormick, Rob- 
ert Miller. 

Committee to fix on a suitable lo- 
cation for a meeting-house: Edward 
Aiken, David Cochran, Robert 
Mack.” 

The ancestors of our first settlers 
were Scotch Presbyterians from the 
North of Ireland, who emigrated to 
America, 19 families together with 
their pastor. Rev. James McGregor 
at their head, in 1738. 

A hardy, industrious race, they 
were thrifty farmers in New Hamp- 
shire; their removal to Vermont did 
not change their habits. 

They introduced the culture of 
the potato and of raising flax. The 
fresh soil was fertile, producing 30 
bushels of wheat, and 40 of rye to 
the acre; potatoes and corn yielded 



16 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



bountifully; flax flourished on the 
new burned field; pillow-cases, 
table-cloths, towels, and all the sum- 
mer clothing of men and women 
were made from flax. Almost every 
family manufactured fine linen for 
the market. 

The homespun woolens comfort- 
ably clothed these farmers and their 
families for winter; and the farm- 
er’s daughters ambitious for a nice 
dress selected out the fleece of long, 
fine wool which they combed forj 
worsted and spun on the little- 
wheel, dyed different bright colors 
and wove in a neat plaid. 

SOME ANNOYANCES. 

Bears and wolves made havoc 
among their flocks. Shortly after 
Dea. Aiken settled at Kent, his 
wife going out to assist in pulling a 
field of flax, placed her little chil- 
dren under a tree near the spot 
where she was at work. Soon a lit- 
tle dog that followed them out, 
looking up> to the tree barked furi- 
ously. There was a bear in the tree 
right over the children. The Dea- 
con’s rifle brought bruin down, 
wounded, not killed; throwing out 
his great paw, the old forester caught 
the dog up for the death-grip; but 
the Deacon, thrusting the muzzle of 
his gun through the distended jaws 
of the bear, strangled him off from 
his dog, when himself and the dog 
soon dispatched their enemy. 

At another time, the Deacon ob- 
serving tracks in a corn-field before 
the house, watched at his door in 
the evening. Soon as dark, there 
was a drop from the fence, a mo- 
ment after, the snap of an ear of 
com. The Deacon took a line in 
the direction of the sound, proceed- 
ing till two eyes flashed on him. 
He fired, there was a heavy fall. 
When the place was examined by 
light, a large black hear laid dead 
on the ground. 

But wolves were far more des- 
tructive; they came out in droves, as 
if resolved on being paid in mutton 
for every deer that was picked off 
by the rifles of the new comers. 



Early in the summer of 1777, a 
band of tories and Indians scoured 
the eastern shore of Lake Cham- 
plain. Borne of the inhabitants 
were scalped in their dwellings; 
others fled in consternation to older 
settlements, leaving their cattle to 
he driven off and houses fired; the 
battle of Hubbardton followed on 
the 15th of July. 

Shortly after the battle, a rumor 
reached Kent that a body of 200 
tories and Indians were upon the 
Green mountains and would probab- 
ly pay them a visit. 

What was to be done? There was 
no fort within reach where they 
could place their families in safety. 
They resolved to remain at their 
homes and trusting in the protection 
of an Almighty arm, defend as 
best they might their own fires- 
ides or perish in the attempt; and 
the event proved the wisdom of 
the decision, for no hostile foe visit- 
ed this infant settlement. 

The next news was, Burgoynehad 
concentrated his forces at Skenes- 
boro; the whole country was in 
alarm. The Council of Safety sent 
dispatches to Massachusetts and 
New Hampshire for aid, and pro- 
ceeded forthwith to sell all property 
belonging to tories, applying the 
means thus raised to raising a regi- 
ment and supplying them with pro- 
visions. 

Settler James Rogers, a colonel in 
the Continental army during the 
French and Indian w^ar, who was 
known to favor the British, at this 
crisis visited Canada and his estate 
was confiscated. 

- Early in August, General Stark 
arrived from New Hampshire with 
800 men, and all the men who could 
be spared from Kent joined his reg- 
iment, and were in the battle of 
Bennington. 

KENT. 

In 1780, the town of Kent was 
chartered to Edward Aiken, Samuel 
Fletcher and J oseph Tyler, and at 
the request of the town was called 
Londonderry. 



LONDONDERRY, 



17 



At a townmieeting March 21, Thompson, Hugh Montgomery, Jo- 
1782, the inhabitants voted to raise seph Oughfcerson and John Cox. 
two men for the ensuing campaign. In 1795, James Rogers petitioned 
“Voted to excuse Sam’l Eayrs, the Legislature for one-half thecon- 
John McCormick and John Mack fiscated lands formerly belonging to 
from paying any part of the bounty his father, which remained unsold, 
in consideration of their having been This was granted, and in 1797 he 
out themselves in the three years petitioned for the other half, which 
service.” was granted. 

“Voted to hire Jonathan Aiken The first settlers of Londonderry, 
and James Mack to go into service, up to the division of the town, ap~ 
to give each of them £7, 10s. bounty pear to have lived in utmost bar- 
and give them for wages 2 pounds i mony. A law suit was a thing un- 
per month, to be paid ^ in clearing; known, 
land for 2 pounds per acre, the land I no q 

to be made fit for seed by the first : 

of Sept. 1783.” | Dr. Lazel taught the first school 

The Continental currency was the : at the houses of David Cochran, 
money in circulation and a stagna- j Joseph Oughterson and Hugh Mont- 
tion of business followed injurious j gomery. 

to our settlement; but notwithstand- 1 Previous to 1810, the town was 
ing it continued to grow slowly and divided into 5 districts. In 1820, 
steadily during the war in popula- there were 9 districts, 8 school- 
tion and wealth, houses and 450 scholars between 4 

The first saw-mill was at the head and 18 years of age. In 1868, it had 
of Pond Brook, built by Deacon Ed- 13 districts in which schools were 
ward and Captain Edward Aiken in taught 4 to 7 months in a year, and 
1774, and was held many years by each village, [North Londonderry 
Geo. McMurphy and called Me- and South Londonderry] has a large 
Murphy's mill; the first mill, also on school building or an academy. 
West river, was built by Capt. Ed- w r here a select school is usually 
ward Aiken and owned many years taught a part of the year, 
by his son, Jonathan. It stood 

where Osborne’s mill stands. A HEW Londonderry. 

Col. Rogers built a large, two- In a few years after the war new 
story framed house as early as 1776. settlers came in from Massachusetts 

division or the towhship. an( J ®kode Island. The financial 

state of the country was very much 
The census of 1790 gives London- embarrassed. Many were in debt; 
derry 362 inhabitants. Five years property could not be sold even on 
later it was divided by line from the execution, for no one had money to 
north line of Jamaica, running due buy. Writs multiplied, the unfor- 
north along the summit of Glebe tunate was consigned to jail for the 
Mountain till it strikes the middle crime of being unable to pay his 
branch of Williams river; thence debts. 

due north to the south line of And- Some rather than lie in jail raort- 
over, giving to the western division, gaged their farms for a few dollars, 
retaining the name of Londonderry, and afterwards unable to pay the 
an area of 18,332 square acres. mortgage were turned out of their 

In the division of the township homes by creditors, 
the largest portion of the settlers 1800: The habits of the people 

fell on the Windham side of the line, had undergone a considerable change. 
Those who remained were, William A new generation had arisen, some 
Cox, Capt. Edward Aiken, David of whom looked upon the rigid 
Cochran, James Patterson, Samuel Presbyterian regulations as quite 




18 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



puritanical, and change of opinion 
soon produced change of character. 

In 1806 the first settlement was 
commenced in what is now 

SOUTH LONDONDERRY. 

Benjamin Baldwin and Levi Rich- 
ardson from Andover, purchased a 
mill-site with a few acres of land 
adjoining; put up a log house with 
two rooms for their families and 
commenced building a saw and grist- 
mill. In a short time both mills 
were doing a good business. 

Five years later Mr. Danforth put 
in a carding-machine under the same 
roof. Soon a blacksmith by the name 
of Knowlton opened a shop, and these 
buildings formed the nucleus around 
which the tillage has grown up. 

It has a daily mail, a postoffiee, 
*wo church edifices, three parson- 
ages, a town house, a large school 
Rouse* two insurance offices, two 
4ry goods stores, one jeweler’s shop, 
one hotel and about 40 dwelling 
houses; most of them neat and com- 
modious. 

THE VILLAGE OF LONDONDERY. 

Previous to the division of the 
town in 1795, a saw and grist mill 
had been built, and Major Jonathan 
Aiken who built the mill, kept also 
.a tavern. But whether it was be- 
cause the place lacked that import- 
ant preliminary, a blacksmith’s shop, 
or from some other cause, it did not 
flourish much for several years. But 
since the turnpike was built across 
the Green Mountains and a line of 
stages established from Manchester 
to Chester, it has increased annually 
in population and in wealth, and is 
now a flourishing village containing 
about 40 dwelling houses, a Congre- 
gational meeting house, a parsonage, 
a town hall, a large school-house, a 
woolen factory, two dry goods stores, 
a tin and hardware shop, two marble 
shops, and has four physicians, one 
lawyer, one minister, a postoffice and 
daily mail. 

Londondery, like all mountain 
towns, is hilly; but less so than the 



surrounding towns. The forests 
afforded the first settlers a large 
quantity of pine which they used so 
lavishly, but little now remains. 
Hemlock and spruce are still abun- 
dant, but the sugar maple is the 
pride of our forests; affording an 
ample supply of sugar and syrup of 
the very best quality. 

The soil richly repays the labors of 
the husbandman. 

Almost every farm is watered by 
springs of running water. 

West river which passes through 
the town from north to south, 
affords, with the help of its tributa- 
ries, many excellent mill-sites. 

THE FIRST CHURCH IN TOWN. 

Nearly all the first settlers were 
members of the Presbyterian church 
of Londonderry, N. H., who looked 
upon them as a colony and occasion- 
ally supplied them with preaching. 
There was no other church in town 
for thirty years. 

We regret the records of this 
church are lost. The members have 
all passed away. All we can say is 
gathered from the memories of their 
descendants and the early town lee- 
ords. 

On the record of the first regu- 
larly organized town meeting, less 
than four years after the first fam- 
ily arrived, we find a vote to erect a 
house for public worship. They 
chose a building committee; select- 
ed a building spot and prepared ma- 
terials; but the Revolutionary w r ar 
was at its height, and all their avail- 
able means was called for to help 
support the army; and before the 
close of the war the depreciation of 
the currency, and consequent finan- 
cial embarrassment put an end to 
building. 

By the time they were able to 
build, the division of the town be- 
gan to he agitated, and this again 
put a stop to the building of a meet- 
ing house. 

But every passing year records a 
vote to raise money to pay for 
preaching, and designates a private 
house where meetings shall be held* 




LONDONDERRY. 



19 



About 1805, a school house was 
built at the middle of the town, and 
some of the church members con- 
tributed towards the building that 
they might have the privilege of 
holding meetings there on the Sab- 
bath. 

About 1809, the church finding it 
extremely difficult to procure Pres- 
byterian preaching, concluded to 
adopt the Congregational form of 
government. Aug. 25, 1809, 

A CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 

was organized by Rev. Rufus Cush- 
man of Fairhaven, assisted by Rev. 
Wm. Hall of Grafton, consisting of 
10 members: David Cochran, Mary 
Corhran, John Cox, Mary Cox, Ar- 
rington Gibson, John Cochran, 
David Cochran, Jr., Betsy Cochran 
and Lois Hunting. 

Londonderry being considered 
missionary ground was supplied 
from time to time by home mission- 
aries. 

PASTORS. 

Rev. David H. Williston, 

Rev. Rufus Cushman, 

Rev. Moses Parmalee, 

Rev. Urbane Hitchcock, 

Rev. Isaac P. Lowe, 

Rev. Christopher Lawton, 
and several others labored here ; 
some of them heing supported in 
part by missionary societies, others 
wholly by the church. 

A MEETING HOUSE 

was built in 1813, at the middle of 
the town. They had some preach- 
ing every year ; and when none, met 
on the Sabbath; had a sermon read. 

David Cochran was chosen dea- 
con soon after the organization and 
held the office until he moved to 
Dorset a short time before his 
death. 

Jesse Hunting, Edmund Ingalls 
and Luther Stowel were chosen dea- 
cons in 1819. 

REV. PHILETUS CLARK 

commenced his labors in this place 
in 1824 and was installed in 1827. 



During his pastorate the church at- 
tained its greatest prosperity. It 
had about 100 communicants. He 
was dismissed in 1833, and the 
church remained without a pastor 
till 1838, when 

REV. LINUS OWEN 

was installed. He was dismissed in 
1844. 

About this time the church began 
to decline. The Methodist and 
Baptist societies erected churches in 
both villages, and the youth of the 
congregation preferred going to the 
village churches. By the advice of 
Rev. Justin Parsons the church 
united with the Methodists of South 
Londonderry and built a union 
house, each society supplying the 
pulpit half of the time. 

THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL 
CHURCH 

of Londonderry was organized Aug. 
19, 1868, by a council composed of 
the ministers of ten Congregational 
churches and nine delegates, Rev. 
Alfred Stevens of Westminster 
West, moderator. 

The church started with 12 mem- 
bers and during the year 12 more 
were received. 

During the first year the church 
and society purchased and repaired 
the meeting house they now occupy 
and built a parsonage. 

, THE BAPTIST CHURCH. 

BY REV. RICHARD NOTT. 

The history of the Baptist church 
in Londonderry commenced with 
the organization of the Baptist 
church in Peru, Oct. 27, 1809, when 
an ecclesiastical council met at the 
house of • Asahel Graves; after ex- 
amining certain brethren concern- 
ing their views of doctrine, church 
discipline and practical godliness: 

“ Voted to answer their request 
and constitute them a church of 
Christ.” 

And Asahel and Lucy Graves, 
William and Anna Cooledge, Rufus 




20 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



and Isabel Butler, Cyrus and Orpha 
Staples were constituted members. 

The first person received by bap- 
tism was Fanny Howard, Dec. 21, 
1809. Within a year from that 
time 31 were received by baptism. 
The first minister was Elder Uer- 
shom Lane, received by letter, Nov. 
11, 1810. 

In view of the location of the 
members of this church and a part 
of the members of the Windham 
church, a council was called Feb. 
20, 1811, at Londonderry, ‘ { for the 
purpose of uniting a part of Wind- 
ham church and establishing the 
same to he the first Baptist church 
in Londonderry. The council unan- 
imously agreed so to do. 

The first mentioned clerk was 
Levi Baldwin, March 9, 1811. At 
the same time Jesse Baldwin and 
Abial Richardson were elected dea- 
cons. 

March 24, 1811, it was voted that: 

“ The church and society give 
Elder Gershom Lane $52 for preach- 
ing with us three-fourths of the 
time from the first of January last 
till the first of January next, to be 
paid in produce or wearing apparel. ” 
The records state Elder Lane agreed 
to accept the above compensation. 

Dec. 12, 1812, a subscription of 
$27 was made by 20 individuals to 
be paid in produce in one year from 
date * to Elder Thomas Baker for 
preaching one-fourth of the time. 

Nov. 28, 1815, the Weston church 
was formed, to which Elder Ger- 
shom Lane and five others were dis- 
missed from this church. 

March 20, 1817, the Centre school 
house was fixed upon as the stated 
place for holding meetings. Subse- 
quent to the beginning of 1830, ac- 
cording to vote, meetings were di- 
vided between the school house 
South Londonderry, a part of the 
time the school house in North Lon- 
donderry, and Thompsonburg, until 
the erection of the brick meeting 
house in South Londonderry, which 
was dedicated in June, 1834. 

Previous to the year 1845, the 



following periods were marked by 
considerable accessions to the 
church: the falls of 1810 and 1811, 
the spring of 1813, the fall of 1817, 
the winter of 1827 and 1828, the 
summer and fall of 1828, the year 
of 1832, the winter of 1836 and 
1837 and the month of December, 
1839. 

The following, baptized into the 
church, have been licensed to preach 
by this church or other churches : 
Rev. Levi Baldwin, 

Rev. Bradley S. Thompson, 

Rev. Luke Sherwin, 

Rev. Russell Wheeler, 

Rev. Isaiah C. Carpenter, 

Rev. J acob P. Huntington, 

Rev, Charles Coon, 

Rev, John S, Goodall, 

All except the first and last four 
were ordained by the church. 

PASTORS. 

Rev. Gershom Lane, 

Rev. Seth Ewers, 

Rev. David Sweet, 

Rev. Sem Pierce, 

Rev. Rufus Smith, 

Rev, David A. Richardson, 

Rev. Wm. H. Itugg, 

Rev, Nehemiah Pierce, 

Rev. Richard Nott, 

Rev, O. P. Fuller. 

BEACOM, 

Jesse Baldwin, Abial Richardson, 
David Richardson, Lawrence Pierce, 
Sheldon Pierce, Amos Woods, Ne- 
hemiah Green, R. S. Horton, Wm, 
W. Rugg. 

CHURCH CLERKS. 

Levi Baldwin, Abial Richardson, 
Seth Ewers, Sherman Pierce, David 
Richard son, Tyler Tinkham, Thomas 
S. Viall, Jacob B. Rugg, Wm, W. 
Rugg, Isaac O, Wyman, Amasa 
Chase, Josiah Pierce. 

Immediately after the reunion in 
the summer of 1855, a revival fol- 
lowed which resulted in the addition 
of 22 by baptism. 

During 60 years the church, ac- 
cording to its records, has received 
351 persons by baptism, of whom 




LONDONDERRY. 



21 



125 have been received within 15 
years since the reunion* 

October, 1845, as the result of dif- 1 
Acuities, the church separated into 
two bodies, which maintained 
preaching by themselves most of the 
time until the early part of 1855. 
During the separation, few acces- 
sions were made to either body* 
Since the reunion of the two parties 
in 1855, the history of the church 
has been one of growth and pros- 
perity and furnishes an impressive 
commentary upon the words of in- 
spiration: “Behold how good and 

pleasant it is for brethren to dwell 
together in unity. " 

MARTIN H. GOBDARD, 

was born in Londonderry, February 
26, 1844. His education was received 
at the academy in his native town, 
and at the Black Elver academy in 
Ludlow. In his twenty-third year 
he entered the office of William H. 
Walker as a law student, 'and at the 
May term of 18,69 he was admitted 
to the bar* Two months later he 
entered into partnership with Mr. 
Walker, and the relationship then 
assumed was continued until 1884, 
when Mr. Walker was called to the 
bench. 

From that time to the day of his 
death, Mr. Goddard continued to 
practice law alone* His professional 
life has been successful. An untir- 
ing worker and an earnest and suc- 
cessful pleader, he had the faculty of 
seeing everything that in any way 
might promote the cause of a client, 
and with intense conviction for the 
time being, he usually begat in the 
jury that same conviction. 

A life long democrat, he was the 
nominee of his party in the congres- 
sional fight of 1884, and four years 
later he was a delegate to the demo- 
cratic national convention at St* 
Louis. He has also been the party 
nominee for county senator and 
State's attorney. 

In town affairs he has held many 
offices. He has been superintendent 
of schools, lister, grand juror, agent 
to prosecute and defend suits, and 



was a justice of the peace at the time 
of his death* 

He was a director of the National 
Black Eiver bank at Proctorsville and 
of the Vermont Mutual Fire Insur- 
ance company. He was also a trustee 
of the Black River academy. 

Perhaps in no circle will he be 
more missed than in the Congrega- 
tional church, of which he was an 
active member. For many years he 
has freely given of his time, money 
and strength to promote its inter- 
ests. 

He was a member of Altimont 
Lodge, 1. 0. O. F. Mr. Goddard 
was twice married. His first wife 
was the daughter of Bansel Wilder 
of Ludlow, She died several years 
ago. Of this marriage one child 
survives, Henry M. Goddard, a grad- 
uate of Middlebury, class of '90, and 
now a divinity student at Yale. His 
second wife was Agnes Alinda Hend- 
erson, daughter of H. D. Hender- 
son of Salisbury. She, with three 
small children survive him. 

Mr, Goddard will be missed in the 
town in which he lived so long, as 
much as any man who could have 
been called from it by death. 

JAMES PATTERSON 

was the oldest of the early settlers. 
He came to Kent about 1774, and 
brought with him a family, some of 
whom were young men at the time. 
He was married in 1739. He settled 
on the farm now owned by Joseph 
Stewart, near Glebe Mountain. 

He was noted for decision of char- 
acter and industry ; was a prosper- 
ous farmer ; died in 1787, alone in 
his field while at work. 

He left a widow and children : 

Eben, who moved West. 

Rachel, who married James Ma- 
gas of Jamaica. 

John, who married Betridge Mor- 
rison, and lived and died on the old 
homestead, leaving a widow and 
children : Samuel, Mary and John. 

SAMUEL TOMPSON 

came into- town about the same time 
with Mr. Patterson, settled in the 




22 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



same neighborhood and lived there 
with his numerous family till his 
death. 

CAPT. EDW1I1D AIKEN 

came about 1774 and purchased a 
tract of land a little north of Derry 
pond. He was always among the 
foremost in public improvements. 

He left a widow and five children: 

Jonathan, who married Nancy 
McCormick of Windham, who died 
in a few years, leaving him two sons. 
He afterwards married Margaret 
Jamieson of Manchester. 

Daniel married Mary Jamieson ; 
had seven children, who were made 
orphans by the epidemic of 1813, 
which carried off both parents in a 
little over a week. 

William married Nancy Wither- 
spoon and had five or six children. 

DAVID COCHRAN 

was born in Londonderry, N. H., 
1751, and came to this place in 1774; 
married Mary, eldest daughter of 
Dea. Edward Aiken, and settled on 
the farm now owned by Thomas 
Faulkner, where he lived till 1787, 
when he exchanged land with Nehe- 
miah Howe and came into possession 
of the farm where Ezra Pierce now 
lives, where he resided until within 
a short time of his death. In early 
life he was active in public business, 
but at the age of 45 his health failed 
and he ever after lived a very retired 
life. He raised a family of six sons 
and four daughters. The sons, ex- 
cept the youngest, settled on farms 
given them by their father near the 
old homestead. But ere many years 
had passed most of them had emi- 
grated to the West. Deacon Coch- 
ran was a man of sound judgment, 
and great perseverance. He trained 
up his family with strict regard to 
religious obligations. 

The oldest daughter, Mary, mar- 
ried Arrington Gibson. 

Susan married David Richardson. 

Betsey married Dr. John Gibson. 

Deacon Cochran died §t the house 
of his oldest son in Dorset, in 1831, 
in his 80th year. 



william cox 

came into town with Colonel Rog- 
ers in 1774, and assisted him in 
clearing his farm, and took land for 
pay at 2s an acre. He married Sarah 
McGollop. They are believed to be 
the first couple married in town. 

Mr. Cox was a prudent, industrious 
man, accumulated a good property, 
and lived to a ripe old age. He had 
five sons and three daughters. 

JOHN cox, 

brother of William, came to town at 
a very early period. He married 
Mary, widow of Robert McCormick. 
They had two sons and two daugh- 
ters. 

Jane, the oldest daughter, died in 
the insane asylum at Brattleboro, 
Both sons were subject to fits of in- 
sanity. 

Nancy married William Stevens 
and spent her life at the paternal 
homestead. 

JAMES HOPKINS, 

from Londonderry, N. II. , came 
here about 1775. His wife was a 
daughter of Rev. Janies McGregor, 
and sister of Mrs. Col. Rogers, a 
woman of superior mind and culti- 
vated manners. They had six child- 
ren. They all removed to western 
New York, except Mary, the wife of 
Dr. Charles Chandler of Andover, 
who was much respected and loved 
by a large circle of friends. 

COLLEGE GRADUATES. 

Rev. Isaac Cochran, son of Dea. 
David Cochran, born July 3, 1798, 
entered Middle bury in 1817. At 
the end of the term his health failed 
and he went to North Carolina for a 
more genial clime. In a year he en- 
tered Hamden Sidney college in 
1820, and graduated in 1822; studied 
theology and was licensed by Han- 
over Presbytery ; ordained and in- 
stalled pastor of the church of Old 
Concord, Campbell county. He re- 
mained there till 1830 or 1831, when 
he received a call from the church of 
Buffalo, Pr. Edwards county, where 
lie now is, and but few pastors have 




LONDONDERRY. 



23 



lived so harmoniously with the peo- 
ple of their charge for so long a 
period. 

BEY. DAVID A. BICHABDSON, 

son of Dea. David Richardson, horn 
in 1809, early in life united with the 
Baptists; graduated at Water ville 
college, Maine, studied theology ; 
was licensed to preach; soon attacked 
with bronchitis, had to resign preach- 
ing ; was principal of a classical 
school at Alton, 111. several terms; 
traveled extensively, but consump- 
tion conquered. 

HON, WILLIAM 31. WALKER, 

son of Ephriam Walker of London- 
derry, graduated at Middlebury in 
1858 ; studied law, was admitted to 
the bar ; has been State senator and 
judge of Probate. He settled in 
Ludlow. 

BEY, NEHEMIAH PIERCE, 

son of Rev. Sem Pierce, graduated 
at Burlington in 1865. He had been 
licensed to preach by the Baptist 
church in Londonderry, and is now 
pastor of the Baptist church in Cold- 
water, Mich. 

BEY. LEBOY M. PIEBCE 

graduated at Middlebury about, 1866, 
He is now a home missionary in the 
West. 

NATHAN BUXTON, 

son of Jonathan and Salome 
( Esten ) Buxton, was horn in 
Smithfield, R. L, March 12, 
1796. He died January 28, 1891. 
When about two years old bis pa- 
rents removed to this town, making 
the journey in January, over the 
snow on a sled drawn by two yoke 
of steers. The family were seven 
days on their journey and had with 
them besides Nathan, a younger 
child in its mother's arms, Jonathan 
Buxton had been here before and 
selected a home, such as it was, in 
Thompsonburg, and to that spot he I 
was now bringing bis little family. 
Across the road from Mr. John 
Ram sd ell's may he seen an old cellar 
where at that time stood the house 



of Samuel Thompson. He was the 
first settler in that region and his 
house was the only one in that vic- 
inity. It was at this house the Bux- 
ton's drove up on a winter's night 
and rested for a few hours and then 
proceeded to the spot near by where 
they were to make their home. At 
that time the road passed eastward 
at about right angles from the pres- 
ent road, just in the rear of Mr. 
Ramsdell's house and bore round by 
Mr. Stewart's, out by Mr. Huntley's 
over the hill. On this road, back of 
what is now Mr. Ramsdell's, was a 
log but, old and deserted, with half 
the roof gone, and to this inhospitable 
spot the Buxtons wended their way, 
tied their oxen to a sheltering tree, 
and made themselves as comfortable 
as they could for their first night in 
Londonderry, On the next day 
Jonathan's brother, who had come 
with him, started with the team 
back to Rhode Island. They lived 
in this house several years, and three 
children were added to the family, 
Jason, Philena and Hannah. 

The family afterwards moved a 
short distance to the eastward where 
Mr. Buxton had bought a house of a 
Mr, Miller. This house stood on 
the George James farm, up hack 
toward the mountain from the house 
now occupied by Mr, James. 

Jonathan Buxton lived in this 
town about 89 years, and then with 
his wife and two youngest children 
returned to the old farm in Smith- 
field. He died 100 years old and his 
wife at 88. He had nine children 
who arrived at maturity, five of 
whom are supposed to be living, 
viz: John, who lives in Chester- 
field, N. H., 82 years old; Daniel, 
who lives in this town, born May 1, 
1811. Cyrus, who lives in Michigan, 
bora March 12, 1816: Selah, who 
lives in Princeton, Mass., horn 
March 13, 1819, and Philena 

Thompson of this town, who was 
born Nov, 1, 1801. 

When Nathan was about 18 years 
old he went to Westmoreland, N. 
H., where He worked some five years 
in a tannery. He married Miss 




24 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Elizabeth Griswold. They soon 
moved to this town and united with 
the Baptist church. They had seven 
children who arrived at maturity 
and one died young. Their names 
were Stephen, Charles, Albert, Hor- 
ace, Mary, Martha and Adeline. 
Five died in 1863-1865 : Horace, 

aged 18, at Fort Slocum, Washing- 
ton, D. C., in 1863; Capt. Albert 
B., killed at the battle of the Wil- 
derness, May 6, 1864; Major Charles 
B., killed at the battle of Winches- 
ter, Sept. 19, 1864. Two daughters 
died of diphtheria in the winter of 
1864. One only is living, Stephen, 
who a few years ago moved West. 

Solon Thompson, father of Walter 
and Henry, brought up his family 
in Londonderry. His father's name 
was Samuel, and his grandfather 
also named Samuel lived in a house 
that stood over the old celler nearly 
opposite John Ramsdell's house. 
He was probably the earliest per- 
manent settler of Thompsonburg. 

The old cellar on the Glebe side 
now owned by Collins Griswold 
was covered by a log house in which 
Artemus Pierce originally lived. 
He afterwards built a frame house 
near it and subsequently moved this 
down to the site now occupied by 
Mr. Griswold's house. The old 
part was burned a few years ago. 
In this house Mrs. Emery Melendy, a 
daughter of Artemus Pierce and 
mother of E. W . and J. W. Melendy, 
was born. Artemus Pierce was born 
July 10, 1779, and his wife Hannah 
Goodrich Oct. 2, 1782. They had 
nine children. Two of the earliest 
of the settlers of this town bore the 
name of McMurphy and Montgom- 
ery. The former erected the first 
log house in town upon lands now 
owned and occupied by E. A. Brooks; 
the latter on the farm now owned 
and occupied by H. H. Collins. 
But little can now be learned of 
McMurphy; he began his work in 
1769, but how long he remained or 
to whom his farm decended is not 
known. It came into the hands of 
Ebenezer Smith who in the course 
of time built a frame house in place 



of the log hut. This frame house 
stood on the present site of Mr. 
Brooks' stable. There was a base- 
ment story in which the first school 
in town was kept. 

Ebenezer Smith came from Read- 
ing, Mass., where he had been a 
member of the Baptist church, and 
this circumstance many account for 
the fact that Rev. Ger shorn Lane, 
who was pastor of the Baptist 
church in this place, lived in this 
house for a season and Mr. Smith 
boarded with him. Mr. Lane's 
family consisted of himself, wife 
and an adopted daughter. 

When Mr. Smith died Avery 
Stowell was appointed adminstrator 
of the estate, and he sold the proper- 
ty to Washington Brooks who had 
come from Hancock, N. H. W ash- 
ington Brooks' father had nineteen 
children. There is one sister still 
living in Michigan, one brother 
living in Hancock, N. H., and one, 
the oldest, John Brooks, living near 
Hudson, Mich., who will be 105 
years old on the 18th of June, 1891. 
When he was 100 years old the 
children of the town where he lived 
made a great celebration at which 
the venerable man made a little 
speech in which he said that he 
“had never used tobacco, drank 
intoxicating liquors or taken the 
name of God in vain." Washington 
Brooks died Jan. 23, 1887, aged 82 
years, respected and beloved by all 
who knew him. 

JOHN P. MARTIN 

graduated at the Medical College at 
Burlington in 1866, and is now prac- 
ticing at Danby. 



THE ARNOLD FAMILY. 

SAMUEL ARNOLD 

from Norton, Mass., came into town 
about 1779. He had married Nancy 
Wheeler whose fine social abilities 
made her home the centre of attrac- 
tion in the town. Soon after the 
division of the town, he was repre- 
sentative, which office he held many 




LONDONDERRY. 



25 



years. He was town clerk, select- 
man, and justice of the peace up to 
the time of his death. 

Londonderry is much indebted to 
him for roads and bridges, for the 
turnpike across the Green Mount- 
ains, and for the fine road from 
Londonderry to Chester. 

He was ever ready to sympathize 
with and assist the afflicted ; his 
kindness to the widows and orphans, 
made such by the epidemic of 1813, 
was remembered with tears of grati- 
tude long after his death. 

He died suddenly, May 23, 1839, 
aged 73. He left a widow, 3 sons 
and 8 daughters. 

SAMUEL ARNOLD, JR., 

the oldest son of Samuel Arnold, 
Sr., after living some years and en- 
gaging in public business in his na- 
tive town, removed to Western New 
York and died in 1868. 

DR. JEREMIAH ARNOLD 

lives in the North Village and is a 
botanic physician; he has a consid- 
erable family, and a very pleasant 
home, the old homestead. 

HON. DAVID ARNOLD, 

the third son of Samuel, Sr., lives 
in the same village. He is a lawyer 
and is largely engaged in mercantile 
business. 

DR. GEORGE J. ARNOLD, 

the oldest son of David and Lydia 
Arnold, graduated from the Medical 
College of Cambridge University in 
1858. Gentlemanly deportment and 
medical skill have already given him 
a high standing with the physicians 
of Boston. 

Lucy C. m. J. Washburn Melendy 
Nov. 26, 1868. C. Emery Arnold b. 
June 7, 1874. 

Mary E. m. Geo. C. Robinson 
May 29, 1870. C. Curtis G. b. July 
26, 1873. Mary E. b. Sept. 23, 1878. 

Judge Arnold and his wife are 
dead. Mrs. Melendy and Mrs. Rob- 
inson are the only members of the 
family now living in town. 



Mrs. Nancy Arnold, the widow of 
Samuel, Sr., died in 1867 at the age 
of 95 years, much respected and be- 
loved. 

[We remember this nice, old lady. 
In 185- the winter before Judge Ar- 
nold moved to the Village we taught 
the winter school in his district and 
boarded with the Judge's family, 
teaching Latin and French in the 
evening to the two oldest boys and 
the oldest daughter, a girl of fine 
scholastic brain that in her studies 
then almost rivaled her oldest broth- 
ers.] 

Mrs. Lydia Arnold was a Dudley, 
one of the large family of sisters, 
all brilliantly social, daughters of 
Peter Dudley of Peru. Mrs. Nancy 
Arnold was mother of the Judge, 
and we remember her knowledge 
and love of Greek mythology. She 
delighted to converse on this subject 
and could give the genealogy of the 
gods from Jupiter to wood-nymph 
and naid. The schools, 5^ days a 
week, 5 night sessions, growth not 
retarded, George and Charles Ar- 
nold read the first book of Virgil's 
Illiad, declaimed at examination a 
Latin oration from Cicero. We 
taught at the village the next sum- 
mer, academy building, 73 pupils; 
these schools have cast for us a soft 
halo over Londonderry. Over 100 of 
its youth were once our pupils. 

MISS NANCY COCHRAN, 

author of this early history, died at 
Londonderry, not long since. She 
was a daughter of Deacon David 
Cochran, a most worthy person. Of 
all the daughters of Londonderry, 
none have left her a better benefac- 
tion. 

REV. WILLIAM H. RUGG, A. M., 

oldest son of Dea. Wm. W. and 
Rachel D. Rugg, born in South 
Londonderry, April 9, 1838, united 
with the Baptist church in South 
Londonderry, Aug. 19, 1855, dur- 
ing the pastorate of Rev. I. C. Car- 
penter; commenced teaching math- 
ematics in West River academy at 




26 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



sixteen; from the fall term of 1857 
to 1864 assistant nine terms in Le~ 
land & Gray Seminary; fall terms 
of 1859 and *69 in Brandon Semi- 
nary as assistant; principal of Leland 
& Gray Seminary spring term of 
*65; was solicited to continue as prin- 
cipal; declined for the purpose of 
entering the ministry; graduated 
from the collegiate department of 
Madison University, August, 1862; I 
from its Theological department in I 
1865; commenced preaching in the' 
Baptist church in Shaftsbury, Sep- 1 
tember, 1865; ordained pastor, May 
80, 1866. At present, summer of 
*69, is town superintendent of com- 
mon schools, corresponding secre- 
tary of Bennington County Snnday 
School Union, clerk of the Vermont 
and Shaftsbury Association and as- 
sistant clerk and member of the 
board of trustees of the Vermont 
Baptist State convention. 

MILITARY RECORD 
DURING THE REBELLION, 1861-1865. 

BY DANIEL. DAVIS. 

Abbott, George T., age 18, enlist- 
ed Sept. 3, 1861, mustered in Sept. 
20, *61, wounded in action Dec. 
13, *62, discharged and re-enlisted 
Dec. 15, *63, wounded in action 
May 4, *64, discharged Sept. 25, 
1865. 

Albee, Silas, age 30, enlisted Nov. 
27, *63, mustered in Dec. 11 , *63; 
died at Anderson ville, Ga., Sept. 9, 
1864. 

Aiken, Alonzo, age 29, enlisted 
Sept. 24, *61, mustered in Oct. 15, 
*61, died Nov. 28, 1861. 

Aiken, Walter A., age 31, enlist- 
ed Sept. 24, *61, mustered Oct. 15, 
*61; transferred to invalid corps 
Sept. 1, *63; no record of his dis- 
charge. 

Be mis, William M., age 34, enlist- 
ed July 30, *62; mustered in Sept. 
1, *62; discharged June 24, *65. 

Bixby, Armen tus B., age 28, com- 
missioned assistant surgeon Oct. 6, 
*62; discharged Sept. 30, *64. 

Buxton, Horace, age 18; enlisted 



August 11, *62; mustered in Sept. 
1, *62; died April 3, *63. 

Campbell, Edward R,, age 18; en- 
listed August 4, *62; mustered in 
Sept. 1, *62; discharged May 13, *65. 

Campbell, Geo. R., age 35; en- 
listed Aug. 2, *62; mustered in 
Sept. 1, *62; killed at Cedar Creek 
Oct. 19, 64. 

Campbell, Henry L., age 20; en- 
listed Oct. 21, *61; mustered in 
Dec. 31, *61, discharged July 15, 
*75. 

Churchill, William H., age 23; 
enlisted Oct. 18, *61; mustered in 
Dec. 31, *61; died Oct. 27, *64, of 
wounds received in action. 

Clayton, Austin, W., age 25; en- 
listed July 30, *62; mustered in 
Sept. 1, *62; discharged June 12/65. 

Edwards, Alonzo T., age 36; en- 
listed Sept. 7, *61; mustered in 
Sept. 20, *61 ; deserted Dec. 10, *62. 

Faulkner, Eli J., age 18; enlisted 
Nov. 28, *61; mustered in I’eb. 12, 
*62; discharged June 27, *62. 

Gibson, William H., age 18; en- 
listed August 5, *62; mustered in 
Sept. 1, *62; discharged June 24, 
*65. 

Griswold, Lucius Dana, age 26; 
enlisted Oct. 7, *61; mustered in 
November 19, ’61; died Mar. 20, *62. 

Hall, Albert U., age 27; enlisted 
July 29. *62; mustered in Sept. 1, 
62; discharged June 24, *65. 

Hathorn, Ransom E., age 18; en- 
listed August 11, *62; mustered 
Sept. 1, *62; discharged June 24, 
*65. 

Geo. W. Hooker, age 23; enlist- 
ed Sept. 6, *61; mustered in Sept. 
26, *61; no record of discharge 
except for promotion, July 31, *64. 

Houghton, Levi, age 24; enlisted 
in May 7, *61; mustered in June 
20, *61; died Nov. 27, *62, 

Houghton, Stephen O., age 29; 
enlisted Aug. *62; mustered in 
Sept, 30, *62; discharged June 19, 
*65. 

Howard, Mason E., age 33; en- 
listed Aug. 6, *62; mustered in 
Sept. 1, *62; discharged June 24/65. 

Howe, Edwin A. , age 19; enlisted 




LONDONDERRY. 



27 



July 30, '62; mustered in Sept. 1, 
'62; discharged Aug. 1, '64. 

Howe, Omar M., age 18; enlisted 
July 28, ’62; mustered in Sept, 1, 
'62; discharged June 24, '65. 

Howe, William J., age 18; enlist- 
ed Aug, 29, '61; mustered in Sept, 
20, '61; discharged Dec. 7, '62. 

Jaquith, Thomas J., age 26; en- 
listed May 20, '61; mustered in 
June 20, '61; discharged June 29, 
'64. 

Kellogg, Aaron, age 21; enlisted 
Mar. 20, '63; mustered in April 6, 
'63; discharged July 24, '65. 

Kellogg, Henry, age 18; enlisted 
July 31, '62; mustered in Sept 1, 
62; discharged June 24, '65. 

King, Wallace D., age 21; enlist- 
ed May 16, '61; mustered in June 
20, '61; discharged Oct. 17, '62; re- 
enlisted Mar. 8, '65; discharged 

June 28, '65. 

Miller, Edmund G., age 30; en- 
listed August 27, '61; mustered in 
Sept. 20, '61; discharged July 9, 
'62. 

Parker, James P., age 29; enlist- 
ed Feb. 13, '62; mustered in Feb. 
28, '62; discharged Feb. 14, '65. 

Pierce, William W., age 25; en- 
listed Sept. 3, '61; mustered in 
Sept 20, '61; discharged July 13, 
'65. 

Rice, Edwin L., age 26; enlisted 
July 28, '62; mustered in Sept. 62; 
deserted Dec. 2, '62. 

Richardson, John 0., age 18; en- 
listed May 16, '61; mustered in 
June 20, '61; discharged June 24, 
'64. 

Richardson, Lowell M., age 18; 
enlisted Dec. 7, '61; mustered in Feb. 
12, '62; killed in action June 22, '62. 

Robinson, Charles H., age 25; en- 
listed Oct 24, '61; mustered in 
Dec. 31, '61; transferred to Invalid 
Corps Sept. 1, '63; no record of his 
discharge. 

Shattuek, Samuel A., age 25; en- 
listed May 27, '61; mustered June 
20, '61; discharged Dec. 30, '63. 

Shumway, Edwin R., age 18; en- 
listed Sept. 5, '61; mustered in 

Sept. 20, '61; discharged and re-en- 



listed Dec. 15, 1863; discharged 
July 13, '65, 

Stebbins, Edwin A., age 25; en- 
listed Aug. 6, '62; mustered- in 
Sept 1, '62; discharged Ang, 25/65. 

Stevens, Joel P. , age 45; enlisted 
Nov. 4, 61; mustered Dec. 31, '61; 
discharged July 13, '66. 

Stevens, Warren, age 22; enlisted 
Oct 23, '61; mustered in Dec. 31, 
61; killed in action Aug. 22, '62. 

Thompson, Lorin F., age 19, en- 
listed Aug. 5, '62; mustered in 
Sept, 1, 62; discharged June 24, '65. 

Wade, Stephen, age 27; enlisted 
Dec. 6, 61; mustered in Feb. 12, 
'62; died Aug. 11, '62, 

Walker, Horace, age 43; enlisted 
Dec. 7, '61; mustered in Feb. 12, 
62; died Aug. 4, 1862, 

Whitcomb, Orrin L., age 30; en- 
listed May 21, 61; mustered in 
June 20/61 ; discharged June 17/62. 

Whitman, Edwin H,, aged 25; 
mustered in June 20, '61; trans- 
ferred to Invalid Corps; no record of 
discharge. 

Winship, Charles J., age 18; en- 
listed Aug. 1, 62; mustered Sept 
1, '62; discharged May 15, '65. 

Woodcock, Hiram, age 24; enlist- 
ed May 11, 61; mustered June 20, 
'61; died Oct 16, '62. 

Abbott, Abial S., age 27; enlisted 
Dec. 26, '63; mustered in Dec. 29, 
'63; Absent without leave, Aug. 31, 
64. 

Abbott, Charles, age 34; enlisted 
Nov. 17, '63: mustered in Dec. 29, 
63; died Nov. 5, 64. 

Albee, Justin V., age 18; enlisted 
Dec. 30, '63; mustered Jan. 5, '64; 
discharged June 25, '65. 

Campbell, Abner T., age 44; en* 
listed Nov. 30, '63; mustered in 
Dec, 17, 63; died Feb. 15, 64. 

Covey, Joseph N., age 37; enlisted 
Dec. L 63; mustered in Jan. 5, '64; 
discharged Dec. 1, 65. 

Greeley, Cyrus A., age 26; en- 
listed Nov. 16, 63; mustered in 
Dec. 29, '63; discharged Feb. 25, '65. 

Griswold, Collins R,, aged 22; en- 
listed Nov. 16, '63; mustered in 
Dee. 29, '63; discharged July 13/65. 




28 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



Holden, Harrison* age 38; enlist- 
ed Nov. 16, 63; mustered in Dec, 
3, *63; no record of discharge. 

Kelley, Anson A., age 21 ; enlist- 
ed Jan, 1, *64; mustered in Jan. 1, 
64; discharged Aug, 9, *65. 

Walker, Horace P,, age 18; en- 
listed Jan. 4, 64; discharged Aug. 
25, 65. 

Whitman, Ora 0., age 18; en- 
listed Dec. 30, *63; mustered in 
Jan. 5, *64; discharged July 18, *65. 

Wright. Orrin W., age 18; enlist- 
ed Nov. 17, *63; mustered in Dec. 
1, *63; discharged June 28, 65. 

. Bailey, George E., age 18; enlist- 
ed Aug. 19, *64; mustered in Aug, 
19, *64; discharged June 28, *65. 

. Baldwin, Andrew, age 28, enlist- 
ed Aug. 13; *64; mustered in Aug. 
16, *64; discharged June 24, *65. 

Barnard, Lucius M,, age 19; en- 
listed Aug, 9, *64; mustered in 
Sept. 1/64; discharged June 15/65. 

Earnum, Cortez L., age 21; en- 
listed Aug, 9, *64; mustered in 

Aug. 9, *64; discharged June 24/65. 

Goddard, David B., age 19; en- 
listed and mustered in Aug. 9, *64; 
discharged June 24, *65. 

Howard, George A., age 18; en- 
listed Aug. 29, *62; mustered in 
Oct. 23, *62; discharged Aug. 10, 
*63; re-enlisted, Aug, 9, *64; dis- 
charged June 15, 65, 

Howe, Zeno D., age 18; enlisted 
and mustered in Aug, 15, *64; dis- 
charged June 24, *65. 

. Kinsghury, Loren, age 42; enlist- 
ed and mustered in Aug. 31, *64; 
discharged, June 13, *65. 

Davis, Hymenus, age 20; enlisted 
and mustered in July 5, *64; dis- 
charged June 28, *65. 

Adams, Geo. W., age 22; enlisted 
Aug. 29, *62; mustered in Oct, 23, 
*62; discharged Aug. 10, 63. 

Whitman, Martin I)., age 28; en- 
listed Aug. 29, mustered Oct, 23, 
’62; discharged Aug. 10, *63. 

Perry, Daniel W., age 18; enlisted 
Aug. 29; and mustered in Oct. 23, 
’62; died Dec. 31, *62. 

Stuart, Charles W,, age 19, enlist- 
ed Aug. 29; mustered in Oct, 23, 
*62, discharged Aug. 10, *63. 



Allen, Joseph, age 20; enlisted 
Aug, 29, *62; mustered in Oct. 23, 
*62; re-enlisted Mar. 5, *65; dis- 
charged July 15, *65. 

Arnold, Samuel D., age 21; en- 
listed Aug. 29, *62; mustered Oct. 
23, *62; discharged Aug. 10, *63. 

Bennett, Jacob W,, age 28; en- 
listed Aug, 29, *62; mustered Oct, 
23, *62; discharged Peb. 2, *63. 

Davis, Daniel W., age 18; enlisted 
Aug. 29/62; mustered Oct. 23, *62; 
discharged Aug. 10, *63. 

Pierce, Sem Jr,, age 36; enlisted 
and mustered and discharged do. 

Rugg, Elijah E., age 22; do. 

Shumway, Albert A., age 22; do. 

Vi alls, Josephus, age 31; do. 

Wait, Dexter, age 24; do. 

Wheeler, Calvin R , age 20; do. 

White, John D., aged 22; do. 

Gleason, Daniel W., age 24; draft- 
ed July 31, *63; discharged Jan. 
23, *64. 

Lanman, John T., age 30; draft- 
ed July 13, *63; discharged June 
26, *65. 

Tenney, Whitney, age 26; drafted 
J uly 21/63; discharged July 15, *65. 

Ball, Wallace I)., age 21; enlisted 
March 7, *65; mustered March 18, 
*65; discharged May 12, *65. 

Buxton, Willard, age 24; enlisted 
and mustered in March 7, 65; dis- 
charged July 24, *65. 

Coomes, Edmund G, No record 
but his name. 

Dowling, William, age 23; enlisted 
and mustered in March 21, *65; de- 
serted May 31, *65. 

Howe, Prank, age 18; enlisted and 
mustered in Mar. 23, *65; dis- 
charged June, 26/65. 

Patterson, Samuel, age 42; enlist- 
ed and mustered in March 16, *65; 
discharged July 15, *65. 

Quimby, Henry R., age 30; enlist- 
ed and mustered in March 21, ’65; 
discharged July 14, *65, 

POST OFFICE. 

The first post-office in town was 
located on Arnold hill, about one 
mile west of the village, and was es- 
tablished in March 25, 1823, with 
Samuel P. Arnold, postmaster. 



LONDONDERRY. 



29 



Since that time the following per- 
sons have held the office, the date of 
their commissions being given: 

Luther Stowell, Aug. 10, 1825. 

David 0. Stowell, Dec. 11, 1828. 

Sylvester W. Sheldon, May 14/33. 

Alexander Leland, April 20, *36. 

Peter Dudley, May 10, M2. 

Orrin Curtis, Dec. 7, ’48. 

Luther Stowell, Sept. 4, ’49. 

Jonathan B. Wyman, May 23/50. 

Nathaniel Curtis, Sept. 26, Ml. 

Josiah Stowell, Mar. 1, 552. 

Niles Aldrich, Dec. 17, ’52. 

Barnet S. Wait, Oct. 11, M3. 

Henry A. Howe, Sept. 27, ’54. 

Isaac W. Gibson, May 19, Mo. 

Ohas. F. Newell, Dec. 18, M5. 

Thomas Lyman, Dec. 24, M6. 

Albert S. Hayward, Dec. 31, M9. 

David Arnold, Oct. 18, Ml. 

Fred M. Leonard, Mar. 8, Ml. 

Alonzo A. Curtis, June 2, M3. 

Will A. Childs, Sept. 11, M9. 

The postoffice at the south village 
was established Sept. 20, 1852, with 
Hiram Porter as postmaster. Since 
that time the following have held 
the office: 

Frederick W. Marsh, Aug. 30/53. 

John L. Pierce, Aug. 31, ML 

Seth L. Randall, Mar. 23, M8. 

Geo. G. Smith, Dec. 14, M9. 

Frank M. Wood, Aug. 27, M5. 

Henry W. Goddard, Jan. 9, M6. 

Henry P. Chase, May 16, M9. 

Mr. Porter, who now resides in 
Hinsdale, N. H., kept the office in 
the room now occupied by the town 
clerk. Mr. Porter only held the 
office about one year. Mr. Marsh, 
now of Chester, removed the office 



to the store of Pierce & Marsh on 
the site of the present office. Mr. 
Pierce, now of Fitchburg, and v T ho 
succeeded Mr. Marsh, continued the 
office in this store till about the close 
of the w r ar when he removed it to 
Ms residence, the brich house, where 
it remained till he resigned. Mr. 
Randall removed the office to the 
store again. When Mr. Smith suc- 
ceeded to the office, he removed it 
to his present store where he kept it 
for 16 years. Mr. Wood was ap- 
pointed and continued the office in 
this location till Mr. Goddard re- 
moved it to the Chase store, where 
it remains to-day under Mr. Chase. 

BEAR STORY. 

Some 68 years ago a man by the 
name of David Hazen, had a fearful 
encounter with a bear which result- 
ed in the loss of one arm, and must 
have been the cause of a terrible 
death to Mr. Hazen, but for the 
timely assistance of his son David, 
a lad of but twelve years. The 
hear had Mr. Hazen on his back, 

! with one hand and a portion of the 
arm in his mouth, when the father’s 
cry of “come quick David” brought 
the son to his assistance just in time 
to save his life. Nahum Goddard, 
grandfather of the late M. H. God- 
dard of Ludlow, soon appeared on 
the scene, hut the bear had received 
his death wound from young David. 
This incident occured in what is 
now the sugar orchard owned by 
Harry Pierce, near the foot of the 
mountain in the east part of the 
town. 




THE HISTORY 



OF 

Windham of Windham County. 

BY MRS. LUCY B. WOOD. 



WINDHAM. 

WINDHAM IN LONDONDERRY. 

The town of Londonderry which 
then embraced Windham was chartered 
by the State of New York, Feb. 13, 
1770, • and to this town belongs the 
history of Windham while included 
in said town. 

The first settlers came to London- 
derry m 1773, James Rogers, James 
Patterson, Samuel Thompson, Edward 
Aiken, James McCormick, and John 
Wood bum. The three last named were 
the first settlers of Windham. They I 
purchased their lands for three or four 
English shillings per acre. 

In the north part of the town, 1773, 
Edward Aiken commenced clearing 
his farm with the help of a hired man* 
In August, he was taken sick in his 
shanty; nine miles from his nearest 
neighbor. “He found the means of in- 
forming his wife at Londonderry, N. 
H. She getting upon her horse with 
her youngest child in her arms sought 
and found her husband's sick-bed; — 
through an almost trackless wilderness 
of a hundred miles ; the last eight of 
which were followed by marked trees. 

She brought with her health and 
strength, and after a few weeks, her 



husband regained his health, and she 
returned to her family in the same way 
that she eame. v In the character of 
Mrs. Aiken we discover all the traits 
which so conspicuously shine in a noble 
hearted, firm- minded woman ; courage 
and perseverance to surmount the dffi- 
cult obstacles in the way of duty, 
prompted by conjugal affection and 
maternal love. 

Mr. Aiken remained on his farm to 
clear of the chopping, sow the grain 
and drag it in. On the first of Novem- 
I her, this was all accomplished, except 
the dragging in which they purposed 
to do the next day ; but the next morn- 
ing, eight inches of snow covered the 
ground. The hired man was dismiss- 
ed, the oxen were taken to their win- 
ter quarters, the pack strapped to the 
Deacon's shoulders, and he returned 
through slush and snow, once more to 
his old home in New Hampshire. 

Early, the next spring, he returned 
to Vermont accompanied by his son, 
Peter, and his daughter, > Naomi, they 
arrived at his settlement the day that 
Peter was ten years old. His sister was 
nearly twelve. They found the shanty 
safe ; the unharrowed grain, growing 
finely ; and having hired a man to work 



6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



alternate weeks through the season (the 
other half of the time the man worked 
for Mr. Utley, ten or twelve mil*s dis- 
tant, ) he left these two children in this 
vast wilderness to be gone sis weeks 
to Londonderry, N. H. At the expira- 
ration of this time, he returned with 
his own and several other families ; and 
Windham, then Londonderry, was per- 
manently settled. Mr. Aiken built a log 
house a little north of where the house 
now owned by Widow Aiken stands, 
and afterwards a framed one on the 
same premises. Soon after they came 
here, Mr. Aiken and a relative of the 
same name, built a saw-mill near Derry 
pond. They sawed the lumber for two 
houses; one for each. A fire broke out 
near by and destroyed the mill and the 
lumber, and the erection of their houses 
was retarded. 

Col. James Rogers and Edward Ai- 
ken were members of that memorable 
Convention which met at Dorset Sep. 

25, 1776 : — The birthday 

of Vermont. 

Edward Aiken was the first repre- 
sentative from this town, and a mem- 
ber of the first legislature, which as- 
sembled, Mar. 12, 1778. He represen- 
ted the town from this year to 1795, 
except one year when John Burnap 
was representative. 

In 1795, James Rogers, Jr. pe tinn- 
ed to the legislature to grant Mm one 
half the land in the town, which re- 
mained unsold. His petition was gran- 
ted. The next year, he petitioned for 
the other half ailedging, that if it was 
ricrht For him to have one half,, it was 
right that he should have the whole. 
This petition, also, was granted. 

In this year, a petition was present- 
ed to the legislature to divide the town 
of Londonderry. Oct. 22, 1795, an 



act passed the legislature incorporating 
the east part of Londonderry and 
Mack’s Leg into a new town called 

WINDHAM, 

It took its name from Windham, N. 
H. which was taken from Londonder- 
ry N. H. 1742. And the name of 
Windham, N. H. was taken from one 
of that name similarly situated in re- 
lation to Londonderry in Ireland. The 
inhabitants were called Scotch Irish and 
claimed they were possessors of the 
better qualities of both the Scotch and 
the Irish. 

The records of the town from its first 
settlement to J79J, are nearly all lost. 
It is recorded that Robert Me Cormick 
was town clerk, Rufus Thayer, consta- 
ble, Peter Aiken, James Mack and 
Abial Whitmen were selectmen. Mr* 
Doming says in his Appendix of Ver- 
mont Officers, “It is not supposed that 
these were the first officers appointed, 
but that the early records have gone a 
journey and have forgotten to return 

Windham is bounded N. by Ando- 
ver, E. by Grafton, S. E. by Towns- 
hend, S, and S. W. by Jamaica and W. 
by Londonderry. 

The town is uneven ; the water is 
pure and the soil is better adapted to 
grazing than to raising grain. When 
the land was first cleared, wheat and 
rye were raised in abundance; but nei- 
ther has been profitable for many years. 

The trees of the forest are much the 
same as in neighboring towns; pine 
timber not plenty, but the spruce abun- 
dant. The sugar maple so much pris- 
ed for making sugar is more used for 
shade than any other tree. 

The inhabitants are very industrious 
and frugal. There are very few who 
are wealthy, and not many who are 
very poor: They have, generally, 



WINDHAM, 



7 



enough to be comfortable, and some- 
thing to spare for the support of pub- 
lie institutions. There are a few me- 
chanics, but we live mostly by farm- 
ing. * 

The people of this town have always 
given much attention to the means of 
education. 

. COMMON SCHOOLS 

were established very early in every 
neighborhood. Before the inhabitants 
were able to build good school-houses, 
their summer schools were kept in 
barns- When the haying season com- 
menced, they either had a vacation a 
few weeks, or moved the school into 
the empty stable, which they converted 
into a school-room. They fitted up for 
the winter school some old log-house, 
or spared a room in some dwelling- 
house. 

The first school in the Centre Dis- 
trict was kept by 

MISS FATTY KLLINGWOOD. 

It was a summer school and it was 
kept in a log-house. 

The first schoolmaster of Windham 
was 

AMOS EMORY, 

who kept the first winter school in 
town, (date unknown.) 

The most of our teachers, who have 
not completed their education at the 
common school have preferred high 
schools or academies to a boarding 
school. We have very few who have 
received regular instruction and taken 
diplomas. 

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION. 

Before coming to this wilderness, the 
first settlers had been a church-going 
people and felt the importance of relig- 
ious instruction. Having no stated 



preaching, or house to meet in, they 
occasionly hired a minister a few sab- 
baths and held their meetings in Judge 
Aiken’s barn, which was near the cen- 
tre of the town. I distinctly remember 
of hearing Rev. Mr. Carlton preach, 
when I was a child, and seeing women 
with heavy silk dresses and long trains 
such as were worn in the last century 
come in over the rough barn floor mak- 
ing a sound like distant rain. 

In the south part of the town and 
corner of Jamaica, Elder Combs, a 
Baptist minister, preached occasionly, 
and, I have heard my father speak of 
having heard Elder Stoddard, a Bap- 
tist Elder, preach after he came to 
Vermont. 

Those who lived too far from meet- 
ing to walk, used to ride on horse-back. 
It has been facetiously said that a man 
on a horse with a grandchild in his 
arms and his son or daughter on the 
horse behind him, imposed the burden 
of three generations upon one horse. 

Thomas Jefferson married a rich 
widow; after the ceremony, his wife 
mounted the horse behind him and 
rode to his residence. It was the gen- 
eral and fashionable way of riding then. 
Pillions, faetened to the back part of 
the saddle were much used and very 
easy to ride upon. 

With the hope of obtaining such a 
divisiou of this town and other towns, 
adjoining as to bring the north part of 
Windham the centre of one town and 
the south part, the centre of another 
town, the inhabitants at the north part 
raised a subscription in 1799, to build 
a meeting-house. It was raised in the 
summer of 1801, in the north part of 
the town, between the settlements of 
Mr. E. Aiken and Mr. J, Woodbhrn. 



8 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MA GAZINE. 



The house was 54 ft, by 22 ; posts, 
height, 25 ft. It was inclosed, but nev- 
er finished. 

It is said that workmen were hired 
for 4 s. per day. I suppose it meant car- 
penters. Not succeeding in the antici- 
pated division of the town, the next j 
year, 1802, the meeting-house waseree. j 
ted at the Middle of the Town. 

In this house there were, originally, 
25 proprietors. One poor man, who 
could hardly support his family, sub- 
ecribed $15. He made salts in the 
woods and carried them to Towns- 
hend ( we had no trader in town then) 
to pay his subscription. 

Within a year from this time, meet- 
ings were held in this house. A car- 
penter's bench was used for a stand, 
and rough boards for seats. 

The first sermon delivered here was 
by Rev. William Hall of Grafton. In 
1825, the house was finished at an ex- 
pense of $ 1000, and the next year was 
painted white, cost $ 228. 

Rev. Phi lotus Clark preached the 
dedication sermon. The pews were 
sold at auction, and Major Aiken and 
Captain Stearns bid off the two highest 
pews at $ 50, each. 

To show the price then of produce 
and labor, I will here copy the 

4 4 DIRECTIONS TO THE COMMITTEE 

at a school-meeting, 1798; To hire a 
Mistress at 3 s. per week and pay her 
in salts at 20 s. per hundred, or butter 
at 9d. per pound, or wheat at 3s. 3d. 
per bushel, or rye at 4s, per bushel, or 
corn at 3s. per bushel.” 

From this time the circumstances 
and manner of doing business changed 
very rapidly. In 1807, the writer of 
this sketch commenced teaching school. 



One dollar a week was the common 
price, and nothing said about any oth- 
er pay but money. Previous, it was so 
difficult to turn country produce into 
money that in almost all matters of 
| trade of any amount where notes were 
given they were to be paid in neat 
stock. For small articles at the store, 
butter, flax and tow cloth were received 
in exchange. For many years wool 
has been a great article of trade. 

THE TRADERS 

in the South part of the town, as near 
as I can remember, have been ; Ware 
Aldrich, Francis, Sawyer, Cobb, Hunt- 
ington, Jones, Phillips, Burton, Pierce 
and J, E. Whipple, who is the present 
trader. (1868 ) 

Some years since, Thomas Evans 
had a store by the grist-mill, about a 
mile south from the Middle of the 
Town. In the West part of the Town, 
Ebenezer S to well had a store. 

The store-keepers, I reccollect in the 
North part ef the Town were : Wil- 
kins, Cheney, Fitch, Goodrich, and 
Barrett m the Middle of the Town. 

William Harris, and William Har- 
ris, Jun. are the present, [186SJfirm 
of traders at the Middle of the Town. 

THE BAPTIST CHURCH 

was organized, Jan. 12, 1807;. Octo- 
ber 20th the same year, Thomas Baker 
was ordained their pastor and remain- 
ed with them about 10 years. Their 
meeting-house, of brick, in the South 
part of the Town, was built in 1825, 

This church has since Mr. Baker, 
been served by the following pastors 

Rev Samuel Kingsbury, 1816; 

Rev. Milo Frary, 1837 : 

Rev, Manoah D. Miller, 1840 ; 

Rev. Charles II. Green, 1844: 



WINDHAM, 9 



Rev. William L. Picknall, 1855: 

* Rev. Elliot P. Merrifield, 1859-: 
Rev. George 0. Atkinson, 1863 : 

Rev, Mark Carpenter, 1868 : 

DEACONS OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH, 

Deacon David Bennet: 

,, Calvin Barrett: 

,, Isaac Fisher: 

?s Daniel Whitman : 

METHODISTS. 

The Methodists have never had a 
house of public worship in town; but 
have held their meetings in private 
dwellings and in school-houses. I can 
find no records of their church, 

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

In a town-meeting holden, April 12, 
1797, the town voted to lease out the 
ministerial land by a desirable lease 
“ while wood grows and water runs.” 
Also to raise four cents a pound on 
the polls and ratable estate, to hire 
preaching the ensuing year, to be asses- 
sed on the invoice of 1797, 

u Voted that Dea. John Woodburn, 
Nehetniah Pierce and John Burnap be 
a committee to procure a candidate. 

We find no church record from this 
time until 1805, when the Cougrega- 
tional church was organized. After its 
organization, before Mr. Lawton was 
settled. Mr. Field, a licentiate, whq 
afterwards became a lawyer, preached 
in* the Congregational house. 

Mr. Gaius Con ant was another, and 
Rev. Phineas Randall, neither of whom 
was willing to settle over so small a 
congregation, 

JOHN LAWTON 

of Barnard was ordained over this 
church, Oct, 4, 1809, The ordination 



sermon was preached by the Rev, Mr. 
Preston of Rupert. 

When the church was organized, 
Edward Aiken, John Burnap, Jona- 
than Brintnall, John ’ Aiken, Anna 
Aiken, and Nabby Burnap were the 
first members. 

Candace Burnap was soon after ad- 
mitted by letter from the church in 
Royalston, Mass. Under the preaching 
of Mr, Randall there were a number 
that obtained a hope and united with 
the church. 

Mr. Randall was dismissed, Novem- 
ber 1819. He remained with us ten 
years which entitled him to the parson- 
age. 

[rev,] sklaii r. arms 
was ordained, January 1825; was dis- 
missed in June 1834; returned in Jan- 
uary 1836 ; dismissed, lastly, in 1849. 

[rev.] NATHANIEL PINE 
commenced his ministerial labors here 
and occupied the year between the two 
ministrations of Rev. Mr. Arms. 

[rev.] REUBEN HATCH 
commenced preaching in Windham in 
May 1849; ordained, January 1850; 
dismissed, September 1851. 

[rev] ROYAL PARKINSON 
began to preach in Windham, March 
1852 ; remained the pastor 2 years, 

[rev.] GEORGES. KEMP 

was ordained, February 1856; dis- 
missed, April 1860. 

[REV.] STEPHEN HARRIS, 

ordained in October 1861, remained 
8 years. 

DEACONS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL 
CHURCH : 

Deacon Edward Aiken : 

“ John Woodburn: 




10 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Deacon John Burnap : 

‘ • James Mc Cormick : 
‘ ‘ Luther Stowell : 
u Zacheus Bern is; 

“ Edward R. Aiken : 

“ John Woodbury : 
u Harvey Burnap : 

“ Hart B. Abbot : 

“ AsaT. Gould: 
Charles Hastings. 



OUR REPRESENTATIVES. 

THE AIKENS. 

In 1797, James Aiken was appoint- 
ed justice of the peace; and the next 
year, John Aiken, town clerk and jus- 
tice of the peace, which offices he held 
for 20 years. 

James Aiken was appointed County 
Judge, 1808. The next year his broth- 
er, John succeeded him and held the 
office 5 years. 

John and James Aiken were sons of 
Deacon Edward Aiken, the former 
married Miss Gregg of Londonderry, 
a very worthy woman and a fine sing- 
er. They lived at the Centre of the 
Town. The several families of Aikens, 
Woodburns, Macks and Persons with 
their descendants and others where 
there were only one or two in the fam- 
ily who could sing, made our social 
nfee tings much more interesting than 
they otherwise would have been. 

John Aiken was our first represent- 
ative and represented the town 8 years. 
He removed with his family more than 
twenty years since to Pennsylvania 
where he died. 

James Aiken married a girl in Put- 
ney and moved to Boston; is now 
dead. 



LUTHER STOWELL 

represented the town in 1814, and 45v 
He came from Guilford to Windham 
in 1800. 

AMOS EMORY 

next represented the town the three 
following years: 1815, 46, 47 and 
was appointed justice of the peace. 
He came from Dublin, N. H. about 
the first of the century. Mr. E. again 
represented the town in 1826, ‘27. 

BENJAMIN PIERCE 

represented the town the next 6 years, 
and was appointed justice of the peace. 
He settled in this town in 1782, from 
Westmoreland, N, H. His settlement 
was in the southeast part of the town. 
Abial Whitman came about the same 
time and settled near him. Mr. Pierce 
also represented the town three years 
after the next representative. 

DANIEL COBB 

represented the town in 1828, ‘29, ‘30. 
He lived in the south part of the town. 
He was the son of Col. Dan’ l Cobb, who 
came to this town from Westmorland, 
N. H. about 1790. He and his brother, 
David, settled on a rise of ground in 
the west part of the town which was 
familiarly known as Cobh Hill. He 
had many poor men settled around 
him. He had a plenty and used to assist 
them. His wife, also, was benevolent 
and helped those who were needy. — 
The Colonel was noted for agility and 
muscular strength. 

TIMOTHY SHERWIN 

from Chelmsford, Mass, had a large 
and respectable family. He located N. 
E. from the. Middle of the Town. The 
most of his children died in early life 
with consumption. He represented the 
town two years and died soon after- 
wards. 



WINDHAM, 



11 



HARVEY BURNAP 

lived in the west part of the town, the 
son of Thomas Burnap who moved from 
Brookfield, Mass, the first of the cen- 
tury, and lived near his brother, John, 
about 2 miles south of the Centre. He 
represented the town one year and af- 
erwards removed to Townshend. 

LEVI KIMBALL 

represented the town two or three years. 
He lived in the East part of the town. 

His father, Capt M. Kimball, originat- 
ed from Massachusetts and was an ear- 
ly settler. The family are celebrated 
for their musical talent. The repre- 
sentative who was ktiowo as Colonel 
Kimball, was several years chorister 
in the choir. Several years since, he 
moved to Westminster where he and 
his wife both died. 

JASON D. JONES, 

who represented the town 5 years. He 
was a kinsman of Richard Kelley, 
who moved from Dummerston to the 
Centre in 1801. In 1805, he was chose 
a justice of the peace and held the 
office 29 years, until he became blind. 
In 1818, he was chosen town clerk and 
served till 1829. He was a natural poet 
and used to amuse himself after he was 
blind by writing acrostics and rhymes. 
He v rote the history of his life in verse 
after he was blind. He died in Febru- 
ary 1849. 

LYMAN COBB, 

brother *of Daniel Cobb, was represen- 
tative one year. 

SIMEON PIERCE, 

brother of Benjamin Pierce, was rep- 
resentative two years. 

Of those that have represented the 
town since 1830, 1 have no record, I 
remember them all, but may not get 
them probably in close order. 



1)AVII> P. ROBBINS 

who lives in the south part of Wind- 
ham representd the town 2 years. His 
father came from Guilford, here,, in 
1800. 

CLARK STEARNS 

represented the town 2 years. His fa- 
ther, Capt. James Stearns, lived in the 
East part of the town; came from War- 
wick, Mass, and was one of the first 
selectmen. 

STEPHEN HARRIS. 

Rev. Stephen Harris, the Congrega- 
tional minister represented the town 
two years. 

AS AH EL UPHAM, 

in 1868, represented the town, one 
year. He is the son of Jonathan Up- 
ham who lives in the West part of the 
town. His father was one of the first 
settlers. 

WILLI A M HARRIS, 

born in Brattleboro, Nov. 8, 1797; 
moved to Windham in 1823 ; and was 
town clerk and treasurer 23 years ; jus- 
tice of the peace 40 years ; assistant- 
judge of the County court 5 years, rep- 
resented the town 6 years ; was mem- 
ber of the State senate two years and 
is now, [1868,] president of the West 
River National Bank. 

WILLIAM HARRIS, Jr. 

son of Judge William Harris, has rep- 
resented the town 5 years, and been 
State senator 4 years ; and for nearly 
20 years, has been first selectman, and 
overseer of the poor. 

HOLLIS STOWELL 

who lives a little south of the Centre, 
was representative 2 years. 

POSTMASTERS : 

JOHN AIKEN was the. first postmaster 
in town, and the second was 




12 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



DAVID WOODBURN, 

son of John Woodburn, the first set- 
tler in town. David Woodbum remov- 
ed to Underhill in the north part of 
the State, and died there. 

LEMUEL ABBOTT, I 



chusetts in the early part of the pres- 
ent century. 

John Woodburn, son of John Wood- 
burn, Sen. 

James White who came from Marl- 
boro, N. H. and his son, Elijah White. 



the third postmaster, was the son of 
Lemuel Abbott, Sen. one of the first 
settlers, and came from Lyndsboro, N. 
H. in 1796. 

WILLIAM HARRIS. 

succeeded Mr. Abbott as postmaster at 
Windham, and 

NORMAN W. WOOD 

succeeded Postmaster Harris in the 
postoffice, 

HENRY JONES, 

Son of Jason D Jones, was our next 
postmaster and next to the last, 

GEORGE STAFFORD, 

who is the present postmaster at the 
Centre of the town. 

David Woodburn and Lemuel Ab- 
bott lived so far from the Centre of 
the town they were obliged 'to have an 
assistant, Joseph Wood was their as- 
sistant several years. Afterwards, Ze- 
nas H. Upham was assistant postmas- 
ter. 

In 1852, N. W. Wood was appointed 
and kept the office with the exception 
of a few months, until he moved to 
Chester in 1862. Dr. Dutton accepted 
the office for a few months, and after 
his death it was returned to N. W. 
Wood. 

George Davis is the postmaster in 
North Windham, and Asa Smith m 
South Windham, at the present time. 

THE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE 



Essra Pierce, son of Nehemiah, who 
came from Westmorland, N. H. in 
1792, : George Dutton, Zenas H. Up- 
ham : 

Timothy Burton who was a justice 
of the peace more than forty years ago 
and retained the office until his death: 
Joseph Wood who came from Wood- 
stock in 1825, Was justice more than 
20 years, until he^eft town. 

physicians. 

Dr. Eli Tyler, Dr. Britton, Dr. 
Boyden, Dr. Gates, Dr. Silas Clark, 
Dr. Barber Dr. Randall Clark, Dr. 
John Austin, botanical doctor ; Dr, 
Asa Bigelow, Dr. William A. Chapin, 
Dr. Hannibal Jacobs, Dr. William H. 
Dutton, and Dr. George Spafford, 
present physician, 1868. 

DR. GEORGE SPAFFORD 

was born in Weathersfield. He studied 
in Albany, N. Y, commenced practice 
in Windham in 1860 ; received a com- 
mission as surgeon of the 16th Reg. 
Vt. Vols. in the fall of 1 862 ; discharg- 
ed at Brattleboro in the fall of 1863.. 

TIMOTHY BURTON, M. D. 
son of Timothy Burton and grandson 
of Benjamin Pierce, is now a practic- 
ing physician in New York, Iowa. 

WARREN FAY, M. D. 

son of Reuben, an early settler in the 
North part of the town, is now, (1868] 
a practicing physician in Pavillion, 
N. Y. 



not before mentioned are Samuel God- 1 lawyers: We have never had a 

dard, who came from Grange, Massa- resident lawyer in town. 




WINDHAM. 



13 



Clark II. Chapman, a native of this 
town — [See paper after this record of 
Wind ham, from Mr. Chapman.] 

Eliza Chapman, his sister, a native 
of Windham, is the wife of Frederick 
C. Robbins, A tty. at law, Ludlow. 

AZRO EMORY 

of Missouri, a son of Amos Emoryi 
and Jerome Fierce, educated at Anti- 
och, Ohio is attorney at law in Spring- 
field, this State. 

WELLS A. BE MIS, 

educated at Oberlin, O. son of Aaron 
Bern is of this town ; his location is not 
known. 

EDUCATIONAL 

Of those who have received a col- ! 
legiate education, Samuel C. Aiken j 
son of Nathaniel and grandson of the 
first settler, Edward. His mother was 
Betsy Clark of Londonderry, N, H. 
She had one brother and three sisters 
in Boston with whom she spent most 
of her time. Her son furnished me 
with the following Revolutionary an- 
necdote : 

When the British took possession of 
the town of Boston none of the inhab- 
itants were allowed to leave the town. 
By some means, however, his mother 
escaped and went directly to the Amer- 
ican army, stationed in Cambridge, 
under General Washington. The Gen- 
eral inquired of her about the* state of 
things in Boston, and then asked her 
where she was going. She told him 
to Londonderry, He told her she was 
young and it was dangerous for her to 
go alone and unprotected and he gave 
her an escort. He said he mentioned 
this to show Washington was not only 
a great general, but a real gentlemen, 
and would condescend to provide for 
an unprotected woman in the midst of 
urgent business. 



SAMUEL CLARK AIKEN 

graduated at Middle bury College in 
1814 and immediately went to Ando- 
ver Theological Seminary for 3 years. 
He was settled in Utica, N. Y. and re- 
mained about 20 years, and then went 
to Cleavland, Ohio, where he has now 
lived 30 years; but his health has fail- 
ed so that he has not preached for sev- 
eral years. He is considered an emi- 
nently pious man. His personal appear- 
ance is august and venerable, and dis- 
position mild and aimable. In the prime 
of life, he had a brilliant imagination, 
and a well-cultivated mind. His voice 
was musical and his gestures were im- 
pressive. His younger brother, 

EDWARD AIKEN, 

i graduaetd the next year after him, at 
Middlebury. I can not better^describe 
him than by an obituary notice of his 
death : 

“Died at Tallehasse, Florida, Bro. 
Edward Aiken, aged 35. At the age 
of 19, he graduated * * * * while at 
college he made a profession of relig- 
ion. After residing a few years in Vir- 
ginia and the State of New York, and 
suitable preparation, he entered upon 
the practice of his profession in Utica, 
N.Y. * * A pulmonary attack com- 
pelled him to resort to a milder climate. 
He visited the Inland of Cuba and af- 
ter some months there, returned to his 
native land with health much improv- 
ed, but fearing to encounter the vigor 
of a Northern winter, lie removed to 
Tallehasse, FL wdiere he married and a 
year after died in the sweet consola- 
tions of the gospel. 

Possessed of a disposition uncom- 
monly even and aimable ; and from a 
child, he seldom failed to secure the 
confidence and love of all who knew 
him. He was a little reserved, at the 




14 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



same time affectionate and affable. As 
a physician he was kind, attentive, ju- 
deious; as a Christian, he was exem- 
plary and uniform. 

LXJKE BOWEN 

of Putney; but had been a resident of 
Windham several years before he en- 
tered college. While at Middleburyi 
where he graduated in 1816, he made 
a profession of religion and prepared 
for the ministry. After he was licens- 
ed to preach, he left this region, and 
nothing more is known of him. 

HENRY: L. AIKEN 

graduated at Middlebury in 1821. His 
father, Peter Aiken, lived with his pa* 
rents until their death. In 1796, he 
married Betsy Goodhue only daughter 
of Rev. Josiah Goodhue of Putney: 
as a mbther and a Christian, she had 
few equals, and still less superiors. She 
had 6 children, all believing in Christ. 

Her oldest daughter married Silas 
Barrett. She had 5 children; two are 
now living in Louisiana. Her son, 

HENRY LOCKE AIKEN, 

in 1840, married Emily L. Robins of 
Jamaica: children, Edward, Henry, 
Ellen K. They reside in Saratoga, N. 
Y. Her son, 

EDWARD RODNEY AIKEN, 

married Caroline Bliss. He owned the 
old Aiken farm and occupied it till his 
death, and left it after his wife's death 
to be equally divided to the A. B. C. F. 
M . and the Home Missionary Society. 
Her daughter, 

MARGARET LAURA AIKEN, 

joined the Choctaw Mission in 1853, 
and spent the rest of her life there. 
She gave the most of her property to 
that mission, and her remains rest in 
Choctaw soil. 



Her daughter, Mary Ann, married 
William Arms and has lived in various 
places in Wisconsin and Illinois. She 
has had 4 children. Josiah, the young- 
est, married Emma Parker of Putney 
Thej had 6 children. After living 
some time in Putney, Mr. Arms re- 
moved to Wisconsin where he died. — 
f am indebted to H. L. Aiken for the 
history of the Aiken family, and many 
facts relating to the first settlement of 
the town. 

Mary Gibson and Margaret Aiken, 
daughters of Nathaniel, died in 1853. 
They were members of the Congrega- 
ional church many years, of whom it 
may he said “Blessed are the dead that 
die in the Lord." 

Calvin Aiken died in 1841. 

Jesse ,, ,, ,, 1860. 

Jesse had one daughter married to 
Darius Williams of Chester. 

David Aiken, the only survivor in 
this family, has one son, William L, 
who lives in Grafton, and 4 daughters, 
Mrs. Hines, Mrs. Heald, Mrs, Saw- 
yer, Mrs. Edson, — very interesting 
women ; the worthy descendants of the 
pioneer George, A younger brother, 
GEORGE C. AIKEN, 

died in Blakely, Ga. in 1853, where he 
had practiced medicine awhile, though 
when he left home it was more for his 
health than any other object. 

THE AUTUMN DAYS. 

By G. 0. Aiken. 

They are coming, they are coming, the sweet 
autumn days, 

And around me October’s pure, mellow light 
plays, 

And T feel as I walk in these still twilight 
hours, 

How they sleep in their graves, summer’s 
gentle, young flowers. 

The birch tree is donning its modest tint veil, 
And the elm tree stands stately with aspect so 
pale, * 




WINDHAM. 



15 



And the white maple glimmers the wood, 
thicket through. 

In its deep dyes of crimson and rich purple 
hue. 

The dry husk is shrunk on the bright, yellow 
corn, 

And the bee winds but faintly her soft mellow 
horn ; 

And I know by the haze light that over me- 
plays, 

They are coming, they are coming, pale au 
tumn days. 

THE B URN A P FAMILY. 

In 1788 or 9, John and Uriah Bur- 
nap, natives of Sutton, Mass, purchas- 
ed a farm in the eoroer of Jamaica that 
joins Windham, and built a log-house 
upon it. In 1790, John married Can, 
<laee Bliss of Royalston, Mass and in 
1792, moved upon a farm which is 
now about two miles south of the 
Centre of Windham, and was the 
first one buried in the burying-ground 
near the Centre of the town. Of 12 
children of John Burnap, eight lived 
to mature years. 

[KEY.] JOHN BURNAP. 

John, the oldest son of John Bur- 
nap, graduated at Middlebury College 
in 1819, studied theology at Andover 
3 years, was licenced to preach ; took 
an agency to collect funds for the For- 
eign Missionary Society; visited a 
portion of the Southern States and so 
overtaxed his mental and physical pow- 
ers that it brought on fever and de- 
rangement from which he never fully 
recovered 

[rev.] uzziah c. burnap, 
second son of John Burnap, Sr. gradu- 
ated at Middlebury in 1821; studied 
theology with Rev. Joshua Bates Pres- 
ident of Middlebury College ; was or- 
dained pastor over the Congregational 
church in Chester in 1824, and confin- 
ed there until 1837 ; was pastor of the 



Appleton church in Lowell, Mass, from 
1837 to 1852. He died in Lowell in 
1854, aged 56. 

He was very much devoted to his 
work and attached to his people. I have 
heard him say he would rather write 
two sermons than one and make an ex- 
change with another minister. He was 
naturally a poet, but seldom wrote 
more than to sum up the contents of a 
sermon in rhyme. 

He was born, July 11, 1798; mar- 
ried Mary Towneof Charlotte in 1824; 
after her death, Arvilla Gould of 
Chester in 1832. 

He had a daughter and a son by his 
first wife, who live in Massachusetts. 

He had two sons by his last wife, 
who live in Brooklyn, N. Y. 

LITTLE THINGS. 

By Rev, Uzziah C. Bubkap. 

In human life there is a tim e 
When Jittle things become sublime; 

When what is least in estimation 
Sustains an infinite relation. 

A moment has the weight of years, 

A wish, the soul forever bears. 

A word in consequence outweighs 
The language of ten thousand days. 

As when the virgins were too late, 

A moment lost, decreed their fate ; 

As when the Saviour does pass by, 

A moment lost, the soul must die. 

A wish to know the path to Heaven, 

A wish to have a sin forgiven. 

May raise a soul from death and woe 
And let salvation richly flow. 

A word of prayer, a warning voice, 

A word expressive of a choice, 

May flx the current of the soul 
While everlasting ages roil. 

Have moments thus the weight of years? 
Are words so full of hopes and fears? 

Do wishes thus my doom control? 

Then let me guard my precious soul. , 

Asa Burnap, Deacon Burnap*s 3d 
son, was about 16 years old when his 




16 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



father died and he remained on the 
farm about 7 years. 

After Mr. Lawton had sold the par- 
sonage to Mr, Harris, Asa became 
very anxious to have the Society pur- 
chase another as soon as a suitable 
, place was to be sold, and when Judge 
Aiken sold his farm, he bought it for 
that purpose. He gave $700 for it and 
let the Society have it for a parsonage, 
for $300. 

In 181 6, the first Sabbath School was 
established by Lucy Bitmap, his sister, 
of which he was by the church and So- 
ciety chosen the superintendent. 

In 1833, he married Ellen Carter of 
New fane and settled there. After her 
death, he married Mary Hazen, 1845, 
and now resides in Somerset. 

GAIUS C. BURNAP, 

the youngest son, went to New York 
City and became a merchant. -The firm 
was Eliot, Burnap & Babcock. He re- 
tired from business in early life, and 
now lives in Poughkeepsie, N. Y» 

Sophia, the second daughter of John 
Burnap, married David Elliot, son of 
Amos Emory and moved to New York 
where she remained 13 years and then 
removed to Wisconsin. 

Achsa, 3d daughter of John, mar- 
ried James Stearns and remained in 
town. 

Anna H„ the youngest, married 
Nathan, son of Benjamin Pierce, and 
resides in Townshend. 

MRS. EMMA woon SMITH. 
emma wood, daughter of Joseph 
Wood, and grand-daughter of John 
Burnap was at the age of sixteen, en- 
gaged as a teacher of the French lan- 
guage in Yorkers, N. Y She was af- 
terwards a preceptress in the Academy 
at Chester. In 1846, she went to 



Friendship, Md. and spent one year. 
In 1847, she engaged as a teacher in 
the Patapseo Institute in Maryland. 
She remained there until she married. 
She married David P. Smith in 1850, 
and went to Florida w r here she died in 
1853. 

The Principal of Patapseo Institute 
wrote her obituary, from which I will 
give an extract : 

“Died of yellow fever, Get, 18th 
Mrs. Emma Wood, wife of David P. 
Smith, aged 31 years. A bright, lovely 
and loving spirit has gone from us. 
We shall see her no more, but we trust 
her pleasant smile may greet us on our 
entrance to the world of spirits. Mrs. 
Smith was for some years an esteemed 
teacher in the Patapseo] Institute, where 
her literary attainments gave her a dis- 
tinguished position. Apparently un- 
conscious of the gifts of genius with 
which she was endoived, she seemed to 
seta light value on the brilliant eflfus- 
ons of her pen which cost her little la- 
bor. She toiled most, faithfully as a 
teacher of math a ma tics or of the dry 
rules of rhetoric or logic. When we 
see mediocrity seeking to inflate itself 
beyond its natural dimensions, we do 
not feel surprised for this is common, 
but we do wonder to see a rich mind 
unconscious of its wealth. 

In offering this tribute to the memo- 
ry of an associate dearly loved and 
highly esteemed, we must express our 
hope that the many productions in 
prose and verse from the pen of Mrs. 
Smith which have adorned, for years 
the pages of various periodicals in dif- 
ferent parts of our country, may be 
collected and published in a volume.” 

Catharine, her sister, younger, enter- 
ed the Patapseo Institute the year after 
Emma. Both reviewed their studies 



WINDHAM, 



" 17 



and both took diplomas. Catharine re- 
mained there as a teacher about 14 
years, until the war of the Rebellion 
broke up the school when she returned 
to Vermont. About six years since 
[1862] she married Charles Hawkins, 
architect, and now resides in Chester. 

[Mrs. Hawkins died at her home in 
Chester, May 5, 1888. 

THE DYING STUDENT. 

By Emma Wood. 

The soft breeze is on my brow, 

I know ’tis the morning's breath, 

But, alas J though its whispers are sweet, 

’Tis the lonely wind of death. 

I mast lay down the aims of life, 

And the dreams of my glorious youth, 

For the pictures of joy and hope grow dim, 
And I never can see their truth. 

My life, 1 have poured it out 
Dike the wave of a crystal urn; 

But the vase lies lo w on the sands of earth 
And its contents can nvver return ; 

I mnst huiy my earthly loves 
In the heart that will beat no more ; 

They shall silent rest as a sacred trust 
Till the conflict of life is o’er. 

T’ were a blessed thing to rest 
From the trials and cares of earth, 

For the weary soul to fold Its wings 
In the land of its radiant birth. 

’Twere a glorious flight to soar 
Through the pathless fields of air. 

To reach the realms of light, 

And yevel in beauty there. 

And yet it were hard to die 
With the labor of life undone, 

With the fields of science before my view 
And its laurels well nigh won. 

I Have grasped at the godlike power 
That is won by the scholar’s might; 

But of what avail is the gar nerd store, 

I must die with the goal in sight. 

I must bid farewell to earth 
Whilst the blossoms are bright and fair, 
And the sweet perfumes of the orange groves 
Is borne on the sighing air. 

And yet I would rather far, 

To the house of my childhood move 



To perish when gorgeous autumn leaves 
Are falling in every grove. 

And hear as my requiem low. 

The voice of the murmuring wind 
Like the plaintive song of the dying flowers 
To the blossoms they leave behind. 

There’s a gentle stranger’s hand 
And and it rests on my burning head; 
T’wlll soothe the anguish of heart and brow 
Till the spirit’s night has fled. 

Yet I would that my sister’s voice 
Might ring on the silent air : 

I see the form of my early love 
And the curls of her clustering liair. 

I would that they still were nigh! 

If I felt hut their balmy breath, 

And the gentle touch of my mother’s hand, 

I could welcome the stroke of death. 

Yet afar in this distant land, 

I dream that they still are nigh, 

I hear the gusli of each kindly voice 
And look on each loving eye. 

They are present with me in dreams 
And brighter as life grows dim, 

The cherished friends of my early years. 
And the loves of my boyhood seem. 

As I yield my parting breath, 

My name from the world lias gone. 

For there dwells no record of fame. 

To tell of the spirit flown 

I have done no lofty deed 
To twine for my brow a wreath, 

Nor carved a name in the realms of mind 
To defy the march of death. 

But my memory shall ever dwell 
In the love of a faithful heart. 

And if treasured up in that holy shrine 
It will never through life depart. 

Once more farewell to earth, 

I can lay its glories down; 

I will grasp no longer its fading gems. 

But look up to my heavenly crown. 

I will "rest on His boundless love 
Who has crowned my life with bliss, 

Who calls me away to a brighter world 
From the toils and sins of this. 




18 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE' 



JAMES H. UPHAM, 

a graduate of Oberlin, Ohio, was the 
son of Gardner Upham, an early set- 
tler from Guilford, and his mother was 
the daughter of Amos Emory. His 
theological course was pursued at Ban- 
gor, Me. and he preached in that vicin- 
ity until sickness prevented. He died 
July 17, 1856. 

[REV.] HENRY HASTINGS, 

son of Nathan Hastings, who emigrat- 
ing from Orange or Warwick, Mass, 
settled in the west part of the town, 
about the first of the century : Henry 
graduated at Amherst in 1858. His the- 
ological course was at .Onion Seminary; 
He graduated in 1861 ; was ordained 
Evangelist at St. Stephens, in New 
Brunswick, June 11, 1862. He preach- 
ed in his native town, in Pennsylva- 
nia and East Maeliias, Me. where his 
health failed, and he left for his home 
in Windham, and died on the way, at 
his sister’s in Townshend, in 1863, at 
the age of 30, 

LORIN W. BRINTNAIX, 

now [186 8] a settled minister at Win- 
throp Station, graduated at Oberlin, O. 
His grandfather emigrated from Chel- 
sea, Mass, to Windham late in the last 
century . His father formerly lived in 
Windham* 

THE METHODIST MINISTERS 

who have had a residence here and 
were natives of the place were Justin 
and Lorenzo Barrows and Elijah Gale. 

Ebenezer, Asa and Jacob Gale with 
their families came from Chesterfield, 
N. H. in 1800 and settled in the west 
part of the town. I believe Elijah Gale 
the minister, was the son of Ebenezer. 

unfversalist minister, a native of 
the town, Rev. Samuel Willis, late of 
Charlestown, S. C. 



MISSIONARIES. 

maria arms, daughter of Rev. Se- 
lah Arms, a native of Windham, went 
on a mission to the Choctaw nation in 
1852, and her health failing, returned 
in 1855 and resides with her brother 
in Springfield. 

ida chapin, daughter of Dr, Wm, 
A. Chapin who now lives in Belcher- 
town, Mass, is a native of this town. 
She married Rev. Mr. Hazen and went 
on a mission to India. 

THE WINDHAM SINGERS. 

martin stevens and his family in 
the south part of the town from War- 
wick, Mass, possessed great musical 
talent His sons, Martin, Asa Abra- 
ham, moved to the west part of New 
York and Pennsylvania. Three of his 
daghters: Mrs, Jones, Mrs. Cole and 
Mrs. Aiken moved there, also. Mrs. 
Meleudy, the oldest, lived in London- 
derry. Her oldest daughter as before 
said, is the wife of Judge Harris. Lucy 
Stevens was the wife of Daniel Cobb 
and settled in this town. 

Harriet, his youngest daughter, is 
the wife of Judge Stoddard of Towns- 
hend. 

The family of Mr Cobb were very 
good singers. Hannah Cobh married 
Aurelis Howard and lives in Towns- 
hend. 

Ada Cobb was preceptress of Ches- 
ter Academy several terms [and also at 
the old Black River Seminary at Lud- 
low.*] She married Gen. Frank Davis 
of Cavendish. 

Angeline Cobb married the late Mr, 
Dean, attorney at law in Grafton. 

Mary Cobb is the wife of the Hon 
William Harris of this town. 

*Our first preceptress,— a lovely preceptress, 
we leave farther remark till we may reach 
the old Black River Seminary. 



WINDHAM. 



19 



And there are many other families 
who deserve to be noticed for having 
been so useful and interesting in our 
social meetings on the Sabbath, and on 
other occasions, among whom : The 

daughters of Ira Farr, Mason Pierce, 
Barnabas Giles family, and the Harris 
family. I have mentioned as fine singers 
the Persons, Woodburns, Aikens [and 
Kimbals) And near the close of the 
last century, a Wilkins family, also, 
who were good singers, moved into 
town. Lucy one of the daughters mar- 
ried Samuel Woodburn apd remained 
in town until her death. Mr. Wood- 
burn was the son of John W the pio- 
neer, and a kinsman of Horace Gree- 
ly, Editor of the New York Tribune. 

There has been a 

BRASS BAND 

in-town for several years called “The 
Windham Brass Band which has had 
good repute in the County and State. 

The first funeral in town with Ma- 
sonic honors was James Mack’s who 
died in December in 1860. The next 
in 1864, that of Horace Jones, son of 
Jason D. Jones. 

Antimasonry had its day in town but 
it was a short one. As long as so many 
religious and honorable men sustain 
the institution, let charity remain. 

Mr. David Aiken and Mrs. Tenney, 
widow of Luther Tenney are the oldest 
inhabitants in the town. 

Mrs. Tenney’s family and Mr. John 
Gould’s are united in marriage, and 
they with their descendants are many, 
or all of them singers. 

Wlien the Great Architect with power and 
might 

Made sun and moon to rule the day and night 
And from his hand the massive planets flung 
To roll in circles round the glorious sun, 



Twas then the morning stars with heavenly 
lays, 

Commenced in song their great Creator’s 
praise. 

With voice and song, we therefore celebrate 
All great events in either church or state. 

And thus express in kind and first degree, 

All that is noble, eloquent and free. 

When Moses fled from Pharaoh’s sanguine 
host, 

With liquid walls, dry . stood the sea they 
crossed, 

When safe on shore their anthems loud and 
long. 

With harps and timbrels chant the grateful 
song 

The beauteous temple made by Solomon 
When consecrated to the Holy One, 

With instruments of eveiy kind they raise 
Their voice in songs of universal praise. 
Pleased with their worship, God in answer 
sends 

A glorious cloud which through the house ex- 
tends. 

* * ******* 

O’er Bethlehems’ plains when Jesus Christ 
was born 

Angels proclaimed the news in most angelic 
song.— 

At the last Supper Jesus sung a hymn : 

He’s our example, let us follow Him. 

hue y B. Wood. 

HONORARY MEMBERS OF BENEVOLENT 
SOCIETIES. 

I have endeavored to find the names 
of all those in this town who have been 
honorary members of the different be- 
nevolent societies of the present day: 
Enoch Goddard and wife who came 
from Orange and Royalston, Mass, in 
1806, were life members of the For- 
eign Missionary Society, and their 
daughter Lamira, wife of George Dut- 
ton is also, a member of the same so- 
cety. And Mr. Goddard’s sons, Bliss 
and Timothy, were members of the 
Home Missionary Society. 

Asa Burnap and G. C. Burnap were 
constituted honorary members ol the 
American Board by their mother before 
her death, Dec. 1856. 




20 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Daniel Cobb and wife were mem- 
bers of the American Union. 

Simeon Barrett and wife were mem- 
bers of the Home Missionary Society. 

Hon. William Harris, Sr. is a life 
member of the Vermont Bible Society. 

Lucy Burnap, now, Mrs. Joseph 
Wood, is a life member of the Vermont 
Bible Society. 

Stephen Dutton who has died since 
I commenced this history, was another 
of our aged men. He was the father 
of Doctor Dutton, named among phy- 
sicians, came from Dummerston, 1808. 

EMORY JOBES, SOn of J. D. JOBCS, 
has just entered college at Dartmouth. 
His mother, who is adaughter’of Amos 
Emory Esq. has kindly furnished me 
with the manuscript of James Upham, 
her nephew, who wrote a partial histo- 
ry of the town in 1858, and read it be- 
fore a literary society, to which, I am 
indebted for many events. 

ONE HUNDRED YEARS OLD. 

I know of only two instances in this 
town of remarkable longevity. 

The widow Bennet lived to 

be over a hundred years old. 

Her daughter, the widow of Reuben 
Stowell, says that when she was over 
eighty, she rode on horseback to Brat- 
tleboro, 30 miles. 

# The widow of Abraham Farr uved 
to be over a hundred years old. 

REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS. 

The following early settlers were 
Revolutionary soldiers: 

Jonathan Britnall, Samuel Ayers, 

John Burnap, Stephen Fitch, 

John Gould, Archibald Mack, 

John Mack, Archibald McCormie. 

Daniel Putnam, Nehemiah Pierce, 



Benjamin Pierce, James Smith. 

Smith was a deserter from Bnrgoyirs 
army. He was an artificer in the Amer- 
ican army. 

[We omit a list of the names of the 
soldiers of the last war here, as this 
list is without detail, and we have a 
list furnished with detail,] 



Mrs. Lucy Burnaf Wood, 
the kindly and faithful historian of her 
native town, died at the home of her 
son in West Townshend, Mar. 23, 1888, 
aged 97 years. — The sheaf fully ripe, 

Lucy Burnap was married to Joseph 
Wood, August 12, 1820. Mr. Wood 
died at South Reading, Dec. 1, 1873. 

They had two daughters, Emma and 
! Catherine [pp. 16 and 17] and one son, 
Norman Williams Wood. 

Mrs. Wood had five grandchildren* 
at the time . of her death ; two sons of 
Mrs. Hawkins and two sons and a 
daughter of Norman Williams Wood. 

In her long life this strong and good 
woman was a noble example of Chris- 
tian faith and hope. She taught in the 
Sunday School until her hearing was 
dull by reason of age, and her eyes 
dim. She enjoyed reading till within 
two months of her death, and kept up 
with the events of the day remarkably, 
noting the advance in almost every 
thing with pleasure. She realized that 
she had lived a good long life. 

At her funeral, Rev. Mr. Mackie, 
then preaching here, read the xlvi fs. 
and made remarks: Psalm ; all the peo- 
ple invited to praise God — for so long 
and precious a life.* 

*For the information In this memorial note 
and for reading the proof of this history, we 
are indebted to the daughter-in-law of our 
historian, Mrs. Norman W. Wood, who has 
known the town for 57 years. 



WINDHAM. 



21 



Military Record 

OF 

Windham During The Rebellion 
1861—1865, 

BY JAMES W. GOULD. 

Abbott, Marcus, age 18, Co. K 11th 
Vt. musician; enlisted July 30, 1862; 
died at Fort Sotten near Washington, 
March 27, ‘63. 

Abbott, John J, age 18, musician, 
Co. I 16th Yt. enlisted, August 28, 
d>2; died in hospital at Brattleboro, 
August 3, ‘63. 

Barrett, Cortez P. age 21, Serg’t in 
Co. C, 4th Yt. enlisted, August 22, ‘61, 
discharged, May ‘63 

Boutin, Chas. W. age 22.; enlisted in 
Co. K 4th Yt. commissioned First Lt, 
of the same, Sept. 14, ‘61; promoted 
Capt. of Co. D 4th Vt Dec. 14, ‘62; 
promoted Major, June 4th k 65; muster- 
ed* out of service as Capt. July 13, *65. 

Bemis, William W. age 20; Sergt. 
Co. D 16th Yt enlisted, Aug. 29, ‘62; 
promoted 2d Lieut. Co, D, April 2d 
‘63 ; mustered out of service, August 
10, ‘63, 

Cook, Lafayette, age 33, enlisted in 
Co. D 16 thVt. August 29, ‘62; mus- 
tered out, August 10, ‘63. * 

Cook, Martin J. age 18; enlisted in 
Co, D 16th Yt. August 29, ‘62; killed 
at Gettysburg, July 3d, ‘63. 

Covey, Andes B. age 18; enlisted, 
June 3, ‘62, in Co, K 9th Vt. muster- 
ed out of service, May 13, ‘65. 

Cooper, Charles A. age 18 ; enlisted 
in Co. H 2d Reg. tJ, S. Sharp Shoot- 
ers, Dec. 24, ‘63 ; transferred to Co. H 
4th Reg, Vt. Yols. Sept. 25, ‘65, died 
at Brattleboro in hospital. 



Cronin, William L, age 34 ; enlisted 
in Co. G 11th Yt. August 5, *62* mus- 
tered out of service, June 26, ‘65. 

Dwinell, Benjamin F, age 21; musi- 
cian in Co, E 6th Yt. enlisted Sept. 29, 
‘61; re-enlisted, Dec. 15, ‘63; trans- 
ferred to Co. K, Oct. 16, ‘64, mustered 
out of service, June 26, ‘65. 

Evans, Albert O. age 18 ; enlisted in 
Co. H 8th Yt. Dec. 18, ‘61 ; re-enlist- 
ed, January 5, ‘64; died, Nov. 9, ‘64, 
at Br^shier City, La. 

Fairbanks, Artemas P. age 44 ; en- 
listed in Co. D 16th Yt. August 29, 
‘62 ; mustered out of service, August 
10, ‘63. 

Graham, Benjamin F. age 37 ; enlis- 
ted in Co, I 11th Yt. August 9, ‘64 ; 
died Feb. 11, ‘65. 

Grinuols, Charles P. age 21 ; enlisted 
in Co. I 11th Yt. August 22, k 61 ; de- 
serted, February, 19, ‘63. 

Goold, James E. age 26 : enlisted in 
Co, K. 11th Yt. August 13, ‘62; dis. 
charged, March 11, ‘63. 

Gould, Charles G, age 18; Private, 
Co. G. 1 1th Vt. Yols; enlisted, August 
13, ‘62; Corp. Dec. 27, 63; Sergeant 
Major, Feb. 12, 1864; 2d Lieut, Co. E 
11th Yt. Yols. June 30, 64; promoted 
Capt. Co. H. 5th Yt. Yols. Nov. 10, 
‘64; wounded, April 2, ‘65; Brevet 
Major, April 2. ‘65 for the assault on 
Petersburg, April 2, ‘65; mustered out* 
of service, June 19, *65. 

Harrington, George R. age 18; enlisted 
Feb. 5, ‘62 in Co. H 8th Yt, Re-en- 
listed, MarchS, ‘64; pro. wagoner, 
April 12, ‘64, mustered out, June 28, 
‘65. 

Harrington, John R. age 19; enlist- 
ted in Co. D 9th Vt. June 23, ‘62 ; dis- 
charged, Oct. 2, ‘62. 

Harrington, Randall, age 44 ; enlis- 
ed, February 4, ‘62 in First Battery, 




22 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Light Artillery ; discharged, May 19, 
‘64. 

Harrington, George L. age 19, en- 
listed, Nov. 20, 4 63 in Co. G 11th Vt. 
transferred to Co. A 11th Vt. Jun e 
24, ‘65 ; mustered out Aug. 25, ‘65. 

Harris, Romanzo A, age 19 ; enlisted 
in Co. H 8th Vt. January 13, ‘62; re- 
enlisted , March 5, ‘64; mustered out, 
June 28, ‘65. 

Howe, Densmore, age 20; enlisted in 
Co. D 1 6th Vt. August 29 ‘62; mus- 
tered out, August 10, *63. 

Jones, Jason C. age 17; enlisted in 
Co. G 11th Vt. Aug, 5, ‘62 ; mustered 
out June 24, ‘65. 

Kendall, Amns G, age 20; enlisted, 
August 22, in Co. L. 11th Vt. mus- 
ered out, June 24, ‘65. 

Mack, Archibald H. age 30, Corp* 
Co. G, 11th Vt. enlisted. August 29, 
‘62; mustered out, June 24 ‘65. 

Mack, Daniel, age 18 ; enlisted, Dec. 
16, ‘61, in Co. H 8th Vt. Re-enlisted, 
March 5, ‘64 ; mustered out, June 28, 
‘65. 

Mack, JoelD, age 18; enlisted in Co. 
G, age 18 ; enlisted in Co. G 11th Vt. 
August 11 *62; sick in Gen. Hospital 
and discharged, March 21, ‘63. 

Mack, Ephraim L, age 19 ; enlisted 
in Co. D 16th Vt, August 29, ‘62, 
mustered out August 10 ‘63. 

Marshall, Henry C. age 19 ; enlisted 
in Co. F 9th Vt. Dec. 16, ‘68 ; trans- 
ferred to Co. B, June 13, ‘65 ; muster- 
ed out July 7, *65. 

Martin. Adolphus ft. age 19, enlist- 
ed in Co. G. 11th Vt. Nov. 20, ‘63 ; 
transferred to Co. A, June 24, ‘65; 
mustered out, Aug. 25, ‘65. 

Penniman, Thomas, age 30, enlisted 
in Co. G 11th Vt. July 28, ‘62 ; mus- 
tered out ; June 24, 65. 



Penniman, Robert L. age 34 ; enlist- 
ed in Co. D 16th Vt. Dee. 20, ‘62 , 
mustered out, August 10, ‘63. 

Perry, AmasaR. age 21 ; enlisted in 
Co. G 11 Vt. July 30, ‘62; mustered 
out June 24, ‘65. 

Rhoades, Randall, age 18; enlisted 
in Co. C 4th Vt. August 23, ‘61 ; dis- 
charged, April 29, ‘62. 

Rhoades, Aaron A, age 44 ; enlisted 
in Co. G 11th Vt. Nov. 10, ‘63; trans- 
ferred to Co. A 11th Vt. June 24, ‘65; 
mustered out, June 25, ‘65. 

Rhoades, Henry C. age 18; enlisted 
in Co. G 11th Vt. Dec. 5, ‘63 ; trans- 
ferred to Co. A 11th Vt. June 24, ‘65 ; 
transferred to Co. C 1 1 th Vt. ; mustered 
out, August 25, ‘65. 

Sumner N. Rhoades, age 27, Corp, 
in Co. I 16th Vt. enlisted, Sept. 20, 
‘62; mustered out, Aug. 10, ‘63. 

Salter, Alonzo L. age 24; enlisted 
in Qo. K 4th Vt. August 29, *61 ; dis- 
charged, May 23, ‘62; re-enlisted in 
Co. F9th Vt. Dec. 19, ‘63 ; transfer- 
red to Co. B, June 13, ‘65. 

Smith, Otis, age 21 ; enlisted in Co. 
C 4th Vt, Aug. 22, ‘61 ; transferred to 
Sigal Corps, Aug. 1, ‘63 ; mustered out 
August 22, ‘64. 

Smith, William H, age 19, Co. H 
2d Sharp Shooters, enlisted, Dec, 24 r 
‘63; sick in Gen, Hos. Aug. 81, ‘64; 
transferred to Co, H, 4tli Vt, Vols. Feb. 
25, *65 ; discharged, June 18, ‘65. 

Smith, Waldo J. age 20 ; enlisted in 
Co. K 9th Vt, Sept, 3, ‘64; mustered 
out, June 13, ‘65. 

Stoodley , George W. age 23 ; enlisted 
in Co. G 1 1th Vt. July 30, ‘62 ; sick in 
Gen. Hos, Aug. 31, ‘64; mustered out, 
June, 24, ‘65. 

Tromley, Albert J, age 18; enlisted, 
December 18, 1861, in Company H r 




Hon, Clark H, Cijapman- 



WINDHAM* 



25 



8th Vermont, and died, January 17, 
1863* 

Tenney, William B. age 37; enlisted 
in Co. G, 11th Vt. Nov. 6/63; sick 
in Gen. Hos. Aug. 31, ‘64 ; transferred 
to Co. A, June 24 *65 ; mustered out, 
Aug. 25, ‘65. 

Tenney, Levi C. age 20; enlisted in 
Co, D 16th Vt, Aug, 29, ‘52; muster- 
ed out Aug. 10, ‘63, 

Upham Bradford H. age 1 8; enlist- 
ed, Nov. 30, ‘61 in Co. H 8th Vt. mus- 
tered out, June 22, fi 64. 

Wait, Curtis N. age 21, enlisted in 
Co. 1 16th Vt, Sept. 28, ‘62; mustered 
out, Aug. 10, ‘63. 

Whitcomb, Wilson A. Corp, in Co. 
D 16th Vt, enlisted Aug, 29, ‘62; miis- 
ered out, Aug. 10, ‘63. 

White. George W t age 21 ; enlisted, 
July 20, ‘64 in Co. G 11th Vt. muster- 
ed out. May 13, ‘65. 

Woodman, James H. age 23, black- 
smith, CoF First Vt. Cavalry ; enlist- 
ed, Oct. 14, ‘61 ; re-enlisted, Dec. 30, 
‘63; transferred to Co D, June 21, 
‘65; mustered out, Aug. 9, ‘65. 

NO. OF SOLDIERS. 

Windham furnished during the war, 
52 men; six died while in the service 
and one was killed. 

Five were furnished under draft, but 
all paid commutation, “Namely”: 
Augustus E. Dutton : 

Cyrus Holman: 

Mareius Lamphear: 

Elmer H. Lawrence: 

Ebenezer W. Stowell. 
med since the war ; Cortez P, Barrett, 
Artamas P. Fairbanks, Joel D. Mack; 
Thomas Penniman, Geo. W. White: 
Sumner N. Rhoades. 



HON. CLARK H. CHAPMAN. 

[Biographical paper, furnished by 
Mr. Chapman, Oct. 6, 1884.] 

My ancestors were from England* 
and settled in Say-Brook, Ct. and my 
grandfather was born in Hebron, that 
state in 1760. His father, Ezekiel, son 
of David was born in 1 734 and married 
Abigail Niles of Colchester, Mass, in 
1735, by .whom he had ten children. 
He moved to Vermont about 1 775. 

My grandfather Silas, the 4th child, 
settled in Athens, where my father, Ja- 
bes Chapman was born, October 1790, 
and died when my father was 3 years 
Old at his wife’s father’s in Chesterfield, 
N. H. on his way back from a business 
trip to his native town* His wife was 
Sarah Dunham. 

My mother, Ainitta, the daughter of 
Ezekiel Perham was born in Athens, 
March 3,1801, and was married to my 
father at Athens and they moved, May 
1, 1818, to Windham, to a farm f of a 
mile from the Centre of the town. Here 
ray mother died, October 7, 1838. 

The next year, my father married a 
sister of the late Judge Wm. Harris at 
Windham and resided there till 1858, 
when he removed to Ludlow where my 
Step-mother died in 1871 and my fa- 
ther March 29, 1873. 

I caused their remains to he carried 
to and buried at Windham, where all 
my immediate family now dead are at 
rest. 

My grandfather Perham was a Rev- 
olutionary soldier and used to tell me 
what he saw of General Washington. 
My mother’s mother tfas a Jewett from 
Pepperill, Mass. She died in 1817, and 
is buried in Athens. The Dunham ge- 
nealogy, I understand goes back to 
the Welch history. 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



M 

I was born in Windham, Sept, 10* 
1822, and had the usual advantages of 
a common school education there. In 
the fall of '36, I attended the Acade- 
my at Townshend, The next winter af- 
ter my mother died, I, at 16 years of 
age, taught the district school adjoin- 
ing my native district for $ 13 a month 
and the next winter the same school 
for § 15 a month. 

In the falls of 1838, 9, 40, I attend- 
ed the Academy at Chester and taught 
m Athens the winters of "39, 40 ; in the 
fall of "41 attended the Black River 
Seminary at Ludlow ; but having an op- 
portunity to teach in Maryland instead 
of following up the academic course and 
entering college, I went to Calvert Co. 
about 30 miles below Annapolis and , 
taught a neighborhood school for two I 
years; returningto Vermont taught the 
Windham district school two winters, 
and in the hill of 1845, went into the 
office of the late Judge Dutton of Cav- 
endish to complete my legal studies 
which I had begun under Judge Wil- 
kins in Calvert Co. Maryland. In the 
meantime was preceptor of Black Riv- 
er Seminary the spring term of 1845 ; 
and kept while in Judge Dutton's office, 
the Probate Records for Windsor Dis- 
trict ; was admitted as attorney to the 
Windsor Bar in 184- ; went into busi- 
ness as a lawyer in 1859 with my bro- 
ther-in- law, Hon. F. C. Robbins, at 
Ludlow, under the firm name of Rob- 
bins & Chapman. 

In 1853, I was elected assistant Sec- 
retary of the State Senate; held the 
office 2 years and was elected Seereta- 

y to succeed thfe Hon. Joseph Barrett, 
who was at Washington Commissioner 
of pensions under appointment of Pres- 
ident Lincoln, 8 years. Middlebury Col- 
lege gave me the degree of A. M in— 

o o o 



I was a member from Windsor Co* 
of the last Constitutional Convention; 
one of the 9 delegates and was assist- 
ant Seeretaiy of the Convention. 

Dec. 1, 1849 till May 1850 was Reg- 
ister of the Probate Court under Judge 
Dutton's appointment, and again from 
July 1856 to December 1862. 

1856, I removed from Ludlow back 
to Cavendish and settled in Proctors- 
ville as an attorney and resided there 
until 1882 when I removed with my 
family to Detroit, Michigan, where we 
now reside. 

I married Ellen M. Sherwin, oldest 
daughter of the late Captain Charles 
Sherwin of Weathersfield, a farmer re- 
siding about fths of a mile below Per- 
kinsville on Black River, July 7, 1878, 

W e have had four childen : the old- 
est and youngest,* girls, both died in 
infancy. The second and third, sons, 
are living at Detroit and industriously 
employed, having received a business 
education, rather than a literary course 
of training. 

My oldest son, Charles Sherwin, 
Chapman, was born at Cavendish, Aug. 
21, 1864. 

My youngest son, Wm, Clark Chap- 
man, was born at Cavendish, March 
1, 1866. 

I have only one full sister, living 
Mrs. F. C. Robhins, and two half sis- 
ters, Emma L. and Mary V. 

My mother, at seventeen, united 
with the Baptist Ch. at Saxtons River 
and remained a faithful member until 
her death. My father when the Meth- 
odists came into V ermont affi lliated with 
them, though I do not know as he ever 
was a communicant. The Episcopalian 
worship most meets my preference. 

[Hon. Clark H. Chapman died at his 
home in Detroit, Apr 1, 1888.iL] 



THE 



EARLY HISTORY 

OF 

Wilmington, 

1751 —1870. 

BY REV. VOLNEY FORBES. 



WILMINGTON * 

This township is in the west part of 
Windham County, on the east side of 
the Green Mountains in the valley of 
Deerfield River ; the east and west 
branches of which unite in this town 
and run south through Whitingham 
into Massachusetts and empty into the 
Connecticut River at Deerfield. The 
township is 6 miles square, bounded, 
N. by Dover, E. by Marlboro, JS* by 
Whitingham and f, by Readsboro 
and Searsburg, is 22 miles east of Ben- 
ington, 20 miles west of Brattleboro. 

Its surface is somewhat hilly, inter- 
spersed with vallies and intervales 
formed by the Deerfield and its tribu- 
taries. The soil is a rich sandy loam, 
and there is very little waste land, the 
hills being arable to their summits, fur. 
nishing excellent pasturage for stock. 
The soil is productive, yielding good 
crops of grass, oats, corn, potatoes and 
vegi tables. The land is well-timbered 
with maple, birch, beech, ash, spruce, 
hemlock, firs; the sugar-maple being 
very abundant; from which, often a 
hundred tons of sugar is made in a sea- 
son and is quite an income to the com- 
munity. The mountains and hillsides 
give good, pure water. The Deerfield 



River, Beaver Brook and other small- 
er branches of the Deerfield, furnish an 
abundance of water-power, and in the 
east part of the town is a fine pond, or 
lake : 

RAT FOND, 

about 2 miles long and half a mile in 
width, well- stocked with pickerel and 
other fish. This pond empties into the 
east branch of the Deerfield River by 
a stream called Bill Brook, which fur- 
nishes several good sites for lumber 
mills. 

Lumber is extensively manufactured 
for the market on most of the streams, 
spruce, hemlock, birch, maple and 
beech lumber finding a ready sale, and 
if we only had the much coveted rail- 
road to transport it to market, it would 
cause wealth to flow in upon us and 
make our hearts glad. * 

In the N. W. corner of the township 
is Haystack Mountain, more familiarly 
called 

“old haystack,” 

one of the highest peaks of the Green 
Mountains, rising about 3000 feet, 
towerering considerably above the sur- 
rounding hills. About 1000 feet from 
the summit lies 




6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



SYLVAN LAKE, 

a beautiful pond of 75 acres of clear, 
cold, deep water, containing no fish of 
any kind. It is fed by springs entirely. 
Its outlet is by a brook which tumbles 
over the rocks into Cold Brook, thence 
into the Deerfield. 

This mountain is a great resort for 
the lovers of nature both wild and cul- 
tivated, the view being very beautiful 
and extensive. After climbing the al- 1 
most perpendicular sides, the weary 
traveler finds himself upon the rocky 
summit where a scene of giandeur and 
sublimity bursts upon his view. Al- 
most at his feet lies the little lake 
a thousand feet below, encircled by ev- 
ergreens, its transparent surface glis- 
tening in the rays of the sun and reflec- 
ting the surrounding trees and rocks 
like a polished mirror. 

Towards the east, the first object 
that attracts the eye is the neat, white 
village of Wilmington which is about 
4 miles off though you seem to be look- 
ing down into it as if it were almost un- 
derneath you. The whole town lies cu- 
riously mapped out; every man’s do- 
main by itself, his nice residence and 
out- buildings, shade-trees, orchards, 
meadows and woodland with the “cat- 
tle on a thousand hills/' 

Farther in the distance the view em- 
braces the whole of Windham County 
and part o£ Windsor in Vermont with 
Cheshire County New Hampshire with 
Franklin County Massachusetts in the 
southeast and their various mountains 
rivers and villages. The north and 
west is a continual series of mountains, 
hills, vallies and forests, making in the 
whole, one of the most splendid pano- 
ramas in the country, which will com- 
pensate the admirer of nature for all 
the toil and fatigue which it costs to 
reach it. 



THE GEOLOLOGICAL 

formation of Wilmington is of a prim- 
itive azoic order, consisting of gneiss, 
mica slate and hornblend with detach- 
ed masses of quartz and feldspar. In 
the west part of the town are quarries 
of limestone which are rather too san- 
dy to make the best of lime, but is used 
for agricultural purposes; also, some 
iron ore is found. 

lu the west part there, is serpentine 
and some steletite. Deposites of clay 
are numerous and tertiary moraines are 
plenty along the streams. There is not 
any valuable minerals, although a 
thorough geological survey has never 
been made, 

EARLY HISTORY. 

The Town was chartered by Gov- 
ernor Wentworth of New Hampshire, 
April 29, 1751 to 

GKANTEES ; 

Phineas Lyman, Samuel Kent, Jr., 
Abraham Burbank, Medad Pomeroy, 
Noah Pomeroy, Aaron Rising, Paul 
Kent, Joel Kent, Jonathan Underwood, 
Samuel Granger, Joshua Austin, 
Samuel Hathaway, Benjamin Kent, 
Jonathan Knight, Shem Burbank, 
Eli hue Kent, Timothy Marther, 
John Leavitt, Samuel Harman, 
Joshua .Kendall, Aaron Hitchcock, 
Lemuel Granger, Simeon Granger, 
Elijah Easton, Phineas Sheldon, 
Reuben Harman, Silas Kent, John 
Granger, Aseph Leavir, John Rowe, 
Jr., John Old, Isaac Hall, Joseph 
Forward, Pelatiah Adams, Samuel 
Dwight, Seth Dwight, Daniel Austin, 
Joseph Kent, Daniel Smith, Simeon 
Hathaway, Daniel Gilbert, Elijah 
Sheldon, Elijah Kent, Zephaniah 
Taylor, Asher Sheldon, Benning 




f 



WILMINGTON. ? 



Wentworth, Esq., Theodore Atkinson, 
Esq.,-: Ellis Husk, Esq., Bichard 
V ib bard, Esq., John Downing, Esq. 
Sampson Shea, Esq., — most of whom 
were supposed to belong to Connecti- 
cut. They surveyed the town into lots 
and divided the lots among themselves. 

But fe^v of the original proprietors 
ever settled in the town, Daniel Aus- 
tin and Elijah Easton are the only 
ones known to have done so. 

DRAPER CHARTER. 

A subsequent charter was granted, 
June 17, 1764, to other parties under 
the name of Draper. The town was 
never organized under that charter, but 
the conflicting claims of the two char- 
ters greatly retarded its settlement. The 
Wilmington charter finally prevailed, 
the settlers voting that they were not 
willing that anybody should settle un- 
der the Draper charter. 

Settlers came in rather slowly; there 
were no roads and they had to find the 
way by marked trees and foot-paths, 
and many of the pioneers had to trans- 
port their provisions on their backs 
from Deerfield, Mass., Hoosie, N. Y. 
and other places. 

A census of the town of Wilming- 
ton, Cumberland County, N. Y. was 
taken by order of Lord Dunmore, the 
Governor of New York in 1771, by 
Thomas Cutler, Deputy Sheriff. The 
names of heads of fanilies were : 
Leonard Mayo, Mich a Griffin, 
Samuel Derby, Elijah Alvord, 
Ebenezer Davis, John Davis, 
Asa Davis, Joseph Marsh, 

John Davis, 2d, Thomas Crowfort, 
Jonathan Kodgers, Nathan Davis, 
David Davis, Zephaniah Swift. 
The number of inhabitants was 71. 



The first child born in town, Janua- 
ry 20, 1771, Zephaniah, son of Chip- 
man Swift. 

Very many of the early settlers were 
from Massachusetts and Connecticut 
and were men of patriotism, nerve and 
enterprise. Those who are known to 
have been 

BEVOLUTIOARY SOLDIERS: 

Col. Wm. Williams, who had the 
command of a detachment of Wind- 
ham County troops at the Battle of 
Bennington, and is mentiened in Gen- 
eral Stark’s official report as being with 
him. 

Capt, Judah Moore: 

Capt. Jonas Haynes : 

Jonathan Johnson : 

Ephraim Titus : 

Jesse Fitch : 

Jonathan Childs : 

Stephen Forbes : 

Med ad Smith: 

* 

Barni Wing : 

Benjamin Metcalf: 

Jesse Swift: 

Simeon Chandler ; 

Jesse Mooseman : 

Jonah Lincoln : 

William Haskell: 

Levi Packard : 

James Smith : 

Israel Lawson : 

Samuel Buel : 

Jedediah Bassett: 

John Marks : 

Jonathan Witt: 

Samuel Thompson : 

Joseph Nye. 

Jan. 12, 1778, an order was issued 
the Council of Safety to Captain 




8 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE/ 



Samuel, Robinson, Overseer of Tories 
to detach ten effective men under his 
command with proper officers to take 
charge of and march them In trwo dis- 
tinct files from Bennington through 
the Green Mountains to Colonel 
William Williams* dwelling house 
in Draper, alias, Wilmington, within 
this State, who are to march and tread 
the snow in sd. road a suitable width for 
a sleigh or sleighs with a span of horses 
on each sleigh ; and order them to re- 
turn marching' in the same manner 
with all convenient speed, ordered to 
take three days provision to each of 
such men, the same to be cooked this 
day, and to march at six o’clock to-mor- 
row morning. Signed by Jonas Fay, 
Vice President. 5 ’ 

“Oct. 24th, 1778, a resolve was pas- 
sed by the General Assembly to make 
a road from Wilmington to Benning- 
ton. 

The first town-meeting on record, 
was lield at the house of Elijah Al- 
vord. 

dan. 19, 1778, Caleb Alvord was 
the first town clerk. 

The first vote taken was “to contin- 
ue Mr. Chapin to preach with us, n — 
This vote was characteristic of the 
people, from that time to the present^ 
they haying all the time supported one 
to four ministers. 

“March 2d, 1778, Chose Capt John 
Gibbs, Phineas Smith, Samuel Mur- 
dock Elihue Baseom, and Lieut. Elea- 
zer Bridgernan, Committee of Safety/* 

At a meeting held*, Sept. 1 , 1768, 
“Voted to send for a minister to preach 
with us on probation. Chose Capt. Jo- 
siah Locke, Capt. Chipman Swift and 
Edward Foster, Committee to look 
out for a minister/ 5 



Feb. 8, 1779, “Voted to dissolve the 
union between this State and sixteen 
towns on the east side of the Connect- 
icut River,” which they had formerly 
voted to accept. 

The first freeman's meeting on re- 
cord was held July 7, 1778, “Chose 
Wm. Miller to attend the election at 
Guilford as delegate. 

“Sept. 1st 1778, Chose Elijah Al- 
vord, representative to attend the Gen- 
eral Assembly. 

March 30, 1780, the town “Voted 
that John Rugg shall pay into the 
treasury the money and deliver the 
note he took of Capt. Josiah Lock for 
Phineas Fairbanks’ place, when the 
committee of the court of confiscation 
calls for it.” 

“Voted that we w r ill raise our sold- 
iers for the future by a rate on the 
town The quota of the town of pro- 
visions as ordered by the General As- 
sembly to be provided for the troops 
employed in the service of this State 
for the year 1780 was 2388 lbs. of 
Hour, 779 lbs. of beef. 389 lbs. of salt 
pork, 48 bushels of Indian corn, and 
24 bushels of rye/’ 

Nov. 29, 1780, the town "“Voted to 
raise two hundred and fifty hard dol- 
lars to procure our part of a maga- 
zine of provisions for this State/’ — 
They also voted the same year to raise 
£3000 for the highways, to be paid at 
£9 lbs. per day for work; which shows 
the value of- paper currency at that 
time. 

It was voted this year to build a log- 
meeting-house in the centre of the 
town, which was done and occupied 
until the completion of a frame edifice 
near the same spot in 1786. 




WIMINGTON. 



9 



Aug. 31, 1780, they voted to give 
Mr. Packard a call to the work of the 
Gospel ministry. Then voted to give 
him £100 for a settlement among us 
to be paid if in time of war with beef 
at £1 4s. per hundred, or wheat at 5 s. 
per bushel, or rye at 3 s. and sixpence ; 
Indian corn at 3 s. per bushel. If iu 
time of peace, Beef at one pound per 
hundred, wheat at four shillings and 
sixpence per bushel, rye at three shil- 
lings per bushel, Indian corn two shil- 
lings and sixpence per bushel — to be 
paid, one half at his ordination and 
the other half one year afterwards/' 
Then “Voted to give Mr. Packard 
for his salary, £30 for the first year, 
and to raise £ 5 a year until it. comes to 
£ 65 a year, and to give him this sala- 
ry so long as he remains our regular 
minister, which offer Mr. Packard ac- 
cepted as will be seen hereafter. 

OTHER PROMINENT SETTLERS, 

kmong the early settlers also whose 
names appear often on the records as 
town officers and were prominent citi- 
zens, were: 

Gad Alvord. Andrew' Haskell: 
Adnah Bangs, Josiah Flagg: 

Silas Axtell, John Rugg: 

Rodger v Burchard . 

Mr Burchard was the first merchant 
m town : 

John Marks, the first surveyor : 

Capt. Dickenson, tavern-keeper : 
Jesse Marks, who was at last frozen 
to death by guiding a man by marked 
trees through the woods one cold win- 
ter day : 

And, Oliver Wilder: His wife, 

Mary Marks Wilder, who was a very 
competent woman, lived to the great 
age of 



103 YEARS 

and died in 1857. She often described 
the men of this vicinity, hearing the fir- 
ing at Bennington, hurrying past her 
house with old swords, pitch-forks and 
pikes, while she laughed at them, say- 
ing, “It would take better arms to fight 
with British regulars V s 

The men of those times were hardy, 
resolute and persevering; and the wo- 
men were fully their equals, helping to 
till the soil and tend the stock whenev- 
er necessary, The wives of Ephraim 
Titus and Joseph Nye who were neigh- 
bors, are said to have carried on their 
farms while their husbands were away 
fighting for independence. 

An anneedote is told of Mrs. Titus, 
which shows the spirit of those days : 
Mr. Nye at the house of Mrs. Titus 
was boasting that no man in town could 
throw him. She sat weaving at her 
oora till tired of hearing him bragg, 
she left her seat and seizing him by the 
collar threw him upon the floor, felling 
him that if there was no man in town 
could throw him, there was one woman 
who had done it/* 

Mar. 15, 1790 the town “Voted that 
Matthew Long, Amos Fox and Mor- 
ris Doty receive on the town rates, salts 
of lye at two pence per lb. sheep at one 
penny and a farthing per lb. butter and 
flax at sixpence a lb, thus showing 
what Articles were used for currency 
then. 

IN THE WAR OF 1812, 
men were called for by detachments, 
volunteers and drafts to' go north to 
defend the Canada lines. The town 
voted to pay the selectmen for provid- 
ing provisions, camp-utensils, baggage 
wagon, &e. for the detached militia, 
Sept. 12, 1820, which is all the vote on 




10 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



record in regard to that war. The men 
known to have gone to that war : 

James Smith, Goodwin Lincoln; 
William Wilder, Ethan Smith: 
Oliver Wilder Abijah Petree. 
Bamej Hastings, James Harwood: 
Gates Doty, Seth Hubbard: 

Julius Alvord. Moses Cummings: 
Samuel Fox, Chester Packard: 
Lewis HaskelU John Hill : 
Benjamin Parmelee, Robert Farr ill : 
Daniel Snow, Joseph Snow. 

They generally had an easy time ; 
saw but little of the hardship of war 
and all returned safely to their homes- 

A THUNDER STORM IN WILMINGTON, 

(From “The Brattleboro Reporter/') 
On the 15th Inst, (Oct. 27, 1818.) 
we had a terrible storm of wind and 
rain attended with flashes of lightning 
and peals of thunder that might appal 
the stoutest heart. Several buildings 
were struck by lightning, but with little 
damage except a large barn of Lemuel 
Ball, filled with the products of his in- 
dustry the past season which was con- 
sumed to ashes. Two lads were milk- 
ing in the barn : his son and a relative 
who lived with him. — about 16 years 
of age, who with the cow he was milk- 
ing was struck dead. Mr. Ball's son, 
though struck down was not so stunned 
but that he effected his escape before 
the flames seized upon him and carri- 
ed the awful news of the fate of his 
companion to his father. Ball flew to 
the barn, but the flames enveloped it, 
so fierce, he could not approach. The 
body was not rescued until almost de- 
stroyed. The charred remains wer^ 
interred on the 17th when an affecting 
discourse was delivered to a large audi- 
ence by Rev. Hollis Sampson from Job 
V. 6 to 9 inclusive. 



In July 1822, a tornado, commenc- 
ing in the south-west, passing towards 
the north-east, struck first the earth 
where the village now is, unroofing 
the house of old Mr. Allis, then pro- 
ceeding about half a mile up the river 
took the roof from the dwelling-house 
' of Jonah Lincoln and completely de- 
molishing two of his barns, destroyed 
his orchard and crops ; struck a piece 
of woods a quarter of a mile beyond, 
prostrating the trees on several acres 
like grass before the scythe, passing off 
over the hills levelling trees, fences and 
crops for several miles, leaving a path 
of destruction even now visible. 

, ANNEXATION. 

In the fall of 1858, a part of the town 
of Somerset was annexed to this town 
four miles long and two miles wide 
containing about 100 inhabitants. The 
same territory was set off and annex - 
. ed to Dover in the fall of 1869, caused 
a decrease in the eensus from 1860 to 
1870. - 

POPULATION. 

In 1771, 71: 1791, 645: 

„ 1800, 1011: 1810, 1193: 

„ 1820, 1369: 1830, 1369: 

1840, 1296: 1850, 1372; 

„ 1860, 1424; 1870, 1250: 

At the breaking out of 

THE GREAT REBELLION, 

our citizens were very much aroused 
and swiftly arose to arms in defense 
of the nation. Meetings were called, 
speeehes were made, and many of the 
best you ag men volunteered and went 
to the war; others who could not well 
leave their homes furnished substitutes, 
and the town voted and paid generous 
bounties to encourage enlistments. The 
whole community, men and women ex- 
erted themselves to sustain the govern- 



WILMINGTON. 



11 



mant and help our soldiers to bear the 
fatigues and hardships of war, and very 
many barrels and boxes of clothing, j 
bedding and hospital stores were sent | 
to the Sanitary Commission by the la- 1 
dies who devoted much time and mon- 
ey to the cause. 

The following are the. names of ail j 
the volunteers who went from this town 
and substitutes as fai as known, as re- 
ported by the Adj. & Ins. Gen’l. They 
were generally men of sterling worth, 
who w r ent from principle, not as hire- 
lings. Some died in camps and hospi- 
tals, some were taken prisoners ; but 
the majority of them returned to their 
homes to receive the well-earned praise 
of their friends, and the gratitude of 
the whole community. 

VOLUNTEERS FOR THREE YEARS 

Allard, Albert A. Co. I, 4th Reg: 
Bassett, James M. Co. E, 11th Reg: 
Bellows, Nelson, Co. E, 11th Reg: 
Bowker, Fay L, Co. C, 2d Reg : 
Bowker, Charles S. Co. 1, 4th Reg: 
Burt, Amasa W. Jr. Co. I, 4th Reg: 
Childs, Brainard F. Band, 2d Reg: 
Cooley, George C. Co. L 4th Reg: 
Cummings, Chas. W Co. .1, 4th Reg: 
Cummings, Leonard N. Co, 1, 4th Reg : 
Cutting, Daniel F. Co. E, 11th Reg: 
Davis, Arthur C. Co. H,.8th Reg : 
Dennison, L. A. Co. E, 11th Reg:. 
Dibble, David, Co. I , 4th Reg. killed 
at Lee’s Mills, Apr. 16, *62: 

Dickinson, James R, Co. E 11th Reg. 
killed at Petersburgh, June 23, ‘84: 
Dicks, John F. Co. E, 11th Reg: 
Edson, Joseph M, Co. I, 4th Reg: 
Estabrook, Henry O. Co. I, 4th Reg: 
Farnham, John H. Co. I, 4th Reg. 
died. Feb. 1, ( 62: 



Farnham, * George W. -wounded se- 
verely at Cold Harbor : 

Fox, Martin L. Co. c , 2d Reg: 

Fox, Moses D. Co. E, 11th Reg: 
French, George W, Co. I, 4th Reg: 
Gates. Solomon, Co. H. 8th Reg : 
Grimes, George H. Co. I, 4th Reg : 
Handy, Milton C. Co. I, 4th Reg, — 
died, Feb. 16, .‘62: 

Harris, Rollin E. Co, E, 11th Reg: 
Harvey, George O. Co. E, 11th Reg: 
Haynes, Newell F. Co. H, 8th Reg : 
Lamb, Lewis H, Co. 1, 8th Reg, kill- 
ed at Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, ‘64: 

Mann, Warren W. Co. K, 9th Reff : 
Matthews, Wm. K. Co. I, 4th Reg: 
May, Warren E. Co.F, Cavalry : 
Patridge, Cyrus, Co. F, 9th Reg. died 
Dec. 9, ‘62: 

Powers, Michael, Co. I, 4th Reg : 
Ray, Frances E. Co. E, 11th Reg ; 
Rice, George A. Co. C, 2d Reg. kill- 
ed at Fredericksburg, May 3, *63 : 
Rice, CyrenO. Co. H, 9th Reg, died: 
Richardson, Thomas, Co. I, 8th Reg: 
Russell, Willard, Co. E, lltii Reg: 
SearlSj Henry D, Co. I, 4th Reg: 
Sears, John C. Capt. Co. E, 11th Reg : 
Shippee, James H. Co. H, 11th Reg : 
Smith, Sylvester P. Co. E, 11th Reg: 
Smith Walter W . S. S, Co. II 2d Reg : 
Stone, Clarke P. Co. F, Cavalry : 
Stone, Jason A. Co. F, Cavalry : 
Stone, Mason A. Co. F, Cavalry : 
Stowe, Henry J. Co. II, 8th Reg : 
Sullivan, Timothy, Co. I, 8th Reg. 
Tooley, JohnH. Co. I, 4th Reg: 
Ware, Henry C. Co. E, 11th Reg : 
Ware, Jonas F. Co. E, 11th Reg: 
Ware, Loami A. Co. F, Cavalry: 




12 „ VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.* 



Willis, Charles, Co. I, 4th Reg : 
Adams, Lucius, C. Co, II, 9th Reg: 
Allard, Edwin R. Co, F, 17th Regi- 
ment ; killed : 

Boyd, Charles E, Co F, 17th Regi- 
ment ; killed : 

Brown, Wm. H. Co. K, 3d Reg: 
Clifford, Francis E, J. Co G, 5th Reg: 
Coburn, George A. Co. F, 9th Reg : 
Converse, Asa E. Co. F, 9th Reg: 
Crawford, George, Co. E, 9th Vt : 
Davis, Oliver, Co. F, 3d Vt. died: 
Dodge, George F. Co. F, 8th Vt: 
Flanders, Luther, Co. E, 9th Vt : 
Fox, Charles F. Co. F, 8th Vt: 

Inge rson, John W. Co. E, 9th Vt: 
Johnson, Albert M. Co. F, 17th Vt: 
Peek, Wm. H. Co. C, 4th Vt. Prison- 
er of war : 

Shippee, Lander E. Co. A, 2d Vt: 
Voice, Andrew J. Co. A, 2d Vt : 
Walker, Henry W. Co. F, 17th Vt: 
Wing, Stephen B. Co. E, 9th Vt: 
Bordo, Julius, Co. F, 8th Vt: 

Clapper, Jacob, Co. F, 8th Vt : 

Deo, Joseph Zed, Co. F, 8th Vt : 
Gray, Myron, Co. F, 8th Vt.! 

Howell, Frank A. Co. I. 4th Vt : 
Leonard, Charles P. Co. G, 4th Vt. 
prisoner: 

Pike, Ahaz, P. Co. I, 4th Vt: 

Pike, Andrew J. Co. I, 4th Vt : 

Pike, Otis H. Co. I, 4th Vt : 

White, Stephen M. Co. F, 8th Vt. 

VOLUNTEERS FOR NINE MONTHS, 

all in Company F, 16tli Regiment, and 
mustered into service, Oct. 23, 1862. 
They were at the Battle of Gettysburg 
and distinguished themselves for their 
gallantry and courage. 



Henry F. Din, Captain: 

Cyren B. Lauton, Lieut, died of 
wounds received at Gettysburg : 
Charles E. Haskell, Sergt ; 

George Rose, Sergeant: 

Hardy F. Barber, Corporal: 

David S. Ballou, Corp, wounded 
at Gettysburg: 

Elliot Adams, Corporal: 

Allard, Edwin R : 

Allen, Albert, died, Jan. 14, l 63 : 
Ballou, Wm. M : 

Bemis Charles C : 

Bugbee, Alfred S : 

Chandler, Dana P. died, July, 
15, ‘63, of wounds received at Gettys- 
| burg : 

Childs, Aseph P : 

Converse, Asa E ; * 

Crosier, Albert I : 

Cudwortli, Hartland P : 
Davenport, George W : 
Estabrook, Samuel S: 
Estabrook, Sidney: 

Haskell, Ephraim : 

Haskell, Newland M: 

Holland John M: 

Hubbard, Linus G : 

Johnson, Albeit M: 

Russell, Chandler M : 

Stearns, Francis W : 

Titus, Elmer J : 

Watson, Austin, H. R: 

Welch, John : 

Wellman, Henry A : 

Whiting, Dan forth J, 

VOLUNTEERS FOR ONE YEAR t 

Lucius Y. Swan : 

Chandler F. Wellman. 



WILMINGTON. 



13 



Thus eudctli the record of the sold- 
iers of the Rebellion They have re- 
sumed their various pursuits and , are 
among our best citizens. 

AGRICULTURE, 

The farmers of Wilmington have 
for the last thirty years given much at- 
tention to the improvement of neat cat- 
tle; importing and purchasing the best 
breed of Durham short-horns. Their 
motto has been to get the best that 
could be found without regard to price: 
till the town has become well-known 
and quite famous for large and beauti- 
ful oxen, cows and other cattle; so that 
buyers of nice Stock come here to pur- 
chase. 

WILMINGTON AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY 

was formed about 1858. They hold an- 
nual fairs and cattle shows and have 
been very successful, a great ' pecunia- 
ry advantage and pleasant, social, au- 
tumnal festival which is thought much 
of. 

Among the men who have greatly 
improved the stock are : 

David Rugg, Alanson Parmelee : 

Russell Fitch, Israel Lau ton: 

B. L. Barnard, Daniel Cushman : 

C. T. Alvord, E. T. Butterfield: 

Ruel Smith, I). J. Parmeter . 

Chauncey Smith, Chas. W. BisselL 

Horsss and sheep are only ordina- 
ry. Every famer has his good, strong 
horse to take Ms family out to church. 
The ladies bring to the fairs their nice, 
white flannel and froeking, fine wool- 
len stockings and beautiful stocking- 
yarn, which they have manufactured 
from their own sheep. 

Indeed, the farmers are celebrated 
for every thing that goes to make up a 
pleasant home. There are beautiful res- 



idences all over town. White houses 
with green blinds prevail, surrounded 
with green lawns, dotted with roses, 
vines and flowers ; while the men have 
their mowing-machine, horse-rake, 
fancy potatoes, Norway oats, Alsike 
clover and swarms of bees. 

WILMINGTON VILLAGE. 

The present village is built upon each 
side of the east branch of the Deer- 
field River at the confluence of Beaver 
Brook, about half a mile west of the 
centre of the town. It has a good wa- 
ter-power which was first occupied by 
David Winslow for a grist and saw- 
mill, about 1795. In 1831, the stage 
road from Brattleboro to Bennington 
was completed through this valley. — 
The town-house, hotel and two stores 
were built the same year, and most of 
the town was removed from the old 
Centre, which as the custom of the first 
settlers was built on the top of a high 
hill. Since that time the Village has 
grown quite rapidly. It was incorpor- 
ated in 1855. It now contains four neat 
and commodious churches, — a Congre- 
gation!^ t, Baptist, Universalist and 
Methodist, a town-}iall, a large school- 
house ; about 80 dwelling-houses with 
about 400 inhabitants ; has quite an 
extensive grist and floiiring-miU, and a 
large lumber-mill ; a (good sized hotel, 
4 stores, one clothing-store; a market, 
a victualing-house; marble-works, a 
carriage-shop, harness-shop, 2 black- 
smithshops with several other business 
places ; 3 lawyers offices, and a sav- 
ings-bank. 

The place is easy of access from the 
adjoining towns by good roads, and 
has daily mails east and west ; has be- 
come a business centre for the south- 
west part of the County. It* is fresh 




14 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 

and neatly built and presents an attrac - ■ Jairus Hall, 1791, to 183*2 : 

tive appearance, surrounded by green Abner Allard, 1833, to 35 : 



hills and shaded by beautiful maples. 

A rail-road was chartered from Brat- 
tleboro to Bennington, Nov. 1869 ; 

TOWN REPRESENTATIVES. 

Elijah Alvord, 1778: 

William Williams, 1779: 

Chipman Swift, 1785, ‘99 : 

Timothy Castle, 1796, 7, 8: 1803: 
Jesse Swift 1800: 

Israel Lauten, 1801, 2: 

Jairus Hall, 1804 ‘52: 

Ephraim Tyler, 1826, ‘27: 

Lanoey Forbes, 1828, ‘29: 

David Rugg, 1830, ‘31 : 

Alanson Parmelee, 1833, 4: 

Charles K. Field, 1835, 6, 7: 

Azor Smith, 1838, 9: 

Henry Estabrook, 1841 : 

F. L. Stanley, 1843: 

S. P, Flagg, 1848, 49, 61, 62: 

O. L. Shafter, 1853: 

J. H. Dix. 1854: 

F. M. Crosby, 1855, 56: 

E. T. Butterfield, 1857 : 

B. L. Barnard, 1859, 60 : 

J. M. Tyler, 1863, 4 : 

Henry Whitney, 1865, 66 ; 

E. L. Waterman, 1867, 68: 

0. E. Butterfield, 1869: r 
No choice, 32, 40,42,4,5, 6,7,50, 1, 2. 

STATE SENATORS. 

Ashley Stone, 1852, 3: 

Stephen P. Flagg, 1861 65: 

TOWN CLERKS. 

Caleb Alvord, from 1777 to 79 : 
Nathan Foster, „ 1780 „ 86 : 

Matthew Long, ,, 1787 ,,90: 



S. P. Flagg, 1836 to 68: 

M. R. Crosby, 1869. 

PHYSICIANS. 

The first physician who settled in 
town was 

DR. BENJAMIN MORGAN 
who practiced here for several years, 
and then, about 1810, removed West. 

DR. URIEL BESTOR 

came next after Dr. Morgan and set- 
tled here to practice. He died here in 
1820. 

DR. DANA HYDE 

succeeded Dr. Bestor and remained a 
few years and left. 

DR JOHN PULSIFER 

came here next to reside and had a 
successful practice until 1838, when he 
removed to Illinois. 

DR. ORSON FLAGG, 

an enterising young man, studied with 
Dr. Pulsiferand afterwards opened an 
office in town and won a good reputa- 
tion, but died in 1827. 

DR. G, B. ARMINGTON 

took the place of Dr. Flagg for a few 
years and then removed to Pittsford. 

DR. ABNER ALLARD 

practiced several years and died in 
1839. 

DR. HORACE SMITH 

then came, doing a fme business for 
about 15 years, when he removed to 
Bennington where he now resides. 

Dl\ A. L. PETTEE 

was his successor and is now practic- 
ing here. 

DR. EDWIN HAYNES 

practiced medicine and dentistry in 
town about 10 years; died in 1866. 




WILMINGTON. 



15 



DB. J, H. TALBOT 

came here in 1857 ; gained quite a rep- 
utation and removed to Cambridge* 
Mass, in 1866. 

DR. F. J. SWIFT. 

a studious young man Las recently op- 
ened an office here and is doing a good 
business. 

LAWYERS. 

The first lawyer in town was Levi 
Field* who died in 1820. 

CHARLES K. FIELD 

came here about 1829. He was an ac- 
tive business man and assisted much in 
building up the Village* and promoted 
the prosperity of the town. He left in 
1838 and now resides in Brattle boro. 

OSCAR L. SHATTER 

commenced the practice of law here in 
1837 ; gained an extensive reputation 
and removed to California in 1854, 
where he has arisen to Judge of the 
Supreme Court. [For Shatter see his- 
tory of Athens.] 

• S. V. FLAGG 

* 

commenced the practice of law here in 
1843, and continued in the profession ! 
until his death in 1868. 

F. M. CROSBY 

was Mr. Flagg’s partner a few years, 
and then removed to Minnesota. 

J. M. TYLER 

was afterwards Mr. Flagg's partner 
until he moved to Brattleboro, 1864, 
and is now [1870] in company with C. 
K. Field in that town. 

E. L. WATERMAN 

was the next partner of Mr. Flagg, 
who came here in 1866, and left in 
1870. 

C. N. DAY EXPORT 

studied law with O. L. Shatter, and 
when he left for California, Mr. Dav- 



enport took his office and practiced very 
successfully about ten years when he 
removed to Brattleboro, where he is 
now doing business. 

The present lawyers are : 

O. E. Butterfield, Esq. 

S. T. Davenport, Esq. 

G. W. Davenport, Esq. 

Quite a large number of young law- 
yers have studied in this place and be- 
come well known all over the country. 

ECCLESIASTICAL. 

The first vote recorded in town was 
to hire Mr. Chapin, a Congregationlist 
minister, to preach to them. The Con- 
gregational was the only mode of wor- 
ship in town for quite a number of 
years. 

Their first meeting-house was a 
log one; their next was a large square 
framed one on the top of a high hill 
near the centre of the town ; unpaint- 
ed, without a steeple; but with great, 
family-pews and a curious sounding- 
board over the pulpit. There were no 
carpets, no cushions, no place for a fire, 
and yet from Sabbath to Sabbath, peo- 
ple came flocking here from all parts 
of the town. They never thought of 
being cold, though the mercury was 
below zero ; they never complained; 
of the heat, the sun poured its scorch- 
ing ra 3 r s all day long into the unblind- 
ed windows ; rain or wind never dis- 
turbed the even tenor of their souls, 
while they listened to the preached 
word and treasured it up in good and 
honest hearts. 

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 

was first formed here, Aug, 16, 1780, 
by Bev Henry Williams and Bev. 
Gershom Lyman, the minister of Marl- 
boro, The church consisted of seven 
members. 




16 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



May 31, 1780 they gave Rev. Wins* 
low Packard an invitation to become 
their minister which he accepted and 
was soon after ordained. Being the 
first settled minister, he was given the 
minister right of land ; part of it was 
in the centre and part of it in the N. E. 
part of the town. He was much loved 
and confided in and the church in- 
creased under his ministry ; but it was 
of short duration ; he died, October 
12, 1867, 

Since that time they have had many 
different pastors settled over them ; 
mostly good and true men who com- 
manded respect and exerted not only 
an excellent influence in the church, 
but in the community. 

In 1837, the Society erected a neat 
modern church in the Village which 
they have since occupied. They have 
no settled minister now, Rev. E. E. 
Herrick, a very worthy, intelligent 
gentleman, the last, removed to Ran- 
dolph, June 1870. 

Rev, Mr. Emmerson here previous, 
removed to Lynn, Mass. 

Rev. Mr. Perry next before Mr. E. 
who removed to Cambridge, Mass, and 
so on. The church is now in a prosper- 
ous condition, 82 members, 15, hav- 
ing been added during the revival the 
past season. 

Baptist Church, 

BY MRS. A, W. G0ODNOW, 

The Baptist Church in Wilmington, 
wa 3 organized, Sept. 1, 1806; the con- 
stituted members having previously u- 
nited with the Baptist Church in Som- 
erset, 

The same day, Nathan Flagg and 
Jeremiah Parmalee were ordained as 
deacons. 



REV. MR. SHOW, 

was the first pastor; but be remained 
only a few months. 

LINUS AUSTIN 

was licenced to preach by the church 
in June 1807, and preached as stated 
i supply 3 years. He also supplied the 
| pulpit in 1815, 16, 

REV. ELI BALL 

was ordained and settled as pastor in 
in September 1811. He left after two 
years service. 

REV. MANSFIELI> BRUCE, 

who had occasionly preached as sup- 
I ply in 1819, was settled as pastor, re- 
j maining as such until his death, Febru- 
ary 1843. 

REV. M. D. MILLER 

became pastor in March 1843 and was 
dismissed in July 1848. 

REV. A. CASE 

was settled in February 1 849 , and re- 
mained 2 years. 

REV. M. BALL 

was called to the pastorate - in Septem- 
ber 1851, and was dismissed in Au- 
gust 1853. 

REV, W. TILLING HAST 

was settled in March 1854, and re- 
mained 3 years. 

REV* C. SMlTlf 

commenced his pastorate in the au- 
tumn of 1857, and terminated it in 
July 1859. 

REV. A. W. GOODNOW, 

present pastor [1870*], was settled in 
April 1860. 

The Church has had nine pastors ; 
ordained two of its members as min- 
isters. and licenced four to preach; and 
two after removing to other places be- 
came preachers. It has had in all about 
450 members of whom nearly 300 uni- 




WILMINGTON. 



17 



ted by baptism. It has had 16 dea- 
cons, and built two* houses of worship. 
Its present number of members is 120, 
32 of whom have recently united with 
the church. 

The Methodist Church. 

BY REV. J. H. GAYLORD v 

The first class was formed in this 
place in 1814, being connected with 
Leyden circuit. Wilmington with sev- 
eral of tbe adjoining towns was organ- 
ized into a circuit in 1833, 

The present number of members is 
76, and in addition 25 on probation or 
six months trial, the fruit of the revi- 
val, this season. 

THE UNIVERSAL 1ST SOCIETY 

was first formed here by 

REV. HOLLIS SAMPSON, 

who was formerly pastor of the Con- 
gregational church in this town, at the 
time he renounced the orthodox creed ; 
about 1818. Nearly half of his con- 
gatxon embraced his views and formed 
the nucleus of the present society, or- 
ganized in 1820, about which time, 
Mr. Sampson left town, and 

REV. HUBBARD WINCHESTER 

was employed to preach and was or- 
dained here ; and after him, 

REV. J. C. NEWEL 

preached here for a year or two ; and 
then 

REY. 8. P. SKINNER 

was employed for several years; next 
after whom was 

REV. WM. S. BALLOU, 

who preached with the society until 
1833, when 

RE V. HOSEA P. BALLOU, 

a son of Hosea Ballou, the founder of 
Universalism in this country, preach- 
ed ; commenced his labors, preaching 



one half of the time here and one 
half at Whitingham where he resided 
for 7 years. 

tn 1835, the present church was e- 
reeted. 

REV. J. W. BAILEY 

was settled here as pastor in 1843 and 
hired to preach the whole time, and a 
church of some 30 members was or- 
ganized. Mr. Bailey labored with zeal 
and good success for 7 years when he 
removed to Western New York, and 

REV. OR1N PERKINS 

succeeded to him, who preached for 
3 years; and after him, 

REV. J, CLIFFORD 

was settled here as, pastor until 1857, 
when the present pastor, 

REV. H. P. BALLOU, 

removed his family here and took the 
charge of the parish which he has held 
for the last 13 years. 

The number of the church is be- 
tween 40 and 50, about half the size 
of the society, — 12 new members. 

Each society has a modern church- 
edifice in good condition, nicely carpet- 
ed and cushioned, with interesting Sab- 
bath schools and Bible-class es and 
good libraries ; a nice inelodeon and 
fine choir. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Rev. Winslow Packard 
was born in Bridgewater, Mass. 1750; 
graduated at Amherst College in 1775; 
married Abigail, daughter of Judah 
Moore, one of the first settlers of this 
town, and sister of Pres. Zephaniah S. 
Moore of Amherst College. 

Mr. Packard received a call to settle 
as minister of the Gospel, by a vote of 
the town, Aug. 31, 1780, which he ac- 
cepted and was soon after ordained as 



18 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



the first settled minister of Wilming- 
ton. 

mr. Packard’s letter of acceptance, 

( As on the town records ) 

u Wilmington May ye 31st 1781 
Kind and beloved Friends 
The invitation which you was 
pleased to give me last August to set- 
tle with you in the work of ye Gospel 
ministry, and the discouraging as well 
as encouraging circumstances with 
which it has been and is yet attended 
has all from time to time been with 
wait upon my mind and sometimes al- 
most distracted my thoughts. My duty 
for a long time has hung in doubt, and 
I have been perplexed to know what to 
do, I have I trust sincerely desired | 
that my duty in this important affair 
might be made plain, and that I might 
be cheerfully disposed to do the same : 
and for this end I have endeavored sin- 
cerely to spread my case before God : 
and look to him for light and direction. 

I have endeavored carefully to observe 
all providences that appeared both in 
favor and against it. 1 have counselled 
both ministers and friends in order to 
obtain their best advice, and from all 
the light I can obtain I cannot see it 
my duty wholly to deny you, , neither 
can I see as it is my duty to accept of 
your invitation without any excep- 
tions. I have concluded therefore to 
accept of your call on condition a 
ministerial right shall be laid out by 
the proprietors at their next meeting 
and upon condition the right is as good 
as any impartial men shall think it 
ought to be, and upon conditions there 
shall (previous to my ordination) be 
procured a settling lot which shall be 
agreeable to my mind, and likewise 
upon condition I fully understand | 
our proposals for my support among | 



you, which are I understand them as 
follows, (viz) That you agree to give 
me one hundred Pounds lawful money 
fora settlement. One half of to be paid 
at my ordination, the other half in one 
year after. That you agree to give me 
for a salary thirty pounds lawful mon- 
ey for the first year, — forty for ye sec- 
ond year — fifty for ye third — sixty for 
ye fourth year, and sixty five for every 
year after that I shall continue your 
gospel minister. And these sums for 
my salary you agree to give (I suppose 
from what I can learn from your votes 
and those that were present when they 
were passed) upon condition I will for 
the four first years take labor at the 
common price in ye year 1774 of all 
those who have a mind to pay their 
rates in labor and will pay them m such 
time of the year as I shall stand most 
in need of their help. You agree that 
my salary shall begin when I may give 
my answer in the affirmative, and you 
agree likewise that the aforementioned 
sums for my settlement whenever paid 
be made as good as money was in the 
year one thousand seven hundred and 
seventy four, by which I understand 
that you agree whenever you pay y’e 
forementioned sums or any part of them 
that if the same nominal sum or sums 
will not purchase as much of the nec- 
esaries of life as in ye year one thous- 
and seven hundred and seventy four, 
then ye said sum or sums shall be in- 
creased till they will. 

If yon vote this as your meaning, 
then I conclude to accept your call. — 
wishing that the blessing of God may 
attend our engagements and that we 
may all our days be a blessing and 
comfort to each other. 

Winslow Packard. 

N. B, 

It was voted in open town-meeting. 




WILMINGTON* 



when Mr. Packard gave his answer, 
that the conditions of his answer was 
agreeable to the meaning of the town 
in their answer to him. 

Test. Nathan Foster, Town Clerk. 

He continued to preach with good 
success until his death, Oct. 12, 1784, 
at the age of 34 years. 

He left two children, a son and dau- 
ghter, Origin and Clarissa. 

His widow married Rev. Edmund 
Mills of Sutton, Mass, in 1789, who 
died in 1825. She was again married 
to Rev. Nathaniel Emmons, D. D. of 
Franklin, Mass, in 1831, who died in 
1840. She died, Oct. 24, 1853, at the 
age of ninety-one ; after bringing up a I 
family of four sons and three daugh- 1 
ters. Her daughter, Clarissa Packard, 
married Rev. David Holman of Doug- 
lass, Mass. 

Rev. Mansfield Bruce, 

BY REV. OIRGEN SMITH. 

Mansfield Bruce was born at Graf- 
ton, Mass. Apf. 11, 1781. The au- 
tumn after his birth, his parents, Eli- 
jah and Abigail Bruce, removed to 
Newfane, The country new, school- 
ing poor, the circumstances of his par- 
ents comparative poverty, his educa- 
tion while young was quite limited. 

In December 1804, he sought an in- 
terest in the Saviour. He united with 
the Congregationlist church of New- 
ton, Mass, but in 1806, not being sat- 
isfied with sprinkling for baptism, he 
was baptised by immersion into the 
fellowship of the Baptist church of 
Marlboro and Newfane. 

He was married to Grace Goddard, 
Sept. 24, 1805. They had 9 children. 
She still survives, (1870)being 86 yrs. 
old. 



19 

Soon after baptism, he was chosen 
| deacon which office he well filled until 
1 September 1809 when he was set apart 
by solemn ordination as an evangelist, 
but soon became pastor of the same 
church ; and yet went “everywhere” 
preaching the Gospel to the destitute, 
aiding pastors in their arduous work, 
the sign of God’s approbation folio w- 
j lug wherever he went. 

| In 1813, he supplied the Baptist 
church in Wilmington one half of the 
time, andin 1819 became pastor of the 
! same church until his death, Feb’y 5, 
1843, in his 63d year. He supplied 
his desk until the last three weeks be^ 
fore he died. His pastorate of almost 
] 24 years was one of success and great 
usefulness. 

As he spent the whole period of his 
ministry of 35 years in this vicinity 
he had, become quite a patriarch among 
the Baptists in this part of the State. His 
counsel was more sought than that of 
any other Baptist pastor in Windham 
County — for the last years of his life. 
His death was a triumph of that faith 
in the Gospel he had so long preached. 

Elder Bruce was an able, sound and 
energetic preacher. He spoke with 
great clearness and power, relying on 
the arm of the Lord to sustain him. — 
He was faithful in his charge, unspot- 
ted in his life, and beloved by his flock. 
He was much esteemed as a man, as a 
Christian, and as an able minister of 
the Gospel. 

During his ministry he preached 6000 
sermons, besides many lectures on tem- 
perance, moral reform and anti-slave- 
ry. He visited the sick far and near. 
He married 101 couples; baptized 408 
persons, and traveled 70.000 miles. He 
was always punctual to his appoint 




20 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ments: rain or shine, wind or snow did 
not keep him at home. 

He was a man of intelligence and 
blessed with great natural abilities, but 
had not while young the means to ac- 
quire an education. After he entered 
the ministry, he studied very hard and 
probably laid the foundation of the 
disease, hydrocephalas. which termina- 
ted his earthly career. 

He was very industrious and econo- 
mical; whatever he undertook, he did 
with his might, so, though his salary 
was small, not more than half* support- 
ing his family, he managed to get a 
good, comfortable living. 

Mr. Origin Packard, 

BY MRS. V. FOBES. 

Origen Packard was born, Nov. 30, 
1782. His father, Winslow Packard, 
was the first settled minister of this 
town. Origen was two years old when 
his father died. His mother married 
Rev. Mr. Mills of Sutton, Mass, a few 
years after and he went to Sutton to 
reside. He was educated at Leicester 
Academy under the instruction of his 
uncle Zephaniah S. Moore, afterwards 
President of Williamstown College, 
still later, first President of Amherst 
College. Origen was quick, easy to 
learn, and made rapid progress in his 
studies. He often spent his vacations in 
Wilmington, having a great partiality 
for his native place. In the winter of 
1798, he started the first Lyceum in 
town, when he was 16 years old, and 
the same winter opened a free grammar 
school, even giving the wood for the 
fire, which was largely attended, some 
coming from neighboring towns. — 
Judge Roberts, late of Townshend, 
then of Whitingham, once said to Mr. 
Packard: “Ail that lam, all that I 
ever shall be I owe to you ; for it 



was you who first gave me the desire 
to be educated, and pointed the way to 
knowledge. '* Previous to that time, 
Wilmington had been obliged to get 
teachers for common schools from a- 
broad ; after that they could supply 
other towns. 

Soon after Mr. Packard graduated, 
he went to NdW Haven, Ct. and in the 
year 1807, married Azubah Smith, a 
young lady of great intelligence and 
refinement. They settled in Douglass, 
Mass, where he engaged in the mercan- 
tile business ; but not having a taste for 
it, he sold out and removed to Wil- 
mington and settled on the “minister- 
lot” which was given to liis father in 
the northeast part of the tpwn, where 
they bronght up a family of four dau- 
ghters and one son. 

He was always fond of teaching and 
continued to do so till he was over 50 
years old, and when not teaching was 
ever ready to give freely any instruc- 
tion to any young men seeking for 
knowledge. He was. a man of good 
talents and original mind. 

In the winter of 1816 and 17, he be- 
came very much interested in the sub- 
ject of religion, and studied upon it 
and the llible uutil he adopted a sys- 
tem of faith of his own which became 
quite popular, quite a number joining 
with him in belief who were called 
“Packardites.” They believed that the 
Bible was written by inspiration and 
should be understood wholly spiritual- 
ly, that all Christians should be united 
and not divided into sects. Finding 
that they were only building another 
sect., they discontinued their meetings, 
each one attending church where it 
seemed most like home, though all 
cherishing more or less their distinct- 
ive views through life in great peace. 




WILMINGTON, 



21 



In 1889, Mr. Packard sold his farm 
and removed to Bennington, but re- 
turned in 1847, and took up his resi- 
dence with his son-in-law, Yolnej 
Forbes, where he and his wife remain- 
ed until their death, February 1865, 
aged 82 and 80. 

He had often expressed the desire 
that as they had lived together over 
half a century, 'they might die togeth- 
er. When she died after a short illness, 
he was in usual health, but the day fol- 
lowing was prostrated by the same dis- 
ease (pneumonia) and in two days more 
followed her to the Spirit-land. 

He bore his sickness like a true 
Christian; while dying he said U I heard 
a voice and raising his eyes with an 
intense look of gratitude, and pointing 
his finger, he whispered “ Mother !” — 
and passed aw^ay : thus died this peace- 
able, pure-minded man. 

He spent much of the last 12 years 
of his life in study and reflection. He 
delighted in astronomy and investigat- 
ed the science with much enthusiasm, 
and to quite an extent ; but the Bible 
was to him the Great Book. He studi- 
ed it through by course 17 times in 
the last three years of his life, as he 
said always finding something new and 
elevating. 

“One by one they are passing away, 

The old of our town— to their final rest/' 

Hon. J Antes Hall. 

Judge Hall was born at New Brain- 
tree, Mass, in 1765 ; educated at Brown I 
University, Providence ; came to this 
town about 1790 ; was town clerk from 
1791 to 1882; town, representative from 
1804tol826 ; judge, of the countycourt 
from 1810 to 1814; justice of the peace 
for a generation. He married about 
500 couples; brought up ten children ; 
was a man of good sense, and abilities, 



social, genial, and a quiet, Christian 
gentleman. 

He moved to Rrattlehoro in 1838 
and soon after to Boston, where he 
died at the age of 84 years. A man 
of note and influence in this vicinity 
and well known throughout the county 
and state during the early part of the 
present century. 

Hon. Stephen P. Flagg 
was born in Wilmington, Feb. 25. 1806, 
son of Timothy Flagg, one of the ear- 
ly inhabitants. He was educated at the 
common schools, but was passionate- 
ly fond of music and devoted to it 
much time and study. While very 
young he taught singing* schools with 
good success in the* principal towns of 
Windham, Bennington, Rutland and 
Addison Counties. For more than 40 
years he led the choir of the Congre- 
gation alC hurch in this place. 

« He had a taste for the military, at 
21 he was a Lieut, of Cavalry, a regi- 
ment of militia formed in the west 
part of Windham County, and was 
soon after promoted successively to the 
Adjutanc}". Lieut. Colonelcy and Col- 
onelcy of the Regiment, and in 1832 
was commissioned a Brigadier General 
then the youngest officer of his rank 
in the State. 

In 1830, he married Lucinda Brown 
of this place. She died in 1857, leav- 
ing him four sons and one daughter. — 
In 1859 he married, Eunice Chapin of 
Bernardston, Mass, who survived him. 

He was selectman in 1833, 34; town 
agent from 1841 to 64; town treasurer 
from 1849; justice of the peace from 
1838; town clerk from 1836; and 
Treasurer of the Wilmington Savings 
Bank; which four last offices he eon- 
inued to hold until his death. 




22 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



He was a member of the Constitu- 
tional Convention, 1856 ; a member of 
the House in 1848, 49,61*2; a mem- 
ber of the Senate in 1864, 5. 

He died, December 23, 1865. 

He was scrupulously exact in the 
discharge of all public duties ; no one 
ever questioned his fidelity or integri- 
ty in the performance of any public 
trust. 

He was a lawyer of considerable em- 
inence, whose briefs and arguments 
were always regarded with respect by 
the bar and consideration by the court. 

In private life, lie was modest and 
unpretending in his maimers, steadfast 
in his friendship, and loved his native 
town and its history, his home and its 
associations. 

During his professional life, he had 
several young men as partners, and 
was always ready to assist them in the 
commencement of their legal profess- 
ion. In return they regarded him with 
honor and affection. 

HON. JOHN H. FLAGG, 

the second son of Hon. Stephen P. 
Flagg was 5 years Clerk of the Ver- 
mont House of Representatives ; is 
now Executive Clerk of the United 
States Senate at Washington. 

“Major Morris.” 

Mr. John Morris familiarly known 
as Major Morris was one of King 
George's 1 4 volunteers.” He was quite 
fond of telling how he came to tins 
country. He was a tailor in Leeds, 
England, and being out one night on 
a spree, with his friends in the street, 
they were seized by a press gang of 
soldiers and forced on board a trans- 
port ship, and the next morning were 
underway for America. Upon his arri- 
val, he was “enlisted” into Burgoyne’s 



army, and was surrendered with Rur- 
goyne at Saratoga. The prisoners 
were marched over the Green Mount- 
ains on their way to Boston. Major 
Morris said when he was passing 
through the woods, he thought that he 
did n-ot wish to return to England and 
managed one night to make his escape. 
After wandering several days and be- 
coming tired and hungry, he almost 
wished that he could return to the 
British army, and he set up his cane 
and concluded to lake the direction it 
would fall, and it fell towards the 
“Regulars.” “That was not fair !” he 
said and tried, it again, leaning it a lit- 
tle to the other way, and it fell to 
suit him, so he continued his course 
until he came to Wilmington, where 
he settled, married, and raised a re- 
spectable family. 

WILD ANIMALS. 

In the early years of the settlement 
wild animals were troublesome. Bears, 
wolves and catamounts were numer- 
ous and often committed depredations 
upon the domestic animals of the set- 
tlers. Capt. Chipman Swift who lived 
where Chauoey Smith now resides was 
a famous hunter. At one time, some 
strange animal was discovered in the 
top of a tall tree near the old burying- 
ground. No one dared to shoot it for 
fear it was the devil and might harm 
them. But Mr. Swift loaded his gun 
with two bullets and some buck-shot.- 
It should have the contents of his 
gun if it was the devil, himself and 
aiming between his two glaring eyes, 
he fired, bringing down a huge cata- 
mount, who pdunced upon his, faithful 
dog and tore him to pieces in his death 
struggles. 

Other stories might be told, but this 
must suffice. 




WILMINGTON. 



23 



TEMPERANCE. 

A large Temperance Society was 
formed in 1835, which did much good 
in the community. It flourished until 
the breaking out of the 'Rebellion 
when men's thoughts were turned in 
another direction , and during the war 
temperance languished. 

The Waverly Lodge No. 83 L O. of 
Good Templars was chartered June 
20, 1868. It now has 63 members ; 
seems to be in a flourishing condition ; 
is constantly increasing in numbers. 

Masonic, 

BY F. J. SWIFT, M. D. 

Social lodge: No. 38 A. M. was 
originally chartered in June 1815. 

First W. M. Jairus llall: 
i, S. W. Jesse Swift: 

,, J. W. Edmund Livermore : 

Suspended work during the anti-ma- 
sonic excitement from 1831 to 1856 
when it was re-organized under a new 
charter, but bearing the same name 
and number, and has enjoyed prosperi- 
ty up to the present time. It has some 
79 members and is receiving new ac- 
cessions at almost every regular com- 
munication. The stations at the pres- 
ent time (1869) are filled as follows; 

F. J. Swift, W. M . 

E. J. Titus, S. W. 

C. C. Bemis, J. W. 

EDUCATIONAL and literary. 

The people have from the early set- 
tlement taken a great interest in educa- 
tion and in reading, books and papers, 
a town library of 200 volumes, choice 
books, was established about 1790, 
which was kept in good condition and 
enlarged for about 50 years; since then 
other libraries have been formed , public 
and private, including agricultural and 



Young Men's Christian Association 
have been formed, while at the present 
time almost every man in town has a 
.small library of useful books, and is 
well supplied with newspapers and pe- 
riodicals which are universally read 
i by all. 

The Town contains 14 schooJ dis- 
tricts, each of which has a good 
school- house ; some of them very nice 
and commodious, in which schools are 
supported for two or three terms each 
year. A high school has been establish- 
ed at the Village which has usually 
been well sustained. 

A newspaper called 

THE GREEN MOUNTAIN EAGLE, 

was published in 1 850 ; but continued 
only a year or two, since which no pa- 
per has been published here. 

Nov, 20 1869, 



Volney Forbes, 

The author of this Early History of 
Wilmington has'been dead some years. 
“He was first a merchant, then a vil- 
lage farmer. He was a scholarly man, 
and a gentleman ; active in every enter- 
prise, that could advance the interests 
of the town or uplift society.” 

He married Esther Packard 

who survives him, “a graceful writer, 
and in former yerrs, often cast her 
efforts on the billows of literature.”— 
“Karl DeKuy” in obituary of her ad- 
mirable mother. And, to her, Mrs. 
Esther S. Forbes, this December, 
1889, Thanks! — for two pretty bro- 
chures: “Vermont Maple Fugar Indus- 
try,” “Attractions of Wilmington and 
Vicinity” with view of Haystack Mt. 
Other historical information, and there 
is considerable left, we lay up till 
we may be able to give the history of 
the town from 1870 to 1890 or 1892; 



24 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



these Interesting little publications are 
by Editor and Publisher Jones of the 
“Wilmington Valley Times,” a talent- 
ed, 8 pp. weekly paper. — Ed. 

THE YGICES OF THE NIGHT, 

B t Mas. A. M, Philips. 

(A native of Wilmington.) 

Night’s voices! how the feverish heat, 
Engendered in the toils of life, 

Aud all the restless fears that beat 
With its intenser pain and strife ; 

The aspiring thought, the lofty vein. 

The hopes that make our p athway bright 
The grief that shrouds the heart in flame, 
Yield to the, voices of the night. 

How softly to the ear they steal, 

As. if a spirit moved the air, 

And to the thirsting soul reveal 
A nobler life, divinely fair, 

And on their wings the memories come 
Of tones that now are with the blest, 

And whisperings of that better home 
Where all the weary are at rest. 

The incense rising from the rose. 

The perfume which the lily yields, 

And sweeter than from censer flows 
The fragrance of the new mown lields, 
Lending to sense a soothing balm 
As faith controls the waves of grief 
And pours upon the heart the ealm, * 
Still waters of an endless peace. 

The dews which from the skies distil, 
Their cooling to the leaves impart, 

As drops of grace refine and fill 
The silent caverns of the heart. 

And, lo! the murmur of a stream 
That bounds in music to the sea. 

The spirit of its song doth seem 
A breathing of eternity. 

And now the wind that parts the leaves 
And whispers through the violet-bed ; 

That plays among the tasseled slieavas, 
Steals softly round rny aching head. 

With tones of peace from spirit friends 
Who fold their white amis round me now, 
And message borne of comfort blends 
With the cool breath that bathes my bro w. 

And from tin dark, green waving woods 
That crown the mount and kiss the stars 



And from earth’s deepest solitudes 
Comes ninsie w r hich the soul unbars 
To voices of the spirit-land. 

Now calling me away, away 
To climes whose skies are ever bland, 
Whose seasons are eternal May. 

I strain my eyes to catch a glance 
Of that unfading land of light; 

And though far off its pastures seem, 

Yet in the stillness of the night. 

An angel comes with snow-white wings 
And writes a prayer deep in my heart, 
.And hope sits by my side and sings 

Till darkness doubt and fear depart. , 

Not where the brightest sunlight pours, 

Not where unmingled splendor shines, 
The aspiring soul the highest soars 
Or reads its joy In fairest lines; 

But when the gorgeous day-god sleeps 
And night's dear lamps burn still and lone, 
The soul a heavenly noontide keeps 
Within tlie radiance of His throne. 

The stars fade out, the moon departs. 

Up in the east there comes the sun. 

Take courage, 0, ye fainting hearts! 

For life’s great toil will soon be done. 

Not in the grave will songs be heard 
By voices of earth’s day or night; 

^ But upward like a soaring bird, 

Shall sing ourselves in fadeless light. 



THE NEW YE AES PRAYER. 

(In the days of the Southern Rebellion.) 

By D, Gilbert Dexter. 

(One year ago, during the midnight hour 
when the old year faded into eternity, and a 
new one commenced its historical journal, a 
lone soldier’s widow knelt In her solitary cot 
in the village of W.— While the sun came forth 
from his eastern home, a neighbor called at 
the door, and there in the solemn attitude of 
prayer, was the widow — hut she moved not, 
neitlfer did she speak, for “the spirit had re- 
turned to him who gave it.”) 

The wintry moon shines cold and still, 

And the wind s unds hoarse and drear. 

As it echoes along o'er valley and hill’ 

With its icy breath and freezing chill, 

• While ’tis sighing the old, old year ! 

The old, old year is past and gone. 

With its care, its strife and its blood, 



WILMINGTON, 



25 



And a mother is kneeling and weeping alone 
With a trusting heart an da trembling tone 
As she prays to the all father god. 

.List! the notes and the words of this 
morning prayer 
In the eot so lone and still, 

Mark, the beating heart and the lines of 
care, 

The emphasis tone and faith so r are, 
Enchaining the soul with a thrill. , 

She prays Oh Father ! Saviour mine ! 
Redeemer, Maker all divine ! 

Look down upon unworthy me 
Who hopeth in immortality. 

Our country, bleed ng, torn and rent, 
Distracts my mind from calm content, 

The throbbing heart and tearful eye, 

But tell us joys are born to die. 
********* 

The husband dear went forth to fight 
For God, for freedom, faith and right. 

An only son stood by my side with sire; 
The sire is low and not a breath 
Will wipe away the seal of death; — 

The son is dying far away 
In dungeon damp where sunny ray 
Ne’er lends its cheer, no comfort near 
To usher in the new, new year. 

On thy altar, O, Columbia fair! 

Iv*e laid my earthly jewels rare— 

VERMONT CAMP SONG. 

By Mrs. D. Gilbert Dexter. 

[Published in Millken’s Vermont Record at 
Brandon, 1863. — Ellen Simonds, one of six 
sisters and ten children of Dea. Asa Simonds 
of Pern,— See History of Peru, Vol. I. gradua- 
ted, Fem. Bern. Troy, N. Y. taught popularly, 
music, painting, French, etc. at Milton Fem. 
Sem, 3 years and in 1856 married Mr; Dexter, 
a merchant at Wilmington. They have sever- 
al children. This was Mrs. Dexter’s first po- 
em published.] 

I. 

Come, gather round. the board, my lads, 

Oh, gather round to-day , 

And sing of home, our dearest home, 

On the mountains far away ; 

We’ve left the home of early days, 

To fight for God and right— 

We’ll never yield the gory field 
Till truth shall rule with might. 

Then cheer, boys I cheer, boys! 

The battle has begun— 



For Freedom fight 
With holy might. 

The victory shall be won, 

II. 

Shall we forget the days of yore, 

The fields our fathers trod, 

When Ethan Allen bold and true, 

Fought for our cause and God? 

No, no, we'll ne'er forget our sir#* 

When battle rages high— 

We’ll ne’er forget they firmly stood 
And fought to win or die. 

Then cheer, boys! cheer, boys! &c. 

HI. 

For “Freedom and for Unity,” 

The motto of the brave, 

We’ll ever stand, brave mountain band, 
“The Ship of State” to save; 

Then rally, brothers of Vermont, 

Around “the stripes and stars,— 

Yes, rally once again, ye braves 
Down with “ the stars and bars!” 

Then shout, boys! shout, boys! 

The battle has begun— 

For Freedom fight 
With holy might, 

The victory shall be won, 

IV. 

Green Mountain Boys! Brave Mountain Boys I 
Come, rally round the flag 
Our fathers bought with bloody price 
From “John of ancient Brag.” 

W e will retain our fathers’ name 
And punish deeds of wrong. 

And never yield the crimson field, 

But fight with sword and song. 

Then shout, boys! &c. 

FANI M L,ETITIyE. 

By. Gertrude I. Dexter. 

[Daughter of D. Gilbert and Ellen Dexter.] 
Building still by mystic fingers, 

Raising high its gilded spires. 

Dimly seen through hazy distance, 

Stands the goal of great desires. 

To this bright and beauteous temple 
Over devious paths that tried 
To the utmost, firm reliance, 

Trust in God whate’er betide. 

Cornea an aged pilgrim, laden 
W r ith a lifetime’s gleanings rare, 

Standing at the outer entrance 
Fain to ask admittance there. 




26 



VECMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



’Neath the arcade, weary, waiting, 

Leans a youth, the gods were kind, 

Gifting him with wondrous talents, 

Grace of limb and might of mind. 

< Neath the portals stands a maiden 
Bearing offerings to the shrine 
Ot her young life’s glad ambition, [ 

Seeking peace in things divine. 

But unto their mortal vision 
Those celestial gates unclose, 

Never, though from morn till even, 

Angels entering disclose 
Beauties brig] iter than the gorgeous 
Tints of fair Italia's skies, 

Pleasures rarer than the dreaming3 
Of a primal Paradise. 

Now a bright seraph being 
Stoops and whispers words of cheer, 
Saying : “Like u9 thou shalt surely 
Enter one day, without fear.” 

HON. HENRY M. DICKINSON , 

eldest son of Madison Dickenson was 
born in this town* July 7, 1835; enter- 
ed W 01 ianss College, 1855, graduated 
1859. He was Editor of the Williams 
Quarterly Magazine while there, which 
he edited with marked ability. Heap- 
plied himself with intense devotion to 
his studies. Few better students, prob- 
ably ever lived. When he left Williams 
he studied la w with Mr. Follett of 
Readsboro a few months and in 1860, 
took the regular course in the Law 
School at Ann Arbor, Mich, reading at 
vacations with Hon. Chas. I. Walker 
of Detroit. He arrived at Omaha, in 
April 1862; appointed Judge of Pro- 
bate, October 1864, which office he 
held at the time of his death, July 20, 
1865, from congestion of the brain, 
sick but a few days. Says “The Oma- 
ha Daily Republican 5 ’ in obituary no 
tice : “There are few, if any men in 
the community who had more friends.” 
Well may Vermont feel proud of 
such a son, and well may she lay up a 
memento in her archives of the noble 
and gifted that pass away from earth. 



Toll the bell quietly. 

Toll it with care, 

Bear its chimes tenderly 
On far Western air; 

The noble and gifted 
Hath struggled with death I 

Toll the bell solemnly. 

Son of tbe West, 

Father and brothers 
And sister and others 
Are weeping in sorrow— 

* . . . . 

Mother, he had one, 

A dear one and true, 

Whose harp lies unstrung, 

Life’s journey through ; 

Friends met in glory, 

Ne’er will they part. 

* A son and a mother. 

Heart prest to heart. 

Toll the bell carefully, 

Precious the dust. 

Son of the mountains. 

In God put his trust. 

Smooth the sod tenderly, 

O’er the still breast, 

Calmly and dreamily 
Now lie s at rest. 

D. Gilbert Dexter. 

[One more extract Horn our old poet friend, 
see Poets and Poetry of Vermont 1st edition.] 

LITTLE EVA. 

Little Eva, gentle Eva, 

Bud of spring and blossom fair— 

Lovely gem and household fairy, 

Lost to earth aud earthly snare — 

In the regions made immortal, — 

In the clime so fair and bright, 

There the angels greet thy presence 
In the calm ot endless 1 ight. 

Little, Eva, gentle Eva, 

Knows no pain or sorrow there. 

Where the angels cliant their anthems. 
Where earth’s hopes and blossoms are; 

For she’s joined the choir angelic, 

And she’ll watch us while we sleep — 
Filling dreams of perfect pleasure— 
Calming us to hope— not weep. 



THE HISTORY 

OF 

button, 

1803—1888. 



By Hon., J. E. Willard, 



FROM VOLUME V. OF THE VERMONT HISTORICAL GAZETTEER. 

♦ 

Abbij Maria Hexnenwa^ Pub, 

PRTCE FIFTY CENTS. 

CHICAGO 

1888. 




SUTTON. 

BY HON. J. E, WI1MR.D, 

In his frock of blue, 

He stood up, hardy and true,— 

Every inch a man;— 

Beat him this day if you can. [Old Settler] 



SUTTON. 

In 1803, 

The Grand List was made up as 
follows : polls at $ 20, each ; improved 
land at $ 1,75 per acre ; oxen at $ 10 ; 
three-years old $6,50 ; cows at $6,50 ; 
two-years old, $5; horses $13,50; two- 
years old, $6,50 ; one-year old, $3,50; 
watches at $5 ; and $5 ; framed houses 
appraised and then assessed at 2 per 
cent. 

Enoch Blake had a house valued at 
$250 ; he, also, had a watch. Thomas 
Colby and Enoch True each had a house 
valued at $100, and each a watch. — 
These were the only framed houses and 
time-pieces in town ; not as yet, had 
any person a sheep or a clock. 

In 1804. 

In 1804, there were 58 polls assess- 
ed; nine less than in 1803 : and there 
were the same number of polls in 1805 
as in 1804. 

In 1806 

there were 67 polls assessed in town. — 
Among the arrivals of 1806, was that 
of Stephen Eestman, who settled on 
“Right No. 26.” 



IN REMEMBRANCE 

OF STEPHEN EASTMAN, 

his descendants thought it well to have 
a re-union of the children and other 
relatives of the Eastman family at the 
house of the writer, Sept. 15, 1880. 
The day was not pleasant, but over 180 
persons attended. The first order of 
the day was refreshments, the second, 
choice of A. H. Ball, for president, af- 
ter which, the exercises were : 

1st Singing by the kindred ; and, 
Prayer by Rev. B. A. Sherwood of 
Suttou. 

Welcome by m. a. taft, Sutton : 
Mr. President, 

Ladies and Gentlemen : 

It may seem strange to you that I 
should take the stand to welcome you 
to another man’s home. But you 
should remember that we are all more 
or less governed by circumstances, and 
our surroundings and the circumstances 
in which we are placed make us, to a 
great extent what we are. This being 
the case, it has fallen to my lot to make 
a few remarks at this time ; and in be- 
half of my highly esteemed friend, 
Mr. J . E. Willard and his worthy com- 




6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



panion, I bid you all a hearty welcome 
to their pleasant home and its beauti- 
ful surroundings. Not only do I wel- 
come these kindred here to-day, but, 
I welcome these townsmen and these 
neighbors, and am happy to think that 
these friends are so kind and have come 
here to help make this gathering a suc- 
cess. Now what we want is that all 
should feel free and and at home, and 
I am quite sure that if all that are here 
on this occasion were as well acquain- 
ted with Mr. Willard as I am, and knew 
his large heartedness as well as I do, 
you would hare no fears, and would 
receive this welcome as genuine and 
heartfelt. Not far from here among 
these green hills and fertile fields our 
fathers leveled the forests and i broke 
the virgin soil, and our mothers (how 
sacred their memory) shared the hard- 
ship toils atid dangers of a pioneer life ; 
while they worshipped Him who was 
their guide, their light, their life and 
their all. 

This is a meeting of the Eastman 
family, assembled for mutual benefit 
and pleasure ; and if we rightly under- 
stand the characteristics of the family, 
there are none here that are so selfish 
as to wish for the pleasures of the hour 
to the family alone ; but are very grate- 
ful to these old neighbors and friends 
that were so willing to respond to the 
invitation given them and meet with 
us at this our first re-union. We have 
come from the North and the South, 
from the East and from the West, a 
respectable company drawn together 
by the ties of kindred to renew old 
acquaintances and establish new friend- 
ships ; to trace various grades of rela- 
tionship and learn more of the history 
of the race, I trust we shall throw a- 
side the cares and perplexities of life 



for the hour ; and feel that it is good 
for us to be here. We meet near the 
place where our ancestor once lived 
and where many of their posterity now 
reside and their green graves in the 
cemetery on yonder hill or those in the 
adjoining towns are made sacred to us 
as the repositories of their dust. No 
costly monuments may mark their rest- 
ing places, yet this gathering of the 
family shows that they are remembered 
in the affections and hearts of their pos- 
terity. Could great-grandfather Steph- 
en and his children be permitted to 
stand upon the battlements of Heaven 
and from those lofty heights behold 
this assembly, would the}^ not say that 
the promises of God to the patriarchs 
of old had been fulfilled when he said 
I will multiply thee exceedingly. What 
memories rise before ns as we lookback 
over the past seventy years and more 
when our fathers built their homes in 
the wilderness on that beautiful and 
fertile strip of rolling land. But 
of these and their trials and dangers, 
through which our ancestor and their 
descendants have passed, it is not for 
us to speak. As I study the history of 
the race I learn that it is noted for its 
industry, honesty, energy and frugali- 
ty ; and when the dark clouds of war 
have hung over the nation, they have 
taken an active and patriotic pert in 
support of the government. And now 
while corruption and wrong stalk bold- 
ly at noonday, may we be found fight- 
ing manfully for the right. 

My friends, this is a meeting long to 
be remembered by some that are here 
before me : These friends that are in 

the moruing of life, if they are permit- 
ted to live to old age will look back to 
this gathering with pleasure and pride, 
and to them it will be as a bright oasis 
in the desert of life. Kindred and 




SUTTON, 



7 



friends, this occasion is a joyous one ! 
and yet as our imagination tries to pen- 
etrate the future there is sadness that 
comes stealing over the mind as we 
think how soon the scythe of time will 
break up our pleasant and quiet fami- 
lies, Another decade will mark many 
changes with this company here assem- 
bled, The generations that were in 
advance of the older present, have all 
passed away; onr aged mother and 
friend that died last winter was the last 
one* And as I look over this company 
I see quite a large number with whit- 
ened locks and trembling limbs and fal- 
tering steps, and soon, and very soon, 
life's cares with them will end and they 
will be gathered with the generations 
that have gone before. 

In conclusion let me say a few words 
for the three towns in which most of 
the descendants of grandfather Stephen 
r eside, Lyndon, Wheelock and Sutton, 
We love their towering hills and gush- 
ing rills ; we love their maple groves 
and forest shades; we love their green 
vallies and beautiful fields; we love 
the sweet, solemn tones of their church 
bells that call us to the house of prayer 
and praise; yes, and why not? our fa- 
thers and mothers before us loved them 
and it was in the midst of these pleas- 
ant surroundings they lived and toiled, 
died and were buried. How it is with 
you, my friends, I know not, but ae> 
for me, where my kindred have lived, 
let me live, where they have labored, 
let me labor, where they have died, let 
me die, and beside their graves, let me 
rest. 

The parting at the close of these ex- 
ercises will be the last farewell for some 
of us, hut may we so live that when 
the splendors of the millennium shall 
come we may partake of them ; and 
and when the end shall be, and the 



world shall be rolled up like a worn-out 
vesture, and the arching skies shall 
have passed away like a forgoten 
dream, when eternity with its deep 
sounding waves shall break upon the 
rocks of time and sweep them away, 
forever, — then in a brighter, may we 
meet again in a greater and grander re- 
union, which shall last through the 
ceaseless ages of eternity. 

HISTORICAL ADDRESS 

BY J. E. WILLARD. 

Note * I have only taken such extracts from 
tlie Address as I thought would be of general 
Interest. 

The first settlements in New England 
were made by emigrants who on ac- 
count of their religious belief were 
persecuted, and to obtain that liberty 
came to an unbroken wilderness, — to 
brave the perils of wild beasts and sav- 
ages, bidding farewell to friends that 
could not go with them, came to estab- 
lish homes for themselves and children 
here. Large numbers flocked to these 
shores for about nineteen years — until 
the great civil conflict under Cromwell 
commenced when those in favor of en- 
larged religious priviliges regarded it 
better to stay and assist in securing 
them. During the time named in 1638, 
Daniel Denison, Simeon Bradstreet and 
others procured a grant of a portion of 
land in the north east corner of “Mass- 
achusetts Bay" for a settlement. In 
] 640, it received the name of Salsbury, 
a few years later was divided, the part 
called Araesburg. Among the grant- 
ees was Roger Eastman, born in Wales 
in 1611 . He married in 1639 Sarah — 
born in 1621. He was a carpenter by 
trade and his presence with the first 
settlers must have been a great help to 
the place — a man to build their houses 
and barns and mills for them. 




8 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



The children of Roger and Sarah 
Eastman were : 

John, born, January 1640 : 
Nathaniel, born, Mar. 18, 1643: 
Philip, bom, Oct. 20, 1644 : 
Thomas, born, September 1646: 
Timothy, born, Sept. 29, 1648 : 
Joseph, born, Not. 8, 1650 : 
Benjamin, born, Feb. 12, 1652 : 
Sarah, born, July 25, 1655: 

Samuel, born, Sept. 20* 1657 : 

Ruth, born, Mar. 21, 1660: 

I think, the children all settled in 
Massachusetts; and as emigration al- 
most ceased after the success of Crom- 
well, I think that It is safe to assume 
that Roger is the father of all the East- 
mans in the United States. When the 
first church was organized in Salsbury , 
1687, the Eastmans were fairly repre- 
sented, and continued to join as long 
as we have any record at hand. Roger 
died, Dec. 16, 1694, aged 83 years; 
Sarah, his wife. Mar 10, 1698. age 77. 

When the state line between Mass- 
achusetts and New Hampshire became 
established, about 1740, Roger East- 
man of Aniesburg, Mass, found his 
residence located in the town of New- 
ton, N. H. His children were : 
Thomas, born in Amesburg ; marri- 
ed Sarah Sargent; moved to Weare, N. 
H. ; afterward settled in Newbury, Vt. 

Stephen, born in Newton, Mar. 27, 
1744; 

Samuel, born, Oct. 8, 1746, settled 
in Weare: 

Ichabod, born, May 22, 1749; set- 
tled in Weare, N. H. 

Nicholas, born, Jan. 16, 1751 : 
Isaac, born, Oct. 30, 1754; married 
Hannan George ; 10 children who set- 
tled in Maine, New Hampshire and 
Vermont. 



STEPHEN EASTMAN, 

the second son of Isaac, married Anna 
Colby and moved to Bow, N. H. in 
1774 or fc 7 5. In 1776, the selectmen 
of the towns of the state circulated as- 
sociation “Test papers” which are now 
on file in the Secretary of State office 
at Concord and read as follows : 

“We, tie subscribers, do hereby 
engage and promise that we will to 
the utmost at ,the risk of our lives and 
fortunes with arms oppose the hostile 
proceedings of the British fleets and 
armies against the United American 
Colonies.” 

Oil the paper filed by the town of 
Bow, N. H. appears the name of Ste- 
phen Eastman, he being one of 8199 
men who signed in the State of New 
Hampshire. The paper uttered treason 
against the mother country ; every 
person signing it, if the colonies should 
not succeed, would be liable to have 
his property confiscated and himself to 
be hung or banished. Imagine the trial 
for a man with four small children to 
support the oldest not yet seven, to take 
such a stand ! But none who knew him 
will doubt that when he was convinced 
that it was right that he would try to 
evade any part of it. Some here can 
well remember that until past eighty, 
he would with staff in hand every Sab- 
bath, in fair or foul weather, walk 6 or 
8 miles and return to attend the church 
of which he was a member. 

The children of Stephen and Anna 
Eastman were: 

Elizabeth, born, Oct. 22 > 1767: 
Hanuah, born, Oct. 13, 1769: 
Elizabeth, born, Nov. 30, 1771 : 
Janeworth, born, Mar. 29, 1774: 
Stephen, born, July 23, 1776 : 
Rachel, B., born, January 1779: 

Eli, born, Nov. 15, 1782 : 




SUTTON, 



9 



Anna, born, Aug. 12, 1785 : 

David, bom, July 3, 1788 : 

Marv, born, Apr. 30, 1791 : 

Stephen had a small place, but was a 
shoemaker and followed his trade, and 
wished to have his son, Stephen, also fol- 
low the same business ; but it was dis- 
tastful to him, and when, one day, a 
pair of shoes, not very clean brought 
in to be repaired, his father requested 
him to clean and mend them, he bolted, 
or stated, then and there, that with this 
job ended his shoemaker’s trade. Not 
long after, as according co the custom 
in those days, for the shoemaker to go 
from house to house to make the in- 
habitants their boots and shoes, his fa- 
the was away on one of these expedi- 
tions, Stephen, Jr, went and confered 
with his uncle Colby about what course 
he should pursue, who all vised him to 
make a bee and fell 10 acres of trees 
on his father’s farm and follow farm- 
ing. He then was only fifteen, but fol- 
lowed the advice. 

When his father came home and 
saw what had been done in his ab- 
sence, he exclaimed we are ruined ! But 
from that time things began to prosper 
better and he admired the management 
of his son so well he gave all the prop- 
erty into his hands, expecting him to 
stay at home and take care of him and 
his wife in their old age. After a lit- 
tle, a new house was to be erected. — 
The father wished the front to face the 
highway, but Stephen prefered the end 
to face the road. Each was so strong 
that theirs was the best way, Stephen 
said, I will assist to get the frame up, 
then I shall seek some other place for 
myself. Small matters at first have 
caused nations to change their course, 
the same will hold of individuals. The 
way a house should front resulted in 



Stephen Eastman,. Jr. leaving the old 
home and emigrating to Vermont. — 
He first went to his uncle William 
Clement in Danville, who kindly spent 
some time in assisting his nephew in 
finding a place to locate. They first 
looked over Danville and Wheeloek, 
thSn came to Billymead, now Button, 
and purchased 100 acres, July 12, 1804, 
it being a part of the farm Jonathan 
Eastman now owns. Not a tree had 
then been cut ; the only log-cabin from 
Lyndon and Wheeloek town lines to 
this place was Deaeon Richardson’s. — 
After receiving a deed, he contracted 
to have the trees felled on 10 acres and 
the land cleared ready for a crop in the 
spring of 1806. 

He moved from New Hampshire in 
February 1806, into Bradbury M. 
Richardson’s house, which stood near 
the orchard in the field toward C. 
W. Willard’s residence; June 16th, 
following raised a house on his prem- 
ises near the house in which Jonathan 
Eastman now lives ; and David East- 
man was born the same day. He mov- 
ed into his house during the summer. 
Rachel, his wife, was obliged to go to 
Deacon Richardson’s for some time still 
to do her baking. She had to carry 
David, the baby in her arms, and he, 
Lyndia, the little girl two years old — 
and the meal. The boards to cover his 
bouse he had to drag with a team from 
the Hollow. As late as 1816, the only 
clock in town was owned by Caleb Fish 
and there were 2 watches and 9 framed 
houses in town. How could we do, do 
you think, with only three time-pieces 
in town F or go the best of a mile and 
carry two babies through the wood to 
bake? or to draw our boards 3 miles 
to cover our buildings — with a chain? 
Yet our fathers and mothers were obli- 
ged to undergo these hardships ; and I 




10 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



presume did without a murmur. These 
early settlers are very good examples 
for us to look back upon, if the cares 
of life pressed they never thought of 
suicide ; but “put their shoulder to the 
wheel. 

He was interested in the State, in its 
matters ; he was interested in the church 
and ever ready to perform his part. In 
1837, when schisms had crept into the 
churches here and destroyed their use- 
fulness and it was thought best to re- 
organize the Free Will Baptist Church 
in Sutton, he threw open Ms doors 
and* Rev. Daniel and Joshua Quinby 
and David Sweat formed themselves 
with twenty others into a church w hich 
has ever prospered and is the same or- 
ganization now at Sutton Village. 

Although the Eastmans have never 
been distinguished for great things they 
have ever been performing little acts 
of kindnesses, one of 'which I will nar- 
rate. It was a custom of early settlers 
to serve a notice on persons liable to 
come to want, warning them out of 
town. Stephen Eastman had lived in 
town about four years when the matter 
came up in a town-meeting of warn- 
ing Aaron Baldwin and his family to 
depart from town so they might not 
gain a residence. Stephen Eastman 
was not accustomed to speaking in 
public, but on this occasion hp arose 
and addressed his fellow townsmen 
with so much feeling and justice Mr. 
Baldwin was not warned out, nor any 
Other person for several years after. 

He was very eccentric in some things, 
especially in his dress. On one occa- 
sion, doing business at Sutton Corner, 
one of the villagers said to him why 
do you come here in such clothes? 
Why not wear better ones?” The old 
gentleman looked at the good suit of 



his interrogator and replied, U I pay 
for what I wear 1” Perhaps his inter- 
rogator’s not paying for his apparel was 
the first step which lead him ffc ruin. 
Offen have we seen this venerable man 
at church dressed in his home-made 
pants, vest and blue woolen frock, and 
I have thought that he took as much 
pride in wearing such suits as his girls 
did in their silk dresses and gold neck- 
laces with which he had furnished 
them. 

Another characteristic trait of our 
good old man was rising early and re- 
tiring early ; many and many a time, 
have we known him retire before dark 
and be up by three o’clock at work the 
next morning. The year that he was 
eighty, he rove and shaved by hand 
135.000 shingles. 

Eli Eastman, his brother, had a good 
farm in the town of Wheelock, and 
was a tolerable good farmer, and a man 
of property, but was different in many 
respects from the rest of hie relatives : 
they were spry at work, he slow ; they 
had their work done in season, he was 
always behind ; they were ready to re- 
tire early, he late ; they had their debts 
paid, he was sometimes slack about his. 

On one occasion a creditor brought a 
suit against him and then proposed to 
have his brother, Stephen, come over 
and appraise neat cattle enough to pay 
him and he would take them at Steph- 
en’s appraisal, to which EH agreed and 
Stephen came over from Sutton and 
appraised the cattle ; but when Eli heard 
the price, he refused to let them go. — 
Stephen and the creditor took the bars 
of the fence down, drove them away, 
and that debt was paid. 

When Stephen, Jr. left his parents in 
Bow, N. II, he had a deed of the prop- 
erty there. As soon as Stephen had 




SUTTON. 



11 



gone, bis father selected David, his 
youngest son to stay at home, a man of 
aimable and even disposition. Stephen, 
Jr, soon saw it would be for the ad- 
vantage of his father and brother to 
come to Yermont to live, and he, select- 
ed a tract in tl^e edge of Lyndon and 
adjoining his farm for them, and then 
went to Bow for them : but no argu- 
ment could convince them until he said 
you will be obliged to go with me, 
for [ have sold and deeded the house. 
He had done it over their heads, neces- 
sity compelled them to leave. On their 
removal, the whole family, 9 children 
and their families with one exception, 
came to Yermont, 

There have not been any very emi- 
nent men in this branch of the East- 
mans; but if we have no great men to 
admire or refer to in our family pride, 
we have something far superior. — 
We can boast, and I am proud to, 
that not one in the connection, was ev- 
er convicted or even accused of any 
crime ; nor are there any drunkards, nor 
any that make a practice to use profane 
language ; nor do you see them noisy, 
rude, ready to dispute, quarrel or light. 
They are quiet, peaceable citizens such 
as have a tendency to elevate any com- 
munity in which they reside. 



THE OLD SETTLER'S 

Family Gathering Poem, 

BY HON. J. E. WILLARD OF SUTTON, 

President Most Honorable: 

y I came here to-day 
To see and to hear; and not to spout away ! 
And the fact is, I’v not the jewel of a word; 
And days like tills, only jeweL words should 
be heard- 

I very well know I eould better afford 
To keep still, than to hear some one say I am 
bored. 



Still at high noon you said “a five minutes say 

I must furnish, deliver, or squarely disobey.” 

A tine Eastman obej^s his President's behest;. 

So P11 say a few words of the Eastmans at rest~ 

| I so aver: at an old Eastman's ancestral hall. 

The armor once worn, still hangs on the wall* 

The sword in its sheath, the lance placed at 
rest, 

And the battles they have been through aro 
told at their best ; 

And the grandfather’s tale, and the dear 
mother's story 

Fling around each old name a halo of glory* 

The Eastmans of Vermont who’ re entitled to 
fame, 

I’ 11 not this day undertake to mention by 
name; 

The names are too many, they’ve so gon# on 
before 

And are waiting to meet us when trouble is 
o’er. 

How often we speak of the absent and dead, 
How often we think of their faces ; 

How often we see when the banquet is spread. 
That new ones are filling their places. 

They are with us in spirit, they are present I 
ween, 

They are hovering near, near enough to be 
seen, 

Were our mortal eyes able the brightness to 
bear, 

The glory we f ve faith to believe they now 
wear. 

I have thought as I sat here, my heart a- 
glow. 

Of the good those Eastmans did long years 
ago. 

When they voted at Bow (to us a good lesson.) 

“No spirits, but good coffee be furnished at 
the Eastmans Reunion.” 

I wish I could sing like the minstrel of old. 

Their virtues all shining in song should he 
told; 

Their good deeds on record, I’d brightly 
unfold ; 

I would have their names written in letters of 
gold. 

Our Eastmans of Veimont were as true and 
as good 

As those Eastmans that before your great- 
grand-father stood ; 




12 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Iii defending the right and defending the 
poor 

No men of their means have ever done more. 

Let us copy thctr virtues, and liye just as 
wise, 

Fulfilling each duty, its day,— in that true 
honor lies, — 

That our lives may be right, that our record 
may show 

For the years as they come and the years as 
they go, 

For sooner or later, we very well kuow 

The places we’ll fill are under the snow. 



OUR ANCESTRAL DEAD, 

By Mrs. L. Scllowat of wheelock. 

In memory of onr ancestral dead, 

Stephen and David, much is said ; 

But what example did they give 
That we may learn of them to live? 

Iu early life they sought and found the Lord ; | 
And found Him faithful to His blessed word ; | 
They saw His justice shine, they felt his grace, 
And found hi Him a peaceful hiding-place. 

No flowery garlands here to-day we bring; 

But grateful hearts their praise to lowly sing. 
The honest truth most simply said 
Is the best ornament to bear the dead. 



In Vanity Fair, their way winding through, 
What in that place did our forefathers do? 
They raised a warning loud, a warning long, 
A warning that almost shook that ancient 
town. 



No flow ery paths, our fathers cried, lead us to 
God! 

With iron and with brass we need be shod ; 

Thick dangers gather here and many a snare; 

But promised strength is swiftly gained by 
prayer. 

Pilgrims and strangers! walking the Upper 
way, 

And angel-guided sweetly upward, day by 
day; 

They gave up all, all tor Heaven, made God 
tlieir Friend, 

And then, His blessing He did on them send. 

Blessed them, abundant blessed in basket and 
in store; 

And blessed with smiling children more and 
more ; * 



Yet some, His Reaper, Death, laid hieath the 
turf, 

Least they might leau too much on earth. 
They humbly saw the Reaper’s was the hand 
of God, 

And meekly knelt in prayer beneath the rod. 

They searched the sacred Scripture-text, so 
well they read, 

The neighboring poor were clothed and fed; 
But not one cent did from their pockets go 
To make an empty, vain and pride-swellcd 
show. 

They built an altar to the Lord 
And near it lay His precious word; 

They called it Bethel; from that day, 

From vain amusements turned away. 

With reverence we recall the names 
Ot Father Taft and Richardson and more, 
A host of godly men passed on before 
That wait our coming on the shining shore . 



Could they speak from their cold clay, 
Nothing greater to us could they say 
Than, dear children watch ! watch and pray. 
And prepare you well for the judgement day. 



After the poems, were remarks by 
Rev. M. C. Henderson of St. Johns- 
bury, Rev. A B. Sherwood of Sutton, 
Dea, Peter Woodman and Dea. David 
Eastman of Lyndon, and Dea. An- 
drew P. Taft, Sutton ; and then pray- 
er by Rev. M. 0. Henderson, which 
closed the ceromonies. 

RECORD OF SUTTON 

Con. from page 5. 

In 1805, 

Mar. 25, voted the selectmen reasona- 
ble compensation for their services. Up 
to this time the town officers had re- 
ceived no pay and now only the select- 
men were to have pay. 

In 1806, 

Otis L. Hidden settled on right 22;- 
on what place, I do not know, but I 
think it must have been where Daniel 



SUTTON. 



18 



Lee now resides : this, I think, was the 
first settlement on what is known as* 
North Ridge. There were no openings 
made except by residents of the town, 
for several years, as 1 find no new 
names on the grand list as late as 1810. 

In 1811 : 

The town conducted its affairs with 
the strictest economy. It was voted to 
raise $ 11. to defray town expenses. 

The inhabitants, also conducted their 
affairs on the old Puritanic principles as 
will be seen by vote at March meeting, 
1811, “that rams shall be secured from 
the 1st day of September until the 20th 
day of November and if the said own- 
ers of rams shall let them said rams run 
into the inclosures of any persou said 
rams to be forfeeted to the persons into 
whose mclosures they shall break and 
if the said person into whose inclosure 
they shall break shall give up said rams 
to the owner, the person so giving up 
said rams, shall forfeit and pay to said 
town five dollars.” 

The people have ever been willing to 
support the government with men and 
means; not only in the last war, but in 
the war of 1812 with England. There 
never was but one draft of men in this 
town : that was when the general draft, 
as an experiment was made in the late 
war, and if we had had an opportunity 
to fill the call there would have been no 
occasion for it. 

In 1812 , 

In a town meeting legally warned 
andholden, May 25, 1812, it was vo- 
ted to buy 32 lbs. of powder, 100 lbs. 
of lead and 128 flints. 

June 12, 1812, it v r as voted in town 
meeting that all of their men that went 
into the service of the United States in 
the army, they should be compensated 
as those that did not go. 



Voted also “in case of a complaint 
from the Captain that any poor soldiers 
are not able to aquip the selectmen are 
to procure such aquipments at the ex- 
pense of the town.” 

March 14, 1814, the town voted to 
procure 16 cartridges to each gun. 

THE GREAT MUSTER. 

General Cushman of Guildhall or- 
dered out the Brigade of Militia to 
muster in October 1824, at Sutton. — 
The field used for parade and drill ex- 
tended from the road leading north from 
the Village to and including the farm 
of Corydon Parker. I do not think a 
better field of land could be found in 
this part of the state for such a pur- 
pose, but the accommodations in this 
town were very small to entertain five 
thousand men, and the weather being 
cold caused considerable suffering ; still 
the people did everyhing possable to 
make them comfortable. Our clothier, 
Mr. Holmes, loaned webs of cloth to 
cover them at night ; # yet the men were 
exasperated at the General for calling 
them so far, some over 70 miles, there 
were threats when they went into a 
sham fight they would kill him. — 
On the last day of the muster the brig- 
ade were drawn up in two files and or- 
dered to fire at the General’s horse’s 
tail as he rode down the centre. He 
heard bullets whistle by him as he rode 
along. He did not try it but once ; after 
that he rode in the rear of his men. 

In 1819: 

The town expenses were as follows, 
to wit: 

“Roswell Cheney for making Grand 
List $ 1 ’50. 

Benj. Campbell, settling with Town 
Treasurer fc 40 

James Way, for services and neces- 
saries furnished Taylor Norris $7,76. 




14 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



Thomas True, services $ 5,56. 

Jacob Webster, articles furnished, 
Taylor Norris $4,00, 

Jokton Putnam, services $1,75. 

Ira Goodrich, services and articles 
furnished Taylor Norris $7,17, 

Caleb Fisk, services $4,22. 

Andrew Brown, services 4 50. 

Jacob Shaw for settling with treas- 
urer. 4 50 

Amount $33,36. 

These statistics are an average neith- 
er h igher or lower. 

The above expenses did Dot include 
the building or repairing the roads or 
liighways. 

CHURCHES. 

The first church in town was the 

FREE WILL BAPTIST, 

it was organized by Elder Eiiphalet 
Maxfield, July 30, 1800; Joshua Horr, 
John Atwood, David Norris, David 
Bean, Zebulon Norris, Hannah Horr, 
rsix original members. John Atwood 
was chosen clerk. 

The Creed adopted was these words : 
-“And it appears the spirit of truth was 
^working with the children of men and 
we would say as Iasi ah did “Behold, 
K God is my salvation, I will trust and 
not be afraid for the Lord Jehovah is 
my strength) and my song, he, also, is 
become my salvation.” 

At the next monthly conference, Jo- 
si ah Norris, Lois Richardion and Han- 
nah Bean joined the little church, and 
at the monthly conference in October, 
Joseph Richardson and others joined, 
and Joshua Horr was elected deacon. — ■ 
Here the record is so obliterated by 
newspaper clippings pasted upon the 
leaves by Eugene M. Campbell to make 
.a scrap-book, that we cannot learn 



anything more of the pioneer church, 
for about two years. 

In 1802 was the quarterly meeting for 
setting apart of Eiiphalet Maxfield for 
the work whereunto the Lord would 
have him.” 

At a monthly meeting in May 1802, 
the church voted to reject Samuel Gr- 
eat in the following words : 

“State of Vermont 

Friend Samuel Orcutt, 
Whereas we ha ve taken all the 
pains and used all the means necessa- 
ry to reclaim you from your fall from 
the holy confession and solemn engage- 
ment that you made with us in broth- 
erhood for to keep up the public wor- 
shi of God and to walk in the laws and 
ordinances of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
and to watch over us and we over you 
done by revaulted to our grief and we 
are sorry that your abstenance is such 
such that we are brought to the disa- 
greeable necessity to reject you off from 
your membership for it is like cutting 
off the Right hand , or plucking out a 
eye but in honor to the cause of Christ 
and our duty to you we do solemnly 
withdraw the hand of fellowship from 
you and you to be no more a member 
of this church until you return by re- 
pentance for which we pray God to 
give you repentance to the aeknowl- 
ment of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus 
our Saviour 

Billymead May 27,, 1802 
Signed in behalf of the Church” 

John Atwood Church Clerk” 

REV. AMOS BECKWITH IN SUTTON. 

During the year 1802, Amos Beckwith 
a Baptist clergyman with Calvinistie 
proclivities came into town from Put- 
ney, Vt. and held meetings in a log- 
school-house near what is now known 
as the Powers place at Sutton Corner. 




SUTTON, 



15 



Holding many Calvinistic views, yet 
according to Calvin’s principles not 
strictly ortliodox, was Mr. B. 

In April 1 803, the church was parti- 
ally re-organized : no doubt to see if 
they could not all be united in one body 
under the following covenant, Amos 
Beckwith, moderator. 

41 First . that it is the duty of all 
Christians to join togathar in solemn 
covenant to keep up the public worship 
of Cod and walk togaher in the orden- 
anees of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus 
Christ. 

Second That we must be agreed in 
the commands of Christ or we cannot 
he bretheren in visable unity. 

Third . That we are agreed the scrip- 
tures are the only rule for the Chris- 
tian church to make her appeals to and 
in case of controversary of any matter 
arising not determined by the scrip- 
tures the major may rule the miner. 

Fourth. That a person may be ad- 
mitted a member of this church upon 
his or her confession of their faith in 
our Lord Jesus Christ upon satisfac- 
tion of the church. 

Fifth . That we beleive the only mode 
of baptism is by immersion it is not 
our minds to receive any member into 
this church to the grief of any of the 
bretheren 

CHURCH covenant: We now in the 
presence of the Great God in the faith 
of our Lord Jesus Christ give up our- 
selves to God and each other by the 
will of God in solemn covenant to 
watch over ourselves and each other 
in love and to keep up the worship of 
God submitting to the discipline of this 
church as a part of Christ’s material 
body to watch togatlier in the orde- 
nances of our Lord Jesus Christ in obe- 



dience to his commands endeavoring to 
promote each others spiritual and tem- 
poral happiness according to the gifts 
and graces that God giveth still looking 
for more light and Glorious opening of 
the scriptures until to coming of our 
Lord Jesus Christ. X” 

At this meeting they chose Thomas 
Colby and Enoch True deacons, and 
Bradbury M. Richardson, clerk. 

I do not think all the old members 
joined this new organization, or if they 
did they soon formed another and call- 
ed themselves the Free Willers, and 
held their meetings in a log school 
house near the forks of the highway 
j just north of where A. H. Ball now 
j resides. 

Their discipline was strict and un- 
veil ding, A member transgressing in 
any matter, though of minor import- 
ance, if it was contrary to discipline, 
was sure to be labored with as may be 
seen by some extracts of letters and 
records : 

44 To Moses H, Brewer 

this from your once professed 
bretheren the church of Christ in Billy- 
mead, Whereas you gave yourself a 
member of this church and we prom- 
ised to take the watch and care of you 
we feel duty bound so to do and as 
you have withdrawn from us and con- 
ducted very perversely and talked very 
foolishly about brother David Beau and 
brother Moulton M, Richardson in 
saying one would lye and the other 
would swear to it we look upon such 
things as. very unbecoming among 
bretheren therefore we hope and trust 
in the fear of God we strictly admon- 
ish you to refrain from these things 
and confess your fault and forsake evils 
and return again to the cause of God 




16 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



that you professed and your bretheren 
may God grant it for Christ sake 
Billymead June 10th ISOS by order 
of the church 

Thomas Colby” 

FOR NOT ATTENDING MEETING. 

To a member : — from a letter. 

“Remember that you are eternity 
bound and that your soul is of Great 
value when once lost lost to an never 
ending eternity may God grant that 
you may consider on the things that 
make for peace before they be everlast- 
ingly hid from thine eyes” 

In 1809, John Colby, a son of Dea. 
Thomas Colby, commenced preaching ; 
there being two seperate meetings, he 
endeavored to unite them and several 
meetings were held to see if the two 
could not be united. 

In October 1810, a meeting was held 
for uniting all the bretheren in one 
body. [They seemed to want to all 
come together, but somehow could'nt,] 
Finally, Oct. 21, 1810, the celebra- 
ted Ring Church was thus formed ; All 
the bretheren and all the sisters of the 
two churches, or so many of them, the 
school-house to which they came would 
not hold them ; and the people all went 
out on to the Common and there held 
their meeting ; and the young Preacher 
after delivery of a suitable address, in- 
vited all desirous of embodying in one 
church to stand around in a circle that 
their names might be taken ; and the 
number being one hundred and eleven 
that stood around in the circle, they 
there joined hands forming a continu- 
ous ring and knelt down and agreed to 
walk together in love. 

In 1811, the church voted that when 
the church disowned a member, it 
should be made known in a public as- 
sembly. In 1812, one of its members 



was known to be under the influence of 
strong drink and the church voted, the 
member confessing to them, and then 
making a public confession, he should 
be received into full fellowship or that 
the church would be satisfied. 

In the fall, trouble began to show it- 
self by Rev. Amos Beckwith object- 
ing to have members cry out and shout, 
and by his belief that a church should 
have other rules to govern them besides 
scripture, and this trouble or contro- 
versary grew to such proportion, a 
new church was formed by Rev. A. 
Beckwith which continued its organi- 
zation till about 80 years since when 
the remaining members joined the F. 
W. Baptists here. The cause of the 
trouble can be better understood by 
producing the record, 1818 : 

“After opening the meeting by pray- 
er to God for wisdom the church voted 
the scriptrures is a sufficient rule to 
govern the church.” 

“Voted that they think Elder Beek- 
with is wrong in saying the scriptures 
is not a sufficient rule for the church.” 
“It was tried to see if the bretheren 
are agreed with Thomas Colby m say- 
ing that Elder Beckwith was not sub- 
ject to the church ; they are agreed he 
is not subject to the church. 

“Voted they are agreed with Thomas 
Colby in his allegation against Elder 
Beckwith that he has made division 
among the people, 

“Voted they are agreed with Thomas 
Colby in saying that Elder Beckwith 
has broke his covenant with the church. 

“Voted that they are agreed with 
Thomas Colby in his allegation that 
Elder Beckwith has setup a new church. 

“It was asked if they are willing to 
have a council? “They are church 
agreed to send to five different church- 




SUTTON. 



17 



es for a council of two members from 
each church to come and examine into 
the doings of the church in Sutton. — 
The council came, July 1, 1814, but 
nothing came of it as to settling the dif- 
ficulties. 

But during the time the Baptists 
were all united in one church and in the 
year 1812, Rev. John Colby thought 
the church ought to build a meeting 
house aud presented a plan of a house 
to them ; but as many of them had not 
paid for their farms and there was rumor 
of war with England, did not think best 
to undertake its erection at that time, 
and Rev. Mr. Colby having some prop- 
erty, determined to build a house him- 
self. He had one week before he was 
going a journey as an evangelist, du- 
ring that time, in May, he bought land 
to set the house on, contracted timber 
for the frame, boards, nails, workmen, 
and gave notice he would preach iu the 
new house the last sabbath in the June 
following. At the end of the week, he 
took his leave for several weeks, but re- 
turned in season and preached in the 
new meeting-house, June 28, 1812, al- 
though the house was not finished for I 
about two years after ; and he farther j 
says : I took more pleasure in seeing 
my property laid out in building a 
house to worship God in than any old 
miser ever did in filling his bags with 
silver and gold. 

In Nov. 1814, the church had labor 
with James Way and he agrees to dis- 
continue buying and selling cattle to 
those that he suspects are driving them 
to Canada as it is a grief to the breth- 
ren for any to feed the British,” The 
church voted to be satisfied on those 
conditions ; so it will be seen, that it 
tried to keep all within its body and 
be loyal to our country in its trials and 



wars. Nothing of any great interest 
transpired in the church until Decent 
ber 27, 1827, 

ELISHA BROWN 

asked a letter of dismission to join the 
Methodists. It seemed at the time of 
no great consequence, but to the Meth- 
odists it was a great haul. He became 
a quite noted preacher of that denomi- 
nation. 

At this time they were also vexed by 
one member bringing a case of litiga- 
tion against another member* They 
had several church meetings and called 
a council to settle the matter, but with 
all their wisdom, they did not, and 
could not prevent litigation . This and 
Other dffieulties arose one after the oth- 
er and caused considerable trouble, 
and Rev. Jonathan Woodman formed 
a new church and called it the Gener- 
al Baptist. Here is a space of about 
10 years the church has no record and 
some of the time did not belong to the 
Quarterly -meeting, and there was no 
church represented in those gatherings 
unless* it was the old one, known as 
Rev. David Cross’ church, and some 
think this must have been the case, but. 
as the writer has no record, and as no 
one can tell where one may be found, 
we must go by tradition. During this 
time or in 1832 

TEE WHITE CHURCH 

or meeting- house was built and dedi- 
cated. October 1837, twenty persons 
met at the house of Stephen Eastman 
with Rev, Joshua and Daniel Quimby, 
aud David Sweat and organized a new 
church. Thus the 

SECOND FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH 

was organized with Bradbury M. Rich- 
ardson, deacon, he having been deacon, 
for a long time in the other churches. 



18 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE* 



Stephen F. Bean, was, also, elected at 
this organization for clerk. 

The church, now, made application 
and was received into the Wheelock 
Quarterly Meeting. It became active 
and zealous and grew in numbers. In 
1847, the General Conference of the 
Free Will Baptists assembled here ; and 
the talent of this denominaion in the 
United States were here, and the En- 
glish Baptists, also, sent two delegates ! 
from England, Revs, Burns and Goad- 
by. This seemed to infuse new enthu- 
siasm into the church and their pros- 
pect looked bright. 

A few years since (1885) the A uni- 
versities of the societies were held here 
by the F. W. Baptists, and the .people 
can well remember of hearing some of I 
the best talent in the denomination at 
that time. The church has been blessed 
with some of the best clergymen in the 
society ; among whom was 

bey. Jonathan woodman, 
who commenced preaching in 1816, or 
about that time. He was connected 
with the church as an evangelist and 
pastor 29 years. He resigned his charge 
this spring, aged 85 years, having 
preached between 67 and 68 vears. 

We will also mention in this connec- 
tion, Revs, T. C. Moulton, L. B, 
Tasker and Rev. Mr. Dame, 

The church now numbers about 200 
members with Rev, F, L. Wiley as 
pastor, (1883.) 

METHODISTS, 

The records being lost by the death 
of the recording steward, all the infor- 
mation received for this Society has 
been from Rev. Silas Wiggins, who 
came into town in 1820. He was con- 
verted in 1823 and soon commenced to 
preach. He soon went to New Hamp- 
shire and preached until his health fail- 



ed and he came back, — about 1850, and 
has lived in town ever since except ten 
years in Lyndon. He thinks the church 
must have been organized in 1818. 
The original members, we cannot tell, 
but including those who joined soon, 
the following must be nearly correct: 
Jeremiah and Joseph Parker and wives, 
Gleasons family, —six persons; Dr. J. 
C. Morrill’s wife and her daughter, 
Sally Morrill; Joseph and Samuel 
Bartlett and their wives; Martin How- 
ard’s family, — six persons ; Jonathan 
Powers, Phineas Stoddard and five of 
his sisters ; —Clark and wife and one 
daughter; William Hutchinson and 
wife ; and Alrnon Mason and wife ; 
Eben Riehford and wife; Mary A. 
j True, Elisha Brown, — afterward Rev. 
E. Brown; Alfred Holmes and wife and 
Silas Wiggins and wife, Samuel Dens- 
more and wife, Josiah Smith and wife, 
Benjamin Streeter and wife, Benjamin 
P. Smith, Irena Fisk, Mary Bartlett, 
afterward wife of Rev. E. Smith; 
Susan Dalloff, Deborah Bartlett and 
Roswell Cheney and wife. 

When this church was organized, a 
certain number of preachers were sta- 
tioned over several towns : One preach- 
ed in Sutton one Sunday, and so on in 
every tow n in the circuit until he got 
round. 

This District consisted of Sutton, 
Danville, Wheelock, Burke Lyndon 
and Newark Among the first preach- 
ers were : 

Rev, Dr. Fisk : 

Rev. Orrin Scott : 

Rev, Newell S. Spaulding : 
Rev. Samuel Kelley : 

Rev. Samuel Norris : 

Rev. Justin Spaulding: 

Rev. N, W. Aspinwall : 

Rev. N. W. Scott, 

Rev . Israel Rust : 




SUTTON. 



Rev. Eleazer Smith : 

Rev. Abel Heath : 

Rev. Edward Kellogg. 

The above, I think, were all before 
1844, later were : 

Rev. P. N. Granger. 

Rev. David Packer: 

Rev. Dyer Willis: 

Rev. H. T. Jones: 

Rev. D. S. Dexter: 

Rev. J. S. Spinney : 

Rev. — Tarbell: 

Rev. Mr. Tarbell was the last M. E. 
preacher stationed here. This was a- 
bout 30 years since. The members by 
death and removals were reduced to 
so few preaching was discontinued, and 
the meeting-house was soon disposed of 
and they remained without a house to 
hold meetings in. 

From 1812 to 1832 there was but one 
meeting-house in town, the Colby one, 
and when the Baptists were not using 
the Colby house, the Methodists had 
the privilige of using it. The best feel- 
ing existed between the Baptists and 
Methodists ; better than existed among 
the members of their own society. 

The Baptists having a church-meet- 
ing at one time, sent down to Doctor 
Morrill's who was town clerk, for a copy 
of the laws of Vermont. Mrs Mor- 
ril, a smart, keen woman, thinking it 
might be well to read them a lesson, 
did up a bible and sent by the messen- 
ger to the turbulent meeting ; and as I 
learn, it had a good effect and stilled 
the troubled waters. 

MBS. MORRILL 

while her husband was the town clerk, 
did all the recording, and, I think, she 
recorded 2.200 pages in that time. — 
She died a year or two since (1883) in 
California, aged over 80 years. 



10 

In 1822 and in 1823, the Methodists 
held their camp meeting in Cabot, and 
the last year, 20 young persons from 
this town attended and were all con- 
verted at the camp-ground. 

The Methodists held a camp-meeting 
in Sutton in 1851 or c 52, with a good 
degree of interest. 

In 1882, they organized a church of 
14 members here and the Conference 
stationed Rev. H. P. Cushing for this 
town and West Burke, the meetings 
here being held in the Grange Hall, 
once in t wo weeks. 

SEVENTH-DAY BAPTIST AND ADVENT, 

During the preaching of Miller and 
Shipman, about 1842. some were con- 
verted to tlie Second Advent faith. 

Some in 1843, looked so strong for 
the coming of the millennium they did 
not dig their potatoes, but when the 
year rolled round as usual, instead of 
acknowledging their error they kept on 
and soon concluded the seventh day 
sabbath was the proper one to keep. 

They claimed some prayer cures in 
support of their faith, 

Sarah Tilton who lived in this town 
had been unable to walk for about 30 
years, a man of. this faith, Stephen W. 
Willey had a message or impression, if 
he should go to Mr. Tilton’s and pray 
for her and command her in the name 
of the Lord Jesus Christ to get up 
and walk that she would be well He 
did as impressed ; she arose and walk- 
ed and was well. She went to her 
friends and tried to persuade them the 
Seventh Day Baptists as they called 
themselves were the chosen people — 
She afterward married and has been- 
known to walk four or five miles in one 
day. 

This cure increased the membership 
of the society considerably at the time. 




VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



20 

bul their course with their children, in 
not allowing them to associate with the 
world, the name given by them to all 
not of their faith, or belief, and not 
sending them to school, was so repug- 
nant to the feelings of the children, 
as soon as they became of age they 
foisook the faith of their parents, by 
which with deaths and removals, and 
no new accessions, they soon rim down 
and I think, there is now, but one Sev- 
enth Day Baptist in town, and she 
nearly 80 years old. 

LISTERS. 

John Anthony, 1794, ‘95, *96, 1802 : 
Samuel Cahoon, ,, „ ,, 97 

Samuel Orcutt, ,, „ ,, ,,98, 

1800, 1, 2 4: 

Joseph Richardson, 1797, ‘98, *99, 

1800: 

B. M. „ 1798, ‘99, 1800: 

Peter Atwood, 1799: 

James Cahoon, 1801 : 

John Atwood, 1801, 9: 

Samuel D. Blake, 1802, 4 

Caleb Fisk, 1803, 4, 5, 6, 11, 13, 20: 

Thomas Colby, 1803, 23: 

Jonas Goodell. 1803, 5 6 : 

Enoch True, 1805, 6, 8: 

Dan Dickinson, 1808: 

Jacob Shaw, 1808, 9, 10, 13, 15: 
Jethro Sanborn, 1809: 

Jonathan Colby, 1810, 11, 12, 13. 16, 
17, 19, 20: 

John Orcutt, 1810: 

James Way, 1811, 18, 19, 22: 

James Campbell, Jr. 1812, 13, 14, 16 : 
Joshua Stoddard, 1812, 14, 24, 37: 
Andrew Brown, 1814: 

Lyman Powers, 1815 : 

Bala Orcutt, 1816, 17, 19: 



Jacob Webster, 17, 18: 

Roswell Cheney. 1818 : 

Ira Goodridge, 1820, 21, 23: 

John Beckwith, 21, 27, 32: 

Luther Stoddard, 1821 : 

Jacob Blake, 18, 22, 25, 26, 28,31, 

32, 33, 35: 

Nehemiah Shaw, 1822, 1841 : 

Jacob C. Morrill, 1823, 28, 29, 30, 31, 

33, 34, 36: 

Jacob Brown, 1821: 

Stephen Eastman, 1824: 

Stephen Eaton, 1825: 

Jonathan Brown, 1825, 26, 27, 29 : 
Josiah Rawson, 1826 : 

Thaddeus Curtis, 1827, 29, 38 : 
Jeremiah Parker, 1828 

Martin Way, 1830, 37: 

Nathaniel C. Kibbey, 1830 : 

Josiah Willey, 1831, 33, 38: 

Wells Way, 1832, 34, 35 : 

H. W. Easterbrook, 1833, 55: 
Jonathan Richardson : 1834, 35, 36, 
39, 41, 42, 51: 

James Ruggles, 1836, 44: 

William Hutchinson, 1837, 42, 43, 47 
Mark Hill, 1838, 39 s 
Owen Brown, 1839: 

James Ingalls, 1840: 

John Ladd, 1840, 48: 

Joshua Stoddard, Jr. 1840: 

David Griffin, 1841, 42, 43, 47 : 
Jenks M. Putnam, 1843, 44, 45 : 

Asa Hasten, 1844, 51 : 

Wheaton Campbell, 1845, 46: 

Thos. J. Barker, 1845, 46, 47 : 
Eleazer Ball, 1846, 60, 61 : 

Ralph Jacobs, 1848, 49 : 

Jonathan Eastman, 1848, 49: 

Daniel G. Shaw, 1849 : 




SUTTON, 



21 



Samuel A. Evans, 1850: 

John C. Libbets, 1850, 52, 58, to 61 : 
Allen B. Curtis, 1850, 58, 62, 79: 
John Me, Neal Jr., 1851: 

John True, 1852, 53, 54, 58 : 
Nathaniel Noyes, 1852: 

Hosea Cobleigb : 54, 55, 56 57: 

Win. F. Buggies, 1855, 55, to 63: 
Jonathan Powers, 1855 : 

Jacob B. Gordon, 1856, 61, 62.: 
Jonathan Davis, 1859, 70: 

Eben Clough, 1863: 

N. K. Campbell, 1863, 67, 68, 78, 81, 
82: 

Silas Roundy, 1863, 64, 65, 66, 68, 
69 78, 81: 

A. B. Ball, 1864, 65: 

D. E. Ruggles, 1864; 65: 

John W. Colby, 1866, 67, 71 , 72 : 

C. W. Willey, 1866, 67, 70: 

David Jenness, 1868, 69: 

Win. A. Densmore, 1869 : 

Daniel S. Frost, 1870 to 73: 

Win. R. Roundy, 1871, 72: 

B. M. R. Willey, 1873, 74, 78, 81, 82: 
S. J. Whipple, 1873, 74: 

H. F. Barker, 1873, 74: 

Harlow Easlerbrooks, 1875 : 

L. J. Hall, 1875 to 78. 

L. W. Gordon, 1875 to 78 : 

Geo. W. Bridgman, 1876 : 

Charles Clark, 1877 : 

John Darling, 1879, 80, 83„ to 88: 

F. W, Barker, 1879: 

J. E. Willard, 1880, 83, to 89 : 

S. M. Bartlett, 1882, 83 : 

D. E. Kimball, 1884 to 89 : 

G. M. Campbell, 1887 to 89 : 



TOWN TREASURERS. 

Enoch Blake, 1796, 97, 1800, ‘01 ‘ 02 : 
James Gaboon, 1798: 

Samuel Orcutt, 1899 : 

Thomas Colby, 1803, ‘07, ‘08, 10, 11, 
18: 

Caleb Fisk, 1806 : 

Jacob Shaw, 1812, 13, 14, 22: 
Andrew Brown, 1815, 16, 17, 19 20: 
James Way, 1821 : 

Thomas True, 1823, to 36 and 1852: 
William Hutchinson, 1837, to 44, 1845 
to 1851 : 

Amos Hill, 1844 : 

John C. Blake, 1855, 56: 

Mark Hill, 1857 to 60: 

J. H. I. Richardson, 1860 : 

Jona. „ 1861: 

William A. Densmore, 1864, 65 
J. C. Libbets, 1866 to 70: 

Geo. L. Bradley, 1870 to 72 ; 

AsaS. Taft, 1873 to 76; 

R. D. Wilson, 1876 to 81 ; 

M. A. Campbell, 18 to 8 ; 

CON STABLES 

Jeremiah Washburn, 179, 95, 

Samuel D. Blake, 1796, 97, 99 02, 03, 
04,05, 09, 12, 13, 20; 

Benjamin Rowley, 1798; 

Josima Horr, 1800; 

Samuel Orcutt, 1801; 

Levi Silver, 1806 ; 

Abial Goo dell. 1807; 

Burton Carpenter, 1808 ; 

Ira Goodridge, 1810 ; 

Thomas True, 1811 ; 

John Beekwiek, 1814, 21, 22; 

Jockton Putnam, 1815, 16; 

Roswell Cheney, 181; 

James Campbell, Jr. 1818; 




22 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Jacob Webster, 1819; 

Jonathan Brown, 181 S to 26 ; 

Bradbury Richardson, 1826; 

Geo. W. Brockway, 1826 ; 

James Morse, 1831; 

Gilman Gale, 1832; 

Nathaniel Glidden, 1834 to 45 and in 
1854 61; 

Alfred H. Bartlett, 1845,51 ; 

Thos. J, ,, 1851 to 54, 

Alexander Page, 1861 to 64; 

Geo. W. MeGaffey, 1864 to 1868; 

H. L, Gilman, 1868 ; 

JohnE. Willard, 1869, to 71; 

Charles W, „ 1871 to 85; 

M. A. Campbell, 1876, 77 ; 

H.S. Forbes, 1879; 

G. M. Campbell, 1885 to 1888; 

TOWN CLERKS. 

James Cahoon, 1794 to 99, 1801, 2; 
Samuel Orcutt, 1799, 1800: 

Caleb Fisk, 1803 to 1808, 12, 13, 15, 
to 1820: 

Burton Carpenter, 1808, 09, 10, 11: 
Ezra Child, 1814: 

Jacob C. Morrill, 1822 to 35: 

James R. Ashley, 1835, 36: 

AdnaC. Dennison, 1837 to 42: 
Nehemiah Shaw, 1842 to 1850: 

Abel B. Blake, 1850, 51 : 

R. D. Richardson, 1852: 

J. H. 1. ,, 1853,61: 

David Powers, three months: 

Wm. A. Dens more, 1861 to 71 and a 
part of 71 : 

Geo. W. Colby, about three months : 

J, E. Willard, part of 1871 to 1888, 
and now in office. 

[The list of selectmen, for type-convenience, 
will be found farther over. Mr. Willard being 
made town clerk in 1871 has very naturally to 



a man that fills hie office well, taken a lively 
interest in the history of his town. 

His History opens very like a town clerk, a 
little like a politician : Page 4, with a peep at 
a tax list in 1803,— 1804,— 1805,— 1806. A bit ot 
the record first, and the bit one that suggests, 
our little town was hardly started in 1803, ‘06, 
you should not expect too much from us ; and 
as the curious like to know the cause, more 
and more as it grows remote, I will tell you, I 
regard that first anniversary of the old settler 
of 1806, held in Mr. Willard's house the cause, 
and this History of Sutton the effect. Let us 
cultivate anniversaries of the early settlers, 
we will have local history* Thus in this re- 
cord, we have of ourself given the Eastman 
Anniversary its early place, with the history 
of the churches, etc. thus far. Upon the next 
page, we will take up the charter and give 
the hallance of minute and faithful record ot 
early settlers preserved in this town,— Ed. 



Lines To The Friends 

OF FRED F. MCINTIRE, 

Who died June 4, 1836, at Haverhill, N. H., 
aged 29 years, 5 months and 6 days.* 

Lonely, sorrowing family groupe, 

Wife, mother and sisters, dear, 

Waiting and watching tenderly 
The loved, unconscious sufferer. 

You were weeping round Ms pillow, 

For you knew that lie must die ; 

It was night within your bosoms, 

It was night within the sky. 

Hoping, looking and listening eagerly 
For a kind embrace and last farewell, 

But reason never more resumed its sway. 
Dear Fred silently, peacefully passed away. 
You’ll sadly miss him from your group, 

His joyous laugh and gentle ways, 

The loss to you on earth so great, will be 
A gain for him of heaven and eternal days. 
In that bright home where loved ones wait 
And many waiting mansions are, 

My Father grant that you may dwell 
One happy family 1— my prayer. 

J. E. Willard. 

♦This tribute, which has been published In 
Notes by the Path ot the Gazetteer— see VoL I. 
page 167, is reprinted here that it may appear 
in connection with, the History of Sutton, by 
special request of the friends.— Ed. 




BUTTON, 



23 



THE CHARTER OF SUTTON, 
was granted to Jonathan Arnold and 
his associates by His Excellency Thom- 
as Chittenden, Governor of Vermont, 
Jan. 27, 1791, on the following condi- 
tions : 

1st. For the purpose of settling a 
new plantation and a valciable consider- 
ation. 

2d. Reserving 1 seventy-first part 
for the first settled minister ; 1 seventy 
first part for the County Grammar 
School ; 1 seventy- first part for the 
support of English Schools ; 1 seventy 
first part for a Seminary or College ; 
1 seventy first part for the support of 
the social worship of God” 

The two seventy -first parts for the 
College and Grammar School were to 
be under the charge or control of the 
Legislature of the State which gave 
them to the University of Vermont at 
Burlington and the Grammar School 
in C ala do ilia County which was located 
at Peacham ; the other three seventy r - 
first parts to be under the control of the 
selectmen (in trust.) 

3d. The proprietors are empower- 
ed to dispose of one seventy-first part 
for the encouragement of erecting a 
grist mill nnd saw-mill, and are, also, 
empowered to set out the several sev- 
tenty-first parts in such places as will 
best encourage the settlement of the 
town, giving quantity for quality, so 
that some of the public rights contain- 
ed more than 1000 acres which could 
be easily done from the peculiar shape 
of the town which can be seen by the 
survey, as follows : 

“Beginning in the Northwest cor- 
ner of Lyndon being a beech tree mark 
Lyndon Corner July 1st 1787 I A Bil- 
lymead Corner 1788 and running 
North 6 Ds, and 15 minutes west 10 



miles four chains and 50 links to a 
bee A\ tree marked Billy mead July 22 
1788 Standing in the Southerly line of 
Westmore eight Chains South east 
from the Westerly corner thereof 
thence South 45 Ds east eight miles 12 
Chains and 81 links to a Spruce tree on 
flat land Marked Burke North corner 
Standing in Southerly line of Newark 
thence South 20 Ds West six miles 2 
chains and 80 links to a Stake 7 links 
south from a little beech tree Marked 
Burke, Billymead 1787 Standing in 
the north line of Lyndon thence North 
70 Ds West two miles and 64 Chains 
in said north line of Lyndon to the 
bound began at containing twenty three 
thousand and forty acres and is called 
and shall be known by the name of the 
township of Billymead.” 

THE FIBST PROPRIETORS MEETING 

was held at the house of Jonathan 
Arnold in St. Johnsbury, Orange Co. 
(then), Aug 6, 1787, Jonathan Ar- 
nold, moderator, and Joseph Lord the 
clerk, pro tempore. Voted : Jonathan 
Arnold shall procure a surveyor and 
other persons to survey and lay out 
the township into lots and a tax of £2 
and 8s. on each right to defray the ex- 
pense. 

The next proprietors meeting was 
held at the same place, Mar. 31, 1791, 
Eld. Philemon Hine, moderator, Jo- 
seph Lord, clerk, pro tempore. 

Voted : That the return of survey 
and Plan returned by James Whitelaw 
Esq., Surveyor General be approved 
and accepted and that the draft of the 
several lots or Rights be made agreea- 
ble thereto that the proprietors may 
hold the lots by them respectively draf- 
ted forever hereafter in severalty, — 
Passed. 

Voted : That previous to each draft 
the public Rights and mill Right be 




24 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



pointed out and assigned and entered 
on said plan ; and that the Eights so 
pointed out and assigned be consider- 
ed in severalty and so held to the re- 
spective uses declared in the Charter of 
said township forever. Passed. 

Voted that the Eight No. 69 be the 
College Lot; No. 68, County Gram- 
mar School Right. No, 67 be the Right 
for maintaining and the supporting the 
social worship of God in said town- 
ship. No. 33 be the town School Eight 
and No 34 the Right for the use of a 
Minister or Parsonage. Passed. 

“Voted : that No. 16 be the Mill 
Eight and they and each of them are 
hereby assigned for those purposes for- 
ever. Passed. 

Voted: that the .Mill Eight No. 16 
be and the same hereby is granted to 
Daniel Cahoon Esq., on the same 
terms and conditions that the mill Right 
in the township of Lyndon was grant- 
ed Jonathan Gould Esq. at a Propri- 
etors Meeting for said township of Lyn- 
don held in St. Johnsbury 18th day of 
June 1787 viz that he erect or cause to 
be erected a Saw Mill and Grist Mill in 
the township of Billymead within one 
year after twelve actual settlements 
shall be made therein. Passed. 

Whereas it appears from the Field 
Book of Survey returned by the Sur- 
veyor that by some casualty in run- 
ning the lines that lots Nos. 42, 43, 44, 
45, 46, 47, 48, and 49 are somewhat 
less ( on an average about ten acres ) 
than the other regular lots and whereas 
it is uncertain where the error origina- 
ed and it woul d be attended by great 
expense to find and rectify the same 
and whereas by taking a draft the 
chance to each proprietor is equal and 
just therefore, voted : that the rights 
be held jby each proprietor who shall 



draw the same according to the pres- 
ent bounds and lines any difference a- 
foresaid Notwithstanding and it is fur- 
ther voted that all other lots and rights 
be held agreeable to the present corners 
bouqds and lines however they may be 
more than the common average quan- 
tity such allowances being designed to 
compensate for disadvantage* of situa- 
tion, mountains and other inconveni- 
ences which attend them. Passed. 

Voted : that Daniel Cahoon, Jr. and 
Joseph Lord now prepare for and draft 
the several Rights amongst the propri- 
etors. Passed. 

THE TOTTING. 

The draft being made, the numbers 
of the lots drawn to each proprietor's 
names were as follows : 

Jonathan Arnold, 55, 37, 62, 38, 
50, 30, 63, 24, 36, 51, 8, 7, 31, 28, 
35, 59, 12 and 17. 

Clark and Nightengale, 60, 61, 32, 
and 57, 2, 23, 48, 59, 22, 47, 46 58, 
65,54, 47, 10, 52, 1, 64, 20 and 49. 

William Rhodes 26, 27, 6, 4, 29, 39, 
18, 44, and 15. 

Joseph Fay, 11, 42, 14, and 21. 

Sterry and Murry No. 45 and 14. 

Daniel Cahoon, No. 3, 18. 

Peter Chandler, No. 40, 25. 

Jonathan Jenks, No. 53,43. 

Cynthia Hastings, No. 5. 

William Bowen, No. 9 and 66. 

Edward Thurber, No. 70 and 71. 

The above and foregoing were pass- 
ed and entered at the meeting aforesaid 

Attest Philemon Hine, Moderator, 

The above is a true copy from the 
original. 

james cahoon, Town Clerk. 

March 2, 1795. 




SUTTON. 



25 



THE NATURAL HISTORY 

OF THE TOWNSHIP. 

Sutton lies about 40 miles northeast 
of Montpelier and about 16 miles north 
west of St. Johnsbury Village. The 
surface of the township is somewhat 
uneven although not as much so as 
some other towns'in the County, it lay- 
iug in four swells or ridges which are 
called South Ridge, Middle or Beech 
Ridge, East Ridge and North Ridge, 
These divisions are made by the Pas- 
sumpsic River. The south branch of 
this river, called Callender river, (it is 
said derived its design&taion, from a 
man by the name of Callender who fell 
into it when the town was being allot- 
ted by the surveyor) has its source on 
the east side of the town of Sheffield, 
and running in a southeasterly direc- 
tion across the south portion of the 
town into the town of Burke. On this 
stream, at the present, time are 3 saw- 
mills, 1 carding mill, 1 grist- mill and 
1 carnage-shop. In some portions of 
the year, the water is so low — as it is in 
most mountain towns in the state — but 
little can be done in the mills. 

Until about 1850, where the 
carding-mill now is there was a woolen 
factory which employed a dozen, or 
more hands, and on the opposite side 
of the river from the factory were a 
saw-mil] and a cabinet-shop, and just 
below the present grist-mill there was 
another much larger mill, which was 
burned down about twenty years since 
and the present one was then erected. 

The Middle Branch (of the river)ris- 
es in the hills on the westerly side of 
the town and fed by several ponds runs 
southeasterly aerost Sutton into Burke 
at West Burke Village. There are no 
mills on this stream, at present. 



The North Branch (of the river) rises 
in the towns of Newark and Westmore 
and taking a southerly course, runs into 
this town and out, uniting with Mid- 
dle Branch at West Burke Village, — 
There are a grist-mill and saw-mill in 
Button on this stream, but are so near 
to West Burke they almost seem a 
part of it. 

OUR SUTTT0N PONDS 

Are ten in number, although from pres- 
ent appearances two or three of them 
in a few years may only be mud or 
frog-ponds. 

Pish Pond and Duck Fond are nice 
bodies of water and abound with fish, 
though not as many as formerly. They 
lie well up on the mountain, some 200 
or more feet above the valley, and sev- 
eral thousand feet above the level of the 
ocean and discharge their waters to 
the north into St. Francis River. 

The Lime Ponds, also, deserve spe- 
cial notice. The bottom of these ponds 
consists of a white marl, of which the 
early settlers in this and surrounding 
towns made the putty for their win- 
dows and lime to lay their chimneys 
with and plaster their walls. 

THE OLD SETTLER^ LIME-KILN 
was made and lime burned by digging a 
hole in the side of the hill about 4 feet 
wide, 8 feet back and six or 8 feet deep, 
when it was walled up a layer of wood 
laid crossways the length of the arch- 
ways, then a layer of the marl, and a 
layer of the wood and a layer of the 
marl alternately until the kiln was full, 
when afire was set to it. It took sev- 
eral days to burn and cool down, but 
as soon as burned and cooled the set- 
tlers had a most excellent lime ready 
for use. The writer has seen rooms 
plastered with this lime which have 




26 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



have been used more than sixty years,, 
in endeavoring to get mortar from brick 
taken from old chimneys, has found it 
almosts impossable to seperate the mor- 
tar from the brick, taking many times 
a portion of the brick with the m ortar. 
It is the opinion of some, if an oven 
could be so invented that this marl 
could be burned without its being mix- 
ed with the ashes of the wood, it would 
be superior to any lime produced from 
stone, 

SPRINGS, 

There are in this township several 
mineral springs worthy of mention, — 
One is on the northerly side of what is 
known as the Lake Mountain. The 
writer visited this spot, about ten 
years ago. He measured the spring 
and found the depth of the water a lit* 
tie over 6 feet; its diameter 15 feet a- 
cross the surface. W atching the white 
sand boiling up in the water over a 
space of several feet, he thought that 
he never saw such a sight. 

In our midst, are the sulphur and 
the iron spring. 

THE SULPHUR SPRING 

is said to have large medecinl proper- 
ties. It is a water of excellent drink- 
ing quality for those that like sulphur- 
ated waters. Some horses are very fond 
of the sulphur water. 

THE IRON SPRING, 

au invigorating tonic fresh from the 
hand of Mother Nature, is an excellent 
drink for either thirsty man, or beast, 
and delightfully refreshing to the inval- 
id or debilitated. 

THE ORIGINAL FOREST. 

The natural timber was principally 
sycamore, or the sugar maple, with a 
sprinkling of beech, birch and ash gen. 
erally, but alongside the streams upon 



the banks are quantities of spruce and 
white cedar, 

THE BANNER MAPLE SUGAR TOWN OF 
VERMONT. 

Sutton, it is understood, is the larg- 
est maple-sugar producing town in the 
State* and perhaps, the largest in the 
United States. In the spring of 1874, 
more than 140.000 pounds was made, 
and one year since, the produce was 
larger than in 1874. 

In School District No. 6 of 12 fami- 
lesmore than 28.000 pounds have been 
made in a single season. 

Note from the publisher : If you 
will send me the name of the man who 
has made the most maple-sugar in your 
town, I will print it here; for he has, 
probably made the most maple- sugar of 
anybody in the world, the sugar-maple 
being a native American tree. 

I have headed the record of your 
sugar-making modestly, “The Banner 
Maple Sugar Town of Vermont’' when 
ft might have been written ; The Banner 
Maple Sugar Town of the World. — Ed, 

answer: The following list will 
show the largest sugar producers and 
the most produced in a single year by 
any one : 

C. W. Willard, 7.050. lbs. 

Jona. Eastman, 4.500, „ 

Alfred Allard, 3.500. ,, 

G. R. Willard, 5.000. „ 

Arch Craig, 3.000. ,, -about. 

D. J. Ball, 3.000. ,, or more. 

H. S. Forbes, 3.000. ,,-abouL 

Messrs. Ball and Forbes do not know 

the amount made. Their orchards 
consist of 1,800 to 2.000. trees. 

Our sugar is made nearly all of it in 
this County, dry or what is known as 
stirred so that it is put into flour bar- 




SUTTON. 



27 



rels and headed up, and is now shipped 
to Chicago. What they do with so much 
maple sugar is somewhat of a mystery. 
Some say it is used in spirituous liquor, 
especially for brandy which it gives the 
look of age, others that it is used in 
glucose. 

THE FIRST OPENING 

in the Sutton forest was made by Chas. 
Hacket on the place known as the Wm. 
Brockway farm in 1791, or 92, but 1 
think, lie never moved here. 

Those that came and settled in the 
years 1792 and 98, up to 94 were? 

Jeremiah Washburn, who located on 
right No. 2, on the farm now owned by 
J* W, Colby. Thomas Washburn, his 
son, was the first child born in town, 
Jan. 17, 1795. It is not easy to find from 
what place they emigrated. It was 
customary then to give a 50-acre lot to 
each settler unitl the requsite number 
should become residents to fulfill the 
conditions of the charter, and when 
they received their deed they were set 
up as residents of Billymead, now Sut- 
ton. 

SAMUEL ORCUTT 



Samuel, Senior, lived here for some 
years and removed to Boston, Mass, to 
live. Only two of his descendent with 
their families now reside in town, his 
grandson, Samuel Orcutt and great- 
grandson, Harrison Orcutt, 

JOSHUA H0RR 

settled on the place where Chas. Haek- 
ett commenced (the Brock way place)he 
lived there several years and then went 
to Canada. Some said he was a good 
Christian, others, that he was a cruel 
and bad man. 

PHILIP BEAN 

settled on the place now owned by C. 
W. Willey, but lived there only a few 
years and moved away. 

ELI PH A LET MAX WELT, 

and his two sons settled on the place 
now owned by Reuben Ellis* estate, be- 
tween the farm owned by C. W. Wil- 
lard and the old Wm Green farm ; and 
the place is now sometimes called the 
old Maxwell place. Eliphalet, Sr. was 
called Elder Maxwell, but I tnink he 
was never ordained by any society. — 
The Maxwells lived here a number of 
years and then the family became scat- 
tered. 



comes next, a blacksmith, who settled 
on the place where S. S, Doud now 
lives, on right No. 14. He married 
Elsie Brown of Kilery, Me. Children: 
Hannah, Ephraim, Samuel John, Su- 
sannah, Bela, Lydia and Betsey. 

Ephraim married Christiana Willey, 
Feb. 19, 1798, and settled on the ridge 
of land south of S. S. Doud house. 

John was a blacksmith. He moved 
to Lyndon, and afterward became a 
clergyman . 

Bela married ; raised a large family 
of children ; died at South Barton, 
several years ago . 



SIMON BRIER 

located on a tract of land near the res- 
idence of Jesse Ainger on the South 
Ridge, but he did not stay there more 
than a year or two and made another 
pitch near the sugar house of Ora S. 
Jessernan ; but being a man of shiftless 
habits soon left and was lost sight of. 

CAPT. JOHN ANTHONY 

came from Woodstock and married a. 
sister of the Cahoons and settled in the 
field of M. A. Campbells which lies on 
the road leading off from Sutton to 
West Burke. The log-cabin stood near 
the apple trees in the field. He lived 
there only a short time and sold to Dea, 



28 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



True. This was the first opening north 
of Callender's River. 

JAMES AND SAMUEL GABOON 

came from Winchester, N. H. and first 
settled on the farm now owned by J. 
E. Willard. The house stood in the cor- 
ner of the field west of the road. The 
first town-meeting was held in this 
house and the first church was also, or- 
ganized there. The Cahoons built the 
first saw and grist mill in town it was 
built in 1795, and stood in the field of 
G. R. Willard southeast of the bridge 
at Sutton Hollow. The crank of the 
wheel thah carried the saw-mill was 
drawn on a hand-sled from New Hamp- 
shire. Afterward the mill came into 
the possession of Deacon. True. And 
when one of his customers was wait- 
ing for his grist to be ground he said 
to the Deacon, I could eat it faster than 
you grind. How long? said the Dea- 
con, Until I starve to death, said the 
man. 

How many years this mill stood can 
not now be ascertained ; but some time 
after a saw-mill was erected where the 
mill of Freeman Hyde's was and a grist 
mill on the site now of the grist-mill of 
O. E. Bundy, 

Samuel Gaboon and James continu- 
ed in company a few years and then 
dissolved partnership. Samuel remain- 
ed on the old place until about 1807, 
when he committed suicide by taking 
opium. It is said that some of his sons 
became influential men. 

James Cahoon married Betsy Blake, 
Oct. 11, 1797, which was the first mar- 
riage in town. James moved after the 
partnership was dissolved to the place 
nowowned by Mrs Josephine Lee, and 
kept a grocery or store in a small buil- 
ding, which stood near the dwelling- 
house of T. J. Barker's, He was a very 



intemperate man. His habit effecting 
his eyes, his physician told him unless 
he reformed he would be blind, he ap- 
peared to give up his drams for a time, 
but one day, he mixed a bowl of bran- 
dy, set it down and went out of the 
room. He soon came back and taking 
up the bowl of punch saying “go it, 
eyes !” drank it off. He soon died of. 
delirum tremens, in 1804, age 33 years. 

The children of James and Betsey 
Cahoon were : 

Charles Dyer, born May 10, 1800; 
became an eminent Presbyterian cler- 
gyman. 

Charlotte C., born, Feb. 15, 1802. 

HON. JAMES BLAKE CAHOON 

lived in Portland, Me. ; was Mayor of 
Portland at the time of the great fire 
in that city and in the struggle to stop 
the ravages of the flames, he injured 
himself so that he died soon after, as 
I was informed by his son-in-law, Geo. 
C. Cahoon of Lyndon. 

BILL YM BAD ORGANIZED. . 
NOTICE: 



Whereas 



FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWN. 

“State of Vermont. 

Orange County, SB ' 
application hath been made to me by a 
sufficient number of the inhabitants of 
the town of Billymead in the County 
of Orange and State of Vermont to 
warn a meeting of the inhabitants 
thereof for the purpose of organizing 
themselves as the law directs. The in- 
habitants and the Freeholders of the 
town of Billymead are hereby notified 
and warned to meet at the dwelling- 
house of Samuel and James Cahoon in 
said Billymead on Friday the fourth 
day of July next at nine of the Clock 
in the forenoon of s'd day to Choose a 
moderator to govern s’d meeting then 




SUTTON. 



29 



proceed to the choice of a town Clerk, 
Selectmen, Constable and all other town 
officers which the law requires and 
may be thought necessary to govern 
and take care of the prudential affairs 
of said town and do any other business 
when they may think neeessary. 

Given under my hand in Lyndon 
this eighteenth day of June Anno 
Domino 1794 

Daniel Cahoon Just,, Peace” 
“July 4th 1794 

u Meet agreeable to the above 
warrant at the time and place therein 
mentioned and proceeded first to Choose 
Moderator 

Samuel Orcutt was chosen Moderator | 
(Samuel Orcutt, Eliphelet Maxfield 
John Anthony, Samuel Cahoon, James 
Cahoon, Joshua Horr, Eliphelet Max- 
field, Jacob Maxfield, Simon Brier,) 
took the oath & affamation of a 7 lege- 
gence and the freeman oath 

James Cahu-m is chosen town Clerk 
& Sworn 

Capt John Anthony ) rn 0 , 

Mr Samuel Cahoon t Chose Selectmen 

Mr Samuel Orcutt ) ° worn 

Jeremiah Washburn Constable <fe 
sworn” 

“Voted that the Selectmen, Listers & 
assessors of taxes be sworn” 

Eliphelet Maxfield ) c 

Joshua Horr t ^veyor 

Philip B an ) Sworn” 

“Voted that the meeting be disolved 
Samuel Orcutt Moderator 

Attest James Cahoon Town Clerk” 

1795-SfTTLEItS, 

Those that came in 1795 were the 
following : 

David Bean, who settled on the place 
now owned by his grandson. C, W. ' 



Willey. The house stood in the field 
west of the house now on the place. — 
He was one of the deacons of the Free 
Will Baptist Church here a good many 
years, and Stephen, one of his sons, 
after the death of his father was chosen 
deacon and held the office until he went 
West about twenty years since. 

ELDER DANIEL QUINSY 

came from Sandwich, N. H. and settled 
on the place of A, JL Ball. He liv- 
ed their until 1799, when lie went to 
Lyndon to live. He erected a saw-mill 
near where E. H, Butterfield lives. The 
dam was close to where the bridge is 
now, but the water-power was not very 
good and the mill never did great 
business. 

benjamin boley 

as near as can be ascertained settled 
somewhere in the vicinity of A. G. 
Jenness. He lived there some years 
and in 1817 moved to the South Ridge. 
He owned a small place near Lyndon. 
He lived ou the farm now owned by 
Harlow Easterbrooks, His wife being 
troubled with rheumatism prepared 
poke or garget root in alcohol and tak- 
ing a dose of it, went into her loom to 
weave, but died soon from its effects. 

ENOCH BLAKE 

came from Moultonborough and settled 
on the place now owned by John A. 
Rice, He was fitted for a pioneer. He 
soon became the wealthiest man in 
town. He built a framed house in 
1802, it boing the second in town, the 
first was built by the Cahoons. The 
Enos Blake house is now in quite a 
comfortable condition for a dwelling- 
house, and having been occupied ever 
since it was built ; and now occupied 
by Mr. Blake. At the time it was built 
|t was and for many years after, the 
j best house in town. 




30 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Enoch and his wife, both, died of the 
scarlet fever. 

SAMUEL D. BLAKE, 

son of Enoch, came from Moltonbor- 
ough the year before his parents and 
brothers and sisters came, and commen- 
ced the opening which his father occu- 
pied. He made his home at Samuel 
Winslow's then living in .Lyndon on the 
land now owned by Philo Graves, near 
the farm known as the Rice place. 

Young Blake taking provision Mon- 
day morning to last till Saturday night, 
stopping in the woods, preparing him- 
self his meals through the week, with 
a few spruce and hemlock boughs for 
his shelter and bed, worked through the 
summer, returning to New Hampshire 
in the fall for the winter. In the 
spring of 1795, coming back with his 
father’s family, he then commenced an 
opening for himself on right No. 18 on 
the place now owned by D. D. Hay- 
ward. 

For some time after the town was 1 
settled the inhabitants had to go to 
Barnet and St. Johnsbury to mill. On 
one occasion, Samuel took his grist on 
his back and went by the spotted trees, 
the only road then, to mill. On his re- 
turn, it* became dark while he was in 
the woods and he lost his way some- 
where on the South Ridge. He was 
somewhat disappointed at not reaching 
home that night, he would have prefer- 
ed after his long tramp a little supper, 
but as it was, accepted circumstances ; 
pitched the heavy bag with his grist 
at the foot of a tree for a pillow; bed- 
ded himself with his back to the tree 
and slept ; he had camped out before ; 
had a bear poked his nose against one 
of his limbs, probably, he would have 
sprang up and grappled him. If a bear 
or any wild beast of the forest scented 



his couch, they feared the hero that the 
summer before had been among them, 
slashing down the tall trees in their old 
haunts. He slept unmolested and when 
the light glimmered through the woods 
i he took his bearings and soon found 
| himself at home. 

He married a Lee and reared a large 
family of children, all of whom have 
moved from town. Two of them 

BENNETT AND ISAAC BLAKE 

went to Texas. When Isaac died, he 
left $100, the interest to be used in fix- 
ing up the cemetery at Sutton Village. 
Rennet and Isaac were both sons of 
Samuel D .Blake. 

STEPHEN BLAKE, 

another son of Enoch settled the farm 
where Mrs. Powell now lives ; but af- 
terwards moved to the Village and 
went into trade as a merchant which he 
followed for a time; sold his store and 
built a grist-mill at Sutton Hollow. — 
At last, gettingold, he sold his mill and 
bought a few acres with buildings in the 
Hollow where he lived till his death. 
He was married three times. His two 
first wives were sisters, daughters of 
Dea, Colby, His last wife was daugh- 
ter of Thomas Daloff who survives him 
and still lives in town; and one of his 
daughters, the only one now living, 
married M. A. Campbell and now lives 
in town. 

Two of his grandsons : 

HON. G-. H. BLAKE, 

is Editor of the Barton Monitor and 
has represented Sutton, his native town 
in the legislature, and Barton in the 
legislature, in both House and Senate. 

REV. A. B BLAKE, 

brother of G. H. Blake, is a prominent 
Methodist minister in the St, Johnsbu- 
ry District. 




SUTTON. 



31 



ENOCH BLAKE JR. 

married a Ladd and lived in several 
places and at last settled on the Gile 
place where h« lived till his death, caus- 
ed by a fall in the barn while doing his 
chores. His wife fell into the fire and 
burned herself to death. 

His son, Joseph E. Blake, and his 
grandson, H. A. Blake are the only de- 
scendants by the name of Blake in 
town although at one time there were 
more by the name of Blake than of 
any other name. 

EBENEZER BLAKE 

settled on the place now owned by Ste- 
phen C. Otis. He was a successful 
farmer. He lived the latter part of his 
life at the Village. 

JACOB BLAKE 

lived with his father until the death of 
his parents when he bought the plaee 
where A. H. Ball's old house stands. 
He lived there a few years and then 
moved to the Village and went into 
trade w T ith his brother Stephen, whom 
he soon bought out, and took his 
son Abel in as a partner under the firm 
name of J. Blake & Son. About forty 
years ago they sold out and Abel went 
to Gardner, Mass., and after, to other 
parts of the country. In his rambles, 
he lost his property and Came back. — 
He now lives in Bath, N. H. 

Abel has one daughter that married to 
A. J. Bennie and owns one of the mills 
in town. 

Jacob continued to live in town till 
about twenty years ago; then went to 
Massachusetts and died there when a- 
bout 90 years of age. 

As a family, the Blakes were well- 
fitted to settle a new country ; as one of 
the relatives has said with capacious 
stomachs and large story tellers* also, 



nearly all had the faculty to acquire 
large property while young or in mid- 
dle age, but came to be in limited cir- 
cumstances when old, as will be seen. 
The Blakes held considerable town of- 
fice — S e town officers. 

An anecdote is told of the Blake 
brothers : One of them having caught 
something in one of their excursions, 
they did not know what, said Stephen, 
we will know when we get home for he 
has traveled, having been to St. Johns- 
bury, Lyndon, Wheelock and Sheffield/ 
Arrived at home, they went to view 7 it 
by lantern light and Stephen’s deseis- 
ion was it was either a young bear or 
turtle-dove. 

BRADBURY M. RICHARDSON 

camo form Moultonborough, N. H., 
and settled on the farm where N. W. 
Dean now lives. He like Samuel Blake 
boarded with — Winslow in Lyndon and 
at the same time ; but went home ev- 
ery night and back every morning to 
his work. He commenced the opening 
cut in the field south of the road that 
leads to C. W. Willey’s. 

One day while lie and Samuel Wins- 
low had been notching trees fora drove, 
which is done by chopping a large 
number partly down so that they will 
all fall in the same direction, and then 
take a very large one for the starter and 
chop so that it will fall on the next tree 
and so on until it will take them all in. 
Sometimes one drove will cover half 
an acre or more and in this way no in- 
considerable amount of chopping can 
be saved.) Just as the drove was going 
they looked up and saw Elisha, a boy 
of about fifteen years coming under 
the trees which fell on and killed him. 
This was the first death in Billymead, 

Bradbury went back to New Hamp- 
shire after building his log-cabin and 




m 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



married Sally Lee. Their children 
were Sally, Bradbury, Malachie, Jona- 
than, Sayrles, Judith, Joseph and Lucy, 
all of whom are now dead except Ju- 
dith, widow of Stephen Willey. 

Bradbury M, was chosen deacon of 
the Free Will Baptist Church after it 
was organized in 1800 and held that 
office until his death in 1848. He lived 
on the place where he commenced. In 
the latter part of his life he resided 
with his son, Jonathan, better knpwn 
as Captain. 

JOSEPH RICHARDSON, 

son of Bradbury M. succeeded his fath- 
er as deacon and held the offiee about 25 
years. He married Lucina Alien of 
Wheelock, and settled the farm where 
Riley their boy now lives. They had 
a large family. Three of the boys, 
Bradbury, Jackson and George Rich- 
ardson are prominent homoeopthy phy- 
sicians in New Yoi*k City. 

Frances, daughter of Bradbury, mar- 
ried Moses H. Noyes and resides in 
town. 

Dea. Bradbury M. was a man that 
had not an enemy. He was ready to 
aid the needy, and his doors were open 
to accommodate all of the new arrivals 
to his wilderness home until they could 
make or build one of their own. 

JOSEPH RICHARDSON, 

brother, Bradbury M., came fromSand- 
wich, N. H, selected a lot and commenc- 
ed his opening on the road that now runs 
from G. M, CampbelPs to the Wilson 
school-house. He built his log-cabin 
in the field near the west side of the 
Campbell farm on the north side of the 
road. While he was chopping a clear- 
ing and building his house, his family 
lived at the house of his brother, B. M. 
This was the second opening on the 
north side of Callender’s river. He lived 



here and then went back to Sandwich. 
N. H, again. 

After many years his son, Nath an ; 
came back and finally located on the 
road leading from Sutton to Lyndon, 
on the place where his widow, Priscil- 
la now lives. 

He was in the War of 1812 with 
the New Hampshire troops, and for 
several years before he died endeav- 
ored to obtain a pension, but never did. 
But since his death his widow has ob- 
ained one. 

With the Richardson family, as with 
many otthers, nearly all of the de- 
scendants have gone from town. 

The highway tax in 1795, was £9 
and 12s, Up to 1798, it was assessed 
in pounds, shillings and pence. 

At a meeting, Mar, 1, 1796: 

“Voted that the inhabitants of this 
town shall from this time hence forev- 
er make their ox-sleds four feet wide 
and any that is found narrower shall 
be liable to have them destroyad by 
any person or persons that are inhabi- 
tants of this town/* 

At the same meeting they raised a 
tax of $10 and Samuel Orcutt gave 
the town a sixpence for the privilige 
to collect it. . 

It appears by the list of 1796, there 
were 2 horses, 5 yoke of oxen, 15 cows, 
18 acres of impioved land, 4 three- 
years-old, 10 two years-old 7 yearlings 
and 17 polls. 

Voted: that the saw -mill and grist- 
mill of this town built by Samuel Ca- 
hoon be accepted by the i Habitants. 

1976: moses h. brewer, 

who came from Sandwich, N. H. He 
first located on the place of Daniel 
Quinby He was in rather needy cir- 




BUTTON. 



88 



eu instances and moved from place to 
place. He was out in the war of the 
Revolution. One of his grandaughters 
married A . H. Ball and lived on the 
place where her grand-father first liv- 
ed when hv:; came into town. 

JACOB EDDY 

bought the place of Philip Bean and 
lived there a short time. 

SAMUEL HUTCHING 

came, I think, from Sandwich, and as 
Daniel Colby's wife was his sis- 
ter, I presume that he came with the 
Deacon’s family. He only stopped one 
season. 

CHARLES LEONARD 

came from St. Johnsbury and settled 
on or near the farm now owned by A. 
O, Jenness. 

A few years after, his wife started 
to go from their home over to a family 
then living on or near the place of A. 
R. Stone's, to warp a web. She lost 
her way and for some days wandered 
about till so weak from hunger that she 
could go no farther, she sank down 
in despair. She was found nine days 
after still alive on the hill near aspring 
west of the Stone place. Others say it 
was on this side of the mountain west 
of Willoughby Lake. . 

ABNER ADAMS 

came from Moultonborough, N. H. and 
settled on the corner of Right No. 45, 
the opening, not far, from the Joseph 
Barker place now o wned by Harrison 
Masuer, I think. He must have been 
poor, for I find by a vote of the town 
he was exempted several years from 
taxes. 

in 1797 

peter atwood came from Sandwich, 
N. H. and settled on the place owned 
now by Ward P, Whipple. He built a 



tavern and kept a public house there. 
He was active and energetic in busi- 
ness, loaning money to his less fortu- 
nate neighbors. He, also, bought and 
sold considerable real estate in town. 

A large number of Atwoods with 
their families came into town within a 
few years and when they commenced 
to leave, left as suddenly. 

JOHN COR LESS 

settled on the farm where Ward R, 
Eastman lives. He married Susanna 
Blake, daughter of Enoch Blake. He 
soon sold this place and settled on land 
west of John B, Miles ; his son lived 
there with him till his father's death. 
Sometime after he moved down on the 
valley road on the place now owned 
by his widow, Gracia A., where he liv- 
ed till about ten years ago his horse ran 
away and he was so badly injured, he 
died in a few days. 

JOHN LADD 

married Polly Colby, sister of Deacon 
Thomas Colby and came from Sand- 
wich, in the winter, moving his family 
on a sled with two yoke of oxen. Upon 
his arrival, he sold his oxen and pur- 
chased a tract of land where J. M. 
Pillsbury lives, and there lived until 
his death. His son, John, lived with 
his parents in their last years, and until 
about 25 years ago when he came and 
lived in the Village. John, Jr. was 
highly respected by his townsmen, hav- 
ing held positons of trust in town many 
times, always with credit to himself 
and benefit to others. 

SCHOOLS. 

At a town- meeting, Aug. 8, 1797, it 
was voted to divide the town into two 
school-districts : 

DISTRICT NO. I. 

consisting of 8 voters, the area of a- 
bout 8.000. acres, (11 rights). The 




84 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



school-house was built near the ceme- 
tery on the South Ridge on the west 
side of the road, leading from R. M. R. 
Willey's to Willard Baldwin, Noth- 
ing there now to mark the spot except 
some cobble stone. 

DISTRICT NO. 2. 

consisting of 14 voters and an area of 
about 20.000 acres, the vote was taken 
to build on the southeast corner of right 
No. 31. But some of the old residents 
say it was near the brook where Mrs. 
Olive Harris lives which is on right 18. 

Those that belonged in this Olive 
Harris district were 2 voters, where J, 
E. Willard lives ; 3 Right 29; in the op- 
ning where Ore S. Jesseman lives, 
Nos. 41,42, rights, 1 voter; In an 
opening just beyond G, M. Campbell's 
on Rights 32, 34, 2 voters ; one voter 
where Amos G. Jenness lives, Right 
55 ; 2 voters where A. H. Ball lives, No 
31; one in an opening in M. A. Camp- 
bell's field, toward Burke, right, No. 
18 ; one where D. D. Hayward lives, 
onRightl8; one where A. R. Stone 
lives, Right 57 ; and one where John 
A. Rice lives, on Right No. 3. 

Where Sutton Village is there was 
no opening at this time. The town- 
meeting was then held at this school- 
house instead of at Cahoon's dwelling 
house. 

in 1798, 

jonas goodell came and settled on the 
farm now owned by Harlow Easter- 
brooks. He li ved there till 1807, when 
he sold to Jethro Sanborn and left 
town. 

DANIEL GEORGE and NATHANIEL 

Wallace came here to live in 98, but 
they never owned any land here and I 
have no means of knowing where they 
located ; yet in the grand list, after, I 



find Wallace had improved land and 
George had a cow. 

JESSE ATWOOD 

came from Sandwich, N. H. and set- 
tled somewhere near WardP. Whip- 
ples. I think, he must have gone in 
with Peter Atwood. 

THOMAS COLBY 

came from Sandwich, N. H. and set- 
tled on the place now owned by M. A. 
Taft ; think, he married Elizabeth At- 
wood of Sandwich. He must, I think, 
have been 45 years of age ; he had nine 
children then, that came with him. 
i He soon made a home for himself and 
family. In 1800, he had 11 acres of 
improved land and one cow. In 1802, 
he had erected a framed house and fin- 
ished it so it was assessed at $100. — 
His townsmen recognized his judge- 
ment and ability, both in regard to 
church and state. He represented the 
town in the legislature and held other 
offices. — see the officers lists. He was 
chosen deacon of the church, and per- 
haps, had more influence in that body 
than any other member. After some 
years, he gave his home place to Jona- 
than, his son, intending retiring from 
cares ; from some cause as often hap- 
pens when the father gives up the man- 
agement to his boys, they soon disa- 
greed, so in this case, and the Deacon, 
so called, built the set of buildings on 
the place now owned by Mrs. C. W. 
Willard and moved there with his son, 
Thomas but misfortune seemed to over- 
take him, for Thomas soon died. — 
Josiah Colby, his grandson, married 
the widow of Thomas and went there 
to live ; but all was not pleasant, and 
Josiah removed, and Jesse, the Dea- 
con's youngest son living, went home. 
He remained , but being lame did not 
prosper much. 




SUTTON, 



85 



The offices of trust the Deacon held | 
were always filled to acceptance both of 
town and church, 

DANIEL COLBY, 

son of Thomas, Sr., married a Hutchins 
and settled in Burke. He built the 
Colby mills, — at present, only the house 
remains. One of his grandsons, Dr. 
Gr. W. Colby, lives in town, also, one 
of his great-grandsons, Harley R. Col- 
by, on the Jeremiah Washburn place. 

KEY. JOHN COLBY, 

the Sd„ son of Thomas, born in Sand- 

V 

wieb, N. H., Dee. 9, 1807, came to 
Billymead, (now Sutton, )in 1788, and 
nothing is known of his boyhood ex- 
cept what is published m his life by him- 
self and that not at hand. 

He was ordained, Nov. 80, 1809. 
He traveled and preached through Ver- 
mont, New Hampshire, and some in 
Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New 
York and, perhaps, in other states; at 
one time, he went into Pennsylvania 
and Ohio. 

He built the first meeting-house in 
Sutton, (See in church history page 16 
and 17, 18.) It was north of the ceme- 
tery and built with large, square pews, 
seats round the pew and meetings were 
held in it until the White Church was 
built when it was moved to the farm 
of Jerome Bally and used for a dwell- 
ing house. 

Elder John Colby came home from 
his trips of preaching several times ; 
at one time so feeble, he thought that 
he must die ; but after a time he be- 
lieved if Elders Charles and Nathaniel 
Bowles and Daniel and Joshua Q nimby 
were to pray for him, he would recover, 
it appears by the record, June 8, 1817, 
Daniel Quimby believed that the two 
Bowles, Joshua Quimby and himself 
should go and pray for Elder John to 



get well, and on the 9th., they four 
started for Sutton. 

During the night of the 8tb., Colby 
says : “I reflected I had been trying to 
regain health by following the direc- 
tions of one and another, and had never 
followed the directions of St, James, 
Chapt. 5 : “Is any among you sick, let 
him call the Elders of the church~&c. 
He expressed himself to his father and 
said who shall go for them ? His father 
said he would and was preparing when 
the four clergymen he had selected ar- 
rived for the very same purpose. But 
it is said the Rev. Charles had no faith 
at first ; and that he said it was too 
much like raising the dead. But they 
all knelt down. The Elder Quimbys 
lead and Elder Nathaniel Bowles fol- 
lowed. The three first prayers were 
for faith for Rev, Brother Charles, 
who continued in his unbelief until 
near the close of the third prayer when 
as he said he could hardly wait for the 
prayer to close. As soon as the oppor- 
tunity came, he commenced his prayer 
for Colby's restoration; and as Colby 
says before it was finished, all pain had 
left; his body and he was as free from 
it as ever in his life. He breathed easi- 
er. his cough began to abate, from that 
hour he commenced to amend. As soon 
as able he resumed his labors as an 
| evangelist. In the fall, he started on 
a tour South and died at Norfolk Va., 
Nov. 28, 1817. 

1799 : JOHN CAHOON 

came from Winchester N, H. and set- 
tled on Right No. 3. The house stood 
on a road leading from where John A. 
Rice lives to Lyndon road near the 
Sulphur spring. He lived here only a 
few years and settled in Lyndon, 

SAMUEL AMBROSE, 

from Sandwich, N. H. made his pitch 
I on the farm where E. J. Roundy lives. 




36 



VERMONT HISTORICAL GAZETTEER, 



He did not stay long, but soon return- 
ed to New Hampshire. 

TA1XOR NORRIS 

'began on the farm where Franklin O. 
Berry lives and married Susanah Or- 
•eutt, Mar. 12, 1801. It was said that 
he was very poor. At one time he was 
working by the day for Stephen East- 
man, boarding himself, Eastman said 
to Norris: “Why do you have so little 
energy? The reply of Norris was, U I 
could do as much as any one, if I sat 
at your table.” After this Stephen East- 
man carried his meals 1 Jmiles to him, 
and after one or two days, said he nev- 
er had any better help than Norris. — 
We find some years after the town con- 
tributed to his support. He, I think, 
was the first one assisted by the town. 

DAVID NORRIS 

settled on the northeast corner of right 
No, 44, being a part of the Harrison 
Masuer place. He sold his place to 
John Shaw and moved to Danville. 



JOHN ATWOOD 

came from Sandwich, N. H. and settl- 
ed on the road that leads to J, M. Pills- 
bury’s. The house stood just below the 
orchard in H. S. Forbes" field. He liv- 
ed there until he bought the carding 
and fulling-mill at Sutton Hollow. He 
lived here, not many years, and mov- 
ed back to N. H. — the cause *ome dif- 
ficulty. See John Beckwith history, 

in 1800, 

ezra stoddard settled on right, No. 
13. His house stood west of the 
road just north of the cemetery on the 
South Ridge. The road run then from 
the Stoddard house to Samuel Oreutt’s 
now S. S. Doud’s. Stoddard, I think, 
was killed by the fall of a tree, a few 
years after. 

MOSES NORRIS 

bought the Max field pitch. He soon 
removed to Danville and became a 
clergyman. 



JETHRO SANBORN 

bought right 31 of Daniel Quin by, in 
1807, but sold and bougnt the farm of 
Jonas Goodell, then, at present of H 
Easterbrooks. He lived here until his 
death. 

William, son of Jethro, lived on the 
farm of his father some years but by 
some over confidence in the use of his 
name lost his property and his last 
days were spent in want. 

Loaini B., grandson of Jethro, was 
in the War of the Rebellion, being se- 
verely wounded, almost losing the use 
of one hand. He married widow' Z. W. 
Campbell and they live at the Village, 
he receiving a pension of $ 30. per 
month. 

james bacon — a settler of 1800, 1 
think, lived in the vicinity of A. R. 
Stone’s. 



WILLIAM RAMSEY 

came from Walpole, N, II., bought a 
part of Jethro Sanborn’s land, and 
made his opening and house on the pres- 
ent William Ruggles place. This was 
the first house erected at Sutton Village. 

John nasmith settled near the Wil- 
son school-house. 

JOSIAH SMITH 

came from Sandwich, N. H. and set- 
tled on the S. W. corner of right No. 
20; the house standing in the field just 
north of the road that leads to Luther 
Battles. He lived there some years, 
and then he and his son, Enoch, bought 
the present C. S. Taft place and built 
the house and barn there ; but sold out 
there and moved to the Village. Enoch 
starting a cabinet and repair shop, did 
nearly all kinds of wood-work for the 
| farmers. One of the most particular of 




SUTTON . 



37 



men about his work, consequently, his 
labor was never very remunerative ; 
consequent of that, he never acquired 
much property. 

Two of the three daughters of Enoch 
Smith reside in town, Mis. E. W. 
Brockway and G. N. M.Bean; both of 
their husbands manufacture carrieags ; 
both turn off good work. 

Mr. Brockway has the reputation of 
making as good wagons as can be pro- 
cured anywhere. 

Fida, daughter of Enoch, is a teach- 
er in Massachusetts. 



The town voted to build a pound 20 
feet square and 7 feet high and gave 
Charles Leonard 5 bushels of wheat 
for building it. 



am asa Hutchins came and settled on 
the place where D. E, Buggies lives. 

LEVI SILVER 

settled on the road leading from B. M* 
R. Willey to Willard Baldwin’s. 

ARIEL GOODE LL 

settled on a part of the farm where 
Willard Baldwin lives. The house 
stood near the brook. His son, Dan is 
living, with his son-in-law, S. S. Doud. 
He must have received a settlement 
lot. lie went to Westminster and Tobi- 
as Hanseomb. 

nr 1802 s 

zebulon norris came from Lyndon 
and settled on right No. 18, where G. 
O. Eastman lives. He soon sold and 
returned to Lyndon, but in a year or so 
came back and settled where his grand- 
son, D. G, Norris lives, although some 
say he lived on the place owned by F. 
Roundy ; if so it must have been after 
he came from the D. G* Norris place. 



DAN DICKERSON 

settled in the field back of the house of 
Willard Baldwin and it is part of that 
farm. The road to Dickerson was just 
in the edge of the sugar-orchard, north 
of Baldwin’s field. 

CALEB FISK 

settled on right, No. 33, on the road 
leading to the depot. He was the best 
educated man that bad as yet settled 
here and did a large proportion of the 
town business for several years. He 
was the first representative, (See list of 
town officers.) selectman 14 years, the 
longest of any one — A. H. Ball, next, 
11 years, — J. E, Willard 10 years. 

AMOS FISK, 

son of Caleb, drawing brick with two 
yoke of oxen, in crossing the bridge 
between L. J. Hall and C, S. Taft, it 
gave way and he was killed. He was 
buried in the Sutton Cemetery, his be- 
ing the first interment there. 

Soon, all that bad been buried in dif- 
ferent places in town were taken up and 
buried in this ground, (thirteen in all,) 
and Rev. Amos Beckwith preached 
upon the occasion from the text;— 
“And, I saw the dead, both small and 
great, stand before God.” Rev. xx. 12. 

CALEB FISK, JR. 

went to New York City and was there 
in the Custom House many years. His 
widow is, at present, living in town. 

PRISCILLA GLIDDEN 

came from Sandwich, N. H. and pur- 
chased the Leonard place. One of her 
sons, Nathaniel Glidden, was deputy 
sheriff*, constable and collector many* 
years. 

ENOCH TRUE 

came form Sandwich, N. H. and pur- 
chased the Capt. John Anthony places 




38 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Later, he bought the Cahoon grist- 
milL 

THOMAS TRUE, 

son of Enoch, came with his father, 
and bought 2 acres in the corner of 
right 30, extending 20 rods E. and W. 
and 16 rods N. and S., being the land 
where Judge Tibbets lives, of the hotel 
and store of L. J. Campbell's, and the 
S. N. Whipple and perhaps that of T. 
J, Barker, He and his son, Thomas 
had a blacksmith-shop and followed 
that trade as long as Thomas Sr. lived. 
After his father's death, Thomas farm- 
ed some and did some blaeksmithing 
for a time; but finally abandoned his 
old trade altogether and devoted him- 
self to his little farm until a few years 
since he sold out and removed to 
Greenfield, Mass. 

LUTHER NICHOLS 

came from Washington, N, H. He en- 
listed and was in the War of 1812; as 
I learn, his marriage relations proved 
unpleasant, 1 he last of his life he liv- 
ed with his nephew, Samuel Densmore. 
He died insane some 30 years ago. 

BENJAMIN AND EZEKIEL POWERS 

settled on the East Ridge, — the first 
pitch in that part of the town. I think 
they lived together or near each, I find 
by the list each had one ox. They did 
not stay long, Ezekiel going to Burke. 
One of Ezekiel's grand-daughter’s lives 
in town, Olive E. Harris. 

Of Luther and William Tuttle, 
Jacob Kent, Benjamin Streeter, Ste- 
phen McCrillis and Allen Robbard the 
location cannot now be told. 

DANIEL CRAM 

came from Waterford and settled near 
where Simeon Olcott lives. He did not 
stay but a few years 



REV. AMOS BECK WITH 

came from Putney and bought the place 
of Zebulon Norris, (the G. O. East- 
man) . He was the first settled minister 
and received the minister-lot, No. 34, 
It is said, that he thought the whole 
right was too much and he gave the 
town a deed of 172 acres off from the 
east end of the right, retaining 128 
acres of the west end. He continued 
to reside in town until his death which 
was caused by being thrown from his 
horse rvhile returning from Burke near 
the unoccupied buildings on the H. S. 
Forbes place, Dec, 6, 1822, aged 68 
years, I learn he believed he had a 
warning of his death when sick about 
a year before. 

His son, living with his father, was 
away from home, the day of his fa- 
ther’s death, assisting the stage in go^ 
ing from Sutton to Lyndon down 
through Egypt. This was the first time 
the mail had been carried that way and 
a man, these days, went with the stage 
to play the bugle to announce the arri- 
val of the mail. Lodoska, one of John’s 
daughters, says: One day when the 
stage stopped at Sutton to change the 
mail several young ladies got out. 
They were going to St. Joknsbury to 
a ladies school and she thought them 
something better than common people ; 
and as she looks back, stage-bugle and 
all seems like a fairy tale. 

Rev. Amos Beckwith married Su- 
sanak Truman. Their children were: 

Abigail, born in 1781 : 

Daniel and Truman, Oct. 15, 1783: 
Rebecca, Mar. 17, 1786: 

John, Oct, 12,1789: 
Elizabeth, Mar, 34, 1792: 
Sylvania, Dec. 28, 1795. 




SUTTON . 



39 



TRUMAN BECKWITH 

Truman, the only really successful 
financier in the Beckwith family never 
lived in town ; but his acts of benevo- 
lence are so intimately connected with 
his relatives here, it is thought best to 
give a sketch of him with the family* 
At nine years of age he went with his 
father from Putney to Providence, R. 
I., a distance of 120 miles, riding on 
horseback behind his father. He lived 
a short time with his grandfather Tru- 
man and then was appren- 

ticed to his uncle Truman in a drug- 
store and saddler’s shop ; but neither 
business suited him and at twenty-three 
he went to Savannah, Ga. with Eben- 
ezer Jenks and engaged in the cotton 
trade. He lived 8 years in Savannah 
and 1 year in Augusta and came back, 
hut continued in the business until 1861 , 
being then 77 years old ; all these years 
extending aid to his ^relatives. His 
brother Daniel lived on the place now 
owned by William Ruggles, in financi- 
al embarresment, he was likely to lose 
it. Truman relieved him of his difficul- 
ties and took the deed of the farm and 
after Daniel died he executed a deed 
in trust to two of his nephews that the 
use should be for the support of his 
brother Daniel’s widow until her death 
and then for the support of his brother 
John’s widow and two of their unfor- 
tunate chileren, and after their decease 
to go to John’s children. 

He, also, made the gift of a farm to 
his sister, Mrs. Sylvania Ball, and al- 
ways on coming to Sutton, he made a 
present to all of his nephews and neices. 
He educated his brother John’s oldest 
son, Cor} r don. He gave at his death to 
each of his nephews and neices $500. 
He did more kindnesses for his friends 
than I have space to enumerate. 



He died at Providence, R. I. in his 
95th year, leaving an estate considera- 
bly over a million. 

Rebecca Beckwith, daughter of Rev. 
Amos, married Rufus Newell. 

Elizabeth Beckwith married Tru- 
man Newell. Abigail died young. 

John Beckwith, Esq. 
son of Rev. Amos, lived with his fa- 
ther. He only had a limited education, 
but studied law and made a good and 
shrewd manager in preparing his cases 
before the court, but never much of an 
advocate. He was a politician, of the 
Democratic school, and had consider- 
able influence in the selection of the 
United States officers in the Northern 
part of Vermont. He was a custom 
house officer for many *years. With 
his knowledge of men and his natural 
cunning in looking after the smugglers 
and those that endeavored to aid the 
British in the War of 1812, it became 
a risky and unremunerative business. 
Their losses were so great, the smug- 
glers became very angry and desper- 
ate. Between 1812 and 1816, either 
the smugglers or their confederates de- 
vised the plan of mutilating him, and 
executed it, surprising him sleepiag in 
his office. It is supposed two, or more, 
were engaged in the execution. They 
clipped off the top and the larger por- 
tion of one of his ears. 

How much more was their intention 
to do nobody knows. Beckwith, as 
was his practice, ever on the alert for 
rogues employed Jacob Shaw, after- 
wards his father-in-law, and, perhaps 
others to assist him in his investiga- 
tions. As soon as it was light they dis- 
covered two different kind of tracts, 
one something: of a club-shape, which 
Shaw recognized as the shape of a boot 
he had made for John Atwood, at the 




40 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Hollow, the owner of the earding-mill. 
Immediately, Shaw repaired to At- 
wood'? for his rolls. He found him in 
the house and Wm. Goodwin with him, 
the boots of both well wet with dew. — 
The men, he was seeking had escaped 
through a field of grass, heavy with 
dew. Atwood and Goodwin were soon 
arrested and lodged in the jail at Dan- 
ville. They were afterwards let out on 
bail by Andrew Brown, Thomas Col- 
by, Thomas True, Pearson True, Thad- 
deus Curtis, Jethro Sanborn, James 
Way, Harris Way, and Benjamin 
Streeter, for the appearance of At- 
wood and Goodwin at the Supreme 
Court. 

John Atwood conveyed his proper- 
ty to his bondsman as security. This 
instrument it dated Oct. 15, 1816. It 
appears by the records that there was 
an execution against John Atwood in 
trespass, and directed to the sheriff of 
Caladonia County or his deputy, or to 
the constable of Sutton, dated at Dan- 
ville, June 30, 1816, and signed by 
Curtis Stanley, clerk. 

The amount for execution was for 
$1,500. damage and cost of $ 172.79. 
The jurymen were Nathaniel Knight 
Augustus Walter, Walter Harvey, 
John Gibson, Ebenezer Davis, Enoch 
Hoyt, Joseph French, Fredrick Bug- 
bee, Daniel Dana, James Morrill, 2d , 
Hugh Laughlin, Simon Blanchard. 

On the 1st Dec. of Dec. 1818, the 
barn of Beckwith was burned and a 
yoke of oxen in it so they died. For- 
tune again favored him, he soon had 
track of the incendiaries. Jacob Web- 
ster, then living where A. H. Ball lives, 
who owned and ran a whiskey still was 
one of the confederates, he learned ; one 
Gore, the one who set the barn on fire. 
He carried the fire in a dipper, found 



on Or near the place of a building 
that belonged to the whiskey still. — 
Gore runaway to Canada, but by some 
means was captured and turned State's 
evidence. 

Webster deeded his property to James 
Way and others. Amos and John 
Beckwith brought a suit against Jacob 
Webster for burning the barn oxen and 
produce and recovered a judgement of 
$ 787 damages and $62.40 costs. — 
Webster took an appeal, but that court 
sustained the judgement of the County 
Court.. Webster brought several peti- 
tions for a new trial, but in each ease 
the court dismissed the petition. 

The council for the plaintiffs were 
Mattocks and Paddock, and for the de- 
fendant Fletcher. Israel Fiske was the 
chief judge. I think, Caleb Fiske of 
this town was his brother. 

John Beckwith, Esq. married 
Matilda Shaw, March 11, 1821; their 
children were: Lodoska B., Corydon, 
Amos, Laura, Daniel N., Truman, 
John, Henry, Kate and Sarah. 

Lodoska Beckwith married R. D. 
Wilson and lives with Kate and Sarah. 

HON. COKYBON BECKWITH. 

Corydon, oldest son of John Beck- 
with, was born at Sutton ; educated at 
Providence, R. I. and Wrentham, Mass. 
He studied law with Benj, B. Smalley, 
Esq. at St. Albans ; was admitted to the 
Bar. He went first to Frederick, Md., 
where he practiced a few years, and 
returned to St. Albans and formed a 
partnership with Mr. Smalley ; but was 
soon drawn to Chicago where he made 
I liis permanent residence, practicing his 
profession. While Richard Yates was 
Governor of Illinois, the chief justice 
of the state died and the Governor ap- 
pointed Mr. Beckwith to fill the unex- 
; pired term. 




BUTTON. 



4 £ 



GEN. AMOS BECKWITH. 

Amos; the second son of John Beck- 
with, Esq., born at Sutton, was ap- 
pointed cadet to West Point from the 
Second District by Gov. Paul Dilling- 
ham, When he graduated, he was ap- 
pointed Lieut, and stationed at Fort 
Leavenworth, I think, in Capt. Floyd’s 
Company , afterward Gen. Floyd of the 
Confederte army. Jefferson Davis 
was Secretary of War and signed Beck- 
witth’s commission. He was Commis- 
sary of the Potomac army with the 
rank of Maj. General. He was trans- 
ferred to General Sherman’s command 
and went with the General on his 
march to the sea. After the close of 
the war he was stationed at New Or- 
leans, then at Washington, and then at 
St. Louis, where he is now. 

DANIEL N, BECKWITH. 

Daniel N, Beckwith, brother of Amos 
and Cory don, was Deputy Provost 
Marshal of the Second Congressional 
District in the war ; then he removed 
to Ludlow, Mass, where he has since 
resided. 

TRUMAN BECKWITH 

went West as a Government Surveyor. 
He surveyed the state lines of Minne- 
sota and Iowa, and then settled in Iowa. 

JOHN BECKWITH 

went West with Truman as an assistant 
surrey or ; since the war, has been clerk 
in the Commissary department under 
his brother Amos. 

Laura Beckwith married David Joy 
and lives in Ludlow, Mass. 

HENRY BECKWITH 

was the only one of the sons of John 
Beckwith that received a collegiate ed- 
ucation. He graduated at Union Col- 
lege with high honors, but died soon 
after. 



in 1803 

william brockway from St, Johns- 
bury came and bought out Joshua 
Horr ; No building now on the place. 
JOSHUA STODDARD 

settled on the B. M, R Willey farm. 

DR. LEMUEL TABOR 

settled at Sutton Corner. He married 
Nancy Hutching. He was the first phy- 
sician that located here. 

Rev. L. H. Tabor, an eminent Uni- 
versal is t clergyman in the State, was 
born in this town, 

JAMES CAMPBELL 

a Revolutionary soldier came from, 
Putney and settled on the place now 
owned by Silas I Leach. At the close 
of the war, he traveled 200 miles in- 
four days to reach his home. 

JAMES CAMPBELL, JR. 

son of James Campbell, Sr. lived with 
his father and was a man of much bu- 
siness capacity and the best read man' 
in the scriptures in town. 

Three sons of James Jr. live in town : 
Milton A. Nahum K. and L, J M all of 
which have held considerable town of- 
fice. Nahum, having represented the" 
town twice in the legislature, 

Nahum and his son, Gilbert M. are* 
in the business of drover and buyer of 
wool and country produce. 

Martha James the only daughter now 
living, and the last member of Rev. 
Amos Beckwith’s church, married to 
Dea. Francis Switzer and lives in St., 
Johnsbury. 

CAPT, BENJAMIN CAMPBELL, 

son of James, Sr. came from Putney, 
and settled on the place where Reuben* 
Drown now lives. 

EZRA LEE 

settled on the road near where Josiah 
Smith first commenced. He afterwards* 




42 VERMONT HISTORICAL MA GAZINE, 

in 1804 : 



moved to the North Ridge. He was 
father of Daniel Lee of this town. 

IRA GOOD RIDGE 

settled on the place where James N. 
Holtham lives. He represented this 
town twice in the legislature and held 
other offices. 

WILLIAM DENSMORE 

came from Washington, N. H. and set- 
tled on the place where Irving Blake 
lives (the Wheaton Campbell farm) He 
soon died, leaving a widow and several 
small children, all of whom she reared 
and who became leading and respecta- 
table citizens. Two of his grandsons 
are mlluental citizens in the place where 
they live. 

WILLIAM A. DENSMORE, 

grandson of William of Sutton, lives 
in Lyndon, and was the last cashier of 
Connecticut and Pasumpsic Rivers R. 
R. Co. befoie it was leased to the Bos- 
ton and Maine R. B. Co. He has also 
represented the town of Lyndon in the 
legislature. 

DANIEL K. DENSMORE 

lives in Burke, he is postmaster, and a 
merchant. 

ROBERT RAMSEY 

settled on the place where the late John 
Beckwith lived. He kept merino sheep 
here ; afterward he moved to St. Johns- 
bury and lost his property, after which 
being on a visit at Sutton, he remark- 
ed they had a new law at St.Johnsbu- 
by ; it being inquired what, to settle a 
man’s estate, he said, before he dies, 
refering to the old bankrupt law. 

Jonathan Webster, Peter Dusting, 
William Kately, Daniel Swain and Ste- 
phen Crillis were among the settlers of 
this year, but as to where they settled, 
or how long they remained, I have no 
knowlege. 



There were in town 37 oxen, 103 
cows, 8 3-years old, 20 2-years old, 
53 horses, 5 colts, 9 watches, 5 houses, 
303 sheep, and 593 acres of improved 
land. Just what the latter was, I do 
not know ; but judging from the books, 
I conclude it was land after it was seed- 
ed to grass or had been mown. 



SUTTON LONGEVITY. 

Those that have died and are hurled in the 
town are : 



Clarrissa G. Gale, aged 71 


years 


Cynthia Bishop, », 


70 


» 


Abner H. Cobleigh lt 


79 




John Bishop, » 


7S 


u • 


Asa Hasten, „ „ 


72 




Charlotte Mack Hasten 78 


„ 


Luther Curtis, „ 


80 


I? 


Deborah C irtis, ,, 


77 


** 


Thaddins Curtis, ,, 


81 




Mary Curtis, » 


81 


If 


Willard Huntley, „ 


71 




John Fogg, 


79 




Ann Eaton, „ 


84 


It 


Martin Howard, „ 


79 


It 


Hester Howard, „ 


89 




Polly Lee, „ 


72 


If 


Deborah Bartlett, „ 


87 




Bela Humphrey, „ 


80 




Rebecca Humphrey 


74 




Jonathan Powers, 


79 




Wells Way „ 


89 




Deliverance Way, „ 


76 


D 


Jemima Dunklee, „ 


90 


n 


Moses Dunklee. „ 


84 




Lyman Powers, „ 


79 


f. 


Luther Stoddard, „ 


n 




Jacob Jewell, ,, 


86 


If 


John Reddington, ,, 


91 




Sarah Tilton Caswell, 


87 




David Drown, „ 


80 


» 


Mrs. Daniel Colby, „ 


75 


» 


Mrs. — Bloss, „ 


95 


If 


Mrs. — Harvey, „ 


90 




Sally Chase, „ 


83 




John Smith, „ 


79 




Persllla Morgan Palmer, 


83. 


William Sanborn, „ 


82 


,, 




SUTTON 



43 



Artemus Garfield, 


age 91 years. 


\ Daniel Shaw age 78 years 


David Rattray, 


,, 


75 „ 


Wheaton Campbell 


.. 75 




Joshua Whitten, 




88 „ 


John Smith 


„ 78 




Sally Whitten, 




75 „ 


Mary Smith 


.. 80 




jolm Beckwith, 




74 „ 


Rebecca Drown 


.. 81 


.. 


Nancy Richardson, 




73 ,, 


Benjamin Ainger 


.. 78 




Betsey Daloff, 




76 M 


Jesse Ainger 


.. 90 




John Daloff, 




74 „ 


Rebecca Ainger 


.. 80 




Abigail Gordon, 




89 „ 


Tamer Pillsbury 


.. 84 




Daniel Tilton, 




90 „ 


Thomas Doloff 


.. 92 




Mary Tilton, 




88 „ 


Sarah Doloff 


.. 82 




Hannah Shorey, 




92 „ 


Josiah Willey 


.. 76 




Joseph Putnam, 




80 „ 


Mary Willey 


.. 71 




Lydia Putnam, 




75 „ 


Nancy Baldwin 


.. 74 




Jokton Putnam, 




89 „ 


Jacob Chapman 


.. 70 




Anna Putnam, 




95 „ 


Joseph Parker 


82 




Mary Drown, 




97 


Sabra Campbell 


86 




Rev. David Cross, 




84 „ 


James Campbell 


82 




Aaron Bless, 




75 „ 


James Campbell, Jr. 85 




Achsah Bloss, 




75 „ 


Moses TL Brewer 


81 




Jonathan Clement, 




82 „ 


Jacob Shaw 


.. 89 




Stephen Eastman, 




84 „ 


Sally Shaw 


.. 91 




B. M. Richardson, 




77 „ 


Thomas True 


.. 85 




Sarah Richardson, 




87 „ 


Mary True 


* 85 




Luther Nichols, 




78 „ 


John Shaw 


. 74 




Olive Densmore, 




79 ,, 


Dorcas Gee Shaw 


95 




John Ladd, 




77 ,, 


Eben Blake 


80 


.. - 


Dolly Ladd, 




78 „ 


Obediah Bunker 


91 




Mercy Woodman, 




79 „ 


Judith Bunker 


71 




Jonathan Woodman 




90 „ 


Harvey Childs 


72 




William Brockway, 




84 „ 


Sylvania Childs 


76 




Hannah Brock way, 




82 „ 


Lucy Putnam 


80 




Jonathan Frost, 




72 „ 


, m James Wilson 


79 




Thomas Colby, 




79 ,, 


Sarah Wilson 


80 




Hannah Brown, 




95 „ 


Laban Taft 


80 




Jacob Brown, 




75 ,, 


Mary Taft 


86 




Jethro Sanborn 




73 .. 


Ambrose Hastings 


86 




Elizabeth Sanborn 




78 .. 


Scbina Hastings 


80 




Benjamin Bowler 




83 


Jeremiah Parker 


78 




Mary Walter 




81 .. 


Luther Rice 


77 




Stephen Blake 




83 .. 


Ruth Prescott 


89 




lasiali Evans 




80 .. 


Dorothy Ainger 


79 




James Clark 




70 


Joshua Stoddard 


90 




Pamelia Clarke 




72 


Abigail Stoddard 


83 




Asahel Roundy 




81 .. 


Mark Hill 


70 




Rebecca Roundy 




86 .. 


Arvilla Hill 


70 




David Stoddard 




80 .. 


Hannah Bean 


82 




Loren Cae 




73 .. 


Daniel Beckwith . 


71 


u 


Abigail Cae 




72 .. 


Sylvania Beckwith 


77 




Josiah Colby 




71 .. 


Susanah Beckwith 


80 




Betsey Colby 




72 .. 


Daniel Chappell 


79 




Betsey French 




79 .. 


William Ramsey .. 


72 


.. 


Asa French 




96 


Euphemia Ramsey 


88 






44 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Abigail Blake 


85 years. 


H. W. Easterbrooks 


84 


Samuel D, Blake 


85 




Sargent Jewell 


79 )i 


Nancy A. Blake 


77 .. 




Sarah M. Fisk 


84 


Rachel Morrill 


86 .. 




Chauncey Fuller 


78 l( 


Sally Hoyt 


78 




Mary L. Harvey 


72 „ 


Cynthia Taft 


70 .. 




Samuel Hill, M, D. 


88 


David Brewer 


n „ 




Mary B. Otis 


5>6 


Stephen W, Willey 


77 .. 




Elizabeth M, Perkins 


87 „ 


Stephen Willey 


72 




Jacob Blake 


91 „ 


Temperance Itollins 


86 .. 




Ruth G. Prescott 


89 


Azuba Barber 


95 .. 




L.D. Hall 


76 „ 


Josiah Smith 


81 




Hannah Bice 


S8 


Abigail Smith 


84 „ 




Sally Cross 


94 „ 


Elizabeth Cole 


79 .. 




Calvin C. Burns 


75 „ 


Betsy Orne 


83 




William Densmore 


89 


Nathaniel Glidden 


72 .. 




Sophia Chase 


82 


John Willey 


89 




D. B. Kibbey 


72 „ 


Deborah Willey 


89 . 




E. W. Burt 


79 „. 


Louisa Bailey * 


90 „ 




Sarah Ladd 


•77 


Uriah Farmer 


80 M 




Arad Ball 


84 „ 


Mary Muncy 


75 r 




Richard Willard 


74 „ 


John Orne 


80 , 




Timothy Oltn stead 


71 


Wealthy Streeter 


88 


„ 


John Roltham 


77 „. 


Jane Ham 


97 




John M. Rice 


74 ,, 


Sally Ball Powers 


70 




A. F. Taft 


77 M 


Lydia Holmes 


97 




Abigail Easterbrooks 


85 


Rev, John Wooster 


75 


t * 


John Forest 


80 


Mary S. Jesseman 


82 








Waaleton Brock way 


84 




UNTIMELY DEATHS. 


Eli Boyden 


83 




There have been 


several deaths in 


Nathan Richardson 


78 




town beside those mentioned from sui- 


Capt, Theodore Tripp 82 

Lieut, Samuel Winslow St 


f* 


eide and accident, among whom ; * 


Mahala H. Fuller 


75 


tt 


Henry Allard by catting his throat : 


Patience S, Sewell 


86 


t > 


Rev. Silas Wiggins by hanging : 


Enoch T. Smith 


73 




William 0, Perham by , , 


Ezra Perkins 


86 




William Cams by taking poison: 


Betsey Mellen 
Jane K. Abbott 


90 

81 




Mrs. Silas Drown 


>5 M 


Matilda Beckwith 


Si 




Betsey Ball by 


1 5 


David Eastman 


78 




Reuben Ash by a tree falling on him 


Nathaniel Noyes 


83 




Moses Morrill, a 


9? '*• 1? 1? 


John Ladd, Jr. 


75 








Dorothy Wiggins 


75 








Joseph Richardson 


77 


„ 


TOWN REPRESENTATIVES. 


Mahitabel Blake 


82 






6, 7, 10, 11, 16 


Judith Otis 


79 




Caleb Fiske, 1805 


Anna Moulton 


70 


it 


19: 




Rev. Silas Wiggins 


81 




Jethro Sanborn, 1808: 


Hannah Drown 


79 




Thomas Colby, 1809, 12 t 


Betsey Rice 


73 




Ezra Child, 1813. 


14: 


Henry Allard 


71 




Love P. Tibbets 


79 


** 


Benjamin Campbell, 1815: 




SUTTON. 45 



Benjara in Campbell, 1815: 


Samuel Orcutt, 1794 to 99, 1800, 1, 


James Way, 1817, 18: 


2, 4: 


Jacob C, Morrill, 1820, 21 : 


Samuel Cahoon, 1794 to 98: 


Ira Goodridge, 1822, 28: 


Joseph Bichardson, 1797, 98,99: 


Andrew Brown, 1824, 25, 26: 


Bradbury M. Bichardson, 1798, 99: 


John Beckwith, 1827 


Peter Atwood, 1799 : . 


Thomas True, 1828, 29, 33, 34 : 


James Cahoon, 1800, 4 0l: 


Martin Way, 1835, 36 ; 


John Attwood, 1800, ‘04: 


Wm. Hutchinson, 37, 38, 45 : 


Samuel D, Blake, 1802, ‘04 : 


Jacob Blake, 1839 ; 


Caleb Fisk, 1803, to 1811, 12, 13, 


Thaddeus Curtis, 1840, 41 : 


14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20: 


Stephen Eaton, 1842: 


Thomas Colby, 1803, 7, 8, 9, 11 : 


David Griffin, 1843, 44: 


Jonas Goodell, 1803, 5,6: 


John Ladd, 1846,48: 


Enoch True, 1805, 6 : 


Jonathan Pillsbury, 1847 : 


William Densmore, 1807 : 


Neheroiah Shaw, 1849 : 


James Way, 1808, 9, 17 to 21 : 


L. D. Hall, 1850, 51: 


Jethro Sanborn, 1808, 10: 


George Mason, 1852: 


Ira Goodridge, 1810, 11, 12* 16* 18 


J. B. Gordon, 1853, 54: 


22, 23, 24: 


J. C. Tibbets, 1855, 57: 
John C. Blake, 1856: 


Jacob Shaw. 1811,12, 14: 
Ezra Child, 1813, 14: 


Edward Flint, 1858, 59 : 


Andrew Brown, 1815, 16, 17, 25, 
26, 30 : 


Arnold F. Taft, 1860, 61 : 
Joseph Bartlett, 62, 64; 


David Atwood, 1813, 14: 

William Brockwav, 1815, 21, 22, 


Justin Cobleigh, 1863 : 


23,24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32: 


W, F, Buggies, 1865, 66 : 


Thomas True, 1818, 19, 29, 33 : 


Henry F. Pillsbury, 1867, 68 : 


Jonathan Brown, 1820, 21, 27, 28: 


2s T . K. Campbell, 1869, 70; 


James Campbell, Jr., 1821, 31 : 


George H. Blake, 1872: 


Luther Stoddard, 1822, 24, ,34, 35, 


Beuben Ellis, 1874 : 


45, 46 : 


B. M. B. Willey, 1876: 


Thomas Bartlett, 1823: 


A. H. Ball, 1878: 


Jacob Blake, 1825, 39: 


C. W. Willey, 1880: 


Josiah Bawson, 1826: 


M, A* Taft, 1882.: 


Lyman Powers, 1826 : 


Harlow Easterbrooks, 1884: 


J acob C . Morrill , 1826: 


L. W. Watson, 1886 : 


Luther Huntley, 1827: 


seleclm.es? : 


Thaddeus Curtis, 1828, 38,39,40, 


Capt. John Anthony, 1794^ 95, 96, 


41,51,52: 


1802: 


Wells Way, 1829, 30, 36: 



46 V ERMONT H ISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 

Thaddeus Curtis, 1828, 38 to 42 



51 52: 

Elisha Brown, 1831: 

William Thompson, 1831,32,33: 
Martin Way, 1832, 33 : 

Joseph Webster, 1834, 35, 36 : 
Josiah Willey, 1834, 35, 40, 41, 42, 
48, 51, 64, 65: 

Stephen Eaton, 1836, 37, 39, 40, 
41 : 

Jonathan Richardson, 1837, 38, 45, 
46 47, 57, 58, 59: 

Chauncey Holman, 1837,38: 

Ralph Jacobs, 1842,43,44: 
Jeremiah Parker 1842: 

John Ladd, Jr,, 1843, 44, 45, 57, 
58, 59, 63 : 

Caleb Aldrich, 1843,44: 

Jenks M. Putnam, 1846, 47, 48: 

. Lorenzo Howard, 1847,48,49: 
Thomas J. Barker, 1849, 50, 55 : 
Mark Hill, 1849, 50, 56 : 

David Bartlett, 1850: 

William Hutchinson, 1851 : 

J. C. Tibbetts, 1852, 53, 54, .63 : 

L. D. Hall, 1852,53: 

A. F. Taft. 1853 54, 55, 60, 61, 

70: 

Justin Cobleigh, 1854, 56, 63 : 

J. M. Pillsbury, 1855, 67, 68, 69: 
Chauncey, Fuller, 1856, 57, 58: 
Joseph Bartlett, 1859, 60, 64, 65: 
Harlow Easter brook, 1860, 61, 62, 
66, 67: 

Jonathan Davis, 1861, 62: 

C. J> Wilson, 1862 : 

J. B. Gordon, 1864, 65, 82, 83, 84, 
85: 

J. E. Willard, 1866, 71 to 80 : 



W. A. Densmore, 1866, 67, 68,59, 
Nathan Way, 1868: 

George Clark, 1869,70? 

C. W. Willey, 1870, 71, 80, 81: 

A. H. Ball, 1871, 72, 73 to 80, 86, 
87: 

Chester Hasten, 1872 to 78: 

M, A, Taft, 1878 to 87, 88 : 

W. R. Roundy 1880 to 89 : 

S. M. Bartlett, 1855: 

Charles Clark, 1885: 

F. W. Barker, 1 886 : 

W. L. Gilman, 1887, 88: 

L. J, Campbell, 1887. 

* . ** ,+ 

BILLYH E AD BECOMES SUTTON. 

At a town meeting in Mar. 1812, 
,, Voted to petition General Assembly 
at their next session to alter the name 
of the town of Billymead to that of 
Sutton — United Vote.” 

The first notice or warning for town 
meeting after the name was changed 
to Sutton was for the purpose of choos- 
ing six representatives to Congress 
from this State, dated Nov. 23, 1812. 

The first survey made of roads was 
on the 9th and 10th of June 1797, 
commencing at the Lyndon line near 
where Willard Baldwin lives, from 
thence to Sutton Village ; then from 
the Village to Burke line by[M, A. 
Taft's ; then by S. C. Otis place down 
by John A. Rice's by the Sulphur 
spring ; then over the South Ridge to 
Lyndon line near Harlow Easterbrooks ; 
then from the Village to where A. R. 
Stone lives ; then from Wheeloek line 
to near Mrs. John Holt-ham’s to the 
road from Willard Baldwin's to the Vil- 
lage. These roads were bounded by 
beech, maple, birch and hemlock trees. 








Rev* Jonathan Woodman. 

« PAST OK AT BUTTON OVER THIRTY TEARS* 



SUTTON. 



49 



KliV, JONATHAN WOODMAN 

was bam m Wheeluek, Mar. 27 3 1798. 
Be was converted at the age of fifteen 
and united with the Free Will Baptist 
church, and at once began to improve 
his gift by way of holding meetings in 
the surrounding neighborhoods. At 
the age of seventeen, be received a li- 
cense to preach the Gospel. Being 
naturally modest, retiring, and very 
eousdeucious, he was troubled, but as 
be could not excuse himself from 
preaching, he continued his efforts in 
su c h way s us see med to li i m co ns \ ate i j t . 

In 1816, young Woodman went on 
horseback from Sutton to Paraonlield, 
Me. to attend the yearly meeting. Me 
applied to Hie local Pastor for entertain- 
ment who not knowing him as a preach- 
er told luqi he could stay in his family 
if he would bring the water and cut the 
oven-wood for the woman-folk. These 
conditions, the applicant cheerfully ac- 
cepted. On Sunday a great congrega- 
tion filled the meeting- bouse and hun- 
dreds stood outskle in respectful and 
expectant attitude, but the spirit did not 
move any of the occupants of the plat- 
form to preach. After an awkward 
waiting, some brother from Vermont 
asked the Boy- preacher to 14 improve. 7T 

Young Woodman consented, and 
standing ou a bench in the doorway, 
took for his text Iasi ah LX I 1 : u The 
Spirit of the Lord God is upon me&c/ 1 
and the spirit of t lie Lard was not only 
upon the preachct, but upon the entire 
congregation, and more than a hun- 
dred dated their conversion from that 
cUy, 

The first three years of his ministry 
were devoted to evangelistic work, con- 
tra e d m osfciy to N or til e rn V erm out a 1 1 rl 
some portions of New Hampshire.— 



Powerful revivals and large additions 
to the churches were frequent through 
those years. He received ordination 
at St. Johns bury in 1818 at twenty- two. 
Me married, for his first wife Charlotte 
J ack& o n of M aft i so n X . H . ; after he r 
ft ecease , h e murr i e d , 2 d . , Mrs Mercy 
B. Eaton, a daughter of Rev. Moses 
Norris of Dan ville. (Norris was one of 
the early settlers of Sutton). His 2d 
wife died in 1877. 

The pastorates occupied by Mr. 
Woodman in Vermont were Sutton, 
Lyndon, Wheelock and Sheffield; New 
II am p&hir e : M n di son , Effingham, P ei- 
1mm, Great Falls, Sandwich, and Jack- 
son; in Massachusetts Lowell and Law- 
rence, His pastoral labors aggregated 
about sixty years; about forty to Ver- 
mont, In years to New Hampshire, 5 
years to Massachusetts; of these over 
thirty years were devoted to Sutton. 
Me begun and finished his pastoral work 
with the Sutton church. The close was 
in 1883. 

Mr. Woodman early became an in- 
terested am] an important factor in 
the Free Will Baptist do no mi national 
work. Mr. Woodman, Rev. Mark Mill 
of Sutton with others feh the impor- 
t a n ce o f a p e r ioi 1 ie alii tern tu re d e v o ted 
to the interest of the denomination. 
They were two of the nine known as 
II obbs , W o o cl inn a & Go w ho assu m e d 
the financial responsibility of publish- 
ing a religious newspaper. Mr. Wood- 
man named the paper 

THE WOKMXG ST AH. 

The first No. of the ‘'Morning Star” 
was issued at Danville, May 11, 1826. 

Mr, Woodman was one of twenty 
deligates that organized the General 
Conference of the denomination, which 
conference met at Tmtbri dge, Vt„ Ocl. 



50 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE- 



II, 1827. He offered the opening- 
prayer. There have been 25 sessions 
of the General Conference held ; of 
which, Mr. Woodman has attended 14 
sessions and presided over two. In 
1847, the General Conference was held 
in Sutton with Pnstor Woodman ns 
President. This was in mauy respects 
n notable session. Dr. Burns and Goad- 
by of England were present and active 
members of the conference. 

In 1848, Rev. Mr. Woodman and 
Rev. Eli Noyes were appointed deli- 
gates to the General Baptist Confer- 
ence in England, which they both at- 
tended, and at the earnest solicitation 
of the English brethren, he remained 
with them four months, preaching in 
several of their churches. 

In person, Mr. Woodman was of the 
medium height, compact, proportion- 
ate and erect. His step was elastic, his 
movements graceful and his bearing 
dignified, yet benignant. lie was aim- 
inbie, courteous and devout. He was a 
close observer of nature, men and cur- 
rent events. In short, he was practical 
ly educated. Thirty-five years after 
the birth of the Free Will Baptist de- 
nomination, and seven years after the 
death of its founder, Jonathan Wood- 
man commenced his public ministry. 
Since then, he has seen the people with 
whom he began his ministry increased 
twenty fold. 

He was. also, successful in his finan- 
cial affairs, He bought a farm of Ste- 
phen Blake in 1830 of 170 acres, and 
followed farming many years with his 
pastoral duties. He bought, at one 
time, a threshing-machine and sent it 
to his son Jonathan in Australia to use 
there. 

He continued to serve the church 
until September 1885, when lie was 



disabled by a paralytic shock which 
was followed by another in December 
1887, from which time lie gradually 
declined to the end. He died at Tewks- 
bury, Mass., January 1888, in the 
90th year of his age. Four days later 
at Sutton, in a church edifice that had 
been built under his supervision, filled 
with a grief-stricken people, his vener- 
able form rested while his brethren 
conducted an impressive memorial ser- 
vice, when with reverence his remains 
were home to the Village cemetery and 
there deposited to rest till the morning 
of the resurrection with his people. 

REV. MARK HILL 

came from Buxton, Me. He married 
Arvilla Ruggles and settled ou the 
place now owned by L. W. Gordon and 
for mauy years carried on the largest 
amount of farming of any man in town, 
He was very benevolent and ready to 
assist charitable calls and also preach- 
ed iu such places as could not easily be 
reached by others, and never preach- 
ed on a salary. lie built or caused to 
be, a house for public worship in the 
edge of Sheffield and organized there 
a church which was called the Second 
Free Will Baptist Church of Sheffield. 

At his demise, he gave about one 
half his property, amounting to about 
§3000. to the Foreign and Home Mis- 
siouary Societies, American Bible Soci- 
ety and American Tract Society. 

HENRY W. EASTERUROOKS 

was born in Lyndon and married Abi- 
gail Ruggles of the same town. When 
they were married they bought h place 
in the lower field of the farm owned by 
L. W. Watson and moved ou to it. For 
some years lived there ; then built the 
house and moved into it where L, W. 
Watson resides, and lived there until a 
few years since when he sold his farm 




SUTTON. 



51 



to Mr. Watson and moved to the Vill- 
age. 1J is wife died in Mareli 1888 and 
be the following August., aged 84 years. 

By the closest economy and hard la- 
bor they laid amassed considerable 
property, about one third of which, 
he gave in bequests in the Free Will 
Baptist denomination. 

JOCK TON PUTNAM 

came from Bnrrilville, R. 1. and bought 
the place that H. S. Forbes now owns. 
He was the first to move to have, and 
the most influential in having the name 
of the town changed trom Bil^ymead 
to Sutton* His son-in-law, Audrew 
Brown, came with him and lived with 
his father J nekton. As 1 am informed, 
they were men of considerable proper- 
13 ’; but owing to Brown lending his 
name on the bond of John Atwood in 
the John Beckwith suit, which being 
decided against Atwood he, Brown, was 
obliged to pay; and there being but lit- 
tle money in circulation in those days, 
he was obliged to dispose of a large 
amount of property^ to obtain sufficient 
money to pay his shave of the bond ; 
and as other misfortunes now followed 
they soon came to almost financial rniu. 

JOSEPH PUTNAM, 

son of Joekton, settled on the place 
now owned by F. W. Barker and John 
P. Bnzzell, erecting the buildings now 
known as the Buzzed place. 

At one time, before Joctkon and Jo- 
seph Putnam and Audrew Brown had 
erected the building ou the Forbes and 
Buzzell place, they lived in the house 
just below the Forbes orchard and La- 
ban Taft, making four families in one, 
small house. Joseph as soon as his 
house was built moved in to it and liv- 
ed there the remainder of his life. His 
son, Jenks M. married a Woodruff of 
Burke; one of their daughters married 



Moulton A. Taft and lives on the old 
Colby place; the other married Edwin 
Morgan and lives in Massachusetts. 

LABAN TAFT 

eainc from Burrilvill, R. I. and lived 
in different places, but the last of bis 
life, he lived with his son, C. S. T aft. 
Laban married a Putnam, Jocktou’s 
daughter. Their children married and 
settled in Sutton and Newark. 

Jn June 1812, the town warned out 
Laban Taft so that he should not gain 
a residence; in 1887, his sons and 
grandsons paid more taxes in town, 
with one exception, than any other 
family name. 

The Tafts were natural musicians, 
Laban Jr. was one of the sweetest. — 
AsaP. Taft, a grandson of Laban Sr., 
has been a music- teacher and at pres- 
ent is employed in the choir of the Uni- 
versalist church at St. Johusbury. 

I learn, l^aban, Sr., one time went 
to Rhode Island with an ox-team, when 
he arrived the Rev. John Colby was 
holding meetings and young 1 aft at- 
tended with the intention of carrying 
Colby out; but the Spirit came upon 
him and he was converted, and when 
he came home lie joined the bree Will 
Baptist Church on Pudding lull in Lyn- 
dou and w f as chosen deacon, which oli- 
fice he held until the church was disor- 
ganized a few years ago. Few meu have 
left a record of as good and consistent 
a Christian life as Deacon Laban did. 

WILLIAM HOUOHTON 

and his wife, a Clay, came from Lyn- 
don about 1820. Their children were 
William, James, Albert II., Daniel C. 
Justin, Stella, Harriet, Diantha, Maria 
and Manila. 

The parents were exceeding poor and 
it is said, that many a time, the mother 




52 



V Eli MON T IIIS TO lil C A h MAG AZ INK . 



has been hoard to any that after one 
meal was served she did not know where 
the next was to come from. But some 
of the children had much force of char- 
acter and soon made a mark for them- 
selves. 

rev. jamjes moughton. 

James* son of William Houghton, 
became a Congregational minister and 
lived in Burlington, One of his sons, 
J. C. Houghton, is cashier of the First 
National Bank at Montpelier. 

a i .n n nr h . ft o ug hto n 
went South and became very wealthy as 
a m e rch an t, dc al i ng la rge ly in cotton; 
but during She nn ail's march to the sea 
tlie Rebels burned his stol e and mer- 
chandize rather than have it fall into 
the hands of Sheiman and the Union* 
He then came North and settled in 
New York ; went into the firm of Hurd, 
Houghton A Co.. Publishers ? and died 
there. It is told of Albert when a boy 
that the family having dined on pota- 
toes alone without salt for several days 
then procuring some salt, Albert took 
a large lump and ate it to season his 
potatoes, 

nENRY 0 . HOUGHTON 
of the firm cf Houghton, Mifflin & Co. 
Riverside Press, Cambridge, Mass, 
has Lately made the Library Associa- 
tion of Sutton the offer that for every 
hook they buy of him at the catalogue 
price he will give them one of the same 
volume. It is said that some time he 
intends to give his native town a li- 
Uray« 

DANIEL CLAY HGO&HTON, n,I>. 

was educated at the University of 
Vermont, class of 184], Among his 
classmates were the late Henry J. Ray- 
mond of the New York Times* after- 
wards Congressman, and J. li. Spauld- 
ing of the New York World, 



At ibe time of his death in 1800, Dr. 
Houghton was Editor of ^The Ameri- 
can Presbyterian/’ He was a man of 
great energy, sterling worth and large 
discretion, **He held an able and ready 
pen as bis writings and contributions 
as editor show/' 

STELLA HOUGHTON. 

Stella educated herself and went to 
Tuscaloosa, Ala. to teach and after- 
ward married a rich planter and died 
there. 

MANILLA HOUGHTON. 

Mar ilia was educated by tier broth* 
ers and sisters anti went West to teach 
in 1858, She married Dr John C, Gal- 
lop, and in 1861, they founded the 
Houghton Seminary in Clinton, N. Y. 
Here she lived and assisted her bus- 
hand in the management of the school 
up to 1880, when the Doctor resigned 
us principal and A. G. Reindict was 
appointed to the position. The writer 
understands the school was founded 
and managed principally by Mrs, Gal- 
lop — through her efforts * I find in tile 
Memorial of the Doctor, that Rose 
Cleveland the late Mistress of the 
White House was educated at the 
Houghton Seminary and wrote a letter 
{ w i tli m an y ot h e re, ) o f sy in path y to 
Mrs. Gallop on the death of the late 
Dr. John C. Gallop in 1884, 

MARIA HOUGHTON. 

Maria went "West as a missionary 
and it is said, suffered many hardships 
in the prosecution of her self- appointed 
work for the benefit of others. 

REV, JOHN COLBY’S BOOK. 

Pat] a 35. 

Rev. John kept a journal and it was 
published in a book of two or three 
hundred pages. Occasion ly, we hud a 
copy in the hands of some old people. 




SUTTON . 



53 



LITTLE HOUS FI OLD PET, 

BY APRS. EMILY J. COLBY.* 

In the spring limia, low, wu LaJd her, 
Darling, lime, put, 

Anil Otir hearts rue filled with anguish 
Aufl our eyes mtli tears art; wet. 

Yes, we miss her, sadly miss heir 
In the parlor, in the hall ; 

Oil we stop and listen, listen 
For her merry voice to sail. 

Can the angels need the bbildren 
On that Unght, celestial phun? 

Is the heavenly music sweeter 
Thai they join the glad retrain ? 

Perhaps the Father saw our need 
And to draw our hearts to Him 
Took our treasure up to Heaven, 

That we might long to enter there. 

Oft we hear our darling's voice 
Sweetly calling rather, come ! 

Father, mother, meet yoar children 
In this bright, celestial home/' 

WHERE IS MY CHILD TO-NIGHT? 

1 do not see my darling to-day 
Amid the buttercups and clover, 

I wo Lid or if they miss in their play 
The face of then- sweet little lover. 

Oh, buttercup®] g E cam lug golden. 

Fair, cis-oye dastes silvery white. 

Tell me as you nod and blossom, 

Where is Tny child to-night* 

Oh, honey-bee ! you jollv rover, 

Do you miss the little feet to day 
As you dip in and out the clover* 

Where is she, honey -bee, my, oh! bay? 

Bright sunshine, burning warm and yellow, 
Do you miss the gleam of golden hair? 
Dear bobolink, with tone so mellow. 

Where is the, singing voice so rare ? 

The buttercup drops its petals, 

Sadly the daisy bonds its head, 

The bobolink whispers the lilies 
st Her winsome, glad maiden is dend, ,T 
Emilv J. Cglbt. 

*Mrs. Emily J, Colby of Sutton Is the grand- 
da lighter of Deac. Thom its Colby ; George W : 
Colby, her husband, the grand nephew of the 
Rev. John Colby, Mm Dolby non deplume 
is Dora Sutton, 



ROLL OF HONOR, 

The following is a list of the 
soldiers of Sutton that have been in 
the service of the United States: — 
Compiled by Freeman Hyde. 

REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS. 

James Campbell: 

Jesse Ainger: 

Samuel W i kblow j 
Rev, Amos Beckwith: 

Moses IT. Brewer. 

SOLDIERS OP 181 Si. 

LUTHER NICHOLS: DAVID BREWER: 

JEREMIAH PARKER: JETHRO SANBORN: 
NATHAN RICHARDSON. 

SOLDIERS OF 1861/ 

THIRD VERMONT REGIMENT. 

iSilas Cobleigh, Co. C.* died March 
12, 1862: 

John. Blake, Co. G.* now living in 

Sheffield. * 

Hugh Crow. Co. G, killed on 
Nann River, May 14, 1864. 

Perry G. Dean, Co. G, died. Doc 
5, 1874, 

Mark W. Gray, Co. G, Trilled in the 
Battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 
1864. 

David R&ttray, Co. G, killed in the 
Battle of the Wilderness* May 5, 1 864. 

A u gustns It . S to ne , 1 1 v mg in Sn tt on , 

FOURTH VERMONT REGIMENT. 

Arumali Burt, Co. C, killed in the 
Battle oi the Wilderness, May, 5, 
1864, 

SUaa W, Gray-? Go. C living in 
Sutton. 

Charles IT. Ball, Co. D, living in 
Brooklyn, K. Y. 




54 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Geo, W. Ball, Co. D, living near 


Perry Porter, Co. C, living in 


Fimkstowu, July 10, 1863, 


Burke. 


Joel Ball, Co. D. 


NINTH VERMONT REGIMENT 


Maroelhis Colby, Co. D, loosing 


Freeman Caswell, Co. II. 


one arm, living in Burke. 


Elmer W. Sherman, Co. G. 


William 11. Goodwin, Co 1), 


Elroy F. Wlieeter, Co. B. 


Luther B. Harris, Co. D, living in 


TENTH VERMONT REGIMENT. 


Lyndon. 

NehemiaJi R. Moulton, Co* D killed 


Kimball Ball. Co. A. 


at Fredrick shtirg, Dec. 13, 18G2. 


Riley C. Merrmm, Co. K, living in 




New Hampshire. 


William F. Stoddard, Co. D, living 1 
at Lyndon. 


ELEVENTH VERMONT REGIMENT. 


Jason Power*, Co. E. living in 


Nathau Smith, Co. A,, killed, June 


Canada. 


23, 1864. 


Charles II, Carlton, Co* D, 


Alexander Lucie, Co. A. 


Samuel H. Dow, Co. D, 


Edmund L, Carr, Co. K, living in 


William M. Nesbitli, Co. D. 


Burke. 


Juel Streeter, Co, D* killed at the 


Alfred Q. Evans, Co* K. 


Battle* of the Wilderness, May 5, 


George E. Frost, Co. K* died in 


1864. 


Andersoiiville Prison. 


Abel R Smith. 


John W. Johnson, Co. K, died in 


Mars ton H. Bartlett, died August 


Anderson ville Prison, 


23, 1863. 


Ilial B. Willard, Co, K, living in 


SIXTH VERMONT REGIMENT. 


New Hampshire. 


Lewis P. Clark, Co. C, died* Mar. 


Moses Willard Co. K, living in 


22, 18G4 


Barton, 


Arthur G Blake, Co. K, died. Dee. 


Thomas Ransom, Co. L. 


16, 1SG4. 

Amos Ham, Go. E, living in New 


FIFTEENTH VERMONT REGIMENT. 

Thomas Berry, Co. G n living in 


Hampshire. 


Barton. 


SEVENTH VERMONT REGIMENT, 


George H. Blake, Co. G, living in 


Elmer W. Sherman, Co. G. 


Barton. 


Bowman F. Caswell, Co, IL S killed 


Charles Bundy, Co. G, living in 


by a tree since the war. 


Suttou. 


Alansou Switzer, Co. H., died in 


George Bundy, Co. G, died, Feh 


Insane Assy lum. 


IS* 1868. 


E 1 O F ITH V B II MONT RE 0 1 M ENT . 


Lucius J. Campbell, Go, G, living 


Charles A. Heyer, Co. C. 


in Sutton. 


William H, McLain, Co. C. 


Warner C. Glidden, Co. G. 


John Farr roll, Co. C. 


Lewis W. Gordon, Co. G, living in 


Lund Henry, Co. C. 


Sutton. 




SUTTON. 






Thomas C* Green, Co* G v living in 
Stuton, 

Otis Ham, Co. G* 

Freem Hyde, Co* G* living in 
Sutton. 

Alvin C. Jewell, Co* G. 

Calvin R* stone, Co* G* 

John B* Webster, Co* G* 

Charles G , Flint, Co, G, living iri 
Sutton. 

Aaron W* Willey, Co. G, living in 
Barton, 

FOIST VERMONT CAVALRY* 

Ira S. Bryant, Co D* 

William H. Daniels, Co. I* 

John N* Frost, Co* J, killed in 
action* 

William IT Rouncly, Co* D, living 
ill Sutton- 

Alonzo Wilson*, Co* G, living in 
Massachusetts. 

Loren W. Young, Co* I>, living in 
Sutton. 

Dyer Caswell, Co* I>* 

Thomas R. Gibson- Co* I. 

Richard Jen ness, living iri Lyndon* 
William R. Page, Co. I, 

William Richards, Co* I. 

Freeman Heyde, Co* D, living in 
Sutton* 

Lewis C. Heyde, Co. D , died, Oct, 
IS), 1869. 

SOLDIERS B DEI no IN SUTTON. 

(Not credited to this Town,} 
Jacob B. Aingcr; Zc lotus Drown ; 
Charles A. Pierce; Zeno Willey; 
Win. M* Tibbets ; Lean d er Sn el ling; 
James D. Johnson* 



SOLDIERS NOW UVINO IN SUTTON. 

( Not before mentioned. ) 
Samuel N. Whipple; Luther Battles: 
Sargent. J. Whipple; Charles Switzer; 
Loami B, Sanborn ; James M. Craig; 
Thomas J, Mitchell; Stephen Berry; 
Sewell B, Simpson ; Arthur Kincaid ; 
IT £n ry C . Mil chel 1 C * W* J oy ; 
[.Solomon Mitchell ; Oscar Page ; 
George N* M. Bean, 
ERRATA* 

Page 5, line 9, for “5$ read 3. 
Page 7, and 8 for Amesburg, Mass*, 
read Am es bu ry , Mas s . Sam e page n co J - 
umn 2, line 1 for sl Jbaac t ” read Roger* 
Page 9, column 2, line 22, lor to- 
ward C. W. Willard's residence* read 
C W Willey's* line 34 for Lyndia rend 
Cyndia. 

Page 11, the poem at ibe Eastman 
family gathering was not written by J* 
E. Willard, hut by his brother C. W. 
Willard* Having published some po- 
etry for the former, not then knowing 
of his brother* the copy coming with 
the manuscript of the historian, we ap- 
pear to have taken ii for granted it was 
all the historian's, and it got- prill ed 
be fee mir mistake was pointed out to 
us. “It is all in the family, 1 ’ but we 
are quite chagrined for it. 

Page 14, line 5, read Ira Goodridge; 
same page “for Eugene M. Campbell, 
putSomehody* T [re’cd after printing] 
Page 15, for Moulton Richardson, 
read Bradbury, 

Page 24, read Arnold fnr Gould ; p. 27* 
Maxfield for Maxwell ; p. 29 Rowley for 
Boley; Enoch fnr Enos; 3 lines from p. 
foot, Rice for Blake ; 30 Dallotf for Dal - 
otf;33 Joseph T, Blake For Joseph E. 

INDEX 

o f tli e s u rnajn es of the pr i nciplfl ear ly 
families of Sutton. 

Adams, Abner, 33 ; Amger, Jesse, 27 : 
Anthony* Capt John* 27, 29,37 ; 
Atwood, Peter, John, 14, 3$,4 t 9, 40 : 




VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



5£ 

BacOll, James, 36 : Ball, 15* 20 31 etc : 
Beckwith, Rev* Amosiii family; Jotuu 
Esq, & family, 14, 15,16, 38, 39, 10, 
41, 51 : Bean, Stephen F, 18 : 

Blake, Enoch, Isaac, Samuel, Stephen, 
Enos, etc* 5, 29, 30,31, 2, 3, 40, 50* 
Boley, Benjamin, 29; Brewer, 32, 3: 
Bean, DnvM, 20 : Brown, And 1 w, 10,51 : 
Brown, Rev* Elisha. Jacob* 17, 20; 
Brock way, 37, 41, 42, 43; 

Gaboon* Danl* James* SaioT and fam- 
ilies, 28, 9, 32,4: Cheney, Roswell, 13 : 
Campbell, James, James Jr-, Captain 
James and fannies- 13* 27, 34, 36, 38; 
Clark & Nightingale 24 : Corless, 33 ; 
Colby, Dan T l, Dea* Thus. anti families, 
Uev- John, 9, 15,16, 17, 27, 33, 4, 5, 
40, 44, 52 : Cross Rev* David 17: 

Curtis, Thaddeus, 40 : 

Denamore, William and family, 42: 
Eastman, Roger* Isaac, Stephen, Eli? 
David, 5, 7, 8, 10: Easter brooks, 50 : 
Fisk, Caleb* 9, 14: Goorlridge, 14, 42: 
GMditi, Pmeelk, Nathaniel, 37 : 

G ood ell, A l och Jonas, 34, 36, 37 : 
Hidden, Otis, 27 : IT lib Rev* Mark, 49 : 
lime* Elder Philimon, 23 : Houghton, 
William nufl family, 51, 52 : 

Lee, Dan? i Earn, etc 13, 28, 32, 41, 2 : 
Leonard, Charles, 33: 

M&xtiehl, E'der EUphalet, 14: 

N as m ith , John, 36: Nor r is. Zebu Lon, 
Rev* Moses, 87, 8 ; 

Grciut, Samuel and Family, 14, 29 : 
Putnam, J nekton, Joseph, 51 i 
Quimby, Elders Daniel, Joshua, 17, 29, 
3 2, 35, 36: 

Ramsey, William, Robert, 36, 42 : 
Richardson, Deacon Bradbury, Joseph 
and families, 32 ? 

Sanborn Jethro, William, 36 : 

Shaw, Enoch, Jacob* John, William, 
14* 36, 37, 39, 40: Silver, Levi, 37: 



Smithy J osi ah a n d fam i ly 3 4 ,6,40, 41: 
Stoddard, Ezra, Joshua, 36, 41 ; 
Streeter, Benjamin, 40 ; 

Tabor, Dotdor Lemuel, Rev. L*H. 41 : 
Tafts* Deacon Laban* Asa* Andrew, 
M, A*, Moulton, C* S. *uo 5, 12, 46, 51 : 
True, Enoch, Deacon, Thomas, Pe ar- 
son, etc, i, 37, 38, 40 : Talker, Rev* , 1 4 ; 
Way, Jacob, James, Harris, 13* 1 7, 40 : 
W iggitis, Rev. Silas, 1 8, 44 : Winslow, 
Samuel, Elisha, 31 : Willeys Stephen, 
C, W* etc* 27, 8,9 : Willard, John E,, 
C* W. 5*7,11,12, 22, 28* 29, 34, 37: 
Woodman, Rev, Jonathan and family* 
17, 18, 49, 50, Deacon Peter, 12* 
lists: Grantees, 24; First. Town 
O dicers, 29 ; Town Clerks, 22 ; Listers, 
20, 21; Constables 21, 2; Selectmen, 
45,46; Representatives, 44, 45 : Town 
Treasurers* 21* 

The Members of the First Church 
in Town*— Free Will Baptist, 16; the 
present Free Will Baptist Pastor at 
Sutton, Rev, F. L* Wiley, and Past 
Pastor T* C. Moulton and Reverend 
Mr* Dame, 18* 

The Ring Church, 16; 

The Second Free Will Baptist Church, 
17, IS; General Free Will Baptist 
Conference at Sutton, 18* 

The First Methodist Church in Sut- 
ton, Early Members, 18 ; List of their 
P re ac lie is , 1 8 , 1 9 ; S eeo n d M eth o < li s t 
Church Sutton, Rev. H-P. Gushing j J 9 : 
Advent and Seventh Day Baptist 
Church, 19,20; Sarah Tilton's Prayer 
Cure, 19, 

Soldiers of the Revolution and. the 
War of 1812 53* of the War of 6L 
page 53,54* The Great. Muster, 13* 
Ten of the largest Maple-Sugar 
Producers in the Country, 26. 

Poems: 0* W. Willard, 11, 12; J* 
E. Willard* 22 ; Mrs* Colby, 53- 




THE MILITARY HISTORY 



AND 



Census of Bennington County, 

BY HON, HI LAND HALL, LL. D, 

Pownal, — 1 733—1705—2015, 

gain 282. 

Readsborough, — 920 — 828 — 745, 
loss 184. 

Rupert, — 1 1 03—1017 — 957, 

loss 146. 

Sandgate, — 805 — 705 — 681, 

loss 124 

Searsburg, — 263— 235— 232, 

loss 31 

At page 251 is a table showing Shaftsb -1937-2027-1887, 

the population of each of the towns \ om g 

in the county, at the dates when the Stamford, — 760 — 633 — 726, 
census was taken up to and includ- loss 34, 

x C3 1 J iK /' W X JT Q O XK 

mg the census of I860.- Relow is 

a like table of the population of the 
same towns by the census of 1860, 

1870, 1880, as follows : 

Bennington Co.— 1860— 1870— 1880. 

Arlington, — 1146 — 1636 — 1532, 

gain 386. 

Bennington, —4302—5760—6333, , 

gain 2031. i the population of the county for the 
Dorset, — 2090 — 2195 — 2005, j twenty years from 1860 to 1880 has 

loss 85, | increased from 19,443 to 21,947, be- 

Glastenbury, — 47 — 119 — 241, j ing a gain of 2,504 and that in 

gain 194. (general there has been a_ slight 

LandgroYe, — 320— 302 — 266, j decrease in the towns which are 
loss 74. j almost exclusively devoted to agri- 

Manchester, —1688— 1897— 1928, j cultural pursuits ; while the gain 
gain 240, | in numbers has been in those 

Pern, 556, * ; engaged in manufactures and lum- 

gain 13, Ihering, viz: in Arlington,- Benning- 



gain 88. 

Winhall, — 741— 842— 721, 

loss 20. 

Woodford, — 379— 371— 487, 

gain 108, 

— 19443-21325-21947. 
By this table it will be seen that 



THE COUNTY OF BENNINGTON. 

BY HON. HILAND HALL. 

Notices of the County prior to 
1860 are found in Volume I at pages 
121 and 250-253. 

POPULATION. 




6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ton, Glautenbury, Manchester, Pow- 
nal, Sunderland and W oodford. The 
large percentage of increase in Glas- 
tenhury is attributed to the construc- 
tion of the Gla6tenbury railroad of 
about 9 miles in length from Ben- 
iiington up into the mountain regions 
from which lumber and charcoal 
have been more cheaply transported 
to the South and East than formerly. 



BENNINGTON COUNTY IN 
THE WAR FOR 
THE UNION. 

The patrotic ardor which per- 
vaded the North on the fall of Fort 
Sumpter and the consequent call of 
the President of April 15th, 1861, 
for 75,000 volunteers, was as earnest 
and active in the town and county of 
Bennington in its determination to 
suppress the rebellion and preserve 
the union, as in any part of the 
country. In Bennington, the flag 
of the stars and strips, the symbol 
and representative of love of country 
and of the Union, was at once sus- 
pended across the street and dis- 
played on public buildings and pri- 
vate dwellings. 

THE FIRST WA R- MEETING. 

A public meeting was held on the 
evening of the 19th of April, filling 
the largest hall in town, that was at- 
tended and addressed by men of 
both political parties. During the 
meeting news came of the massacre, 
on the morning of that day, of Mass- 
achusetts men on their way at the 
call of the President for the defence 
of the Capitol,' by a mob of Seces- 
sionists at Baltimore. The day was 
recalled as the anniversary of the 
murdering assult on the Revolution- 
ary patriots by the British at Lex- 
ington. The enthusiasm for sus- 



taining the government of the Union 
was intense. 

The Star Spangled Banner was 
sung and stirring resolutions were 
unanimously passed to take the most 
energetic measures to raise men for 
that purpose. Similar patriotic ac- 
tion was taken by other towns of the 
County. 

The Governor of the state had 
promptly called an extra session of the 
Legislature which met on the 23d 
of April and enacted laws for rais- 
ing, organizing and equipping as 
volunteers, or by drafting, if found 
necessary, such number of regiments 
as might be required by the General 
Government; and also made provis- 
ions for paying the noncommis- 
sioned officers and privates who 
should enter the service, $7 per 
month beyond the usual pay allowed 
by the United States. To met the 
immediate call of the President, ten 
companies of already organized mil- 
itia in different towns of the State 
were mustered into the service of 
the United Stakes on the 2d of May, 
for three months, which constituted 
the First Vermont Regiment in the 
War for the Union. The companies 
were from the following tows, viz : 

Company A., Swanton, Franklin Co. 
Co. B., Woodstock, Windsor Co. 
Co. 0., St. Albans, Franklin Co- 
Go. D., Bradford, Orange Co. 
Co. E., Cavendish, Windsor Co. 
Co. F., Northfield, Washington Co, 
Co. G., Brandon, Rutland Co. 
Co. H., Burlington, Chittenden Co. 
Co. L, Middlebury, Addison Co. 
Co. K,, Rutland, Rutland Co. 
The regiment was under the com- 
mand of Col. J. W. Phelps and con- 
sisted of 780 men. 




BENNINGTON, 



7 



THE SECOND REGIMENT 

FOR THREE YEARS SERVICE, 

A full company of volunteers for 
permanent service was speedily re- 
cruited in Bennington, a list of the 
names of which, both officers and 
men, with the towns from which 
they came, will be found in the first 
volume of this Gazetteer at page 259. 

This company of which the com- 
missioned officers were: James H. 
Wal bridge, Captain, and Newton 
Stone and William H, Cady, lieu- 
tenants, was the first company 
raised in the State for the three 
years service, and accordingly be- 
came Company A of the Regiment. 

The Regiment was mustered into 
the IL S. service, June 20, 1801, 
and continued in the service more 
than four years, until July 15th, 
1865 when the regiment was mus- 
tered out. 

The term of the men who had first 
enlisted had expired before that 
time and their places had been sup- 
plied by second enlistments of the 
same men iffipart, but largely by new 
recruits, so that the majority of the 
men, both officers and privates of 
which the regiment has been origi- 
nally composed was probably, from 
this cause in connection with the 
various casualties incident to so long 
a service, no longer members of it. 

This remark applies with slowly 
decreasing effect to the subsequently 
raised regiments for the three years 
service. 

All the troops hereafter mentioned 
were, for three years, except the 
18th and 14th regiments, which were 
for 9 months only. 

The following is a Roster of the i 
Field, Staff and Company) 
Officers from the County of Ben- 
nington of the 



SECOND VERMONT REGIMENT 

of Volunteers, it being a list of their 
names, the towns of their residence, 
their age, the dates, ranks and compa- 
nies in which they began service, 
with those of their several promo- 
tions and the dates and manner of 
the termination of their service ; 
compiled from the Reports of the 
Adjunt General of the State, Vol. 3 
for 1888. 

JAMES H. WALRRIDGE 

of Bennington, age 34, entered the 
service as Captain, Co. A, May 14, 
1861; Major, May 21, 1862; Lieut. 
Col. Jan. 8, 1863; Colonel, Feb. 9, 
1863; resigned, Apr. 1, 1864. 

NEWTON STONE 

of Bennington, age 28, entered the 
service as 1st Lieut., Co. A, May 14, 
1861; Capt. Co. 1, Jan. 22, 1862; 
Major, Jan. 8, 1863; Lieut, Col. Feb. 
9, 1863; Colonel, Apr 2, 1864; killed 
at the battle of the Wilderness, Va. 
May 5, 1864. His remains were 
brought to Bennington and interred 
in the old Centre bnrying-ground* 
where an appropriate monument is 
erected to his memory. 

GUILFORD S. LADD 

of Bennington, age 30, entered the 
service June 11, 1861, resigned July 
17, 1862. 

WILLIAM H. CADY 

of Bennington, age 24, entered the 
service as 2d Lieut., Co. A, May 14, 
1861; 1st Lieut., Co. A, Jan. 22, 
1862; Capt., May 21, 1862; wound eel 
at the Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864; 
mustered out of service, June 29, 
1864; He died at Bennington, Feb- 
ruary 24, 1879. 




8 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



PItATT STONE 

of Reads boro*, aged 26, entered the 
service as private, Co. A, May 20, 

1861 ; Serg't., Nov. 1, 1861 ; 1st 
Sergt, Oct. II, 1862 ; wounded, May 
3, 1863, re-enlisted, Dec. 21, 1863 ; 
1st Lieut., Co. D, June 20, 1864 ; 
Capt. , Dec. 24, 1864 ; resigned, 
June 9, I860, 

EUGENE 0. COLE 

of Shaft s bury, age 27, private, Co. 
A. entered service. May 7, 1861 ; 
Serg% June 20, 1861 ; 1st Serg*t., 
Sept 14. 1861 ; 2d Lieut Co. A, 
May 21, 1862 ; 1st Lieut, Oct. 17, 

1862 ; mustered out of service, June 
29, 1864. (See Fifth Regiment.) 

EDWARD W. APPLETON 

of Bennington, age 23, entered the 
service as private, Co, A, May, 14, 
1861 ; 1st Sergt, June 20, 1861 ; 
2d Lieut, Co. H, Sept. 12, 1861 ; 
1st Lieut., Co. B. Jan. 25, 1862; 
discharged for disability, Sept. 25, 
1862. 

OTIS Y. ESTES 

of Bennington, age 25, private, Co. 
A, May 7, 1861 ; Sergt., June 20, 
1861 ; 1st Sergt,, May 21, 1862 ; 2d 
Lieut, Oct. 17, 1862 ; wounded, 
May 12, 1864 ; mustered out May 
25, 1864. 

BURE T. COLE 

of Shaftsburv, age 19, private, Co. 
A, Sept. 15," 1862 ; wounded, May 
6, 1864 ; Corpora], December 1, 
1864 ; 1st Serg.t, Feb. 7, 1865 ; 2d 
Lieut., June 7, 1865 ; mustered out 
as 1st Sergt, July 21, 1865. 

CHARLES M. BLISS 

of Woodford, age 34, entered the 
service as private, Co. A, May 7, 
1861 ; Sergt, June 20, 1861 ; 2d 
Lieut., Sept. 2, 1861. Honorably 
discharged, October 4, 1862. 



RUSSELL FISK 

of Bennington, age 36, private, Co. 
A, Dec. 1, 1863 ; Sergt. Major, Feb. 
7, 1865; 2d Lieut, June 7, 1865; 
mustered out as Sergt Major, July 
15, 1865. 

This Regiment was in 28 engage- 
ments. 

THE FOURTH REGIMENT. 

The three years company A of 
the 4th regiment was recruited at 
Bennington, of which John E. Pratt 
was captain, Abel K. Parsons and 
Gideon H. Burton, lieutenants. A 
list of both the officers and men with 
the towns from which they came 
will be found in Vol. 1 of this Gazet- 
teer at page 260. This company 
with the regiment was mustered 
into service Sept. 26. 1861, and mus- 
tered out, July 13, 1865. 

Roster of the Field, Staff and 
Company Officers. 

JOHN E. PRATT 

of Bennington age 26, entered the 
service as Capt., Co. A, Aug. 27, 
1861 ; Major Apr. 30, 1864 ; Lieut. 
CoL, Mar. 14, 1865 ; mustered out 
July 13, 1865. He died, in Ben- 
nington, Oct. 7, 1882. 

HENRY T. CUSHMAN 

of Bennington, age 18, enlisted as 
Reg. Qt. M. Sergt, Mar. 1862, com- 
missioned, Jan. 29, 1863 ; mustered 
out, Sept 30, 1864. 

JOHN H. CUSHMAN 

of Bennington, age 32, Quartermas- 
ter, Aug. 10, 1861 ; mustered into 
service, Sept. 21, 1861 ; resigned, 
Jan*v. 24, 1863 ; died in Benning- 
ton, 187 — 

HOWARD C. CHAPIN 

of Readsboro\ age 20, private, Co. 

A, Aug. 13, 1861, Corp. ; Sept, 

21, 1861, Sergt; 2d Lieut., Co. B. 
Aug. 1, 1862 ; 1st Lieut, Co. F, 




BENNINGTON. 



9 



Apr. 1, 1863 ; Capt., May 5, 1864; 
mustered out, July 13, 1865. 

ABEL K. PARSONS 

of Bennington, aged 32, 1st Lieut., 
Aug. 27, 1861; mustered into service, 
Sept: 21. 1861 ; killed in action at 
Cold Harbor, Va., June 3, 1864. 

GIDEON H. BURTON 

of Bennington, aged 23, 2d Lieut., 
Co. A, Aug. 27, 1861; 1st Lieut., 
July 17, 1862 ; resigned, Feb. 14, 
1863. 

NATHAN A. SMITH 

of Shaftsbury, aged 19, private, Co. 
A, Sept. 2, 1861 ; Corp., July 31, 
1863 ; re-enlisted Dec. 15, 1863 ; 
wounded May 5, 1864 ; Sergt., Sept. 
21, 1864 ; Reg't. Qt. M. Sergt., Feb. 
4, 1865 ; 2d Lieut., Feb. 27, 1865 ; 
mustered out July 13, 1865. 

This regiment was in twenty-six 
engagements. 

THE FIFTH REGIMENT. 

The three years Company E. of 
the Fifth Regiment was recruited at 
Manchester and with the regiment 
was mustered into service, Sept. 16, 
1861; and mustered out, June 29, 
1865. 

Roster op the Field, Stare and 
Company Oeeicers from Ben- 
nington Co. 

CHARLES P. DUDLEY 

of Manchester, age 26, Capt., Co. 
E, Aug. 30, 1861 ; Major, Oct. 6, 
1862 ; Lieut. -Col., May 6, 1864 ; 
died. May 21, 1864, of wounds re- 
ceived at the battle of the Wilder- 
ness, May 10, 1864. 

EUGENE 0. COLE 

of Bennington, age 31, appointed 
Major, Dec. 26, 1864 ; Brevet Lieut. 
Col., Apr. 2, 1865, for gallantry in 
the battle of Petersburgh, Va., Apr. 
2, 1865 ; Lieut. Col., June 9, 1864 ; 
mustered out as Major, June 29,1865. 



SAMUEL C. BURNHAM 

of Manchester, age 22, 2d Lieut., 
Co. E, Aug. 30, 1861 ; 1st Lieut., 
Co. E, July 24, 1862; Capt., Oct. 6, 
1862 ; resigned Feb. 17, 1863. 

GEO. H. SESSIONS 

of Manchester, age 21, enlisted in 
the Vet. Res. Corps, Sept. 16, 1863; 
transferred into Co. — May 7, 1864 ; 
1st Lieut., Co. I, July 25, 1864; 
Capt. Co. E, Nov. 10, 1864; muster- 
ed out, June 29, 1865. 

WARREN R. DUNTON 

of Dorset, age 22, private, Co. E, 
Aug. 14, 1861 ; 1st Sergt., Sept. 16, 

1861 ; 2d Lieut., Co. F, June 21. 

1862 ; transferred to Co. C, July 9, 
1862 ; 1st Lieut., Co. B, Nov. 22, 
1862 ; honorably discharged, Mar. 
31, 1863, for wounds in action at 
Fredericksburgh,Va., Dec. 14, 1862. 

JEROME GLEASON 

of Manchester, age 28, private, Co. 
E, Sept. 27, 1861; Corp.; Sergt.; 1st 
Sergt.; — re-enlisted, Dec. 15, 1863; 
1st Lieut., Nov. 10, 1864; wounded 
May 5, 1864. Honorably discharg- 
ed June 2, 1865, for disability. 

JOSHUA A. SHATTUCK 

of Winhall, age 19, private Co. E., 
Dec. 8, 1863; wounded June 3,1864; 
Corp. Oct. 24,1864; Sergt., Dec. 16, 
1864; 2d Lieut., June 4, 1865; mus- 
tered out of service as Sergt. June 
29, 1865. 

This regiment was in twenty-five 
engagements. 

FIRST CAVALRY REGIMENT. 

THREE YEARS. 

The next company that was en- 
listed in the County of Bennington, 
was Co. G. of the first Cavalry Reg- 
iment, which was mainly recruited 
at Bennington. The regiment was 
mustered into the service, Nov. 19, 
1861, and mustered out Aug. 9, 1865. 




10 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Roster of Field, Staff and Com- 
pany Officers from Benning- 
ton County. 

WILLIAM U. COLLINS 

of Bennington, age 37, Major, Nov. 
1, 1861 ; mustered, Nov. 19, .1861 ; 
resigned, May 7, 1863. 

JAMES A. SHELDON 

of Rupert, age 39, Capt., Oct. 18, 

1861 ; resigned. Mar. 12, 1862. 

ALVAH R. HASWELL 

of Bennington, age 19, private, Co. 
G, Oct. 2, 1861 ; Sergt., Dec. 24, 

1862 ; wounded, Sept. 13, 1863 : 
re-enlisted Dec. 30, 1863; 1st Lieut., 
Co. G, Nov. 19, 1864; Capt., Co. 
G, May 9. 1865 ; transferred to Co. 
E, June 21, 1865, by reason of con- 
solidation of the regiment ; muster- 
ed out of service, Aug. 9, 1865. 

GEORGE H. BEAN 

of Pownal, age 34, 1st Lieut., Co. 
G, Oct. 18, 1861 ; Capt., Apr. 10, 
1862 ; dismissed the service, Apr. 
28, 1863. 

FRANK RAY 

of Bennington, age 23, private, Co. 
G, Sept. 26, 1861 ; 1st Sergt., Nov. 
19, 1861 ; 1st Lieut., Co. G, Oct. 4, 
1862 ; Capt. Co. G, Apr. 28, 1863 ; 
wounded, May 11, 1864 ; killed in 
action at Mount Olive, Va., Oct. 9, 
1864. 

DENNIS M. BLACKMER 

of Bennington, age 22, 2d Lieut. Co. 
G. Oct. 18, 1861 ; 1st Lieut. Apr. 
10, 1862 ; resigned, July 18, 1862. 

FREDERICK W. COOK. 

of Manchester, age 22, private, Co. G, 
Sept. 28, 1861; Co. Com. Sergt.,July 
19, 1863 ; re-enlisted, Dec. 30, 1863; 
2nd Lieut., Co. G, Nov. 19, 1864; 
1st Lieut., May 9, 1865 ; mustered 
out, June 21, 1865. 

This regiment was in seventy- 
three engagements. 



THE SEVENTH REGIMENT. 

THREE YEARS. 

Few men of the Seventh Regi- 
ment were from Bennington. There 
is a record of only two officers, which 
is as follows : 

ARNOLD P. WAIT 

of Dorset, age 26, private, Co. D, 
Dec. 11,1861; Corp., July 12, 1862; 
Sergt., Oct. 1, 1862; 1st Sergt., 
May 1, 1863; re-enlisted, Feb. 16, 
1864; 1st Lieut., Feb. 28, 1865. 
Honorably discharged Aug. 13, 
1865, for disability. 

GEORGE BROWN 

of Rupert, age 25, Sergt. Major, 
Feb. 12, 1862 ; 2nd Lieut., Co. E, 
Aug. 28, 1862 ; 1st Lieut., Dec. 9, 
1862. Dishonorably dismissed the 
service, Dec. 23, 1864, for habitual 
intoxication and being a worthless, 
inefficient officer. 

This regiment was in five engage- 
ments. 

THE EIGHTH REGIMENT. 

THREE YEARS. 

Of the Eigth Regiment there is a 
record of only one officer from the 
County, as follows : 

HYMENIUS A. DAVIS 

of Landgrove, age 18, private, Co. 
H, Dec. 23, 1861 ; Corp., Feb. 18, 
1862; Sergt.; re-enlisted, Jan. 5, 
1864 ; 1st Sergt., Apr. 12, 1864 ; 2d 
Lieut., Mar. 3, 1865 ; mustered out 
of service, June 28, 1865. 

This regiment was in seven en- 
gagements. 

THE TENTH REGIMENT. 

THREE YEARS. 

Company E of the Tenth Regi- 
ment was recruited at Benning- 
ton, of which Madison E. Win- 
slow was the first captain. 
The regiment was mustered in 




BENNINGTON. 



11 



service, Sept. 1, 1862 and mustered 
out June 29, 1865. 

Roster of the Officers from 
Bennington County. 

ALONZO B. VALENTINE 

of Bennington, age 32, Qt. M., July 
31, 1862; promoted Capt. and Com. 
of subsistence U. S. Vols., March 2, 
1864; promoted to Brevet Major, June 
28, 1865 for meritorious services; left 
the army on account of the close of the 
war. 

MERRIT BARBER 

of Pownal, age 26, Co. E, 1st. Lieut. 
Aug. 7, 1862, appointed Capt. and A 
A. G. U. S. Vols., December 31, 1864: 
Brevet Major, Oct. 19, 1864, for 
gallantry in every action since May 5, 

1864, and particularly at Cedar Creek, 
Va., Oct. 19,1864;— now, 1883, in 
the regular army of the United States 
with the rank of Major. 

SAMUEL GREER 

of Dorset, age 22, private, Co. C., 
Aug. 5, 1862, Corp., Sept, 25, 1863 ; 
Sergt., July 23, 1864 ; wounded, Oct. 
19, 1864; 2d Lieut., Co. C, Dec. 19, 
1864; 1st Lieut., Feb. 9, 1865; muster- 
tered out of service, June 22, 1865. 

WALTER GRAHAM 

of Arlington, age 21, private, Co. E, 
July 19, 1862; Corp., Nov. 29, 1862 ; 
Sergt., Dec. 27, 1862; 1st Sergt., Dec. 
31, 1862; 2d Lieut., June 15, 1865; 
mustered out as 1st Sergt., June 22, 

1865. 

This Regiment was in thirteen en- 
agements. 

THE SECOND REGIMENT 

OF U. S/ SHARP SHOOTERS. 

THREE YEARS. 

Company H of this Regiment was 
mustered into the service, Dec. 31, 



1861, and mustered out, Dec. 31, 
1864. A portion of this company was 
from Bennington County. The record 
of the officers from the County is as 
follows : 

GILBERT HART 

of Dorset, age 34, Capt., Co, H, Dec. 
24, 1861 ; resigned, Aug. 13, 1862. 

WILLIAM NEWELL 

of Dorset, age 35, private, Co. H, 
Nov. 1, 1861; 1st Sergt, Dec. 31, 
1861 ; 2d Lieut., Dec. 1, 1862; Capt. 
May 18, 1864. Honorably discharged, 
as 2d Lieut., Oct. 17, 1864, for wound 
received in action before Petersburgh, 
Va., June 21, 1864. 

This Regiment was in 24 engagements. 

FIRST BATTERY OF LIGHT 
ARTILLERY. — three years. 

This Battery, or at least a portion 
of it, was recruited at South Shaftsbu- 
ry ; was mustered into service, Feb. 
18, 1862, and mustered out, Aug. 10, 
1864. The record of its officers is as 
follows : 

GEORGE W. DUNCAN 

of Shaftsbury, age 45, Capt., Jan. 15, 
1826 ; resigned, Feb. 11, 1863. 

EDWARD RICE 

of Shaftsbury, age 23, 2d Lieut., Jan. 
15,1862; 1st Lieut., Feb. 13, 1863; 
mustered out, Aug. 10, 1864. 

THOMAS READE 

of Shaftsbury, age 21, private, Dec. 1, 
1861; Qt. M., Sergt., Feb. 18, 1862; 
2d Lieut., July 14, 1862; 1st. Lieut., 
Feb. 14, 1863; resigned, Dec. 14, 1863. 
This Battery was in 4 engagements. 

NINE MONTHS' MEN. 

A Brigade of Volunteers for nine 
months' service under the authority of 
the United States was raised in Ver- 
mont in the fall of 1862, consisting of 




12 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 

RANSOM O. GORE 



Field Regiments, amounting in the I 
whole to 4840 men, the regiments be- 
ing numbered the 12th, 13th, 14tli, 
15th and 16th. These troops served 
in Virginia , until Lee's invasion of 
Pennsylvania, when they 'were all 
marched to Gettysburgh where the 
13th, 14th and 16th took part in the 
battles of the 2d and 3d of July 1863. 
The other two regiments having been 
detached from Gen. StannarcFs Brigade 
by Gen. Reynolds “to guard the Corps 
wagon -train in the rear.” 

The Twelth Regiment, - 

NINE MONTHS. 

This Regiment was raised in other 
parts of the State than in Bennington 
County ; mustered into the service, 
Oct. 4, 1862, and out, July 14, 1863. 

It had but one officer from Benning- 
ton County, whose record is as follows : 
BENJAMIN F. KETCH UM 
of Manchester, age 28, Surgeon, Sept. 
19, 1862; mustered in, Oct. 4, 1862; 
mustered out, July 14, 1863. 

Fourteenth Regiment. 

NINE MONTHS. 

Company A of this Regiment was 
recruited at Bennington, and Company 
C at Manchester. The Regiment was 
mustered into service, Oct 21, 1862, 
and musteied out, July 30, 1863. 

Roster of the Field, Staff and Com- 
pany Officers from Bennington Co. 

NATHANIEL B. HALL 

of Bennington, age 36, Major, Sept. 
25, 1862; mustered out of service, 
July 30, 1863. 

HARRISON PRINDLE. 

of Manchester, age 23, Adjutant, Oct. 
8, 1862; mustered out, July 30, 1863. 

CHARLES FIELD 

of Dorset, age 36, Quartermaster, Oct. 
8, 1862; mustered out, July 30, 1863. 



of Bennington, age 28, Capt. Co, A, 
Aug 27, 1862; mustered out, July 30, 
1863. 

JOSIAII B, MUNSON 

of Manchester, age 26, Capt., Co. C, 
Aug.28, 1862; mustered out, July 30? 
1863. 

WILLIAM H. MUNN 

of Shaftsbury, age 24, 1st Lieut,, Co. 
K, Sept. 18, 1862; Capt., Feb. 15, 
1863; mustered out, July 30, 1863, 

EDWARD N. THAYER 

of Bennington, age 28, 1st Lieut., Aug. 
27, 1862; mustered out, July 30, 1863, 

NATHAN L, ANDREW 

of Arlington, age 33, 1st Lieut., Co. 
C, Aug. 20, 1862; mustered out of 
service, July 30, 1868. 

CHARLES ALBRO 

of Bennington, age 22, 2d Lieut., Co. 
A, Aug. 27, 1862; mustered out, July 
30, 1863. 

HENRY D. YOUNG 

of Manchester, age 25, 2d Lieut., Co, 
C, Aug. 28. 1862; mustered out, July 
30, 1863. 

LEWIS P. FULLER 

of Stamford, age 45, 2d Lieut., Co. K, 
Sept. 18, 1862; resigned, March 9, 
1863. 

This Regiment was in the battle of 
Gettysburgh, July 2d and 3d, 1863. 

The Sixteenth Regiment, - 

NINE MONTHS. 

No part of this Regiment was re- 
cruited in Bennington County. It was 
mustered into service, Oct. 23, 1862, 
and out, Aug. 10, 1863. There was but 
one officer from the County, whose 
services were as follows : 




BENNINGTON. 



13 



IRA W. THOMAS 

of Readsborough, age 22, 2d Lieut., 
Co. I, Sept., 20, 1862 ; resigned, Jan, 
33 1863. 

This Regiment was in the battle of 
Gettysburgh, July 2d and 3d, 1863. 

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT. 
The 17th Regiment was the latest 
corps of troops that was raised in the 
State for the suppression of the rebel- 
lion, the men b^ing mustered by com- 
panies during the first half of the year 
1864. Many of the officers and some 
of its men had served in the 9 months' 
regiments. The Regiment was mus- 
tered out, July 14, 1865. 

The Rostee of Officers from Een- 
inngton County is as follows : 

GEORGE HICKS 

of Bennington, age 23, 2d Lieut., Co. 
F, Apr. 9 1864; Brevet Capt., July 6, 
1864, for gallant and meritorious ser- 
vice in charge near ShancPs house, Va. ; 
killed in action, July 30, 1864. Cap- 
tain's commission dated Nov. 1 1864, 

CHARLES A. W ATSON 

of Dorset, age 3 9, private, Co. E, 
Mar. 15, 1864; Sergt., Apr, 12, 1864; 
w r ounded, June 26, 1864; 2d Lieut. ! 
July 10, 1865; mustered out as 1st 
Sergt., Co. E, July 14, 1865. 

This Regiment was in thirteen en- 
gagements. 

Staff Officers at Lrage. 

The two officers named below though 
not reported by the Adjutant General, 
are believed to have served as follows : 

GEORGE D. HARRINGTON 

of Bennington, age — , entered the 
service as commissary of subsistence, 
May 3, 1862; promoted to rank of 
Major, Mar. 13, 1865, and on same 
date to Lieut., Col., July 24 1865; 



promoted to the rank of Colonel, - 
stationed most of the time at Camp 
Chase, Columbus, Ohio ; discharged in 
the autumn of 1865. He died in Wash- 
ington City, Mar. 13, 1879. 

ALBERT WALKER 

of Bennington, age 49, entered the 
service as Commissary of subsistence, 
with rank of Captain, Nov. 18, 1862; 
resigned after the close of the war 
June 1865. 

NUMBER OF MEN FROM BENNINGTON 
0OUNTY. 

The following is a statement of the 
number of men furnished by each tow r n 
of the County in answer to calls for 
troops from April 1861 to Sept, 30, 
1865, and the United States enrollment 
of each town: 

Arlington, 126 enrolled: furnished 129- 
surplus 3. 

Bennington, 344 enrol’d : furnish’d 358- 
surplus 14. 

Dorset, 121 enrolled : fu rnished 121. 
Glastenbury, enrolled 12 : furnished 12. 
Landgrove, 34 enrolled : furnished 34. 
Manchester. 150 enroFd: furnish’d 156- 
surplus 6. 

Peru, 43 enrolled : furnished 42- 

deficient 1. 

Pownal, 1 09 enrolled : furnished 113- 
surplus 4. 

Readsboro, 75 enrolled: furnished 78- 
surplus 3. 

Rupert, 86 enrolled ; furnished 92- 
surplus 6 ; 

Sandgate, 57 enrolled : furnished 60 
surplus 3. 

Searsburg, 20 enrolled : furnished 20. 
Shaftsbury, 142 enroPd : furnish'd 147- 
surplus 5. 

Stamford, 53 enrolled: furnished 53. 




14 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



Sunderland, 51 enrolled: furnished 53, 
surplus 2. 

Winhall, 73 enrolled : furnished 76- 
surplus 3. 

Woodford, 29 enrolled: furnished 30- 
surplus 1. 

Total: enrolled 1525, surplus 50, defi- 
cient 1, furnished 1574, 



THE BATTLE OF BENNINGTON. 

August 16, 1777. 

BY BON NIL AND BALL . 

INTRODUCTORY 

In the following account of the 
Battle of Bennington, only the leading 
facts are attempted to be given, nu- 
merous interesting and exciting inci- 
dents being necessarily omitted. 

In order to have a just appreciation 
of the battle and its consequences, it 
is necessary to call to mind the condi- 
tion of country and of the State at 
the time of its occurrence. 

The campaign of 1776 inthe North ! 
ern department had been disastrous to 
the American arms. After suffering 
severe losses our forces had been driven 
from Canada iu great distress, and the 
enemy by the destruction of the Amer- 
ican flotilla had obtained full command 
of the waters of Lake Champlain. 
Great numbers of troops were arriv- 
ing at Quebec from Europe, and a 
fearful invasion was expected at the 
opening of the lake in the spring. To 
meet such an invasion extensive works 
had been erected at Ticonderoga, on 
which great reliance was placed. But 
they were defective in arrangement, 
and but partially manned, and on the 
approach of Gen. Burgoyne with a 
powerful army, Gen. St. Clair found 
they would be wholly untenable, and 



felt compelled to abandon them. The 
rear guard of his retreating army, un- 
der the command of Col. Seth Warner, 
was overtaken the next day, July 7, 
1777, at Hubbardtou, by a large body 
of the enemy, and after a brave resist- 
ance, during which many were killed 
and wounded on both sides, was over- 
powered by numbers and obliged to 
give way. The greater portion of 
St. Clair's force succeeded in forming 
a junction with Gen. Schuyler at Fort 
Edward, while the remnant of Colonel 
Warner's regiment, about 140 strong, 
took post at Manchester. 

Burgoyne's army, numbering about 
9,000 men was equipped and furnished 
with every war-like material that 
wealth and skill could supply, and con- 
sisted mostly of British and German 
veterans, with bodies of Canadians and 
tories, and a formidable horde of Indi- 
ans. Its commander expected to make 
a triumphant march to Albany, there 
to be met by an army from New York, 
and thus by obtaining the control of the 
Hudson Iiiver, and cutting off New 
England from the other states, to com- 
plete the conquest of the country for 
the King. He had already issued a 
flaming proclamation, threatening de- 
struction to the lives and property of 
all who should oppose him, but prom- 
ising protection and security to those 
who should give him their adhesion, 
and offering payment “in solid coin” 
for all provisions that should be brought 
to his camp. On the 10th of July, 
having reached Skeneabough, (White- 
hall) he issued another proclamation in 
which he directed “the inhabitants of 
Castleton, Hubbardton, Rutland, Tin- 
. mouth, Pawlet, Wells and Granville x 
with the neighboring districts ; also the 
districts bordering on White Creek, 
(Salem) Camden, Cambridge, &c.,” to 




BENNINGTON. 



15 



send ten persons or more from each 
township to meet Col, Skeene at Cas- 
tleton on the 15th, who would commu- 
nicate conditions upon which the per- 
sons and properties of the disobedient 
might yet be spared.” The proclama- 
tion concluded with the following bar- 
barous threat : “This fail not under the 
pain of military execution ” 

To a large portion of the frontier in- 
habitants, Burgoyne’s army appeared 
irresistable. If he should let loose his 
horde of savages upon them which in his 
first proclamation he said amounted to 
thousands, there would seem to be no 
escape for them. Great numbers from 
those towns, and some from towns still 
further to the south, repaired to Col, 
Skene and taking the oath of allegiance 
to the Crown, some from choice and 
some from supposed necessity, received 
written protections for their security. 
Of these many took up arms against 
their country and joined the invading 
army. But the more patriotic portion 
of the inhabitants scorning submission 
to the invaders, abandoned their homes 
to the mercy of the enemy, and taking 
with them such of their effects as they 
were able to transport fled to the south, 
some stopping in Bennington, hut most 
of them going on to their friends in 
Berkbire Co. and Connecticut. Berk- 
shire county in the language of a con- 
semporary, l was burdened with these fu- 
gitives.’ Nearly all of the territory be- 
tween Bennington and the route of 
Burgoyoe towards the Hudson and Al- 
bany was thus made in effect an ene- 
my’s country, and Bennington became 
a frontier town. 

Prior to the Revolution the territory 
of Vermont was known by the name 
of The New Hampshire Grants, over 
which the government of New York 



claimed jurisdiction and also the title 
of its lands. This claim was disputed by 
its inhabitants, who after a long and 
severe controversy, had by a conven- 
tion of the delegates held at Westmin- 
ster on the 17th of January, 1777, de- 
clared the territory an independent 
State, At the time of the evacuation 
of Ticonderoga by St. Clair a subse- 
quent convention of the new State was 
in session at Windsor, engaged in the 
work of framing its new constitution 
of government ; and the abandonment 
of that post left the families of many 
of its members in immediate peril At 
the news of this alarming event the 
constitution was somewhat hurriedly 
adopted, and having appointed a Coun- 
cil of Safety to manage the affairs of 
the State until the regular government 
could he put in operation, the conven- 
tion adjourned. 

The Council of Safety thus constituted 
met first at Mancheser, but soon ad- 
journed to Bennington, where it con- 
tinued in permanent session through- 
out the year, adopting and carrying in- 
to effect the most energetic measures 
for protecting the State against its for- 
eign, , as well as its domestic enemies. 
Pressing messages having been sent to 
New Hampshire and Massachusetts for 
aid, such of the militia as could be gath- 
ered were called out to strengthen the 
force of CoL Warner at Manchester, 
where an attack was apprehended. A 
permanent force to patrol the frontiers 
and to guard against any covert out- 
break of the tories in their midst, was 
indispensable ; and to provide means 
for maintaining such a force and to meet 
their other expenses in defending the 
State, the Council ordered the property 
of those of their inhabitants that had 
joined the enemy to be sequestered 




16 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



and sold. A proper fund being thus 
secured, a regiment of Rangers was 
organized under the command of Col. 
Samuel Herrick, which did valuable 
service to the State and country. 

New Hampshire responded nobly to- 
the call of the Vermont Council, The 
Assembly at once ordered a large por- 
tion of their militia to be organized 
into a brigade and placed under the 
command of General John Stark. He 
bad served with credit and honor in 
the previous French war and as Colo- 
nel at Bunker Hill, and in Canada, 
and under Washington at Trenton, 
and Princeton, but Congress had pro- 
moted junior officers over him, and he 
had resigned Ms commission and re- 
tired from the service, though he re- 
tained the same patriotic ardor as be- 
fore. He was reluctant to be placed un- 
der officers he had outranked and there 
was also at the time a very general dis- 
trust in New England of Gen. Schuyler 
who was in command of the Northern 
department ; for which reasons General 
Stark's written instructions were of a 
discretionary character. He was di- 
rected “to repair to Charleston, No. 4 
and when the troops were collected 
there u to take the command of them 
and march into the State of Vermont, 
and there act in conjunction with the 
troops of that State, or any other 
of the States, or of the United States, 
or seperatly, as it should appear expe- 
dient to him, for the protection of the 
people or the annoyance of the enemy.” 

Crossing the Green Mountain from 
Charleston with the greater part of his 
command, Stark reached Manchester 
on the 7th of August, where he met 
Gen. Lincoln, who had been sent from 
Stillwater by Gen. Schuyler to con- 
duct his militia to the west bank of 



the Hudson. Stark communicated his 
instructions and declined obedience on 
the ground of the dangerous condition 
in which it would leave the people of 
Vermont, and because he believed Bur- 
goytte would be more em harassed in his 
opertions by his remaining on his left, 
than by his joining the army in front. 
But for this refusal of Stark, which 
was founded on the soundest military 
view of the state of affairs, Bennington 
would have been in a measure defence- 
less, and would, doubtless, have fallen 
a prey to the enemy. 

At Manchester, Stark found that a 
considerably large body of the enemy 
which for some time had been at Cas- 
tle ton, threatening Manchester and to 
cross over to Connecticut River, had 
marched to the Hudson. He, with his 
force, passed on to Bennington, where 
he arrived on the 9th. He was accom- 
panied by Col. Warner, whose conti- 
nental regiment was left at Manchester 
under the command of Lieut. Colonel 
Samuel Safford, At Bennington, Gen. 
Stark encamped for a few days, col- 
lecting information in regard to the 
position and the designs of the enemy, 
and consulting with the Council of 
Safety, and with Col. Warner relative 
to future operations. 

The progress of Burgoyne towards 
Albany had been so retarded by the 
natural dfficulties of the route, and the 
obstructions thrown in his way by the 
Americans, that it was nearly a month 
after his departure from Ticonderoga 
before he reached the Hudson River. 
Here he found himself so deficient in 
provisions, and also in cattle and car- 
riages for transportation that he was 
much embarrassed about the means for 
advancing farther. Learning that the 
articles he most needed had been col- 




BENNINGTON, 



17 



lected at Bennington as a convenient 
depot to supply the American forces, 
he resolved to seize them for the use of 
his own army. 

For this service Lieat. CoL Baume 
was selected, Bnrgoyne in his letter to 
the English Ministry states the force 
under his command to have consisted 
of 200 dismounted dragoons, 4 4 Captain 
Frazer’s marksmen, (called, also, Ran- 
gers) which were the only British, all 
the Canadian vlounteers, a party of 
Provincials, (CoL Peter’s corps of to- 
nes,) 100 Indians and two light pieces 
of cannon, the whole detachment a- 
mounting to about 500 men.” There 
is no doubt this number is too small by 
several hundred. The German official 
accounts give the number of the troops 
of Baume at 374 instead of 200 ; and 
of the British, Canadians and Tories, 
the prisoners taken in the action, a- 
mounted to 230, as will be seen here- 
after, which would swell Baume’s force 
to over 600, without rckoning those 
who were killed in battle and the many 
who escaped by flight. There can be 
little doubt that the number of men 
brought into action by Baume exceed- 
ed 700, besides his 100 Indians, CoL 
Skene, at the request of Bnrgoyne, 
had accompanied the expedition that 
the German Commander might have 
the benifit of his better knowlege of 
the country and of his supposed in- 
fluence with its people. 

PREPARING FOR THE RATTLE. 

Baume set off with his force on the 
13th of August, and arrived the same 
day at Cambridge, 16 miles from Ben- 
nington. Early the next morning, he 
reached Sancoick, a small settlement 
near the mouth of the White Creek 
branch of the Walloomsac river, about 
half a mile below the present village of 



North Hoosiek, Here he found a party 
of Americans in possession of a mill 
which they abandond on his approach, 
and in the mill, on the head of a barrel, 
he wrote Bnrgoyne an account of his 
progress, informing him that 44 by five 
prisoners taken here they agree that 
1500 to 1800 men are at Bennington, 
but are supposed to leave at our ap- 
proach” 

They did leave on his approach, but 
not in the direction he had anticipated. 
The old mill at 8 ancoick is still stand- 
ing and in use by John Burke, the 
present owner, and is about 8 miles 
from Bennington, 

Gen. Stark on the 13th had receiv- 
ed information from scouts that a par- 
ty of Indians were at Cambridge, and 
he sent Lieut CoL Gregg of his brig- 
ade with 200 men to stop their prog- 
ress, but during the night, he was ad- 
vised that a large body of troops with 
artillery were in the rear of the Indi- 
ans and that they were advancing to- 
wards Bennington. He immediately 
sent to Manchester for CoL Warner’s 
continental regiment, and also for the 
neighboring militia to rally to his 
support. 

On the morning of the 14th he assem- 
bled his brigade, and in company with 
Cols. Warner, Williams, Herrick and 
Brush went out to meet the enemy. He 
had marched about five miles when he 
met Gregg on his retreat from San- 
eoick and the enemy in close pursuit. 
Stark drew up his men in order of 
battle, but Baume halted in a com- 
manding position, and the ground occu- 
pied by Stark, being unfavorable for a 
general attack, he fell back about a 
mile and encamped. His encampment 
was in the north-west part of Benn- 
ington, on the farm formerly owned 




18 



BENNINGTON. 



by Paul M. Henry, on the Hill, upon 
which a dwelling has lately been erected 
by Lewis N orthouse, the present pro- 
prietor. 

The Walloomsae river is a branch of 
the Hoosiek, fordable in most places, 
haying in general a westerly course, 
but which after passing Stark's en- 
campment runs in a northern direction 
for half a mile, then westerly for a mile 
and a half, where it turns suddenly to 
the south and pursues that course for 
three-qnarters of a mile or more. Here 
on the west side of the river, Baume 
halted and made his arrangements for 
defense. On the top of a thickly wood- 
ed hill which rises abruptly three or 
four hundred feet from the west bank 
of the stream, he posted the greater 
part of his Germans under his own 
immediate command. This position 
was w est of the sudden bend in the 
stream, and Baume’s front to the east 
was well secured against an attack by 
the precipitous ascent of the hill on 
that side, which impracticable ascent 
extended from his camp for half a mile 
along the bank of the river to the bridge 
at the southern foot of the hill, over 
which the road from Bennington to 
Sancoick, and Cambiidge passed. On 
the top of this hill Baume prepared en- 
trenchments of earth and logs to resist 
attacks from the west and on his flanks. 

For the defense of the important 
pass at the bridge, Baume caused a 
strong breast- work to be thrown up on 
the high bank of the river, on which 
was mounted one of his cannon, in 
charge of a body of German Grena- 
diers, Two small breast works were 
also erected on opposite sides of the 
road, near the west end of the bridge 
which were manned by Frazer's marks- 
men ; and the position w as still further 



strengthened by posting all the Cana- 
dians in log huts which were standing 
near the bridge ' on both sides of the 
river. This point is where the river is 
now crossed by the covered railroad 
bridge, about three miles from North 
Bennington on the route to Troy. 

Baume on his way from the Hudson, 
and at his encampment had been joined 
by a considerable number of tories, 
many of them under the lead of Col, 
Francis Pfister, a half pay British officer 
of wealth and extensive influence who 
occupied an imposing residence erected 
by him on the west bank of the IIoo- 
sick, near what is now known as Hoo- 
siek Corners. These with most of 
Peter's corps of loyalists were posted 
on a hill east of the stream 40 or 50 
rods to the south-east of the bridge. 

Here, strong works of defense were 
erected, known as the 4 4 Tory Breast- 
work,” and of which Col. Pfister is 
understood to have been placed in 
command. On its right was a sharp 
ravine and both flanks would have the 
protection of ball and grape from the 
cannon at the bridge. The other 
cannon in charge of German grena- 
diers, supported by some tories, ap- 
pears to have been placed further to 
the west in a cleared field near the 
road. It was on a hillside which oyer- 
looked and commanded the approaches 
to the bridge and to the tory encamp- 
ment, and also to the south flank of 
Baurne’s encampment. It may have 
been moved nearer to Baume's position 
during the engagement. (The several 
positions of Baume’s forces are shown 
by the plan in Burgoyne’s account of 
his expedition, of which a copy on a re- 
duced scale is given in the u Memorials 
of a Century by the Rev, Isaac Jen- 
nings, and another still smaller is found 




BENNINGTON. 



19 



in Lossing’s Field Book of the Revolu- 
lution. The top of the map is west and 
upon it the tories are designated as 
“ American Volunteers,” the British 
marksmen as “Rangers,” the Ameri- 
cans as ^Bodies of the enemy.” All 
others except the “Canadians” are 
Germans, the “Chasseures” being Ger- 
man marksmen. On Burgoyne’s map 
the Walloomsae is called the Hoosick.) 
The encampments of the two hostile 
bodies, though little more than two 
miles apart were entirely hidden from 
the sight of each other by a heavily 
wooded, intervening hill. 

The force under General Stark was 
composed of the greater part of his 
brigade of New Hampshire militia, a 
small number of Vermont militia from 
the east side of the mountain, under 
Col. William Williams, who had been 
stationed at Manchester, Col. Herrick's 
corps of Rangers then forming, the 
State militia from Bennington and its 
vicinity under Col. Nathaniel Brush, 
and on the morning of the 16th Stark 
was joined by Col. Simonds and some 
militia from Berkshire County (Mass.) 
His whole force might perhaps have 
numbered about 1600. 

On the night of the 14th after ascer- 
taining the position of the enemy, 
Stark called a council, consisting of 
the leading members of the Council of 
Safety as well as of Cols. Warner and 
Herrick and other military officers, in 
which a plan for attacking the enemy 
was discussed and adopted, and it was 
agreed that the attack should be made 
the next morning. But the 15th was so 
excessively rainy as to prevent any at- 
tempt at a general action. Scouts were 
however sent out some of which were 
engaged in successful skirmishes. 



THE BATTLE 

The morning of the 16th was bright 
and clear and Stark prepared for the at- 
tack in accordauce with the plan pre- 
viously agreed upon. Col. Nichols 
with 200 of the New Hampshire 
troops, to which a reinforcement of 
100 was afterward added, waS detach- 
ed to make a wide circuit to the north 
of Baume's post, and come round up- 
on the rear of his left, and Col, Her- 
rick with 800 men, composed of his 
Rangers and Col. Brush's militia, was 
to make a like wide southern circuit to 
the rear of his right, the two parties 
to meet and make a joint attack upon 
his entrenchments. Cols. Hubbard and 
Stickney with 800 men of Starlds brig- 
ade, were ordered to the enemy's ex- 
treme right. While these three detach- 
ments were gaining their assigned posi- 
tions, the enemy was amused by a 
threatened attack on his front. 

About three o'clock in the afternoon 
bring was commenced by the party un- 
der Nichol’s which was the signal for 
a general assault. It was immediately 
followed by the detachment under 
Herrick, and by that of Hubbard and 
Stickney, while Stark, himself with 
his reserve of New Hampshire men 
and the Berkshire and some Vermont 
miltia, in the face of the enemy's can- 
non, assailed the Tory breast-work and 
the pass at the bridge in front. The en- 
gagement thus became general and “las- 
ted” says Stark in his report to Gates, 
“two hours, and was the hottest, I ev- 
er saw — it represented one continued 
clap of thunder.” The Indians alarm- 
ed at the prospect of being enclosed 
between the parties of Nichols and Her- 
rick, fled at the beginning of the fight, 
but Baume with his Germans and all 
others under his command, having the 




20 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



advantage of their position behind en- 
trenchments, which the rain of the 
loth had given them ample time to e- 
rect and make strong, fought with 
great resolution and bravery, but they 
were overpowered by their militia as- 
sailants and either fled or surrendered 
prisoners of war. 

The battle being ended and the pris- 
oners sent off to Bennington under a 
proper guard, the militia dispersed to 
look over the field and collect plunder, 
but very soon intelligence was brought 
that a large, additional force from the 
British army was approaohing, and 
within the distance of two miles. This 
body of men was under the command 
of Col. Breyman and consisted, be- 
sides 22 officers of 620 rank and file, 
all Germans, with two pieces of can- 
non, which Burgoyne on hearing that 
the force * at Bennington was greater 
than had been expected, had dispatch- 
ed to reinforce Baume. The rain of the 
preceding day and the heaviness of 
the roads had delayed Breyman’s arri- 
val until the victory over the men he 
had been sent to aid had been accom- 
plished. The victors were however in 
great confusion, and it appeared diffi- 
cult to stop the progress of the new 
enemy. Happily at this juncture, War- 
ner’s regiment of about 140 men which 
had been delayed by the rain, in its 
march from Manchester, came up 
fresh under Lieut. Col. Safiord and 
took its position in front, serving as a 
rallying point for the scattered militia. 
Breyman advanced with his two brass 
field pieces up the road with wings of 
infantry on each side of it, oeeasionly 
firing his cannon to clear the way, the 
Americans slowly retiring before him. 
When a considerable body of the mili- 
tia had been collected a stand was made 



I (about 40 or 50 rods east of the pres- 
ent Walioomsac depot) and Breyman \s 
force brought to a halt. Here he was 
attacked in front and fianks, a most 
deadly fire being poured into bis ranks 
from a wooded hill on his left. The 
action was very severe and continued 
till after sunset, when many of Rrey- 
mau’s men being killed and wounded 
and bis artillery horses shot down, he 
abandoned his cannon and led. Gen. 
Stark pursued his flying forces till the 
approaching darkness rendered it nec- 
essary to draw off Ms men to prevent 
their firing upon each other. “With 
one hour more of daylight,” says Stark 
in his official report, u we should have 
captured the whole body.” 

EFFECTS OF THE BATTLE. 

Among the trophies of this day’s 
victories, were four brass field pieces, 
twelve brass drums, 250 sabres, four 
ammunition wagons, several hundred 
stand of arms, and 658 prisoners, and 
207 were left dead on the field. The 
whole loss of the enemy could uot have 
been much less than 900 men. Some 
of the contemporaneous accounts make 
the number still larger. Of the prison- 
ers, 30 of them were officers, 37 Brit- 
ish soldiers, 398 Hessians, 38 Canadi- 
ans, and 155 tones. Col. Baume was 
mortally wounded and taken prisoner 
as was also Col. Pfister, the comman- 
der of the tory entrenchment. Both 
were taken about a, mile to a house in 
the town of Shaftsbury, which a few 
years ago was still standing opposite 
the present paper-mill of Charles E. 
Welling, known as ‘the Baume house/ 
in which they both died within a day 
or two afterwards. 

The loss of the Americans in both 
engagements was about 30 killed and 
40 wounded. 




BENNINGTON, 



21 



This victory, in which undisciplined 
husbandmen with their hunting guns 
without bayonets, bravely stormed en- 
trenchments maimed by i egular troops 
and defended by cannon, is justly styl- 
ed by Bancroft as “one of the most bril- 
iant and eventful of the war.” The 
loss of the enemy in men and material 
was severely felt. But the consequences 
were otherwise still more important. - 
By inspiring confidence on the one side, 
and depressing the spirits of the other, 
the current of succeses was at once 
turned from the British to the Amer- 
ican arms. 

The fate of Burgoyne and his army 
was in effect sealed at Bennington, and 
his final capture well assured. General 
Washington, on being informed of the 
event, considered it as deciding the fate 
of Burgoyne, and dismissed all anxie- 
ty about his invasion. Its effect upon 
the enemy was most disheartening. — 
Madame Riedesel, wife of the com- 
manding general of the German troops 
who accompanied her husband through 
the campaign, says in her memoirs, that 
by Baume’s failure “the army was pre- 
vented from advancing, while the ene- 
my , recovering sudden ly from dep rss- 
ion, increased their numbers daily, 
Burgoyne, himself, though he struggled 
on for a few weeks longer, was ev- 
idently disheartened. Four days after 
Baume’s defeat, after preparing a dis 
spafcch to the British minister for the 
public ear, he wrote him another letter 
marked Private, dated “Camp near Sar- 
atoga, Aug. 20. 1777,” in which he gave 
quite a gloomy account of his affairs, 
treating the failure of the expedition 
to Bennington as his great misfortune, 
in which he says of it, that, “Had I 
succeeded, I should have formed a 
junction with St, Leger and been now 
before Albany.” After speaking dis- 



paragingly of the tones, he says: 
“The great bulk of the country is un- 
doubtedly with the Congress,” and of 
the Vermonters, he bitterly adds, “the 
Hampshire Grants in particular, a coun- 
try unpeopled and almost unknown in 
the last war, now abounds in the most 
active and most rebellious race on the 
continent, and hangs like a gathering 
storm on my left.” 

To General Stark should be assign- 
ed the highest meed of praise for the 
victory ; but he was nobly aided by the 
skill and valor of both his officers and 
men, and they are all with him entitled 
to the lasting gratitude of their country. 
Of his officers, Col. Warner is undoubt- 
edly entitled to special credit. Warner 
was a colonel in the Continental army, 
had acquired a high reputation as a mil- 
itary leader, by his services in Canada 
and at Hubbardton, and he* had long 
been a resident of Bennington and was 
familiarly acquainted with the ground 
occupied by the posts of the enemy 
and their approaches. He was Stark’s 
chief adviser in planning the attack on 
the enemy, he went into the action by 
his side and was his active associate in 
the first engagement, as well as in repel- 
ling the attack of Breyman’s reinforce- 
ment. Dr. Thacher in his contempo- 
rary Military Journal says “Stark as- 
sisted by Warner matured his plans 
for the battle.” and Stark, himself in 
his letter to Gates after speaking in 
the highest terms of the daring brave- 
ry of the officers and soldiers under his 
command says, “Col. Warner's superi- 
or skill in the action was of extraord- 
inary service to me.” Gordon also in 
his history speaks highly of the services 
of Col, Warner and those of Col, Her- 
rick of the Vermont Rangers. Other 
officers and men deserve notice for 
their meritorious exertions in gaining 




22 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



the victory 5 but the space allowed for 
this article will not permit it. There 
are also numerous interesting incidents 
connected with the battle that must 
for the like reason be omitted. It has 
been only pos sable to give the leading 
facts. 

General Stark from his arrival at 
Manchester acted in concert with the 
Vermont Council of Safety and receiv- 
ed their earnest countenance and sup- 
port in all his movements which were- 
duly appreciated by him as is shown by 
a publication in the Connecticut “Con- 
rant 15 over his own signature iu which 
he passed on the Council a high eulo- 
gium for their patriotic exertions and 
services. 

When the Congress at Philadephia 
was informed of Gen. Stark’s declin- 
ing to move his force from Manches- 
ter to the west side of the Hudson, as 
before mentioned, a resolve was passed ! 
disapproving of it. But after the wis- 
dom of his conduct in that respect had i 
been demonstrated by his] victory and 
its fortunate effect on the campaign, 
they came tardily to the determination 
to do him full justice by approving his 
patriotic services and restoring him to 
his merited rank in the army. 

On the 4th day of October, 1777, 
Congress unanimously passed the fol- 
lowing resolution: 

“Resolved: That the thanks of 
Congress be presented to Gen. Stark 
of The New Hampshire Militia, and 
the Officers and troops under his com- 
mand, for their brave and successful 
attack upon, and signal victory over 
the Enemy in their lines at Bennington ; 
and that Brigadier Stark be appoint- 
ed Brigadier General in the Army of 
the United States.” 

Two weeks after the passage of this 



resolution by Congress, on the 17th 
of Oetober, the event, which Stark’s 
Victory at Bennington had clearly 
foreshadowed, and made certain, — 
was accomplished by the surrender of 
Burgoyne and his army as prisoners 
of war, to the American forces at 
Saratoga. 

THE 

OLD CATAMOUNT TAVERN 

AT BENNINGTON, VT. 

On the 30th of March 1871, the old 
“Catamouut Tavern” House,- which 
had long been the most notable relic 
of early times in the Centre Village of 
Bennington, Vermont, was burnt to the 
ground. It had been unoccupied for a 
short time and the origin of the fire is 
unknowm. The house which was in a 
tolerable state of preservation, had 
been built over a hundred years ; hav- 
ing been erected by Captain Stephen 
Fay, a year or two prior to 1770. It 
was a wooden building, about 44 feet by 
34, two stories high, having two high 
chimneys with high fire-places in each 
story, besides which, there was a very 
large fire-place in the cellar or base- 
ment, part of which was used as a 
wash-room, and cook-room as occasion 
required. 

The two chimneys are now standing, 
(Autumn of 1871) exhibiting their spa- 
cious fire-places with heavy, iron cranes 
in those of the lower story and base- 
ment, On the marble mantle of one 
of the fire-places the words “council 
eoom,” appear, cut there in early 
times. 

On the top of the high sign-post be- 
fore the front door, was placed the 
stuffed skin of a catamount, from which 
came the name of the house, though 
in early days, it was in accordance 
with the custom of the time more gen- 





CATAMOUNT TAVERN 

AT BEXKINGTONj VT. 

On Ihe top of the high sign-post before the front door, 
was placed the stuffed skin of a catamount from tvhkh 
came the name of the house* though in early days, it 
was iu accordance with the custom of the time, more 
generally called Landlord Fay’s. page 22. 

The tall sign-post was 25 feet fiom the ground; 
the catamount on the top, stood with large teeth 
grinning towards New York.— page 25. 




BENNINGTON. 



25 



erally spoken of as 4 4 Landlord Fay’s/ 

During the period of the early set- 
tlement of the State, the house was a 
great resort for travelers and emigrants, 
and it was also widely known as the 
Head Quarters of the settlers in their 
contest with the New York land claim- 
ants, It was the home of Ethan Allen 
for several years from 1770, when he 
first came to the 4 4 New Hampshire 
Grants,” as Vermont was then called. 

The settlers held their lands under, 
grants from New Hampshire, to which 
the territory was supposed to belong ; 
but in 1764, the King, by an order in 
Council placed them under the juris- 
diction of New York. Whereupon the 
Govenor of that Province declared 
their titles to be void, and regranted 
their lands to speculators, who recov- 
ered judgement in the New York 
courts against the settlers, and sent 
their sheriffs and posses to execute them, 
who were resisted by the occupants and 
forcibly prevented from obtaining pos- 
session. This controversy raged for 
years, and the settlers appointed com- 
mittees of safety before whom offend- 
ers against the integrity of their titles, 
styled “Yorkers,” were brought for 
trial. On conviction they were vari- 
ously punished, sometimes by banish- 
ment from the territory, and sometimes 
by whipping on the naked back, a mode 
of punishment for crime then in com- 
mon use throughout the country. The 
latter punishmen in allusion to the great 
seal of the Govenor of New Hampshire, 
affixed to their charter titles, and to the 
instrument with which it was common- 
ly inflicted, the settlers humorously 
called “the application of the beach 
seal,” 

Another mode of punishmet was 
devised for one offender, residing with- 



in their own limits : One Dr. Samuel 

Adams of Arlington, who had held his 
lands under a New Hampshire charter, 
suddenly became an open advocate of 
the New York title, advising his neigh- 
bors to purchase it. This tended to 
weaken the opposition to New York by 
producing division among the settlers, 
and he was repeatedly u anied to de- 
sist from such discourse, but he persist- 
ed in his offensive language, and arm- 
ing himself with pistols and other 
weapons threatened death to any one 
who should molest him. What follow- 
ed is related in the language of a con- 
temporary : The Doctor was soon ta- 
ken by surprise and carried (15 miles) 
to the Green Mountain (Landlord 
Fay’s) tavern, at Bennington, where 
the committee heard his defense, and 
then ordered him to be tied in an arm- 
chair and hoisted up to the sign- 
(a catamount skin stuffed, sitting upon 
the sign-post, 25 feet from the ground, 
with large teeth, looking and grinning 
toward New York) and there to hang 
two hours in sight of the people, as a 
punishment merited by his enmity to 
the rights and liberty of the inhabitants 
of the New Hampshire Grants. The 
judgement was executed to the no small 
merriment of a large concourse of the 
people. 

The Doctor was ' let down and dis- 
missed by the committee with an ad- 
monition to go and sin no more. The 
mild and exemplary disgrace had a sal- 
utary effect on the Doctor and many 
others.” Dr. Adams, on Burgoyne’s 
invasion, became a violent iory and 
fled to Canada, from which he never 
returned. 

When Sir Wm. Tryon, Govenor of 
New York in 1771, issued a procla- 
mation offering a reward of £ 20 each 
for the apprehension of Ethan Allen, 




26 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Remember Raker, and Robert Cochran 
for their riotous opposition to the New 
York government, they retaliated by 
publishing over their names a counter 
proclamation offering a reward of £15 
for James Duane and ^£10 for John 
Kemp, their two leading land-claiming 
antagonists, styling them “ those com- 
mon disturbers of the public peace,” 
the rewards so made payable on their 
being brought to “Landlord Fay’s at 
Bennington. 

The following is a copy of the proc- 
lamation; 

jgf 3 * £ 25 Reward ! 

Whereas James Duane and John 
Kemp of New York, have by their 
menaces and threats greatly disturbed 
the public peace and repose of the hon- 
est peasants of Bennington, and the 
settlements to the northward, which 
peasants are now and ever have been 
in the peace of God and the King, and 
patriotic and liege subjects of George 
III. Any person that will apprehend 
those common disturbers, viz : James 
Duane, and John Kemp, and bring 
them to Landlord Fay’s at Bennington, 
shall have £15 reward for James 
Daane and £ 10 for John Kemp, paid 
by Ethan Allen, 

Remember Baker, 
Robert Cochran. 

Dated Poultney, 

Feb’y 5, 1772. 

J i 

Colonel Ethan Allen was sojourning 
at the. “Catamount Tavern” in the 
spring of 1775 and from the 4 1 Council 
Room” of that house went forth his 
order of May 3d, for mustering the 
Green Mountain Boys for the capture 
of Ticonderoga, which was effected 
seven days afterwards “in the name of 
the great Jehovah and the Continental 
Congress.” 



In this noted tavern house, sat the 
Vermont Council of Bafery during the 
trying campaign of 1777, guiding and 
directing the patriotic exertions of the 
Green Mountain Boys to stem the tor- 
rent of Burgoyne’s invasion ; and here 
also, Stark and Warner, with the aid 
of the Council, planned the famous 
attack on Baume’s entrenchments, 
where was won the brilliant victory of 
Bennington, which turned the current 
of success from the British to the 
American arms and was followed iu a 
few weeks [ as told in the preceding 
pages,] by the capture of Burgoyne 
and his army at Saratoga. 

Captain Fay, the proprietor of the 
house had live sons in the battle of 
Bennington, one of whom was killed. 
On being told that one of his sons had 
fallen in the light, the venerable patri- 
ot through his deep grirf “thanked God 
that he had a son that was willing to 
die for Ms country.” 

Here in 1778 was tried and condemn- 
ed one David Redding, a traitor and 
spy ; and in a field in front of the house 
a gallows had been erected and a great 
crowd had assembled to see him exe- 
cuted. But on the morning fixed for 
the execution, the Govenor and Coun- 
cil granted him a reprieve for one 
week, for the reason that he had been 
tried by a jury of six, while by the 
common law there ought to have been 
twelve. The multitude, who had as 
well as the six jurors condemqed the 
traitor, were clamorous at their disa- 
pointment, and violence was seriously 
apprehended, whereupon Col. Ethan 
Allen, who had just returned from his 
long English captivity mounted a stump 
and waving his hat and exclaiming: 
“Attention, the whole I — proceeded to 
announce the reasons which produced 
the reprieve ; advised the multitude to 





THE COUNCIL ROOM HEARTH 

OF THE 

Old Catamount Tavern. 

At this fireside, sat, Ethan Allen, the night before he 
sent forth his sammons for the Green Mountain Bpys 
to muster for the capture of Ticonderoga. page 26. 



BENNINGTON - 



2 $ 



depart peaceably to their habitations, 
and to return on the day fixed by the 
G-ovenor and Council, adding with an 
oath, “You shall see somebody hung 
at all events, for if Redding is not then 
hung, I will be hung myself Upon 
which the uproar ceased and the crowd 
dispersed. Redding being again tried 
and convicted by a jury of twelve was 
bung on the day to which his reprieve 
had been granted, in accordance with 
Allen’s prediction. 

The children of Captain Fay were 
numerous and respectable, and several 
of them have been prominent in the 
affairs of the State of Vermont. He 
died in 1781, and the" house, not many 
years afterwards became a private dwel- 
ling for two of his son?, in succession, 
then for a grandson, and then finally for 
a great- grandson, John Fay, Esq, 
who died Feb. 25, 1856. 

HILA ND HALL, 



BENNINGTON — HISTORICAL. 
Annals of Post-Office, Court-House 
and Village Strifes in the Town of 
Bennington from 1784 to 1884. 

The old Village of Bennington, like 
many others in New England was built 
on high ground. The north and south 
road through the State passed over it* 
which infers years became a thorough 
fare for much travel between Connect- 
icut and western Massachusetts and the 
new lands to the northward. The sum- 
mit of the hill at the north end of the 
village was 100 feet higher than the 
more level land at the other end. Its 
two extremities were about three quar- 
ters of a mile apart and were bidden 
from each other by the southern brow 
of the upper hill, from which there 
was a steep descent to a slight valley 



before reaching the other end of the 
village. That this village had two ends 
should be borne in mind, as many of 
the occurrences to be mentioned here- 
after will be found to hinge in some de- 
gree on that fact. These two ends or 
parts were in common language dis- 
tinguished from each other as the “Up- 
hill” and “Down-hill.” 

The road from Albany, leading to 
and across the Green Mountain ran 
through the lower part of the village, 
but was very little used until sometime 
in the present century when it gradual- 
ly became a through route from Albany 
to Boston and other places east of the* 
mountains on which road, as well as* 
that to the northward, well patronized 
stages were run. 

THE MEETING-HOUSE 

was built in the lower part of the vil- 
lage, about 1765, and in 1780, an 
academy building, called 
CLIO hall 

was erected on the present site of the 
meeting-house, in which a successful 
high school was kept until it was burnt 
in 1803. 

In 1781, when a building for 

COURT-HOUSE AND JAIL 

was required, it had been erected on 
the summit of the hill near the present 
residence of A. M, Huling. 

In 1783, Anthony Haswell came 
from Massachusetts and began the pub- 
lication of the 

VERMONT GAZETTE . 

on the Upper-hill, and for many years 
it was the only newspaper printed in 
*the State on the west side of the mount- 
ain. Its publication was continued 
weekly, with brief interruptions, nearly 
all the time by Mr. Ilaswell or some of 
his descendants until about 1850 when 




30 



THE VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



it was discontinued. For a few months 
in 1797, the paper took the name of 
the “Tablet of the Times/’ in 1806, 
that of the “Epitome of the World /’ 
and afterwards from 1808 to 1816, that 
of the “Green Mountain Farmer/’ 
when it resinned its first name, under 
which it was continued until it ceased 
to exist, as before stated. 

From 1777 to 1791, Vermont exer 
cised full authority in its civil affairs 
as an independent State, being unac- 
knowledged, both by the other states 
and the Continental Congress. In 1784, 
its Legislature passed an act establish- 
ing 

FIVE POST-OFFICES IK THE STATE, 

viz : at Bennington, Rutland, Brattle- 
boro, Windsor aad Newbury, allowing 
post-riders three pence per mile for 
travel between Bennington and Brattle- 
boro and two pence on the other routes. 
They were to account to the postmas- 
ters and to he paid from postages and 
their other receipts. They distributed 
the Bennington and the Windsor news- 
papers to their subscribers along the 
routes they traveled. Under this act 

ANTHOJStT HASWELL 

was commissioned postmaster general 
by Gov. Thomas Chittenden, Mar. 10, 
1784, and it is probable that 

DAVID BUSSELL, 

who was partner of Mr. Has well in the 
publication of the Gazette, acted as the 
Bennington postmaster. He was ap- 
pointed to that office on the admission 
of the State into the Union, and held it 
from Aug. 25, 1791 till 1797, when 
under the presidency of the elder Adams 
he was appointed collector of customs 
for the district of Vermont and he then 
removed to Burlington. He was suc- 
ceeded as postmaster by 



MICAH J. LYMAN, 

father of our late deacon, George Ly- 
man, and held the office from October 
1, 1797 till 1808. The post-office was 
kept in the printing office by Mr. Rus- 
sell, and by Dr. Lyman in his drug- 
store next south the residence of the 
Jate John S. Robinson, on the upper 
hill. 

> Each section of Bennington Village 
had its hotels, and merchants’ stores, 
and mechanics’ shops ; the two sections 
not unnaturally came in competition 
with each other in business and for 
public favur. Was there ever a village 
whose two ends did not? This rivalry 
sometimes produced unpleasant feelings 
and sharp controversies, and it .became 
not the less active when it was found , 
daring the presidency of John Adams, 
that the men of the two sections were 
in general of opposite parties in politics. 

UP-HILL AND DOWN HILL POLITICS. 

Nearly all of the Down-hill people, 
among whom were the Dewey’s the 
Swifts and Tichenors, were Federalists, 
while those of Upper-hill, comprising 
the Robinsons, the Fays, Has wells and 
others, were ante-Fcderalists and friends 
of Mr. Jefferson, who was soon to be- 
come president. They took upon them- 
selves the name of Republicans, dis- 
claiming that of Democrats, which from 
the excesses that had recently been com- 
mitted under it during the French Rev- 
olution, was unpopular, not to say 
odious. 

The Federalists however dabbed the 
Republicans with the name of Demo- 
crats by way of reproach, and the Re- 
publicans retorted by calling them aris- 
tocrats and monarchists. 

In order to a proper understanding 
of the various changes that have taken 
place in our postmasters, and in their 




BENNINGTON. 



movements from place to place, some 
preliminary statement of the party re- 
lations of the men of the town with 
the different administrations of the gen- 
eral government, seems necessary. — 
Mr. Tichenor, a native of New Jersey, 
whose courtly manners and fascinating 
conversation had acquired for him the 
familiar title of the “ Jersey sleek, 5 ’ 
and whose great personal popularity 
had enabled him to obtain ten success- 
ive elections of govenor, up to the year 
1808, while the other State officers 
were generally chosen by the Republi- 
cans, and also a majority of the legis- 
lature, was the acknowledged leader of 
the Federalists ; while Jonathan Rob- 
inson, who was chief judge of the su- 
preme court from 1801 to 1808, and 
was then chosen a senator in Congress 
to fill a vacancy and held the office by 
another election till 1815, occupied a 
like leadership of the Repblicans. He 
and Govenor Tichenor were both able 
men and shrewd politicians, and each 
of them exercised an important, and 
frequently, a controlling influence 
over their respective parties through- 
out the State. Judge Robinson 
being senator during President Mad- 
i son’s administration and having his 
friendly confidence, had the principal 
control of his patronage throughout the 
State, which was quite large daring the 
three years war with England that ter- 
minated in 1815. 

From 1808 to 1813, the Republi- 
cans were generally in a majority in 
the town, and were able to choose mem- j 
bers of that party to the assembly 
though the elections were often very 
spirited and close. But during the war 
with England when the times were hard 
and taxes high, the Federal candidates 
were chosen, and at the election in 1813 
and 1814 the Federal Govenor and oth- 



31 

er state officers were also elected. The 
Legislature of 1814, also chose Gove- 
nor Tichenor United States Senator to 
succeed Judge Robinson. 

On the return of peace wdth Eng- 
land the Federalists, from the alledged 
unpatriotic conduct of their prominent 
leaders during the war, became very 
unpopular. The Federalists, in fact ceas- 
ed to exist as a national party after 
1816, and the old party lines soon be- 
came sp obliterated in most, if not, 
all the states, that the period of some 
eight or ten years from that date has 
not inappropriately been styled ‘The era 
of good feeling. 5 Mr. Monroe, who suc- 
ceeded Mr. Madison, was the only can- 
didate for the presidency for his sec- 
ond term in 1820, and received all the 
votes of the electors of all the 
states, with the exception of one vote 
Out of the,seven from New Hampshire, 
which single vote was cast by a crotch- 
ety eleetor for John Quincy Adams. — 
At the next presidential flection in 1824 
there were four candidates, all Repub- 
licans: John Quincy Adams, Wm. II. 
Crawford, Andrew Jackson and Henry 
Clay, when their being no choice by 
the electors, Mr. Adams was chosen 
by the House of Representatives. Mr. 
Adams had been supported by the Re- 
publicans of Vermont, including those 
of Bennington. Prior to the next pres- 
idential election most of the friends of 
Crawford and Jackson united with oth- 
ers in op osition to the administration of 
Mr. Adams, claiming for themselves the 
name of the Democratic party ;a.nd the 
the supporters of Mr. Adams took for 
themselves that of the National Re- 
publican party, for which a few years 
afterwards that of the Whig party was 
substituted. The Democratic party thus 
formed has continued to the present 
time. In 1828, Jackson, the candidate 




32 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



of that party was elected president over 
Adams, Vermont choosing electors, 
who voted again for Adams. The 
State, and also the town and county 
w'ere almost unanimous for Adams ; but 
the Gazette, representing* most of the 
old Republicans of Bennington Hill 
occupied a hesitating position in regard 
to the two candidates with an evident 
leaning in favor of Jackson. After his j 
election it gave his administration its 
active support, and ever afterwards 
its like support to the Democratic par- 
ty. In 1832, Jackson was again elect- 
ed president and in 1836, Martin Van 
Buren, both by the Democratic party, 
but in 1840, Gen. Harrison, the Whig 
candidate, was chosen over Mr. Yan 
Buren. 

This statement of the names and po- 
litical positions of the presidents seems 
necessary to a proper understanding of 
the questions arising in regard to the 
appointments of the several postmasters 
in the town and the location of the 
post-offices. From this it will be seen 
that the old Republicans of the Upper 
Hill, having been continually in politi- 
cal accord with all the presidents from 
Jefferson in 1801 to Harrison in 1841, 
would naturally exercise the control 
in the selection of postmasters and in 
determining the places where the office 
should be kept. 

Mieah J. Lyman, who was a Feder- 
alist, had held the office of Bennington 
postmaster from 1797 until Nov. 20, 
1808, when he was succeeded l>y Orsa- 
mus C. Merrill, a Republican. Mr. Mer- 
rill was son-in-law of Senator Robin- 
son and be held the office until he be- 
came a Lieut. Colonel in the army in 
1813, vrhen William Hasweli was ap- 
pointed bis successor. The office had 
been kept by Mr. Merrill for most of 



his time in a room south of and adjoin- 
ing the State Arms tavern, opposit ethe 
Court House. 

Mr. Hasweli held the office over 20 
years, from June 6, 1813, to Nov. 1, 
1833, keeping it the greatest part of 
the time at different places on the Hill 
in the vicinity of the Court House. — 
During the latter portion of his term 
of office the increase of other parts of 
the town had tended to weaken the Up- 
per Hill as its convenient basiness cen- 
tre and to favor the claims of the Low- 
er Hill and -of the people to the east- 
ward of it. 

BENNINGTON BANK — 1 828. 

In 1828, these claims were par- 
tially recognized by* the erection of 
the building for the then recently char- 
tered bank about mid- way between the 
two ends of the Old Village. The 
building is still standing on the brow 
of the Upper Hill over looking the 
Down Hill portion and is on the upper 
corner of the side road that leads to- 
wards the northeast part of the town, 
opposite the house of Gen. David Rob- 
inson, now that of his grandson, Geo 
W. Robinson. 

NORTH BENNINGTON FOST-OFlOE. 

During the same year ( 1828, ) 
a new post-office had been established 
at North Bennington, which supplied a 
portion of the north-west part of the 
town with mail facilities and withdrew 
some business from the main office. 

There had also been growing up ior 
several years a new village — 

EAST BENNINGTON 

in the valley, from one to two miles 
east of the old Centre meeting-house, 
and its people and others living farther 
to the eastward were beginning to com- 
plain that they were required to go 




BENNINGTON. 



33 



up the steep meeting-house hill and half 
a mile up another hard hill to obtain 
their mail matter, when they insisted 
that more than half the revenue of the 
office came from them. Mr. Has well 
doubtless felt the force of this claim, for 
in 1830, he had a small building erect- 
ed on the lower corner of the before 
mentioned side road, south of and op- 
posite the hank, thus somewhat short- 
ening the distance of travel for the low- 
er hill and the eastern people. In this 
building, Mr. Haswell kept the office 
for the remainder of his term, having 
a young man, Asahel Hyde, since a 
successful business man at St. Albans, 
for his intelligent and gentlemanly 
clerk. 

In November 1833, Henry Kellogg 
succeeded Mr. Haswell as postmaster, 
and he held the office until the spring 
of 1841, for over, seven years. He 
continued to keep the office for several 
years in the same building in which it 
had been left by Mr. Haswell, where a 
youth then pursuing his studies, Edwin 
H. Chapin, was his genial and scholarly 
clerk, and who was afterwards the Rev. 
Dr. Chapin, the distinguished pulpit 
orator, who died in New York City, 
Dec. 26, 1880, at the age of 66. 

EAST BENNINGTON POST-OFFICE. 

The efforts of the East Tillage people 
to have the post-office brought nearer 
to them continued to increase with their 
population, and the mail contractors 
on the Albany* and Brattleboro route 
complained of the unnecessary delay 
and hardship of being compelled to 
drive their stages away from their route 
up a heavy hill in order to deliver and 
receive their mails: and by the year 
1839, the pressure became too strong 
to be longer resisted, andthe office was 
removed down tbe hill to the Scott 



store where it was kept for the residue 
of Mr Kellogg's term. Whether this 
removal was made by special order of 
the department, or by leave asked by 
Mr. Kellogg, has not been ascertained. 
General Harrison having been elect- 
ed president over Mr. Tan Buren, was 
inaugurated Mar. 4, 1841, but died the 
4th of April, following, being in office 
but a single month, and was succeeded 
by John Tyler, the Tice President, 
though the Whigs had been accustom- 
ed to declaim against 4 4 the spoils sys- 
tem of removing minor officers on 
the change of administrations, which 
had been first put in active operation 
by the Democrats , on the accession of 
President Jackson yet they were gen- 
erally quite willing when opportunity 
offered to follow the example of their 
opponents. In accordance with this 
system, Davjd Love became post-mas- 
ter, May 8, 1841, and held the office 
until the winter of 1843, when he was 
succeeded by John C. Haswell. Mr. 
Love kept the office during his term in 
the Scott store. There was no objec- 
tion to Mr. Love or Mr. Kellogg as 
postmasters, other than that each of 
them when removed was charged with 
the offense of belonging to the wrong po- 
litical party. The practice of changing 
the minor officers of the government on 
the access of a new administration, 
though often condemned as fraught 
with many great evils has been contin- 
ued to the present time (Feb. 1883.) 
An attempt has recently been made by 
an act of Congress to correct the de- 
moralizing effects of the scramble for 
office under this 4 ‘spoils system , ** and 
to ensure appointments of the minor 
officers in the departments at Wash- 
ington and in other large public offices 
of the country without reference to 
their politics, but with sole regard to 




34 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



fitness. Whether it will be successful 
can best be determined by experiment. 

Mr. Tyler had not been long in of- 
fice before he became flattered with the 
idea that if he should abandon the par- 
ty that had elected him and oppose its 
measures, he could by the use of his 
government patronage, with the aid of 
the Democrats, form for himself a per- 
sonal party that would nominate and 
elect him to the presidency for anoth- 
er term. 

The “State Banner, which was 
founded as a Whig paper and was pub- 
lished in Bennington. (East village) did 
not follow Tyler in his revolt, but ad- 
hered to the mass of the Whigs of 
whom Henry Clay and others were the 
prominent leaders. But John C. Has’ 
well, the publisher of the Gazette, in 

common with other Democratic edi- 

* 

tors, readily gave him aid in his hostil- 
ities to the Whig party, and Mr Has- 
well by his active efforts with his paper 
in that direction, so ingratiated himself 
into the favor of his administration, he 
had little difficulty in obtaining the of- 
fice of post-master in the place of Mr. 
Love, whom he succeeded Feb. 3, 1843. 

Soon after he became postmaster, 
Mr. Has well found he could obtain a 
more lucrative position in the general 
post-office at Washington and went to 
that city, leaving the Bennington of- 
fice in the care of Edward Rice, who 
became post- master, July 12, 1844, 
and served till Feb, 23, 1847, when he 
resigned and was succeeded by Mr. 
Haswell who again became postmaster. 

When Mr. Haswell had been first 
appointed post-master, he had pur- 
chased the Hall and Southworfch law of- 
fice, which stood on the side hill just 
above the residence of the late A. B. 
Gardner and during his time kept the of- 



fice there. In the fall of 1841, the 
new road which entered the Centre 
Village from the East Village, north of 
the Truman Squire house, had been op- 
ened which made it much easier for trav- 
el than the steep, old road by the meet- 
ing-house, and rendered the side hill of- 
fice quite as convenient for the East 
Village people as the Scott store, and 
it became still more convenient when 
Mr. Rice caused the building to be 
drawn down the hill to the comer of 
the new road, opposite the Squire 
house, which he did soon after his ap- 
pointment. 

A few months before Mr. Rice left 
the post-office, the rivalry between the 
East Village and the Old Village which 
had continually been growing wanner, 
was suddenly brought to a high fever 
heat The first Court House which had 
been built at an early day on the Up- 
per Hill, had been destroyed by fire in 
May 1809, and a second one that had 
been erected near the site of the former 
one was now, Oct. 28, 1846, also burn- 
ed to the ground. 

The East Village had been on a steady 
increase for quite a number of years, 
while the Old Village, at the best, could 
only be said to be at a stand-still. Ten 
years prior to 1846, four new churches 
bad been organized in the East Village, 
viz : a Baptist, an Episcopal, a Con- 
gregationalist and Methodist, each of 
which had erected substantial church 
buildings. New streets were opened 
and occupied by dwellings, stores, 
shops, iron foundries and manufactu- 
ring and mechanical works of various 
kinds moved by water-power, until the 
new village bad become more than 
double in population and business to 
that of the old. There was also an 
unmistakable tendency towards a con- 
tinued increase of the new village and 




BENNINGTON, 



35 



a decrease of the old. Under these 
circumstances it was to be expected 
that an earnest and persistent effort 
would be made for the erection of the 
Court House in the New Tillage. In 
order to determine the place where the 
new county buildings should be erect- 
ed, application was made to the Leg- 
islature then in session, and by an act 
of Nov, 2d, 1846, after providing for 
a tax for erecting the buildings, Eben- 
ezerN. Briggs of Brandon, Abishai 
Stoddard of Grafton and Caleb B. Har- 
rington of Middletown were constitut- 
ed a committee to designate the place 
where it should be built. Tne commit- 
tee met in the town the January follow- 
ing and spent several days there, dur- 
ing which time there was an abund- 
ance of button-holing and feasting of 
the committee and also a public hearing 
of the claimants in the old Centre 
meeting-house, which was crowded 
with anxious listeners, the claims of 
the East Tillage being advocated by 
A. P. Lyman and Win. South worth, 
and that of the Upper, or in default of, 
that of the Lower Hill by John S. 
Robinson and Pierpoint Isham, But 
contrary to the hopes and expecta- 
tions of the New Tillage, the majority 
of the committee against the opinion 
of Mr. Stoddard, decided in favor of 
the Old Tillage and directed that the 
buildings should be erected to the north 
of the old meeting-house between the 
north-west corner of the old burying 
ground and the house of the late Tru- 
man Squire. Thus the Court House 
was anchored where if not then quite 
out of place, was sure to be so very 
soon 

During the period in which J. C. 
Haswell under his first appointment and 
Mr. Rice were postmasters, a new of- 
fice had been provided for the East 



Tillage by the name of East Benning- 
ton of which Gen, Henry Robinson 
was appointed postmaster, Jan, 13, 
1844, but which was discontinued May 
28, 1846, for the alleged reason that it 
was nearer the main office than the reg- 
ulations of the department allowed - 
He is said to have kept the office a 
part of the time in a small building near 
the store of Wills and Fairbanks and a 
part of the time in that store, now 
known as the Godfrey store When 
Mr. Haswell left Bennington for Wash- 
ington as above stated, he sold his 
printing material to one of his brothers 
and Mr. Bushnell, by whom under the 
firm of Haswell and Bushnell the Ga- 
zette was published until February, 
1847, when he returned to Bennington 
and became the owner again of the 
printing establishment. On the 23d of 
that month, he was appointed post- 
master as Mr Rice’s successor, and 
very soon after removed the press 
and Gazette from the Hill to the East 
Tillage. Mr. Haswell soon after, ei- 
ther in March or April, supposing that 
he had authority from Washington 
through Mr* Brown, the assistant post- 
master general, to change the location 
of the office, caused it to be removed 
to the East Tillage. He was the own- 
er of the small building in which it 
had been kept by Mr Rice on the 
Squire corner, and had it moved about 
a mile down the hill and placed on the 
corner, of Main and South streets, op- 
posite what is now the Putnam house. 
To effect the removal, the building was 
placed on timbers, serving as runners 
and drawn by oxen. It went quite 
smoothly down the hill about one-lhird 
of the way, but when it came to the 
level ground it drasrged hard, so that 
the team had to be increased to eight 
or ten yoke of oxen. With these under 



36 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the direction of the famous teamster, 
Dickerman A. Rider, and his skillful 
handling of his ox-goad the removal 
was finally accomplished. The acces- 
sion of the main post-office, which they 
had long desired was the occasion of re- 
joicing to the East Village people, who 
looked upon it as some compensation 
for the late denial of their just claim to 
the site for the new court-house. Bells 
were rung and hundreds of the inhab- 
itantants turned out to witness and 
cheer on the removal of the building, 
the dramatic appearance of which was 
much heightened by the stopping of the 
stages at the moving office to deliver 
and receive their mails, and the receipt 
and delivery of letters to and from it. 
The rejoicing, however, was # not of 
long continuance. David Robinson, 
John S. Robinson, and Benj. F. Fay, 
representatives of the old Bennington 
Hill Democracy, a few days after the 
removal went to Washington to protest 
against the act, and demanded the re- 
turn of the post-office to the Hill and 
the removal of the post-master. On 
their arrival at Washington, Cave 
Johnson, the post-master general under 
President Polk, sent Mr. Haswell a 
despatch, who immediately repaired to 
that city where the matter was discuss- 
ed pro and con in the department with 
the result that Mr. Haswell should re- 
main as post-master, but that the office 
should at once be returned from the 
East to the Hill Village. 

The removal of the Gazette by Mr. 
Haswell to the East Village caused 
great commotion and strife in the De- 
mocracy of the town and county. A 
new press and type were soon obtain- 
ed and another paper started on the 
Hill, which also assumed the name of 
the Vermont Gazette, each of the two, 
claiming to be the genuine continu- 



ation of the original of the previous 
century, and each the “ Simon pure” 
representative of the Democratic par- 
ty. Bitter crimination and recrimina- 
tion followed. But Mr. Haswell being 
continued as post-master, all mail mat- 
ter for both newspapers passed through 
his hands, and the papers being of the 
same name, it is not surprising, that 
controversies should arise in regard to 
which newspaper some of the letters 
and packages were intended to be sent. 
Complaints were made and continued 
by the publishers of the Hill Gazette 
that matter designed for them was im- 
properly retained by Mr. Haswell for 
himself. The natural remedy for the 
difficulty was for the department to 
appoint a new postmaster not interest- 
ed in either paper, which was accord- 
ingly done, Jan. 28, 1848, when Henry 
Kellogg became Mr. Has well’s success- 
or. It seems that Mr. Haswell was not 
found guilty of dishonest intentions, 
for he was on the same day appointed 
postmaster for East Bennington, and 
he held the office for several months 
afterwards. 

The strife between the two newspa- 
pers continued until September 1849, 
when Messrs. Aiken & Lull, tbe pro- 
prietors, of the Hill paper purchased 
the establishment of Mr. Haswell who 
removed to San Francisco, Cal., where 
he still resides The Hill Gazette, 
however, was found to be unprofitable 
and was discontinued, after a year’s 
father struggle in October 1850. 

During this term of Mr. Haswell’ s 
postmastership, from May 1847 to Jan- 
uary 1848, when Mr. Kellogg became 
his successor, he occupied the building 
which had been previously used by his 
brother William for the post-office, on 
the corner opposite the old bank. It 
was now drawn down to the Squire 




BENNINGTON. 



37 * 



corner to the place from which the for- 
mer building had been removed and 
there again used for the purpose for 
which it had originally been erected 
This building was deeded to Sarah, 
wife of Zeuas Jones, Aug. 14, 1849, 
and by him removed south of the meet- 
ing-house and occupied as a dwelling.- 
Mr, Kellogg after tm appointment in 
January 1848, was post-master until 
July 1849. This was about a month 
prior to the sale of the latter bnilding 
to Mrs. Jones, and it is believed it 
was occupied by Mr. Kellogg until 
he ceased to hold the main office and 
became post-master for Bennington 
Centre, after which this business was 
kept in his law-office building. 

A few months after the inaugura- 
tion of General Taylor, who had been 
elected president by the Whigs in 
1848, A. P. Lyman in bshalf of the 
people of the East Village went to 
Washington, taking with him sworn 
evidence of the great preponderance 
in p6nplation and business of the East 
Village over the Old, and of the ad- 
vantages to the town and vicinity of 
having the post-office removed there 
obtained an order making the East 
Village the location for the Benning- 
ton office, and appointing Horace L. 
White, post-master. Judge Jacob Col, 
lamer of Vermont was then post-mas- 
ter general, but it was said he hesita- 
ted about acting in the matter, and the 
evidence was submitted to' the pers- 
onal examination of the President, who 
promptly directed the change to be 
made. 

Mr. White's commission bore date, 
July 12th 1849, *and he was post- 
master until after Mr. Pierce became 
president, when he was succeeded by 
Truman Huling. Mr. White kept the of- 
fice in the small building on the cor- 



ner, east of and opposite the Putnam 
house. 

On the appointment of Mr White 
and the removal of the main of- 
fice, the East Village became and has 
continued to be known as Bennington. 

On the removal of the post-office 
Mr Kellogg was retained as postmas- 
ter at the Branch in the Old Vil- 
lage designated as West Bennington, 
but on application of its inhabitants 
was two weeks afterwards changed to 
Bennington Centre by which it has 
continued to be known since July 27, 
1849. He was post-master until suc- 
ceeded by John Hicks, Dec 16, 1850, 
and kept it where before stated. 

During the period that Mr. Kellogg 
held the main office at Bennington, 
Geo. B, Prentice succeeded Mr. Has- 
wellas post-master at East Bennington. 
His appointment was made, Aug. 17, 
1848, and he was post-master until the 
East Village became Bennington on the 
appointment of Mr. White when the of- 
fice was discontinued He kept the of- 
fice in the store of Wills & Fairbanks, 
now the Godfrey store. 

Apr. 30, 1853, soon after Mr. Pierce 
became president, Truman Huling was 
appointed post-master in place of Mr. 
White, and continued until April 1857, 
during which time he kept his post-of- 
fice at the book-store of Almon Eddy, 
in the Adams block, opposite the pres- 
ent Court House. 

Apr. 7, 1857, when Mr. Buchanan be- 
came president, John R. Gates was 
appointed post-master and continued 
until April 1861, keeping ttie business 
in a building on Main street, nearly 
opposite the Methodist church. 

Apr. 9, 1861, J. I. C. Cook, who 
trad become publisher of the “Benning- 
ton Banner, was appointed post-master 




38 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



and held the appointment during the 
administrations of Lincoln, Johnson 
and Grant until Apr. 22, 1872, when 
he was succeeded by Thomas J. Tiffa- 
ny, still, post-master (1883.) The of- 
fice was kept by Mr. Cook near the 
comer of Main and North streets, and 
al so by Mr Tiffany nntil the spring of 
1882, when it was removed to the Free 
Library building. 

AT BENNINGTON CENTRE. 

Since the removal of the main post-of- 
fice to the East Village, the following 
have been post-masters, viz: Henry 
Kellogg, as bofore stated ; John Hicks, 
Dec. 16, 1850, under the administration 
of President Taylor, keeping the of- 
fice in his harness-shop near the Wal- 
loomsae house ; Alfred Robinson, Dec. 
28, 1853, and Geo. W, Robinson, Mar. 
21, 1859, under the administrations of 
Presidents Pierce 'and Buchanan, and 
Charles R. Sanford under that of Pres- 
ident Lincoln, April 9, 1861, who is 
still postmaster ( 1 883) , and whose of- 
fice has been kept in the Sanford store. 

AT NORTH BENNINGTON. 

The following is a list of the succes- 
sive postmasters at North Bennington 
with the dates of their appointments: 
Daniel Loomis, Nor. 18, 1828; 
Charles S. Wright, Oct. 11, 1833: 
Wm. E. Hawks, Apr. 1, 1839: 

Hiram R. Haswell, Apr. 20, 1855 : 
Chas. E. Houghton, Mar, 28, 1856 : 
Chas. E. Welling, Jan, 4, 1864 : 

Milo C. Huling, Sept, 5, 1866 ; 

Chas. E. Welling, Sept. 17, 1866: 
Chas. M. Colvin, Dec. 20, 1875 : — 
who still remains postmaster — 1883. 

THE BENNINGTON COURT HOUSE. 

One other matter connected with the 
County buildings remains to he stated. 
The Court House which had been erect- 
ed in the Old Village, in compliance 



with the descision of the committee un- 
der the act of 1846, and which had 
been built of brick, had been destroyed 
by fire on the morning of March 26, 
1869, But now the population and 
business of the new Village of Ben- 
nington had increased to four or five 
times that of the old. It had been con- 
nected for years with the outside world 
by railroad and was the place of the 
main postoffice. It had become so decid- 
edly the centre of the business of the 
town and county, the county clerk had 
found it necessary for the accommo- 
dation of the bar and of the public to 
keep an open office in that village with 
the current books and papers of the 
County and Supreme courts. This had 
been done with the consent of the coun- 
ty judges and it fortunately sa ved from 
destruction the most important records 
of both those courts, and in conse- 
quence much less loss and inconven- 
ience was occasioned by the fire than 
would otherwise have happened. The 
probate records were in the court-house 
but were preserved from destruction in 
its fire-proof safe. 

No attempt was made to retain the 
court-house in its former location, hut 
a portion of the people of the County 
were desirous of having the County 
buildings in one central place, where 
all the records should be kept, and all 
the courts held, instead of at the two 
ends of the County. 

The Legislature, therefore, by act 
of Nov. 15. 1869 after laying a tax on 
the County for the expense of erecting 
proper buildings provided for the sub- 
mission of the question whether there 
should be one or two sets of such build- 
ings to the legal voters of the County in 
their town-meetings to be held on the 
last Tuesday of the following Februa- 
ry. Such of the voters as desired only 




BENNINGTON. 



39 



one set of buildings were to designate 
on their ballots the town or village in 
which th ay wished them erected. If 
there should be a majority of the vo- 
ters for any single place, the buildings 
were to be erected there, but if other- 
wise, they were to be placed in the 
Village of Bennington. By the provis- 
ions of the same act a committee con- 
sisting of Henry W. Putnam of Ben- 
nington, Samuel M. West of Arling- 
ton, and Augustus G. Clark of Man- 
chester, were appointed to superintend 
their erection in conformity to the re- 
sult of the vote thus provided for. The 
majority being in favor of the continu- 
ance of the two county shires, the 
committee proceeded to erect the pres- 
ent court-house and jail in Bennington 
Village, which was done at a cost to 
the county of $30,000. 

The buil ding is of brick, and beside 
the court room contains the county 
clerk’s office, the probate office and the 
jail and jailor’s residence. Both the 
county clerk’s and the probate office are 
provided with fire-proof vaults. The 
jail has seven cells for the confinement 
of males and one off* the residence of 
the jailor for females. 

After the burning of the court-house 
at the Centre, until the new building 
was completed, the courts were held 
in the hall of the Bennington Free 
Library, 

Ihe rivalries and controversies which 
have been mentioned in the foregoing 
account are such as would naturally 
arise among intelligent and order loving 
people having different, local interests, 
and there seems no reason to question 
the sincerity or the integrety of pur- 
pose of any of the contending parties. 
In the midst of the forest it was natural 
that the first settlement of the town 



should have been mad e on high gro und 
and for two generations it was the most 
suitable place for it. It was a conspicu- 
ous and commanding position among 
the new settlements, and from the 
character and ability of its inhabitants 
i it soon became conspicuous from a 
i distance. 

It was known at New York City as 
the head quarters of the defenders of 
the titles under the grants of New 
Hampshire, as their defiant stronghold 
against the land jobbing and land rob- 
bing government of its colony. To that 
government it was a “city set on a hill 
that would not he hid and when its 
| loidly Govenor sent his sheriff* with 
hundreds of followers, to take posses- 
sion for the city speculators of the 
farms of two of its inhabitants, was 
found quite ready and able to protect 
them ; and did in fact with a proper 
show of resolution and musketry easily 
persuade the city dignatary with his 
famed posse comitatm to return hurried- 
ly back to Albany relieved of all incli- 
nation to embark again in a similar 
expedition. 

Bennington Hill was alike conspicu- 
ous in its resistance to the oppressive 
measures of the British crown. A few 
days after the shedding of the first 
American blood at Lexington, it fur- 
nished the commander and was the 
place of muster for the men of the 
New Hampshire Grants who on the 
10th of May, 1775, captured the for- 
tress of Ticonderoga for the “Conti- 
nental Congress” and also in the name 
of a still higher power. 

At a later period of the Revolution, 
the men of Bennington were no less 
conspicuous in defense of their country 
when Burgoyne, on his triumphant 
march toward Albany, sent a large 



40 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



body of his veterans to seize Benning- 
ton and the public stores gathered there, 
they were not permitted to cross the 
threshold of the town, but were met 
on its borders and most of them cap- 
tured or slain. The only visit any of 
them were permitted to make the town 
was as prisoners of war. This first suc- 
cessful resistance to the invasion inflic- 
ed a blow which secured the capture 
of the Invader and that of his whole 
army at Saratoga, a few weeks after- 
wards, 

A Mokument, 

The early inhabitants of the town of 
which the Old Village was the nucleus 
and centre, has given to it a history 
of which the present generation may 
well be proud. Their recent, earnest 
exertions to raise a creditable monu- 
ment to the memory of the brave men 
from New Hampshire, Vermont and 
Massachusetts, who together achieved 
the victory of the 16th of August 1777; 
a monument which is to have its found- 
ation on the site of the old store-house 
which was sought to be captured by 
Burgoyne, and on the summit of the 
highest, centre hill, overlooking a rich 
surrounding country, may be taken as 
an indication that the patriotic deeds 
of the fathers are not unappreciated 
by their sons, 

PBOGBESSIVE CHANGES, 

But the merits and fame of our ear- 
ly inhabitants, however great, could 
not secure their work from rhe power- 
ful effect of progressive changes in the 
business and employments of men.- 
founded at a time when agriculture 
constituted the chief and almost the 
only business of life. It was found 
quite inappropriate to a period .when 
a majority of its people became engag- 



ed in other pursuits. The streams and 
the more level land in the valleys fur- 
nished water-power and numerous oth- 
er facilities for manufacturing and its 
attendant industries, with which the 
Hill could not long hope to compete. — 
The substitution of the New Villege 
for the Old, as its business centre* 
could not be successfully resisted. — 
The change was inevitable, 

HI LAND HALL, 

Page 31 : read General Harrison was elected 
by Wbige over Van Buren, Omission,— Ed. 

BENNINGTON FREE LIBRARY. 

In 1865 a Free Library was estab- 
lished in Bennington by the joint ac- 
tion of Seth B. Hunt and Trenor W. 
Park. — Though full biographies o f 
these respected donors of the library, 
are expected for this work from other 
I hands, a few words in respect to them 
is deemed proper here. — Mr. Hunt 
was born Bennington, February 1811, 
and died in NewYork City, April 20, 
1880. — Mr Park was born in Wood- 
ford, adjoining Bennington, Dec. 8, 
1828, and died at sea on his wav from 
New York to the Isthmus of Panama. 
Dec 18, 1882. Both of them spent 
their early and much of their later 
lives in Bennington; both by their 
own efforts and industry had been suc- 
cessful in business, and both had long 
been liberal in their contributions to 
religious, educational and charitable 
objects. 

The donors purchased, an unfinished, 
commodious, brick building, situated 
in a central place in the village, and fit- 
ted it up for the use of the library, — 
The building is two stOrie? in height, 
the upper story containing a library 
room and a reading-room, a large hall 
for lectures and public meetings with 



BENNINGTON. 



41 



« 



an entrance room attached, all well 
provided with tables, shelves and other 
suitable furniture. The lower story is 
divided into rooms for offices and stores. 
The library contained at first about — 
carefully selected volumes of standard 
works, and has since, from its annual 
increase and other sources been largely 
increased. The original cost of the 
whole to the donors was about $10,000, 
of which each shared equally. 

The times and conditons on which 
the library was given are specified in 
a deed of trust from the donors to 
Hiland Hall, Benjamin R. Sears, Dan- 
iel Me* Cowen, Thomas J. Tiffany and 
John V'. Hall, which terms and condi- 
tions are as follows : 

First In order to perpetuate the trust 
it is provided that in case of the death, 
resignation, or removal from the town 
of Bennington, of any one of the trus- 
tees the fifth part of the premises con- 
veyed shall revert iu the residue of 
them, which fifth part they are requir- 
ed to convey to such person as they 
shall name as their associate trustee. 

Secondly , The trustees, their survivors 
and successors are to permit the prem- 
ises to be occupied and kept for a li- 
brary for the free use without compen- 
sation of the inhabitants of the town 
of Bennington and its immediate vi- 
cinity, and to which a reading room 
maybe attached, and under such regu- 
lations for the safe keeping of the 
books and papers and the proper care 
and return of such books as may be ta- 
ken from the library for reading as 
may from time to time be approved by 
said trustees/’ 

Thirdly It was provided that the 
large room on the second floor should 
“forever be set apart for a public hall 
and might from time to time be rented 



by the trustees for public meetings and 
lectures and other assemblies of people 
, under such regulations as they might 
prescribe, and the other parts of the 
building not suitable for the use of the 
library and reading room might be rent- 
ed for such purposes as said trustees 
might choose, the proceeds of all rents 
to be appropriated for the payment of 
taxes, expenses of insurance and prop- 
er repairs and improvements and for 
the care of the library, reading room 
and building, -the residue to be applied 
to the increase of the library.” 

Fourthly “The said trustees may com- 
mit the care and management of the 
library, reading room and building to 
the Association already formed, for 
taking charge thereof, or To any other 
association hereafter to be formed or 
to individuals in their discretion, and 
shall have power to resume the charge 
of the same whenever in their opinion 
the objects of the trust would thereby 
be promoted/’ 

Fitfhly The building, furniture and 
library are to be at all times kept well 
insured by the trustees and in good re- 
pair and may be rebuilt by them in 
case of destruction by fire/’ 

j Sixthly The trustees are so to man- 
age the trust as always to prevent its 
becoming of a sectarian character, no 
preference being allowed to one com- 
munion, denomination or belief over 
another, and the said five trustees may 
execute all their services and perform 
all their duties by a majority of their 
number.” 

It was also further provided in the 
deed that, if the trustees should attempt 
to divert the property thereby convey- 
ed or the proceeds .thereof, from the 
purposes and objects of the trust or to 
permit it to be done by others to whom 




VERMONT HIST ORICAL MAGAZINE. 



they might commit the charge of it, or. 
suffer the property to run to waste and 
decay, then the deed was to be null and 
void, and the property and its proceeds 
was to revert and become invested in 
the said donors and their heirs the 
same as if the conveyance had never 
been made, 

A Young Men’s Association, such as 
had been mentioned in the deed of 
trust, having been organized, the inaug- 
uration and formal presentation of the 
institution took place at a gathering of 
the inhabitants of the town in the hah 
of the library building on the evening 
of the 23d of June 1 €(£. r i d of 
trust, which bore date on that day was 
publicly read, and interesting and ap- 
propriate addresses were made both by 
Mr. Hunt and Mr. Park on their pur- 
poses and expectations in founding the 
library, to which thankful responses 
were made by Hiland Hall, in behalf 
of the trustees, and by the Rev. Wm. 
S. Apsey, President of The Young 
Men’s Association for their generous 
and most valuable donation. Other 
prominent citizens, also, joined with 
them in expressing the grateful ac- 
knowledgements of the inhabitants of 
the town for the unsolicited liberality 
of the respected donors. 

The number of desirable volumes in 
the library has continued to increase 
under the care of the Young Men s 
Association until the present number 
exceeds 3000, and the reading room is 
supplied with such newspapers and pe- 
riodicals as the needs of those who 
frequent it seem to require. The means 
by which the additions to the library 
have been made are from the rent of 
the library property and some dona- 
tions from Mr. Hunt, Mr. Park and 
others. The latest money donation was 



from Mr. Park of 61000 for the pur- 
chase of new books, which has in part 
been expended for that purpose, large- 
ly to supply the place of books that 
had beeome so much worn as to be un- 
fit for further library use, blit leaving 
a portion of it for further expenditure. 

HIT. AX D HALL, 

BENNINGTON VILLAGES 

AND 

THEIR INDUSTRIES, 

BY HENRY D. HALL, ESQ. 

Bexnington. 

The Village of Bennington has 
changed, perhaps, more than any oth- 
er part of the town since the notice of 
it given in the Gazetteer, — Benning- 
ton County, No. II, page 136, about 
twenty-six years since. 

Favorably situated with reference to 
water-power, nearly all of its advan- 
tages have been improved and the in- 
dustries which have developed have 
quite largely increased its population 
and material wealth. This is manifested 
from the number and more extensive 
mills, shops, dwellings and churches 
which have been erected within the 
nearly three decades just passed, and 
which it is the object of this article to 
notice to some extent. 

It lies in the valley through which 
run the streams which unite in forming 
the historic “Wahimseoiek” river or 
as it is now called Waloomsae, — the 
Pownal, the Roaring branch from Wood- 
ford and the Furnace brook from 
Shaftsbury, — the waters of the first 
two, giving the most available water- 
power. 

At the south-west, about two miles 
distant, is Mount Anthony, 2505 feet 
high, and at the north- east, nearly the 



1 

s 



BENNINGTON. 



43 



same distance is Bald Mountain, 3 125 ft. 
high, both affording the eye of the in- 
habitant or visitor by their imposing 
elevation and beautiful scenery, de- 
light and satisfaction. It has nearly 
4000 of the 3000 inhabitants now in 
the town of Bennington, and has con- 
tained since the burning of the Court 
House in Bennington Centre in 1869, 
the Court House, County Clerk's office 
and jail for the Southern Shire of the 
County. 

BENNINGTON NEWSPAPERS. 

The Bennington Banner, a weekly 
newspaper, is published by Charles A. 
Pierce and is a continuation of the State 
Banner established by Enoch Davis in 
1841. There is a job printing office 
connected with it the motive power for 
which as well as for all printing pur- 
poses, is supplied by the village water- 
works, and also, a book bindery. 

The Bennington Reformer, J. H. 
Livingston, editor and publisher, is a 
Democratic organ published here and 
has reached its twelveth volume. 

BENNINGTON GRADED SCHOOL. 

There was a special act by the legis- 
lature of 1870, procured for the “Ben- 
nington Graded School District," and 
the district was organized, Nov. 9, of 
the same year, and a building of brick 
of dimensions, adequate and with all 
the moden improvements in furniture, 
seats, ventillation etc., was erected in 
a central part of the village, suitable for 
the accomodotion of twelve grades of 
scholars, numbering 500 pupils or more, 
at cost of about $50,000. It proves well 
adapted for the purpose for which it was 
built, and is probably second to none in 
the State, in all its appointments. 

THE HARLEM EXTENSION. 

About 1867, a rail-road was con- 
structed from Bennington, south, call- 



ed the Harlem Extension, to Chatham, 
N. Y. to connect with the Harlem rail- 
road, making a continuous line from 
Montreal, Canada to New York. For a 
while through trains were run to the 
great convenience ot * traveling, and of 
cars carrying milk and produce to New 
York, thus promoting the interests of 
the different tow ns on the line ; but af- 
ter a time a different regime followed 
and it is only at intervals that there are 
accommodating connections to New 
York. This road was constructed to a 
large extent, by the issuing of bonds 
by the several towns on the line, and 
the endeavor to get rid of paying them 
has resulted in outside parties, as litiga- 
tion has progressed and the status of 
the road in law has changed from time 
to time, to purchase and control it for 
a season ; and it is now run as the New 
York, Rutland and Montreal Railway, 
having a depot in the village, necessi- 
tating the transfer of passengers, bag- 
gage and much of the freight, passing 
through the town, to and from the Ben- 
nington and Rutland Railway, and as 
early called in the Gazetteer, the 
Western Vermont Rail Road. 

THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL 
CHUROH. 

The second Congregational Church 
edifice was destroyed by fire, Aug. 11, 
1864, and in about a year, a chapel was 
erected which now constitutes the room 
for Sabbath school purposes. The main 
church building was completed in 1773 
and is connected to the chapel with a 
parlor and other rooms for social conve- 
niences. A .parsonage* was built in 
1883, on the north end of the church 
grounds of brick, as are also the church 
and chapel, which fills out the entire 
block. The pastors since the organiza- 
tion have been Revs. Aretas Loomis, 



44 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



C. H, Hubbard, C. B* Hurlbert, E- G. 
Reed, F. J> Mundy and C. C* Kimball 

D, D. Dr. Kimball was installed in 
August 1884. 

The present Baptist church is of 
brick and was erected in 1878, the old 
church having been taken down to 
make room for one larger. There is a 
parsonage connected with it, but is not 
upon the church grounds. The pastors 
since the previous notice in the Gazet- 
teer have been Revs, W. S- Apsey, W* 
K. Dexter, R* M. Luther, G. C* Bald- 
win, Jr. and Z* Martin* 

THE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH 
is of stone and has been remodelled 
and enlarged within a few years, so us 
to make it a commodious and fine edi- 
fice* A parsonage was erected in 1883, 
on the corner of School and Pleasant 
streets } which is in keeping with the 
other church property. The present 
pastor is Rev. T. C, Potter. 

ST. PETER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 

which is of brick has been recently im- 
proved and beautified, answering well 
the need of this growing society. There 
has been within a short time a new rec- 
tory built upon the church grounds* — 
The vectors have beeu since Rev. Dr. 
Manser, Revs* Phillips, Bliss, Jones, 
Graves and A* J. Barrow. 

THE FRENCH CATHOLIC CHURCH 

was organized in 1880, This society 
occupied a room in Noyes block until 
1882, when a suitable church of wood 
was built on H c ho oi street, where servi- 
ces are regularly held. 

banks* ' 

There are two National Banks of 
£100. GOG capital, each. The 1st Na- 
tional Bank of Bennington, L* R. 
Graves, President, Geo. F. Graves, 
cashier. The Bennington County Na- 



tional Bank, Charles Thatcher, Presi- 
dent, Clement S.Cone, cashier. 

MANUFACTURES. 

There have beeu some new kinds of 
industries sustained and a considerable 
Increase tu some of the kinds which 
have for a long period been carried on 
here. 

THE BENNINGTON MACHINE WORKS 

are the outgrowth of the two mould- 
1 mg furnaces in the lower pan of ihe vil- 
lage, which have been discua tinged- 
Glin .Scott* the pr.-vi/_ proprietor, 
erected, these works in 1805, omiistiiig 
of a large foundry and machine Avps, 
where gunpowder and paper machine- 
ry of all kinds are a specialty* 
other machine work usually done at 
such establishments is also carried on. 

THE KNITTING INTEREST 

was characterised in 1801, as 4 4 two 
Knitting Factories, employing fifty 
hands in and about the milts, and out- 
side the mills 150 more/’ This branch 
lias developed into much larger propor- 
tions, giving employment to more than 
four times as many now. 

H* K. Bradford & Go’s hosiery and 
knitting mill was established in 1858, 
and is situated on upper Main street* 
It was destroyed by fire In 1865, and a 
new one erected soon after. An acci- 
dent occured at this mill in January 
1874, which resulted in the death of 
nine persons. It was supposed the ex- 
plosion was the result of the igniting 
of gas which had generated beneath the 
building from a leakage in the tank con- 
taining gasoline for the lighting of the 
mill. 

Geo. Rock wood tfc Go’s kmttiug mill 
is at the east end of the village on Main 
street, and was erected on ov near the 
site of the old oil mill of Rockwood & 
Colvin. 




BENNINGTON. 



45 



The old mill for the manufacture of 
linseed oil and oil meal will be remem- 
bered by many as being quite noted, 
and was before rail-roads were so com- 
mon, the place where flax seed from this 
vicinity and neighboring towns in the 
State of New York was brought and the 
manufactured oil and meal was taken 
in large quantities across the mountains 
into New Hampshire and Massachusetts 
with teams. 

THE VALENTINE KNITTING MILLS. 

The knitting mill of A. B . Y alentine, 
one of the largest in town, was burned 
in the fall of 1882. It was rebuilt iu part 
in 1883. It has been operated by a com- 
pany of young men, formerly in the em- 
ploy of Mr. Valentine, who have made 
a nice class of goods, finding a ready 
sale in the market. It is situated in the 
heart of the village, a little off of Fleas- , 
ant street. He converted a building, 
formerly used by his father, Joel Tal- 
ent ine, as a carding factory, into this 
knitting mill in 1866, by remodelling 
and enlarging it, and had made pre- 
vious to the fire large additions from 
time to time. At ibis writing the mill 
has been wholly rebuilt and enlarged, 
and in its tower has been placed a first 
clats town clock, giving excellent time 
to the whole village. Mr. Valentine, is 
now interested in the operation of this 
mill, and two of the old company, 
Moore and Puffer, are to prosecute the 
same line of business in a new mill e- 
rected by Mr. Valentine, and leased 
by them, on the opposite side of the 
stream. The main building is three sto- 
ries high upon a foundation at least 
100X40 ft. 

RIBBED KNITTING MACHINE WORKS. 

Tiffany & Cooper came into this vil- 
lage several years since and started bu- 
siness in a small way, in the manufac- 



ture of ribbed knitting machines for 
knitting in a peculiar way, the wristlets 
and anklets for shirts and drawers. 
The success of this machine which was 
followed by another for knitting full 
fashioned goods, shirts and drawers in 
a single piece so that when seamed up 
they will be adapted and fashioned to 
the form, necessitated the enlargement 
of their works, and they reaped a rich 
reward for their industry and enter- 
prise. This firm is now dissolved, its 
members prosecuting, separately, the 
manufacture of these machines. 

TIFFANY KNITTING MILL,— OF FULL 
FASHIONED GOODS. 

Tiffany Brothers have a mill for 
knitting the full fashioned goods above 
mentioned, which has recently been 
enlarged to keep pace with the demand 
for their product, in which they also 
manufacture cut goods. 

cooper’s SPRING NEEDLE MACHINE 
WORKS. 

Charles Cooper has for years been 
engaged in making machine spring nee- 
dles, a business, requiring much skill, 
and is annually placing on the market 
five or six millions of the different 
styles required in all kinds of knitting 
machines. A few years since his son 
became a partner with the firm name of 
Chas. Cooper & Son, and added to this 
business that of knitting full fashioned 
goods, as well as the cut, and is located 
on the premises formerly occupied by 
the paper mills of Geo. Benton & Sons. 
About two years since, Mr. Cooper 
purchased the water privilege used by 
M. G. Remington in the wagon busi- 
ness, and which is centrally located and 
has erected large buildings in which 
with the water power supplemented by 
steam, he carries on the needle and ma- 
chine business, and additional to the 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



46 

product of the mills*, the making of full 
fashioned goods. 

SOAP, WHEEL-GO VEX OKS , BOWL-SHOP, 
SHODDY-FACTORY, ETC. 

Enos Adams and Enos Adams & Co. 
are engaged in making mineral soap, 
steam and water wheel govenors, pat- 
ent mop ^sticks, wooden boVrls, cotton 
batting and manufacturing shoddy, — 
the different kinds of woik, giving em- 
ployment to quite a number of hands. 

THE STONE WARE POTTERY. 

now owned and operated by Edward 
Norton andC. Welling Thatcher under 
the firm name of E. Norton Co. still 
retains its reputation for making the 
first quality of ware, and though burn- 
ed in 1874, it was immediately rebuilt 
in more convenient form, and has re- 
cently been enlarged. 

CARPET-TACKS, — PATENTEE. 

Henry W. Putnam purchased the 
sites of the Brown and Grover furnaces 
on North street a number of years 
since, and has been manufacturing pat- 
ent bottle fasteners, clothes- wringers and 
various other articles of fight hard- 
ware, and more recently has been mak- 
ing large quantities of double pointed 
tacks for carpets and other purposes. — 
He is also patentee-manufacturer of the 
best canning fruit-jar on the market and 
is largely interested abroad in the man- 
ufacture of barbed wire, now so exten- 
sively used as fencing material. 

THE BENNINGTON WOOLEN MILLS, 

in the western part of the village were 
built by Hunt <fe Tillinghart in 1865. — 
Seth B. Hunt became the sole owner 
of them in 1872. In 1874, he sold to 
S. S. <fe M. Fisher of New York. The 
buildings are of brick and cover a large 
area of ground and in the business, 300 
to 400 hands have been employed. — 



Owing to the death of Messrs Fisher of 
New York, the property was sold to 
Haines & Co. from the East, who oper- 
ated it for a time, but failed in busi- 
ness and for more than a year, the mills 
have been idle. 

MANY OTHER INDUSTRIES, 

There are many other industries, not 
mentioned here ; among them, wagon- 
shops, machine-shops, planing-mills, 
box- factories, ochre, and paper clay 
works, etc. etc., not because they are 
unimportant, but for lack of space ; as 
the mention of all would add too great 
length to this review, 

hotels. 

There are four hotels in this village, 
giving good and sufficient accommoda- 
tions to the traveling public, to the usu- 
al village boarders, and m the season, 
for summer visitors ; and in this con- 
nection, it is proper to mention two 
bakeries and four livery stables in the 
village, 

VILLAGE WATER WORKS. 

The Village has lately been supplied 
with pure spring water, which is con- 
veyed in pipes by the Bennington Wa- 
ter Co., to all parts, from a large res- 
ervoir, upon high ground about two 
miles, east, giving sufficient force for its 
use for fires, and which is made avail- 
able for drinking and household pur- 
poses. A contract has been made with 
the company in which H. M. Putnam 
is largely interested, for the use of hy- 
drants in different parts of the village, 
which wdll do away with the use of fire 
engines in most cases, except it may be 
in the suburbs. 

ELECTRIC LIGHTS. 

The streets, under a contract with 
the Bennington Electric Light Co. are 
to be lighted by electricity and the work 
I for its consummation is being accom- 



BENNINGTON. 



47 



plished rapidly , so that tin; old method 
of lighting by kerosene will soon be 
superseded by this more modern one, 
though as yet not in use in many vil- 
lages of its size. 

The stores and smaller places of 
trade are upon a scale that calls traffic 
from adjoining towns, and the erection 
of pleasant, and in many instances of 
quite expensive buildings has been on 
the increase, as the developments of 
business have added to the wealth of 
the inhabitants, so that on the whole, 
the village will compare favorably in 
general appearance and thrift with oth- 
er New England villages of its size. 

The Park Guards, 
a Military Company, was organized 
January 1876, named from the late 
T. W. Park, Esq., who from time to 
time generously contributed to its aid. 
The armory and drill room is upon 
Pottery street. 

At the Centennial Celebration, Aug 
15th, and 16th, 1877, this Company 
held the post of honor in the regiment 
and escorted the President, his Excel- 
lency, R. B. Hayes. The Company 
was at the Celebration of the Battle of 
8 aratoga in October of the same year, 
in commemoration of the surrender of 
Burgoyne. * 

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT 

is well organized with efficient officers, 
and both the engine and hose compa- 
nies are uniformed and supplied with 
all necessary equipments for effective 
service. For yfears the village has sup- 
ported a first class steamer, and one o- 
ther hand-power machine, but the build- 
ings being so largely of wood, at times 
it has been difficult to completely con- 
trol the fire fiend. 

On the 16th of August 1887, the 
three hose companies had a prize trial, 



running 80 rods and couppling the cars 
to a hydrant, whtehawas witnessed by 
a large number and specially attracted 
the attention of the friends of each. 

THE OLD BAND. 

There was formerly here one of the 
best instrumental bands in .the State, 
which added much as an attraction and 
a pleasure to the village ; and there has 
been growing lately a desire to revive 
the ‘band spirit’ and reorganize and 
bring out the present musical talent of 
the place. It it is hoped the effort may 
succeed. 



North Bennington Vllage* 

Since the sketch of this village was 
published twenty-six years ago, in the 
Gazetteer, page 139, there has been 
some progress in its history, a review 
of which Is the object of this article. 

Under the general law of the State, 
it became an incorporated village in 
1867. The two school districts, most- 
ly in the limits of the village, in 1870, 
took measures to organize 

A GRADED SCHOOL 

district. A commodious brick building 
in a central position with ample grounds 
for school purposes, was erected in 
1871, at an expense of about $12,000. 
It has had the efficient support of the 
citizens in the supply of teachers &c M 
and lias furnished an excellent school 
for all within the district, and the high- 
er grade has been patronized more or 
less by scholars from neighboring dis- 
ltricts . About ten years since a contig- 
uous district in the town of Shaftsbu- 
ry was added to it and the school has 
uow five grades. 

The old Academy was sold prior to 
the erection of the present school build- 
ing about the year 1 870, to 




4.8 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



THE CATHOLIC SOCIETY 

who in 1874, under the pastoral care 
of Rev. Father O’ Dwyer, remodelled 
and enlarged it, making an attractive 
and commodious church where services 
are regularly held. Father Prevost is 
the present offieating clergyman. 

THE PARK RESIDENCE. 

T. W. Park, Esq., who died in Dec. 
1882, to whom North Bennington, and 
in fact the whole town, is indebted for 
much of its prospeiity, built about the 
year 1865, a fine residence which he 
occupied during the warm and summer 
months, on the farm formerly owned 
by and upon which his father-in-law, 
Gov. Hiland Hall was born . It is now 
the summer residence of Gen. J. G. 
McCullough, who married his eldest 
daughter. 

To give the needed space for grading 
the grounds of his residence, 

THE BAPTIST CHURCH 

was moved by Mr. Park to a more de- 
sirable location several rods, north, 
where it was enlarged and neatly fitted 
up, which with other recent improve- 
ments, renders it a very pleasant and 
inviting house of worship. The first 
house was dedicated, Dec. 31,1845, 
and the first pastor was Rev. Justin A. 
Smith. The present pastor is Rev. 
George Shepard . One clerk, Wm.E, 
Hawks, has served the church since its 
establishment, and he is also the pres- 
ent senior deacon. 

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

The founding of a Congregational 
church here was the outgrowth of a 
Sunday school, held for a year or more 
in the mill store in the south part of 
the village. In May 1868, the church 
was organized of members from the 
Bennington and Bennington Centre 



churches, who had either moved into 
the village or were living near it, with 
two others on profession of faith. From 
this time regular services were held in 
Bank hall and the Sabbath school was 
discontinued at the mill. The first 
minister was 

REV. LEAVITT BARTLETT 

of Coventry, who remained one year.- 
In October 1869, 

REV, H. C. WESTON 

of Charleston, Mass, was ordained as 
pastor, he having been called by the 
church while yet at the Theological 
Seminary at Andover. During his 
pastorate, a church of brick was erect- 
ed, of modern style and costing about 
$15,000. 

REV. L. C. PARTRIDGE 

was called in April 1875, and com- 
menced his ministry, the first sabbath 
in May. He finished his labors in Oc- 
tober 1885. 

REV. GEO. R. HEWITT 

was installed as pastor, in June 1886. 

THE BANK. 

Mr. Park established a National 
Bank in 1864, with a capital of half a 
million, which has always been a well 
paying institution, but its stock has 
lately been reduced to $ 150.000, — 
which is sufficient for the accommoda- 
tion of business in this vicinity. The 
bank building ia of brick, the second 
story being used as a village hall. 

THE DEPOT. 

During the year 1881, a large and 
convenient depot was built through the 
generosity of Mr. Park, the principle 
owner of the Bennington and Rutland 
rail-road which receives the attention 
and commendation of travelers who 
may stop for a short or longer time at 



the station 
Of the citizens generally. 

COTTON FACTORIES. 

The two cotton factories have beep 
enlarged, and unto the water power, 
the actual quantity of water having 
decreased as in many other localities, 
steam has been supplemented so that 
by the greater retention of the water 
and its economical use, their capacity 
has been more than doubled, and therd 
has until recently been about 80.000 
yards of print cloth made per week.* 

PAPER-MILL. 

The capacity of the paper-mill now 
owned by the Stark Paper Company , 
which company also has a mill at state 
line in the edge of Shaftsbury, has been 
increased so that as against three to 
four tons of paper, weekly in 1861, it 
turns out ten to twelve tons per week. 
Chas. E« Welling, Esq. is the principal 
stockholder in the company, and both 
mills when running make from 20 to 25 
tons of paper per week. 

GLASS GRINDING, STEREOSCOPES. 

Within a few years the grinding of 
glass by water power for lenses, and 
the manufacture of stereoscopes has 
been carried on here quite extensively, 
the two shops Employing from 12 to 15 
hands. Three years since a large facto- 
ry for glass grinding and polishing, and 
the making of stereoscopes, work boxes, 
writing desks, &c., was built by H. C. 
White, upon a water power about a 
mile south of the village, where from 
20 to 25 hands are given employment, 
and the manufactures of their differ- 
ent shops are shipped far and near 
*The Vermont mills, only, are being operat- 
ed at present, and are mamifactn ring yarn, 
which is sold and shipped for use in other 
parts Of the country. 



throughout this country and many or- 
ders have been sent to Australia, South 
Afriea and other foreign countries. 

RUBBER TABLETS. 

The making of rubber tablets by H. 
T. Cushman is a growing interest and 
his contracts in supplying the Dixon 
Crucible and Pencil Co. of Jersey City 
with their large line of ink and rubber 
erasures which are sold all over the 
country, proves them of the best quali- 
ty, as no other on the market can com- 
pete with those made by the Faber 
company. Other novelties of small 
wood work are also manufactured here. 

THE LOCK-UP. 

A good and sufficient Loek-up, of 
i stone, of convenient size, with two 
[ cells opening into the front room, is 
centrally located, and is considered by 
j law-abiding citizens as a good invest- 
ment It is undoubtedly a terror to evil 
doers and has its influence to deter from 
lawlessness. 

THE LADIES LIBRARY. 

The ladies established a library in 
1877, by subscription and the donation 
of books by interested citizens, which 
has been maintained with interest to 
the present time. The organization 
took the name of 14 Ladies Circulating 
Library Association,” with an annual 
membership fee of #1, and has a cata- 
logue of about 250 volumes. 

THE BURNING OF THE BURGESS BRIDGE, 

spanning the Waloomsae river. 500 ft. 
long and about 40 ft. high on the Troy 
and Boston R, R. two miles west, on 
Thursday, Oct. 15, 1885, resulted in 
the death of three citizens of this vill- 
age. The fire engine was taken to the 
bridge and in trying to pass under the 
east end, the highway running under it, 
the bridge fell and killed and burned 



BENNI NGTON. 49 

as well as the admiration 



50 



VERMONT HISTRICAL MAGAZINE. 



two, and fatally burned the third. 

There has been no calamity in this 
neighborhood so appalling and giving 
such a shock to the whole community 
for miles around for many years, if in- 
deed, ever. 

A large fire occurred a year since, 
which destroyed much of the business 
portion of the village and from the ef~ 
fects.of which the business of the place 
has not, as yet, entirely recovered. 



Bennington Centre Village, 

Bennington Centre has somewhat 
diminished in population in the last 
two decades, numbering now about 
200 inhabitants. 

The building of brick, with the his- 
toric name of “State Arms House” so 
long kept as a tavern, and where the 
State Militia were annually called for 
June training upon the Upper Hill, 
which has for many years been occu- 
pied as a residence, is to be taken down 
to open the grounds contiguous to the 
Battle Monument. 

The Walloomsae House, formerly a 
‘Hotel’ and celebrated as an 1 Inn’ in days 
when the large travel between Albany 
and Troy across the mountain to Brat- 
tleboro and the East was done by stages ; 
was kept for years as a hoarding house 
through the summer months. It is now 
closed, though it is hoped only for a 
limited time. 

There is here a general country store 
in which is located the post-office, and 
also, another store where groceries and 
hardware are kept , 

TBE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

The old First Congregational Church 
of Bennington is still energetically and 
prosperously maintained. The pres- 



ent pastor, Rev. Isaac Jennings* has 
officiated *as such since Juue 1853,-— a 
long pastorate, and one productive of 
much good, and has been a continual 
pleasure to both pastor and people. — 
The Church is remembered by many 
who in the activities of life and the pur- 
suit of 'business, have removed to other 
parts of the town, or established homes 
beyond the borders of the State. 

After the burning of the Court House 
in 1869, the descision to build the new 
one at Bennington, one mile east, was 
not unexpected, as the Cpunty would 
be better accommodated. 

There are quite a number of summer 
residences, some quite palatial, in or 
near the village, built by business men 
of Troy or New York, some of whom 
are the descendants of old residents. 

A VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY 

has been lately organized here, which 
augurs still greater efforts in beautify- 
ing the now pleasant village, as well as 
the care of the cemetery of this hi s 
toric place. 

On the brow of the hill at the north 
end of the village was situated the 

CONTINENTAL STORE HOUSE. 

which General Burgoyne with a detach- 
ment under Col. Bn u me was longing to 
capture on the morning of the 16th of 
Aug. 1777, and it is near this very spot 
that the Bennington Battle Monument 
is being erected. 

On the eastern slope and overlooking 
the larger village of Bennington is the 
Roman Catholic church of stone, 

ST. FRANCIS I)K SALES, 

with adjoining lands npon which are a 
fine residence for the parish priest and 
Catholic school and convent ; but a proj- 
ect is nowon foot to remove the church 
*ReV. JDt Jennings died Aug. 2~>, 1887, 



BENNINGTON. 



51 



to Bennington as more convenient for 
the larger portion of the congregation. 

The Soldiers’ Home. 

BY HENRY D. HALL, ESQ. 

The patriotism of the people of 
Vermont did not die out with the 
termination of the rebellion. It has 
since shown itself in sympathy for 
the soldier and his family in many 
ways ; often in acts of kindness in a 
more tangible form than merely the 
saying “be ye warmed and filled, de- 
part in peace,” as well as in substantial 
encouragement in carrying on their G. 
A. R. organizations in which there is 
so much interest, and which have been 
of such great assistance to many of 
their comrades. It has now selected a 
way of showing its interest more fit- 
tingly and systematically, in the es- 
tablishment of a Soldiers’ Home for 
“deserving soldiers and sailors and such 
of their families as the trustees may 
deem proper;” — thus giving a practical 
recognition of the debt of obligation to 
those now living, who with the great 
number that gave up their lives, are 
deserving of lasting gratitude. 

The act of incorporation for an insti- 
tution of this kind was approved with 
permission to hold property obtained 
by gift, purchase or otherwise to the 
amount of $200,000, Nov. 24, 1884, 
and an appropriation of $10,000 was 
made for the use of such home by the 
same legislature. 

A committee was appointed to select 
a suitable place and propositions were 
made by towns competing for its loca- 
tion, in Afferent parts of the State, but 
the offer of the “Trenor Park Home 
for Destitute Children and Women” — 
for this purpose was accepted and the 
property made over to the State in the 
winter of 1886 and 7. 



It is beautifully situated on the north 
side of the Village of Bennington, 
about one half mile from the Court 
House and Post office, and in sight cf 
the ground upon which the Battle Mon- 
ument is being erected. The premises 
had beeu purchased by the late Hon. 
T. W. Park with the idea of making 
it a “Home for children and old la- 
dies,” by setting apart a sufficient en- 
dowment fund for the necessary ex- 
penses, but whose sudden death occur- 
red before the consummation of his 
most cherished plans, though he pro- 
cured the act of incorporation to be 
passed by the legislature for carrying 
out this purpose, with the above title a 
few months before his death.* The 
home had been used for farming pur- 
poses, and in the summer for the ac- 
commodation of “fresh air children” 
from New York nntilit was made over 
to the State. (*1852, — page 40.) 

Connected with the institution are 
about 200 acres of arable land with a 
main building well and permanently 
built 50 x 45 feet, three stories high, 
including the attic which is high and 
completely finished, with ells and other 
necessary additions. It was construct- 
ed with the modern improvements and 
the system of sewerage is most perfect. 
The barns and out-buildings are large 
and commodious, having been built with 
wise reference to fitness and conveni- 
ence. The fountain, which sends a 
stream of water into the air 198 feet, 
is supplied by springs from the mount- 
ain, with a fall of more than 300 feet 
and the grove containing a beautiful 
fish-pond with carriage d7'ives through 
it adds greatly to the beauty of the level 
acres, used for meadow and planting 
land which adjoin it. 

The Bennington Banner of August 
18th and 25th says : 



52 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



“It was fortunate indeed that the 
muster of State troops and the laying 
of the corner stone of the monument 
took place in such close proximity to 
the Home. These events gave opportu- 
nity to the thousands of patriotic peo- 
ple visiting the town to also inspect the 
Home, the very valuable property and 
its vast and beautiful surroundings — 
Few people it is to be presumed, went 
to Bennington for the purpose of visit- 
ing the Home, but when there, few 
went away without improving their op- 
portunity. Exclamations of favorable 
surprise were upon every lip. 

“The present condition and future 
prospects of the Home are all that could 
be desired, and all can join in express- 
ing the opinion that th« institution is an 
honor to the State.’ 1 

“The Home will be filled gradually 
to its capacity as fast as the same can 
be done judiciously, regard being first 
liad to relieve the towns from persons 
chargeable upon them.” 

“Considerable has been written and 
said concerning the establishment of 
the Home at Bennington, and of the 
extent of the property and its fnany 
conveienences, but to be able to under- 
stand the whole nothing can take the 
place of personal observation. The 
property was formerly the palatial res- 
idence of Mr. Seth B. Hunt, a pros- 
perous Bennington manufacturer, who 
bad spared no expense to improve, 
beautify and adorn it. 

‘ the soldiers’.home delivered. 

At 11 o’clock, Aug. 16th the for- 
malities attending the dedication of the 
Vermont Soldiers’ Home took place. 

The Govenors of Vermont, New 
Hampshire and Massachusetts, and 
most of the military geusts, together 
with the militia officers and many, old 



soldiers assembled at the Soldiers’ 
Home, where after music, Gen, Wm. 
Wells, chairman of the board of trus- 
tees, called the assemblage to order and 
introduced Col. Z. M. Mansur, who in 
behalf of the board, addressed Gove- 
nor Ormsbee, and formally delivered 
tbe property to the State of Vermont. 
He gave a history of its acquisition 
and adaptation and bespoke for it the 
protecting care of the State. 

Govenor Ormsbee accepted for the 
State the noble gift from the heirs of the 
late Hon. T. W. Park and the work of 
the trustees in expending upon it the 
State \s appropriation, and said that so 
far as his influence could go, it would 
be given to promote a constant interest 
in the grateful benevolence thus entered 
upon. 

Senator Edmunds was then called 
out . . . He praised the site and its beau- 
tiful surroundings and expressed his 
pleasure that V ermont had provided a 
home for the increasing number of her 
gallant but unfotunate sons who helped 
to save the country in its hour of peril 
and are now with the advance of years 
finding themselves unable to battle with 
the hardships of life. He congratulated 
the veterans and the State upon the 
good fortune and good management 
which had attended the founding of the 
Home and hoped the State would make 
its capacity equal to the needs that 
may arise. 

Ex Govenor Pingree followed him 
and spoke of the lively appreciation 
that loyal Vermont has always had of 
her heroes. She recognizes, but for 
them, we should not to-day have a great 
and free counti y that is the pride and 
praise of all people. To them the peo- 
ple owe a debt that never can be paid ; 
and the least that the public can do is to 




ITok. George F. Edmund^ Burlington, Vt. 
LL S. Senator. 



BENNINGTON. 



see that their sufferings are made as 
light as possible. This ended the 
speaking, but in conversation, Govs. 
Ames and Sawyer spoke of the beauty 
of the Home and the remarkable econo- 
my with which it had been secured and 
adapted. 

It was learned from the trustees that 
about 50 applications have been made 
for admission to it, but it will accom- 
date only 38 residents, and the next 
legislature will have to be asked for an 
appropriation for additional quarters. 

The veterans and the trustees spoke 
with equal praise of Superintendent 
and Mrs. Coffey.” 

The officers of the Home are Win. 
Wells of Burlington, president; F. P. 
Pitkin of Montpelier, treasurer; C. C. 
Kinsman of Rutland, secretary ; and 
Capt, E. J. Coffey, superintendent. 

It was prepared for inmates in the 
spring of 1887, and there were on its 
delivery, as above, to the State, fifteen 
veterans availing themselves of its 
comforts and privileges. 

THE NAMES OF THE FIRST FIFTEEN : 

George E. Wood, Co. E,, 2d Reg. 
age 60, residence Randolph, admitted, 
May 18, 1887. 

Hobart J. Marr, Co. I, 13th Reg., 
age 43, residence Bratttleboro, admit- 
ted, May 28, 1887. 

George C. Chase, Co. E., 3d Reg., 
age 65, residence Montpelier, adrnited 
May 24, 1887, 

Increase B. Whitney, Co. A., 4th Reg. 
age t>9- residence Reads boro, admitted 
May 25, 1887. 

William Mattison. Co. L, 2d Reg., 
age 66, residence Shaftsbury, admit- 
ted, May 26, 1887. 

John P. Colby, Co. H., 4th Reg. 
age 72, residence Danville, admitted 
May 27, 1887. 



53 

Chester Derby, Co. A., 7th Reg., 
age 66, residence Burlington, admitted 
June 9th, 1887. 

Isaac Porter, Co. F., 14th Regiment, 
age 54, residence, Dauby, admitted 
June 10.1887. 

Wm. M. Deparr, Co. B., 1st Cav. 
age 55, residence S wanton, admitted, 
June 23, 1887. 

Alphonzo Chapleau, Co. C. 2d Reg., 
age 44, residence Burlington, admitted 
July 18, 1887. 

Joseph Demar, Co. E., 5th Reg., 
age 48, residence Manchester, admitted 
July 20, 1887. 

Thomas O’Brien, Co. M., 1st Cav., 
age 55, residence Rarre, admitted, 
July 21, 1887. 

Josiah Haley, Co. A., 14th Regiment, 
age 73, residence Pownal, admitted, 
Aug. 1, 1887. 

Lewis N. Eeemaii, Co. I, 6th Reg., 
age 49, residence S wanton, admitted, 
Aug. 16, 1887. 

There is certainly just reason for satis- 
faction and pride on the part of the State 
and gratulation to those who are enjoy- 
ing and the greater number who may 
enjoy in the future, the benefits of this 
humane institution, founded in patriot- 
ism and affection. 

THE SOLDIER DEAD 
In Bennington Cemetery. 

Capt. W. H. Cady and privates, 
Nelson C. Bradford, Frederick Hupf, 
Charles C. Harris, Henry M, Harris, 
Calvin Hathaway, George B. Plumb, 
Co. A. 2d Vt. Vols. ; Private, Charles 
Willis, Co. C. 2d Vt. Vol.— Col. John 
E. Pratt, Maj. J. H. Cushman 4th Vt. 
Vols.; Sergts. Wm. A, Comar, Alonzo 
Bigelow, privates Henry G. Loveland, 
George H. Lillie, I. N. Morton, H. N. 
Woodworth, Lyman Greenslet, Co, A 
4th Vt. Vols. ; Priv. O. B. Sprague. Co. 




M VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



E. 10th Vt VoL— Lieut. E. N. Thayer 
and privates Charles Godfrey, Reuben 
Benjamin, George Fradenburg, Co. A 
14th Vt. VoL Private Foster S. Prouty 
Co. H. 14th Vt. VoL — Sergeant S. B. 
Norton, Priv. Albert L, Merchant, Co. 

F. 17th Vt. VoL — Private Charles M. 
Norton, 1st Vt. Battery. — Private A. 
H. Norton, unassigned recruit. — Priv. 
Oscar L. Gates, Com. Dep’tof Ohio. — 
Privs. Henry Moulds, Albert Kimball, 
2d Vt. Battery. — Priv. N. H. Slade. 
Co. G. 1st N.H. Cavalry. — Priv. Frank 
V. Blake, 49 Mass, VoL — Priv. James 
Nelson, U. S. Navy— Sergt. Wm. H. 
Morse, Co. I, 57th N. Y. Vol.— Priv. 
S, Maurer, Co. A, 149th N. Y. Vol.— 
Priv. Geo. B. Whitney, Mass. Vol. — 
Private John Walsh, Co. A, 14th Vt, — 
Private Edward Norton, 2d Vt. Band. 
Bugler G. W. Semple, (buried at Ware- 
house Point, Ct.) Ira Harris, Cavalry. 
Priv. Olney Fuller, buried at Hoosick 
Falls, N. Y., Co.C 169th N. Y. Vol.- 
Privates C. E. Morse, Co. E, 10th Vt. 
Charles Phillips and Fred. A. Wilder, 

In the Catholic Cemetery. * 
Privates: Charles Wood, U. S, N, — 
John Grace, Michael W. Murphy, 2d 
Vt. Battery ; Edward Grace, Ned 
Griffin, John Dygnain, 2d, Co. A, 2d 
Vt. VoL ; John Dyngam, 1st, Michael 
Carrigan, Co, A, 14th Vt. Vol. ; Rich- 
ard Donovan, Michael Ryan, Patrick 
Howe, Vt. Vols. ; T. Dempsey (buried 
at Albany, N. Y.,) Co. A, 2d Vt Vol. 
Edward Gunshannon, 1st Vt. Battery. 

In Bennington Centre Cemetery. 
Captain Frank^Ray, Company G 
1st Vermont Cavalry — privates Daniel 
M. Russell, E. A, Armstrong, Co, G 1st 
Vt. Cav. — Col. Newton Stone and priv- 
ates Edward A. Seldon, John Kehoe, 
B. S. Potter, Co. A, 2d Vt. Vols. — 
Privates Bradford S, Downs, Wallace 



B. Cutting, Co. A, 4th Vt. Vols; Priv- 
ate JohnH. Crosier, Co. C, 4th Vt.Vol. 
Privates Fred Ray, M. J. Allen, Frank 
Fairbrothers, James Atwood, Co. A, 
14th Vt. Vols.; Private Edw’d Miller, 
Co. H. 1 4th Vt. Vol.— Capt. George 
Hicks, Co. F, 17th Vt, Vol. — Private 
Edwin Joy, 1st Vt. Battery — Privates 
Leander G. Northrop, Surgeon R. H. 
Green. U. S. Navy ; Colonel Henry R. 
Seldon, U, S. Army. — Private James 
H. Cowden, 87th Mass. Vol.- — Private 
Charles Dietel, Co. G. 85th N. Y. — 
Colonel George D. Harrington. 

In the North Bennington Cemetery. 

Linus M. Towsley. Co. A, 2d Vt. — 
John Minot, Adelbert A. Towsley, Co. 
A, 4th Vt — Jesse fetes, 2d Vt. Batte- 
ry N. Bruffee, N. Y. Battery; — 
Dennis Bowen, Co. E, 21st N. Y. Cav. 
Lieut. Thos. Hall, 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav, 
George Coon, Co. K, 80th N. Y. VoL ; 
Thomas Lyons, Mass. Vol. 

In Hinsdville Cemetery. 
Privates A. P. Howard, G. L Edgerton, 
Henry Holmes, Chas. Stewart, Dwight 
| Riddle, 1st Vt. Bat'y ; Lyman Russell, 
Co. G. 1st Vt. Cavalry ; Private Wales 
Puffer, 169th N. Y. 

In Chapel Cemetery. 

Privates Abel Babcock, Henry Warn, 
2d Vt. Battery ; Jesse Potter, 125th N. 
Y, ; Parley Hill, — Downs. 

In Towsley Cemetery. 

Albert Wallins, Co. A, 14th Vt. 
MEMORIAL ORATORS : 
Who have delivered Addresses at 
Bennington on “Decoration Day.” 
1870 : Major N. B. Hall; 

1871 : Rev. C. H. Hubbard; 

1877 : Rev. G. G. Jones ; 

1878 : Hon. W. C. Dunton ; 

1880 : Rev. R. M. Luther: 

1881 : M/D. Jump; 




55 



BENNINGTON. 



1883: Sergt. Warren Gibbs. 
1884: Rev. W. W Foster, Jr. 
1885: Bev. S. M. Williams ; 
1880: Gen. Azel Ames; 

1887 : Bev. Henry Gordon. 



Bennington Battle Monument, 

BY HENRY D. HALL ESQ. 

[With selections from Gov. Hall’s 
published papers and the Bennington 
Banner.] 

The importance of the Battle of 
Bennington as the pivotal event upon 
which the tide of arms turned in the 
Revolutionary struggle between the 
Colonies and the Mother Country, has 
become more and more apparent as the 
years have rolled by . The recurring an- 
niversary has been celebrated and the 
deeds of its actors have been rehears- 
ed to the multitudes gathering to per- 
petuate the day, by the patriot orator 
and statesman in language both instruct- 
ing and inspiring. In addition to its 
observance as specially for patriotic 
commemoration of the battle, it has 
been used as the day for political con- 
ventions by the different parties in their 
strife for governmental control, as well 
as for religious, temperance and other 
commendable purposes, and the patri- 
otism exhibited on the memorable 16th 
of August 1777, has been held up by 
each as worthy the imitation of every 
one, and a share in it as the heirloom 
of all lovers of the glorious instiutiona 
of our country. The celebrating of the 
one hundredth anniversary of the battle 
had been advocated for years and as 
early as August 1875, the veterans of 
the late rebellion at a reunion at Brat- 
tleboro, among them. Col. J* H, Wal- 
bridge, "‘voted to adjourn to meet in 
Bennington during the week of August 
1877/’ Maj, J. H. Cushman “in a 
speech at the Officers * Reunion at St 



Albans, October 14th of the same year, 
warmly endorsed the project.” This 
action with the interest developed by 
agitation of the subject by citizens of 
Bennington and vicinity soon awaken- 
ed such enthusiasm with reference to 
it, that in October a call, was made in 
a village paper for a meeting for the 
purpose “of forming a 

TOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY 

to aid in preparing for the centennial 
anniversary of the Battle of Benning- 
ton.” It was heartily responded to 
and the “Bennington Historical Socie- 
ty” formed with the following list of 
officers : 

“The president was Hon. Hiland 
Hall. Among the Vice presidents were 
the Rev. Isaac Jennings, Seth B. Hunt, 
Trenor W. Park, Rev. C. H. Hubbard, 

A. B. Gardner, Henry G. Root, Dr. 
Benj. F. Morgan, Thos. White, Henry 
W. Putnam, Hiram Bingham, H. E. 
Bradford and David F. Squires. The 
corresponding secretary was Chas. M. 
Bliss; the recording secretary, Merritt 

B. Morgan and the treasurer, Daniel 
McEown , T he Board of Directors were 
A. B, Valentine, A. Robinson, Jas. H. 
Walbridge, C. E. Dewey, Ew’d Kings- 
ley, A. J. Mattison, J. V. I). S. Mer- 
rill, C. R. Sanford, H. T. Cushman, 
Asapah P. Childs, Geo. A. Wood, Olio 
Scott, J. Halsey Cushman, George W. 
Robinson, Milo C. Huling, L. P. Nor- 
ton, A. C. Hubhell, E, O, Cole, Ed. S. 
Chandler, L. F. Abbott, William E. 
Hawks, 2d, O. D. Adams and the pres- 
ident of the society, its past presidents, 
secretaries and the chairman of all its 
committes. 

The active work of preparation for 
the celebration and the monument now 
commenced in earnest. During the 
winter of 1875 — 6 this board of diree- 




56 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



tors, such members as especially intere- 
estrd themselves in the work and were 
in the town during the winter, held 
weekly meetings in the Court House 
at Bennington. The president of the 
society, the even then venerable Gov. j 
Hall, was never present, but he was 
constantly kept informed of the pro- 
ceedings ; and in consequence he gave 
the board his most hearty support. — 
Several of the vice-presidents and other 
citizens were also deeply interested in 
the work.” 

At this time the plans of the society 
were formed and an interest was soon 
manifested through the state and in the 
states of New Hampshire and Massa- 
chusetts, which was an earnest of ex- 
tended effort to induce the several states 
as also the general Congress to make 
appropriations for defraying the ex. 
pense of erecting a suitable monument, 
supplimental to what could be raised by 
private subscriptions. C. M. Bliss and 
G. W. Robinson of the society were 
most active in their exertions in obtain- 
ing, subscriptions, and in their personal 
efforts to further the project in other 
ways, especially Mr. Bliss in his attend- 
ance upon the different legislatures and 
at the Capital at Washington. 

By an act of the Vermont Legisla- 
ture approved November, 28, 1876. 
The Bennington Battle Monument As- 
sociation was incorporated “for the 
purpose of erecting and maintaining a 
suitable monument commemorative of 
the achievements of Gen. John Stark 
and the patriot soldiers of Vermont, 
New Hampshire and Massachusetts at 
the decisive battle “fought on the 16th 
of August 1777.” 

By the same act an appropriation of 
$15,000 was made payable when full 
proof could be made that $5,000 had 



been raised by the Association and was 
ready for the purpose. This sum was 
raised in 1880 and paid in to the State 
treasury, which with the $15,000 paid 
by the State, was set apart as a fund 
| of the Association in the keeping of 
the State. 

In 1877 the State of Massachusetts 
appropriated $7,000 in aid of the 
monument. This appropriation lapsed 
under the general law of the State and 
in 1886 it was renewed and increased 
to $10,000. To prevent further lapse 
it was funded, the Association adding 
$5,000, which with the $ 1 000 consti- 
tuted the Bennington Monument fund 
of Massachusetts of $15,000. 

In 1777, the State of New Hamp- 
shire appropriated $5,000 in aid of the 
monument. 

In February 1881, Congress appro- 
priated $40,000 on conditions similar 
to those of the States.” 

The first meeting of the Association 
was held on the 2d Wednesday in Jan- 
uary 1877, and the committee on the 
nomination of officers reported as such : 
“President, Hon. Horace Fairbanks 
of St. Johnsbury, yice-prssident, Hon. 
Hiland nail of Bennington, secretary, 
Charles M. Bliss of Bennington, assist- 
ant sec., John T. Shurtleff of Benning- 
ton, treasurer, Milo C. Huling of North 
Bennington,” w r ho were duly elected. 

At subsequent meetings, by-laws 
were adopted and other important busi- 
ness transacted; and at another ad- 
journed meeting, Jan. 23, the following 
board of directors were elected by bal- 
lot : A. B. Gardner, A. B. Valentine, 
Olio Scott, Charles E. Dewey and A. 
P. Childs. 

The work of the Association svas for 
the year 1877, principally to conduct the 
| Celebration of the week of the 16th of 




BENNINGTON. 



57 



August that year. Notwithstanding the 
fact that a commission was created, the 
responsibility for the celebration rested 
by law, on the Association. The Asso- 
ciation, and not the Commission, invit- 
ed all the geusts, 'and it looked after 
the exercises of the special two days 
celebration, with the care of which it 
was charged by its charter. The com- 
mission appointed an executive commit- 
tee consisting of Messrs Root, Valen- 
tine, Huling, Page and Geo. A. Mer- 
rill of Rutland. The Association also 
appointed a committee consisting of 
Charles M. Bliss, Isaac Jennings and 
A. B. Gardner to which E. J. Phelps, 
when he was elected the president of 
the Commission was added, to have 
charge of the literary exercises of the 
two days.” 

This observance of the Centennial 
called together thousands from the 
country, near and remote, as citizens 
or officials ; various organizations, both 
civil and military ; his Exeellancy the 
President, R. B. Hayes and members 
of his Cabinet ; the Govenors of sever- 
al States, and other distinguished per- 
sonages from this and other States. 

“An account of the proceedings of 
the week of the Centennial is given in 
a semi official work by the Association, 
and one by C. S. Forbes of St. Albans, 
both ot which have been published. — 
The whole expense of the celebration 
was over $1 4.000.” It was estimated 
that over thirty thousand persons were 
in attendance on anniversary day. 
Annual and special meetings of the 
Association were held and important 
business transacted ; but one subject of 
commanding interest held its place — 
that of securing a suitable design for 
the monument. 

On Dec. 2, 1884, at a meeting of the 
directors, held in New York City, the 



design of Prof Weir was by the com- 
mittee of design reccommended to the 
board. 

The board of dheetors at this time 
were Hon. Geo. D. Robinson, gove- 
nor of Massachusetts; Hon. Samuel 
W. Hall, govenor of New Hampshire, 
Hon, Samuel E. Pingree, govenor of 
Vermont, ex-officio members of the 
board, and Hon. Bcnj. F, Prescott, 
ex- govenor of New Hampshire; Hon, 
Edward J. Phelps, L.L. D., professor 
of law in Yale college; Gen. John G. 
McCullough, Hon. Henry G. Root, 
Maj, A. B. Valentine, Samuel B. San- 
ford, Esq., and Rev. Isaac Jennings. 

The committee of design at this time 
were Hon. E. J. Phelps, soon after ap- 
pointed our minister to England, chair- 
man; Hon. Alexander H. Rice, L.L. 
D., ex-governor of Massachusetts; 
Hon. Benj. F. Prescott, ex-governor 
of New Hampshire and president of 
the Association. The author of the de- 
sign adopted, John F. Weir, professor 
of painting and design in Yale college, 
was present at the above meeting — In 
New York, Dec. 2, 1884, the report of 
the committee of design was accepted, 
and a resolution was passed unanimous- 
ly adopting said design, and also in ac- 
cordance with the resolution every mem- 
ber of the board, including the Gov- 
ernors of Massachusetts, New Hamp- 
shire and Vermont, ex-officio members, 
gave their individual vote in writing, 
and within the time that the meeting 
was kept open for the purpose, for the 
Weir design.” 

This design, which was mainly 
sculptural and of small dimensions 
was a great disappointment to the 
people of Bennington who had contem- 
plated the erection of a structure of 
magnitude and grandeur properly typi- 
fying the historical importance of the 




58 



THE VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Bennington victory which in accord- 
ance with the historian Bancroft they 
had always felt to have been “one of 
the most brilliant and eventful of the 
war” of the Revolution. Ihe design 
consisted of five life like bronze stat- 
ues, in Revolutionary costume, the 
commanding figure 15 feet in height, 
standing on the top of a rough gran- 
ite shaft 20 feet square at the base and 
45 feet high, the four other figures be- 
ing at the corners of the base 8 feet in 
height. They accordingly looked upon 
the proposed structure as tending to 
degrade rather than honor their patri- j 
otic ancestors who had helped to achieve 
the victory. 

The opposition to the design of the 
directors was so strongly manifested at 
the January meeting, 1885, that the 
question of its adoption was not moved 
and its consideration was postponed to 
the semi annual meeting to be held the 
following August. Gov. Hall who was 
spending the winter in Springfield and 
unable to attend the meeting had writ- 
ten a spirited letter to the treasurer of 
the Association to be read in the meet- 
ing, briefly, but earnestly, protesting 
against the adoption of the design. It 
was not found necessary to use the let- 
ter at the meeting, but it was publish- 
ed the next day in the Bennington Ban- 
ner and extensively circulated. 

Previous to the August meeting, the 
Bennington Historical Society took 
measures through a committee of its 
members to have a design for a conspic- 
uous monument prepared, and on its 
approval by a larger advisory commit- 
tee from the states of Vermont, Massa- 
chusetts and New Hampshire to be 
presented to the Association for their 
adoption in lieu of that of the board of 
directors. 



Early in June, Gov. Hall addressed 
an open letter to his fellow members of 
the Association in which he set forth 
his objection at considerble length to the 
design, claiming and insisting it was 
not only altogether inappropriate, but 
that it was not in any just sense a com- 
pliance with the terms, or spirit of the 
act of incorporation which declared 
its puipose to be “for erecting and 
maintaining a suitable monument com- 
memorative of the achievements of 
Gen. John Stark and the patriot sol- 
diers of Vermont, New Hampshire 
and Massachusetts at the decisive bat- 
tle of Bennington fought August 1 6th, 
1777.” 

The report of the committee of de- 
sign discarded all existing monuments 
of magnitude and grandeur, both an- 
cient and modern, including those in 
this country of Bunker Hill and Wash- 
ington, as unworthy of being followed, 
assigning as the reason for such con- 
demnation that they were speechless, 
and did not tell any story of the event 
to be commemorated, but left its de- 
scription to be ascertained from some 
other source. 

To overcome this supposed fault the 
committee resorted to an alleged story 
telling power of sculpture in bronze stat- 
ues that the monument might properly 
describe the battle, forge ting or over- 
looking the well known truth that sculp- 
ture had no original power of speech, 
but like painting could illustrate and 
emphasize to the eye such facts only as 
were already known, and that without 
such previous knowledge sculpture was 
equally dumb with their condemned 
monumental shaft. 

But the artistic language of the pro- 
posed design would be found to give 
no special account of the battle by 




BENNINGTON. 



59 



which it could be distinguished, from 
any other Revolutionary engagemeut. 

None of the sculptured figures be- 
fore mentioned purported to typify any 
of the officers or soldiers engaged in 
the battle. That oh the top of the 
monument was not to be a portrait like- 
ness of Gen. Stark, but was only to 
be a type of “a Revolutionary leader,” 
the other four figures to use the lan- 
guage of the committee were declared 
“not to be portraits of individuals but 
types of the time and the event” intend- 
ed to represent “the farmer and the 
artizan turning, from their avocations 
to take up arms to resist invasion, the 
woman of the time sheltering her child 
from the coming storm and the minis- 
ter of religion invoking the divine 
benediction.” 

Such a structure might be a fair 
type of what would occur at any active 
resistance to invasion, but it would 
have no special relation to the victory 
of Bennington, and would be just as 
applicable to a dozen other revolution- 
ary engagements, whether small or 
great, successful or othewise as that 
of Bennington. In all of them there 
would be seen the Revolutionary lead- 
er, the farmer and the artszan turning 
to take up arms, the woman sheltering 
her child and the minister invoking the 
divine blessing. The design thus being 
merely a type of an ordinary occur - 
ance in the war of the Revolution, 
could not in any sense be considered 
as commemorative of the achievement 
of Gen. Stark and his patriot soldiers 
at the victory of Bennington. 

At the meeting in August, a very 
large number of the members being 
present the report which had been sub- 
mitted in January reccommending the 
smaller design, was withdrawn, and 



the way made clear for the adoption of 
the larger and commanding one coin- 
ciding with the views of Goveuor Hall, 
The subject was fully canvassed. Sen- 
ators W.M. Evarts of New York, Jus- 
tin S. Morrill and Hon. E. P. Walton 
of Vermont and Prof. A. L. Perry of 
Massachusetts with others taking part 
in the discussion ; and the larger design 
reccommended by the committee of 
the Historical Society was adopted by 
unanimous vote. 

The annual meeting was held the fol- 
lowing Jan. 13, (1886) u when the com- 
mittee styled a ‘working committee,’ 
appointed Aug. 12, 1885, consisting of 
0. M. Bliss, Geo. W Robinson, M. C. 
Huling, John V. Hall and J. T. Shurt- 
leflf was continued with its same duties 
and powers. 

Early in 1886 the working committee 
secured the approval of the design by 
the President of the United States and 
at length, subsequently, the payment 
of the appropriation of $40,000 by 
Congress was effected. The moneys 
of the three States were released on 
the basis of the contract with Mr. Ward 
for a monument 300 feet high. 

At a special meeting, Aug. 5, 1886 it 
was unanimously “Resolved that the 
monument be located in the centre of 
the highway on the crest of the hill, as 
nearly opposite the site of the Conti- 
nental store house as practicable.” also 
unanimously “Resolved that the work- 
ing committee raised in 1885 be em- 
powered in co-Operation with the board 
of directors to proceed at once to lay 
the foundation the of monument of the 
design already adopted with full pow- 
er to make contracts and cause the erec- 
tion and completion of the monument.” 

At a meeting held Jan. 12, 1887, the 
working committee, at their request, 




60 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 

- rr 



were relieved and full powers given the ! invitation to the Grand Lodge of Free 



board of directors of the Association 
to make contracts and build the monu- 
ment after the design approved by the 
Association, and to transact all business 
relating to matters of the Association 



At a meeting held by the directors, 
April 12, J. V. Hall, president pro tem 
and Rev. Isaac Jenuings, secretary, a 
building committee consisting of II. G. j 
Root. A. R. Valentine, and Milo C. 



andacceptedMas’ons of Vermont to par. 
tieipatein the laying of the corner stone 
of the monument.” The invitation was 
accepted by the Grand Lodge and due 
notice given the board of directors. 

I On June 15th 1 887, a formal resolution 
J was passed “inviting the Hon. Benj F. 

! Prescott, Ex-Go venor of New Hamp- 
i shire and President of the Bennington 
Battle Monument Association, to act. 



Huliiig was appointed, also a finance j a* president of the day on the occasion 



committee, viz : John G. McCullough, 
John V. Hall, and J. T. Shurtleff. 



of laying the corner 
monument J 



stone of the 



The work of these committees was now 
pushed forward with vigor, and soon a 
contract was made with Contractor W. 
H. Ward of Lowell, Mass, for building 
“a monmnent not less than 300 feet i 
high and substantially in accordance j 
with the 4 Rinn plan* at a cost of 
$75.000. ” 

By an act of the legislature in 1886, 
commissioners were appointed to se- 
cure the site selected for the monument 
wrth proper surroundings by the pur- ! 
chase of lands and the removal of build- 
ings. and in section 6, a sum not to ex- 
ceed $10,000 was appropriated for this 
purpose. The report of the commission 
states that “there is no question but that 
the aequsition of a part, or all thereof 
(ie the 40 acres) is desirable/' but ow- t 
ing to expense only about 12 acres 
were actually reported as now neces- 
sary. 

At a meeting of the board of direc- 
tors of the Association, June 4, 1887, 
it was voted “to invite the citizens of 
Bennington to meet them at Library 
hall and join them in arrangements for 
the celebration of the laying of the 
corner stone of the monument on the 
16th of August next. ? It was also voted 
“that the board of directors extend an 



THE LAYING 

of the CORNER STONE of the 
BENNINGTON BATTLE 
MONUMENT. 

Tuesday, August 16th 1887 will 
become historical as the day on which 
was impressively laid the Corner Stone 
of the towering Monument for the e- 
rection of which so much of thought, 
money and labor had been bestowed 
by those who for years had this grand 
object in view. 

The First Brigade, Vermont Nation- 
al Guards, Brig. Gen. W. L. Green- 
leaf commanding had been in camp up- 
on the grounds attached to the Soldiers 
Home for several days previous to the 
16th, as had also Fuller Battery, C apt. 
Levi K. Fuller commanding, and had 
by their daily drill and evolutions call- 
ed out the praises and encomiums of 
hundreds who had from day to day 
come from the town and vicinity to wit- 
ness them. 

We quote from the Bennington 
Banner : 

“The 16th day of August 1777, 1877 
and 1888 mark three important and e- 
ventful epochs in the history of Ben- 
nington. One hundred and ten years 




BENNINGTON 



61 



ago the victory won for freedom and 
against British oppression by the patri- 
otic Bennington ians under Col. War- 
ner and' allies from Massachusetts and 
New Hampshire, all under Gen. John 
Stark, was most potential in turning 
the tide of war in favor of the young 
Republic. The celebration ten years 
ago of the Centennial of the Battle of 
Bennington was a most memorable oc- 
casion. „ The laying of the corner stone 
of the Battle Monument to-day has 
also been a notable event. The weather 
was pleasant and fully 30.000 people 
were in town as spectators of, or par- 
ticipants in, the celebration.” 

“The .day was ushered in by the 
ringing of hells and a volley from Ful- 
ler Battery, encamped here. There 
were clouds mingled with the sunshine 
but no rain or other circumstances to 
mar the comfort of the occasion. — 
The incoming trains from all directions 
brought crowds of people into town. 
The Sir Knights in their showy and 
symbolic dress, the visiting military, 
the G. A. R. and the Odd Fellows soon 
made Our streets alive with organised 
bodies who were \o make up the par- 
ade of the afternoon. The various del- 
igations were met at the depots and es- 
corted to their respective headquarters 
which had been provided at the halls 
of the organizations to which each be- 
longed. The Govenors and their staffs 
were the geustsof the Association and 
were entertained at the Putnam, The 
visiting military companies were the 
geusts of the citizens of Bennington. 
They were cordially received and hos- 
pitably entertained. As these all came 
into the town an inkling was obtained 
of what the afternoon’s procession 
would be like. The evolutions of the 
Sir Knights, the marching and move- 
ments of the 32d Separate Company 



of the New York National Guard, the 
fine appearance of the Berkshire Boys 
(both the cadets and Canton Col fax), to- 
gether with what could be witnessed of 
Our own uniformed troops and socie- 
ties, all these seemed to take up the 
attention of the assembled thousands 
and kept them in good nature while 
anticipation was heightened in conse- 
quence. 

goveenok’s day. 

At ten o’clock the formalities of 
Govenor’ s Day in Camp Col. Seth 
Warner occurred. The brigade was re- 
viewed by Govenor Ormsbee, Com- 
mander in Chief. In this pleasant du- 
ty, he was accompanied by Govenors 
Sawyer of New Hampshire and Ames 
of Massachusetts, who had arrived just 
in time to participate. The three Gove- 
nors were attended as they inspected 
the Brigade by General Greenleaf and- 
bis full staff as well as by their own. — 
This as well as the review took place 
on the parade ground, the point of ob- 
servation of the Govenors and geusts 
being to the east of the Soldiers Home. 

Among those invited by Govenor 
Ormsbee as geusts(25 in all)were Sen- 
ator Edmunds, Ex-Govenors Holbrook, 
Fairbanks, Barstow and Pingree of 
Vermont, State Treasurer Dubois, Sec- 
retary of State Porter and Coin, E. T. 
Woodward, representing the Govern- 
ment, and several of our prominent cit- 
izens, members of the Monument As- 
sociation and the Editors of the local 
papers. 

Govenor’s Day this year was one of 
great brilliancy, owing not only to the 
fine appearance and discipline of the 
Brigade, but also to the presence of dis- 
tinguished citizens and the overshad- 
owing importance of what was to fol- 
low. The very great improvement in 




62 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the bearing of the Vermont National 
Guard after a few days in camp was 
never more noticeable than on this oc- 
casion. As the troops passed in review 
the breast of all Vermonters swelled 
with pride as they heard the compli- 
ments showered upon them by visitors 
from other States. As the Banner said 
in the beginning of these historic e- 
vents : “The Green Mountain Boys of 
1887 will take rank with those of 1861 
and 1777, although each must pass in- 
to renown in their respective spheres.” 

THE PROCESSION. 

Precisely at the hour announced the 
grand procession formed. The Troy 
Times special places the number in line 
at 8.500 and the number of Masons in 
town at 1.000. The Chief Marshall, 
Col. Hooker, and Gen. Greenleaf had 
agreed that the head of the column 
start at one o’clock. Nothing could 
have been seen in the streets at that 
hour but a dense mass of people and 
mounted aids moving here and there. 

At camp much the same order of 
things was apparent. Gen. Greenleaf, 
Col. Estey and Maj. Bond were cooly 
issuing their orders and awaiting the 
signal. When however the lines did 
move, the streets were cleared as if by 
magic, and the long and imposing col- 
umn passed in review of thousands lin- 
ing both sides of the streets until the 
site of the monument was reached. 
There was no delay or break anywhere 
and the procession was as well seen 
within a few rods of starting as farther 
down. It is safe to say that no finer line 
was ever seen in Vermont. Perhaps, 
there have been larger numbers, at the 
Centennial in 1877, for instance, but 
none more imposing and beautiful. 
The town presented a holyday appear- 
ance, nearly every house and place of 



business on the line of march and 
streets upon which the formations were 
made, being one line of flags and other 
decorations. On Pleasant street, the 
residence of Hon. A, B, Valentine, 
headquarters of Govnor Ormsbee, dis- 
played a large flag tastefully hung in 
festoons. The waving of plumes, the 
flashing of swords, the glitter of shoul- 
der straps and gilt accoutrements pre- 
sented a pleasing spectacle. Time and 
space will not admit of an itemized 
report of the other and elaborate dec- 
orations.” 

The Procession: 

Chief Marshal - 

Col. George W. Hooker, and Staff. 
First Regiment Military Band. 
First Brigade, V. N. G. 

Brig. -Gen. William L, Greenleaf Commanding, 
(Col. Julius J* Estey, Commanding First RegL 
ment; Maj, George H, Bond, Commanding 
Provisional Battallion . 

Grand Army of the Republic. 
Capt. P. T. Blodgett, Department Commander, 

Bennington Battle Monument 
Association and Committee. 

His Excellency E^enezer J* Ormsbee, 
Governor of Vermont, and Staff. 
Representative of the United States 
Government and Staff 
Hon. Benjamin F. Prescott, President 
of the Day. 

Hon John W. Stewart, Orator of the 
Day. 

His Excellency Charles II. Sawyer, 
Govenor of New Hampshire anti Staff" 
His Excellency Oliver Ames, Govenor 
of Massachusetts and Staff. 
Judges of the Vermont Supreme Court. 
Hon. Hoyt H. Wheeler, United States 
District Judge. 




BENNINGTON. 



63 



Visiting Military Organizations. 
Civil Officers. 

Federal Officers. 

Other Civic Organizations. 

Canton Bennington I. O. O. F. 
Capt. Normau M. Puffer, with Invited 
Chevaliers, 

MASONIC DIVISION. 

Right Worshipful Thomas S. Miller, 
Deputy Grand Marshall. 

Band. 

Templar Escort. 

(Taft Coramanffery No. 8, 

Eminent G. S. Mattlson, Commander.) 

Master Masons. 

Knights Templar. 

Eminent John II. Pilling, Grand Capt-GeneraL 

Grand Commaudery of Vermont. 

Knights Templar. 

Right Eminent Delos M. Bacon, 
Grand Commander. 

Right Worshipful Harley G. Sheldon, 
Grand Marshal. 

Grand Lodge of Vermont. 

Most Worshipful Wm. Russell Burleigh, 
Grand Master of New Hampshire. 
Most Worshipful Henrv Endicott, 
Grand Master of Massachusetts. 
Most Worshipful Alfred A. Hall, 

/ Grand Master of Vermont. 

Fuller Battery. 

Capt. Devi K. Fullex% Commanding. 

PRELIMINARY TO THE CEREMONIES. 

As the Fuller Battery reached Main 
street in Bennington Centre, it dashed 
rapidly up to the site of the old Conti- 
nent! nal storehouse where it unlimber- 
ed and fired a salute of thirteen guns, 
which announced the formal opening of 
the comer stone exercises. Seated on 



the speaker’s stand around the monu- 
ment were Ex Govenor B. F. Prescott 
of New Hampshire, President of the 
Bennington Battle Association., Gov. 
Oliver Ames of Massachusetts, Gov. 
C. II. Sawyer of New Hampshire, and 
Gov. E. J. Ormsbed, Senator George F. 
Edmunds, Congressman John W. Stew- 
art, orator of the day, and CongTess- 
man William W. Grout. A second 
stand was occupied by the staffs of the 
three govenors and such well- known 
Vermonters as Horace Fairbanks, Ex 
Gov., Samuel E. Pingree, Ex Gov., 
John L. Barstow, Ex Gov., Frederick 
Holbrook, Ex Gov., Col. B. B. Small- 
ey, Gen. Wm. W ells, Judge H. H. 
Powers, Judge *1. W. Rowell, Colonel 
Franklin Fairbanks, State Treasurer 
Dubois, Secretary of State Porter, Sec- 
retary of Finance Page, Gen. P. P. 
Pitkin, Col. John G. Stearns, Hon. 
James K. Batchelder, Gen. T. S. Peck, 
Gen. William H. Gilmore, Col. Albert 
Clarke, CoL F. S. Stranahan, Col. Wm. 
A. Crombie, Col. D. K. Hall, Col S. M. 
Mansur, Col. R. E. Hatborn. CoL De 
May, Interstate Commissioner, A. F. 
Walker, Hon. Warren Gibbs, Honora- 
ble Daniel Roberts, Hon. B. D. Har- 
ris, Gen. H. X. Ide, and Col. T. C. 
Fletcher. Upon this stand were also 
seated the members of the Monument 
Association’s Board of Directors, the 
Building and special committees. 

The platform occupied by the Grand 
Lodge and Grand Command ry was sit- 
uated just south of the corner stone. — 
This stone is 7 feet long, 3 feet wide and 
2 feet 7 mches thick and will weigh 
more than 5 tons. The receptacle with- 
in it is 2 Jfeet long, 1 foot wide and 8 
inches deep. Within this receptacle was 
placed a copper box and in the box 
were placed the articles as read by the 
Grand Secretary and enumerated be- 




64 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



low. — Another stand had been erected 
just to the right of the second stand, on 
die south-east corner and upon this the 
monument committee had provided am- 
ple accommodations for the press, the 
First Regiment band and the vocalists 
of Bennington and Berkshire men. 

After the discoursing of vocal and 
instrumental music by the singers and 
bauds and prayer there followed the 
ceremony in Masonic order, the box 
within it containing the following : 

Holy Bible, Gov, Halls Early History 
of Vermont, Rev, Isaac Jennings Me- 
morials of a Century, Rev. Isaac Jen- 
nings 1 Historical Account relating to 
the Battle Monument, Manuscript copy 
of the contract for the erection of the 
monument; Biographical Encyclopedia I 
of the 19th century, Vermont; copies 
Bennington Banner, newspaper; copies 
Bennington Reformer, newspaper ; oth- 
er Vermont newspapers, Troy and New j 
York newspapers, Printed laws relat- 
ing to Monument, Battle of Benning- 
ton and Vermont Centennial : Forbes' 
Vermont Centennial, History of Odd 
Fellowship, Report of Masonic Grand 
Lodge of Vermont, 1887 ; Official pro- 
gramme of laying corner stone, Aug. 
16th, 1887; Masonic ceremonies, lay- 
ing cornerstone, Vermont, Centennial, 
Memorial Medal, Bank notes of the 
Banks in Bennington, Copper coins, 
Brigade order and roster, regimental 
order from Adjutant General's office 
for muster of 1 887. 

Of the above the medal was contrib- 
uted by Dr. C. P. Thayer of Boston 
Mass,; copper coins by Thomas S. Mil- 
ler of St, Albans and Mrs. S. M. Sib- 
ley. She also presented the Farmer’s 
Almanac* The History of Odd Fellow- 
ship was written by II. L, Stillson and 
donated for this purpose by Vermont 



Grand Lodge. Copy of the Banner 
contained cut of monument and Record 
History written by Chas. M. Bliss. 

The rite being concluded, Most 
i Worshipful Alfrid A. Hall, Grand Mas- 
ter of Vermont in behalf of the order, 
in an eloquent speech presented the 
monument to Gov. Ormsbee for the 
State, as “a tribute of Americans to 
American valor, and of Vermont to 
Vermont patriotism.” 

The address of Gov. E, J. Ormsbee 
was full of interest, a portion of which 
was as follows : 

“And now, Sir, in the name of 
the State of Vermont, I receive this 
work so auspiciously begun, from your 
hands. I thus receive it, not alone for 
the State of Vermont, but also for and 
in behalf of our sister commonwealths, 
Massachusetts and New Hampshire, 
who have made such liberal contribu- 
tion to the cause in memory of their 
sons who have sealed the cause of free- 
dom and liberty with their blood ; and 
for and in behalf of the General Gov- 
ernment which lias by more than liber- 
al aid espoused the cause here com- 
memorated, and thereby given to it a 
National character, and securing to all 
of her sixty millions of people a com- 
mon property and interest hi this off- 
ering to patriotism, this monument to 
the bravery and heroism of the never 
to be forgotten Allen, Stark, Warner 
and their brave and devoted followers. 

And I should be remiss in acting my 
pleasure if not in the performance of 
my duty, should I fail to here and 
now, to make an entitled recognition of 
our obligation to and to pay just trib- 
ute of thankfulness to our sister States 
and the United States, for the interest 
manifested in and for the material aid 
furnished to tills undertaking and there- 




BENNINGTON. 



65 



fore as the Executive of the State of 
Vermont, and in behalf of her people 
I tender to them through their honored 
and honorable representatives, who 
have so nobly come to us this day to 
pay further devotion by their presence 
and to give increased value to the gifts 
that had preceded them, our warmest 
thanks. 

And having thus accepted the well 
laid foundation work of this monu- 
ment to both valor and patriotism, from 
your hands, I now transfer it to the 
Bennington Battle Monument Associ- 
ation for completion. 

Gentlemen of the Association; Upon 
you is now conferred a great respon- 
sibility. You are the chosen, trusted, 
servants of the State upon wLorn now 
rests the duty of taking up this work 
and carrying it on to completion. In 
the performance of your duties you are 
not alone the servants of Vermont, 
bat also the custodians and trustees of 
the General Government, the Com- 
monwealth of Massachusetts, and the I 
State of New Hampshire. The honor 
and good faith of the State is pledged 
that this work shall proceed without 
delay, that it shall be completed as it 
has been begun, with stability and en- 
during qualities; this honor and good 
faith is also, in your keeping. We ex- 
pect that you will give to this under- 
taking your individual and collective 
care and watchfulness and that under 
your supervision and direction the 
work will go on from base to apex, un- 
til we shall see before us completed and 
wholly fiinished a structure as your de- 
sign calls for without blemish or defect 
and in keeping with the foundation be- 
fore us. This we have a right to ex- 
pect. Less than this would grieve and 
disappoint us. In full trust and confi- 



dence I now commit this work to your 
hands. 

The work was accepted by Hon. B- 
F. Prfescott of New Hampshire, on be- 
half of the Association, from whose 
address is copied : 

Your Excellency : — As President of 
the Bennington Battle Monument As- 
sociation and in its behalf, I accept 
from you, the Chief Magistrate of Ver- 
mont, this corner stone with its histor- 
ic contents, now so well and appropri- 
ately laid. In doing this I feel that an 
important work has been well begun, 
and that the people of this republic 
will rejoice to know that an additional 
honor is to be paid to the patriots of 
the Revolution, who freely gave their 
lives for the establishment of the best 
government on earth. 

The Association under the supervis- 
ion of the chief architect will erect up- 
on this imperishable foundation a mon- 
ument beautiful and artistic in design, 
and massive in structure, which shall in 
the coming ages mark one of the most 
important localities in our land ; made 
sacred by the blood and sacrifices of 
our heroic countrymen. 

By the liberality of the States of Ver- 
mont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, 
and the general government, which 
was made possable by the result of 
this battle, and the generosity of lib- 
eral and patriotic citizens, this monu- 
ment is to be erected. 

On that memorable day, August 16th 
1777, without pre-arranged plans, in the 
heat of the battle, amid the groans of 
the wounded and dying, and over the 
prostrate forms of their fallen and 
dead comrades, the self sacrificing pat- 
riots of New Hampshire, Vermont and 
Massachusetts helped lay the corner 
stone of this free and enligtened repub- 




66 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



lie which lias stood a century and com- 
mands the respect, and has secured the 
admiration of enlightened mankind, 
everywhere. 

We meet to-day to lay the corner 
stone to a monument which shall forev- 
er commemorate that event, and may 
it when completed remain as long as the 
work of man shall endure, and may 
all who behold it in coming centuries 
be inspired with increased devotion to 
their country which confers such ines- 
timable blessings upon its people. 

History records the valor of men. — 
When Leonidas led the Spartan band 
and held the pass of Thermopylae a- 
gainst the invading army of Xerxes, 
in which struggle he sacrificed his own 
life, and the immortal three hundred 
under his command expired on the field, 
he showed no valor, displayed no hero- 
ism, loftier than John Stark and the 
immortal heroes under his command, 
who checked the march and successful- 
ly defeated an invading army upon this 
territory. Every soldier under him 
would have yeilded his life had the oc- 
casion demanded it. 

Our Republic is not ungrateful or 
Unmindful of its obligation to those 
who established it and those who have 
defended it ; and to you, veterans in the 
last great struggle in defense of the 
Constitution and the inseperability of 
these states, we owe a debt of gratitude 
we can never repay. You all have how- 
ever the satisfaction of knowing that 
you preserved the best government on 
earth against the blow aimed at its ex- 
istence, and now, with the largest lib- 
erty enjoy the blessings it confers. 

This monument will be erected in 
honor of the mothers as well as of the 
fathers of the Revolution. When in 
those eventful and trying times, the 



wives and mothers in the valley of the 
Merrimack, and along those beautiful 
hillsides and upon the Berkshire hills of 
Massachusetts gave their husbands and 
sons a parting embrace, and bade them 
Godspeed to protect their homes against 
a ruthless and hostile invasion for the 
purpose of subjugation and booty; — 
when the} 7 placed their infants under 
the shade trees, while they reaped and 
harvested the grain, and offered up to 
God their prayers for the safe return of 
their loved ones and for the success of 
their arms, they displayed a heroism 
unsurpassed in the history of the world. 
If such do not deserve a monument at 
the hands of a grateful posterity to 
perpetuate their memory and patriot- 
ism, pray tell who on eartli does 9 

The special exercises of the laying of 
the corner stone being complete^ and 
music by the band had been enjoyed, 
the President of the day announced 
that the last thing prior to the benedic- 
tion would be to listen to the 

ORATION OF EX-00 VENOR STEWART, 

the orator of the day. It was quite 
lengthy, but every sentence teemed 
with well digested thought, and for the 
memorable occasion for which it was 
prepared it was worthy a place in the 
corner stone, and to he treasured as a 
most valuable production of one of the 
honored sons of the State. 

The following are extracts 

FROM THE ORATION: 

“One hundred and ten years ago, 
this very hour, a little band of hardy 
pioneers, our fathers, kindred andeoun- 
1 trymen were very busy on yonder bill- 
I side clearing the track for the on-com- 
ing of the great republic. They were 
men of action ; and the time for action 
had come. Petition for redress, remon- 
! st ranee against wrong, protest, argu- 




BENNINGTON. 



67 



ment, expostulation, had all been tried 
and had failed, and the question be- 
tween the colonies and the mother- 
country had come to the dread arbitra- 
ment of war; and on that fateful day 
England sent her Hessian hirelings, 
with their tory and savage allies, to 
lay waste and pillage the peaceful 
homes which patient thrift and enter, 
prise had made in this beautiful valley. 

The brave pioneers met them on the 
border, nor did they await attack. - 
Their defense was in attack, and all 
that long day they confronted the dis- 
ciplined invaders, and they fought as 
brave men fight for home and family 
and country, while in many a home 
within rifle shot of where we stand 
there were gathered the mothers, sis- 
ters, and wives and children of the de- 
fenders, awaiting with beating and 
anxious hearts the issue o i the battle 
and news of the loved ones who were 
braving its perils. Who can describe 
the awful suspense of that day to these 
families as they listen to the distant 
roar of the deadly guns ? But the night 
draws on, and the day is won, and so 
becomes one of the most memorable in 
American history.” 

“From the number of designs sub- 
mitted by different artists, the directors 
with entire unanimity and after careful 
deliberation selected the one designed 
by Mr. J. P. Rinn of Boston. It is 
believed that this design meets every 
required demand. Its realized embodi- 
ment, standing upon solid rock, will 
rise, graceful in outline, massive and 
majestic in proportion, to the imposing 
height of 300 feet; its summit com- 
manding a view of the scenes so mem- 
orable. So standing, it will commend 
itself to the eye and judgment of fu- 
ure beholders as a fitting memorial and 
symbol, both of the great event it is de- 



signed to commemorate and the grand 
and heroic character of the men whose 
valor on that August day so long ago 
made possable the victory at Stillwater 
and the surrender at Saratoga in the 
succeeding October. And this brings 
me to notice very briefly the historical 
significance of the Battle of Benning- 
ton and the bearing it had directly up- 
on the fate of Burgoyne’s expedition, 
and more remotely, though not less 
certainly upon the result of the then 
pending struggle between the colonies 
and the mother country. I am not un- 
aware that this is a well-worn theme. 
The story of the battle, in which so 
many of the citizens of this county 
took part is as familiar as a household 
word. Indeed, ‘Bennington Battle’ are 
to them household words. 

The story has been oft told by sire 
to son and by grand si re to wondering 
grand-children gathered at his knee. 
It was from these homes about us that 
so many went out to meet and stay the 
invader. It is in many of these peace- 
ful homes that their kindred and de- 
scendants now live. Here too, annual- 
ly, as the years since 1777 have flown, 
the dwellers in this region have gather- 
and by appropriate ceremonies observed 
the anniversary of victory and deliv- 
erance. 

It has been to them almost as sacred 
as the annual feast of the passover to 
the Jews. At each recurring anniver- 
sary the story has been rehearsed anew. 
It is a theme fruitful of impassioned 
oratory and an inspiration to the poet, 
and it lias been embalmed by the his- 
torian. What can I say more or other 
than what has been spoken and written 
by your own, nay, ovr own Gov* Hall, 
whose interest in, and whose knowl- 
edge of the early history of this region 
was unmatched. We miss, indeed, his 




68 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



venerable and benignant presence here ■ 
to-day, a day which more than any I 
other he longed to see ; and yet the im- 
press and impulse, and inspiration of 
his spirit ha si been felt at every step in j 
the progress of this association, and j 
abides with us to-day. \ 

[ For which — the account of the battle 1 
of Bennington — see with these papers, j 
in the preceding pages, the account by ; 
Govenor Hall.] 

i 

“Probably few, if any of those eugag- 1 
ed in the battle began to measure the | 
momentous consequences which hung 
upon its issue. It seemed to them situ- j 
ply a struggle for the capture or reten- 1 
tion of a quantity of supplies, and so 
far important, but the far-reaching con- 
sequences of the result could not then \ 
be foreseen. Our fathers “builded bet- 
ter than they knew.” We estimate the 
value of their services in the light of 
subsequent events. But their want of 
of foreknowledge does not detract in 
the slightest degree from the moral 
quality of their action. That lies in 
their ready, unselfish loyalty to peril- 
ous duty, and their prompt response to 
its call at the risk of life itself. 

No race of men ever trod this plan- 
et who more than they revered and re- 
spected rightful authority, divine and 
human, and it was the rightness and 
righteous exercise of authority which 
commanded their respect ana allegi- 
ance Its abuse they knew was out- 
side the functions of government, and 
therefore intolerable.” 

“In common with other colonists 
they would have remained in willing 
allegiance to the English government, 
had the latter respected and secured 
to them those natural rights which are 
the gift of God, and not of govern- 
ments. . 



These men saw clearly the true func- 
tions of government, and so gave new 
meaning to the term patriotism. Love 
of country is instinctive and universal 
and men have died for country in eve- 
ry age, but in every age until the En- 
glish revolution, government and coun- 
try have been convertable terms, and 
human history is uot a history of the 
people, but almost to our time a con- 
tinuous record of the follies and crimes 
and oppressions committed by kings 
and princes and nobles. 

The great teacher and Saviour of the 
race declared the rights and dignity of 
the individual man, as man, nineteen 
centuries ago ; but the grand truth was 
never recognized and formulated by any 
civil government until more than 1200 
years later, the great charter of English 
liberty was wrung from a reluctant 
king. For centuries afterward it was 
practically disregarded, the seed sown 
in men’s hearts slowly germinated and 
grew and became the tree of liberty 
under which our fathers gathered and 
which they watered with their blood.” 

The heroic life, or heroic death in a 
just cause, though apparently hopeless, 
will sometime bear rich harvest in re- 
conversion into successful heroic ac- 
tion inspired by example. Such was 
the event and such the character of the 
actors therein, in reverent memory of 
which we are met on this anniversary 
day to perform this initial ceremony. 

We begin now the erection of a majes- 
tic and em luring memorial which shall 
in some degree symbolize our concep- 
tion of an event fraught- with so great 
results, and wrought, too, by an an- 
cestry whose heroic character and a- 
chievements must forever challenge our 
admiration and gratitude. 




BENNINGTON. 



69 



Let it rise majestic here, girt by these 
grand mountains, commanding views 
of unmatched natural beauty and over- 
looking the graves of the heroic dead. 
And so may it stand, mute but eloquent 
a memorial to all coming generations of 
the Battle of Bennington and of the 
valor and virtue of the men who 
crowned the day, whose anniversary 
we celebrate with glorious victory.” 
The Benediction by the Eev. Isaac 
Jennings, D. D. 

DECORATION DAY ORATORS 

IK NORTH BENNINGTON; 

1872: Rev. 8. W. Clemons. 

1874 : Maj. J. H. Cushman. 

1876 ; Hon. Loveland Munson. 

1877 : Col. J. H. Walb ridge. 
1879: Capt. E. A. Howe. 

1880; Rev. Henry Gordon. 

1881 ; Hon. J. S. Smart. 

1882 : Capt. J. C. Balter. 

1883 : Rev. L. C. Partridge, 
1884; Hon. J. K. Batcheller, 
1885: Rev. George Shepard. 

1886 : D. K. Simouds, Esq. 

1887 ; Rev. Henry Gordon, (after 

being at Bennington.) 

“Second Battle op Bennington 
VERMONT’S CENTENNIAL, 
Forbes : 

Frontisplate : proposed monument— 
Gran ate— 100 feet high—accessable to top . 
12 mo., 96 pp., printed at St, Albans : 
Dedicated to president hayes. 
Illustrations ; J. — [Frontisplate . ] 

II .-Bennington Centennial Grounds , 
III — Village of Bennington , 1171 . 

I V.-Baltle Ground of 100 years ago . 

V. -The Hero of Bennington^ Gen , Stark . 
FI. -Plan of the Bennington Battle , 



The patriotic little book opens : 

“The conflict on the battle field at 
Bennington, August 16tft, 1777, was 
prefaced so briefly by the martial note 
of warning to the patriot “minute- 
man,” that the decisive and glorious 
victory there achieved seems all the 
more lemarkable and brilliant, while 
each recurring anniversary adds lustre 
to the names and fresh laurels to the 
brows of the heroic dead. * * * Suffice 
it in this work to preface the history of 
Vermont’s Centennial by a preliminary 
skirmish at this “outpost” of the Sec- 
ond Battle of Bennington, * * * * 
“The echoes from the battle fields of 
Concord, of Lexington and Blinker Hill 
had died away nearly two years iri the 
past, and the declaration of American 
Independence had been six months pro- 
claimed at Philadelphia, when the new 
year 1777, dawned. With it there ap- 
peared on the eastern horizon, among 
the galaxy of States, the star that nev- 
er sets. Even while all was seeming 
peace and content on the surface of 
this royal domain, along the Connecti- 
cut and among the green hills of the 
interior of the New Hampshire Grants, 
to the shores of the Champlain, in the 
mid- win ter of 1777, when the Frost 
King — unlike King George of Eng- 
land — was monarch of all he survey- 
ed, there assembled at the snow-bound 
hamlet of Westminster a convention of 
brave and hardy pioneers and freemen 
who declared their independence of 
Britain’s king and laid the foundation 
for a free and soverign republic to he 
known as Vermont. And as the ad- 
vancing summer’s sun unbound the icy 
fetters, and loosed the hold of the 
Arctic King on the Gieen Mountain 
slopes and fertile valleys of the new- 
born State, so the coming season wit- 
nessed the form and sceptre of royalty 



70 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



wave and disappear, while edicts from 
the King were scorned as chaff. Mid- 
summer came, and the pioneers and 
patriots of the New Hampshire Grants 
assembled at Windsor and adopted a j 
constitution for the new republic. — 
These w ere the victories of peace, even 
while the tramp of red coated regulars 
and the thunders of English artillery 
were heard within her borders. Six I 
weeks later these same Green Moun- 
tain Roys, fresh from the farms and 
meadows, came down to Bennington 
with hunting gun and powder-horn, 
undisciplined and unused to war. to 
battle for the right to life, and liberty 
the pursuit of happiness, and in defense 
of their constitution and new born free- 
dom, against the flower of the English 
army. It is gratifying to recall the fact 
that at Bennington, “the flag that wav- 
ed a hundred years/ 5 — the stars and 
stripes, received its baptism of fire, and 
was carried to victory for the first time 
on land. It was a worthy initiation of 
the national emblem that to-day is 
honored the wide world over. 

Page 17 : The Bennington Centennial 
being commemorative of the greatest 
military achievement of the Green j 
Mountain Boys of the days of Allen 
and Warner, it was highly appropriate 
that the descendants in arms of those 
patriotic sires — the National Guard of 
Vermont,, should muster on this ground 
made historic on the Centennial anni- 
versary of that battle. Although no 
clash of arms from contending forces 
would again resound through this beau- 
tiful valley, yet the “pomp an( l pano- 
ply of war" 5 that martialed here as con- 
servators of peace, was in striking 
contrast to the militia of 1777 that con- 
tested royal troops with flint locks, and 
in home-spun dress. Instead of the 
midnight call by courier, the martial 



note of warning came to the National 
Guard from the printing press in 

COL. peck’s ORDER. 

Head Quarters First Regiment, 
Burlington, Vt. July. 16, 1887. 
****** 

1, This Regiment will go into cainp at Ben- 
nington, Vt. ,on the morning of Saturday, Au- 
gust 11, 1887, for eight (8) days. 

2, This camp will he known as Camp Stark. 

(&c.) 

“As the white canopied field of Camp 
Stark came into view with Mount An- 
thony's green slopes for a back-ground, 
the sight was refreshing to the military. 
An advance guard from each company 
had pitched the tents and put things in 
fine order for their comrades, now 
marching up to camp. 

“The ground selected for the milita- 
ry encampments, and for the public 
exercises to take place on, was excep- 
tionally beautiful in - its location, and 
picturesque iu its surrounding scenery. 
The forum is a fifty -acre field, sloping 
down from the wooded side of Mount 
Anthony in billowy ridges toward the 
valley where lies the village with its 
white houses like flakes of foam on a 
sea of green foliage. All around, save 
to the westward, are the steep slopes of 
the Green Mountains with dark cloud- 
shadows floating along their sides. — 
The grounds are some half a mile from 
the depot, between the centre and low- 
er villages- The smooth and lawnlike 
surface of the meadow, free from either 
stone or bush, presented a charming 
scene, bordered by the pretty camps 
of the National Guard and veteran 
soldiers, the rows of tents looking as 
white as snow drifts on the velvet 
green of the field, To the south of 
“Camp Ethan Allen” was erected the 
banquet tent, 410 feet in length by 50 
wide. * * * west of the banquet tent 




BENNINGTON. 



71 



were two pavil lions running parallel, 
150 feet long and 85 where the veteran 
soldiers took their meals. * * Head- 
quarter tents for the Presidents and 
Govenors * * On one side of the held 
700 feet of track laid for the accommo- 
dation of the train of 18 Pullman cars 
which conveyed the Govenor, Coun- 
cil and Legislature of Massachusetts.” 
“His Excellency Horace Fairbanks, 
Govenor and Commander in Chief, 
came to Bennington Saturday ; his staff 
came Monday [For names see Forbes, 
page 24,] The Staff were dressed in a 
fine, new uniform of black with gold 
trimming,” 

THE CENTENNIAL SUNDAY 

“was spent in peace and rest at camp- 
broken only by guard mount in the 
morning and dress parade at sunset. — 
Morning and evening prayer was ob- 
served bp the Chaplin, Rev. IX C. Rob- 
erts, at his headquarters, and were con- 
tinued daily through the muster. In the 
churches of Bennington the services 
were of a patriotic Christian character, 
no less than eight clergymen preaching 
at once on war and its glories when 
waged in the cause of freedom. At St. 
Peter's the First Regiment Chaplin took 
his text from one of the victorious 
Psalms ; at the Second Congregational, 
Burgoyne’s invasion was hardly veiled 
by a line from lasiah; at the First 
Church, the words of the mild St.John 
headed a sermon preached under the 
flaunting flags of all nations; at the 
Methodist, “Liberty” was the theme ; 
at the Baptist, “He is my fortress,” 
was the text ; and so the round of the 
churches was made by the newly a- 
roused spirit of one hundred years ago. 
It was a fitting opening of the week 
of the reminiscent warfare, like the 
prayer before battle ; arid with the red, 
white and blue in flags, and bunting, 



gracefully draped around the pulpits 
and depending from ceilings, with bo- 
quets of choice flowers adding to the 
beauty of the decorations, the places of 
worship seemed to preach eloquent ser- 
mons in their very appearance. In the 
afternoon the Chaplain of the Regi- 
ment held a church service in the large 
banquet tent near the veterans’ camp. 
The Regiment attended in a body. The 
singing was very fine. The Chaplain 
preached an eloquent discourse on — 
“Work and Soldiery.” A service of 
song, or praise meeting was held at 
the First Congregational Church after- 
wards, which was largely attended, — 
The dress parade at six o’clock Sunday 
evening drew thousands of spectators 
to the review ground . The scene was 
a brilliant one to the assembled mul- 
titude, as standing at the lower edge 
of the green slope the National Guard 
were viewed as they came marching 
from camp into line, their gray coats 
and white pants, with banners waving 
and gun-barrels glistening with their 
precision of movement making a fine 
display.” 

“The first “boys in blue” to arrive 
were Col, George W. Hooker’s Wind- 
ham County veterans, who came march- 
ing up to Camp Ethan Alien vrith ban- 
ners flying and bands of music play- 
ing. They were brown and dust cov- 
ered by their march over the moun- 
tain. The story of their march was 
as follows : 

The Brattleboro Cornet Band struck 
up a lively air as they lead Col. Hook- 
er and his splendidly equipped Staff 
with a portion of the Windham Coun- 
ty veterans’ battallion Benningtonward 
from Brattleboro Monday morning, in 
the presence of a large crowd of Brat- 
tleborians. Ladies waved their hand- 
kerchiefs, men displayed flags, [etc.] 




72 



VERMONT HISTORICAL ‘ MAGAZINE. 



The march through Marlboro, Wil- 
mington, Searsburg and Woodford was 
made the occasion for a perfect ovation 
to the old veterans. The entire popu- 
lace, men and women, old and young, 
turning out en masse to salute and “God 
speed” the 1861 defenders of firesides 
and homes,” 

The Colonels Staff comprised the 
first representative men of Windham 
County ; Col. D. D. Wheeler, Gen. W. 
W, Lynde, Maj. H. R. Chase, Col. N. 
0. Sawyer. Majors R. M» Gould, R. R. 

Jenne, [etc. etc,, Forbes, p. 26.] 

The numerous, distinguished Staff— 
a fitting front for the brave “old vets,” 
who with perfect step, steady tread and 
patriotc ardor foil owed their file leaders. 
“The fighting boys” of old Windham, 
in blue shirts, black pants, black hats, ! 
headed by their leaders made a fine ap- 
pearance. The Brattleboro, Rocking- 
ham, Vernon, Dummerston, Putney, 
Newfane, Townshcnd, Wardsboro, Do- 
ver, Londonderry and Wilmington vet- 
erans are merged iu this grand bat- 
tallion, They were followed, before 
sundown by other battallions and soon 
the camp w r as occupied. 

THE CENTENNIAL DAY 

OF VERmONT’S INDEPENDENCE 

was opened at Bennington, August 15, 
1887, at sunrise. The booming of the 
cannon of Fuller’s Battery awoke the 
echoes among the surrounding hills, 
and the church bells rang out a peal of 
joy. The uniformed militia of Ver- 
mont New Hampshire and Connecti- 
on t and the army of veterans in Camp 
Ethan were early astir, and at half past 
nine marched to the foot of County St. 
where the procession was formed un- 
der the direction of A. B. Valentine, of 
Bennington.” 



“The duty of escorting the State offi- 
| cials and other civil dignitaries fell to 
* the First Regiment, National Guards 
| of Vermont, a splendid body of men 
j 700 strong. * * Then came the Gov- 
| enor of this State, the Executive Com- 
I mittee of Bennington Battle Monument 
Association, the Vermont Centennial 
Commission and invited geusts in four- 
teen carriages. 

The £ eeond Division was headed by 
(the Put num Phalanx of Hartford, Ct. 
j in theier picturesque uniform of the 
| Revolutionary period, followed by the 
! New Hampshire troops : Amoskeagvet- 
| erans, Major Wallace; Portsmouth 
Heavy Artillery ; State Capital Guards 
of Concord ; Hinsdale Guards ; Man- 
chester War Veterans, escorting the 
State officials of New Hampshire : Gov- 
ernor Prescott, Ex-Govs. Harriman and 
Smyth ; Gen. Nat Head, the Executive 
Council and State officers ; Rev. Na- 
thaniel Bouton, State Historian ; Ma- 
son W. Tappan, A tty. Gen., Gen. Ira 
Cross; [etc.] the Legislature of New 
Hampshire — some 150 members; and 
the City Government of Manchester. 

The Third Division, under Colonel 
Hooker of Brattleboro, with an impos- 
ing Staff of mounted officers, was the 
crowning feature of the procession, 
composed as it was of the war veterans 
of Vermont in their everyday attire, 
rough and ready for duty in the hour 
of their country’s danger. The First 
Brigade embraced the southern county 
battalions numbered about 250 men ; 
the second, Col. Butterfield, 1300 strong ; 
the Third, Col. Tracy from Rutland 
and Addison Counties, 125 men ; and 
the Fourth, made up of the yeoman- 
ry of Washington, Orange, Lamoille. 
Orleans, Essex and Caledonia counties. 
700 strong; total about 1300 men. 




BENNINGTON 



“At 9.30, the procession which had 
been formed upon the streets near the 
depot, began the line of march through 
the beautifal village. Every available 
seat upon the sidewalks, house-tops and 
limbs of trees was occupied by specta- 
tors. The waving of flags, the huzzas 
from the crowd, and the hearty wel- 
come poured from old and young were 
ackowledged by the veterans in oft-re- 
peated cheers for the ladies and patri- 
otic decorations. Along School, Main, 
Silver, South and other streets,* the 
completed and tasteful displays were 
almost innumerable. Upon every hand 
were to be seen flags of all nations, 
and arches bearing patriotic mottoes. 
The music from bands playing old-fash- 
ioned tunes as the pageant moved along 
resounded through the sides of the 
surrounding mountains. 

This was the most imposing proces- 
sion ever seen in Vermont. It was 
over three miles -in length, numberd at 
a fair estimate 40.000 people, and was 
witnessed by 25.000 people. The no- 
ticeable parts of the procession were 
the marching of the First Regiment, 
N. G. of Vermont ; the appearance of 
the Putnam Phalanx, composed of an 
elderly, solid class of men of Hartford, 
and the soldierly appearance of the 
New Hampshire troops and the Ver- 
mont veterans. These latter drew cheer 
after cheer, and the enthusiasm reach- 
ed its climax when a body of 300 with 
a banner inscribed “Spunky Lamoille,’’ 
made its appearance. When the veter- 
ans passed the triumphal arch, hearty 
cheers were given. An attractive fea- 
ture, also, of the procession were the 
Amoskeag Veterans, who were as en- 
thusiastically cheered by the citizens as 
were the home troops. 



73 

ARRIVAL AT CAMP STARK. 

When the head of the column reach- 
ed the entrance to Camp Stark, an im- 
mense throng were there to welcome 
it. Govenor Fairbanks who occupied 
a ladeau, drawn by four magnificent 
horses, was welcomed. The barouche 
conveying Gen. Banks, Hon. Frotliing- 
ham, Geo. B. Loring, and Hon. W. 
H. H. Bingham, was received with loud 
cheers. Also, the barouche conveying 
Govenor Connor of Maine and Gener- 
al Cilley.” 

The Chief Marshall and Staff escort- 
ed His Excellency Horace, Fairbanks, 
Vermont’s Centennial Govenor and all 
distinguished geusts to the place assign- 
ed them. * * The Orator’s tent was 
nearly filled when the distinguished 
geusts arrived. * * Hon. Wm. M. 
Evarts came in advance of the Presi- 
dential party, from his Windsor resi- 
dence ; Govenor Fairbanks ; Ex-Gove- 
nors Hall, Fletcher, Stewart, Smith ; 
Senators Edmunds and Morrill; Hon- 
erables L. P. Poland, E. W. Stoughton ; 
Govenors Prescott, Connor, Van Zandt; 
Generals Hawley, Banks and Robin- 
son ; with some fifty other prominent 
men occupied seats on the platform. 

Hon. E. J. Phelps, President of the 
Vermont Centennial Commission and 
of the day, introduced Rev. Isaac Jen- 
nings, who offered the opening prayer. 
President Phelps then made an elo- 
quent address to the invited geusts. — 
He stated that the State of Vermont 
commemorated the one hundredth an- 
niversary of her birth and the happy 
and prosperous termination of the first 
century of her existence as an indepen- 
dent State. To-morrow they would 
signalize one of the most important 
victories of the Revolution. To-day 
was devoted to the victories not less 



74 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



renowned — not less fruitful — the vic- 
tories of peace. (Applause.) To all 
assembled there, whether as friends 
or strangers, to the .distinguished guests, 
to all the children of Vermont, from 
near or far, gathered to honor the een- 1 
tennial birthday of their native land, 
he was charged to extend a kindly, a 
courteous, a generous welcome. (Ap- 
plause.) Richer States might tender 
more splendid hospitalities, more im- 
posing ceremonies — theirs were plain 
and simple as befitted the habits of their 
people. The day was consecrated to 
the memories of the men who have laid 
broad and deep f oxidations of free in- 
stitutions. Not only were they there 
to honor th« leaders, but the rank and 
file, who unheralded and unknown, 
gave to the State the best they had. 
Without their virtue and patriotism the 
master spirits would have planned and 
toiled in vain. That noble race have 
passed away, and some of their imme- 
diate descendants were among their 
welcome geusts. The speaker, after 
paying an eloquent tribute to the valoi 
*of the sons of Vermont, concluded a- 
mid enthusiastic plaudits. 

Mrs. Julia C. R. Dorr’s fair poem, 
Vermont, followed the address, finely 
read by Professor J. W, Churchill of 
Andover [Mass.] ; then the able orator 
of the day, Hon. Daniel C. Roberts 
of Burlington; after which brief ad- 
dresses were made by Gens. Hawley | 
and Banks; Ex-Govs. Harriman, Con- 1 
nor, Van Zandt, and others; letters 
were read from the Gov. Gen. of Can- 
ada, John G. Whittier, Gen. Sheridan, 
George Wm. Curtis, Rev. Dr. Chapin 
and others ; the literary exercises being 
intermingled with music by the Band 
bf Winooskie and the Fisherville, (N. 
H.) Band/' Such was the glory of the 
day of the victories of peace. 



EVE BEFORE THE SECOND DAY. 

About half past three, the 1st Reg. 
N. G. Vt., Col. Peck, and the N. H. 
militia forming a brigade, Gen. J.M. 
Clough, commanding, marched down 
I from Camp Stark, bands playing, col- 
ors flying, and were drawn in line at 
the depot to receive the President. 

At Troy the President was met by 
Colonel George A. Merrill, Vermont 
Cen. Com. and Col. Harrington, who 
went down from Bennington in the 
morning . At Hoosack Junction, Adj. 
Gen. Peck greeted the President and 
in behalf of the Govenor welcomed 
him to the State. At North Benning- 
ton, when the train polled up at the 
station there were hundreds of people 
who came down from distant points 
back of the railroad to welcome the 
Chief Magistrate. 

At 3.40, the long whistle announced 
the approach of the train at Benning- 
ton. The train stopped in front of the 
depot. The President stepped out upon 
the platform accompanied by Govenor 
Fairbanks and passed to an open ba- 
rouche drawn by four spirited horses. 
The troops saluted the President, who 
rose with uncovered head and ac- 
knowledged the greeting. Men cheer- 
ed, ladies waved their handkerchiefs ; 
the crowds were enthusiastic. Follow- 
ing the President came Mrs. Hayes and 
| Miss Waite, escorted by Cols. Merrill 
and Harrington ; Atty. Gen. Devens, 
Secretary McCrary, Postmaster Gener- 
al Key, Mr. Webb C. Hayes and the 
gentlemen, accompanying the Presi- 
dent, all of whom entered carriages in 
waiting, which fell into line between 
the Vermont troops and New Hamp- 
shire militia. The column moved 
through River, North and Main streets 
to Bennengton Centre, and halted at 




BENNINGTON, 



75 



the residence of Ilev, Mr. Tibbets, who 
entertained the President during his 
stay in Bennington, 

About 9 o’ clock, p. m. the President 
accompanied by Govenor Fairbanks, 
arrived at the Walloomsac House and 
in the brilliantly lighted parlors sur- 
rounded by a detail of the National 
Guard, Col. Harrington, Aid, took po- 
sition to receive the people. The Ran- 
som Guard Band struck up a lively air, 
outside, the hotel and the impatient 
visitors from without were admitted. 
For two hours an almost endless crowd 
of people, old and young, rich and 
poor, crippled and infirm, passed be- 
fore the President, heartily shaking his 
hand, while from without fireworks 
could be seen illuminating the heavens 
in almost every direction." — “Very 
many private residences were illumi- 
nated throughout the town.” All was 
joyance. “It was nearly midnight 
when the distinguished visitors left for 
their abodes. Out of thirty thousand 
visitors that day, ten thousand people 
slumbered within the precincts of Ben- 
nington, while the neighboring towns 
were full. 

MORNING- OF THE BATTLE ANNIVERSARY. 

“While darkness yet shrouded the 
historic Village of Bennington, a dis- 
tinguished party, civic and military, 
from the old Bay State, arrived by spe- 
cial Pullman train at the Centennial 
grounds. On the 16th of Aug, 1777, 
this grand old Commonwealth was also 
at Bennington, —three hundred of her 
sturdy, Berkshire mountain patriots 
*came up” while the Vermonters “came 
down,” — as Sheridan did at Winches- 
ter — and dro\ie back the invaders, — 
Massachusetts has a grateful remem- 
brance of that great victory. Governor 
Rice sent his representative, Lt. Gov. 



Knight, with about 200 of the legisla- 
ture escorted by Boston Cadet Corps, 
the Governor’s Body Guard for more 
than a hundred years ; with their splen- 
did band of 26 pieces. 

The thunder of artillery reverbera- 
ted through the valley of the Waloora- 
sack at sunrise — from the .four cannon 
taken from the British, fired by the 
Portsmouth artillery. The bells joined 
their voices . * * * Tibbets Corps of 
Troy, veteran soldiers, accompanied by 
Boring’s celebrated Band arrived ear- 
ly in the day;” and the Burleigh Corps 
from Whitehall in time for the grand 
procession. 

“Governor Fairbanks with a retinue 
of carriages drove from his headquar- 
ters on the cetnennial field out to the 
Mt. Anthony home of the American 
President. * * On the open grounds 
which make the pleasant little park be- 
tween the Waloomsac House and the 
old burial grounds where heroes and 
Hessians have slept for a century side 
by side, Col. Peck’s full Regiment of 
the National Guard of the State were 
in line, with arms at “present” to 
receive the Nation’s Executive. There 
can be no better pageant produced in 
imagination than the march of the mil- 
itary escort accompanied by their dis- 
tinguished geasts, from the historic 
street of “Old Bennington Hill” down 
the hillside highway to the village in 
the Waloomsac valley where the cav- 
alcade of thousands of soldiers, veter- 
ans and citizens were forming. * * — 
Chief Marshall Valentine “had massed 
in divisions” five thousand and more 
soldiers, citizens, bands, batteries and 
organizations, on foot, mounted and in 
carriages, who were to form the grand- 
est cavalcade that ever passed through 
a New England city or village.” 




78_ VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Fora minute description of the grand 
procession, see Forbes* book, pages 47, 
45, 46, 47, 48. 

“From the depot the procession com- 
menced its triumphal march through 
Bennington Main street. Over the 
street the festoonry of every descrip- 
tion, triumphant arches, mottoes of 
welcome and the emblazonment of 
gorgeous and patriotic display met the 
marching thousands along its whole 
length. Nearly every house was dec- 
orated; every portico and every veran- 
dah was filled with welcoming geusts, 
scattering boquets and waving handker- 
chiefs. * * President Hayes rode with 
Govenor Fairbanks, * * his reception 
in Vermont, and his ride in the pro- 
cession partook of the nature of a tri- 
umph ; enthusiasm ran wild, deafening 
cheers greeted him in a continuous roll 
along the entire route. As the day 1 
before, the crowd was thickest at the 
grand arch, the cheers most deafening. 
* * There were 3000 veterans in line 
to-day ; as each company passed the tri- 
umphal arch the people raised their 
hats. Col. Hooker riding at the head 
of the Windham County Battallion, 
and Col. R. V. Randall in command of 
“Spunky Lamoille” veterans, drew at- 
tention second only to the Presidential 
party. Many officers in the service 
during the Rebellion were recognized 
and loudly applauded as they passed 
by. The Legislature of Vermont .and 
New Hampshire walked the entire dis- 
tance traversed by the procession which 
called out many reminisences concern- 
ing the men who came on foot to the 
same spot a hundred years ago. 

When the procession arrived at the 
centennial field it passed in review be- 
fore the President. I be President wel- 
comed the procession, * * he congrat- 
ulated the State of Vermont upon the 



felicitous beginning and progress of this 
centennial occasion. * * * 

Mr. Key and Mr. McCrary were 
introduced by the President and spoke 
briefly ; the President then introduced a 
grand-daughter and two great-grand- 
daughters of Gen. Stark, and Mr. Ev~ 
arts introduced Mrs. Hayes ; and after 
were speeches, poems, music and toasts. 
The venerable Rev. Allen of North 
Woodstock, Ct,, grandson of fighting 
Parson Allen,” opened with prayer 
and the welcome address was by Gov- 
enor Fairbanks, as follows : 

“Mr. President, and Ladies and Gen- 
tlemen: — It is well, and we are glad 
that this memorable occasion should be 
honored by the presence of citizens and 
the chief executive officers of so many 
of our States, and especially by the 
President of the United States and his 
Cabinet. The heroic deeds of the hun- 
dred years ago were not done to &- 
chieve the independence or liberty of 
any one colony or State, but to achieve 
the liberties of America. Fellow citi- 
zens of this great Republic and patriot 
soldiers, lovers of human rights and 
liberties, in behalf of the State of Ver- 
mont, I bid you a most hearty and 
cordial welcome to these commemora- 
tive services and hallowed associations, 
well, will it be if from them we catch 
and carry away in some measure the 
same patriotic devotion to ail freedom 
which inspired those brilliant heroes 
on yonder battle field, one hundred 
years ago.” 

Gov. Fairbanks was followed by the 
Orator of the Day, President S. C. 
Bartlett of Dartmouth* College. [For 
extract see Forbes p. 53, for full ad- 
dress, official record by the Bennington 
Battle Monument Association.] After 




BENNINGTON. 



77 



the oration came the poem of William 
Cullen Bryant and short speeches by 
the President and his Cabinet. 

the banquet: — Plates laid under a 
series of tents in form of a Greek cross 
for 3500 persons; tables loaded with 
meats, fraits, delicacies; ornamented 
with boquets of brilliant flowers, — 
decorated with flags, — bunting, a huge 
American ensign over the presidential 
seat. President and party entered at 
3.25: The President escorting Mrs. 
Gov. Fairbanks, Mrs. Hayes attend- 
ed by Gov, Van Zandt of Rhode Is- 
land; E. J. Phelps, Esq.. Pres. Ben, 
Bat. Monu. Asso., presiding ; receiv- 
ing, later, from President Hayes the 
compliment “for dignity, grace, culture 
and admirable wit, he excelled any 
presiding officer that he had ever met. 
The dinner was abundant and enjoy- 
able ; the tables were waited on by young 
ladies, their badge of office a pretty ribon 
on which was inscribed “Mollie Stark.” 

President Phelps lead with a brief 
Opening speech, to the point, and read 
a letter of Lord Bnfferin of Canada, of 
regret not to be there ; a band played 
an English national anthem. 

Mr. Evarts followed Mr, -Phelps. — 
He “closed his speech by referring to 
the fact that had been brought to the 
notice of the people by a distinguished 
writer (Artemas Ward) who had de- 
clared himself willing to sacrifice on 
the altar of his country all of his wife’s 
relations, but John Stark went farther 
than that for^ he declared himself will- 
ing to sacrifice his wife’s husband.” 
(Laughter.)” 

Govenor Prescott of New Hamp- 
shire followed, who spoke at length. 

“We come,” he said, “with full 
numbers to this centennial occasion.” 



Then, Hon. W. Stoughton, of 
New York : “If the men who fought 
Bennington Battle could have looked 
forward to this day and seen them- 
selves enthroned in the affections of 
forty millions of people, they would 
have felt that all the sacrifices, all the 
slain, all that went to secure a victory 
that was dear to them on that field, 
was well repaid by this day,” 
Govenor Fairbanks, Senator Edmonds , 
Postmaster General Key, A tty. Gen- 
eral Devens made short speeches. 

Mr. Phelps then said in the abscenee 
of the Treasurer of the United States, 
who was probably like the king in the 
nursery song, “busy counting out his 
money,” and getting ready for speeia 
payment, he would call upon one who 
was fit to be treasurer, Senator Justin 
S» Morrill, and Mr. Morrill responded : 
“I have always pitied one who was so 
unfortunate as not to be born in Ver- 
mont, and, especially, those not having 
a share in Bennington Battle. I trust 
that we shall all rally to every call as 
to the sound of the trumpet which calls 
us lo commemorate these virtues of the 
people of our States.” 

Speeches were also made by Thomas 
Allen of St. Louis, Lieut. Gov. Rice 
of Massachusetts and President Bartt- 
lett of Dartmouth College, and letters 
were read from the Govenor of Texas, 
Arkansas, Georgia, Tennesee, Virginia, 
Kentucky, Mississippi, Indiania and 
North Carolina; Gen. Garfield of Ohio 
and some thirty others. It was past 
six p. m. when the banquet concluded 
by the rendering of a volunteer poem 
entitled “Parson Allen’s Ride,” by 
Wallace Bruce of Poughkeepsie. 

After the banquet the Boston Corps, 
Thos. F, Edmunds, commanding, held 
a dress parade on the review grounds. 




78 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



their precision of movement was ad- j 
mired by thousands. As soon as the 
dusk of night favored, camps Ethan 
Allen and Stark were illuminated by 
fires and torchlights, interspersed with 
thousands of Chinese lanterns, calci- 
um lights, transparencies, etc. etc. ;the 
camps of the veteran, Fuller’s Battery, 
the Estey, Park and Ransom Guard 
brilliant in the extreme; and Hooker.s 
headquarters was the object of uni- 
versal admiration, [n addition to the 
500 Chinese lanterns, pyramsds of 
light, and display of transparencies, 
which were the especially admired fea- 
ture of the camp illuminations. Di- 
rectly in front of the officers tents and 
parallel with the color lines, the trian- 
gular transparenciences, stretching to 
the fartherest camp location were the 
likenesses of Washington, Lincoln, 
Grant, Hayes, Stark, Ethan Allen, 
Evarts, Devens, Custar, Sedge wick, 
Sheridan, Sherman, Generals Baldy 
Smith and Brooks. 

The evening was a very brilliant 
one in Bennington Village, every 
house was thrown open and nearly 
every house was illuminated with Chi- 
nese lanterns, transparencies, and pat- 
riotic devices. The midnight hour 
proclaimed from the church tower did 
not put a quietus on citizen or soldier. 
Illuminations and fireworks greeted 
the early dawn of Friday, as if pro- 
testing against the innovation of an- 
other day" on a great anniversary occa- 
sion which had been so proud an one 
for Vermont; so replete with historic 
associations, and so fittingly and suc- 
cessfully commemorated for the past 
twenty-four hours. 

During the night and early morning 
the veterans broke camp. Col. Hook- 
er and his Windham County boys be- 



ing the first to take up the line of 
march for “the seat of peace” at 
Brattleboro. 

At Camp Stark the usual routine of 
duties to 11 a. m. when Fuller’s Light 
Battery was reviewed by the Governor 
and his Staff who expressed the liveliest 
satisfation with the Battery, They left 
for home at noon. 

At 2 p. m. took place the annual re- 
view and inspection of the First Reg- 
iment, the National Guards of Ver- 
mont, Col. Peck commanding, by Gov. 
Fairbanks and his Staff, and the Colo- 
nel was highly complimented by the 
Governor on the increasing excellence 
the regiment was attaining year after 
year under his management and con- 
trol. At the conclusion the Regiment 
held their daily dress parade before 
the Governor Friday evening, * * wit- 
nessed and loudly applauded by a great 
concourse of people. Companies F I 
and G broke camp at an eafly hour 
Saturday, so as to hit the morning 
train to their homes ; and the rest of 
the regiment left on a special train 
at 10 a. m. 

[Thus far from Forbes. -And it is 
due to the memory of the late Rev. Dr. 
Chapin of New' York, who wrote years 
since to us that he sometimes felt al- 
most as if he were a Vermonter; that 
the happiest years of his life were in 
Vermont, to inscribe here his tribute to 
Bennington Battle delivered on the steps 
of old Clio Hall when a student there, 
Aug. 16, 1837. 

“Bennington Battle.” 

BY EDWARD H. CHAPIN, 

They came up at the hattle’s sound, 

Stem, iron-hearted men, 

They heard it as it thrilled along 
The stream -side and the glen ; 

The dim, old mountains echoed hack 
That summons, wild and strong. 




BENNINGTON. 



* And the greenwood depths were stirred 
As with a triumph song. 

They eame as brave men ever come, 

To stand, to tight, to die; 

No thought of tear was in the heart, 

No quailing in the eye ; 

If the lip faltered, *twas with prayer, 

Amid those gathering bands. 

For the sure rifle kept its poise 
In strong, nntrembling hands. 

They eame up at the battle sound 
To old Waloomsaek height, 

Behind them were their fields of toil 
With harvest promise white; 

Before them those who sought to wrest 
Their hallowed birthright, dear. 

While through their ranks went fearlessly 
Their leader’s words of cheer. 

My men there are our Freedom’s foes, 
And shall they stand or fall ? 

Ye have your weapons in your hands, 

Ye know your duty all ; 

For we this day will triumph o’er 
The minions of the crown, 

Or Molly Stark’s a widowed one 
Ere yonder sun goes down. 

One thought of Heaven, qne thought of home 
One thought of hearth and shrine, 

Then loek-like stood they in their might, 
Before the glitter nig line. 

A moment, and each keen eye paused 
The coming foe to mark, 

Then downward to his barrel glanced 
And strife was wild and dark, 

* * * * * % 

'Tia sixty years ago; and where 
Are those brave yeomen now? 

The clods are heavy on the breast, 

And dust is on the brow; 

A few still linger with dimmed eyes, 

And time-bleached locks of gray, 

But they are passing one by one, 

To their deep rest away. 

The triumph of that conflict hour 
With them will not depart, 

The memory of that old red field 
Is fresh within the heart. 

’Twill live on very mountain side, 

’Twill breathe in every glen. 

And linger by the sepulchre 
Where sleep those mighty men: 



79 

It needs no monumental-pile 
To tell each storied name, 

The fair green hills rise proudly up \ 

To consecrate their fame ; 

True to their trust, Waloomsae long 
The reord bright shall bear 
Of those who came up at the battle sound 
And fought for freedom there. 

I A PORTRAIT OF GEN. STARK, 

THE HERO OF THE BENNINGTON BATTLE, 
which has just come in from Spring- 
field, Maas,, from Mr Clogs ton, from 
Mr. Eastman, 4 ‘Sons of Vermont,” for 
the ‘Papers of Bennington Battle 5 in 
the Gazetteer. Thanks from the lit- 
tle office in Chicago ; The Sons of 
Vermont do not lose their loyalty in 
the old Bay State, or in the Granate 
State. Welcome to valor] If any 
man ever had a right to a picture in 
Vermont History it is John Stark. — 
right here where he struck us will we 
place him, — that brave face in the glow 
of the Bennington Battle by Street. — 
See, just over in the midst of Street’s 
Battle. 

THE BATTLE OF BENNINGTON. 

By ALFRED B. Street. 

From Harper . 

Famous the deeds by our fatheis done! 

List to the Battle of Bennington! 

Stalwart in body and lion in heart, 

The heroes that bore in that battle a part. 

Oft did my grandsire tell the strife 
Till the winter stoims with the sounds grew 
rife. 

The wind shrieked wild with tones of fear. 

The hail was tli e musketry smiting my ear. 
And the rusty old king’s arm seemed to call 
From the broad moose antlers against th* wall. 
‘Twas at the close of a summer’s day, 

(One stormy night, I thus heard him say :) 

All through the hours from early morn, 

Had I been working in the corn ; 

And now I watched in the sunset glow 
The shadows longer and stronger grow. 




80 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Leagues of forest that hid the day. 

Swept from my cabin of logs away. 

And naught of tidings e'er touched my ear 

From the world lying dimly at distant sphere. 
\ 

X watched, as I said, by my cabin do or, 

The sundown creeping the clearing o’er. 

A hawk was rounding a pine near by. 

Rousing the echoes with hoarsest cry, 

A deer was grazing down toward the brink 
Of the beaver dam brook for his sunset drink. 
My sire was leaving the lot on the hill; 

Of threescore and ten, hut vigorous still; 

The household song of my wife rang free, 
Blent with my baby boy's frolic glee. 

All was contentment without alloy ; 

I blessed the dear God in my grateful jo y. 
What was the figure that just then broke 
Out from the shadow of a skilling oak? 
Hurried his footsteps and w ild his air. 

Surely Hans Boorne was approaching there : 
“Rouse thee, John Arnold!” he panted quick. 
Swift were his gestures, his breath came 
thick— 

Thick with his haste, and he sank below; 
“Rouse thee, John Arnold, the foe, the foe! N 
We sat us down in the plumy brake 
And he told how Burgoyne had come up the 
Lake, 

Taken old Ti, and with two fold might 
Won Hubbard ton’s desperate stand-up flgbt, 
And now was coming with bow and spear, 

To bring captivity far and near. 

As deep I listened my veins grew hot, 

And a battle field rushes o’er the sylvan spot 
The kin e-bell changed to a weapon’s clank, 
The rows of rye to the serried rank; 

And full in the midst was John Arnold's 
tread, 

With no fear in heart, but war’s fever instead. 
Where shots blazed reddest his way he took, 
And his arm waxed weary with blows he 
strook. 

And I sprang to my feet with a ringing cry, 
“Hans Booroe, John Arnold will do or die;” 

I took the king’s arm, the rust I cleared. 

Till its barrel like silver, smooth shining 
appeared ; 

And left to my father the rifle, to slay 
The venison or panther chance prowling that 
way. 



I clasped to my bosom my boy and wife, 

Then pointed my way toward the region of 
strife. 

Three days did I tramp by the moss on the 
bark, 

Three nights did my camp-fire jewel the dark. 
At last as the morning was beaming I won 
The beautiful meadows of Bennington. 

The little Walloomsack rippled along, 

Giving the wilderness song for song; 

And hasty trampling of men was there . 

The flag of my country high streaming in air. 
Old Stark was galloping to and fro, 

Wherever he hastened out-burst a glow : 
“There stand the red-coats ! we’ll smite them 
well 

And drive back the hounds to their kennels in 
hell. 

“None but cowards will slink away! 

Sons of the brave sires will fight to-day ! 

For victory's banner shall fly o’er me 
Or Molly Stark’s a widow, said he.” 

A shout rolled upward of fierce acclaim; 

Each bosom burning with patriot flame, 

As blinked in tbe distance the red -coat ranks 
Our torrent of frenzy boiled over its hanks ; 
And we shook witi} our firing the valley’s 
green lap ; 

It was like one continuous thunder -clap. 

We stormed the heights where the Hessians 
stood, 

And made them red with their rascal blood. 
Not a cannon did give us aid 
As on us their deadliest batteries played. 

We swept the fierce Indian, a yelping pack— 
And sneaking Tory as leaves in our track. 

We beat them once and then Breyman up- 
bore; 

Brave railed the foe and they fought us once 
more. 

Bat all in vain, for bold Warner too, 

Bore up, and for us, and we charged anew. 
Bear-skin helmet and plumed cap fell, 

Volley met volley, yell mixed with yell. 

The musket ball hissed and the rifle ball sang, 
And the screech of the cannon ball deafening 
rang. 

I saw through the black smoke the red-coats 
reel. 

And my heart at the brave sight grew harder 
than steel . 





\ iggjj 







BENNINGTON. 



83 



My trusty, old king’s arm waxed heavy and hot^ 
And still I poured without stint my shot. 

My wife seemed saying- ’’John Arnold, fight on !” 
And I heard through the conflict the voice of my 
son. 

Still Stark went galloping up and down, 

“Fight, fight the base red-coats, mean slaves of 
a crown !” 

‘Fight, fight my brave fellows, said he, 

Or Molly, I tell ye, a widow shall be!’' 

With a shout that shook the sunset sky. 

We dashed right on— it was conquer or die. 
Where Stark’s eye glittered, there withered our 
foes, 

For there fell the might of our fearfulest blows. 
The little Waloomsack blushed with red. 

And hushed its song, for ’twas filled with dead. 
And when night darkened, the air about, 
diook with our victory’s thundering shout. 
Cannon and banners, and swords and guns. 

And captives were tribute to Freedom’s sons. 
With the leader of all, bold Baum, who died, 

As we rolled the loud cheers in our conquering 
pride. 

Old Stark up-towered among us still,, 

“And Moll’s no widow!” laughed he with a 
will. 

And so, my boy, was the grim fight won. 

Such was the Battle of Bennington. 



HON. HILAND HALL. 

BY HEHRY D. HALL, ESQ. 

Nathaniel Hall, the father of Hi- 
land Hall, was a quiet, thrifty farmer 
and his wife, Abigial(Hubbard) Hall, 
a worthy and true help-meet. The 
emigrant ancestors of both were 
English. John Hall of the father 
and George Hubbard of the mother, 
after being over 15 years at Boston 
and Hartford, in 1750 became large 
landholders, and the first settlers of 
Middletown, Gt. In the old grave- 
yard there may still be found the 
tombstones of some of their early de- 
scendants. 

Nathaniel Hall was deacon of the 
old Baptist church at Bennington. 
He and his wife were both worthy 
and esteemed members of the church 
and respected members of society. 



Dea. Nathaniel Hall came to Ben- 
nington in 1779. He was married 
to Abigail Hubbard at Norfolk, Gt, 
Oct. 12, 1794. Their children were; 

Hilamd, the oldest, subject of 
this sketch. 

Phebe, died, 1860, aged 63. 

Abigail, died, 1884, aged 85. 

Nathaniel, died, 1846, aged 46. 

Anna, died, 1869, aged 65, 

Laura, died, 1854, aged 48. 

Polly, the youngest, died in 1870, 
aged 62 years; all having married 
and leaving descendants. 

Dea. Nathaniel Hall died in 1849, 
aged 86 years, and his wife in 1846, 
aged 78 years. 

The early education of Hilakd 
Hall was in the common schools of 
his neighborhood, and the better 
part of a three months term, one fall 
at the Academy in Granville, N. Y,, 
which he would probably have round- 
ed out, had he not been sick before 
the close of the term, the only sick- 
ness of his youthful days of which 
the writer remembers to have heard 
him speak, though he has heard him 
tell his children how his good moth- 
er, getting her children ready Sun- 
day morning, and he making the 
excuse of not feeling well to stay at 
home, would seize the “piera bottle” 
and a tablespoon, and he would con- 
clude to try to go to church. The 
sermons were in those days, two on 
every Sabbath, each at least, an hour 
or more in length. 

The youth of Hiland Hall was 
spent on his father’s farm in Ben- 
nington, 

The following incident connected 
with his early schooling is from a 
memorandum by himself: 




84 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



In the adjoining town of Shafts- 
bury, about a mile from my father’s 
there was a Baptist meeting-house, 
and also a school-house in which 
schools were usually kept about three 
months in the winter by male teach- 
ers, and about as long in summer by 
females, for instruction in reading, 
writing and arithmetic, and for years 
no other branches had been taught. 
The teachers had generally been 
taken from the neighborhood, but 
when I was nine or ten years old, a 
winter teacher from abroad was em- 
ployed, who on examining the pro- 
gress I had made in those branches, 
told me I was forward enough to 
study grammar and advised me to 
do it. I had little idea what he 
meant by it, but supposed it would 
be right, and was willing to under- 
take it. He found another scholar, 
a girl 15 or 16 years old, who was 
spending the winter with her uncle, 
the Baptist minister, who wished 
also to pursue the study. The teach- 
er said it would be necessary to have 
a book and gave me a memorandum 
of the title “Alexander’s English 
Grammar,” which was soon obtain- 
ed at Troy, by my father who was 
going there with a load of wheat. 
The grammar was apout the size of 
Webster’s spelling-book and bound 
in boards like it; and we began the 
study. That branch of learning was 
new to the school-children and ex- 
cited their attention and curiosity, 
and they went home to their parents 
full of information about the jargon 
of hard words that had been rattled 
off by the teacher and his two learn- 
ers, such as nouns, pronouns, verbs, 
adverbs and others that they could 
not understand. This jumble of 
unmeaning words it was argued by 



some of the parents would greatly 
disturb the studies - of the other 
scholars, and the question was raised, 
whether such teaching should be al- 
lowed in the school. There had 
been some dissatisfaction in the dis- 
trict at the employment of the stran- 
ger in preference to a local teacher 
who had applied for the place, and 
he with his friends seized upon this 
matter as the means of getting rid 
of a rival. They called a school 
meeting where the question of allow- 
ing grammar to be taught in the 
school was discussed. The minister 

with one or two others favored gram- 
mar, but the majority was against 
it, and it was voted that grammar 
should not be taught in the school, 
and that the teacher should be dis- 
missed. 

It went abroad that it was also 
voted that no teacher should be em- 
ployed that understood grammar, but 
that was not true ; no such vote as 
that was taken. The truth was dis- 
graceful enough without this need- 
less addition. The whole proceed- 
ing was, however, favorable to the 
progress of instruction in the dis- 
trict, The reaction of feeling by 
the pressure from without was irre- 
sistible, The opponents of gram- 
mar, themselves, became ashamed 
of what they had done, and the next 
year a teacher who was thought to 
be well qualified as a grammarian 
was employed, grammar was taught 
without objection, and no other 
ante-grammar outbreak was after- 
wards heard of.” 

He read when quite young all the 
books that he could find or borrow 
in the vicinity, his preference being 
for history and biography. 

Mr, Hall, early in life, became in- 
terested in politics, favoring the Re- 
publican party. At eighteen, 
he was active in the forma- 
tion of the “Sons of Liberty,” 
a society of the young men of 




BENNINGTON. 



85. 



Bennington for a vigorous prosecution 
of the war with England — 1812, He 

was one of the committee to draft the 
constitution of the Society and took h 
great interest in its meetings at which 
political questions were discussed. It 
continued in active life until after the 
war. 

Among the patriotic acts of this so- 
ciety was the procuring from the ladies 
of the vicinity 158 pairs of mittens and 
42 pairs of socks, which were in Jan. 
1814. presented to the 11th Regiment 
of U. S. soldiers which had been large- 
ly recruited in Vermont, and was then 
stationed at Plattsburg, N. Y, 

The Society existed during the war. 
Its record book, over 60 pages of fools- 
cap size, is well preserved. Its last 
record is an account of its celebration 
of the Fourth of July 1815 ; at which 
there were an address, procession, din- 
ner and 18 toasts, the number then of 
the States in the Union. 

In 1824, 1828, Mr. Hall voted with 
the Republican party. In 1828, his 
party took the name of National Re- 
publican, which name was changed 
afterwards to Whig, to which party 
Mr. Hall belonged till in 1856, it was 
merged in the new Republican party, a 
name under which he begun his politi- 
cal life. 

He studied law and wa^ admitted to 
the Bennington County Bar, Decem- 
ber, 1819. He established himself in] 
practice in his native town, which he 
represented in the Legislature in 1827. 
He was Clerk of the Supreme and 
County Court for Bennington Cou nty, 
in 1828 ; was elected the State Attor- 
ney for the County in 1829, for which 
he was re-elected for the next three 
years. 



Of a generous disposition, easily 
turned aside when collecting his own 
bills, thinking but little of money 
for its own sake, but using it freely 
for the necessary comfort of his fami- 
ly, at this time increasing in numbers; 
and by answering calls of the needy 
and unfortunate, — a distinctive trait of 
his kindly character, an inability to turn 
away those who appealed for help, al- 
though he hardly knew where the next 
dollar was to come from ; resulting 
in early becoming involved in his pecu- 
niary relations, and for years living in 
a home heavily mortgaged, but which 
he was enabled to clear up in middle 
life, having never settled a debt at lesa 
than 100 cents on a dollar. 

And another trait which tended to 
lessen his yearly income was the con- 
scientious expression to his clients of 
his opinion of their cases, that pre- 
vented or stayed a prosecution that in 
some hands would have brought return 
fees, adding much to the income of an 
I attorney ; hut gave confidence to those 
1 for whom he was engaged, as they nev- 
er had reason to fear he would be tam- 
pered with by opposite council, or 
their cases in any way be jeopardized 
by him for want of integrity. 

And the opinion obtained to quite an 
extent, that the side he was engaged on 
would prevail from the inherent jus- 
tice it was undoubtedly possessed of. 

In January 1883, he was chosen a 
representative in Congress to supply the 
vacancy occasioned by the death of 
Hon. Jonathan Hunt, and took his scat 
the 2 1st of that month, during the ex- 
traordinary excitement growing out of 
Mr. Calhoun’s South Carolina nullifica- 
tion ordinance, and witnessed the fail- 
ure of that first serious effort at dis- 
union. 



86 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



At the same election, Mr. Hall was 
chosen a member to the 23d Congress, 
which commenced, December 1834. — 
The district then comprised the coun- 
ties of Bennington and Windham with 
seven towns in Windsor County, viz : 
Andover, Baltimore, Cavendish, Ches- 
ter, Ludlow, Springfield and Weston. 
This district, he represented in Con- 
gress for ten successive years, receiv- 
ing as a National Republican and Whig, 
five different, elections by large majori- 
ties. His congressional service termi- 
nated, Mar. 3, 1843, he having de- 
clined being longer a candidate. 

In Congress, Mr. Hall was a work- 
ing rather than a talking member, but 
occasionally made political speeches ; — 
among them one in 1834, against Gen- 
eral Jackson's removal of the govern- 
ment deposites from the United States 
Bank, and another in 1836 in favor of 
the distribution of the proceeds of the 
public lands among the states, which 
measure was in* effect consummated at 
that session in the distribution of sur- 
plus revenue, by which nearly $ 700. 
000 were received by the State of Yer- 
moot and added to the school funds of 
the towos of the state. Both of these 
speeches were pamphleted and exten- 
sively circulated, and the former was 
reprinted in New York prior to the suc- 
ceeding state election as a campaign 
document. 

CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE SERVICE. 

But the speaking of Mr. Hall in Con- 
gress was in general of a business char- 
acter, to influence the votes of mem- 
bers on pending questions. His work 
on committees, first on that of the post- 
office and post-roads, after on revolu- 
tionary claims, was onerous and severe, 
his printed reports covering several vol- 
umes of public documents. In 1836, 



while a member of the post-office, he * 
presented a minority report in opposi- 
tion to the message of the President 
and report of the Post-Mas ter-Gener- 
al which had reccommended the enact- 
ment of a law making it a penal offence 
to transmit by mail into any of the 
Southern states, printed matter against 
the institution of slavery, termed “in- 
cendiary publications.” * * Showing 
the great difficulty and danger of such 
legislation, the report of Mr. Hall took 
the ground that it would be an infringe- 
ment of the liberty of the press, and 
a violation of the constitution, which 
had conferred no power on Congress to 
look into publications and prescribe 
what opinions should and what should 
not be admitted into the mails, or be 
the subject of mail transmission. The 
report was signed by Mr. Hall and the 
Hon. George N. Briggs, afterwards the 
Governor of Massacusetts, but as the 
majority of the committee failed to 
make their report, it did not become a 
public document. It was however prin- 
ted in the National Intelligencer at 
Washington, in New York and other 
papers. 

Mr. Hall’s services were especially 
important in committees and also in 
debate, in exposing wasteful and ex- 
travagant expenditures. While on the 
postoffice committee, he took an active 
and prominent part in framing and 
procuring th^ passage of the act of J u- 
ly 2d 1836 which made a radical change 
in the organization of the post-office 
department and provided an effectual 
system for the settlement of its compli- 
cated accounts by which an alarming 
series of frauds that had caused a very 
great drain on the treasury was broken 
up, and an honest and economical ad- 
ministration of its affairs inaugurated 
and secured. 




BENNINGTON. 



8 7 



MEETING VIRGINIA CONGRESS CLAIMS. 

His successful efforts in relation to 
one class of claims deserves a more 
particular notice, as well, for the large 
amount involved, as for the powerful 
influence and bitter opposition he was 
obliged to overcome in exposing tteir 
unfounded and fraudulent character. 

For several years there had been 
passing through congress with little op- 
position, numerous claims founded on 
alleged promises of the legislature of 
Virginia, or of the Continental Con- 
gress, to Virginia officers of the Rev- 
olutionary army some of them denom- 
inated Commutation Claims, some half 
pay and some bounty -land claims, but 
all depending upon similar evidence to 
sustain them. In satisfaction of these 
claims there had already been drawn 
from the treasury over three millions, 
nearly all of which had been paid for 
supposed services of deceased Virginia 
officers, and still, were pending before 
congress claims to the amount of more 
than another million, and their number 
aDd amount were continually increas- 
ing. By a patient and laborious exam- 
ination of the Revolutionary archieves 
in the department at Washington, with 
some information he derived from the 
public records at Richmond, he became 
satisfied that the great mass of the 
claims already paid was unfounded and 
those that were still pending were, if 
possable, still more worthless. In order 
to bring the subject fully before con- 
gress, he obtained the appointment of 
a select committee of which he was 
made chairman. He prepared a report 
unfavorable to the claims, which was 
approved by the committee and pre- 
sented to the House, Feb. 27, 1839, 
with the usual motion that it be laid on 
the table and printed. Contrary to the 



uniform practice in such cases, the 
printing the report was vehemently op- 
posed by the Virginia deligation. Af- 
ter obstructing the action of the House 
during the morning hour of that day, 
by dilatory motions and debate, they 
found the members impatient to order 
the printing under the previous ques- 
ion, upon which, as a last resort, Mr. 
Wise of Virginia called for the read- 
ing of the report, which by strict rule 
he had a right to require before voting 
upon it. The reading of the report was 
commenced and was continued through 
the morning hours of Feb. 28th and 
Mar. 1st, within two days of the close 
of the session, when the pressure of 
other business prevented its being fin- 
ished. 

Mr, Wise's unexampled hostile call for 
the reading, had its designed effect of 
smothering the report for that con- 
gress. 

The next session of Congress, Mr. 
Hall became a member of the commit- 
tee of Revolutionary claims, and soon 
afterward its chairman. Apr. 24, 1840, 
he made a report from that committee 
on the bounty land and commutation 
claims of the Virginians, similar to tl e 
one which had been suppressed at the 
close of the previous congress, which 
showed by authentic documentary ev- 
idence that every one of those allow- 
ances was unfounded. The efforts of 
the Virginians to obtain Revolutionary 
allowances, especially for officers boun- 
ties under an old law of their state, 
being still continued, Mr, Stanly of 
North Carolina, June 10, 1842, offered 
a resolution directing the committee of 
Revolutionary claims to examine and 
report on their validity, which resolu- 
tion he afterward modified by substi- 
tuting a select committee for that on 
Revolutionary claims. This was done 




88 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



on complaint that Mr. Hall, the chair- 
man of the standing committee, was 
unreasonably and unjustly prejudiced 
and would not give the claimants a fair 
hearing. On the 16th of June, Mr. 
Hall, having obtained the floor spoke 
an hour in vindication of his course in 
regard to the claims, showing by un- 
doubted documentary evidence that 
they were all, collectively and individu- 
ally, either wholly fraudulent or clear- 
ly unfounded on any Revolutionary 
service to sustain them; and he closed 
his remarks by presenting a. list of the 
names of 64 claimants, whose claims 
amounted to over $200,000, and com- 
prised all of the latest of those claims 
that had been reccommended for pay- 
ment by the Executive of Virginia, and 
were included in the bill then pending 
in the House* 

He said every one of them was bad, 
and offered to abandon his opposition 
to the claims if any member would 
satisfy the House that any single claim 
was well fonnded. His remarks were 
commented upon by many of the Vir- 
ginians, and among them Messrs. Gog- 
gin, Goode and Gilmer, in speeches of 
an hour each, which were all highly 
laudatory of the patriotism of Virgini- 
ans and her Revolutionary heroism, but 
none of them ventured any attempt to 
show the validity of a single claim. 

The speech of Mr. Gilmer in partic- 
ular was of an aggressive and extreme- 
ly personal character towards Mr. Hall, 
and was sharply replied to by him, in 
which his attacks were effectually re- 
pelled* Whereupon, Mr* Hall made a 
further exposure of the claims and 
showed that Mr. Gilmer, who had been 
governor of Virginia, had originated 
them by inducing the legislature of the 
state to receommend their payment by 



congress when they were well known to 
be entirely worthless ; that he had as 
agent of the half-pay claimants, whose 
claims were equally invalid, first pre 
sented them to congress, and that he 
was by a law of the state entitled to 
one per cent, on all that should be paid 
by the United States, on w r hieh he had 
already received over $12*000, and 
was entitled to a like allowance on all 
future payments. This debate occupi- 
ed the morning hours of several days, 
and having the numerous delegation 
of Virginia on one side and a single 
member from another state on the oth- 
er and being in a great degree of a 
personal character, attracted very gen- 
era] attention. The vindication of Mr. 
Hall, which was full and complete, and 
overwhelming to his assailants, was lis- 
tened to with unusual interest, and was 
also the subject of general newspaper 
notice and comment. 

Ex-president Adams, who was a 
member of the House at the time, men- 
tions the debate in his diary as follows : 

“June 16th 1 842. Stanly moved the 
appointment of a select committee to 
investigate the expenditure on account 
of Virginia Military Bounty land war- 
rants from which sprang up a debate,, 
and Hiland Hall opened a hideous sink 
of corruption until he w as arrested by 
the expiration of the morning hour. 

June 21st. Gilmer growled an hour 
against Hall for detecting and expos- 
ing a multitude of gross frauds perpe- 
trated in the claims relating to the Vir- 
ginia land warrants. 

“June 22d, Goggin scolded an hour 
against Hiland Hall, and W. G. Goode 
took the floor to follow him* 

June 24th. W. O. Goode followed 
the Virginia pack against Hall. James 
Cooper moved the previous question,, 
but withdrew^ it at the request of Mr. 
Hall, to give him opportunity to reply 
to the Virginia vituperation* 




BENNINGTON' 



89 



June 25th. Hiland Hall took the 
morning hour to flay Gilmer and the 
Virginia Military land warrants.” 

This thorough exposure of these 
claims, and the marked rebuff of their 
champions, followed as it soon after 
was by a full history and condemna- 
tion of them in detail in a report by 
Mr. Stanly’s select committee, opera- 
ted as a final extinguisher of them. — 
Mr. Hall was a member of the select 
committee, and the report had by di- 
rection of the committee, been prepar- 
ed and made to the House by him. 

* * **** **** 

For an account of the claims and 
correspondence in full, see report No. 
485, second session, 27th Congress. — 
It is believed there were few or no fur- 
ther allowances by the department. 

Mr. Hall was Bank Commissioner 
of Vermont for four years from 1843, 
Judge of the Supreme Court for the 
like period until 1850, when he was 
appointed Second Comptrollor of the 
United States Treasury, his duties be- 
ing to revise and “ finally adjust” all 
accounts with the government of offi- 
cers and others in the War and Navy 
departments after they had been stated 
and passed upon by the second, third 
and fourth auditors. A claim came 
before him founded on an expenditure 
that had been ordered by the head of a 
department which he thought was ille- 
gal, and the question arose whether he 
had authority to reject it. It was in- 
sisted in behalf of the claimant that 
the Secretary being his superior officer 
and representing the President, the 
comptroller was bound by his approval 
and had no power to disallow it. In 
support of this doctrine a labored writ- 
ten argument was presented, and it 
appeared to be sanctioned by the pub- 
lished opinion of three former attorney 



generals. On full examination of the 
statutes Mr. Hall came to the conclu- 
sion that judicial authority had been 
designedly conferred on the accounting 
officers as a check upon lavish expen- 
ditures in the departments, and it was 
as much their duty to disallow claims 
not sanctioned by a law, as it was of 
a court of justice. The question being 
one of importance, the opinion of the 
Comptrollor was published in pamphlet 
and it is understood has since been ac- 
cepted and followed in the several de- 
partments, as a just exposition of the 
law on the subject, and recently a sec- 
ond edition of the same has been print- 
ed for the use of the Departments. 

In 1851, at the solicitation of Presi- 
dent Fillmore, he accepted the office 
of Land Commissioner for California, 
his associates being Gen. James Wilson 
of New Hampshire and Judge Harry 
I. Thornton of Alabama. The duties 
of the commission were to adjust the 
claims to land under the treaty of Mex- 
ico, the titles of the owners as recog- 
nized by the Mexican laws having been 
guaranteed to them by that treaty. Mr. 
Hall was chairman of the commission 
and had charge of its funds, which he 
disbursed for its necessary expendi- 
tures which amounted to several hun- 
dred thousand dollars ; all of which 
was duly accounted for at the Treasu- 
ry Department. 

The contested land claims brought 
into full use the fitting qualifications 
which his habits of thought and inves- 
tigation through life had developed. 

Among the cases brought before 
this commission many of which were 
of great importance was the famous 
Mariposa claim of Gen. J. C. Frce- 
mont, involving millions of dollars, and 
in the adjustment and settlement of 
which the application of law involved. 



90 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



included almost without exception all 
points that would be liable to arise in 
the adjuration of similar claims. The 
opinion of the commissioners was in 
this case written by Mr. Hall, and the 
points were so fully and clearly eluci- 
dated, that many eminent jurists have 
written him expressing their admira- 
tion of the document. 

On the accession of President Pierce, 
new commissioners were appointed, and 
Mr, Hall at the solicitation of his son- 
indaw, Trenor W. Park of the firm of 
Halleck, Peachy, Billings and Park, 
then a prominent law firm in San Fran- 
cisco, remained with them for a time 
as general adviser, and to assist in the 
preparation of briefs and other impor- 
tant law papers. In the spring of 1854, 
he returned to Vermont, and resuming 
his residence on the farm in Benning- 
ton on which he was born, retired from 
the further practice of his profession, 

Mr. Hall was a member of the con- 
vention which met at Philadelphia in 
1856 and gave the Republican Party 
a national character, by nominating 
candidates for the presidency and vice 
presidency. In 1858 and 1859 he« was 
elected Governor of the State by that 
party by a large majority. 

The Governor in his first message 
besides calling the attention of the leg- 
islature to the local affairs of the State, 
spoke in decided condemnation of the 
then recent attempt of the majority 
of the judges of the Supreme Court of 
the United States, in furtherance of the 
wishes of President Bucalman and his 
advisers to fasten upon the country hj 
judicial sanction the new and extra- 
ordinary doctrine that the constitution 
itself legalized slavery in the territories 
and that congress consequently had no 
power to prevent its introduction. — 
The language of the message in regard 



to this assumed action of the court was 
as follows: 

“With a strong habitual reverence for 
Judicial authority, when exercised with 
in its appropriate sphere for the de- 
termination of individual rights, I con- 
fess, I have not a high regard for it, 
when sought to be extended to politi- 
cal questions. The history of our par- 
ent country furnishes many examples 
of judges, learned and eminent, whose 
extra judicial opinions were sought and 
obtained by the government for the 
purpose of crushing out the rising spir- 
it of liberty among the people. Indeed 
for the character of the judicial ermine 
it is to be lamented, that judges of dis- 
tinguished legal attainments have often 
been found giving countenance to op- 
pression and wrong by ingenious and 
fanciful constructions and that English 
liberty has been fixed upon its present 
firm foundations, not by the aid of ju- 
dicial efforts, but by overcoming them. 
There is reason to hope that the extra- 
judicial opinions of the judges in the 
Dred Scott case, contrary as they are to 
the plain language of the constitution, 
to the facts of history and to the dic- 
tates of common humanity, will meet 
the fate which has attended those of the 
judges of the parent country, and that 
liberty will be established in spite of 
them.” 

In his last message in 1 859, he thus 
announces his determination to retire 
from further public service : 

“In closing this my last annual mes- 
sage, I cannot withhold the expression 
of my grateful thanks to the freemen 
of the State for the confidence which 
they have on all occasions so generous- 
ly manifested towards me ; and 1 beg 
to assure them that in retiring from 
public life at the end of the present 
political year, I shall carry with me 



BENNINGTON. 



91 



the warmest and most heartfelt wishes 
for the continual prosperity of the State, 
and for the welfare and happiness of 
its people.” 

He, however, consented to act as 
one of the commissioners to the fruit- 
less “Peace Congress” which on the 
call of Virginia assembled in Wash- 
ington in February 1861, on the eve of 
the Rebellion, and was chairman of the 
delegation from Vermont. 

On the breaking out of the Rebellion 
in 1861, he felt it his duty to do all 
in his power to uphold the integrity and 
unity of the government, and his time, 
energies and means, to a large extent, 
were from the first devoted to aid in 
crushing it. 

He at once favored the speedy for- 
warding of men, and assisted in the 
formation of companies, volunteering 
assistance to some families which would 
be left behind in needy circumstances, 
drawing the pay ; taking care of money 
coming from or being sent to soldiers, 
and when bounties were paid, in the 
placing in the safest manner such mon- 
ey that it should best meet the wants 
of the enlisting party ; all showing a 
deep interest in the preservation of the 
Uuion, the value of which in his esti- 
mation was increased, no doubt, by inti- 
mate association for a long period in 
Congress with such statesmen as Web- 
ster, Clay, Adams, Giddings, Stevens 
and a host of others, when the doctrine 
of nullifiction or disunion was being 
advocated by Calhoun and his associ- 
ates, that slavery and state rights might 
be sustained and perpetuated. His anx- 
iety continued during the war and not 
until the surrender at Appomattox 
Court House, did he feel that his oi 
the vigilence of any other man should 
in the least relax. 



One of his sons, Nathaniel B., was 
Major of the 14th Regimentof Volun- 
teers, and m the Battle of Gettysburg. 
He sent substitutes for four other sons 
and himself when the need for men 
seemed imminent, and the bounty had 
reached $ 400. each, besides the State 
pay and bounty. 

In American history, Mr, Hall had 
a deep interest, and especially in that 
connected with the territory and State 
of Vermont. 

He was for 6 years from 1 859, Pres- 
ident of the Vermont Historical Socie- 
ty and was afterwards active in the 
preparation and the arrangement , ot 
materials for the two published volumes 
of its collection, and in otherwise pro- 
moting its usefulness and success, — 
He has read several papers at meetings 
of the Society which have been publish- 
ed, among them, one in 1869, in vindi- 
cation of Col. Ethan Allen as the hero 
of Ticonderoga, in refutation of an 
.attempt made in the Galaxy Magazine 
to rob him of that honor. 

He has contributed papers to the 
New York Historical Magazine, to the 
Vermont Historical Gazetteer, to the 
Philadelphia Historical Record, and al- 
so to the New England Historic Gene- 
ological Register. His contribution 
to the Vermont Gazetteer, made in 
1860, being a summary history of his 
native town, Bennington. 

In 1860 he also read before the New 
York Historical Society a paper show- 
ing “Why the inhabitants of Vermont 
disclaimed the jurisdiction of New 
York, and established a separate gov- 
ernment.” 

In 1868, his “Early History of 
Vermont,” a work of over 500 pages 
was published by J. Munsill, Albany, 
in which the controversy of its early 



'VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



92 



inhabitants with New York, and their 
struggle for the establishment of their 
state independence, as well as their 
•valuable services in the cause of their 
common country during the Revolu- 
tionary war, are largely treated, and 
the necessity of their separation from 
the government of New York, in or- 
der to maintain the title to their land 
and preserve their liberty is very free- 
ly shown. 

Govenor Hall was very prominent 
in his exertions to have a suitable cele- 
bration of the Battle of Bennington 
and for the erection of a creditable 
monument to the heroes of the victory, 
and in securing for both the favorable 
nction of the state legislature, and also 
in subsequently promoting their suc- 
cessful accomplishment. A few months 
before the celebration in 1877, he pre- 
pared a clear and full description of 'the 
battle with an account of its important 
consequences which was extensively 
published in newspapers and pamphlets, 
a copy of which has a place in the offi- 
cial account of the Centennial Cele- 
bration. 

The University of Vermont in 1859 
conleted on him the degree of L L. D. 
He was a life member and Vice Presi- 
dent for Vermont of the New England 
Historic Geneological Society, honora- 
ry member of the Buffalo and corres- 
ponding member of |the New "York 
Historical 8 ocieties. 

THE GOVEROK’s FAMILY. 

hiland HALL of Bennington and 
dolly TUTTLE Davis of Rockingham, 
Vermont were married in 1818. 

Children and grandchildren : 

M. Carter Hall, born March 7th, 
1820, married Sophia B, Denying, Apr. 
20, 1844, died, June 15, 1881. His 
children were Frances Helen, who left 



a son and daughter; Samuel Baker, who 
has four sons ; and Sophia Deming. 

Eliza Davis Hall, born August 29, 
1821, married Adin Thayer, Jr., Nov. 
29, 1842, died, Aug. 10, 1843. 

Henry Davis Hall, born May 5, 1823, 
married Caroline E. Thatcher, March 
24, 1847; his children, Eliza Davis, 
who has four sons and one daughter ; 
Charles Henry ; Caroline T., who has 
three sons and one daughter; Hilaud, 
who left one son ; and William Carrol. 

Hiland Hubbard Hall, born Jan. 19, 
1825, married Jane A. Waters, Sep. 19, 
1849, died, Dec, 9 1851. 

Nathaniel B. Hall, born, September 
2, 1826, married Martha B. Rouse, 
Feb. 25, 1850 ; his children : Harriett 
Bostwick, who has three sons; Hiland; 
Harry R. who has one daughter ; Dolly, 

Laura V. Hall, born, Jan. 27, 1828, 
married Trenor W. Park, December 
15, 1846, died, June 21, 1875; her 
children: Eliza Hall, who has one son 
and three daughters ; Laura H., who 
has one son and one daughter; and 
Trenor Luther. 

John V. Hall, born, Feb. 10, 1831, 
married Nelly E. Lyman, Sep. 5, 1860 ; 
his children : Florence, who has one 
daughter; and Edward J. He married 
2d, Lucinda R. Holley, Dec, 30, 1880. 

Charles Hall, born, Nov. 18, 1832, 
married Jane E. Cady, September 1856, 
child, Laura V., who has one daughter; 
He married , 2d, Mina Phillips ; chil- 
dren : Trenor Park, Mary Densy and 
Charles H. 

The Golden Wedding 

of the HON. MR. & MRS. HILAND HALL 
was celebrated at North Bennington, 
October 27, 1868, from 2 to 5, P. M. 
Golden Wedding Geusts, about three 
hundred present : An early teacher of 



BENNINGTON. 



93 



Mr. Hall, aged 85 years; two who 
were present at the first wedding, re- 
spectively aged 73 years, 69 years. — 
It appears Mr. HalPs was the fourth 
generation to which successively had 
been permitted a golden wedding by a 
kftid Providence. 

Rev. Isaac Jennings was present? 
offering a prayer and reading Proverbs 
the 31st chapter from the Hfrh verse 
46 with personal reference to Mrs. Hall, 
the beautiful appropriateness of which 
was wurmly accorded by those pres- 
ent, an illustration of verses 19 and 20, 
being the scores of socks knit by her 
from vara spun by herself and sent in 
the packages with other comfortable 
things to the soldiers in front during 
the war. 

The sixtieth anniversary of their 
wedding came Sunday, October 1878, 
their ages being respectively 83 and 86. 
Crowned with another decade of years 
since the grand anniversary, still more 
venerable and happy, this precious an- 
niversary was observed by attendance 
on divine services at the Oongegational 
Church in North Bennington of which 
Mrs, Hall was a member. A very 
beautifully arranged basket of flowers 
whs upon the table in front of the pul- 
pit, the gift* of very dear friends. At 
the close of the sermon allusions were 
made to the unusal length of time they 
had been permitted to live together, 
and fitting remarks were made, tend- 
ing to impress the saeredness of the 
marriage relation. 

The parents of Mrs. Hall, Henry 
Davis and Mary Tuttle lived together 
sixty years, less three days. 

Mrs. Hall had patriotic blood in her 
veins. Her father was a Revolutionary 
bare. He enlisted before be .was 
seventeen into the Revolutionary ser- 



vice. He was at the Battle of Bunker 
Hill under Colonel Stark, at the line of 
fence where the enemy wer« repeatedly 
repulsed with great loss and also, served 
at West Point at the time of Arnold's 
treasonable attempt to surrender it to 
the enemy ; serving in the Revolution- 
ary war over three years. 

Mrs. Hall, as a woman, was remark- 
able for strength of mind and personal 
beauty, and in company drew attention 
by her high social qualifications. She 
enjoyed the confidence and esteem of 
her neighbors and friends, and richly 
deserved the approbation she received 
for her successful management in the 
raising so large a family, mostly boys, 
her husband during the* formation pe- 
riod of their lives, being so much ab- 
sent upon public, official business. She 
never grew old in her feelings, but en- 
tered into the sports of her children 
with a zest which carried them with 
her in the object in which she consid- 
ered such pastimes should be indulged 
in, though a dignity was always main- 
tained in the most familiar recreations 
which tended to elevate. 

The wants of the needy received her 
attention, and by her benevolence and 
uniform efforts she did much to en- 
hance the comfort and happiness of 
others. For nearly fifty years she was 
an exemplary member of the Congrega- 
tional church in Bennington, and died 
confidently trusting in the Christian's 
hope. 

THE NINETIETH BIRTHDAY 
( July 20, 1885. ) 

of the now very venerable Governor 
was celebrated at tbe residence of his 
grand-daughter, Mrs. J. G McCullough 
and her husband, Gen'l. McCullough, 
there being present fifty-one of his de- 
scendants, while five more were de- 
tained from the pleasant gathering. 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



94 

The difference in the ages of the 
oldest and the youngest was 89 years 
and 8 months. The Bennington Ban- 
ner of July 23d says of the occasion ; 

“None seemed to enjoy themselves 
more than he whose birthday anniversa- 
ry was thus celebrated. Although hav- 
ing reached this advanced age, he still 
retains his bodily health and vigor, 
with all his mental faculties unin paired. 

Congratulations flowed in, in large 
numbers, in many instances accompa- 
nied by floral offerings, a great portion 
coming from friends at Bennington 
Centre, where the recipient spent the 
larger part of his business and public 
life. These offerings, seemed specially 
grateful to him, coming as they did 
from his old neighbors and their de- 
scendants. An elegant basket of fruit 
and flowers from a niece in Boston was 
‘specially admired. Tables were spread 
in the spacious dining-room and hall, 
and all were seated and entertained with 
a banquet which did credit to the well- 
known hospitality of the host and host- 
ess, “the venerable Governor presiding 
at the board, and enlivening it with his 
humorous remarks. At each plate were 
cards whereon a skillful and loving hand 
had sketched in water colors a faithful 
picture of the old homestead, audits 
annexes still standing, and upon each 
card a striking photographic likeness 
of the common ancestor. 

The xepast being ended, the Govern- 
or addressed his assembled descendants 
with an Interesting talk which will ever 
be remembered by them, and which 
brought the sons and grandsons, by 
blood and marriage, one after another 
to their feet, in a lively eneountre of 
wit and fun. The evening closed with 
pleasant chat and social enjoyment, 
when the geusts departed, every one 
feeling that it was good to be there, and 



wishing that the useful and honored 
life of their beloved ancestor might be 
long spared to them and to his many 
friends-” 

Governor Hall died in Springfield, 
Mass, at the home of his son, Charles f 
with whom he was spending the winier, 
Dec. 18, 1885. He retired, apparently, 
in usual health on the night of the 17th 
and wg§ heard in the morning to open 
the register for more warmth as was the 
custom, when a fall attracted the at- 
tention of the family; ongoing to the 
room, he was unable to rise, but gave 
directions for the caring for himself. 
He lived about two hours, the ma- 
chinery of the body seemingly having 
worn out, he being in his 91st year. 
His remains were taken to Bennington 
and interred in the eemetry at Centre 
Bennington, where lie had for years 
previously, a lot prepared, where his 
beloved wife and most of his descend- 
ants, deceased, have been bulled. 

H, D. H. 

FROM THE BENNINGTON BANNER 

of the following week, — after the fu- 
neral of Gove nor Hall, — omitting gen- 
erally, what has already been giv^n in 
the biography. — Ed. 

“Within a day or two” of his death, 
“autograph letters had been received 
by the family here, and that morning, 
his grand-daughter in New York, Mrs. 
Gen, J. G. McCullough, was in receipt 
of one stating that he expected to be at 
her house, as usual, on Christmas day. 
In the postscript, be humorously an- 
nounced the birth of his 22d great- 
grandchild.” “The day before his 
death, he visited his son's store” — in 
Springfield, Mass. — and in the even- 
ing he wrote concerning business. On 
Saturday,” the 19th, “his remains were 
brought to North Bennington. On 



BENNINGTON. 



95 



Monday morning, the obsequies were 
attended from the residence of Gen. 
MeCoIlough ... a large number going 
over to North Bennington on a special 
train, and people from all the surround- 
ing towns and from Rutland being pres- 
ent. The Bar of the County attend- 
ed his funeral in a body ; the Rev. Isaac 
Jennings officiated. The hymns were 
suug by Mr. and Mrs. N. B. Hall and 
John V. Hall. The four sons acted as 
bearers and laid the remains carefully 
and tenderly away in the confident ex- 
pe ctation of a blissful resurrection. 

“Henry Clark of Rutland contrib- 
utes; “In all the relations Gov. Hall 
has sustained to the country or state 
he has acquitted himself with credit. — 
As a judge, he was learned, upright 
and impartial ; as member of the Mex- 
ican claims in California, he saved the 
government millions of dollars ... 
He retired, as he supposed, to his farm 
in Bennington in 1854. When the Re- 
publican party was born, 1854, 1856, 
Governor Hall’s retirement came to a 
sudden end, and he represented Ver- 
mont in the first National Convention 
of the Republican party, which assem- 
bled in Philadelphia in 1856 and placed 
in nomination its first presidential tick- 
et “Fremont and Dayton.” He enter- 
ed into the campaign with a will and 
was elected governor of this State in 
1858, by the young party which was 
created to shape the destiny of this Re- 
public during the crucial period of its 
history. . . In his first message to the 
State Legislature, it appeared as it had 
shone before in his public utterances, 
he had “views” upon the famous Dred 
Scott case, [page 90,]and was not like 
many others, afraid to utter them, al- 
though a Governor of a state could not 
officially effect anything other than to 
create public opinion. This was, more- 



over, a subject which was shuned by 
professional politicians.” ‘Throughout 
his whole career,* he was : 

“Amid the faithless, faithful found, 

In times that tried men’s souls.’* 

“In the death of this venerable and 
extraordinary man, Vermont loses one 
of its most honored in public life and 
most useful of her citizens. In all that 
pertained to the history of our State, 
there was not his equal living : in abili- 
ty to use these vast stores of research, 
he had nO superior. Having been in 
public life more than half a eentuary, 
and constantly associated with the lead- 
ing men of the nation, his school of ob- 
servation was vast and varied. His 
early taste for local history was a pas- 
sion through life, and his ever active 
and retentive memory made his mind a 
vast store-house of historic knowledge. 
He was acknowledged to be among the 
leading historians in New England, 

Men will speak of his death, not as 
one of unexpected occurrence, nor with 
the feeling that such events usually 
inspire. Long has he been a living link 
between the past and the present, with 
one foot planted in eternity and one 
uplifted for a waiting step into the spir- 
itdand, — while they have been glad at 
! the lingering delay they have also wait- 
ed for it, in a kind of willing expecta- 
I tion, till they will go as pilgrims to his 
tomb with no wailing of broken hopes, 

| but to cast the laurels of perpetual 
gratitude into his sepulchre,” 

Governor Hall’s “Early History of 
Vermont” . . is an almost invaluable 
work. It is and will continue to he in 
some form the standard text-book of 
Vermont’s early times. The modest 
preface says : His aim has been to em- 
body facts, and to state them with his 
views in intelligible language without 
making any pretensions to literary* 



96 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, 



merit/’ Some of these “views” were 
to champion Ethan Allen, and to affirm 
the national importance of the Battle of 
Bennington, since conceded by all his- 
torians. Governor Hall wrote the rec- 
ord of Bennington in Mrs, Hemen way's 
Gazetteer of Vermont, and in that work | 
there is a steel engraving of him in 
his prime. He also wrote for the Ben- 
nington Banner a “History of Ben- 
nington Battle” which was published) 
during the centennial celebration and 
which is with contemporary portrait 
in Vermont’s official pamphlet of the 
centennial. . % A complete collection 
of his writings would form a valuable 
work. 

Of his manhood’s' days is said : His 
life when not on official duty abroad was 
passed in his Bennington home, the 
centre of an unostentatious hospitality 
which embraced the judges and chief 
men of the State, as the old-time coun- 
try Jiving used to do. His associates on 
the Supreme Bench of Vermont, were 
Judges : Stephen Royce, Isaac F. Red- 
field, Milo L. Bennett, Daniel Kellogg, 
Charles Davis and Luke P, Poland. — 
The family residence is situated upon 
the original Hall farm [of Thomas, of 
Hiland Hall,] and both the present man- 
sion and the former unpretensious cot- 
tage have witnessed many notable gath- 
erings ; we mention three : the golden 
wedding ... to which all the elderly 
people in the vicinity were invited; the 
sixtieth anniversary, and the birthday 
reunion, July 20th of this year. [See 
before,] 

The Bennington County Bar field 
an “In Memoriam” meeting at their 
Court House on the evening of his 
death. Several members spoke briefly 
and feelingly. They voted to attend his 
funeral as a body and appointed a com- 
mittee of six to draft resolutions of 



respect to be submitted to a meeting 
to be held at Manchester, at the call of 
the Chair, during the June term. The 

Committee of Resolutions were r 

Hon. Tarrant Sibley of Bennington 
Centre, Hon. A. L, Miner of Manches- 
ter, Hon. James K. BalcheJder of Ar- 
lington, Hon. Loveland Munson of 
Manchester, Wm, B, Sheldon, Esq. of 
Bennington, Thos. E. Brownell, Esq 
of Pownal. 

OF THE FUNERAL SERMON 

The Rutland Review said : 

“Rev. Dr, Jennings, the intimate 
and long time friend of the deceased, 
delivered a markedly interesting dis- 
course, reviewing his life, services and 
character. He briefly sketched his an- 
cestry, the struggles of his youth — no- 
ting his public se vices in varied rela- 
tions^ — and concluded with touching al- 
lusion to the beautiful home life with 
his children, grand-children and great- 
grand-children as he sat a patriarch 
among them. . . . The address was 
relieved of over- wrought eulogy, it was 
the simple narrative, descriptive of an 
eminent man— coming from the heart 
of an appreciative friend who stood as 
among the sincerest mourners there. — 
The eulogy could have come no more 
fittingly than from the heart and lips of 
Doct. Jennings, who knew Governor 
Hall’s public and private life so well. 
At the conclusion of the discourse, a 
fervent, affectionate, tender prayer was 
offered.” 

MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS 
Of The Bennington Historical 
Society. 

DRAFTED BY REV, ISAAC JENNINGS. 

READ, AND ACCEPTED, AUG. 30 , 1886 . 

Our duty as appointed to draft reso- 
lutions expressive of the loss sustained 
by this Society in the death of its 



BENNINGTON 



97 



President, Ex-Gov. Hiland Hall sug- 
gests to us affeeetingly at the first a 
special reference to his rare social char- 
acteristics. His intense individuality 
of judgement and conscience was com- 
bined to a remarkable degree with kind 
and friendly attentions to all. valuing 
friendship, grateful to others, incessant 
and unsparing in those things which 
go far to make up the warm and true 
relationship of mutual affection, esteem 
and love. 

Secondly. That he was an instructive 
example to all of tireless and well-di- 
rected industry, without which he could 
not have accomplished all that he did. 
We direct attention to his unflagging 
exertions that we may have good read- 
ing for our youth, and for our read- 
ers in general ; to his unwearied labors 
in arranging and supplying and pre- 
serving and perfecting as far as possi- 
ble our important early local history — 
so rich in incidents so grand in action, 
and occupying so commanding a place 
in the formation and preservation of 
the National government. 

Thirdly. The ethical spirit was a 
dominating principle in him. It lead 
him to love the right and the true as 
he understood it, and to take his posi- 
tion for the same, and to maintain it. 
In political life, in Congress, and in 
historical controversies, in the heat of 
debate, he did indeed shun the bitterness 
of the time, but he had strong conclu- 
sions of his own arrived at by a re- 
search which left no stone unturned, 
no nook or corner uninvestigated ; and 
he did his duty accordingly. It was 
admirable and impressive to see his 
characteristic modesty and childlike- 
ness of spirit, and yet, the indomita- 
ble purpose of truth, and duty rising 
wit# the occasion, growing more and 



more tenacious, unyielding and deter- 
mined. But especially did the respon- 
abilities and patentees of the civil state 
have a deep-felt, power and charm for 
him. This fitted him so well for civil,' 
public life, arid lead him into it and on- 
ward and upward in it to the exalted 
public places of honor and trust in the 
gift of the State. This fitted him for 
making history as well as writing it. — 
We cannot doubt that had he lived in 
the days of Adams and Jefferson and 
Richard Henry Lee, he would have beeu 
an able and appreciated coadjutor with 
them in the use of his pen and of his 
earnest and inflexible voice and judge- 
ment in public councils for the cause of 
American independance ; for he had the 
sentiment, penetration and the nerve 
and the heart of fire if need be for the 
patriot’s supreme responsibility. 

The duty of these resolutions is to 
note in the briefest compass, certain 
controlling elements in the character 
and life of the distinguished subject of 
j them. We call special attention : 

Fourthly, to his historic spirit. Gov- 
ernor Hall was a born historian— and 
it may be added with still more empha- 
sis, a born Bennington and Vermont 
historian. In these words we have sug- 
gested what was pre-eminently the 
theme and passion of his studies, of his 
correspondence and other intercourse 
with intelligent and scholarly men and 
publishers and authors ; the object of 
his visits to historical localities; the 
controlling subject of his thoughts, his 
researches and his literary life. This 
drew him to the meetings of histori- 
cal bodies, to the libraries of the land 
where historical information suited to 
his purpose could be obtained. It made 
him the president and remarkably suc- 
cessful chief manager of the Vermont 



98 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Historical Society for so many years. 

. It gave him prestige and authority with 
historical socities elsewhers; notably, 
those of Boston, New York, and 
Washington. 

His keen eye saw and his instinctive 
judgement comprehended the connec- 
tion between the past, the present and 
the future ; between principles adopted j 
and their effect on the character and ; 
life of the community, the common- 
wealth and the nation for generations 
and ages to come. With the practised 
understanding and the patient and per- 
severing interest of the true scholar, he 
studied the past. He possessed a true 
and absorbing interest in our leading 
men; in our solemn public crises; in 
our heroic undertakings; in our grand 
achievements; in our serious public 
questions and controversies and mo- 
mentous issues. 

We have felt justified in classing our 
illustrious fellow-citizen with the great 
men of our 1 evolutionary period, who 
helped and did so much to make our 
National history. There is another re- 
semblance, as it is marked, to two of 
them, namely, in that his life was pro- 
tracted to an extreme old age which 
was passed in much happiness and com- 
fort. The words used concerning them 
in this respect could be applied with 
propriety to the closing years of Gov- 
ernor Hall, Bays Mr. Webster, respect- 
ing Mr. Jefferson or Mr. Adams, true 
alike : 

“From the time of his final retire- 
roent from public life, Mr. Jefferson 
lived as became a wise man surrounded 
by his affectionate friends, his ardor in 
the pursuit of knowledge undiminish- 
ed. With uncommon health and un- 
broken spirits he was able to enjoy 
largely the ratioual pleasures of life, 



and to partake of that public prosperi- 
ty which he had so much contributed 
to produce. 

There was that in them which office 
did not give and which the relinquish- 
ment of office did not and could not 
take away. In their retirement in the 
midst of their fellow citizens, they en- 
joyed as high regard and esteem as 
when filling the most important places 
of public trust.” 

We need not say how beautiful and 
appropriate these words of Mr. Web- 
ster are if taken out of their immedi- 
ate connection in which he used them 
and applied to Hiland Hall. This it is 
that is th*e sad thought of his death, it 
has removed one whose long life up to 
its prime and far beyond was the fitting 
itself more and moie for the invalua- 
ble tasks imposed upon it. But we bow 
without one complaining word to the 
over-ruling behests of an all wise and 
all righteous God, and desire hum- 
bly to record our gratitude for the re- 
markable preservation of the faculties 
of our friend — for the bright close of 
his life’s day, whose sun went down nt 
length full orbed and unobscured. 

REV. ISAAC JENNINGS. 

BY HEHRY D. HALL, ESQ. 

(Compiled and arranged from notices in 
the Bennington Banner and other sources.) 

The Venerable and most worthy 
Subject of this biography was bom at 
Trumbull, Fairfield County, Ct., July, 
24,1822; while yet a mere lad, he re- 
moved to Derby in that State, and 
there his youth was passed. 

He was educated in the old New 
England manner, — an admirable sys- 
tem by the way, — common school, 
preparatory and collegiate course, grad- 
uating from Yale in the class of 18g7. 
The thoroughness of this education is 



BENNINGTON. 



99 



apparent ia all his future life. In the 
class of "37 were such men as the Hon. 
Wm, M. Evarts of New York, Chief 
Justice Morrison R. Waite of the Uni- 
ted States Supreme Court, Hon. Ed- 
wards Pierpoint, the late Samuel J, 
Tilden and others. The fiftieth anni- 
versary of this class this year was an 
occasion of note in college circles. -7 
Mr. Jennings attended. ..... The 
thoughtfulness of the pastor for his peo- 
ple appeared even amid the festivities 
of that occasion. His health was not 
good; expressions of doubt, as xo his a- 
hility to endure the fatigue induced him 
soon after arriving in New Haven, to 
write the Editor of the Banner that his 
friends here might know . . that he 
was feeling well and also to give an 
outline of what was to be the enjoy- 
ments of the commencement week. 

As a key-note to Mr. Jennings fu- 
ture career, from the point of his entry 
upon active life ; we copy here some 
rules of living with an explanatory note 
from one of his sons: 

u The longer I live the more I feel the 
importance of adhering to the rules I 
have laid down for myself in relation 
to such matters : 

1st. To hear as little as possable to I 
the prejudice of others. 

2d. To believe nothing of the kind 
till I am absolutely forced to it. 

3d. Never to drink in the spirit of 
one that circulates an ill report. 

4th. Always to moderate as far as I 
can, the unkindness which is expressed 
against others. 

5th. Always believe that if the oth- 
er side were heard a very different ac- 
count would be given of the matter.” 

(The foregoing is a copy of a time- 



worn newspaper cutting which has been 
pinned up on one of Mr. Jennings" book 
cases, in his study, ever since his fami- 
ly can remember ; probably for more 
than twenty years, and the rules there 
stated have always, it is believed been 
followed by him and are as character- 
istic as almost any other thing.-F. b. j.) 

With collegiate honors fresh upon 
him, Mr. Jennings taught school in 
Washington, Conn, in 1837, 4 38. He 
had charge of the Hopkins Grammar 
School in New Haven, in 1839, 40. In 
this' school, one of the students was 
Dr. Timothy Dwight, now the revered 
President of Yale University. Teach- 
ing as a profession was not so much 
thought of in this country at that day 
and therefore, Mr. Jennings soon left 
that calling for his preparation for the 
Christian ministry, studying theology 
at New Haven, and Andover, graduat- 
: ing at Andover Theo. Sem. in 1842. — 
We believe though earnest in his church 
work, he never lost his interest in 
schools. In Akron, O. where he com- 
menced his ministry, becoming pastor 
of the Second Congregational Church 
of that city, June 14, 1843, the ques- 
tion of better schools was then being 
agitated. Coming from New England 
to this then comparatively new West- 
ern state, the young and energetic pas- 
tor was pained at the low state of the 
common schools of Ohio. He set a- 
bout reform, and to his efforts were 
largely due the good results — the sys- 
tem inaugurated, that of the graded 
schools, now so common everywhere. 
In Akron he left so much of an im- 
press upon their system of public edu- 
cation that he has since been styled in 
the Annual Reports of the Board of 
Education of that city, 4 ‘The Father 
of our schools.” 



100 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



He was several years superinten- 
dent — to the satisfaction of all — of the 
schools for the town of Bennington. — 
In his annual report, Apr, 1, 1876, he 
gives the condition of each school build- 
ing and the year’s progress in every 
district. As a key-note to his high 
ideal of a teacher as the main instru- 
mentality for the greatest improve- 
ment, we quote : 

“The teacher is the main thing, more 
than school-house, more than wall- 
maps. globes and other appliances for 
illustration and other aid, though these 
are more than the house. Solve the 
problem of how to teach morality, by 
the teacher who is selected and employ- 
ed. Let the teacher be conspicuous and 
influential in goodness, in refinement 
and honor, and conscience. How the 
memory of such teachers abides with 
us. They are bright spots in the retro- 
spect of our childhood days, and the 
days of our early youth. There was a 
power in their intelligence, and good- 
ness and kind ness to us that made them 
to be treasured in our memories, and 
we ever love to think of them.” 

Feb. 17, 1847, Mr. Jennings was 
married to Miss Sophia Day, just prior 
to his removal to Stamford, Ct., where 
he had received a flattering call to an 
important church in his native Slate. 
Mrs. Jennings, who survives her hus- 
band, was born in Mansfield, 0,, July 
81, 1826, and was married from the 
home of her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Mat- 
thias Day, Mr. Day was a native of 
New Jersey, his wife, Sophia, a daugh- 
ter of Judge Loomis of Thetford, Vt. 
This union of two families was a happy 
one. In all her husband's life work, 
Mrs. Jennings has taken a lively inter- 
est and rendered most efficient help. 

Mr. Jennings was installed ill Stam- 
ford pastor of the first church where 
he remained 6 years and came to Ben- 
nington. Here the remainder of his 
life was passed. 



His long pastorate in this town forms 
a beautiful picture of church life, where 
a people have been lead out and in like 
a shepherd and his flock, in a typical 
4 4 hill-side New England parish,” as we 
have heard Mr. Jennings, himself say 
of other churches and other societies. 
With repeated opportunities to go to 
larger fields, and no doubt, with offers 
of larger financial gains, he steadily re- 
fused to leave his people in historic 
Bennington, prefering to live and die 
among them. In so doing his life as a 
minister of the Gospel illustrates the 
possibilities for good consequent upon 
a more fixed tenure of the pastoral re- 
lation, — with our bustling and chang- 
ing American life an idea almost blot- 
ted out; the true one in our estimation, 
shown by the exceptions, among which 
the present is most marked. 

He succeeded such pastors as Rev. 
Drs. Absolom Peters, Daniel A. Clark, 
and Edward W. Hooker, among whom 
in culture and influence, he shone with 
lustre ; and had for many years as asso- 
ciates, in the near village of Benning- 
ton, Rev. C.H. Hubbard, E.G. Reed and 
C. B. Halbert, D. D. with whom he ev- 
er sustained the most helpful abd kind- 
est Christian relations. 

Mr. Jennings travelled in Europe in 
1859. . . . He returned with fresh vig- 
or and enlarged powers to his life 
work. As a clergyman he was a model 
pastor to arr eminent degree. It takes 
a remarkable man to be the loved pas* 
or of a Bennington church for a third 
of a century, and at its close, to retain 
he hold he had even then upon his 
people. 

The “Memorials of a eentuary” is 
probably the best known of any of 
Mr. Jennings writings. It will go 
down to posterity as a history of Ben- 
nington as well as that of the Old First 



BENNINGTON. 



101 



Church. The pains-taking character of 
the historian is shown in the large a- 
mount of detail in the work. Geneal- 
ogies are proverbially difficult to ob- 
tain, and many errors will invariably 
creep in, but the great value of the Me- 
morials largely lies in this very cbarac-j 
teristic, which is divested of mistakes | 
to a wonderful degree. The sketches 
of the early settlers therein are written | 
fearlessly and judiciously, and it is to | 
be regretted that a revised edition was 
not published during the life time of 
the author, 

Mr. Jennings was a frequent con- 
tributor to the religious press of his 
denomination, and a not* unknown vis- 
itor in the local sanctum. The last wri- 
ting he did was to prepare u An Ah- 
stiacr of Officials’ Acts and Proceed- 
ings, 75 of the Battle Monument Associ- 
ation, which was placed in the comer 
stone. 

The people of all this vicinity have 
gathered in the Old Church to hear an- 
niversary discourses from its pastor. 

[One of the most remarkable pulpit 
efforts of Mr. Jennings was his Cen- 
tennial Discourse delivered in the Old 
Church on its one hundredth anniver- 
sary, Jan. 4, 1863. The edifice was 
crowded to its utmost capacity. Sing- 
ers from the several churches in town, 
assisted . . and notwithstanding the 
discourse occupied more than two hours 
in its delivery, and when one hour had 
elapsed invitation was given by the 
speaker for those who might wish to 
retire from the audience, to do so, not 
an individual left the house until the 
conclusion, g. w. r. — ] 

HIS RELATIONS TO THE BENNINGTON 
BATTLE MONUMENT. 

From the inception of the enter- 
prise to erect a suitable battle monu- 



ment, Mr . Jennings took great interest. 
He was a member of the Association 
and secret ary of the Board of Directors. 

HIS LAST PUBLIC ACT. 

On the 16th of August, 1887, as the 
rays of the western sun shone out 
from cloud -rifts which had threatened 
rain, facing the east, “the source of 
light,” a solemn stillness came over an 
immense throng of people as an aged 
clergyman stepped to the front to pro- 
nounce the benidiction which was to' 
dose the ceremonies of the laying of 
the corner stone of the Bennington 
Battle Monument, The face was a 
familiar one to many of the thousands 
who thus paused to receive his last 
blessing. The picture will be engrav- 
ed upon the minds of multitudes as 
they read these lines for it was the 
last public utterance ere those lips were 
sealed and the freed spirit sped away 
to Paradise. The occasion will be 

memorable This benediction 

closed the ceremonies of a Fraternity 
which inculcates the immortality of the 
soul and the resurrection of the body. 
All that had preceded the last act had 
been based upon this fundamental prin- 
ciple of the Christian religion. The halo 
of the rays of the departing sun 
was prophetic of the end so soon to 
come to one of the participators in this 
historic event. The ground upon which 
he stood was historic ; that upon which 
the first 16 th of August orator stood in 
1778. Noah Smith was also a gradu- 
ate of Yale. He had at that early day 
predicted that succeeding generations 
would know of the importance of the 
conflict of the then previous year, and 
in coming time would suitably mark the 
spot. 

HIS LAST PASTORAL ACT 

was the marriage of one of his flock. 
September 6, 1853, he married James 



10* 



THE VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Manning and Jane E. Robinson, his 
first marriage in Bennington; Aug, 19, 
1887, he married Harriet L. Morgan 
and A, Buel Sibley, his last pastoral 
act. His first funeral was that of Mrs. 
Pliny Dewey of Bennington Centre, 
who died, June 2, 1853, aged72years; 
the last that of Mrs. Benj. R. Sears, 
July 5, 1887, 

the children of the Rev. Isaac 
Jennings family ; six of whom and 
Mrs. Jennings, survive the death of 
Mr. J enuings. 

Isaac Jr. born in Stamford, Ct., 
Apr. 30,1848; graduated at Williams 
College. 1871; married to Mary E., 
daughter of Rev. Stephen C. Leonard, 
B, D. of Rushville, N. Y., Dec. 13, 
1871 ; installed pastor of first Presby- 
terian church, Elmira, N. Y., Dec. 4, 
1884. 

Walter Loomis, born in Stamford, 
Ct., July 6, 1850, died in Stamford, Ct. 
Oct. 16, 1850. 

Sophia Day, horn in Stamford, Ct., 
Aug. 4, 1851 ;dicd in Bennington, Jan. 
11, 1861 ; a bright and interesting child 
whose death was a sad affliction to her 
parents. 

Frederick Beach, an attorney, born 
in Bennington, Aug. 6, 1854; gradua- 
ted at Williams College, 1872 ; and 
married to Laura H M daughter of Hon. 
Trenor W. Park, July 27, 1880. 

Matthias Day, born in Bennington, 
Jan. 8, 1857 ; died in Bennington, Dee. 
25, 1860. 

Charles Green Roekwood, physician, 
orn in Bennington, Nov. 17, 1859 ; 
graduated at Harvard College, 1879 ; 
married to Mary Jeannette, daughter 

of Hen. A. Gardner, Sept. 8, 1885. 

Robert Gould, born in Bennington, 
Mar. 28, 1862. 



Philip Burton, born in Bennington, 
Dec. 7, 1865. 

William Bigelow, born in Benning- 
ton, July 20, 1871. # 

THE DEATH OF REV. ISAAC JENNINGS 

occurred, Aug. 25, 1887. He was not 
confined to his bed but a few days be- 
fore his death, but had been a great 
sufferer at times for months prior from 
a stone of large dimensions in the blad- 
der. The stone was removed by Dr. 
Cabot of Boston, the afternoon before 
his death. He rallied for about two 
hours and then sank under it. Thus at 
the age of 72 years and one month, 
with the vigor of life scarcely abated — 
terminating a ministry of 34 years and 
three months in the Old First Church— 
has passed to his eternal rest, one who 
had endeared himself to the town. . . 
Voice through the press from 

BENNINGTON CENTRE, SEPT. I. 

Our Village has been shrouded with 
gloom the past week, because of the 
death of the beloved pastor, who has 
gone in and out before us these many 
years. He broke for us the bread of 
life ; he baptised our children ; he had 
united our young men and maidens in 
marriage ; he had stood beside the 
graves of a whole generation, and giv- 
en to stricken friends such consolation 
as the gospel of Christ alone furnishes, 
in the kindest and most sympathetic 
manner. He had lived a life of singu- 
lar honesty and purity and Christian 
fidelity, and become a great factor in 
the life of the people and possessed the 
love and confidence of all without re- 
gard to age, race or sect. He has gone, 
his prayers are ended, and all are ready 
to say: “How is the strong staff broken 
and the beautiful rod !” Many would 
be ready to despair if they did not re- 
member how often they had heard him 



BENNINGTON. 



103 



say: “Let not your heart be troubled.” 
The funeral was attended Saturday 
morning, the 26th from the Old First 
Church which was draped, very taste- 
fully by those that loved him ; — the 
pulpit covered with Mack cloth looped 
up with purple asters — in the back- 
ground the motto in immortelles be- 
tween the dates 1 853 and 1 887, covering 
the period of his ministry, Faithful 
unto death.” The pulpit chair was 
trimmed with white fkwers sprayed 
with ferns and surmounted by a beau- 
tiful crown. The baptismal font held 
a flower-auchor aud white dove, very 
beautiful. The choir gallery was also 
heavily draped 

At 10 o‘clock, after prayer at the 
parsonage by Dr. Pratt, the casket was 
brought to the church— the five sons of 
the deceased with the three deacons, 
bearers. The remains laid in state until 
11 o 4 clock, viewed by a large number 
of sorrowing friends. At eleven, the 
mourners seated, the choir sang : 

“Cast thy burden on the Lord ” 
Scripture selections read and a touch- 
ing prayer by Rev. J. L. Harrington : 
Hymn : 

“Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep! 

From which none ever wake to weep.” 
Funeral sermon by Rev. Dr. P. S. 
Pratt of Dorset, a long-time aud loved 
friend of Mr. Jennings; text,ps. lxvii, 
vi. The address an able analysis of 
the character of the deceased and a lov- 
ing tribute to his memory. 

After the sermon, hymn : 

“Servant of God, well done! 

Rest from tliy loved employ.” 

A beautiful aud tender prayer by 
Rev. Dr. A. B. Lambert of Rupert. — 
And after the leave-taking of the dear 
departed he was carried amid the tears 
of strong men to the cemetery and laid 
in the grave iined with evergreens and 



covered with beautiful flowers, there to 
rest till the dawning of that eternal 
Sabbath day, when he shall be re-unit- 
ed with the loving ones gone before and 
with those who shall come after, who 
are now in the thick of the cares and 
duties of life. 

The committal service at the grave 
was by Dr. Pratt ; the benediction by 
Rev. Z. Marten of the Baptist church. 

Mr. Jennings was the second of the 
long line of pastors who have minis- 
terd to the First church to be buried 
here. “Parson Dewey,” the first min- 
ister, died nearly 109 years ago. 

After the death of Mr. Jennings and 
during the funeral services the flag of 
the monument was kept at half staff, 
and the resident members of the Mon- 
ument Association attended the funeral 
in a body. 

A. R. 

“There are times when with bowed 
heads and hushed voices we recall the 
words, “Be still and know that I am 
God.” Such a time, has come to the 
Old First Church. Upon the earth-side 
how dark it is ! A broken household a 
stricken church ; hearts often bereaved 
aching with a new sorrow 

We have had a beautiful summer, 
it is true, there has been extreme heat, 
but frequent showers kept vegitation as 
fresh as in spring time, foliage as lux- 
uriant. Several weeks ago, we noticed 
the approach of autumn. Golden rod 
threw out its banner along the high- 
way ; upon the mountain side an occa- 
rional bright leaf whispered its proph- 
ecy of the gorgeous beauty which will 
soon cover them. Our beloved pastor 
had reached his autumn, but the long, 
beautiful summer of life had so ripen- 
ed and melkrwed so gently, that even 
the lambs of his flock did not realize 



104 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



that it had past. His smile was so full 
of sunshine, his words so replete with 
cheerful hope. Thirty-four years min- 
istry have left an impress upon very 
many lives and hearts, his work is not 
ended, though he is absent from us* 
The example of his earnest life, loving 
counsel, his tender unfailing sympathy 
and faithful prayers will linger like a 
benidiction through coming years. . . 

RESOLUTIONS: 

BENNINGTON BATTLE MONUMENT 
ASSOCIATION. 

August 27 , A. D . 1887. 

Introduced by John V. Hall, 
Unanimously adopted. 
Whereas ; The Rev. Isaac Jennings 
has, from the inception of the monu- 
ment enterprise, been one of its "most 
active promoters, a member and secre- 
tary of the Board of Directors, and 
was at his decease Vice President of 
the Association, and has been ever 
ready to aid by his wise counsels, his 
large influence, his earnest labors and 
liberal contributions, in accomplishing 
the objects of the Association, which 
efforts on his part have 'been interrupt- 
ed only by his death. 

Therefore: Resolved that this Board 
testifies most heartily to the apprecia- 
tion in which he was ever held by this 
body, and to the irreparable loss which 
the Association has sustained in his 
death* and that it will ever be a pleas- 
ant memory to us that his last public 
utterances were given to the work so 
dear to him, and which rendered him 
additionally dear to us; and that by in- 
voking the benediction of Almighty 
God upon this work and upon the as- 
sembled people, he most fittingly dosed, 
at once, the imposing ceremonies at 
the laying of the monument’s corner 
stone $nd his own public life. 



• Resolved: That the Board of Direc- 
tors and officers of the Association will 
attend the funeral services in a body. 

Resolved : That the foregoing min- 
i utes be engrossed and presented to the 
widow 7 of the deceased, and that cop- 
ies be furnished to the local papers for 
; publication. 

J. G. McCullouogh. 

President pro tern « 
John V. Hall, Secretary pro torn. 

From Obituary Notice 

BY REV, C, B. HULBERT, D. I), 

[In the Religious Herald, Hartford, 
Ct., after a summary of his life. ] 

U A pastorate at such au important 
centre, and of the oldest church in the 
State and prolonged for so*many years, 
is itself the highest commendation. — 
In person, he was short and stout; had 
a face in which intelligence, amiability, 
wit and good fellowship contended for 
the supremacy. In manner and voice, 
he was gentle, sympathetic and win- 
ning. As a preacher, his rank among 
ministers was high ; but at this point in 
comparison with his extraordinary pas- 
toral service, he suffered. In his per- 
sonal contact with men and in the 
homes of his people, he was a power. 
He was a model husband and father. 
His home was an ideal one. He filled 

it with sunshine During his 

pastorate an event occured that gave 
Mr, Jennings an opportunity to dis- 
close his gifts as a historian. In 1863, 
his church celebrated its Centennial, 
The historical discourse given by the 
Pastor, at the time, overflow 7 ed its 
bounds and soon after appeared in an 
ample volume, giving the early history 
of the tow r n and of the celebrated bat- 
tle, In this important service, Mr. 
Jennings showed himself an accom- 
plished historian. 



BENNINGTON. 



105 



It is an interesting and felicitous in- 
cident that the last public service of this 
revered and venerable pastor and histo- 
rian should have been to pronounce 
the benediction at the recent service 
of laying of the corner stone of the 
towering monument now assce tiding 
on the sacred spot. All who have 
known him as a man and a pastor, all 
who will read his history in coming 
time, will recall his character as having 
in it something of the solidity and 
beauty of the ponderous shaft with 
which it is unalterably associated.” 

[The 100th Anniversary Poem— page 74.] 

VERMONT : 

BY MRS. JULIA C. R. DORR. I 

1 . 

O, woman- form, majestic, strong and fair. 
Sitting enthroned where in upper air 
Thv mountain neaks in solemn grandeur rise, 
Piercing tne splendor of the summer skies,— 
Vermont our mighty mother crowned to-day 
In all the glory of thy hundred years, 

If thou dost bid me sing, how can I but obey? 
What though the lips may tremble, and the 
verse 

That fain would grandly thy grand deeds re- 
hearse 

May trip and falter, and the stammering 
tongue 

Leave all unrhymed the rhymes that should 
* he sung ? 

I can hut do thy bidding, as is meet, 

Bowing in liumhle homage at thy feet — 

Thy royal feet — and if my words are weak, 

O crowned One, ‘twas thou didst hid me speak. 
II. 

Yet wliat is there to say, 

Even on this proud day, 

This clay of days, that hath not oft been sung? 
What song is there to sing 
That hath not oft been sung? 

What laurel cau we bring, 

That Ages have not hung 
A thousand times above their glorious dead? 
What crown to crown the living 
Is left us for onr giving? 

That is not shaped to other brows 
That wore it long ago ? 



Our very vows hut echo vows 
Breathed centuries ago ! 

Earth has no choral strain, 

No sweet or sad refrain, 

No lofty paen swelling loud and clear, 
That Virgil did not know, 

Or Dante wandering slow 
In mystic trances did not pause to hear = 

When gods from high Olympus came 
To touch old Homer s lips with flame, 

The morning stars together sung 
To teach their raptures to his tongue. 

For him the lonely ocean moaned 
For him the mighty winds intoned 
Their deep-voiced chanting, and for him 
Sweet flower-hells pealed in forests dim. 
From earth and air and sky he caught 
The spell of their divinest thought, 

While yet it blossomed fre.sh and new 
As Eden’s rosebuds wet with dew! 

Oh ! to have lived when earth was young 
With all its melodies unsung ! 

The dome of Heaven bent nearer then 
When gods and angels talked with men, — 
When soug itself was newly born, 

The Incarnation of the Morn ! 

But now, alas 1 all thought is old, 

All life is hut a story told. 

And poet-tongues are manifold ; 

And he is hold who tries to wake 
Even for God, or country’s sake 
In voice, or pen, or lute or lyre 
Sparks of the old Promethsen fire ! 

III. 

And yet, — O Earth, thank God! — the soul of 
song 

Is as immortal as the eternal stars ! 

O, treml^ing heart, take courage and be 
strong. 

Hark ! to a voice from yonder crystal bars : — 
“Did the roses blow last June? 

Do the stars still rise and set? 

And over the crests of the mountains 
Are the light clouds floating yet? 

Do the rivers run to the sea 
With a deep, resistless flow? 

Do the little birds sing north and south 
As the seasons come and go? 

Are the hills as fair as of old? 

Are the skies as blue and tar? 

Have ydu lost the pomp of the sunset? 

Or the light of the evening star? 

Has the glory gone from the morning? 
Do tlie wild winds wail no more? 




'VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



106 

Is there now no thunder of billows 
Beating the storm-lashed shore ? 

“Is Love a forgotten story? 

Is Passion a jester’s theme? 

Has Valor thrown down its armor? 

Is Honor an idle dream? 

Is there no pure trust in woman? 

No conquering faith in God? 

Are there no feet strong to follow 
In the paths the martyrs trod? 

“Bid you find no hero graves 
When yonr violets bloomed last May— 
Prouder than those of Marathon , 

Or *old Platen’s day? 

When your red, white and blue 
On the free winds fluttered out, 

Were there no strong hearts and voices? 
To receive it with a shout? 

Oh ! let the Earth grow old ! 

And the burning stars grow cold! 
And if you will declare man's story told ! 

Yet pure as faith is pure, 

As sure as death is sure, 

As long as love shall live shall song endure !” 

IV. 

When one by one the stately, silent Years 
Glide like pale ghosts beyond our yearling 
sight, 

Vainly we stretch our arms to stay their flight 
So soon, so swift they pass to endless night! 
We hardly learn to name them, 

To praise them, or to blame them, 

To know their shadowy faces, 

Ere we see their empty places! 

Only once the glad spring greets them 
Only once fair summer meets them ; 
Only once the autumn glory 
Tells for them its mystic story; 

Only once the winter hoary 
Weaves for them its robes of light! 

Years leave their work half-done; like men, 
alas! 

With sheaves ungathered to their graves they 
pass* 

And are forgotten. What they strive to do 
Lives tor awhile in memory of a few ; 

Then over all Oblivion’s waters flow— 

The years are buried in the long ago ! 

But when a Century dies what room is there j 
for tears? 

Rather in solemn exhalation let us come, 
With roll of drum, 

(Not muffled as in woe,) 

With blare of bugles and the liquid flow 



Of silver clarions and the long appeal 
0/ the clear trumpets ringing peal on peal. 
With clash of bells and hosts in proud array 
To pay meet homage to its burial day! 

For its proud work is done. Its name is writ 
Where all the ages that come after it 
Shall read the eternal letters blazoned high 
On the blue dome of the impartial sky. 

What ruthless fate can darken its renown, 

Or dim the lustre of its starry crown ? 

On mountain-peaks of time each century 
stands alone : 

And each* for glory or for shame, hath reaped 
what it hath sown, 

V. 

But this — the one that gave thee birth 
A hundred years ago, O beauteous mother! 
This mighty century had a mightier brother, 
Who from the watching earth 
Passed but last year! Twin-born indeed were 
they,— 

For what are twelve months to the womb of 
time 

Pregnant with ages?— Hand in hand they 
climbed 

With clear, young eyes uplifted to the stars, 
With great strong souls that never stopped for 
bars, 

Through storm and darkness up to glorious 
day! 

Each knew the other's need; each in bis 
breast 

The subtle tie of closest kin confessed; 
Counted the other's honor as his own; 

Nor feared to sit upon a separate throne ; 

Nor loved each other less when — wondrous 
fate ! — 

One gave a Nation life, and one a State ! 

VI. 

Oh! rude the cradle in which each was 
rocked. 

The Infant Nation, and the infant State! 

Bough nurses were the centuries that mocked 
At mother-kisses and for mother-arms 
Gave their young nurselings sudden, harsh 
alarms. 

Quick blows and stern rebuffs. They bade 
them wait, 

Often in cold and hunger, while the feast 
was spread for others, and, though last not 
least. 

Gave them sharp swords for playthings, and 
the din 

Of actual battle for the mimic strife 



BENNINGTON. 



That childhood glories In ! 

Yet not less they loved them. Spartans they, 
Who could not rear a weak* effeminate brood. 
Better the forest’s awful solitude, 

Better the desert spaces where the day 
Wanders trom dawn to dusk and finds no life. 

VII. 

But over all the tireless years swept on, 

Till side by side the centuries grew old, 

And the young Nation, great and strong and 
hold, 

Forgot its early struggles in triumphs later 
won ! 

It stretched its arms from East to West; 

It gathered to its mighty breast 
From every clime, from every soil, 

The hunted sons of want and toil ; 

It gave to each a dwelling-place; 

It blent them in one common race; 

And over all from sea to sea, 

Wide fiew the banner of the free ! 

It did not fear the wrath of kings 
Nor the dread grip of deadlier things — 

Gaunt famine with its ghastly horde, 
Dishonor sheathing Its foul sword, 

Nor faithless friend, nor treacherous blow. 
Struck in the dark by stealthy foe; 

For over all its wide domain, 

From shore to shore, from main to main, 
From vale to mountain-top , it saw 
The reign of plenty, peace and law i 

VIII. 

Thus fared the Nation, prosperous, great and 
free, 

Prophet and herald of the good to be ; 

And on its humbler way in calm content, 

The lesser State, the while, serenely went. 
Safe in her mountain fastnesses she dwelt, 
Her life’s first cares forgot, its woes unfelt, 
And thought her bitterest tears had all been 
shed, 

For peace was in her borders and God reigned 
overhead. 

IX. 

But suddenly, over the hills there came 
A cry that rent her with griet and shame— 

A cry from the Nation in distress, 

Stricken down in its mightiness! 

With passionate ardor, up she sprang, 

And her voice like the peal of a trumpet 
rang,— 

What ho ! what ho! brave sons of mine, 
Strong with the strength of the mountain 
pine! 



107 

To the front of the battle, away! away! 

The Nation is bleeding in deadly fray, 

The Nation it may be is dying to-day f 
On, then, to the rescue, away! away! 

X. 

Ah! how v they answered let the ages tell, 

For they shall guard the sacred story well! 
Green grows the grass, to-day, on many a 
battle-field ; 

War’s dread alarms are o’er; its scars are 
healed; 

Its bitter agony has found surcease ; 

A re united land clasps hands in peace. 

But, Oh! ye bJessed dead whose graves are 
strown 

From where our forests make perpetual 
moan, 

To those far shores where smiling Southern 
seas 

Give back soft murmurs to the fragrant 
breeze,— 

Oh! ye, who drained for us the bitter cup, 
Think yc we can forget what ye have offered 
up? 

The years will come and go, and other 
centuries die, 

kml generation after generation lie 
Down in the dust ; but long as stars shall 
shine, 

Long as Vermont’s green hills shall bear 
the pine. 

As long as Killington shall proudly lift 
Its lofty peak above the storm-cloud’s rift, 
Or Mansfield hail the blue, o’erarcftmg 
skies, 

Or fair Mount Anthony in grandeur rise 
Bo long shall live the deeds that ye have 
done, 

So deathless be the glory ye have won ! 

XI. 

Not with exultant joy 
And pride without alloy, 

Did the twin Centuries rejoice when all was 
o'er. 

What though the Nation rose 
Triumphant o’er its foes? 

What though the State had gained 
The meed of faith unstained? v 
Their mighty hearts remembered the* dead 
that came no more ! 

Remembered all the losses, 

The weary, weary crosses, 
Remembered that earth was poorer for the 
blood that had been shed. 



108 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



And knew tliat it was sadder for the story it 
had read! 

So clasping hands with somewhat saddened 
mien, 

And eyes uplifted to the great Unseen 
That rules alike o'er centuries and men, 
Onward they walked serenely towards the 
end! 

XI. 

One reached it last year, Ye remember well, 
The wondrous tale there is no need to tell— 
How the whole world bowed down beside its 
bier, 

Heaping their treasures on its mighty pall— 
Never had kiagliest king such funeral ! 

Old Asia rose and girding her in haste, 

Swept in her jeweled robes across the waste, 
And called to Egypt lying prone and hid 
Where waits the sphinx beside the pyramid ; 
Fair Europe came with overflowing hands, 
Bearing the riches of her many lands; 

Dark Afrie, laden with her virgin gold. 

Yet laden deeper with her woes untold; 

Japan and China in grotesque array, 

And all the enchanted islands ol Cathay! 

XIII. 

To-day the other dies. 

It walked in humbler guise, 

Nor stood where all men’s eyes 
Were fixed upon it. 

Earth may not pause to lay 
A wreath upon its bier, 

Nor the world heed to-day 
6 Our dead that lieth here! 

Yet well they loved each other— 

It and its greater brother. 

To loftiest stature grown, 

Each earned Its own renown; 

Each sought of Time a crown, 

And each has won it. 

XIV. 

But what to us are centuries dead, 

And rolling years forever fled, 

Compared with thee, O! grand and fair 
Vermont — our goddess- mother? 

Strong with the strength of tliy verdant hills, 
Fresh with the freshness of mountain rills, 

Pure as the breath of the fragrant pine, 

Glad, with the gladness of youth divine, 
Serenely thou sittest throned to-day 
Where the free winds that round thee play 
Rejoice in tliy wavqp of sun-bright hair, 

O! thOu, Our glorious mother! 

Rejoice in thy beautiful strength and say 
Earth holds not such another ! 



Thou art ndf old with thy hundred years. 
Nor worn with toil,, or care, or tears; 

But all the glow of the summer-time 
Is thine to-day in thy glorious prime! 

Tliy brow is fair as the winter- snows, 

With a stately calm in its still repose ; 

While the breath of the rose the wild bee sips 
Half-mad with joy, cannot eclipse 
The marvellous sweetness of thy lips; 

And the deepest blue of the laughing skies 
Hides in the depths* of tliy fearless eyes, 
Gazing afar over land and sea 
Wherever thy wandering children he! 

Fold on fold, 

Over thy form of grandest mould, 

Flowetli thy robe of forest green, 

Now light, now dark, in its emerald sheen. 
Its broidered hem is of wild flowers rare, 
With feathery fern-fronds light as air, 
Fringing its borders. In thy hair 
Sprays of the pink arbutus twine, 

And the curling rings of the wild grape-vine ; 
Thy girdle is of silver streams; 

Its clasp with the opaline lustre gleams 
Of a lake asleep in the sunset beams; 

And half-concealing 
And half-revealing, 

Floats over ail a veil of mist 
Pale tinted with rose and amethyst. 

XV. ^ 

Rise up* O! noble mother of brave sons, 
Worthy to rank among earth’s mightiest ones 
And daughters fair and beautiful and good, 
Yet wise and strong in loftiest womanhood, 
Rise from thy throne, and standing far and 
high 

Outlined against the blue, adoring sky, 

Lilt up thy voice and stretch thy loving hands 
In benidiction o’er the waiting lands ! 

Take tliou s onr fealty, at thy feet we bow, 

Glad to renew each oft-repeated vow ! 

No .costly gifts we bring to thee, to-day ; 

No votive wreaths upon thy shrine we lay; 
Take thou, our hearts, then! hearts that fain 
would be 

From this day forth, O goddess, worthier thee. 

[Space promised Gov. Hall on Bennington 
doubled,— we suspend— while the large vol- 
ume of Bennington Town History under the 
happy auspices of- their Historical Society is 
being finished up— withdraw to Notes by the 
Path of the Gazetteer, Vol. n. issued about 
quarterly— now, the i In at the old Gov. Hall 
farm-house with mss. at s’d. quarters : James 
Breakenridge farm and family; Papers, yet 
more of the four old governors and their wives 
that lie ‘line in line’ in the old Revolutionary 
grave-yard at Bennington Centre : Robinson, 
Ttcbenor, Robinson, Hall; Parson Dewey, etc. 

Thanks for portrait of Gen, Stark to 
Edson C, Eastman, of Concord N. H, 



INDEX 



COUNTY CHAPTER. 



County Chapter -.1-17 



BRATTLEBORO. 



Acadamy . . _ - 20 and 188 

Alexander, John 19 

Anti-Slavery.. -- 44 

Arms, Willard — 61 

Asylum, - ----- 150 

Attorneys, 43 

Banks. 43 and 185 

Blake, John W. . - - 20 

“ John R.„ — 8l 

" George B. ....... 156 

Bradley, J. D. . _ . „ _ — 135 

Brown, Addison... ... 145 

“ Colonel A.... . . _ 160 

Bull, Albert H. 188 

Burnham, John 129 

Cemeteries - - 59 

Chapin, Oliver 54 

» Charles 134 

Cheney, S. T. R 189 

Church, Alonzo .... 70 

Church, First---- ------ 22 

“ “at East Village ....... 26 

“ Unitarian - - 28 

“ Baptist BO 

** Methodist.... - 32 

“ Episcopal 32 and 177 

“ Catholic..... 33 

Universalis t ...... 178 

Clark, Ezra.. 116 

“ Samuel ' . . 127 

Collegiates . - 58 

Crosby, Edward. 128 

Curious Fiddle.. 190 

Dickerman, Lem’l 60 

Eccentric Persons.. 167 

Educational Institutions .. 44 

Elliott, James 78 

** Samuel 79 

Estey, Jacob 142 

Fessenden Brothers 109 

Field, Charles K 186 

Fire and Water 37 

Fossil Elephant.. ...... 391 

Foster, Samuel G 41 

Frost, Charles C 112 

Gilbert, Daniel 63 

Goodhue, Francis. 119 

Gore, John..., 42 



Greenleaf, Stephen 57 and 66 

Grout Family 162 

Hall, George H. and Gardner C. _ . _ . 61 

“ George C 131 

Hayes Faihi ly 67 

Hines, Arnold J _ _ 133 

Historical Nuggets 190 

Holbrook , J ohn * 34 

4 4 Frederick 124 

“ John C 159 

Hotels . 172 

Hunt, Jonathan 20 

“ William M 139 

Indian Relics 22 

Johnson, Eliphas 117 and 169 

Kellogg, Daniel 164 

Keyes, Asa 135 

Kirkland, Edward. 131 

Knapp, Leonard.... _ 191 

Knight Samuel - 20 

Ladd , George 190 

Longevity 58 

Lottery Office 36 

Masonic Lodge 42 

Mead, L. G 20 and 151 

Military 44 

Mineralogy and Geology 21 

Newman, George 130 

Newspapers 180 

Noyes, John. 83 

Odd Fellows.... 43 and 185 

Physicians . . _ 43 and 60 

Postoffice. 36 

Public Schools. 39 

g ve, Rev, Abner 24 

resen tati ves 57 

kwell, William H 146 

t, Samuel - 123 

Seymour, Epaphro 121 

Steam Navagation 39 

Stearns, Samuel.—. 66 

Steen, Joseph 75 

Stock well, Mrs, Sally 190 

Thompson Lemuel. 51 

Town Clerks __ 57 

Tyler Family. 83 

Vt. Historical Society in Brattle boro 185 

Warren, B. A 42 

Wells, Dr. Henry. 64 

“ Samuel 64 

“ Rev. William. 25 and 71 

Whitney, Lemuel.. 68 

“ Richard 77 

W ilson, John 63 

W indham Provident In stitution .... 43 



110 



INDEX. 



1PJLIE&T II. 



FAGrK 

DUMMERSTON, 



Abridged Annals Ill 

Advertisements 68 

Arnold, Gamaliel.. 190 

Ainsden, Dr. Thomas. 95 

Alvord, Moses 117 

Briggs* Capt, Seth.. .... 185 

.. „ * : Orta 



Burning of Roger Birchard and his 

House ... * 175 

Brattleboro and Whitehall R. R. _ . _ 7 

Bennett, Lieut. Stephen ...... 187 

Boyden* Mai, Josiah 87 

Butterfield Family 189 

Burnett, Dr. Isaac ----- 181 

Baker, Dr. Thomas 95 

Barrett, Lemuel 184 

Belknap, Daniel. 107 

Bailey, Dudley. — - 179 

Bemis Family.--- 62 

Butler Family 89 

Brown, -Elijah 121 

Brief Sketches 205 

County Officers - 209 

Cummings, William - 119 

Cook, Enoch-. * 86 

Chase, James.... 181 

Clark Family * 95 

Crosby Family - -- -- - 105 

Church History-. -.82, 158, 172, 192, 202 

Cemeteries 209 

Caryl 168 

Districts and Inhabitants in 1798- _ _ 110 
Dummerston in the Fight 57 

Dutton Family.*... 41, 218 

Dunckley, Jr. , Joseph _ . 185 

Darling, David 184 

Dean, Richard - 188 

Davenport, Charles 85 

Dodge, Josiah. 186 

Decoration Day . 202 

Duncan Family .... - 92 

Dying Full of Years- 152 

Early Settlement North of the Com- 

mon , . 214 

Early Military History 115 

Early Farms , 70 

Early Settlers Continued 89 

Early Roads.--- 78 

Enas, Joseph --------- 105 

E^terbrooks Family. Benjamin- 146 

Esterbroobs, Benjamin ... 119 

First Visit of White Men 1 

French and Indian Wars 28, 116 

First Burials. 19 

Fatal Accidents 174 

Farrar, Rev. Joseph,. 124 

French Family _42, 218 

French, John 96 

French, Jr.,Mieah-_ 105 

Foster, Col. A, B 191 

Foster, Skelton 184 

Foster, John 191 



FA (IE 



Fitts, Abraham 105 

Flarida, John-, - 162 

Griffith, Col. Ellis 189 

Gross, Daniel ----- 188 

Guernsey, Samuel 184 

Graham, Lemuel 190 

Greenwood, Col* William Henry, __ 199 

Gates, Lieut. Daniel ------ 55 

Gleason, Benjamin 117 

Geology 7 

How the Early Settlers Lived 79 

Haven Famil y , Ebenezer ....... 33 

Houghton , Daniel . . _ 54 

Hanley, James..- — 118 

Hayes, Rutherford - ... 159 

Holton, Thomas... . 69 

Hill, John.. 122 

Holton, Arad.. - 124 

Holton Family * 149 

Herrick Family. ... 101 

Higgins Family 104 

Hooker, John 52 

Hildreth. Joseph - 52, 206 

Hudson, Seth 106 

Jones, Benjamin - 51 

Jones, Capt. Cornelius 51 

Johnson, Capt. Ashbel.__. 69 

Kathan, Capt. John 18 

Kathan, Lieut. Daniel and Ruth 17 

Kathan T Alexander 14 

Kilbury, John 36 

Kneeland, Rev. Abner.- 171 

Knight, Joel 120 

Kathan, Daniel-.. .. 127 

Knight Family. — 137 

Knapp Family .... 148 

Knapp, Dr. Isaac N. 95 

Lester, Daniel 124 

Laughton, Jacob 122 

Livermore. Jr. , Jonas 106 

Laughton Farm ly 57, 204 

ttj-j. , -iis 



Miller, Marshall 97 

Miller, Maj* William. 99 

Miller Family of West Dummerston 182 

Miller Family .129, 169, 215 

Manley, James . t 105 

Manley, Jesse 105 

Mann, James (not Munn). 186 

Moore, Rufus 191 

Mansfield Family... 21 1 

Memento, Mori.. 214 

Moore, Margaret Kathan 19 

Negus, John 118 

Negus, William. - 69 

Names of the Grantees - 8 

Norcross Family 100 

Nourse, Solomon 106 

Noyes, John.. 159 

Original Charter. 1 

Our Collegiates 203 

Orvis Family.. 89 

Papers of Settlement before 1800. __ 161 
Physicians _ 173 



INDEX. 



Ill 



PAGE 



PAGE 



Population 209 

Poverty Year.. 114 

Postoffice - 164 

Porter, Esq. , Samuel. . . _ 206 

Presson, LemueL 61 

Pierce Family — . . 101 

Parish, Asa 188 

Porter, Hon. Samuel. „ _ 164 

Revolutionary War .... 117 

Record History, Notification ...... 8 

Revolutionary Relic 128 

Representatives 205 

Reed, Simeon and Wife 152 

Roel, Moses. 185 

Randall, Elisha 184 

Reed, Isaac ... — — 101 

Rice Family 97 

Stoubbaeh Falls 118 

Soldiers, 1861-1865 .... 195 

Spaulding, Lieut. Leonard 24 

Sargent, Col. William 92 

Stock we 11, Jonas . . „ 190 

Stickney Family 145 

Stoddard , Sam ueL „ .... 186 

Sargent, Thomas ... 171 

Stearns , Samuel * 64 

Sargent, John .... 21 

Sargent, Rufus ... — ... 4i 

The Hague in 1793 — 105 

The Great Hurricane 119 

The Old Noyes and Hayes Store 158 

The Scare.... 128 

Tax Bill of 1802 ... 107 

Topography of the Town ....... 5 

Town Clerks .... 209 

Tenney, Josiah 106 

Tenney, Moody 186 

Taylor ..... 186 

Western Boundary Line of Bum- 
mer st on 171 

West Bummereter in 1810 ..... 179 

Warning out of Town 113 

Walker, Jonas... 95 

Wilder Family 147, 166 

Wiswall, Samuel. . . 37 

Walker, Dr. Sewell.. , 94 

Wyman, Capt. John 54 

Willard Family 179 

Worden Family 165 

Wilson, Capt. Ezekiel ......... 210 

Z wears, Daniel .... 184 

PUTNEY. 



Andrews, Rev. Elisha D_ 243 

Boundaries and Natural History — 217 
Business and Agricultural Pursuits. 222 

Baptist Church. 237 

Congregational Church 234 

Crawfords T 245 

Campbell, Dr ... 244 

College Graduates 224 

Civil History. .... 219 

Education .... ...... 224 

Foster, Rev. Amos ..... 255 

First Settlers 219 

First Charter 220 

First French War. - 219 



First Tilings. 233 

Fires, and Persons Drowned 229 

Goodhue, Josiah 239 

Hyde, Lieut. Joshua 220 

Howe, Nehemiah 219 

J ewett, Capt, Daniel ........... 243 

Longevity .... 230 

Lawyers 224 

Lord, Dr, Joseph 240 

Methodist Church ... 238 

Miscellaneous 228 

Military 226 

Native Ministers 224 

Page, Capt. Benjamin 240 

Parker, Dea. Joshua— .... 239 

Parker, Warren ... ; — 246 

Putney West Hill . 248 and 250 

Physicians.. ...... 224 

Parker, Joshua 226 

Phipps, William _ 219 

Representatives * 225 

Sabin, Hon. Noah 220 

Sabin Jr. , Hon. Noah . 242 

Sargent, Hon. Nathan.... 246 

Town Clerks 223 

Turner, J. Wheeler ............ 249 

Uphani, James .... 226 

VERNON. 



Ancient Relics 307 

Burying Grounds 309 

Beldin Genealogy 310 

Burrows, Jarvis F 311 

Barber B, D. S. , George F. _ 304 

Bryant, Hon, Nahum Franklin..... 318 

Captivity of Mrs. Jemima Howe 292 

Cannon 306 

Cooper’s Point „ 277 

Clergymen 279 

Churches... 280 

Davis, Addie F. 321 

Elegy, on the death of Ensign Strat- 
ton 297 

Epitaph of Mrs. Abigal Gay ........ 292 

Epitaph of Mrs. Jamima Tute._-.__. 299 

Exostosis _ 309 

Elmer, Rufus 302 

Falls Fight, Township and early 

Ministers.. 307 

Forts . 277 

Frost, D. M. D. , Edward Eastman 804 
Grandfathers and Grandmothers. __ 808 

Hunt Genealogy ..... 289 

Howe, George. — . ......... 302 

Howe, Caleb and John 827 

Johnson, Hiram E 304 

Johnson, Judge Lovewell 301 

Justices of the Peace. . 285 

Lee, Mrs. Polly 308 

Lee, Dea. John .... 301 

Lee, Eli . _ . — ...... — . „ 315 

Lee, Rev, Dr. and Family. 316 

Longevity of Stratton Family ...... 334 

Longevity of Whithed Family 334 

Longevity of Wright Family. 334 

Library. ... . 280 



INDEX, 



112 



Miller, M. D., Ebenezer... 802 

Mills and Manufactures 284 

Memento, Mori 313 

Model Woman 324 

Marsh Fund _ . . 280 

Minerals 270 

Muns, Phineus 274 

Necrology — 300 

Original Proprietors 275 

One and One Hundred years old. . . 313 

Postmasters 285 

Peeler, Mrs, Lucy Patterson. .. 308 

Principal Streams. 277 

Pynehan, John. . ... 275 

Peeler, John Jacob . 300 

Physicians... . 284 

Parsons, Samuel Luke 303 

Remarkable Incident 306 

Railroad 306 

Representatives 285 

Rogers, Rev. T. F___ . . 298 

Squakheag Province 273 

Stebbin, John 318 

Stebbin’s Family Chronicle. 323 

Stebbing or StebbiiTs Geneolagy _ _ _ . 288 

Stratton, Ensign Samuel. 329 

Soldiers . ........... 286 

Steamboats 305 

Surprise Party . 311 

Swift Water Men - - ... 304 

Scott, Ebenezer 300 

Streeter, Solomon Thayer 304 

Tute, Amos 299 

Thayer, Capt. Jerijah _ 300 

Town Records 287 

Town Clerks . 285 

Windham County Formed ... 274 

Wright, Amasa . 300 

Washburn, Dr. Cyrus.. . ... 280 

Washburn, Percy Fitch 324 

Washburn, Franklin Bryant 324 

Washburn, Dwight H 324 

Whithed, A, B., Hamilton Lee _ 304 

Whithed 332 

Whithed, Isabella 383 

Whithed, Sylvina 333 

Whithed, Laf ay ette. . ______ 334 

Whithed Family marriages 336 



ATHENS. 



Athens, .... ... 357 

Bemis, Nial . 375 

Bullln, Rev. Joseph .......... 375 

Carpenter, Mrs, Polly 374 

Griswold, Maria .... 374 

Parkhurst, Alvin.. 375 

Powers Family 370 

Representatives 375 

Soldiers in the War 378 

Whitney, Timothy 374 

DOVER, 



Attorneys - 354 

Births.. 339 



page 



Dover. ... ... 337 

Delegates to Constitutional Conven- 
tions . ■. 342 

Dexter Family _ 356 

Early Settlers 338 

First Constable 344 

Hotels ..... 351 

Marriages ... . _ 339 

Merchants... - 352 

Manufacturers 349 

Postofficea and Postmasters 344 

Religious Societies 345 

Representatives 342 

Schools . 344 

Soldiers 354 



BROOKLINE, 



Adams Family 396 

Adams, William.-.. ... 388 

Annexation ........ 380 

Building Union and Baptist Church, 381 

Baptist Church History .. 390 

Bennett Family ... ... 398 

Cutler Family 393 

Cutler, Jonathan... 387 

Crane, Thomas 387 

Doctors.... 379 

Educational 383 

Early Reminisences. 384 

First Town Meeting 378 

First Representative. 380 

First Town Officers 380 

First Store 379 

Freshet.. 380 

Flint, Benjamin 387 

Gipson, Mrs. Saphronia Mason..... 404 

Grasshopper Plague 380 

Grassy Brook _ 377 

Harwood, Ebenezer 386 

Hotels 379 

In the late War 381 

Longevity - . 386 

Merrifield, Francis 388 

Move toward Town Organization .... 378 

Mason, George . . 400 

Military 383 

Mineral Springs 382 

Mills 379 

Ormsbee, Benjamin 888 

Osgood, Christopher 381 

Postoffices and Postmasters. . 383 

Representatives 385 

Railroad..... 382 

Rist.. 387 

Schools 378 

Stickney, Warren B 401 

Stebbins, Auther B 389 

Stickney, Berzillia and C. P ... 888 

Town Clerks.. 885 

The Indians .... 393 

Whitcomb, Cyrus 377 

Waters, John ....... 386 

Wellman ... ..... ^ _ 387 

Whitney. 387 



INDEX, 



113 



Baptist Church 407 

Briefs . _ _ _ 419 

Churches 415 

Cemeteries 414 

Early Political Strifes _ . 412 

Early Buildings 413 

Early Hardships . . , 413 

Gault, Death of Capt. . 420 

Historical Discourse 409 

Noted People...... 421 

Stark, James L . 418 

JAMAICA 



Attorneys . 431 

Accidents. 427 

Baptist Church.... 426 

Butler, Hon. John E. 428 

Congregational Church 426 

Goodale, Solomon 429 

Goodale, Timothy 429 

Holton, Dr, Joel 429 

Holton, Mrs. Parmelia 430 

Knowlton, Benjamin L. 431 

Longevity 432 

Military History 483 

Millerism 427 

Physicians 431 

Representatives 433 

Soldiers of the War of 1861 486 

Township and Grantees, 428 

Taft, Peter R, 431 

Universalist Society 427 

War of 1812. 435 

MARLBORO. 



Adams 449 

Angier, Justus \ 450 

Brown, Jethro 448 

Bruce, Elijah 448 

Bartlett. 450 

Bellows 450 

Bishop, Dea. S 451 

Closson, Esq. Henry 448 

Closson, Henry ............. 450 

Congregational Church 441 

Church, Dea. John. .. 448 

Early Settlers 448 

Genealogy of the Mathews Family . . 445 

Hibbard, Rev. Winchester H» _ 449 

Jenks, Boomer 450 

Lyman, Rev. Gershom 442 

Mathew, Timothy 445 

Newton, D. D,, Ephriam Holland.. 448 

Olds, Dr. Chester 446 

Prouty, Amos 451 

Stockwell, Abel 447 

Strong.. 447 

Smith 447 and 448 

Thayer, Ezekiel 447 

Thayer, Col. Ezra. 448 

Tomlin, Timothy 448 

Tucker—... 448 

Town Clerks 443 

Whitney. ..... 444 

War for the Union 452 



NEWFANE. 



Alien, Hon. Ebenezer... 464 

Burning of the Sawtell Family..... 459 

Birchard, Hon. Austin 473 

Congregational Church 481 

Collegiates * . - 487 

Crosby, Rev. Aaron , . 465 

Eager, Ward. 465 

Field, Charles K 475 

Field, Gen. Martin ... 465 

Field, Roswell Martin 466 

Fisher, Daniel 468 

Grout Family _ . 474 

Geology and Mineralogy-. 458 

Historical Address 455 

Indians. ... 456 

Knowlton, Hon. Luke 463 

Kimball, Gen. Pardon T, 468 

Kinney, Dea. Moses 468 

Knowlton, Jr. Hon. Luke ___ 472 

Longevity 477 

Methodist Church 484 

Newton, Hon. Marshall _ 470 

Newton, Marshall _ 469 

Old Shire Village . 460 

Population 479 

Pondville Baptist Church.. 480 

Perversion of Legal Maxims 461 

Representatives . .. 461 

Robinson __ _ 471 

Revolutionary War 488 

Schools and School Districts 486 

Town Clerks 461 

Taylor, Rev. Hezekiah 464 

Universalist Society. 485 

Wheeler, John 476 

Williams, William H 467 

Warren, Rev. Otis 477 

Williams, William L, ..475 

Windham Co. Savings Bank 478 

Whipping Post. - - 463 

War of 1812-15 .... 488 

War of 1861-1865. „ 489 

Fay ette vill e in N e wf an e 725 

Williams vi lie in Newfahe - . 727 

Pondville in Newfane.*.. 729 

ROCKINGHAM. 

Allbee. Ebenezer 503 

Bellows Falls 510 

Bartonsville 502 

Business Enterprises-,- 511 

Brock ways Mills. 502 

Blake, Dr. Seth M 505 

Bro wb , Brigadice 504 

Barry, Jonathan 504 

Bridgman, Hon. Jabez Delano 506 

Cambridge Port. _ 501 

Churches 510 

Congregational Church 515 

Campbell M. D. Daniel 505 

Freshet of Oct. 3, 1869. 498 

Future of Bellows Falls., .516 

Grantees 495 

Guild, Samuel and Rufus.. 505 

Hoit, Theophilus 514 



114 



INDEX. 



PAGE 



Hale’s Bridge. 498 

Jones, Dr. Reuben- 503 

Kilburn John 497 

Library 511 

Military. t ... 507 

Newspapers. ... 511! 

Olcott, Elias. ____ 503 

Ober, Samuel 504 

Proprietor’s Meeting 497 

Perry, George- 514 

Rockingham ...... . _ 493 

Rockingham Continued 501 

Representatives and Town Clerks 499 

Swain, Hon. A. N 507 

Saxtons River Seminary _ „ 512 

Social Clubs 512 

Schools ... * 511 

Vermont AcademySaxtons River, Vt. 512 

STRATTON. 

Stratton - 519 

Batcheller, Lyman 525 

Churches and Cemeteries 522 

Death of Mrs. Blake 525 

Early History . . _ i 520 

Education . 522 

First Settlers 521 

First Proprietors’ Meetings . 521 

Grantees __ 520 

Geology . - - - - 519 

Grout, Samuel Newell.- 526 

Military Record.. 522 

Morsman, Timothy 525 

Organization ... 521 

The Glazier Family 525 

Torrey, Luther. _ . . . 526 

Torrey , Elisha Hyde ... 527 

Torrey Elijah M. 527 

Wait, George E. 526 

SOMERSET. 



Somerset - ... - 528 

Constables 531 

Deaths by Accident.. 530 

Grantees 528 

Letter from an old Man in Dover. 529 

Representatives ... 531 

Town Clerks 531 

Town Treasurers ^ 531 

TOWNSHEND. 



To wnshend 1 532 

Attorneys.... 543 

Brigham, Ebenezer 547 

Brattleboro and Whitehall Railroad 

Co. 550 

Charter ...... _ . „ . - 533 

Committee of Correspondence 539 

Church, Baptist-.--.--. 547 

Church, Methodist-.... 548 

Church, Congregational 548 

Cemeteries ... - 549 

Division of Original Rights. 537 

District Schools 541 

Forbes ... ' 547 



PAOE 



Grantees 1 - - 533 

Gray , Deacon Samuel - — — . — — 547 

Howard Family.. 545 

Inn Keepers 551 

J ay. W illiam . .. 547 

Twitchell, Col. Jonas - 547 

Leland Seminary 542 

Legacy of Aurelius Howard 550 

Military 539 

Merchants 542 

Meeting of the proprietors April 5, 

1774 536 

Proprietors’ Clerks... 537 

Postoffice and Postmasters. 550 

Physicians 542 

Representatives 550 

Summary of the War for the Union. 541 

GRAFTON. 



Grafton 552 

Burgess, Ebenezer. 554 

Barrett, Charles 554 

Congregational Church .... 559 

Delegates to Constitutional Conven- 
tion 557 

Daniels, Frank B, . . 555 

Dean, Benj, W 554 

Education al 554 

First Settlers 553 

Grantees... ... 552 

Grafton Industrial Association 556 

Mineralogical ... 555 

Military - 557 

Putnam, Hon. David L - 556 

Park, Dr. C. 560 

State and County Offices.... 556 

Town Representatives J 556 

Tow n Clerks - 556 

The Great Freshet of 1869. _ 556 

The Woolen Manufacture 555 

WESTMINSTER. 



Address 659 

Averill, John— Asa 566 , 577 

Atherton Chaffee Family 578 

Averill Fainilv - 626 

Arnold. Sethi 597 

Allbee 600 

Appendix, Biographical 613 

Another Emigration 600 

Boundary Controversy. . ....... 588 

Barney Grantees 628 

Baptist Church. _ . 641 

Bradley, M. C., Stephen Rowe 591 

Bradley, M. G, William C 593, 610 

Bradley Genealogy 596 

Burt, Benjamin 584 

Burke, Hon, Edmund 627 

Brush, Crean _ ~ .... 586 

Burks, The. — 586 

Centennial Anniversary of Vermont 

Independence-.... .. ... 635 

Census, Members of Congress, Co. 

Officers and Windham Co. Court. 623 
Centennial Anniversary of the Con- 
gregational Church, ... 629 



INDEX. 



115 



PAGE 

Church and Ministry 603 

Campbell, George ... 668 

Cone, Samuel _ 581 

Carpenter, Amos - 578 

College Graduates . 668 

Day, Dr, Elkanah 590 

Doubleday, Nathaniel _ 639 

Dickerson Family - 584 

Early Settlers 576 

Ellis", Richard, Reuben, 576 

Easton, Bildad w . 589 

Education _ 600 

French, William 574 

First Town Officers 624 

First Printers in the State 601 

Fairbanks, Rev. Francis J 627 

Fletcher, Jr., Robt 567 

Grantees - 564 

Goold, William and John 579 

Grout, John. .... 600 

Gilson, Capt* Michael and Zackariah 580 

Gray, Edward 598 

Goodridge, Benjamin . 598 

Goodell, Dea, Abiel 598 

Grantees of the Renewed Charter... 567 

Houghton, Daniel - 575 

Harlow, Eleazer 579 

Hall, Atherton 640 

Holton, Joel .... . 583 

Hotels .602, 648 

Ide, Ichabod 688 

Indian Alarms ... 567 

Kittredge, Dea. Nathaniel. — 598 

Love joy s. The.... — - 590 

Lane, John - 598 

Moral and Religious History. 640 

Manufactures .... 602, 650 

Merchants .... — 651 

Military .... 651 

May, Dr. William ... 628 

Morse, John 584 

McNiel, Nehemiah ... 585 

Native Ministers 606 

Native Lawyers 647 

National Joys .... 652 

Norton, John 581 

Original Grant. 563 

Population 600 

Physicians ; _ „ 603, 647 

Postmaters .... 626 

Paterson , William . . . . . 588 

Pippins, The.... ..... 588 

Petty, Aaron 584 

Page. Maj. Joel 614 

Revolutionary Proceedings ... ... 569 

Representatives 624 

Richardson . James .... 586 

Richards, Mark ..... 596 

Robinsons 589, 639 

Richard, Ellis 565 

Ranney, Dea. Epraim . 584 

Shipman, Rev. Isaiah 628 

Safford, Philip .... 575 

Stoddard, Joshua 589 

Sessions, Dea. John _ 585 

Stores 602 

Shops. 650 

Thayer, Jonathan 576 



PACK 

Westminster... . 561 

W est minster Mo ney 636 

Westminster in the Wars 601 

Westminster Massacre. 570 

Willard, Esq., William ..... 580 

Wright, Oapt. Azariah. 588 

Willard, Col. Josiah. 581 

White 575 

Whipping Post. 576 

WARDSBORO. 



Wardsboro 669 

Automatic Lathe .... ...... 678 

Business 672 

Bradford, Rev. Ebenezer G 681 

Babcock, Robert....... 680 

County Senators 675 

College Graduates 677 

Census, Population ... 672 

Church, Congregational.*. . . 670 

Church, Methodist.. _ 672 

Church, Raptist ... 671 

Davis, Paul. .... 673 

Death of Judge Warren 679 

First Settlers 670 

Freeman’s Roll, 1 796 669 

First Schools 673 

Grantees 669 

Hyde, Dr. Dana ... 678 

In Memoriam ... 680 

Kidder, Mary 673 

Merchants.... .... 675 

March Meeting 670 

Martin, Mathew 672 

Newell, Esq. , Jackson ..... 682 

Physicians 676 

Robbins, Prof. R, D. C, . 678 

Robinson, Mrs. H. T ... 679 

Revolutionary Soldiers. 673 

Representatives 675 

Soldiers of 1861-1865 ... 674 

The Militia.. 674 

Town Clerks 675 

Wheelock, Esq. , Asa. 676 

Wheeler, M. D., Paul*.. 676 

Ward, William 676 

Ward, Prof. L. F. 682 

WHITINQHAM. 

Whitingham 684 

A Mineral Spring ...... 688 

Brigham Family 715 

Brown Family 710 

Cumberland Township . 684 

Church History... , 701 

Chase Family. 716 

Carley Famil y . . . A 721 

Death of Capt. Stickney 715 

Early Settlement 688 

Early Settlers. 693 

First Things 689 

First Grand List 690 

General Description 1 885 

Green Family 707 

June Training Day.. . 700 



116 



INDEX. 



PAWE 

Jacksonville - 705 

Petitioners and Grantees 684 ! 



Petitions of CoL Whiting 685 | 

Professional Men — 722 ! 

Parker Family 722 

Representatives 728 

Roberts Family 720 

Stores and Merchants 698 

Shay’s Rebellion - 689 ; 

Town Meeting, Mill tar}" Stores and ‘ 
building of Meeting House 698 j 
The Centre village — - 697 I 



Tainter Family 719 

Town Clerks _ 728 

Town Treasurers 728 

Witchcraft- ___ 892 

War of 1861-1865. .. 695 

Wheeler, Adam 689 

W hitingliam Centennial 698 

H. C, Cutting of Lunenburgh 731 

A part of the history of Whitingham 
was written by Mr. Jillson, and a part 
was taken from the Town History writ- 
ten by Leonard Brown, Esq. 



PART XIX. 



GUILFORD. 



Amusements- -------- 

Agriculture - -- -- - - 

Baptist Church 

Barn ey , Capt. J ohn 

Climate and Longevity 

Congregational Church * - - 

Oollegiates - - - - 

Carpenter, Hon. Benjamin- - 

Cutler, Nahum-... 

Early Proceedings of Proprietors. 

Early Settlers 

Episcopal Church - -- -- -- - 

Early Churches 

Early Physicians ------ 

Education 

Face of the Township 

First Town Meeting ------ 

First Wagon - - 

From the Elliot J ournal . . _ 

Fisk, D. D. Wilber.. 

Family of Feld or Field 

Family of Abijah Prince. .. 

Greenleaf , Jeremiah 

Goodnough and Spicer 

Geology of the Town _ _ - 

Grant to the Society for the Gospel 

in Foreign Parts - , 

Guilford 

Literature - 

Lawyers and Physicians . . . . 

Methodist Church ... 

Military 

Manufactures - 

Mill Privileges 

Medical Springs 

Navigation of the Connecticut- 

Original Charter ... — 

Ode to Equality 

Our Strong Men 

Officers of the War, 61-65 

Our Architect 

Phelps, Gen. John Wolcott -- 

Phelps, Miss Stella — 

Population - ----- - 

Request for Town Meeting 

Retiring from Office. ----- 



48 

49 

52 
80 
10 

54 

55 
8 ! 
9 

16 

8 

53 
9 

10 

54 
11 
19 
66 
43 
75! 
76 
78 
47 

40 
11 

41 
3 

42 

55 
53 
55 J 
61 1 
12 ! 
621 
62! 
13 

43 
65 
61 
65 
68 
47 
40 
63 
68 



Representatives. 

Religion.,.. - 

State and County Officers 

Schools.- : 

Statistics of 1850-1860 

Statistics of 1840 

Surveyors 

Spirit of 76.. 

War of 1812 and 1861 

LONDONDERRY. 



A New Londonderry 

Annoyances 

Aiken, Capt. Edward 

Buxton, Nathan.... 

Bear Story 

Charter, _ 

Churches and Pastors 

Cochran, David 

Cochran, Miss Nancy. . 

College graduates 

Cox , W illiam 

Cox, John 

Division of the Township 

First Town Meeting ... 

Goddard, Martin H. 

Hopkins, James 

Kent.. 

Military Record ... 

Martin, John P 

Paterson, James 

Post Office ... 

Rugg, Rev. William H. . . . . . 

Schools...--.. 

South Londonderry 

The Village of Londonderry. 
The Arnold Family 

WILMINGTON, 



Agriculture 

Bruce, Rev. Mansfield 

Draper Charter. 

Dickenson, Hon. Henry M, 
First Town Meeting. 

Flag, Hon. Stephen P 



PAGE 

64 

51 

64 

10 

50 

12 

87 

39 

57 



17 
16 
22 

23 
29 
15 

18 
22 

25 
22 
22 
22 
17 

15 
21 
22 

16 

26 

24 
21 
28 

25 

17 

18 
18 
24 



18 

19 

p>* 

26 

8 

21 



INDEX 



117 



Forbs, Volney 23 

Hall, Hon. Jairus ... . 21 

In the War of 1812 — . _ . - , 9 

Morris, Maj, John - 22 

Masonic 23 

Physicians - 14 

Packard, Origen 20 

Poems. . _ 24 

Population ... 10 

Representatives 14 

Revolutionary Soldiers - - _ 7 

Settlers 9 

Town Clerk 14 

Village..... ... ..... 13 

WINDHAM. 



Aiken .... 13 and 14 I 

Bowen, Luke.. 14 j 

Bur nap Family. 15 

Baptist Church 8 

Congregational Church 9 

Chapman, Hon. Clark 25 

Cobb Family ..... 18 

Educational 13 

Hastings, Rev. Henry 18 

Honorary Members of Benevolent 

Societies- 1 19 

Methodist Church ... 9 

Methodist Ministers 18 

Military Record 21 

Physicians .... 12 

Postmasters 13 

Religious Instructions 7 

Revolutionary Soldiers 20 

Representatives . . 10 

Stevens, Martin, Family.. 18 

Smith, Mrs* Emma Wood 10 

Schools. 7 

XJniversallst Ministers ... 18 

Upham, James II 18 

Windham in Londonderry 5 

Windham . . 6 

BENNINGTON. 



A Monument 40 

Bennington County in the War for 

the Union . . - 6 

Bennington Historical .... , . _ 29 

Bennington Bank 32 

Bennington Village and their Indus- 
tries 42 

Banks 44 

Burning of the Burgess Bridge 49 

Baptist Church. 48 

Bennington Centre Village 50 

Bennington Battle Monument 55 

Bowl Shop 46 

Centennial Day 72 

Court House 38 

Congregational Church 48 

Catholic Church .. . 44 

Col. Peck’s Orders 70 



Cotton Factories.... 49 

Decoration Day Orators 69 

Episcopal Church 44 

East Bennington 32 

East Bennington Postoffice 33 

Electric Lights 46 

First Battery 11 

French Catholic Church 44 

Free Library 42- 

Fire Department — 47 

Governor’s Day ... 61 

Graded School. ...... ... . 43 

Glass Grinding— Stereoscopes. 49 

Hon. lliland Hall ..... .. 83 

Harlam Extension 43 

H, W. Putnam, Patentee Manufac- 
turer 46 

Hotels 46 

Knitting Mills 45 

| Knitting Machine Works 45 

I Methodist Church 44 

Memorial Orators 54 

Manufactures — Machine Works 44 

Nine Months Men 11 

Newspapers. ... 43 

North Bennington Village 47 

North Bennington Postoffice 32 

Number of Men from Bennington 

County ... 13 

Poems Bennington Battle. _ 78 and 79 
Postmasters of Centre and North 

Bennington. 38 

Roster of Officers from Bennington 

County .... „ 13 

Rev. Isaac Jennings 98 

Rubber Tablets 49 

Second Reg. of Vermont Sharp 

Shooters 11 

Seventeenth Reg „ 13 

Second Congregational Church 43 

St. Francis De Sales . .. 51 

Second Battle of Bennington 69 

Spring Needle Machine Works 45 

The Fourth Reg 8 

The Fifth Reg 9 

The Seventh, Eighth and Tenth 

Regs ....... 10 

The Twelveth, Fourteenth and Sixth 

Regs. _ . _ .... 12 

The Battle of Bennington. 14 

The Catamount Tavern. 23 

The First Congregational Church ... 50 

The Soldiers Home . 51 

The Soldiers Dead in Bennington 

Cemetery - 53 

Town Historical Society 55 

The Laying of the Comer Stone of 
The Bennington Battle Monu- 
ment 60 

The Procession - 62 

The Governor’s Family 92 

The Park Residence 48 

The Bennington Woolen Mills 46 



Gov, Carroll S, Page is not a Windham County man, yet as governor of Ver- 
mont he belongs to every county in the State.